185 x 1 x 6, 195 x 1 x 6 215-235 static holds, 20 kg swing 5 x 5x5, floor pushups28,28,20

 Slept like shit last night but didn't actually feel too bad and this workout was on fire! Could keep my knees locked and each set moved really really well

The cue were : LOCK  THE KNEES, PRESS TO THE X

The two things that matter most. If my knees flex too much I lose hip drive and the bar goes foward. If I lose the X the bar goes forward

If I lock the knees I don't have to think much about balance OR pausing. It happens

Not trying to push the bar back over my face makes the groove so much more simple

the static holds went great too. Overload and hyperfocus on locking and holding knees as well as staring at the X

BS 172.6

200/205/215 x X x 3 205 x 1 x 3 ,laterals rear delts front raises

 Did the technique I wanted to but it didn't work. Pushing back 'to the slot' so early seemed to cost me balance at the sticking point

but work capacity was good and the three missed grinds at 215 didn't hurt my 205 downsets 

at 205 and up I have to initiate hip drive prior to pushing back I think. Especially with these full pauses

  BW 172.6

Sunday Ruck

 Terrible sleep. Didnt even stretch out as  I needed the extra 1/2 hour of sleep more. Overall the walk wasnt too bad but I crashed the rest of the day with multiple naps and feedings.

45 lb ruck

9 laps

1:30  min

10,026 steps

4.5 miles

32 kg swings 20 x 10, 32 kg belt squat , 8,10,10 Stick lunges 3 x 6/6, pullaparts 2 x 30

This was the fastest ever with this protocol. Wasn't trying to go fast but could. and when I realized we were I didn't try to slow down either.

30 min for 200 reps. not bad at all

heartate about 130 at the end and probably that for the last 5-7 sets

Took a wider stance and used a more definitive hinge on purpose. My body was been talking to me to try this and I went for it. Resisted the temptation to also go to my lower heel Adidas shoe but was worried it would be too much of a change.

this felt strong

belt squats went well and decided to use the stick in the high  bar squat position for the lunges, working to keep back arch and eyes up for a change

Love it

BW 174
 

Thursday Hot Ruck

Heat conditioning has peaked I believe. Hottest ruck of  the summer and one of my best Thursdays. Wasn't even conscious of the heat!

Heat tolerance training is as much mental, or more, than physiological. SO nice.

Legs and lungs felt strong

45 lb ruck

6 laps

55 min

3 miles

173.

185 x 1 x 12, 225 static holds, 20 kg swings 5x5/5, floor pushups 3 x 27

 This went ok. Nothing wrong specifically but not as 'snappy' as I expected to be.No tweaks but things were just tired. Makes sense, Monday was a ton of work, which I actually made for a change.

didn't take it seriously enough too which is never smart

Technically things went right just not sharp. still good sleep and peace of mind

173.3

215 x 1! 210 x1! 205 x 1 x 3, laterals rear delts, rotators rev band pushdowns

 FINALLY!  Everything went according to plan for a change. The lock in works well. 25 % over my 172 bodyweight. Was wondering if I was ever going to get this ( or more) again. Plus a serious dead pause

175 x 1
185 x 1
195 x 1
200 x 1
205 x 1
215 x 1!
210 x 1
205 x 1 x 3

bw 172.2

Sunday ruck

 Strong but slow. Legs pretty work out from the  swings, squats and lunges. Go figure. But it got done and pretty strongly, all things considered

45 lb ruck

8 laps( dog distraction lol )

1:20

4 miles

3.2 mph

172

48 kg 20 x 5, 48 kg belt squat 3 x 8,9,10 BW lunges 3 x 8,8,6, pullaparts 3 x 30

 So So workout. Nothing went wrong or injured, felt fairly strong but just not dialed in. still not feeling the standing plank part of this. hard to imagine just 2-3 weeks off this technique messed me up this badly

Finally got warmed up at 10 sets

20 sets in 25 min. cardio was good

173.3

Thursday ruck

 Strong one! Really good sleep two nights in a row is magic. All little aches clearing up

45 lb ruck

6 laps

3 miles

85 deg heat no issue

16.2 mpm pace felt effortlessly fast

173.3

heat condition is excellent

185 x 1 x 10, 200 x 1, 205 x 1, 225 x 5 sec hold x 2, 20 kg swings 5 x 5/5, floor pushups 3 x 26

 Great day finally! Best night's sleep in weeks, neck and right QL area all good and my new technique worked better than expected

Switch to my Adidas flatter shoe and it definitely helped  to get me ground and "set" before I pressed

The idea was to 'lock in' first , spot the x, and when I felt totally  tight  shove the bar up

Different than waiting for someone else's press call, this was about locking the legs and hip and getting as tight as possible ( coil the spring) and then explode

173.3!

very good day

Sunday Fast walk

 Neck was feeling better in the AM but no way was I putting on the ruck

Just a 4.5 mile fast walk and it was decent

Basically averaged about 16 min miles which felt great

Without the pack it feels like I could fly, definitely run but surprisingly  I'm not that much faster but I should probably do these more often

9 laps

4.5 miles

1:15

16 min miles

185x-215 x3X misses, 180 x 1 x 3, laterals rear delts

 Total shit.Neck locked up Sat night and spend all day working on it. No sleep, lots of pain, fear. Got it to release and pressing motion didn't hurt monday  but nothing was working well. Or strong

And 171 lbs

Surprised I did as well as I did

Despite  having the goal or really locking my knees I did not at all and it was just ugly

185 x 1
195 x 1
200 x miss out in front
200 x 1
205 x 1
210 x x on balance
215 x 3/4 x 3 misses !
205 x X x 2!
180 x 1 x 3  

44 kg swings 25 x 5, 44 kg belt squats 3 x 10, BWsquat 1x 20, Alternating BW lunges 3 x 8/8, Ext rotators 3 x 12

 Slept well, body  felt good but took me awhile to warmup and find my groove, at least ten total sets, felt "wary" a long time

Went back to the old technique( standing plank/ hold at top) and perhaps that's it after last weeks quad dominant experiment

last ten sets felt 'normal' again but I was having trouble holding the plank solid.The least small technique change theses days seems like it affects EVERYTHING, especially balance and timing

But did them all in exactly 30 min with three of us going and without ( except the last 3-5 sets) trying to'

squats were hard but I got twenty. I took video but the depth looks so shallow  I didnt want to post it. and they  felt so deep lol

Lunges were good too using an upper body counter rotation like I used to

172.2

Thursday ruck

 Solid one. Slightly overcast and cool. so nice. warmed up at the end but like fall actually

Pace, legs and lungs all good.

45 lb ruck

6 laps 3 miles

55 min

strong throughout minimum rest stops

190 x 1 x 10, 20 kg swings 5 x 5/5, floor pushups 3 x 25, chicken wings 3 x 12-15

 These went GREAT! Pretty much each rep a carbon copy of the next!

Spot the X and make sure I really arch into it

Elbows UP, take my time getting there

Unrack straight up holding elbow position and back arch ( and on X)

Drive bar back to face

173.4

185-215-205 pyramid, laterals, rear delts, ext rotators

 This went ok but interrupted sleep left me tired and a bit flat for training.Technique was good but not as strong so I was soft in the rack position and caught me. Bar wasn't high enough off the pin, knees never started locked out etc, and I missed at the top by inches

But I got a of good attempts in and work capacity is coming back. weighing 172 isn't helping either  but so be it

175 x 1
185 x 1
195 x 1
200 x 1
205 x 1 ok but sloppy at stick point
210 x 1 best rep all day
215 x Miss
215 x Miss
210 x 1 ok but catching up with me
205 x 1 tucked chin
205 x 1
205 x miss, just not back far enough

Sunday Ruck

 Decent one. Slower first half but picked it up the last 3 laps for a change

45 lbs

9 laps

1:25

10,178 steps

3 miles

171.2

40 kg swings 25 x 6, 40 kg belt squat 3 x 10 , air squat 1 x 16 (non lock) pistols 3 x 2/2, chicken wings, pullaparts

 This was a good one but a tough one; my first since my cortisone shot for my trigger thumb. Thumb is definitely better but I was distracted by it and with these weights it's always dicey to  be distracted in any way

Didn't hurt anything but low back was tighter than I like right  after. Partly as I tried using my older quad dominant style. It won't work with these big bells. I  have to use hips not just quads to offset the weight

Now I know

Once I got warmed up all was good

25 sets in 30 min seems about the norm now. can't see going faster actually

pistols

 172.2

Thursday ruck; hot, slow

 Not enough sleep. otherwise felt really good. Overall inflammation in body is  down after what seems 6-8 weeks of abnormal levels. No idea why except perhaps not pressing badly and creating even more asymmetries

45 lbs

6 laps

3 miles

56 min

3.0 average for first three laps then 3.2+ for last three

83 degrees

173.

190 x 1 x 10, 20 kg swings, floor pushups, chicken wings

This was a good a group of reps as I've every done. I had a couple not perfects but the rest were as good as I've done yet

The difference was slight  but critical ( as always) . Instead of spotting the X as I rolled into the unracking with elbows all at once, I spotted the X, then set my elbows, then stood up and then pushed the bar back to my face and X

Because of the setup my elbows were slightly in front of the bar and hence the bar went back over my face much more easily AND faster

Very happy with this discovery

X

ELBOWS

UP

BAR TO FACE

swings

floor pushups 3 x 20

chicken wing rotators 3 x 15/15

173.8

185-215-205 pyramid, laterals, rear delts, band pushdowns

Really not sure what I'm doing but it seems to be working lol. Making smaller jumps on the way up  to the top set is helping too.Just really trying to do the exact same thing each set

Which is: chest up and stand up strong to unrack, then basically try to drive the bar back over my face and spot the X

Oh and legs tight if I can make them ( lol) basically Stand up/ Lock legs/ Bar to Face

135 155 175 x 1
185 x 1
190 x 1 
195 x 1
200 x 1
205 x 1
210 x miss
210 x 1
215 x 1 almost. lost  balance at top but still STRONG, much better than last
205 x 1
205 x miss head down bar forward
205 x 1

BW 172.2

Sunday Ruck

 Had to miss thursday's ruck for a dental appointment but all was well today

45 lbs

9 laps

4.5 miles

10,026 steps

1:23 min

All felt good, legs, lungs work capacity. slightly cooler

172.2

32 kg swings 20 x 10, 40 kg belt squats 3 x 10, pistols 3 x 3/3, band ext rotator 3 x 15

 Changed my swing technique to a more quad dominant style. This is what I was doing for years  before I decided to switch focus to maximizing bell height. I've noticed my quad size is not where it was, or where I want it of late and I think this is why.

SO gripping the floor with the toes, breaking first at the knee and instead of working on holding the standing plank, focus on locking the knees and holding the quads tight.

Height was fine ( we'll see how it is with the heavier bells) and my legs were very fatigued by the end of the session

Perfect

173.2

190 x 1 x 10, 20 kg swings 5 x 5/5, floor pushups, 20, 15, 15, laterals rear delts 3 x 8/8

 This went very well. Just 2-3 reps that weren't perfect  but most flew back as I wanted

Was going every 30 seconds or so I slowed down for last three sets as triceps were getting tired and I started to grind

Seemed very natural and instinctive technique. Pretty replicateable

175 x 1
180 x 1
190 x 1 x 10

173.0

185-215 pyramid, floor pushups, laterals, rear delts, front raises

 This went great. better by far than last week

Used the same approach; lots of warmup sets with small jumps trying to get the timing down. it went well. 215 could have been locked out better but it moved well. 210 did move well and 205 on the way up was much better

down sets with 205 were rough but that was just from general fatigue, not used to this workload with this groove yet

175 x 1
185 x 1
190 x 1
195 x 1
200 x 1
205 x 1
210 x 1 ( good!)
215 x so so 
205 x miss out front
205 x 1 x 3

BW 173

Sunday Ruck

 Decent one. cooler out which always helps. A bit hungover for no good reason but that wore out halfway through

45 lb ruck

9laps

1:25

10,000 steps

3.6 mph top speed

173.0

48kg swings 20 x 5, 40 kg belt squat 5 x 8,9,10,10, pistol practice 3 x 5, pullaparts

This  went very well. I even alternated my bell warmup progression and it felt right. I skipped the 28 and 44 kg bells

Swing groove was good but I still feel like my legs need to be doing more of the action. But trying to get bell height changes the drive form I guess. I have to keep the CCOG closer to me to be able to hold the standing plank and not get pulled over on the descent for the next rep

If I did a low swing I could use more legs I think

But don't mess with it. Today's session was very strong and fast. Love me some 5 rep onlys! 20 sets in about 30 min

 

Thursday hot fast ruck

 A great one out of nowhere

Last week I barely finished the 3 miles in 60 min and yesterday killed it in 52 min! have to check if that's a PR but if not it's close and it is a recent PR

a good 87 degrees out too and no wind and no problem

45 lb ruck

6 laps

3 miles

52 min

17:20 min/mile

strong!

173.6

175-205-195 press pyramid, 20 kg swings 5 x 5/5, rev band pushdowns

 I chose the simplest technique that I've used to press 225

Elbows
Lock knees
Push to face

the pushing bar to face is more important than anything

I felt really good on the warmups too

175 x 1
185 x 1
190 x 1
195 x 1
205 x 1
195 x 1 x 5 ( missed one out in front)

173.6
13.0

175-200-185 presses ( walkout) laterals, rear delts and rev grip pushdowns

 This went fine and these felt relatively fine but I'm not sure I'm going to train it. Feels vulnerable a\ with the wide stance and the hips pushed so far forward. Not a lot of margin for error it seems. and that is with just 185-200

175 x 1
185 x 1
190 x 1
195 x  out in front
195 x 1
200 x 1 ( hard )
195 x 1
185 x 1 x 5

173.6

13.9

Sunday Ruck

 It cooled off quite nicely so it was a much more enjoyable ruck. Hard enough but easier to go hard when you're not baking in a sauna at the same time

Decent time too which would have been 10 min faster if I didn't stop to chat with the Husky's lol. But it was worth it

45 lb ruck

9 laps

10,000 steps

4.5 miles

ave speed 3.2

Leg glute ham tie in tight during the mid of the ruck so i went slower at first then realized a slightly longer stride would be better. Stretched out towards the end

combo of belt squats 5 rep pistol and 44 kg swings worked it

172.4

44 kg swings 25 x 5, 36 kg belt squats, pistol practice, pullaparts

 This went better than expected. Was a bit nervous about a few things, my trigger thumb,my right shoulder , my neck tightness to name a few

But been taking alleve for a few days and it's helping. forgot how much nsaids actually do work. Won't maintain too long but at this point the pain is worse for me than the meds

Swings actually felt strong but I needed to really concentrate on all the technical parts and not just expect it to be there, as I have been doing

Surprising too how well AXE style training seems to work. Kinda the best part of both worlds

Heavy and low reps and no timed rest actually building decent mvo2 endurance

Wanted to test out belt squats again and see if the left vmo would not tweak and it was fine

36 kg 3 x 8

pistol practice 3 x 5/5

pullaparts 3 x 30

173.4

11.9 (  bath)

Hottest ruck yet

 Definitely the  hottest ruck yet this summer.

I could have gone at 9 instead but wanted to test myself in the heat. It was a solid performance, especially mentally

Not going to say it wasn't hard but it wasn't horrible

45 lbs

6 laps

56 min !

85 + degrees, no breeze, no clouds almost no shade

171.4

16 kg swings 20 x 10/10, Walkout press 155 x 1 x 6, reverse grip pushdowns

 Well this workout tested my heat training, conditioning and mental strength. About 95 in the garage today and we blew through 400 reps with no problem

Surprised and happy that my conditioning for  this new level of work transferred so well so quickly especially in the heat. haven't done more than 10 reps in forever and that's been only once a month too

Says a lot, too, for the carryover from AXE style training

16 kg swings

20 x 10/10

30 min - 

totally drenched in sweat and onto press

155 x 1 x 6  main key here is locked knees as I walkout. Just like the squat these felt very good just need to progress slowly for my knees hips and back sake

172.0

Well that didn't last long. Walk out press

 Decided to see if walking out the press as I have in the past would help me find the trigger.My legs have definitely gotten weaker under the bar of late and I'm sure that has been part of my press problem

I think this mono lift  press helps in the short run but not in the long

Walking it out is like cleaning it before pressing I think; it help creates tightness

BUT I haven't walked anything out in 5 years so I have to go slow

135
155 x 1
175 x 1
180 x 1 x 6

this also lets me set up with a wider stance which I can definitely feels helps. My older videos show the same thing. I think this definitely helps with the layback arch

clubbell arm cast
15 x 8/8
20  x 8/8  x 4

this was harder than expected. didn't push tho

laterals/rear delts 15s

rev band pushdown  3 x 15 love these

173.6
14.9

will still do light  swings first on wed then some very light presses for walkout  form 

Sunday Ruck

 Decent one. Not too hot and slept pretty  well. 

45 lb ruck

9 laps

10,000 steps

1:30 ( including dog talk)

legs and lungs feeling pretty  good

173.6

40 kg swings 25 x 6, pistol practice, pullaparts

 Shoulder still a bit tight wake up but releasing the teres and pec minor do the job, just not sticking that well

strong workout though once I got warmed up and realized the shoulder would hold

then straight to pistol practice

172.3

Thursday hot ruck

 Mentally I was really into it. taking out press and re focusing on endurance work shifted things. I had no problem accepting the heat even though  ( again) I was running on little sleep (  the other dog this time)

Not  great speed but the mental focus was everything. Not having to think about keeping my calories and my weight up is great too. definitely would like to be a bunch leaner and eat less overall

45 lb ruck

6 laps ( cut a but short to avoid a crazy guy)

56 min

6901 steps

3.2 mph

83 degrees and cloudless

Taking the presses out.

 Decided to stop pressing. It's been weighing on me for awhile. I'm tired of trying to figure this out and have been dreading my workouts. Plus I've started accumulating body tweaks from always changing techniques and I don't want to go back to being in pain because I'm chasing some number.

My body has changed these last six months and my stress levels since Oct 7  have been super high.Too high, it seems, to accommodate this level of max efforts

Did light  swings today and it was nice. Light  weight hard effort, lots of sweat in a low skill drill

Just a fucking workout for a change, not a performance and technical test

16 kg  swings 18 sets of 10/10

360 reps

12,960 lbs

floor pushups  3 x 20

taking this easy, shoulders are still achey and pecs too tight

Clubbell casts 15 lbs 3 x 8/8

bodyweight squats  3 x  20

datsit. Feel very good about the decision. back to focus on work capacity, strength  endurance and power training

 

Pin Press first heavy session

 This went ok, despite my right shoulder being fooked til this morning.. Thought it was the pec but the real source was the teres major ( brought on I think from the kb presses). Once I got that relieved the  shoulder felt good

The presses were solid, the key component is how far in front are my feet for the setup and how wide? I need to basically lock out the  knees and hips while under the bar and drive through them to initiate the press from a dead stop

I even experimented with my GoRuck boots for a few sets thinking flatter would be better but it wasn't. Fell backwards

but overall good promise

135 x 1
155 x 1
175 x 1
185 x 1
195 x 1
200 x 1
205 x 1 ( poor lockout)
210 x 1 (balance)
190 x 1 x 5

laterals
rear delts
floor pushups 2 x 20
rev grip band pushdowns 2 x 15

173.6

More bicep tendon issues, 32 kg swings 20 x 10

 Woke up with right bicep tendon not right and sure enough  shoulder felt wonky in the swings. But this time around set15 I felt some tearing sound as I started the first reps after the hike pass! Not bad but not good. No bleeding or gap ( felt like scar tissue) but it was tight all day

Didn't open up til this morning when I really got on the  teres major go figure. then it released across the board. But this one had me scared. MORE body maintenance needed it seems

goblet squats didnt feel good so I went to two hand supported pistols: two up one down and on both side for change. felt great

body weight squats / TKE's 4 sets of 15 each

pullaparts 3 x 30

173.4

11.9 ( bath)

Fast hot ruck

 Got to get out early today and glad I did. A really strong, fast ruck in moderate heat (  80's) but I sweated like a pig. The only real problem actually was tons of sweat in my eyes constantly but a very fast time!

52 min for 3 miles!

17:20 average per mile. really happy with this

45 lb 

6 laps

6952 steps

3 miles

52 min

3.7 top speed

31.5 top stride length!

175 x 1 x 4, 185 x 1x 4, 190 x 1 x 4, kb press 24 kg x 5 x 3, Pin Press 135-185 x 1 x 4

 This started weak and ended strong. My arch ability seems to have changed as I'm having all kinds of trouble getting into it no matter what I do and I end up too vertical and the bar out in front

I tried to fall back and press hands and hips and just soso.

Kb presses were strong but they don't solve the problem

I was ready to call it a day when I decided to see if I could press from the pins at all and it worked great! Tried to set up just  like the bench and it worked good. Can really set the base

We'll see how it works heavy on Monday  but I'm hopeful. Put the pin up on inch

these are the work sets

173.6

13.5

205 x 1 x 7, 195 x 1 x 4, wt pushups 3 x 6, laterals rear delts

 Back to false grip, chest up on X setup, layback and shove technique

My shoulders feel better already. have to get the timing of the reversal into the press motion at the end of the layback right but basically  this seems better. More triceps lats and pecs in it not just delts

nothing great but 6 of 7 decent reps with 205 is nothing to sneeze at either

Hard hot ruck

 Wouldn't have been so bad except another bad nights sleep( still dog stuff). Got 8 laps done  before I packed it in

No sleep and neck/head ache from the poor sleep

What I did do went fast but just didn't want to push more

45 lb ruck

8 laps

9238 steps

1:25 min ( including dog time)

top speed 3.4 mph

173.6

12.3% no bath! where'd that come from?

48 kg swings 25 x 5, 24 kg goblet x 2 x 4, supported pistol 3 x 4, pullaparts 3 x 30

 Slept great last night and not a moment too soon. I think it was 4 bad nights of sleep. I got a great nap AND a solid 7+ hours.What a difference it makes. I could think again

Still took a bunch of sets to fight the groove. the 48 is just that much difference in leverage needs than the 44 and I have to sit back to counterbalance just that much more

You cant take any reps or part of the rep, for granted. I will eat you

all 20 in sets in less than 30 min without trying, pretty much just us going in I go you go fashion with three guys. getting in shape perhaps. Never thought that this AXE style training would give me that but it seems to be the case

Goblets went well too and depth was solid

Real Heat Ruck

 Even though I got started at 11 instead of 12 noon it was 90 degrees and cloudless with no wind

Also still going on little sleep thanks to Ronin's fear of fans and this incessant heat

BUT it was good. Strong even. No  mental issues and steady pace throughout

45 lbs

6 laps

3 miles

54 minutes!

top speed 3.4 mph

BW 171.4  not sure if this helps but there it is

TONS of sweat but no issues

205 , 210( ugly) 215 x 7/8 217.5 x miss,205 x 1( 3 misses) , 16,20,24,28 32 kg KB press! Floor pushups

 Super hot ( 100+ day and night) day, freaked out dog, no slee, 172 lbs and no fucking groove

This is beyond getting old it is old. and boring

I might just do 205 for a bunch of singles on mondays and 24 kg presses on wednesday. not really sure right now

179 x 1 x 10, db laterals rear delts 3 x 8 20 lbs db curls 3 x 8 15's

 Very very solid workout. Missed the 9th  rep out in front but other than that all reps virtually identical

I DID let my shoulders internally rotate at the top, it worked well just have to be careful not to TRY to do it, just let it happen

what I have to try to do IS push the bar back as much as possible and stay on the X

Elbows UP

Lock in

Push back/ drive hips

It will change at 205 so have to get ready for it

 172.6

14.1

Fast walk

 Tight left calf/politeus after workout for no good reason so I opted to  go ruckless today

SO much easier and fast, More fun too lol

BW walk

9 laps

1:15

9620 steps

timed laps 7:45

Top speed 4.3 MPH

Stride length 37.4 !!

44 kg swings 25 x 5, goblet squats to 24 x 4,pistols 3x 4, pullaparts 3 x 30

 What a difference a week makes! Back to normal, all systems go, including good sleep

Bell height power and speed solid.

25 sets in 35 min. not bad at all

goblet squat

16 x 4 

20 x 4

24 x 4

174.3

Thursday ruck

 Not sure exactly how many  laps I did as I  had to stop and call police about a transient breaking into a car. Probably about 4.5 laps total but I was on my feet for the full hour

45 lb ruck

6037 steps

60 min

HOT outside no wind 

205 x 1 215 x 3/4 x 2, 205 x 1 x 5, 200 x 1 x 3, 20 kg swings 5 x 8/8 db curls pullaparts

 This went very well. Learned a lot all the misses were at the top, in the groove. With this less dynamic start I will need to get stronger but it seems to stay  in the groove better

I have to re drive the hip earlier as well over 205. Not as important below it but crucial at these top end

But it feels very natural and replicatable 

And nothing hurt. yet

174.0

Light press Monday 179 x 1 x 10, laterals rear delts db curls

 As I suspected the biceps tendon issue was hiding in my radiobrachialis. Tried flossing it but the wave too did the trick

So what could have been another disastrous workout turned out to be excellent!

The technique held with this light weight with very simple cues

Elbows up

Lock in

Press back

Not sure how strong I am at this point but this has got to be the best technique I can do with my structural limitations

20 lb laterals and  rear delts

15 lb curls

172.9 !!

13.3?

Hard ruck

 really still feeling "off" headache was not too bad but body all out of kilter. went slowly but it was hot and hard, Finished ok but not strong at all

45 lb ruck

9 laps

1:30 

3 mph 

3 mph top speed

got it done and didnt die

174.4

Another freaking shit show workout this time swings

 Fucking crazy. Woke up after a good nights sleep with a tight  right levator scap that didnt really let go

Warmups were weird and my bodymaintenace warmup was tight too. Every thing felt off. Rash is much better but it's been a weird two weeks for sure

32 kg warmup was ok but on the 36 the transfer from left to right didn't grab right and I felt my right biceps tendon was not in the slot!

went up to 40kg  but it wasn't right on the right  arm so I went down to 32 kg on the right and did the 40 on the left

Weird but it was fine and right shoulder felt basically normal after 8 sets or so but I was not going up

today was supposed to be 44 kg too!

Don't be greedy!

Swings finished well but when I went to lunges with the 16 kg on the second set right  leg leading my right  hammy pulled a bit!! WHAT THE FUCK!? 

really? stopped right there but didn't see where that came from

pullapart 3 x 30

then rest

40 kg left arm swings 12 sets of 5

32 kg right  arm swings 12 sets of 5

we'll see if its a ruck or a walk tomorrow.

Feels almost normal already

sleepy ruck

 Man that was hard. Got a delayed reaction rash from the antibiotics and took a benadryl to try to stave it off. I knew I would get a little sleepy but wow, that was brutal!

made all six laps but I was dead on my feet. surprised the laps times were not slow but I need to stop and rest a lot. won't do that again

45 lb ruck

6 laps

3 miles

57 min

Back from the Dead 179 x 1 x 12 New/Old technique, wt pushups, 20 kg swings, laterals rear delts curls

 This couldn't have gone better. Every rep was damn near the same. The  only ones that got in front was when I didn't maintain upward pressure on the bar after the unracking and before pressing

Then it 'dropped and popped' and went forward. If I maintained up pressure and just thought "push it back" ( with  just arms) there was a subtle drop and rebound but it didn't go forward

CUES

1) elbows up on take off

2) pushup on bar and maintain up pressure

3) lock knees

4) push bar back to X

5) drive hips forward at sticking point

Short version

ELBOWS UP

PUSHUP

LOCK KNEES

PUSHBACK

I will repeat this same workout monday and do max effort next wednesday trying to shift over to wednesday heavy again

Great sleep last night always  helps. I felt like something "lifted" off me yesterday. Feel normal again 

12:30

176.6!
11.0 (  bath)
59.7 !

Start over again

 Back to this technique Wednesday. Monday was a disaster. Only plus was I did not get hurt

https://rifsblog.blogspot.com/search?q=225+x+1+%28+14th%29

https://rifsblog.blogspot.com/2023/03/225-two-plates-x-1-205-x-1-x-5-66th.html

Sunday Ruck

 This went ok as well just a little tired getting started

Added in some supported squat stretches on laps 4,5,6, but then felt a little right  arch strain so I left it at that

45 lb ruck

9 laps

4 squat stretches

1:25

top speed 3.4 mph

174.6

40 kg swings 25 x 6, 16 kb lunges 4 x 8/8 . pistols 3 x 4 ( L) pullaparts 3 x 30

 This went way better than expected. Right  hand was no problem at all during the training or after at all. Almost 100% better now thank g-d.

Strength, power, speed and between set recovery were excellent

174.4

Thursday Ruck

 Just five laps. Pressed for time for Tracy but I was beat too for some reason. Legs heavy and slow. average around 3 mph and it was 80 degrees but it got done

45 lb ruck

5 laps

2.5 miles

55 min

185-205-185 technique work, 1 db lunge 4 x8/8, db curls

 Another night of horrible sleep. Glenn had a household emergency and wasnt there so I was solo,

Went back to the same technique as last monday but with a heel but it didn't feel good: way too vertical and lockouts were slow even at 185 so went back to layback til I see the X and it worked good

Pretty sore and beat up too, strained the middle finger knuckle somehow ( overstretching on the hang?  but it was tender, right hip still tender as I went into the hip fowarard position and woke up  with right  levator scap locked up!

Perfect! but it was decent nonetheless

 single db lunge  seemed to work as advertised. held the db on the same side as front leg and felt it in inner thigh. this might  help my righthip as I haven't been doing any unilateral work for it

we'll see

175.2

got to get some real sleep

Shoe change experiment:FAIL 205 x 1 220 x miss x 3, 205 x miss x 3, laterals rear delts wt pushups 3 x 8

 Well this didn't work. Everything was out in front. I was driving my head back well but couldn't seem to get much of an upper back arch/layback

Must have been the shoes. When I switched them at the very end for 180 it was too late. I miss that too,lol

135
155
175 
195
205 x  MISS!
205 x 1
220 x miss x 3
205 x miss x 3
180 x 1 x  miss

174.6

Sunday Ruck

 Decent one. A bit stiff and tired but legs were strong and pace good too, after 4 laps or so to warmup

A bit cooler this morning too, always good

45 lb ruck

9 laps

10,000 steps

1:25 min

top speed 3.4

174.4

32 kg swings 20 x 10, kb front squat 16kg x 3/3 20 kg x 3/3 x 3, pistols 3 x 4, pullaparts

 Finally slept well last night after two shit nights and a root canal on thursday. I was concerned this would be super hard but it was decent. Not easy ( I missed thursdays ruck) but strong til the end

VMO on left was fine for the squats and they warmed up well

 

16 kg x 3/3
20 kg  x 3/3 x 3

pistols were fine on the VMO

174.6
13.6 ( bath)

195 x 1 x 10, 20 kg swings 5 x 8/8, kb front squat 16 kg 3 x 5/5, db curls 12-20 lbs x 8

 Well that  was hard. Super tight and stiff from Monday. Luckily it was only 90 so I warmed up fast lol..
actually heat wasn't that hard but trying to get enough arch was for the first 3 sets or so. then it was ok

every rep was very similar and it bodes well for the technique and consistency

Still solo and that has it's pluses and minuses. definitely  allowed me to completely focus on myself but takes more total energy

one arm kb front squat 16 kg  5/3

surprisingly I could still feel the left VMO a bit on the first few reps although it loosened up quickly. I think this will be my next leg move on Saturdays. Legs are definitely down in size but that's no surprise
I also think more lunges too, alternating with pistols

174.4

215 x 1 x 5 ( PR) 205 x 1 x 5, laterals, rear delts, BW bar pushups 3 x 10 We

 Well that is a miracle. Totally had my head up my ass today. NO desire to train at all. Shocking actually,  But I got to it anyway but then I MISSED 195 AND 205 lol! FUCK

Out in front. I knew I didn't spot the X enough  so I took the jump anyway to 215 and made it!
Them made set 2, 3 but missed 4 backwards on balance. Took over and made 5 solid singles! All time PR

I've made 4 sets before but never 5!

 THE CUES

CHEST UP

HIPS IN FRONT OF BAR

HEAD TO THE X

Also  made sure to take 2 min minimum between sets, this helped but the technique was correct!

This is two weeks in a row finally. Then down to 205 and made five unbroken!

VERY HAPPY AND VERY PROUD OF MYSELF~

Next weeks multiples with  220

173.8 this AM

Sunday Ruck

 Felt really beat  up but the ruck was strong. Kept checking my watch to make sure it wasn't 'off' lol

Did the first 3 laps in 24 min and the 6 laps in 54!

all 9 in 1:23 very happy with it all

Left VMO was totally normal thank G-d

45 lb ruck

9 laps

4.5 miles

1:24 

48 kg swings 20 x 5, 60 kg belt squat ( VMO tweak!) pullaparts

 This was a weird one.Glenn was out but that wasn't an issue. Slept well but my mind wasnt right. All this bullshit was israel and biden and trump getting convicted messed with me and it was hard to focus

But I did but still everything felt 'off'. Had a hard time getting in my legs.Swing height and power wasn't bad at all but I didn't feel right

Got through the swings and went right to the 60 as per the plan, first set was ok but felt the left vmo working too hard. Stopped at 8 reps instead of the planned on 10. Second set I stopped at four and it definitely was twinged a bit. 
FUCK

So stupid. should have warmed up with lighter bell.

But, as I write this at 7 pm it feels much better. thumped it, kinesiotape, kwon long ointment  and let it alone

Hope it's good for  the ruck tomorrow. I think it will be

Thursday Ruck

 Hot one but good one. Bad night sleep but no problem at all and the heat was no issue either. All good signs

Might be in decent shape to start out the heat season

45 lbs

6 laps

3 miles

56 min

loving the cold shower immediately after!

174.4

185 x 1 x 5, 190 x 1 x 4, 195 x 1 x 4, 20 kg swings 5 x 8/8, db curls 3 x 8, pushups 40

 This went very well and  learned a few very important things

1) push hips as far forward as possible after set up. If not far enough I end up to vertical

2) Don't just look for the X SPOT IT AND STAY FIXATED ON IT! When I just 'saw' but lost fixation my chin dropped and the bar went forward a bit

On the sets I did this the bar FLEW

175.0

205 x 1 x 10! great day! laterals, rear delts, wt bar pushups

 What a great workout!  The technique worked great at 205 and the small changes I made also made things better. To be honest I had very little faith this would actually work but it worked spectacularly and gave me so much hope ( been running low on that )

The two new cues that really seemed to help were :

1) Think "right" arm when I unrack ( so I dont have the right side drop)

2) Squeeze glutes to push hips forward ( NOT just move hips forward)

3) REDRIVE the hips at sticking point ( I wasn't sure I would remember during the grind but I did)

CUES

Push Right
Squeeze glutes hips forward
Drive head to X
Re Drive hips

this one above was wrong. I leaned back BEFORE driving the head and bar got forward.DON'T DO THIS

174.6

Sunday Ruck

 Slept well but legs were tired and heavy from the start from Saturdays  training so overall time was a bit slow but everything was stead

Second half definitely sped up with top speed of 4.1 mph and good stride length

45 lb ruck

9 laps

1:30 min

4.5 miles

174.4

44 kg swings 25 x 5, 48 kg belt squats 3 x 10, pistols 3 x 5, pullaparts 3 x 30

 Terrible nights sleep for no good reason but swings were as strong as ever. Right arm is now, finally equal in height to left. Cardio good too, same I go, you go speed but it wasn't easy though as last week

Decided to bump the belt squat weight up as I want to go up to 60 kg for the top weight
so it will be 40 kg on 32 kg swings, 44 for 40 kg swings, 48 for 44 swings and 60 kg for 48

BW 174.4

Fast hot ruck

 This was a big surprise. Super fast and loose legs right from the start. SO nice. and while it was hot (high 70s) it wasn't too bad and there was some breeze

Kept expecting my legs to get tired but they didnt'. how nice for a change,especially on a thursday

45 lb ruck

6 laps

3 miles

53 minutes~!!

4.1 mph top speed

35.8 top stride length

174.4

Hybrid Technique 195 x 1 x 9, 200 x 1 x 2, 20 kg swings 5 x 8/8, floor pushups 35, 25, curls

 This worked great. Took a few reps to get the timing down past very basic but not too long to discover some power and strength in the start position

It's the hip position setup  as the load the bow but the upper body angle of drop and pop,combined with the 'throw the head' to intiate technique lol. all rolled into one

My initial head position was too low( intersection of wall and ceiling) which made my head have to travel too far as I looked back for the X, so I raised it 20deg or so and it worked much better

False grip,WAAAY more lat involvement AND more pecs

I did not RE DRIVE my hips after I initiated the launch and those are the reps that stalled a bit.

But I'm very comfortable in the setup (can hold it without feeling I'm losing  balance) and the heave/launch  start feels natural too.

Next week multiple sets with 205 and see

174.2

Shit press day

 Man I could do NOTHING right  today. Played with  few ideas early but abandoned them quickly ( false grip load the bow ) etc but by 195 went back to "stiffen then drop and pop"

What's happened over time is my strength  and groove has changed to a more upright, shoulder press version of what I was doing before BUT my shoulders still aren't normal and it won't work for the lockout.

Not enough hip drive just arm and shoulder. that's why I can't lockout; it's ok up to the sticking point but I'm too upright to get under it

Up and down again, playing with techniques. No bueno

Missed 215 at 3/4 two times

this was after all kinds of testing

then laterals, rear delts, curls

I was abnormally sore going in in the shoulders and legs . Not tired but sore

Sat and Sun must have taken out of me more than I thought

174.8

13.4

Sunday Ruck Fast!

  Surprisingly strong and fast. 4.5 miles in 1:23 min or so. Hit a top speed of 4.9 MPH and the last half mile in 7:55! Not blazing but way better than of late.

Everything was solid nice cool crisp morning too, always helps

45 lbs

9 laps

1:23

4.5 miles

10,071 

174.8

13.4  ( no bath!)

40 kg Swings 25 x 6, 40 kg belt squat 3 x 10 pistols 3 x 5, pullaparts

 SUPER strong today. Slept really well and was a strong under the bell as I can imagine

Best height on swings as well
All systems go

40 kg x 25 x 6 in 35 min 

174

13.4 B

Thursday ruck

 Running on low sleep. Super hot, dead air and just getting my steps in 

45 lbs

6 laps

65 min

not too slow a pace but lots of rest pauses

215 x X x 3 205 x 1 x 5, 20 kg swings 5 x 8/8, laterals db curls

 despite the misses at 215 from sheer fatigue ( monday) the groove and form was more than decent. Really created leg stiffness just as I drop and pop really works, just have to get stronger in it

Elbows were flaring from the fatigue and man I was I could take a medium grip in this. I really think it would help keep my elbows from spinning out!

195 x 1
205 x miss ( balance)
215 x 3/4 x 3 ( pure fatigue)

205 x 1 x 5

they all pretty much looked like this

Cues were

Elbows up
Spot the X
Stiffen the legs into drop and pop

it felt very  natural after the first few sets and I felt I could be aggressive even in 'going for it'

174.8

190 x 1 x 9 205 x 1, laterals rear delts

What a cluster fuck . Started right away too. Completely lost as to how to start. was trying to hold the bar as my shoulders layed back then pushed the  hips forward. Nothing

Crzy nothing. then went down then up then down then up again . Ended up ok with a tight legged drop n pop but MAN!

135 x 1
155 x 1
175 x X
175 x 1
195 x X
195 x 1
205 x 1 ( barely)
215 x X x 2
180 x 1
200 x 1 
205 x 1

then set up with elbows up, spotting the X lock the knee then drop and pop

the drop and pop seemed to work much better with locked knees

ELBOWS UP

X

'ROOT'

DROP AND POP

190 x 1 x 9 sets
205 x 1

 

 all things considered the 205 was good. I was just fatigued from 23 sets or so!

Wednesday I stress  test this

175.0

Sunday Ruck

 THREE NIGHTS SHIT SLEEP IN A ROW!

FUCK

I was hard getting out the door but surprisingly the ruck wasn't bad at all. Don't know how that happened but I'll take it

45 lb ruck

9 laps

4.5 miles

10,380 steps

1:30 min. Not fast but not bad

top speed 3.6 mph

stride length top 30.6

174.6

32 kg swings 20 x 10, 32 kg belt squats 3 x 8, pistols 3 x 5, pullaparts 3 x 30

 Hard one . Two nights poor sleep. Stress, etc . It got done but HR was more elevated than normal because of all that

32 kg swings

20 x 10 in 23 min or so. basically ten reps on the minute by accident. we just went fast HR around 140

hammies were talking to me early for some reason. Must have been sitting back more than quad loading

belt squats ; only did 8s as legs and lungs were toasty

pistols 5s are getting easy now and depth is getting better too

pullaparts as usua

174.4

Thursday heat ruck

 Wow, that was a surprise. SO strong and fast and a legit 80 degrees with no breeze or clouds!

couldn't believe how good I felt but I'll take it

45 lbs

6 laps

3 miles

53 min

last lap 8:07

174.2

Kono press

 

Kono Press 205 x 1 x 11 sets PR, kb press 20 x 3,24 x 3 28 x 2, 20 kg swings 4 x 8/8

 Decidded to try the kono start position again, even change my head position (  didn't last) to looking up and in thinking I could get away from the spot the x but it didn't take) But the idea of 'falling away from the bar' did seem to work a bit

Ended with with no drop and pop OR lowering the bar from the higher unrack position

It seems I have to "hold" the bar as I fall back but NOT push up on it til after or it will go forward

did 175, 195 x 1 x 2 then 

205 x 1 x 11

 swings 20 x 8/8 x 4

kg press 28 was heavy! and left arm spun out even with my attempt at a single bell version of my bar press

174.8

Sunday ruck

 Despite feeling a bit hungover this was very strong and decently fast. Best in weeks!

45 lb 

9 laps

1:30 ( must have taken more rest breaks than I thought)

4.5 miles

174.8

15.9 !
56%

48 kg swings 20 x 5, 48 kg belt squats 3 x 10, pistols 3 x 5, pullaparts 3 x 30

 Strange one. Fast pace and decently strong but mentally disconnected. have to REALLY remember, especially on these heavy days, to make sure to lat engage before I hike pass. Second time I forgot this early on and can feel it in my left biceps. Don't forget again!

The 48 is NOT the 44 and the technique is different enough that I have to go slowly into the first few sets ( sit back more at start AND at top. My grip getting challenged on left is a cue I'm not paying attention

Also, NO MORE SKIPPING the 44. Take the weight!

Pistols went very well. Depth is better and reps are up. SO strange tho I thought my knee WAS locked.have to fix that

174.8

195 x 1 x 8, 225 x miss x 2, 205 x 1, 20 kg swings 5 x 8/8, floor pushups 45, 40

 This went great and I damn near made 225 on a second attempt at the end. This is going to work

Wasted a few warmup sets with false grip till I realized I have to wrap the thumb to push  the bar back over my head enough

And also realized the HIGHER I rack the back on my collarbone the higher off the pins it starts and this important

 FIRST TIME EVER  taking a 195 -225 lb jump and it felt fine, literally the same as 195 I just needed more power at the start

BW 176 at noon