big val's Smolov Jr. Log

[BendtheBar]

Bench looks good. Holder her steady Captain! Full speed ahead.

[big valsalva]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Bench looks good. Holder her steady Captain! Full speed ahead.

Thank you, Admiral.

[big valsalva]

Originally Posted by MikeM

Great sessions. Hope those elbows cooperate. Joint pain=not fun.

Good tip on those fractional plates! I've been noodling how to use carabiners for making some strongman stuff like farmer's handles, etc. Never occurred to me to use them for fractional weights too. Doh! No need for pictures, I know what you mean. Thanks.

Your middle daugther is tough.

The elbows actually, don't hurt anymore. It may have been a volume/frequency issue coming after a two and a half week layoff.

Here's the deal on my fractional weight set. I know you said, "No pictures," but just to describe better what I've done. Take six links of 3/4" chain (I think 3/4". The article I'm trying to find has the exact Home Depot sku number), and join the two ends if the length together with the carabiner. This makes a loop that fits exactly around the end on olympic bar.

Thanks for mentioning my daughter. She didn't make the boys' team. The kid who was starting goalie last year returned this year. Hard to knock the monarch off the throne. She's playing with the U10 girls, and quite happy to be there. They're quite happy with her too, as no one else wants to play goalie.

[big valsalva]

Seven Fives

Retro entries. It stinks having to borrow a computer. Sorry about things, folks.

Wednesday, 10/10/12

Bench Press
45x5
95x5
115x3
147.5x5x7

Wide Grip Lat Pulldown (between warmup sets of BP)
125x10x1
125x9x2

Pendlay Rows
155x8x3

[big valsalva]

big val's Campus Visit

Thursday, 10/11/12

No lifting today. Instead, I planned a day off work to go to Minnesota State University and meet with an adviser. It was a very productive outing. I hit campus at 8:00 a.m., and by 10:00 most of my questions were answered, and a plan for Spring and Summer was in place. Now all I need to do is register in November.

I have a good feeling about this. I think the time is right. I'm purpose driven this time. I don't have the 18 - 20 year old distractions. I'm a bit too old for that.

[big valsalva]

Eight Sets of Four

Friday, 10/12/12

The next couple of sessions look pretty weenie. I did no chins/pulldowns. I did no deadlifts/rowing. I got a paper cut on the palm of my hand on Friday. Go figure. All day long, I throw around heavy steel, and I get undone by a lousy paper cut. I was still able to bench, but the cut was on my palm right where the bar goes when I pull.

Bench Press
45x5
95x5
115x3
135x1
157.5x4x8 - a bit of a grind.

[big valsalva]

10 Triples

Saturday, 10/13/12

Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Bench Press
45x5
95x5
115x3
135x1
167.5x3x10 - got them all, but enlisted a spotter on the last 3 or 4 sets just for safety's sake.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by big valsalva

I don't have the 18 - 20 year old distractions. I'm a bit too old for that.

This helps a lot. When I went back to school a few years later in life I did much better. Good luck.

[BendtheBar]

And those triples look rock solid. Lift, eat, grow stronger.

[markievicz]

Still going strong with Smolov here. Nice work