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

[Squatter]

SQUAT/INCLINE BENCH/CLEANS

I just wasn't feeling the love of the iron today. I am going to stop doing early AM sessions for now, as getting up at 4:00AM just once per weekday is too difficult on the system. On Wednesday's, I will train after work. I was also blah this morning due to some bad news from the Eye Surgeons on Tuesday. The good news is that many of the spots have cleared up on my retina and that the inflammation is under control. My world has become very blah, literally. All colors are dull and lifeless, even neon colors. I discovered I cannot see rainbows. I failed my color test with flying colors. My eyes are constantly sore. It's not "pain"per se. It feels like I have been crying even tho I haven't. The surgeons feel this is inconsistent with the inflammation under control and that the birdshot spots have decreased. The think I may have more problems than originally thought. I have to go for more tests in the upcoming months. As it is turning out, I am stumping a whole team of docs and surgeons, and they told me they are going to consult other docs around the world. I am quite concerned and upset about it, but I will try to forget about it and just focus on my lifting and the meet.

I think I have to adjust my camera, as it appears to be crooked. I could have sworn my squats were deeper than they looked. I was quite surprised when I saw the vid. At any rate, I am capable of better and will get it done on Saturday. The heavy squat 5X5 sure is one helluva B!tch to say the least. I have been quietly progressing by at least 5 lbs per week on each set since my back injury.

Squat
265 X5
285 X5
315 X5
335 X5
350 X5

Incline Bench
145 X5
165 X5
185 X5
205 X5
225 X3 PR - Last PR was 205
I was happy to get the 3 reps at 225 to say the least. Had a problem unracking it. I think I may adjust the pins down 1 notch next time.

Cleans
135 X1
145 X1
155 X1
165 X1
175 X1
Wanted to do more but I was pretty thrashed at this point, so rather than risk an injury called it a day.

Squatter335X5Squat - YouTube

Squatter335X5Squat - YouTube

Squatter350X5Squat - YouTube

Squatter350X5Squat - YouTube

Squatter225X3InclineBench - YouTube

Squatter225X3InclineBench - YouTube

[LtL]

Remember when you were happy to hit 2pps on flat bench? Now you're tripling it on incline. That's progress.

LtL

[markievicz]

VERY strong work Jim,

350 for 5 is heavy going , nice incline PR also.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by LtL

Remember when you were happy to hit 2pps on flat bench? Now you're tripling it on incline. That's progress.

LtL

^ Winning.

Great progress Jimbo.

[Jen]

Strong squats!! Congrats on that bench PR!

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by LtL

Remember when you were happy to hit 2pps on flat bench? Now you're tripling it on incline. That's progress.

LtL

Yes I do Big Al. Remembering where I have been is crucial for my progression. Wow - memories - I used to be real jealous of guys who could bench 2 PPS. I'm always going to work hard and I can really see myself benching 3 PPS someday.

Originally Posted by markievicz

VERY strong work Jim,

350 for 5 is heavy going , nice incline PR also.

Thanks Mark!! The heavy 5X5 is killer, but crucial to me in overcoming my Ironphobia of heavy weight.

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

^ Winning.

Great progress Jimbo.

Thanks Charlie!! haha

Originally Posted by Jen

Strong squats!! Congrats on that bench PR!

Thanks so very much Jen!! Always a treat to have someone new stopping by.

[Squatter]

SQUAT/BENCH/DEADLIFT

If this was the meet, I would be leaving the platform very proud as I left nothing on it. I am so, so very happy with my deadlift PR of 450. It wasn't pretty, but pretty doesn't count on the platform. Never giving up does.

Squat
135 X3
185 X3
205 X2
235 X2
265 X2
295 X1
315 X1
340 X1
360 X1
380 X1
400 X1
412.5 X1
425 X1
435 X1
440 X1
I have never had 440 on my back before. I won't count it as a PR as I didn't think I hit depth. The goal was to just get used to a heavy(ier) weight that 405, so that 405 will feel lighter, thus increasing the likelihood I will nail it at the meet. White Light 405 at the meet means everything to me, and will for sure pave the way to smash bench and deads.So far, this is working. Just a few weeks ago I was struggling to get 365 to depth. I thought I hit depth on the 412.5, so I am very pleased with it.

Bench Press
155 X2
175 X1
195 X1
205 X1
225 X1
245 X1 Paused
255 X1 paused
265 X1 Paused. Paused PR!!!!
272.5 X1 Non Paused PR!!
Words simply cannot explain how I feel about this. I remember it was really only last year my goal was to get a 1RM of 2 PPS.

Deadlift
190 X2
250 X1
320 X1
360 X1
390 X1
415 X1
427.5 X1
440 X1
450 X1 PR!!
Excuse me while I go dancing down the street. Just last month I was sturuggling to get over 425 and twice failed at it. That taught me a valuable lesson to never give up. This was definitely my proudest lift to date.

The plan forward now is to fine tune my squat form and depth and just lift as hard as I can on Bench and Deads. Three weeks to the big day!!

Just one more note - I hopefully will be able to catch up on journals soon. This past week has been a marathon to get mom's house ready for sale. It is now done and ready to list. the reno cost about $12,000 but increased the value about $55,000 as we did most of it ourselves. The extra money will more than pay for my 1990 Mustang 7Up Ragtop. That car is now almost mine again, and I couldn't be happier. It means everything to me.

The past 4 months of hard bust my a$$ labor has left me exhausted, but I am leaving my best for last on July 7th.

Squatter413X1Squat - YouTube

Squatter413X1Squat - YouTube

Squatter440X1Squat - YouTube

Squatter440X1Squat - YouTube

Squatter265X1PausedBench - YouTube

Squatter265X1PausedBench - YouTube

Squatter273X1BenchPress - YouTube

Squatter273X1BenchPress - YouTube

Squatter450X1Deadlift - YouTube

Squatter450X1Deadlift - YouTube

[markievicz]

Beast mode Jim. Really delighted to see how well its all going right now.

Just wanted to drag up some old posts between us from may of this year..

Originally Posted by markievicz

also , i think , with your attitude to training and considering your strength you are selling yourself short looking for 275 - aim for 285 on meet day.

i know you have it in you

Originally Posted by Squatter

Thanks Mark!! I am going to reduce my sets to 4 and add a couple of singles. I may have 285 in me, but not sure if I can pause that amount of weight. I got 8 weeks to make it happen

Looks like that plan has worked out so far......
Keep the progress and PR a coming!

[LtL]

Great to see the difference in your confidence now Jim. A few weeks ago you'd have given up on that deadlift. Now you smashed it. Well done.

LtL

[big_swede]

Awesome progress on the big 3 lately man, really good work!