PRs Two Days in a Row

Well I have been really busy trying to move back into Gainesville, so the blog has gone on the back burner for a while. Work has been kicking me in the teeth too. I have people wanting to come back and train with me, but I'm not sure if I have room. I've been trying to find the correct balance of training clients and taking care of both my Personal Training Team and my duties as Education Team Leader. To make it even better, I have a new intern coming in and I need to find time to make sure that I can devote enough time to her so that she can get the most out of the experience. I've got to suck it up, be a big boy and just get it done.

I've still been training and still been working my butt off trying to get everything ready for the upcoming Highland Games "season". I've been forgoing almost all accessory work to fit in time for throwing drills. I have been working mostly on footwork for the 28 and 56lb Weight For Distance throws and the Stone of Strength(like a shot-put). Here is how my past few days have broken down:

Monday: Deadlift
135x a few
225x5
315x5
405x3
455x3(Rep PR in itself)
495x1
525x1(PR)
I almost called it quits after pulling 495 as every other pull felt slow and way too heavy. Hell, 405 felt like it didn't want to budge, but I sucked it up and lifted anyway.

Footwork and Throwing Drills to finish the day


3 Board Press:
Bar x 5 or so
135x5
185x3
225x3
275x1(PR)
295x0 bombed
275 flew up faster than I expected, so I decided to go straight for 295. I flared my elbows too soon and stalled. Oh well, a PR is a PR.

Footwork and Throwing Drills to finish

I am feeling ready for the Central Florida Highland Games and I look forward to throwing a ton of PRs. My double spin is coming along well for the weights for distance and I have been throwing close to 60 feet in practice. I hit over 75 feet in the Hammer which would be a huge PR if I could make it translate to the Games.

Well, wish me luck

Power Snatches and Getting Ready for January

The Highland Games season is fast approaching, so it is time to get faster and more specialized in my lifting. I can't wait for the games in January. First, they will be in the Orlando area, so I will get to spend some time with Loren's aunt and uncle. Now, I know that sounds like a drag, but the last time I was down there for a Strength and Conditioning convention I had a blast with them. Two, I have the chance to finally make it to the As. For those of you who don't know, the As are the top amateur competitors in the Highland Games, unless you have a specialized Super A class, but those classes are pretty few and far between. I've got all the distances down, now all I have to do is win and make all the distances.

Today's Training:

Power Snatch
Worked up to 185x3 for 3 sets
Last set first rep I hit my shin right in the middle of where I banged up my shin during box jumps a few weeks ago. The adrenaline was in full effect right after, but good God did it hurt something fierce.

WOB-style swinging dumbbell Snatch:
5 sets 10 with 75lbs

Throwing Drills:
Shot Put/Stone of Strength
I really want to make 40' on this for the upcoming games. 40' has been just out of reach for the past few games because I want to stand up too soon.

Kettlebell Drills for Weight for Distance
worked with 30, 35, 45, 55
I was concentrating on footwork and speed more than anything else

Hammer Drills
16lb Sledge Hammer walking drills
I learned these watching drill videos from Eric Frasure on YouTube. I hope they help because my Hammer throw could use some serious help. I'm stuck sub-70' and I want to get in the 80s and 90s. I think a lot of it has to do with how inflexible my back and obliques are.