24 kg speed swings 16 min,bar press practice, kickstand squats, walking lunges, rear delts

After Monday's big day I thought I'd start with swings today instead. Turned out to be a good idea
Adapting to this, finally. Wasn't that big deal and breathing was decent as well as power output

24 kg speed swings
15:15 x 10 RPA
16 min
320 reps
16,960 lbs tonnage
RPE 6

very very pleased with this. The bell didn't even feel heavy after Monday

Military press practice
bar x 5
65 x 3
85 x 3
105 x 3
127 x 3 x 4 sets


changed things today, experiment time

1) flat shoes ( vibrams) the idea being I consistently lose the bar forwards at the sticking point and the heel puts me more forward and on my quads not my glutes.

2) wider grip (mid grip) since my elbows hyperextend the ring(close ) grip is ok at the start but compromises ROM at the sticking point and lockout
This seemed to help right away with overhead

3)looking forward not up Not sure why just instinct.

4) chest up not just hips forward with lean back. Have to have the chest up to hold the load but the more my hips go forward and I lean back the more I have to work to 1)keep the bar directly over mid foot and 2) the harder it is to push it back over my head without losing balance

5)drive the bar up then back instead of just up
this seemed to work ok too

but, then again, it is lightweight

then
105 x 3 x 2
115 x 3 x 2
120 x 3 x 2



about 13 total sets. very informative
 has promise. I really need to figure out this lockout for 200 lbs press

Kickstand squats
2 sets of 20
Walking lunges
2 laps of 40

rear delts
3 sets of 15  with 15

BW  170.2
BF12.2
W 56.5


was 169.4 right before workout

ok no ruck tomorrow - dentist appointment for my birthday!

datsit
dfq

Mission accomplished! 190 lb Military Press PR, 85 reps Pushup PR

This was EPIC. Just one of those days. Those good days. Where my mind is not necessarily my friend but at least get the hell out of way so my training can take over.
I spent a TON of time over the last two days running through this lift, all the things I needed to do to make it. IF I felt good today

And after yesterdays slow and Saturdays' uber heavy swings I really wasn't sure what to expect. But I FELT good. Strong Good. Recovered good. Focused good.
Good.

 The plan was to go to 182.5 as my last warmup and see from there. If it was hard stay there and try to get 3-4 singles if it was strong then just go to 190 and give it a shot

It wasn't strong but I said fuck it and went to 190 anyway. The press wasn't strong but I was

On days like these I don't have to shut up the monkey mind before each lift. In fact there is almost no dialogue. No stalling like usually, no going over the list. Just GO! It's confidence but more than that. NO FEAR.
For a change. I'm always scared of missing and messing up what I know I can do if I hit it. Today there was no fear of failure. Just drive towards the purpose.

Still doing something wrong at the sticking point- hence the weeble wobble in the middle. After closer review I think I am shifting more towards my toes and my bar path goes that way too

Then, I have to wait for the bar  and my hips to come back before I can press up again. What a waste. I have to figure it out. The closer stance and 'coil' technique helped get me to sticking point faster but then I'm still not right.

BUT I FREAKIN' GOT IT!!!

Military Press
45 x 5
65 x 3
85 x 3
105 x 2
120 x 2
135 x 2
150 x 1
162.5 x 1
177 x 1 ( bigger than normal jump here. think this helped)
182.5 x 1 not easy
190 x 1 PR!!!!!!

44 kg belt squat
10
12
14
16

so easy as I'm seriously pumped up now!

Floor Pushups
1 x 85 NEW PR!!!
2 x 20 ( hard lol )

crawls
3 sets of 70 ft

side delts
3 x 15 with 15

BW 168.8
BF 13.7
W 55.5

couldn't be happier!1

NEVERQUIT

Heavy legs ruck

Wasn't quite expecting this today but there it was. Started off really easy too. nice and crisp, 37 degrees and clear. Perfect , Legs didn't hurt but just didn't want to step easily. So I slowed down, rested 30- 40 seconds every other lap in addition to the squats and just took my time

Got it done but it was just back off time here

50 lbs ruck
12 laps
11 iso squats
2 hours even
No timed laps

RPE 8.5

BW 168.2 !!
BF 11.9
W 57

well that's surprise. weight down and BF down. will see tomorrow

Not sure what I'll press tomorrow going to sleep on it

datsit
dfq

52 & 68 kg One Arm Swing,barbell hacks,wt pushups, rear delts

Very strong workout.Felt good all the way through. Glenn bought me some training shoes for my birthday next week and I debated whether or not to take them for a test ride with the 68 kg but they felt great on first feel and I thought I'd warm up with them and see.
Turns out they are great

 The new model of these my favorites that they don't make anymore

One arm swings
16 kg x 5/5 x 2
20 kg x 5/5
24 kg x 5/5
28 kg x 5/5
32 kg x 5/5
36 kg x 4/4
40 kg x 4/4
44 kg  x 4/4
48 kg x 4/4
52 kg x 5/5 x 5 sets ( 5750 lbs)
68 kg x 5/5 x 5 sets (7500 lbs)
13, 250 lbs

Super happy with both weights
Here's the 52 kg fourth set



First time my grip wasn't a major issue with the 68. Not really a minor issue either. Or any. Really cinched up on it, almost a false grip and it worked much better. Consequently with not having to focus on losing the bell I could put more into the drive phase. Love it.
The highest the bell has moved ever.
Inch by inch :)

Barbell Hacks
95 x 8
115 x 7
135 x 7
155 x 7
strong!!

the shoes feel great. More heel height but open toe box and very very "flat" feeling (even with the heel) on the floor. Very stable

Wt pushups
bw x 12
53 x 12 x 3

much slower reps over all and pauses on the last set for the last two reps. Really "thinking' military press

rear laterals
3 x 12 with 20's

strong too. Just a strong day. We'll see if it carries through tomorrow and, more importantly, to Monday

BW 169
BF 11.7
W 57.5

datsit
dfq

Ruck Steady

Long day at work and was ready to get into this and get it over with! I was ready to eat. That always makes me walk faster, plus it was actually cold on a thursday afternoon for once. Even started out with a jacket but had to to ditch that after three laps; just heat up too much and it really impedes my performance. Or at least my perceived exertion.

Anyway decent speed and the body felt fine. Legs loose and quick and right foot ok

45 lb ruck
6 laps
50 min !
no timed laps but most felt around 7:30-7:40
strong steady state and lungs were good

BW 169.4
BF12.7
W 56.7

feel good and very optimistic about my press

datsit
dfq

120 lb Military Press practice (plus 2 singles) 24 kg speed swings 14 min,walking lunges,side laterals

It's amazing what a difference small changes can make in a lift. Different stance, different grip, different timing pattern or breathing; it can make the difference between maximizing a lift or not, of hitting a PR and getting closer to your actual potential
Or not.

But if you don't try and experiment and be willing to fail you'll never know

I learned a lot today. The intuition I had about getting a narrow foot stance was correct. It made a huge difference in total body stiffness as well as the initial launch
 I don't remember why I ended up with a wide stance in my press. I think it was to compensate for my overhead position( lack thereof) and help stabilize me

But, I don't squat wide, I don't deadlift wide, I don't swing or snatch wide. And now I don't press wide. Wow so much tighter which allowed me to be more explosive

Plus I changed the timing on the launch of the press and that could be an even bigger game changer. Instead of trying to maximize the 'bounce off the board' I tried to "coil the spring' almost waiting til I can't hold the spring down anymore and it literally launched out.

Oh,and one more thing. ELBOWS IN!!!! Exaggerate it .The video is clear; if my elbows flare before the bar reaches my forehead bad things happen to the lockout. GREAT NEW learning today!

Plus pressed before we did swings. worked way better for both. Strength and speed BEFORE endurance. DUH. ( but to be fair my old priority was swing endurance so that was the real reason )



Military press
45 x 5
65 x 3
85 x 3
105 x 3
120 x 3 x 8 sets
140 x 2
150 x 2 !!!

flex flex and flex harder before the launch. I really think this is everything


24 kg speed swings
15:15 x 10 RPA
14 min
280 reps
14,480 lbs

this was better as I was wamed up just enough before jumping into the deep end of the cold aerobic pool by swinging first. was worried my back would bother me but it was fine. tried a longer inhale on the descent to get more O2 but it slowed me down too much to get my reps on time so I ditched it

Only one set of any double breathing

mentally strong here again too. about time

walking lunges
4 laps of 40 ft

side raises
3 sets of 12 with 15 lbs

easy

BW170.8 !!!
BF 12.9
W 56.7

ruckup tomorrow. super happy with todays session and lessons learned

datsit
dfq

180 lb Military press 4 x 1 PR!, 40kg belt squat, Floor pushups PR!,crawls, rear delts

 What a workout! I have to say I felt great coming in. Slept well, day went fast and easy, energy consistent all morning and surprisingly no extra coffee( which I had planned on ) , no tweaks ( thanks to yesterdays body work which I have been lazy about. Mentally too I was on. No weird doubts or fears just a very solid focus on the plan. This new starting technique has given me all kinds of confidence.
I can't do it perfectly all the time but when I hit it  the bar flies.

I lost groove today and sets one and two, not from the pressing part but getting loose in the body at the sticking point. Also didn't lock in the glutes enough on the second set ( video); the bar wasn't wobbling my body was! crazy that I could finish it at all

But in the end I put 180 lbs, five pounds off my all time one rep max, over my head four times

Military press
45 x 5
65 x 3
85 x 3
105 x 3
120 x 3
135 x 1
150 x 1
160 x 1 ( strong and fast!)
170 x 1 ( also fast)
180 x 1 x 4 PR!!

ok first rep VERY ugly. Got out in front and up and down. Finished it but it was ugly
 second rep better but wobbly as hell
here


did not keep my glutes tight before the launch and never got them back.
 third set settling in


fourth rep was the best. fastest with best bar path

Not great confidence for 190 right now though. And today i felt STRONG! I have to get tighter on the  finished rack position and squeeze harder. NOT rush so much trying to get early speed. Coil the spring harder and more

40 kg belt squat
40 x 14, 16, 18, 20

back and hips are fine again. No sacral weirdness after those bad shoes went away

Floor pushups
3 x 50 PR!!1

wow, this was a shock and all were done very fast and explosively!

crawls

3 sets of 70 ft
strong too

rear delts
3 sets of 12 with 20's

BW 168.8
BF 12.7
W ? can't remember but usual for this BF

ok off tomorrow but I feel great right now with no tweaks or tighnesses at all!

datsit
dfq

Still going strong ruck

Frank Bozanich/ Ultra God.

Took it easy on purpose today even though I probably could have pushed, saving a bit for tomorrow's press workout. Legs were loose and strong, lungs too. Feet good up until the last two laps when the right arch started talking just a little.
Need to stretch out calves and quads more thoroughly from now on. I did but not enough

50 lb ruck
12 laps
11 iso squats
no timed laps
1:50 min

overall fast pace

BW 169.2
BF 11.7
W 56.7

decent


tomorrow = 180 x 4 sets of 1

this will be interesting
gotta prepare my mind

datsit
dfq

48 kg One Arm Swings 10x10,barbell hacks, wt pushups,rear delts

This went very very well. Strong and powerful for each set and this time, unlike last week , I did feel we could do a few more sets. But we didn't and set ten was as powerful as set one. SO much easier mentally than 10 /10 it's unbelievable
Might be something to this power training from StrongEndurance eh?

One arm swings
16 kg x 5/5 x 2
20 kg x 5/5
24 kg x 5/5
28 kg x 5/5
32 kg x 5/5
36 kg x 5/5
40 kg x 5/5
48 kg x 10 x 10 One arm per set
100 reps
4800 lbs

every singe rep of every single set was like the above. definitely stopped BEFORE I lost power.  Just felt good today too although I was sore as shit yesterday! Right teres major was super tight and medial delts were too, JUST from those seated raises. A slight difference like that made a huge difference . I haven't been sore there in years

Barbell hacks
65 x 8
95 x 8
115 x 7
135 x 7

slow and strict

Wt pushups
bw x 12
53 x 12 x 3

slow and strict too. strong

Rear delts
3 sets of 10 with 20

BW 169
BF 11.9
W 57.5

ok feel great now and still fitting in my 32 waist jeans no problem, the key litmus test for me

long ruck tomorrow see how things feel

datsit
dfq

Best ruck in forever

Wow. Been waiting for this for what seems like forever but here it was; a strong, easy loose legged thursday ruck

everything felt great, calves and glutes were loose but strong. fast pace but but lungs were open right away and my mind was as solid as it's been under the ruck. Just a short one but good enough to remind me of what this is supposed to feel like
And, that it can happen again :)

45 lb  ruck
53 min
6 laps
no timed laps but quick overall

BW 169.8
BF 12.3
W 56.3

ok day off tomorrow then the Beast!

datsit
dfq

24 kg speed swings 12 min, 120 lb Military press 10 x 3,walking lunges, seated side delts, rear delts

Today was hard, Nothing hurt but still tired from Monday's workout and not sleeping so well the last two nights. No big problems but little stuff gave me a busy mind to breathe through.

I'm still having a hard time getting over how much harder 10 reps per 15 seconds is compared to 8. A freakin' galaxy apart! So much harder it's tough to believe I could do 20 min of this strongly! I'll work back up to it but man, this ain't even close to fun

24 kg One arm swing
15:15 10 RPA
12 min
240 reps
12,720 lbs

RPE 8

Miltary press
45 x 5
65 x 3
85 x 3
105 x 2
120 x 3 x 10 sets

started out slow and stiff and was easy by set 5. Lots of detail pieces to work on. Very good session and all things went well.
Already sore in the shoulders though as I write this three hours later

Walking lunges
 4 sets of 40
stronger
really have to work to get low though, thighs are tight!

seated side laterals
1 x 15 x 12 lb
2 x 15 x 15 lbs

standing rear delts
3 x 10 with 20's

better than arm casts!

BW 170.8 !! uh oh!
BF 12.3
W 56.7

1 pm
BW 169.8  ( thank goodness first time weight is lower pre workout in forever)
BF 10.7

ruck up tomorrow will be a slow one

datsit
dfq

172.5 Military Press 5 x 2 PR!,48 kg belt squats,floor pushups pr, crawls, rear laterals

This went about perfect. Weight felt light, technique worked, made all five sets with no misses ( or even close). The only thing could have been better was  a few reps got slightly forward as I didn't keep my hips pushing forward enough at the sticking point.

But I was confident and mentally strong too. even a bit aggressive mentally. Ready to go. I  was not afraid of the weight at all.
Going from fives to doubles was good too, also mentally

I definitely could have been more coordinated in the technique though as I wasn't timing my lat/glute drive near enough. Perhaps TOO confident after the first set but there was still that  DREAD of trying to do something you've never done before and really really not wanting to miss :)

But I didn't

Military Press
45 x 5
65 x 3
105 x 3
120 x 2
135 x 2
150 x 1
165 x 1
172.5 x 2 x  5 sets PR all time!

Trying to decide which weights to take was  bit of a mess though. Should have though this through much earlier but it worked out

48 kg belt squats
10, 12, 14 16

long slow steady inhale on the descent for the win again!

Floor pushups
2 x 50  PR!
1 x 26 lol tricep death

crawls
3 sets of 70 fast!
no barfing today either :)

rear laterals
3 sets of 15 with 20

very strong.

BW 169.8 :)
BF 12.7
W 55.9

ok roll out tomorrow Next week is 180 for four singles!

datsit
dfq

Sunday Ruck, back to speed

Really good one today, although I was more sore than expected from yesterdays power swing workout. Glutes were a bit tight but loosened up quickly and my calves, for the first time in a month were not super tight ( at the start at least).

Nice and crisp out too  which always helps my efforts.

Things were fine til the 8th lap which we timed  : 7:04! but my left calf got very tight and inhibited my dorsiflexion at the end of the lap. A bit of gastoc stretching helped that.

Didn't bother me after or on the last lap which yeiled an almost PR of 6:50!!
Gabe got an incredible 5:50 last lap! SO FAST I can't even believe it

50 lb Ruck
12 laps
11 iso squats
8th lap 7:04
12th lap 6:50
1:55 min

I was so close to getting under 6:40- next time. But the good news is that I could do two very fast laps again with no serious issues in recovery for the subsequent laps. Conditioning is getting bacl

BW 169.6
BF 12.1
W 56.7

big presses today ( writing this Mond AM) 172.5 for doubles! lets hope technique holds

datsit
dfq

44 kg One arm swings 10 x 10,barbell hacks, weighted pushups,wide delts

The plan was to do only one arm at a time, for 10 reps per set, until the power output started to wane. This worked better than I thought. If we had done the usual 8/8 per set the first arm would have been solid and the first five for the second arm then fall off. The volume would of course be better but the power output would be lower.

We're not quite ready to get Glenn ready for his swing test but I think this approach will be more conducive to the actual test once we start to peak in a few months.

First a 200 lb military press  for me :)

But the concept worked great today. With only one arm to focus on I went all out from the start and had ideas of 12-14 total sets but there was a mild drop off at 8 sets and 9 and 10 were definitely not as powerful , so we scuttled that idea of more.

Glutes and legs were really feeling it from the more intense work. Perfect

The bell felt light :)

This is much more in line with Pavel's Strong endurance approach. Lower reps is fine with me. Our Wednesdays should take care of the gas tank and more conditioning for the test. At least now that we're back on 10 RPA

so 40 kg = 10/10 x 10
     44 kg = 10 x 10 one arm per set
     48 kg= 10 x 10 one arm per sets
     52/68 kg = 5/5 x 10

a balanced distribution :)

Barbell hacks
95 x 8
115 x 8
135 x 6
155 x 6
165 x 5 PR

started higher just because

Weighted pushups
bw x 12
53 x 12 x 3

pauses on bar last two reps per set
this should help the military press start too

side raises
3 x 15 with 15

easy

BW 169.2
BF  11.7
W 57.1

ruck up tomorrow!

datsit
dfq

Almost summer already ruck

It was too hot too early today, damnit. It's not supposed to be 80 degrees in mid February but there it was!
 I guess it's time to get back into heat shape no matter I want to or not

All in all a very good ruck. Legs started out fine and then loosened up more

Finished with a solid 7:25 time 6th lap! Not bad at all

45 lb ruck
6 laps
:53 min
6th lap 7:25

BW 169.2
BF 12.3
W 56.5

I'll take it

datsit
dfq

24 kg speed swings 15 min, 120 lb military press practice,walking lunges, arm casts, band pull aparts

This was a tough one. No real problems but fatigue. Monday took a lot out of us so I didn't push as hard as I wanted to, just about 80 % but I got all the sets and reps. Left lat insertion into hip a bit tight too so I will stretchout more tomorrow

24 kg speed swings
15:15 x 10 RPA
15 min
30 sets
300 reps
15,900 ( those two reps per set extra add up!)


Hardest part about doing this workout is once the clock starts you're in it. you don't have any chance to really stretch anything you'd want to  or adjust. No big deal but needed more front panel opening

Barbell press
45 x 5
65 x 3
85 x 5
105 x 2
120 x 3 x 10 sets

had to remember to keep left elbow extra "in" or it was flaring. A bit tight from the different pushups more than the presses on Monday

very crisp and strong


walking lunges
3 laps

took it easy here no problems just dialed things down a bit

arm casts
3 x 8/8 with 25 lb

easy too

band pull apart ( black mini band)
too heavy should have used red
3 sets of 15 including overhead stretch

BW 169.4
BF 12.3
W 56.8

eh :)

datsit
dfq

160 lb Military Press 5x5 PR!!!, 44kg belt squat,parallel bar pushups,crawls, side raises

OOH YEA! that's what i'm talking about!!  THIS is what keeps me coming back. Know that it's out there. That THIS is possible. To be able to overcome my fears and weaknesses and tweaks and fatigue to do stuff like this after mucking up for so long

TO FIGURE IT OUT

Especially when nothing looks like it's really going to work

Sweet!

Felt solid coming in but that can mean nothing. Even my first set going well being strong could mean nothing.

You can always miss it on the last set

Five is a lot of heavy sets.

But it all went great! Just as I hoped for, the weight felt light, I could do the technique and it worked AND held and all the reps flew up easier than ever

This is what I train for. Days like these .THAT feeling of being so strong in your confrontation with the bar, with yourself, with your fear and being able to be confident enough to be aggressive and not have to hold back. Wow
That you're body won't betray you.
SO you can just PUSH

Military Press
45 x 5
65 x 3
85 x 3
105 x 3
120 x 2
137.5 x 1
150 x 1
160 x 5 x 5 All time PR!!

Next week I go to 172.5 and work on getting 5 doubles.

I just still might have a chance at 190+ for my 61st birthday

44 kg belt squat
12, 14, 16, 18
the long slow inhale is making huge difference for higher reps it's a keeper

Parallel bar pushups
45
45
35

needed a change from floor pushups but it didn't save me any reps. I think floors better for the press assist.

crawls
3 laps 70 ft

strong and fast

side raises
3 sets of 12 with 20
ever since I learned medial delts are a phasic muscle I want to do heavier weights and lower reps


BW 169.6
BF 12.5
W 56.7

deserved day off tomorrow. need to roll out

datsit
dfq

Conditioning Ruck

Seems like upping my wednesday swing vo2 reps from 8 to 10 has had all kinds of positive effects. I think it's also spread over to my ruck conditioning. From thursdays 7:30 6th lap to today longer but still fast ruck it seems so.

Plus my foot doesn't hurt and that's key
Calves though are still  too tight and pumping up too fast. More SMR and stretching and I think the boots still need more breaking in. I think next pair I'm going back to the mid level, never had this much trouble with them and I can pick the odd pebbles out easier than this :)

50 lb ruck
1:55 min
11 iso squats
9th lap =7:41
12th lap = 7:02 !!

nice increase. So that's basically a 15.5 min mile or 4 MPH pace. I'll take it. Now, if this trends continues into the summer then the goal is 1.5 laps in 10:30 seconds with the big goal of the full mile in 15 minutes or 2.1 laps

that won't be easy but it's doable

BW 169.2
BF 11.7
W 57.2

160 press for 5x5 tomorrow! go get it!

datsit
dfq

40kg One Arm Swings 10x10/10,hacks, wt pushups, rear delts

This was a very strong one, surprisingly strong. The 20 rep sets were not a problem and I could maintain full power for the whole set for all ten sets. Perhaps a first with this  weight. Bell height was very good and the weight felt light.

I changed my inhalation breathing pattern a bit on the descent of each rep , mostly on the second hand. Instead of a quick sniff of air, I breathed in the entire descent. Much like I did on my belt squats on Monday and it worked here as well

It seems like a hybrid between anatomical and biomechanical match breathing. Definitely bio match as it's an inhale into the pressure zone, but anatomical for the long and easy duration of the inhale.I'm sure it's not as good a brace but I don't need it with this weight now and that's the difference

One arm swing
16 kg x 5/5 x 2
20 kg x 5/5
24 kg x 5/5
28 kg x 5/5
32 kg x 4/4
36 kg x 4/4
40 kg x 10/10 x 10
200 reps
17,600 lbs tonnage

Barbell hacks
65 x 8
95 x 8
115 x 8
135 x 8

slower tempo an d higher reps felt great

Wt Pushups
bw x 12
53 x 12 x 3

strong no problem

rear delts
3 x 12 with 20'

need to up volume to 4 sets next week this is not getting enough work relative to the rest of the overload

BW 168.6
BF 11
W 57.7

ok supps again today lets see if it helps tomorow's ruck

datsit
dfq

Fast is back

And my foot is much much better. Worked on it a lot the other day and it must have adjusted because now I feel nothing in it,no ache or pain at all. Great but strange.Really getting into the top of the 4-5 metatarsals as well as being the shit out of my calf and arch made a difference.

Either way the foot felt normal and the ruck was strong

45 lb Ruck
6 laps
52 min
4th lap =7:41
6th lap = 7:30 !

decent;lungs and energy felt good but calves kept pumping up! weird too

BW 169.6
BF 13.
W 55.6

we'll see how it goes tomorrow. Haven't been constipated but I feel things haven't gone all the way through. Today went three time ( I know TMI ) and I feel lighter. I'll see tomorrow

datsit
dfq