Monday, October 7, 2019

Not This Year

I CALLED it at the end of September, after realising I just wasn't where I needed to be, and wouldn't be there on game day:

'After much consideration, I am withdrawing from competition for the remainder of 2019. Not enough has gone my way, this time around, and I know I am not where I need to be in order to be competitive amongst a field that, every year, grows thicker with talent.

I also have another surgery on the horizon, to correct a deviated septum. This will allow me to breathe through both nostrils for the first time in my life, which is sure to have a positive effect on my sleep apnoea and ...overall cardio-vascular health.

Next year will be my fortieth year on this planet, as well as my ten year anniversary with the iron. Those who lift will remember Wendler’s quote about that particular bench mark. I look forward to living it, and returning to Strongman with renewed vigour in 2020 as the strongest 40-year-old you fucking know.

Strength & Honour'

Below is a record of my last few training sessions. As from this week I will be piecing together something... new. Something that will get me primed for competing early in 2020.

PRESS+ Saturday October 5th
Bench press (paused):
20 kg x 10
60 kg x 5
80 kg x 5
100 kg x 3
115 kg x 2
125 kg x 1
130 kg x 1
135 kg x 1
140 kg x 1
70 kg x ME 15
Incline barbell press:
50 kg x 5
70 kg x 5
80 kg x 5
90 kg x 3
Triceps pushdowns:
full stack (90 kg) x 10, 10, 6
Face-pulls:
49.5 kg x 3 x 20
- attempted some preacher curls after this but was severly tight & sore in left shoulder & forearm

PRESS+ Tuesday September 24th
Axle clean-press:
40 kg x 10
70 kg x 5 - left clavicle doesn't feel right
Triceps pushdowns:
72 kg x 20, 20, 13
DB curls (p/h):
12.5 kg x 10
15 kg x 10
17.5 kg x 10
20 kg x 10
DB front raises (p/h):
12.5 kg x 10 - same weird feeling in left clavicle / collar bone area
10 kg x 2 x 10
DB side raises (p/h):
12.5 kg x 3 x 10
Cardio:
Assault bike 5 mins @ +50 rpm

EVENTS+ Saturday September 21st
Yoke walk:
130 kg x 2 x 15 meters
210 kg x 15 meters
270 kg x 2 x 15 meters
310 kg x 15 meters - weak! Couldn't manage more than this
Sack to shoulder:
95 kg x 3
Front squats:
20 kg x 10
50 kg x 5 - same fucking issue with left arm!
Leg extensions (p/l):
40 kg x 5 - too heavy for full ROM
30 kg x 15, 10
Hamstring curls (p/l):
20 kg x 3 x 10
Face-pulls:
49.5 kg x 3 x 20
Cardio:
assault bike 5 mins @ +50 rpm

EVENTS+ Saturday September 14th
Deadlift:
75 kg x 10
125 kg x 5
175 kg x 3
225 kg x 2
260 kg x 1
280 kg x 1
300 kg x 1 TPR - and more in the tank!
Farmers walk (p/h):
60 kg x 2 x 10 meters
80 kg x 2 x 10 meters
100 kg x 2 x 10 meters
120 kg x 10 meters
Meadows rows (l&r):
60 kg x 3 x 6 TPR
Lateral pulldowns:
67.5 kg x 3 x 10
DB front raises (p/h):
10 kg x 4 x 10
Cardio:
assault bike 5 mins @ +50 rpm