Pulled BW on the 2HP

I did some 2HP tonight.

150x1
160x1
170x1
180x1
190x2 singles
180x5 singles
170x5 singles

I weighed 184 today making me one of a handful who have pulled over BW on the 2HP. Yay me.

Getting back into Grip

I've really been neglecting my training these past few months. This whole ACL thing put me in a slump that I'm just now able to come out of. I had originally figured I'd train grip and pressing while unable to use my leg for much, but I just felt like crap when doing that. I didn't want to be there. My grip felt the same way. I just didn't feel like doing it. School started up, and I really enjoy it and I want to focus on it this year. Last year I had a 4.0 and this year I plan to have the same, but with the difficult subjects I'm taking, it will require more focus. You only have so much "focus" in you. The saying goes "Give it your all." If you do that, you have very little left for anything else. I'm learning to shift focus more frequently, but it's tough. Switching from Academics to Strength Training to teaching my precocious little sister the math that her school refuses to teach her. It's just plain tough. Slowly but surely I'm doing it though. Come Gripmas Carol time, I'll know just how successful I am at it right now. The semester ends around that time, Gripmas is the contest I am currently training and my little sister will be in the tougher courses she needs(and wants!).

My #1 strength goal right now is to break the hammer-to-face lever record at the Gripmas Carol. That means doing 23.51lbs or better. I feel I can do it, but I probably wont even win the event even if I do lift 23.51!!! Going to be an incredible group this year.

A long awaited update...

Well, it's been 1 month and 2 days since my ACL reconstruction. I'm recovering VERY quickly, far ahead of the standard timeline and faster than I could've hoped for. My knee could barely move near 90 degrees and nowhere near lockout 2 days post-op, but now I can fully lockout under my own strength and have at least 143 degrees of flexion. 150-160 is my natural range, so I still have a good bit to go, but I've talked to some people who didn't even reach 90 degrees until 3 weeks. I still wont be able to jump, squat, deadlift or run around for another month at least.

Surgery on 8/12

Squats today

135x10
135x10
225x8
275x1
275x1
135x10

Decided to test my knee today and see what I could do. Wanted to make sure I wasn't being held back mentally yet. I am. The weight was reletively easy but on the 2nd rep of 275 on both sets I dropped it while halfway up. I think it was a combination of strength/being afraid. Either way, I got a tiny taste of what I'll be in for in a few weeks when I can start squatting again. I'm not happy to say the least. Physical therapy will begin around 8/26, by then I, according to what I've read, should have 90 degrees of flexion in the knee and be able to extend it a bit. My goal is to be at 95+ degrees and exceed the expected extension by that date.

It's weird, I'm forced to play the waiting game right now as surgery is next week. I have gone from being slightly worried, to anticipation, and now to excitement. I'm excited to get to work and get my leg back to 100%, damn the pain involved. From what I've read, you almost get what you give in the rehab. If you bust your ass hard, you reap the rewards. Then again, if you get lazy, you reap only consequences. I plan on surprising a few people.

Don't worry, I wont be stupid about this. I'm serious about coming back 100%. Serious enough to exercise self-restraint if I have too, not something I'm used to.

Bummer

I may have torn my ACL on an Axle C&J attempt at WNY's strongest man today. I'm not in pain, I can put weight on it, but the knee is wobbly and has just the very slightest hint of soreness at the moment. Wether that will change tomorrow or not, I do not know.

Squats again

Back squats today
225x10
245x8
265x6
285x4
305x1(was going for 2 as you probably guessed, wasn't to be)

My next attempts were going to be 325x1 and see how many singles I could get. I've decided to stop trying to go heavier every workout and to just build up strength in the 3-8 rep range for the next month or two to see where it gets me. The 10 and 8 rep sets were pretty easy and the 285x4 took a bit out of me. I could've made this 20, 10, 5, 5 with the same weights if I hadn't wanted to hit 300 in this workout.

I never listened to Micheal Jackson's music...

I remember the first time I saw Micheal Jackson. It was on TV during news coverage of one of his events in the mid 90's. I remember my parents talking about him, I asked, "THAT is a guy?". My parents responded with an understanding "Yup." From that point on, I always saw him in the way that was popular. I regarded him very much so as a joke and couldn't for the life of me understand why it was that people were so enamored with him. I saw quite clearly just how loyal his fans were, the legions of people, young and old, screaming outside his concerts and appearances. I never understood the love affair for what I saw as some kind of freakshow milking his once epic stardom. When I first heard he died, I was in a bit of disbelief. Not that it could've happened, but that it did happen. How could such a figure, a household name, someone only months older than my own father, pass? My first thoughts went to remembering how tragic a figure he was. Pummeled in the media, talked about as a pedophile, turned into some kind of sad joke but still, his fans were there. It's true, I've heard his music before many times over, but as wives everwhere can tell you, "hearing" and "listening" are hardly the same thing. I remembered songs from the Jackson 5 like "ABC" and knew that Micheal was an impressive singer, but it took his death and the heartfelt words of his daughter Paris to actually get me to sit down and listen to one of his songs. Sitting here in my chair, I listened to the song "I'll be there" as sang by a pre-pubescent Micheal in the late 60's. It's true, I had never listened to Micheal's music, and for the first time I asked myself "Why?" I always saw and heard the joke of a man that had been built up slowly by the media and the countless people willing to take aim at an easy target, but never the music. For the first time, I understood why it was that so many people were willing to stand behind him even as he was berated and looked upon as some kind of oddity. I understood why his fans were so loyal, why Micheal Jackson became what he did. It's true, I never listened to Micheal's music, but I will be from now on.

Rest in Peace Micheal

Larkin Get-together

Had a get-together at Larkin's today. Everytime I go there I leave with a new-found lust for strength. Re-energized as it were. I managed to get 405 in the deadlift again, but couldn't do it without a belt. I'm extremely disappointed at how hard it was each time I pulled it. It should be far easier than it was by now and I will be deadlifting regularly again. I came sub 1/4" on 2 BB grippers that were(I'm told) harder than the MM1. Those BB's really like to bind up at the last little bit. I really just need to get my set down again and I'll have that MM1 in the bag. I pinched 163ish on my device and did some light levers. A bad time cannot be had at Larkin's gym.

In preparation for Nationals, I did some rear weaver levers with a hammer when I got home. Managed to work up to my 12lber and get at least one solid rep in. I'm fairly certain I will be doing better on this event at Nationals than I did at Gripmas last year.

1st Annual Woodall Grip Challenge report

I think more than one person(myself included) was "off" that day. My numbers here compared to my training numbers are ridiculously low. I blame that on the incredible treatment myself, Steve and Durniat recieved from Rex's family. I became too complacent and too relaxed... the total lack of training had nothing to do with it.

Chad was flipping ON. Explosive and focused as always. 200kg on the axle, coming 2nd in the grippers, winning the RT. I know this wasn't an easy contest for Chad, he certainly worked for his win. Steve and Andrew were not letting up and constantly up there in the top 3 of events.

Steve got that 205lb #4 in the first event. If I recall correctly, that is the heaviest gripper close in competition history, choked or otherwise. He went on to do lighter 4 closes after the competition(several people videod... hopefully Jedd doesn't delete/lose/record over/forget). He also may have ended up with 266 on the RT, but he got 295(not including the pin+handle) off the ground.

Andrew was ON as well. He attempted a 476 axle and got it up 3/4 of the way. Slightly better planning may have netted him a 476 pull, but he still broke his own record, so not too shabby there. His medley performance was awesome, lightning fast. The only one faster was Chad.

Jedd, man. This is the first time I think Jedd has come outside 3rd in a looooooong time. The competition was at an extreme level and I think Jedd was slightly off on comp day. However, coming in 4th at a competition of this caliber on such an off day? That says something.

It was great meeting Aaron again. I think we had all of six or seven words when last we met at Beatty's in '07. He certainly looked to be on his game today. He didn't really have a bad event, no surprise there. He always manages to be at roughly the same level in all the events. I think he came 4th-6th in everything here consistently. Truly an all-arounder.

Rex, wtf. You have flipping 9"+ hands. Learn to use them for thickbar for goodness sake. Other than that, I think Rex had a great day. All of his lifts were up there around or just below the tops guys.

Paul came in with an injury after drinking until 2-3am the night before the competition. I also believe he didn't bother waiting until the comp was over to start up again... AND HE STILL CAME IN 7TH. PAUL, GET IT TOGETHER AND TRAIN PROPERLY.

Ryan was an impressive individual. If I heard right, he trained for this about as much as myself and about as frequently. A little bit of stragety would've netted him a 375+ axle. Starting at 401 obviously didn't work out. Nor did his stiff-legged, rounded back, grinding, sumo pulling style he decided to use. He pulled 401 to his knees 4 damn times and failed to lock out because he couldn't drive his hips forward. DO BETTER!

Chris, 60 and still whooping my ass. I believe Sundin has used the expression "like a fine wine" to describe Chris more than once. It remains true.

Brent, I was totally beating you for a few seconds. We were close in points, but not in actual weights lifted. I have a feeling this was an off day for Brent as well. Perhaps if he would learn to NOT WARMUP TO 90%.

Me? I sucked. My hands seemed to be tired just walking in there. I was off my game and was smart enough to have a squat session with some pinch and 2.5" axle work thrown in on Tuesday as a last minute mad dash to train.



Overall, this was a fantastic venue for a comp. Chad really went out of his way to make this thing professional and it really paid off. The announcer was a nice touch as well. I also did not know the whole story behind Eddy, Rex's friend doing the documentary. This guy was a pro. Rex, send me that email address again and I'll try my best to find some more training footage and photos. GET THAT STUFF SENT IN GUYS!!!!

The sponsors really stepped up, Beatty, Rice, Perth, several local companies. I don't have the shirt in front of me right now but there were over a dozen sponsors. I would like to thank them all VERY much for helping to put on such a flipping awesome contest.

One more glowing review of Rex's family, I don't think I could've been much more welcomed anywhere. Even if I paid bookoo bucks to stay. Just an amazing trip all the way around and thanks to all involved!!!!!

Catching up again

I have been neglecting my log here lately. I apologize as I've been busy with work and for whatever reason my life has seemed quietly hectic these past few weeks... if that makes any sense xD

I squatted yesterday but apparently forgot to post it. Here it is:

Back squats all
135x5
225x5
300x2
350x0(if I had been motivated and not beaten down/burnt out I would've had this one)
300x1
245x10(could've done 20, again, if I wasn't such a lazy pussy...cat that day)


Today's bench workout

2DBOHPress
75'sx3

Flat Bench
135x10

Incline Bench(I just realized my next strongman comp has a 230lb log press for reps as the first event, I figured I should try to work towards at least one rep )
205x3
235x1(10lb PR)
205x3
205x3
185x5
185x5
185x5
135x5(narrow grip, elbows touching the sides all the way down and up with a 1 second pause and breathe at the bottom)

Hammer curls
60'sx5/5
60'sx5/5(both sets were decently strict with virtually no swinging until the last 4 or so reps of the 2nd set, big improvement here)

Full hammer curls
50'sx5/5

Some back pressure training and then 1 set of 10 chins and 1 set of 7 pullups.

Michigan Grip Championships 2009

Bob Lipinski put on yet another awesome grip comp last weekend! As always, it was held at Don Larkin's gym. The Larkin's are just straight up good people. Always willing to help and I'm not sure I've met too many people with as many interesting stories as Don.

On to the comp then.

For starters, I did very well. Far better than even I expected, and I went in there knowing the events favored me and that I had trained them more than previous contests.

First up were the grippers- I have been closing my average #3 pretty consistently since I first shut it a few months ago. I was shutting a 160ish PDA gripper that I borrowed from Bob on and off on strong days with near misses on weak days. So I knew that contest adrenaline would help me out here a bit and expected the PDA to be my upper end. I didn't even bother with it. I attempted the Hard #3 first and after a minor setting issue, slammed it. I went for the Narrow Super Elite, which is about 164ish, next and managed it with a solid set. I failed on the easy Elite on my 3rd attempt and passed my 4th. I wouldn't have gotten the easy Elite fresh even with contest adrenaline, but it would've been close under those circumstances I think. That Narrow SE close put me in 2nd place right from the start with 3 guys tied for 1st.

Hub lifts were next- I knew I would get 60+, but I hadn't trained this all that often before the comp. I was confident that 65+ would go on this day and I managed a solid and not-too-tilted 67.5 pretty easily and failed 70 and 71lbs, getting the 70 off the floor. Dave Thornton went all beast on us and pulled 80lbs with a super heavy front load. He passed on his next few attempts because we couldn't figure out how to load 40 extra pounds on the 45. He could've pulled 85 that day.

Vbar next- I suck at Vbar. Partly because I never train it, partly because I can't figure out how to train it and lastly because I just hate vbar lifting. I pulled 215 which I think equals my all-time PR, so I'm not that dissapointed in myself, but I just knew I would lose major points here. I did, but the damage was contained by other's mistakes and what seemed to be an all-around weak day for many.

Hammer Medley- I was expecting to pwn here. I had trained this and I had actually trained this seriously for some time before it was even an event at the contest. So I kind of won the lotto on that one. My front lever is one of the strongest in grip, I'm sure of it now. I easily front levered my 10lb sledge at 26" with a quarter on the head to the high platform for a total coup points-wise. I knew I was going to get it too, which felt great being the last guy and seeing even Dave Thornton only pull it up to the low platform and gave me a huge confidence boost for my attempt. The slim levers went great and I knew that I could get at least the 16 with decent ease, and did. I failed on the 18.5 quite a few times and had several near misses but it wasn't happening today. I tied for 1st on this one.

The Rim lift was next- the weight was 335 and I held it for 3 seconds. By this time, I just didn't care. I was so happy to have beaten Thornton and Durniat on something so solidly and happy that I was in a good placing points-wise, that I could care less what I got on this event. Turns out it didn't matter all that much. I believe Jeff Flynn got 1st on this event, I also believe that if he hadn't done well in this event, I would've come in 4th place overall instead of 5th. I came second to last in this event and ahead of the 2 guys who had to go to the lighter weight:D

Awesome contest overall and I think this was a situation where I had a strong day coupled with everyone else having a not-so-strong day. It worked out well for me and everyone had fun regardless of any apparent weaknesses on the day.

After comp feats for me include breaking 3 25's off the floor ever-so-slightly, my first human flags on both sides, a ring finger chinup that I definitely felt for 2 days after doing it, several attempts at slippery, rounded 5 10's with some air, and another solid 10lb front lever.

Overall, Saturday has given me something to boast about and a boatload of confidence to carry with me to Chad's comp a little over a month away. Once Jerri Larkin's DVDs get here, I'll relive the day several times over this month and next which should help me out in my training significantly. Just one more reason to make it out to a Michigan Grip comp, free and WELL-MADE DVDs with high resolution pictures and videos of several events from different angles. You don't get that shit anywhere else!

New squat idea... again

Did some squats today and decided to do some high reps. I didn't feel mentally ready to test my maximum reps with BW, so I did the next best thing: A 10x10 set with 205, 8lbs more than my BW.

Front Squats
135x5
225x1

Back Squats
315x1
315x1
205x10
205x10
205x10
205x10
205x10
205x10
205x10
205x10
205x15(tried for 20, but wasn't there mentally)
205x5

This was by far the hardest squat workout to date. My heart was racing at set 3 and I was slightly dizzy after sets 3 and 4 and decided that I would give myself ample rest between sets. At least I will at first. I thought of yet another way to train for the 100 rep squat also. I will try to do this for the next few weeks, possibly months if I am capable and it turns out I make gains.

Do a 10x10 set but try to do a 20 rep squat after set 8. When I can get myself to do the 20 reps at the end of the squat session and do the session with less than 5 minutes between sets, I'll add 5lbs to the total and try to do the same. Once I feel I hit a wall weight-wise, I'll try to add reps to the last set instead of adding weight. I felt I hit a wall mentally on the 5th set because my last idea, to do 10x5, got me used to 50 reps, not 100. This will get me used to 100 reps and help me add weight.

Deadlifts

I decided to deadlift today instead of squat. I haven't deadlifted in awhile and it has always been my favorite lift and I want to get back to deadlifting regularly. Last time I pulled I did 405 sumo for a few doubles and a triple if I remember right. I only went sumo because my back was bugging me, not the problem today. I pulled conv.

225x2
315x5
335x5
365x5
385xhover (sumo)
385x1(sumo with a belt)
385xhover (conv.)
365x5
315x5(1 rep was done thumbless and the rest were DO)

I used to have a very SLDL-type of form due to my severe lack of leg strength. I can get lower at the start and benefit from leg strength now. I at least hovered what I couldn't pull today, that in itself is a PR. I used to go heavy almost every time I pulled, I wont be so brash this time around. 5's, 3's and 2's will be common unless I'm feeling strong or haven't pulled heavy in awhile.

I did some work with my 2.5" PVC wrist roller afterwards... wow. FRIED again.

New squat PR

I hit 350 in the squat last week! That represents a 25 lb all-time PR and I'm sure I could get more totally fresh. My calves have taken a severe beating with all these squats these past few weeks. I'm letting them rest for now before I squat again. I should be back to squatting by Wednesday-Thursday of this week.

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Squats

Squats
270x5
270x5
270x5
270x5
270x5
270x5
270x5
270x5
270x5
270x5

Squats

Squats
265x5
265x5
265x5
265x5
265x5
265x5
265x5
265x5
265x5
265x5

These felt great, but I also had far more rest between the sets than I normally do. Normally, there is less than 2 minutes between sets, but this time I was squatting and helping my brothers move some stuff around the shop(they did most of the moving though).

I also played with my 50kg KB again. Wasn't feeling the push presses today, but I decided to try and swing-throw it. I ended up getting over 10ft and about 7-8 throws over 7'6". A strongman comp I'll be competing in in July will have the weight for height and I figure that if I can get some FULL swings in with this 50KG weight then I'll manhandle the 50ishLB weight for the comp. "FULL swings" meaning a swing all the way overhead and controlled for reps with either hand.

For the record, it wasn't too long ago that I couldn't get 275 for 5 reps and here I am 2 weeks away from doing 275x10x5.

MM0

Squats

260x5
260x5
260x5
260x5
260x5
260x5
260x5
260x5
260x5
260x5

I've had a twinge in my left lower back these past 2 weeks and I was hoping it would go away. I haven't squatted until now because I didn't want to test it until I was sure I could without doing more harm.

Larkin get-together

It was a great time at Larkin's as usual. I managed to get 62.5 up on the hublift but the plates kept sliding off(pictured). The other hublifts are 57.5 and 52.5 respectively. The lever is Lipinski's 20lber. The spring is Larkin's "big black" tractor spring. Super hard to bend but I'm getting better at it, still needed Don's help to get it for that picture though. Curiously, I bent it further when trying to do it with strict wrist torque rather than trying to whip it forward and kink it that way. I also managed to get 5 10's up, a solid entry level Mash Monster close on vid and a few 40 blob lifts. I can't remember everything that went on, even what I did, but I know that the other guys there hit some big-time pr's or at the very least tied them. 2 new bastards came out of the meet thanks to their bending G8's in deer skins and single suede pieces and my wrapping techniques. Matt, a senior in high school and from what I understand and incredible all-american football player, was very happy to finally get his first bastard. That cat is strong!!! Bent 2 G8's in his deer skin wraps before the bastard!

Squats

Squats
255x5
255x5
255x5
255x5
255x5
255x5
255x5
255x5
255x5
255x5

This only took 19 minutes overall and that was with ample rest between sets. The first few sets I could've done 10 reps for sure. I took longer "breathers" so that I wouldn't be so lightheaded at the end of the workout and it worked. I was still a bit dizzy, but I didn't feel naseous, lightheaded or wobbly.

Sloppy 21lb Sledge Lever

It looks very much like my 18.5 lever but my hand is a bit more choked up on accident. It felt so easy, sloppy as it was, I feel like I could've repped it.

BTW, I'm at a decently strict 18.5 lever lefty.

Squats

Squats
135x10
245x5
245x5
245x5
245x5
245x5
245x5
245x5
245x5
245x5
245x5

I always feel naseous(sp?) after doing squats now. I'm lightheaded, I have a minor and non-irritating headache, feel like I might throw up, yet my heart wasn't really pounding out of my chest, more like a steady and fast beat as if I were on a fast jog uphill, while my legs are barely feeling these squats. If you ask my legs and back, these squats were easy, throw 275 on and do the same. If you ask the rest of my body, it says "Whooooooooooooooooooooa."

Sloppy 18.5lb Lever

I'm using my short 16, the weight is loaded below the head and I have some generous dip and lean.

Strict 16 Lever

Squats!!!!

135x10
225x5
225x5
225x5
225x5
225x5
225x5
225x5
225x5
225x5
225x10

Box jumps to a 36" box - 5x5

Sloppy 16lb sledge lever

This is not my best, but it's the best I could do while the camera was running. My elbow always hyperextends like that and I find it impossible to keep it straight under load.

Mike Bruce Rows

When I saw this on Mike's blog, I laughed. I have been doing this exact same thing for weeks now, only a good bit stricter, and have been calling them one armed barbell rows. After doing them for these past few weeks, I promise you ladies and gents, you want to do them. Leaves my shoulders sore in a great way.

DO THIS

For all you squatters out there, be you a powerlifter, OLY lifter, strongman, recreational lifter, bodybuilder, KB lifter, etc, I implore you to give this a go. Load up ~70% of your max and do 10 SETS of 5 REPS. Sounds like a lot and it is. I recently did this with 205 and while I can't say it was some big battle, I can say it was tough. I might try this with 225 next squat session and make it 10x6 instead.