Are you using the Power Cleans/Clean pulls etc then for volume to drive deadlifts? I ask as our programs are very similar, and I'm having trouble moving the deadlift even though I'm running deadlift volume on Tues and intensity on Friday. Well, I won't really know for sure how my deadlift moved until May 31st. I've added a couple reps to my PRs, but hard to say if that's really doing much.
Thanks RobIs! I'm glad it's been working so well, as some of it is my own experimentation. I also am now doing a de-load week once every 4-8 weeks, going by feel more than a pre-planned schedule.
Yes. Due to a combination of the sub-optimal conditions I clean in, plus doing cleans always after volume squatting, my clean was no longer heavy enough, IMO, to drive my DLs so I recently added the clean pulls. I did a couple sets at 375 or 385 last week, which should be enough to drive the DL at that speed. You could do speed work on the DLs, but I like working on something that I believe both gets that aspect done, involves a shrug because TRAPS, and also translates to the power clean, which is bad-ass and cool. If you're deadlifting in the mid-500s or more and you're not power cleaning at least 250+ but really probably more like 275+ or more for triples, a heaver option for pulling volume than power cleans is probably a good idea.
Not that I'm anywhere near Mike T's level in either lifting or prep/focus, but I'm usually much more like that: very focused, not at all psyched and hyper, just super aware of what's going on and intense but very calm. However, I needed another gear to get through that set, as it was crushing me. I don't usually get psyched up even at meets, but I think it was the correct decision yesterday. Usually, however, I am all about the calm but focused and intense style.
Killing it in here, Wolf! Thanks for sharing the program too.
Speaking of getting psyched, I just watched this, and it is BY FAR the best scene yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsG9R7rFeq8
If only Drogo could be my training partner!
Feeling so beat down today, deload can't come soon enough at this point. I managed to get through everything today, but am a bit apprehensive about recovery for tomorrow's intensity squats. As always, we'll see what one more night's sleep can do and I'll give it everything I have.
Bench Press
363x3x2 - 3# PR for triples
Notes: Harder than I expected. Had trouble focusing for these. Taking a breath really kills my rhythm and groove here. If I somehow had the lung capacity to hold my breath much better than I currently can, I could have probably done 365x5 today.
Press
206x5x5
Notes: Just really freakin' hard. I didn't want to do anything else after I was done with these.
Chins
13,13,12,12,12,12
Notes: That's 74 over six sets. Do I win, La Rosa?
Alt DB Curlzzz
60x8 (PR), 55x8
My bis were stupidly pumped after all those chins and the two sets of curlz. I had a lot of trouble washing my neck and face in the shower, and shaving afterwards.