Squatter's Journal-The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

[Squatter]

BILL STARR POWER ROUTINE WEEK 4 DAY 2 LIGHT DAY

Today was a good one, and I am thankful for that.

Front Squats
115 X5
135 X5
155 X5
175 X5
205 X5
It was nice to be doing fronts again.

Incline Bench
115 X5
130 x5
145 X5
175 X5
195 X5

Power Cleans
115 X2
135 X2
150 X1
160 X1
170 X1
175 X1
180 X1
Last week, the best I could clean was 165, so really happy with this.

All the iron felt just right today. I didn't feel like I was beaten by a motorcycle gang and left in a dumpster, nor did I feel like I didn't do some quality work.

Unfortunately, I have some rather bad news regarding my eyes. The diagnosis is now confirmed as Birdshot. I asked the surgeons to tell me what the prognosis is and I was told I will 'Likely" lose functional vision. In other words, I have a very good chance of going blind in the next few years. I haven't been able to come to terms with this yet, except to say that I am in a healthy state of mind, thanks in part to my psychologist and all of my brothers and sisters here. I feel I now have the ability to handle this. I know I would have fallen apart if I found this out just a year ago. All three of my health issues, Tremors, Celiac, and Birdshot, have all been unpreventable. I do look after my "temple" very well of course, and I can take comfort in knowing that I have probably prevented additional ailments by doing so.

I also know my mother is watching over me. I take alot of comfort in knowing that as well. I will carry on with my life and nothing will ever stop me from doing what I love most, and that is to lift.

Squatter205X5FrontSquat - YouTube

Squatter205X5FrontSquat - YouTube

Squatter195X5InclineBenchPress - YouTube

Squatter195X5InclineBenchPress - YouTube

Squatter180PowerClean - YouTube

Squatter180PowerClean - YouTube

[mab54]

Great session Jim, really sorry to hear about that. We are all here for you buddy if you ever need to vent to any of us.

[5kgLifter]

Great to hear that you're gonna continue lifting; I once knew a guy who was extremely good at a particular language when he found out that his hearing was going, he dropped the language even though he could still read and write it...I'll never understand why he didn't continue with the language. But, anyway, I found this which I figured would cheer you up, well, I hope it will:


In 2009, the Scarborough athlete became the International Blind Sports Association’s power-lifting champ. In November, Jesso won the Ontario Power Lifting Association’s bench-press championship in Ottawa, lifting a ridiculous 265 kilos (more than 500 pounds) above his chest.

He was the first blind athlete ever to win the event.

Jesso competes in the raw power-lifting event at the Toronto Pro SuperShow on Friday at 3 p.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The nearly 400-pound behemoth spoke with the Star about his career as a world-class weightlifter.

What drives you as an athlete?

“Well, truthfully, I don’t think of myself as a disabled lifter. When I go out on the platform I’m no different than anybody else. . . . The whole being blind thing doesn’t drive me (to think) that I have to be better than anyone else because I’m blind. I’m just a driven champion. I want to be the best at all times — not just as a blind lifter, but as an able-bodied lifter. I want to be the best at everything I do.”

What has been your proudest moment?

“I’m proud of a lot of things. As far as lifting accomplishments are concerned, I’m proud of winning the lifter of the meet award at the IBSA power-lifting championships in Miami in 1999. I was the first Canadian to win that award in, like, 14 years. I broke four world records. I shattered the squat record. I shattered the bench-press record. I shattered the dead-lift record, and I shattered the total record . . . it was like a 760-something, and I did an 885 (kilos). I just obliterated it.”
OBSA - Ontario Blind Sports Association

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by mab54

Great session Jim, really sorry to hear about that. We are all here for you buddy if you ever need to vent to any of us.

Thanks Mike!! I appreciate it - I'm sure they will be a vent or 2.

Originally Posted by 5kgLifter

Great to hear that you're gonna continue lifting; I once knew a guy who was extremely good at a particular language when he found out that his hearing was going, he dropped the language even though he could still read and write it...I'll never understand why he didn't continue with the language. But, anyway, I found this which I figured would cheer you up, well, I hope it will:


In 2009, the Scarborough athlete became the International Blind Sports Association’s power-lifting champ. In November, Jesso won the Ontario Power Lifting Association’s bench-press championship in Ottawa, lifting a ridiculous 265 kilos (more than 500 pounds) above his chest.

He was the first blind athlete ever to win the event.

Jesso competes in the raw power-lifting event at the Toronto Pro SuperShow on Friday at 3 p.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The nearly 400-pound behemoth spoke with the Star about his career as a world-class weightlifter.

What drives you as an athlete?

“Well, truthfully, I don’t think of myself as a disabled lifter. When I go out on the platform I’m no different than anybody else. . . . The whole being blind thing doesn’t drive me (to think) that I have to be better than anyone else because I’m blind. I’m just a driven champion. I want to be the best at all times — not just as a blind lifter, but as an able-bodied lifter. I want to be the best at everything I do.”

What has been your proudest moment?

“I’m proud of a lot of things. As far as lifting accomplishments are concerned, I’m proud of winning the lifter of the meet award at the IBSA power-lifting championships in Miami in 1999. I was the first Canadian to win that award in, like, 14 years. I broke four world records. I shattered the squat record. I shattered the bench-press record. I shattered the dead-lift record, and I shattered the total record . . . it was like a 760-something, and I did an 885 (kilos). I just obliterated it.”
OBSA - Ontario Blind Sports Association

Thanks for that Babs. He's a Canadian as well - very inspiring. Yep, I will still have my muscles should I lose my sight. If I ever had to give up lifting I am not sure I could handle that tho.

[BendtheBar]

Unfortunately, I have some rather bad news regarding my eyes. The diagnosis is now confirmed as Birdshot. I asked the surgeons to tell me what the prognosis is and I was told I will 'Likely" lose functional vision. In other words, I have a very good chance of going blind in the next few years.

I don't know what to say Jim other then keep moving forward and keep fighting. I know you will man.

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

I don't know what to say Jim other then keep moving forward and keep fighting. I know you will man.

Not much to say Steve. One thing for sure is that I will always be able to lift!!

[Squatter]

BILL STARR POWER ROUTINE WEEK 4 DAY 3 MEDIUM DAY

Squat
190 X5
225 X5
260 X5
295 X5
335 X3
225 X8
I thought I did quite a bit better than Monday.

Bench Press
135 X5
155 X5
175 X5
200 X5
235 X3
185 X8

Deadlifts
185 X5
225 X5
275 X5
315 X5
365 X1
430 XAlmost!!
415 X1
I was debating whether or not to do a single in between 365 and the PR attempt of 430 Raw. I thought my CNS was primed enough and that if I did 395 or so I may not be able to pull the 430. Almost had it. The 415 is only 10 lbs away from a raw PR, and that was done on an actual 1 RM week. My strapped PR is 455, and I think I would have that now if I did an actual planned max attempt with proper rest and ramp up.

Weighted Dips
BW X3
+45 X5
+45 X5
+45 X5

Chins
BW X3
BW X4
BW X4

CGBP
185 X7
185 X7
185 X8

I think it would be prudent for me to take a deload next week, as I am feeling pretty beat up after this week.

Squatter335X3Squat - YouTube

Squatter335X3Squat - YouTube

Squatter235X3BenchPress - YouTube

Squatter235X3BenchPress - YouTube

Squatter430XAlmostDeadlift - YouTube

Squatter430XAlmostDeadlift - YouTube

Squatter415X1Deadlift - YouTube

Squatter415X1Deadlift - YouTube

[LtL]

Looked like you let it go early to me. Someone once told me that on the deadlift you should keep pulling until you lockout, pass out or drop it. You might have had that if you had kept pulling. You're stronger than you think.

LtL

[BendtheBar]

Sink your hips just a tad more Jim before you start. That extra leverage will help.

Strong work all the way around. Hoping to see 430 soon.

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by LtL

Looked like you let it go early to me. Someone once told me that on the deadlift you should keep pulling until you lockout, pass out or drop it. You might have had that if you had kept pulling. You're stronger than you think.

LtL

Your probably right Big Al. On the bright side, it was not a grip issue and I got it well off of the floor. I know I have a good 450 in me right now. I also feel I am mentally strong and healthy to do it and more. I am tempted to do a 1 RM week this week., and then deload.

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Sink your hips just a tad more Jim before you start. That extra leverage will help.

Strong work all the way around. Hoping to see 430 soon.

OK Steve. I recently adjusted my hip position up as I was doing it anyway on the 2nd rep of deads (sort of like auto-correcting)

430 and more coming right up. It is so awesome to know that my grip is doing OK despite the tremors.

Any thoughts on me doing a 1 RM test for all 3 lifts this coming week, after a few days rest? The only lift I am not sure of, as far as goal max right now, is squats as I seem to be struggling a bit on them of late.