I guess I should start out by letting you know a little bit about my training. I do and always have ascribed to the 5thSet Methodology. I only train 3 days a week, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 5thSet runs on a 4 session microcycle over the course of 9 days, so every week is different. I have officially started my meet prep. My logs are starting in a really unique place, and I'm excited to share the 5thSet peaking cycle with all of you right off the bat. I'm currently getting ready to compete at the U.S Open in San Diego on April 23.
Disclosure: I am currently trained by Swede Burns and my program is tailored to my needs, in fact the only thing that has really changed over the years is the weights I'm using! He is compensated fully for his services, usually I cook and clean and do things he's too busy for, but don't worry some of these are billable services.
Sunday was my last training day, and it was a speed day. I did squat bench and deadlift for 5 sets at 55%. It feels weird, honestly. I've had a lot of changes come my way over the past 2-3 months. Some good and some bad, some I'm still getting use to. This meet prep was different for me in that 1. I lost a bunch of weight and strength and 2. I felt more on my own than ever. #1 is huge in terms of my transition to a new weight class and #2 has been good for me in finding my place within the sport, and knowing I can accomplish things on my own. I've always been very dependent on Swede, and this time around I guess you could say I was less, supervised? I've always known what to do, I just never had to actually answer my own questions. So, I guess what I mean is that I asked the big man a lot less questions, and more or less answered them for myself. He's been away almost every weekend traveling for the past few months. He also used to be in charge of my diet, and this time around I handed the reins over to someone else. This proved to be a really good move for me, mentally and physically. Not only did I lose weight, but Jenn "Streaky" Yates helped me to learn how to have a better relationship with food, and for that I am forever grateful. That's kind of been my focus, building a better relationship with food...and myself. So, as you can see...not the typical meet prep for me, but I'm confident that change can be good.
This meet prep was a humbling experience. Not once since I started my powerlifting career have I lost strength. The time had to come, and the time was now. The same goes for transitioning to a new weight class, it had to come, and why not right now? I'm not sure where the number on the scale will fall come weigh ins on Friday, but wherever it is, I accept it. This is a marathon, not a sprint. If I don't do it this meet, I will do it the next. I'm really just looking forward to training at this new lower weight and getting stronger than ever. I have things to do and goals to reach, so I plan on staying here. It really was just the next logical step. Some day I will go back up to 181, but for now I think 165 is where I belong.
I leave this evening for Columbus, and tomorrow morning I fly out for San Diego. I will probably be pretty silent via social media from now until weigh ins, I just like to stay focused on the task at hand. I plan to update you all on Friday with my weigh ins and to share with you my experiences from the night before...that will be fun to read!
This is how my last workout of the 5thSet peaking cycle looks...in no particular order. I actually did it little backwards, because I had to wait for someone to work the mono! Everything is supposed to be super explosive and technically well...perfect. Duh.
Bench: barx2x8, 65x3, 95x3, 140x5x3
Deadlift: 135x2x3, 185x3, 240x5x1
Squat: barx3x8, 95x3, 135x3, 185x3, 225x5x2
and....viola! 5thSet Deload.