4/6/23
End of 2nd Cycle
As was the first cycle, this one has been another step forward towards a degree of normalcy I haven't experienced since 2019.
Squat:
Safety Bar work on Mondays, Low Bar work on SBD Saturdays. Finished the SSB block with 3 sets of 5 @ 125kg with lots more in the tank. Haven't seen that type on volume, at that weight for years. What I really like is the fact that depth is not an issue these days. My hips and knee are cooperating. I'm doing a bit more pre-hab for my knee, and it seems to be paying off. SBD Saturdays are Low Bar doubles...program calls for two sets, I throw in an extra just because I'm feeling good.
Bench:
There isn't a day where I'm not benching. Larsen Bench; Paused Larsen Bench; Paused Close Grip Bench; Paused Bench. The Paused work is either on a 4 or 5 Count. Ended the Larsen block with 3 sets of 6 @ 79kg...with lots more in the tank. Ran out of gas today on the 5 Count sets of 6 @76kg, not enough food intake to carry me through the session. First sets I've missed all month. I do believe that we're making progress here. This next cycle will be more definitive as to whether 100kg falls before we start training for Raw Natls. I've tinkered with my head position, allowing it to rise as the bar comes down to the chest...feels much stronger. Since it's now allowed in competition, I'm staying with this change until it doesn't work.
Deadlift:
Pulling with Big Wheels for my top sets, followed up with normal Deads...with chains (West Siiiiide baby). SBD Saturdays are normal pulls for doubles...2-3 sets.
Finished the block today with BWPs at 175kg, 3 sets of 6...and they weren't hard; Pulls w/chains were done at 150kg (+ 20kg of chain) 3*3...again really easy. My back and knee are handling all this just fine. In fact, I finally feel like I can be a bit more explosive off the floor...haven't been able to do that since 2019.
What's really encouraging is the fact that I contracted some dread virus (not the Coof), and it hit me hard halfway through week three, had to cut the Thursday session short, and then was off my feet till this last Monday. I hit all my numbers this week four, still being somewhat compromised by this plague. If I can do all this work, and do it under duress, I'm really looking forward to what I can do in this next cycle.
So, I think my coach has us doing two more building blocks, before we go into a three month prep for Raw Natls. If my knee continues to cooperate, and I can maintain this momentum, I see some PRs in my future.
Gym's holding a meet Saturday, and I'm back on the microphone...as long as I'm not coughing my lungs out.