big val picks up 405 like it was 315

[Bodybygamma]

Originally Posted by big valsalva

Sunday, 9/9/12



Ladies and gentlemen...I got 'em. And it felt so nice I did it twice.

My intention was to go in and TCB today. Get in. Squat. Get out. That's exactly how it went down.

Cycle IV Wave 3 Workout A

Squat
45x5
135x5
185x3
225x2
275x1
300x1
315x1- New PR!
315x1

I probably had another one in me. I probably had another 5 or 10 pounds in me. But a PR is a PR. I'll take it for today and save the excess for another time. I half thought about doing a widow maker on the leg press, but I wanted to get home and tell my wife. My other thought too is that I have two more PR attempts this week. I'm in energy conservation mode. So I came home and treated myself to two extra Pop-Tarts and an extra glass of milk. Pizza's in the oven. Half of it is mine.

What I took away from today's session is its OK to cut back on the warmup sets when attempting a PR. I didn't feel gassed for the 315, just nervous.

Great milestone over come. Just rememeber as long as your form is tight, spot on and your mentally calm and ready to explode you shall be good to go.

[Jen]

Congrats on the PR!!!!!!!

[big valsalva]

Originally Posted by Bodybygamma

Great milestone over come. Just rememeber as long as your form is tight, spot on and your mentally calm and ready to explode you shall be good to go.

Thank you, Tony. It was indeed a milestone (or a millstone). I feel like I'm in the club now. Then I read your journal, and Gaspers', and others... I feel good about it though.

Originally Posted by Jen

Congrats on the PR!!!!!!!

Thank you, Jen. A victory is a victory...kind of like at the Metrodome yesterday. Skol!!!

[big valsalva]

I just got my Elite Economy belt. I had to exchange the 3X I originally bought for a 2X. Fits much better. I'm wearing it now. I may wear it to work the rest of the week to break it in.

[BendtheBar]

I hope it isn't purple with yellow stitch work...

I mean, I hope you like it!

[big valsalva]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

I hope it isn't purple with yellow stitch work...

I mean, I hope you like it!

It ain't, and I do.

I'm not a purple fan, by the way. They owe me at least three more NFL Championships.

[big valsalva]

Abject Failure

Wednesday, 9/12/12

I cut back on my warmup sets in order to channel all my energy in a new 1RM attempt.

Bench Press
45x5
45x5
135x3
150x1
170x1 - paused, but a bit of a grind
190 - fail
190 - fail (left elbow gave out on the way down, I could barely push it off my chest. Thank you to my spotter.)

I stuck around and talked with my spotter for about a half hour. He was the same guy that gave me some pointers on Overhead Press a few days ago. Nice chat. I'm going to run Smolov, then maybe work dumbells and flyes for a while. I just can't get the damn bar off my chest. Back arch my be an issue after all.

I don't know. I'm at a loss. I've got a brand new belt if anybody wants it.

And don't anybody wish me well and say, "You'll get it next time." I don't need that. I don't want that. I know people mean well and all. Time for some tough love.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by big valsalva

And don't anybody wish me well and say, "You'll get it next time." I don't need that. I don't want that. I know people mean well and all. Time for some tough love.

Ok, instead I'm hear to tell you that you are capable of much more, and it's time to add volume and/or frequency, and an extra bowl of Wheaties per day, and get to 275.

[big valsalva]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Ok, instead I'm hear to tell you that you are capable of much more, and it's time to add volume and/or frequency, and an extra bowl of Wheaties per day, and get to 275.

MOAR volume and frequency coming right up. 190 is no longer my goal. 275 is.

[big valsalva]

Sunday, 9/16/12

Hockey season started this weekend for two of my kids. It starts in earnest for my third in a few weeks. If anybody wants me between now and the end of March, PM me for an appointment.

Cycle IV Wave 3 Workout C

Deadlift
135x5
185x5
225x3
275x2
315x1
365x1
400x1 - temporary PR, because...
405x1 - New PR!!! - (and thus the title of this journal)
Then I put on my belt and tried...
405xfail

DB Rows
Right - 80x18
Left - 80x12

I'm going to finish up with another OHP session sometime this week, then I'm going to take a week to 10 days off before I embark on Smolov Jr. for bench. During the Smolov cycle, I'm going to keep squatting and deadlifting on the 5/3/1 format, but cut back to requisite weights and reps.