Finding Out that the Iron Never Lies

[Róbert Kovács]

Good luck with the challenge. I did it for a few weeks, and some of the 10 rep sets are going to be brutal. Especially in 2nd and 3rd month.

[bustermonkey2]

Thanks Seti. I'm looking forward to adding in the 10 rep sets at a lighter weight, even if they are brutal. I'm not sure about deadlift sets on the 3 month challenge as I think 10 reps per set is excessive so I'll probably cut deadlifts to 8 reps.

[Róbert Kovács]

At the prescribed weight percentage I'd say it's doable. You'll breathe like an overheated dog after rep 7 or so, but it's doable.

[bustermonkey2]

I hoped to get a couple easy days in this week but had some issues with my finger infection early this week. Swelling had initially gone down by 3/7/14 but was back on 3/9/14. Then on 3/9/14 my daughter wanted me to adjust her bike seat. When I was really trying to crank the wrench on the last turn, it slipped and my infected finger hit the nut/bolt really hard. I basically had to sit down it hurt so bad. Afterwards, it throbbed for about 24 hours and the finger above the 1st knuckle was swollen to twice it's normal size. I waited for the swelling to subside before getting a session in the gym. Swelling is way down today so I did an easy deload day.

March 12, 2014

Squat @ 315 lbs- 5.
Squat @ 365 lbs- 5. Ok.

Bench @ 225 lbs-5.
Bench @ 285 lbs- 5. Ok.

Next week I'll start 531 3 month challenge.

[Róbert Kovács]

Ouch! I had to sit down, just reading that.

Good luck with both the finger healing, and the 531 challenge.

[bustermonkey2]

Thanks. The finger's swelling is pretty much all gone but it still looks gross because the outer layer of skin is now sloughing off because it was so stretched out. I finished antibiotics 2 days ago and am hoping it is resolved.

Beginning of 5/3/1 3 month challenge- Month 1.

March 17, 2014
Bodywt @ 225 lbs

Press @ 145 lbs-5
Press @ 155 lbs-5
Press @ 165 lbs-9. PR. Tough. I haven't kept track of pr's above 5 reps for a long time (mostly due to laziness) but I will try to keep track during this challenge.

Bench @ 165 lbs- 10,10,10,10,10. Easy.

Chins- 10,10,5,5.

[bustermonkey2]

March 18 2014

This was very tough today. I am very pessimistic that I will make 50 deadlifts later this week even at light weight.

[bustermonkey2]

Deadlift @ 355 lbs-5
Deadlift @ 380 -5
Deadlift @ 405 - 5 Tough but left 1 in tank

Squat @ 210 lbs - 10, 10, 10, 10, 10. This wrecked me. Not so much that weight was heavy but breathing very labored and very tired.

Situps w/ 10 lbs- 7, 7 Cramping in upper left ab area.

[Róbert Kovács]

You'll get used to it (sets of 10) by week 2 or 3, don't worry. Not sure how you're doing it, but I'd do the sets of 10 squats, and probably the deadlifts beltless. Much easier to breathe on these long sets without the belt.

[bustermonkey2]

Thanks that's a good idea. I was really sucking wind by the end of the 50 squats.

March 20, 2014

Bench @ 250 lbs-5
Bench @ 265-5
Bench @ 280 lbs-8. PR. Fine and had an extra 2-3 in tank.

Press @ 95 lbs- 10,10,10,10,10. Ok although a little tiring.

Kroc rows w/ 85 lbs - 10,10,10 (per arm).

My hamstrings are still very sore from squats earlier this week. I may need to wait an extra few days before squats/deadlifts.