Still on the Right Side of the Grass

[Browndog]

Sure sounds like it was a great event.Watching a meet always helps to motivate.

It really was a lot of fun. We just got a commitment for the event next year, date to be determined.

And you're right, watching a meet has me all charged up.

[Browndog]

8/1/18

Cycle Five Week Three reps/sets

Bench - 85kg *8 PR, 76.5kg 8*3
Wide Grip Bench - 72.5kg 7*4
Dumbbell Bench - 50lbs 12*4
Incline Bench - 62.5kg 7*3

Press - 40kg 8*4
Kroc Rows - 50lbs 15*4
Dips - bw *8, +6kg *8, +8kg *8, +12kg *8
Purple Band Tri Ext. - 12*4
Cable Mid Row - 55kg 10*3

Excellent day with the bar in hand. 85kg for 8 is a rep PR. The tips from Ray Williams helped immensely. The rest of the session was strong as well. My training partner, she hit 90kg for 8...we both had big days.

[codger]

Nice rep PR!

[Browndog]

7/2/18

Cycle Five Week Three reps/sets

Deadlift - 180kg 6*2, 162.5kg 6*2, 145kg 6*2

Bench - 72.5kg 8*3
Cable RDL - 115kg 10*3
GHR - bw 10*3
Straight Bar Curl - eb 35sec on, 60sec off *33 / 33 / 32 / 30 / 30

Another excellent day with the bar in hand. 180kg for 6 is rep PR for dead stop pulls, and to do it twice makes me very happy at the moment. I had at least one more on the first set...I had nothing left on the second set.

[Browndog]

7/4/18

Cycle Five Week Three reps/sets

HB Squat - 102.5kg 8*3
Bench - 75kg 8*4
Cable RDL- 115kg 10*3

Swiss Bar Bench - 60kg 8*3
Cable Mid Rows - 65kg 8*3
Dips - bw *8, 8kg *8, 12kg *8, 16kg *10

Good days work. Tried something new on the Squats. I brought the uprights in and took a wide grip. I felt that I was able to tighten the upper back better...something about my long arms keeping me from activating the lats when my grip is close.

Anyway, we'll try it on Monday's top set(s).

This coming week will feature huge PR's when I hit them (yeah I'm going to go with being positive, I've put in the hard work) - on all three lifts.

[Browndog]

8/6/18

Cycle Five Week Four reps/sets

HB Squat - 125kg *6, 107.5kg 8*3
Belt Squat - 80kg 10*5
BSS - 32kg 8*3

Revs Flys - 40lbs 8*3
Wide Grip Pull Down - 60kg 8*3
Cable Mid Row - 60kg 8*3
Back Ext - 20kg 10*3

Missed the top set. Looking for seven reps, and just couldn't bounce out of the hole. I felt good half way through, but misgrooved the sixth and spent too much to make the seventh. Everything else was snappy.

[codger]

This coming week will feature huge PR's when I hit them (yeah I'm going to go with being positive, I've put in the hard work) - on all three lifts.

Good luck, BD!

[Browndog]

8/8/18

Cycle Five Week Four reps/sets

Bench - 87.5kg *6 PR, 77.5kg 8*3
Wide Grip Bench - 72.5kg 8*3
Incline Bench - 60kg 7*3

Dumbbell Bench - 50lbs 15*3
Kroc Rows - 24kg 10*3
Dips - bw, 8kg, 12kg, 16kg *8
Triceps Pull Downs - 35kg 10*3

Well, well, well...

I've been a little cranky over my "progress" or lack there of this summer. Coach had me re-set my perspective: measure your progress against a year ago, not three months ago.

With that in mind, life in the gym is outstanding!

Today's Bench is a PR by three reps versus a year ago. Not only that, but all my back off work was done with the "reds". Seems silly, but it makes me feel like I'm "strong". Disregard the incline work, I do it because it's programmed. If any lift scares the shit out of me it's inclines. The margin of error is so small...no me gusta.

In fact, if I go back to yesterday's Squat: a year ago I could only do three reps beltless at 115kg. So six reps beltless at 125 kg is pretty damn good.

I'm a changed man. My state of mind is more positive than it's been since Natls last year...silly old bear.

Gonna get after the Deads tomorrow and end this cycle in style!

[codger]

I'm a changed man. My state of mind is more positive than it's been since Natls last year...silly old bear.

That's great to hear, really encouraging in many ways--we can still get stronger as we close in on our seventh decade. Here's to being even stronger next year!

[Browndog]

8/9/18

Cycle Five Week Four reps/sets

Deadlift - 185kg *3, 165kg 6*2, 150kg 6*2
Cable RDL - 120kg 10*3

Bench - 75kg 8*3
GHR - bw 10*3
Hammer Curls - on a minute rest 40lbs *23,*23, *23,*23,*20

What's that old addage, "you want to make the gods laugh, tell them of your plans"?!?

Looked for six reps at 185kg, and I was only good for three, beltless / dead stop. I just couldn't get into a good starting position. Still, I've never pulled anything beltless, dead stop over 175kg...so it's a net positive.

But I really was looking forward to pulling six reps.

Regular Saturday work to come and then a deload...