I am thrilled to be back to training strongman and finding my passion to train once again. My return to strongman isn't just about getting back into event training. It's also my return to dropping weight, becoming athletic once again, maintaining solid nutrition AND figuring out how to incorporate and maintain grip training in the mix. In the past that has not been possible and I generally go out in a big ball of flames. This time I'm optimistic.

A perfect storm is brewing and many different components of who I am as an athlete are changing and improving. Part of this process is reflecting on where I have been in order to catch you all up while continuing the inner strength to rebuild and compete at my best.

You can catch up on the three installments of how I got to where I am.

Rebuilding: The Fat Doctor & Inevitable Decline

Rebuilding: The Fall Out

Rebuilding: Path To Success

From 5/15

We had some very special visitors today, The Kromer Family and one of my Friday Night training pals, JoAnn. The Kromers came down to test out some implements for USS Nationals next month.  Gosh, I have missed event training with people and it's sooo helpful.

While they were training implements, I got my press day in. Mattie and Alex stuck around for some technique work. I'm struggling with the 10" log a bit and finding that sweet spot for the press. The log comes out in front, I'm not leaning back, blah, blah.  The strength is there, the technique has been lost.

10" log

80, 2x5

110, 1x5

140, 1x3

160, 1x1

180, 1x1

190, 1x0 THIS is where the fallout in the break down in technique is obvious, aside from missing the lift. This will all come together and be a solid lift again.

170, 1x2

Close Grip Bench

135, 1x3

165, 1x3

185, 2x3

185, 1x2

Conan's Conditioning

I gotta be honest here, this event bores me. My biggest challenge is keeping my mind occupied while I walk like a hamster in a circle.  Since the wheel was out for everyone else, I decided to use it as a form of conditioning.

250, 2x3 revolutions

250, 1x5 revolutions

Big thanks to JoAnn on this one. I set out to do three laps, and in process convinced my mind to do four and then JoAnn strolls along and ordered me to do one more. Naturally, I complied.

Somehow my math calculations utilized to determine feet per revolution on the conan's were wrong. I was off by 7 feet and can only attribute it to a mistaken measurement.