Year: 2014

Starting Over

2014-05-21-cfiI shouldn’t have spoken so soon yesterday, because as the day went on, my legs started to get sore from squatting Monday. Chest and shoulders are sore today.

Went over to Kevin’s new gym, CrossFit Intuition, to help him with some stuff, so figured I’d get in my first lifting session there.

Did a 5:00 squat hold and some very basic stretching to warm-up.

Muscle Snatches

  • 3×65#
  • 3×75#
  • 3×85#
  • 3×95#

Snatches

  • 2×95#
  • 2×115#
  • 2×125#
  • 2×135#
  • 1×145#
  • 1×155#
  • 1×165#
  • 1×175#
  • 1×185#

First time in about 3 months that I dropped into a squat with weight overhead. Felt solid and no issues with my shoulder. Only 15# shy of my max snatch, so I’ll take it! Concentrating on leg strength for over 2 months sure has paid off.

I was using the new Rogue 28MM Olympic Weightlifting Bar for the first time and it felt really good.

Things to work on:

  • Chest more upright in setup.
  • Don’t lead with the ass.
  • Keep feet planted during the pull.
  • Stop the early arm pull.
  • Don’t cave in knees during the pull.
  • Keep the bar closer.

Back Squats

  • 5×135#
  • 3×185#
  • 3×225#
  • 3×265#
  • 3×285#
  • 10x3x305#

Final day of the 2nd week of Smolov. Was supposed to be 310# but Kevin didn’t have any change plates at the gym yet. Good thing though, because I don’t think I would have made it all the way with that extra 5#. I nearly failed the final rep on the 10th set.

Did another 5:00 squat hold right after. Today is day 30! I’m glad my little squat hold challenge is over. I’ll post a recap in the next day or two.

WOD Drunk

Tough getting out of bed again this morning. Not sore from the squats at all though. Back to the 9am class.

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • 2:00 Bottom Squat Hold
  • Arm Circles
  • 10 C2D Push-ups
  • Shoulder Stretching
  • Lying KB Hold (25#, ~45s each side)

Accessory

Speed Bench Press

  • 3×80#
  • 10x3x130#

Called for 8-10 sets of 3 @ 55%. Only about 30s rest between sets.

Shoulder Press

  • 10×70#
  • 5×115#
  • 2x5x120#
  • 2x5x125#

Had no idea where to start since I’m just getting back to pressing. Felt good so bumped up the weight a couple of times.

Conditioning

EMOM 24:00, rotating stations

  • Air Dyne (AD6) – 12 cal
  • Ring Dips – 12
  • Burpees – 12
  • GHD Sit-ups – 15
  • Row – 150m
  • Pull-ups – 8

I did my first set of GHD sit-ups touching the ground and then the rest going to parallel. First set of pull-ups were strict and then unbroken kipping sets for the rest. First time doing kipping pull-ups on the comeback and they felt pretty good.

This workout didn’t look very bad on the whiteboard, but I felt terrible after it was over. Haven’t felt like that in a really long time.

Did a 5:00 bottom squat hold right after and then CS Recovery at home.

The Froning & Foucher Show

Had a great time watching the Central East Regional. Rich Froning and Julie Foucher dominated the competition and Rich was sick! Those two are going to be the favorites heading into the 2014 CrossFit Games, especially beating such stacked fields in this region.

Foucher all alone during the chipper
Foucher all alone during the chipper

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • 5:00 Bottom Squat Hold
  • 45# Clean position work
  • 10×45# Shoulder Presses

Weightlifting

Clean & Jerks

  • 2×95#
  • 2×115#
  • 2×135#
  • 2×155#
  • 2×175#
  • 1×195#
  • 1×215#
  • 1×225#
  • 1×235#

I did power cleans for 95# and 115#. Was trying to pull the bar into my body on the cleans and it really helped them to feel fast and snappy. I don’t think I’ve ever done such an easy 235# clean. Jerks weren’t too bad. Almost no dip up through 175# again.

Strength

Back Squats

  • 5×135#
  • 5×205#
  • 3×255#
  • 7x5x290#

Day 3 of week 2 for Smolov squats. I squatted inside my Rogue rack for the first time. It was pretty odd for a few sets but got the feel for it. Those 7 sets were rough and got iffy on the low back. Fought for position throughout though and got everything done. I was really missing squats after 3 days off. Did a 5:00 squat hold after making up a protein shake.

Knees were a little weird from setting on bleacher and stands for 3 full days. I took Friday off from the squat hold challenge, but got them in on both Saturday and Sunday during the competitions. Only 2 more days to go after today!

Incline DB Bench Press

  • 20×25# DBs
  • 20×30#
  • 20×35#
  • 12×40#
  • 12×45#
  • 10×50#

Nice burn! Finished up with Crossover Symmetry Recovery. Missed out on it for a few days while staying in the hotel. I guess I could have figured out a way to rig it up in the fitness center.

Central Beast

Legs feel a little fatigued from those squats yesterday. Smolov is no joke, especially with that 20# jump for the 2nd week. Out in the garage at 9 for the last training session until Monday. Looking forward to a few days of rest and watching some of the best CrossFit athletes in the world this weekend.

Warm-up

  • 5:00 Bottom Squat Hold
  • CS Activation
  • 3 Rounds
    • 40 DU
    • 1:00 Bottom Squat Hold
  • 10×45# Shoulder Press

Made all 3 sets of DU unbroken. This will be the 12th day in a row of holding the bottom squat for 30 minutes. Taking a break from it tomorrow and then 5 more days to finish out by going 28/30 days.

Jerks

Work to a Heavy Double.

  • 2×95#
  • 2×115#
  • 2×135#
  • 2×155#
  • 2×175#
  • 2×195#
  • 2×205#
  • 2×215#

Didn’t feel nearly as fast as with the C&J the other day and my dips started to go lower and slower too. Decided to call it a success at 215 with no misses.

Back Squat

  • 5×135#
  • 5×205#
  • 3×235#
  • 3×255#
  • 5x7x275#

Fuck me! I think it was not enough rest from last night to this morning. Talk about a quad pump!

5:00 squat hold

5 Rounds

  • 10 GHD Sit-ups (20# vest)
  • 3 Chin-ups (20# vest)

Wasn’t going for time, but it took me 5:47 walking directly from movement to movement.

30-12-10-8-6

  • Seated Incline 2-arm DB Curls
  • Concentration Curls

Did the first set of concentration curls in 2 sets of 15 each arm with no rest between. Used the same DBs for both exercises, with 10-20-20-20-20# DBs. My biceps are so weak.

30-12-10-8-6

  • Skull Crushers
  • 1-arm OH DB Tricep Extension

For the skull crushers I used 20-50-55-60-70# on the bar and for the OH extensions I used a 10-20-20-25-30# DB.

Finished with CS Recovery and a 6:00 squat hold.

Snatching Again

Didn’t make it to a class this morning. Too much to get done before heading to Cincinnati tomorrow to watch the Central East Beast Regional all weekend. Lifted in the garage around 5.

Warm-up

  • CS Activation
  • 3:00 Bottom Squat Hold
  • 45# Snatch Positions

Hang Power Snatches

  • 2×65#
  • 2×95#
  • 2×105#
  • 2×115#
  • 2×125#
  • 2×135#
  • 2×145#
  • 2×155#
  • 1-F x165#

I’ll take it! Needs lots of work though. No shoulders issues, which is the important thing.

Back Squats

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×205#
  • 5×235#
  • 4x9x260#

Starting the 2nd “week” of Smolov programming, with a 20# over the first week on every session. It was only a 15# jump today since I used 5# extra in the first week for day 1. This was a fight every set and I worked up quite a sweat. Each set took nearly a full minute and I took 3.5-4 minutes rest between sets.

Did a 5:00 squat hold and then a set of 20 DB Pullovers with 40#.

5 Rounds

  • 7×155# Pendlay Rows
  • 10 Decline DB Flyes (20-20-20-25-25# DBs)

I was taking about 45 seconds of rest between sets. Did another 2:00 squat hold.

5 Rounds

  • 10 Decline DB Bench Press (25-30-35-40-50# DBs)
  • 10 Band Pulldowns (like a pull-up, using a green band for each arm)

Didn’t really rest other than to change the adjustable DBs for the next weight. Finished out my 30 minutes of squat holds for the day with 3 minutes. I had already done 17 minutes earlier throughout the day.

3:00

Push Presses & Pull-ups Are Back

Feeling good. Still no shoulder aggravation from doing more things with it.

Warm-up

  • CS Activation (at home)
  • 5:00 Bottom Squat Hold
  • Push-ups
  • Arm Circles
  • Shoulder Stretching
  • 10×45# Shoulder Press

Strength

Push Presses

  • 5×95#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×145#
  • 2x5x145#
  • 5×160#

Timing was off and I’m not used to receiving the bar again for the next rep. Little shaky, but good to be doing them again.

OLY

E15S 7:00

  • 145# C&J

Didn’t want to push the weight and it was a good choice. Each rep was quick and felt solid.

Conditioning

10:00 AMRAP
2-4-6-8…

  • Russian KBS (71#)
  • Box Overs (24″)
  • Burpees

Finished the round of 14 plus 16 swings and 1 box jump.

Walked a lap around the parking lot and then did a 5:00 squat hold. Tried pull-ups for the first time and got 3 sets of 5 strict with no issues. Did another 3:00 squat hold and then CS Recovery when I got home.

A Little More

Shoulder still feels good after getting a little heavy yesterday. Knocked out CS Activation before hitting the 9am class.

Warm-up

  • 4:00 Bottom Squat Hold
  • Leg Swings
  • Hurdlers

Strength

7×1 Back Squat @ 90+%

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 3×225#
  • 3×255#
  • 2×295#
  • 1×315#
  • 1×320#
  • 1×325#
  • 1×330#
  • 1×335#
  • 1×340#
  • 1×350# (PR match)

I was smoking every single up until the last one was a struggle. Almost got stuck in the middle. Really happy with it on the 7th rep though. Just over 2 months ago I missed 340 after going 305-315-325-335.

Accessory

RDLs

  • 2x5x225#
  • 5×235#
  • 5×245#
  • 5×250#

Used lifting straps. Started to cut off circulation in my thumb on the last set. Need to watch out for that.

Conditioning

10:00 AMRAP

  • 30s Handstand Hold
  • 20 Air Squats

First time doing holds and they felt good. Could feel over extension about half way through, so I tried to get my hands closer to the wall. Finished 8 full rounds plus a handstand hold.

Did a 6:00 squat hold and then CS Recovery at home.

Shallow Dip

Went out and walked 9 holes of golf for the first time this year. I have plenty of swing issues but didn’t have any issue with the shoulder.

My legs feel fine from the squats, but I think the triples yesterday made my abs sore. Tell me you don’t work your core when you squat. 😉 I noticed I’ve been getting tired this week too. I think Smolov is hitting my CNS hard! Did a little work at night in the garage with Kevin.

Warm-up

  • 4:00 Bottom Squat Hold
  • CS Activation
  • 5×50 Band Pulls (red)
  • 3 Rounds
    • 20 GHD Sit-ups (to parallel)
    • 20 Hip Extensions
  • 15# Snatches & Snatch Presses
  • 45# Clean Positions and Push Jerks

Today is the eighth day in a row getting 30 minutes in the bottom squat hold position. This was the first time doing a snatch in close to 2 months. Felt good. I was also able to snatch press the training bar from behind my head for the first time without pain! Last week I couldn’t do it with a PVC pipe.

Power Clean & Jerk

  • 2×95#
  • 2×115#
  • 2×125#
  • 2×135#
  • 2×145#
  • 2×155#
  • 2×165#
  • 2×175#
  • 2×185#

I haven’t done jerks in about 2 months either. Felt good, so kept going. I focused on as little dip as possible in the jerks. They were the fastest I’ve ever done and felt better than ever. Maybe I should take a long rest more often!

Seated Good Mornings

  • 5×135#
  • 5×145#
  • 5×155#
  • 5×165#
  • 5×175#
  • 5×185#

Felt solid and stable doing them. Everything is getting stronger from all of the squatting!

Did a 6:00 squat hold at the end and called it quits. Pretty light workout on the day, but needed after the heavy squatting yesterday and the 2 hour session. I won’t get much Smolov in over the next week because I’m heading down to Cincinnati on Thursday to watch the Central East Regional and won’t be back until Sunday night. Body could probably use the rest though.

Building the Body

Was nice to have a rest day yesterday. I got a massage that made me exhausted the rest of the day. I did manage to get in 5 bottom squats holds of 6:00 for my half hour on the day even though I debated resting from them too. Excited to finish out week 1 of Smolov programming.

Out in the garage just after 10 and started with CS Activation.

Warm-up

3 Rounds

  • 50 DU
  • 1:00 Squat Hold

Back Squats

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×205#
  • 3×235#
  • 3×265#
  • 10x3x290#

I rested about 2:30 between the 10 sets and it wasn’t really that bad. I was expecting much worse. Did a 5:00 squat hold right after. Up 10# for the next week of Smolov lifts.

Time for some bodybuilding!!

7 Rounds
* Keep moving, no real rest

  • 10 Incline DB Bench Press (20-25-30-35-40-45-50)
  • 8/8 Kroc Rows (3×53# KB, 4×70# KB)

4 Rounds

  • 10 Incline Flyes (15-15-20-25)
  • 10 Band Pulldowns (like pull-up motion, green, kneeling)
  • Rest 1:00

4 Rounds

  • 12 Skull Crushers (45#)
  • 12 Barbell Curls (45#)
  • Rest 1:00

3 Rounds

  • MAX Ring Dips (Strict, then kipping)
  • MAX C2D Push-ups
  • MAX Speed Band Curls (red)
  • 2:00 Squat Hold

I haven’t felt an arm pump like that in ages.

Call an Ambulance

I just killed this workout! Was up later than normal, so slept in a bit. Headed out to the garage around 11 to sweat. Knocked out CS Activation to start. Still not having any aggravation in the shoulder so I’ll keep working it slowly. Getting a massage tomorrow and will have Cora focus a lot of time on it.

Warm-up

  • 300 DU
  • 5:00 Bottom Squat Hold

Set a new record with 3:59 for the double unders.

OLY

Muscle Cleans

  • 3×95#
  • 3×115#
  • 3×135#

Rested about a minute between each set.

Cleans (blocks at knee)

  • 2×135#
  • 2×155#
  • 2×175#
  • 2×195#
  • 2×205#
  • 2x2x215#
  • 2×225#

Took 90 seconds of rest between each set like clockwork. Last time doing these on the blocks I kept hesitating with 225# and I did it for a double without a problem today. Confidence is rising!

Strength

Back Squats

  • 5×225#
  • 3×255#
  • 7x5x270#

Not a lot of warm-up was needed since I’d been squatting every clean. Kept to 2 minute of rest between each set. Those 7 sets were a challenge. This was the 3rd squat session from the Smolov program. I’ll probably finish out week 1 on Saturday, slightly over a week since I started last Friday. Went right into a 5:00 squat hold.

10 Rounds NFT

  • 10 Incline DB Bench Press (20# DBs)
  • 10 GHD Sit-ups

The first set hurt my shoulder holding the dumbbells oriented as if they were a barbell. I rotated them so my palms were facing for the rest of the sets and had no problem. GHD sit-ups are no issue anymore since I’ve been doing at least 100 a week.

4 Rounds

  • 50 Bicep Band Speed Curls
  • 60s Squat hold

I started out with the thin blue, which was death, so I switched to the red band for the last 3. I switched up the type of curl each round. I got the idea from this video.

Finished off with CS Recovery and just in time because it was started to get pretty warm. I had opened the garage door during the squats for some fresh air. Supposed to be 80° today.