Saturday, August 7, 2010

3rd Anniversary

Well, August 3rd marked the 3rd anniversary of my accident. For those of you who don't know I was struck by a semi while riding a bicycle on my way home form an Advanced Exercise Physiology exam I had. All the X-rays, CT and MRI scans, Physical Therapy, Doctor's and Chiropractic visits did nothing for me but try to tell me what I would not be able to do for the rest of my life. No more weightlifting, no more Highland Games, and the worst, no normal life. Three years later I can now issue a big "Fuck You" to all of those people. It took almost two years for me to get back to a point where I could do any heavy lifting.
So, I went on a basic 5x5 and 3x5 programs to get some strength built up. I concentrated on three main lifts; the deadlift, the squat and the overhead push press. As a result of the accident I have a shoulder that is held together by nothing but scar tissue and the low back that you see in a 100 year old white woman. So when I started I could barely bench press the bar, could push press 135, could not hit parallel with 225 and barely pulled 315 off of the floor. In 9 months I have put 200 lbs on my bench 160 on my deadlift and 180 on my squat and 140 on my push press.
Now, for someone who is 6'2" and 280 those numbers are pretty pathetic, but it is a quest. One of these days I am going to realize my goal of competing in a full powerlifting meet. It will probably be pretty pathetic, but its something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I have already competed in three Highland Games so far this year. I have won two and placed second in the third by half a point.
I'm on my way back to where I want to be, but I will probably never be satisfied. I won't stop until I reach Elite, and so the journey resumes...

Monday, August 2, 2010

Lifting Hurt

Tired of screwing around with this knee. I decided to just suck it up and get back into it. I had very little time today so I stuck with two big movements. Just personal opinion, accessory work is overrated!!! Too many people try to emphasize the little things in their programming, if they even have programming, and forget that they are there to lift some f'ing weights.

Trap Bar Deadlift (High Bar Position)
225x10
315x6
405x3
added knee wraps
495x3
545x1
555x1

I felt like I could have gone heavier, but wanted to stop when I hit the number I wanted.

Single Arm Dumbbell Snatch
75x5
100x3
110x3
120x2

Went for a 3rd on the Snatch, but was gassed and could not finish the lockout. I was going to do a set at 130, but time ran out and I had my last client for the day.

I gotta get my work schedule down. This 14 hour day shit is for the birds. I need to spend more time with my wife and son as well as get some more sleep.