Lack of GPP work causing fail?

[robertpaulson]

Hi coach,

First a big thanks for your books (which I got after starting reading this forum) and helping me to finally understand what makes a decent program. I've been following SS for the last 4 months have seen more gains than in the last 15 years of pissing around in a gym.

My problem is that I am now starting to almost turn my squats and deadlifts into fast singles rather than sets of 5 across as I am breathing so hard I need to pause for a pretty long time between reps to catch my breath and hold it for the next rep, squats are less of an issue compared to deadlifts (where I am starting to get dizzy unless I pause for around 10 seconds after the first 2 reps) and from what you have said previously i understand that this is starting to train for the wrong adaptions.

My stats are
Age 31, 5'8", 190lbs (at around 15% b.f).
Deadlift 315lbsx5
Squat 270lbsx5
Bench 227lbsx5
Clean 175lbsx5
Military Press 138lbsx5
And eating a ton (basically increasing food has got me past all previous sticking points)

So to stop rambling on, I am wondering if I need to reset lower on the deadlift or whether starting to do some GPP work is needed, I've avoided any cardiovascular training whilst on SS (as you suggest), but I can really notice on stuff like walking up stairs that I am a lot less 'fit'. In your logbook I notice you have the guy doing 5x500m sets on a c2 rower and as I don't have access to sleds or big tires would you suggest something like this or is it likely to impact on my strength gains, which is what I really want to focus on improving.

thanks

[Mark Rippetoe]

It may be that your GPP fitness was lower than normal before you started, because you will not become less "fit" while on this program if you had not previously specialized in metcon-type training. Start doing a short CF-type metcon workout on Saturday to get you winded. This will be enough work to improve your GPP level for now, and you can pursue this further when your novice progression slows.