Reset After Deployment

[Eric K]

Hey Coach:

I want to thank you for the great books, dry humor and constructively critical advice; all things I think are a little too absent in the world. Anyway, I'm a recovering CrossFitter who realized that I wanted to be stronger and so I stopped "fucking off" and just "did the damn program" during my pre-deployment leave block. I started as a 5'8 165 lbs, 10% BF lifter with a 275 1RM squat, 175 lbs press and a 385 lbs deadlift. After 3 weeks of doing the program, eating like it was going out of style and drinking a GO(mostly raw)MAD I shot up to a BW of 198 and my work sets were 295x5x3 squat, 175x5x3 press, 235x5x3 bench, 205x3x5 clean and 375x5 deadlift. I was quite happy, so thank you. BUT I deployed to Afghanistan right after that. I barely have enough time to lift at all, I don't have access to real food (it's all low fat garbage; believe it or not they actually serve soy milk out here to the Marines; I couldn't believe it either).

Anyway, after that long intro, and with the fact that working sets of 245 on the squat the other day felt like shit, will I have to totally restart when I get home? Will I move back up more quickly, or will it take the same amount of time? I realize that 3 weeks isn't forever, but I wonder how far back I should go in my workout log, or do I just have to wing it on the first few training days? Any advice is much appreciated, and I look forward to attending the SSS in December, I should be home by then.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I have no doubt that you'll get the same good results when we get you back, and that you'll get the same fast linear results as you resume eating and training. You weren't deep enough into it when you stopped. Just worry about your job now, and we'll see you this fall.

[Eric K]

Thanks, Coach. Sorry my response is delayed. I figured as much, I'm just eager and a little impatient to get back at it. I look forward to the seminar at your gym!