Highland games was fun I got a 1'10" improvment on the 22lb stone tied on the 16 some close attempts at some new prs on WOB and sheaf. Getting stronger without throwing does work. But my body was worn out. Oh well i just do those for fun anyhow
Todays training I forgot what rest is
Close Grip Bench
135x5
185x5
205x5
235x8
Sling shot
235 3x10 super pump
DB flies 3x12
BO REAR DB Flies 3x12
Axle curls 3x12
DB neutral grip bench press 1x50
Rolling tricep extension 1x12
Upper body getting bigger...... thankfully. 235 is probably right around a pr
After within a month competing in my two favorite comps of all time Maximum Strength Challenge in Nampa Idaho first then this past weekend Barrels Big 50th in Santa Rosa California I really cant pick which was my favorite! Both for different reasons. Well onto the past weekend.
I've known Doug Carroll pretty much since I started doing this crap and is one of the best people I have met period not just in this sport. So when 10 months ago he posted he will be throwing a show to celebrate his 50th birthday my frst response was "Very cool! Maybe in 10 months I'll be strong, showing up no matter what though." Looking back i think it was very fitting. I was coming off losing a ton of weight and a disappointing performance at nationals as a 175lber. I weighed 180lbs and looking through my training log from that week I hit a 205lb log press which I remember felt pretty heavy, 210 farmers hold for 30 seconds, 350x8 deadlift. But I didn't let that stop me, I knew what I could get back to and surpass strength levels I had before. Training for such a heavy show and not wanting to embarrass myself when I showed up along with all the help and support Doug and others gave me along the way really made me have to push myself.
OK well onto the show. After the best comp I have ever had by a long shot at Max Strength I had a ton of confidence but also an injured knee from dropping a 270lb log on my ankle. I was a little worried. I tried to down playing it but In between the shows I basically trained 3 times. I jut rested and ate! 2 days out from the show it felt fully healed so I was real happy with that.
Friday morning I loaded everything up in my Wagon which I have never driven more then 20 miles. No radio, A/C and a bunch of wind noise from all the interior not being in= awesome. It really brought me back to being young and riding with my uncle in his 64 Impala to car shows. Including bottoming out the suspension and hitting the frame on the Hiway at 80MPH a few times. Good times.
Got into Santa Rosa, met with Doug weighed in at a disappointing 194lbs wtf? Got a cookies n cream shake at Cold Stone then headed to dinner with my family. It was a pretty amazing place I ate half a chicken and drank probably a gallon of water out of a tiny glass. Just hard to be social and catch up with family when all you want to do is hit big lifts the next day and are in that mood.
OK first event
Log Press for max
1st attempt 240 smoked it but a bit off balance had to dance with my feet a bit, nothing new
2nd 260: even easier felt awesome, 5lb pr
270 Took a bunch of ammonia and attacked it, I had ZERO dip under my jerk wouldn't work and I was pretty much push pressing everything all day. It will happen.
ended up in I think a 3 way tie for 2nd with Ron Strahan and Doug Brownfield, not bad company but I want to kill the damn press, 270 would have been big. Easton won with 280
2nd Event 700lb Yoke for 100ft: My most hated event I swear its making me 5'4 as well. Thanks Nick Best for making it unlimited drops you doubled the amount of time I would be in complete pain. Each step sucked i tried to stay as tight as possible and just take it 1 step at a time. half way through I got a bad shoulder cramp and it cost me some time, I didn't want to push through, ended up 33' of distance I think the longest I was going in training was 15-20ft so its something. Going to really hammer the heavy yoke as I am sure it will be at Nationals.
Deadlift for max Back to the fun stuff!
Decided to open at 525, I thought about opening at 500 but figured a few would open at 500 and then hit 525 so I might as well hit it on my 1st attempt to score above them. Plus If I can't pull 525 I deserved to zero the event. Put the pressure on myself. I asked Doug to crack an ammonia for me when I was strapped in. But I didn't ask him to ammonia rape me! HAHA GOOD TIMES.
I think the picture says it all.
I seriously never had a head rush like that, I got dizzy and was seeing stars. I probably would have fell over if I wasn't strapped to the bar. So when I first went to pull I almost did. Regrouped myself and i was beat from the first attempt but I couldn't miss. I pulled and it came slow off the ground, started to shake and locked it out. The feeling when it is locked out and the strain is gone after a fight on deadlifts is so great. Plus you make funny faces.
I also broke a chip off one of the small plates I like to think that is what made it light enough for me to get it the second time.
2nd attempt at 550 wasn't happening I kind of blew my wad. I truly believe I am right around the corner from having a 585-600lb deadlift once I fix 1 or 2 weaknesses. I feel my upper back/legs, etc are up to that kind of weight just my low back and abs are holding me back.
320lb farmers walk (each hand) for 100ft
I had gotten close to picking these in training. My farmers/grip has really made the biggest improvement, i used to struggle with 250per hand! Chalked up like mad, pulled and it came right up! walking with this weight was a different story, I took 1 or 2 stumble steps and my right hand gave out. repicked and grip slipped. rechecked took some time and with about 10 seconds Doug kept yelling at me saying I needed to get right here to clear the start line and get points. He then threw a box of ammonia caps down and I picked, lunged forward and crushed them with the weights HAHA. I think I moved them a total of 3-5" but I'll take it! 3 picks and not a zero
Stones.............
4 320 stones loaded to about 50" Oh boy, slathered up in spider tack then the fun of not being able to touch anything until its your turn. I don't think your ass ever itches as much as when your covered in tacky!
I have never loaded a 20" stone, Ive loaded 300+lb 18" stones I just cant get a hold of the bigger stones. I damn near pulled it into my lap twice but I pull it off the ground and it just feels like I can't move. I need to figure out how to roll these damn things in my lap. Still the heaviest stone I have gotten daylight under so its a start.
This was truly a great Day, I drank probably half a dozen rockstars. Us lowly Amateurs actually competed for a little cash. Plus I don't think a promoter has ever been as invovled and fired up by the people lifting then Doug! Callie and Mick did a great job MCing and the live streaming and recording entire strongman shows like is available on www.nickbestprostrongman.com is just awesome and one of the steps this sport needs to take it to the next level. Please click the link above and check out the site. There was some amazing lifts and gritty performances that deserve to be seen.
12" Log Strict Press 95x5 145x5 165x3 185x3 210x1 PR+5lbs 220x1 PR+15lbs 230xmiss not enough rest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeNZ5e8UlRo YUUUUUUP Pull ups 2x10 Yesterday I didn't have a chance to get back to my house so I went to a commerical gym with my friend. Man I hate these places....... I had to pretend like I am interested in signing up for a free pass which is always fun. Started to do back squats then two douche bags kept eying me and wanted to have a squat off. Of course they where doing deep knee bends. It was just annoying....... Of course I still out squatted them doing real squats. Then I emulated the way they did squats. wtf thats the easiest thing ever? Back Squat 135x5 225x5 275x3 315x3 365x3 365x3 315x3 easy stuff i kinda goofed off did some decline situps 45lb plate held above head 3x10 hanging leg raise 3x8 tons of face pulls some tricep pushdowns Went to train and of course was 35 minutes late so was a bit rushed. Quick recap worked up to SOOOOOOOOOO miss of 266 on the log which would be a 11LB PR its happening any day now. easily picked 280lb farmers walk and went about 15-20ft? which is a pr I had more in me but one of the farmers tilted to my right and as I tried to correct I basically walked sideways the whole time. So surprised by my increased grip strength horrible time with 680lb yoke walk...... I hate the yoke so much http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLY5x...layer_embedded National Bench Day Close grip bench 135x5 155x5 195x5 220x3 245x5 PR Sling shot 245x10 245x10 Rear delt flies 35s 3x12 Hammer curls 55s x10 75s x8 85s x6 these are pretty cheaty but strengthen my forearms which helps with log clean and farmers walk Bench felt like crap warming up but felt strong. Pretty awesome
Needed to switch things up a bit this week, have wanted to try reverse bands for awhile.
I first set up the bands on the top of the rack and the bar with 225 was barely staying on the ground and still giving help at lockout. That would have been cool for an ego stroking but I don't think thats how its supposed to be so I looped the bands around the pins on the top setting 135 stayed on the ground so prolly 100-120lbs of help at the bottom, full weight at lockout
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