I'm currently training for USS "Hope for the Holidays" strongman competition that'll be in St. Louis on December 19th. I'll be competing in the max log clean & press and max deadlift events. I'm also still focusing on adding some size, but strength is my main emphasis. I'm working with teammate Mike Mastell on my programming. After competing in December my next competition plans will more than likely be USS Nationals or NAS Plat+ next summer.
I woke up and my back was crazy tight again. I'm not sure if I need a new mattress, I need to sleep different or if it's just getting beat up from the increased training intensity. However, after some soft tissue work, stretching, traction and an Epsom salt bath it felt great. Tomorrow is an off day and then Saturday I'll be deadlifting again. It feels 100% right now. I'm not sure how sleeping and sitting in a tree stand tomorrow afternoon and Saturday morning will make it feel though. Only time will tell. I think my body is just telling me that I'm almost 31 years old and I've been training consistently for 16 years. So it's time to put even more emphasis on my recovery. Especially in this training phase.
Today's training was good. Nothing crazy, just chasing that pump.
11.5.15
A. Neutral Grip Lat Pull Down
Setting 14 x 10
Setting 15 x 10
Setting 16 x 10
Setting 17 x 10
B. Blast Strap Rows (I was programmed bent over rows, but substituted these since they stress the lower back less)
4 sets of 10
C. DB Front/Side Raises (Arms at 10:00 and 2:00) - 10 full reps, 10 partials
25s x 10, 10
30s x 10, 10
35s x 10, 10
D. Barbell Curl 21's
3 sets of 7, 7, 7 @ 50#s
E. DB Preacher Curls (Nice and slow, rotate and squeeze)
4 sets of 12 w/25# DBs
F. Rolling Tricep Extensions
1 set of 10 w/40# DBs
2 sets of 10 w/35# DBs
G. Straight Bar Pressdowns
3 sets of 20 on setting 9