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A strength training journal

Week 11 - 5/3/1 - Day 42

Cycle #3

Squat:  5x110, 5x140, 3x165 + 5x210, 3x235, 3x265

These felt pretty good.  It's hard to say if I've gotten stronger comparatively since I was last at this percentage of my training max during Stronglift's 1x5 and MadCow.

Boring But Big 70%

Deadlift:  8/7/5/4/7 x 195

Earlier sets used more lower back, so I adjusted accordingly.  The long business socks aren't really doing it for me.  It actually makes it a bit more difficult since the knurling cling on to the socks more than if I just pulled with bare shins.

Hanging Knee Raise: 10/7/6/4/4

First set was easy.  As usual, I avoided swinging too much.  The latter sets were definitely a bit harder.  My lower abs were beaten pretty well.  I'd like to try doing leg raises eventually once I'm strong enough.

Treadmill:  

10% incline 3 min. 2.5 spd warm-up 2 x 1 min. 5.0 spd / 1 min. 3.0 spd

Week 11 - 5/3/1 - Day 41

Cycle #3

Legs got some much needed foam roll love today.  They were fairly sore from Wednesday's squatting.

Bench Press:  5x65, 5x85, 3x100 + 5x125, 3x140, 6x160 Rep PR

Bench felt great.  Knocked in another rep PR.  I got a touch of help on the last rep.  I squeezed the shoulder blades together prior to de-racking the bar.

Boring But Big 70%

Press:  10/10/7/5/4/4 x 75 + DB Rows:  5x10x35

Presses felt very light today.  I managed to bang out 2 sets of 10!  Someone wanted to use the squat rack for squatting so I gave it up.  I, instead, got a barbell from one of the bench stations and basically cleaned the weight from the floor each time I started a set.  I think my grip was a bit wider than usual.  I kept my elbows directly underneath my hands so as to provide maximum power transfer to the bar.

Curls: ** 3x10x40 + Tricep pushdown:  3x10x35 + Face pull:  **3x10x25

Curls were unusually difficult today.  Possibly from the extra pressing I was doing?  Tricep pushdowns and face pulls were still relatively easy.

Treadmill:

****2min. warm-up 2x 1min. 5spd / 1min. 3spd + 10% incline

Week 11 - 5/3/1 - Day 40

Cycle #3

Deadlift:  5x115, 5x140, 3x17 + 5x210, 3x240, 3x270

Lifts felt good.  The triple was definitely a struggle.  Didn't keep the bar close on the first set.  The business socks are helping a bit.  I might look into investing in some thicker ones to protect my shins better.  I'd rather not have to think about my shins when I'm pulling.

Boring But Big 70%

Squat: 5x135, 3x155 + 10/7/6/4/5 x 195

I wanted to get 10 reps on the first set.  My endurance has definitely improved compared to  my previous BBB squat assistance sessions.  I was pretty gassed by the fourth set.  I rested plenty for the fifth and comfortably cranked 5 out.

Ab Wheel:  10/6/5/4

Squats left me pretty dead at this point.  Core was definitely spent, I couldn't keep my torso rigid and felt like I was straining my back on the roll out..