Thanks, J.
For a normal progression, 5-7.5lbs+ each week is way out of line and I'd be a fool to attempt it.
But with this 4-day split, as Intensity goes up, the Volume drops significantly, which allows for the weekly jump. It's a 3-week cycle, with 20 total reps (5x4) on the Heavy day; the second week is 12 reps (4x3); and the last week is 5 reps (5x1). I confirmed with Andy Baker (since this is the 4-Day Heavy/Light Split program laid out in BBRx) that intensity should make big jumps during the cycle. It's at the first week of the following cycle that the 5x4 only goes up a standard jump for each of the lifts (now 2.5lbs for the presses, 5lbs for the Squat/Dead). For example, had I successfully ran this cycle on the Press, it would have been:
Week/Work/Volume
1. 142.5x5x4 (2,860lbs)
2. 152.5x3x4 (1,830lbs)
3. 162.5x1x5 (813lbs); then to the next cycle (+2.5lbs):
1. 145x5x4
2. 155x3x4
3. 165x1x5
etc...
The Light Days are still heavy (93%) of the first week's work weight, held steady through the cycle, so that the second week it's 87% of that week's work weight, then the third week is 82%. Each lift gets 2x/week coverage.
Spending all day and evening reviewing all of the variables into yesterday's fiasco, it was the three absolutely grinding attempts to press out those first three reps, loaded 10lbs heavier than I should have, that led to the goose-eggs at 152.5lbs. Note that the weight was equal to next week's 5x1 session, and it makes sense that I couldn't even get one, as I don't have the volume in me at this point in the cycle to get it done, even though the 160x1x5 went very well two weeks ago. With yesterday's results, I don't have enough volume this cycle to attempt the programmed 162.5x1x5's next week, so instead I'll run yesterday's 152.5x3x4 instead to finish out the cycle.
If this becomes an issue (it shouldn't for a while), the first step is to decrease the weekly jumps to +7.5lbs while keeping the cycle jumps at +2.5lbs. Then +5lb jumps for the weeks. If that's becomes an issue, then I'll consider adding another press day, but that's not something I'm interested in right now. There are too many other things going on for that, and the Press really isn't a priority (although the PRs are fun!). But you're right, it's not that huge of a stress/time commitment.
Thanks again! I do appreciate your comments and thoughts.