Not feeding ego is the take-home from today.

“Week 3” – BBB 3 Month Challenge

• 5/3/1 – Bench Press (working max: 230#)
  • 2x5x45 (warmup)
  • 1x5x95
  • 1x5x115
  • 1x3x140
  • 1x5x175 (work)
  • 1x3x200
  • 1x3x220 (PR)
• Asst. #1A – Press
  • 5 x 10/10/10/10/8 x 95
• Asst. #1B – 1-Arm Dumbbell Rows (supersetted with the Press)
  • 5 x 10 x 70
• Asst. #2 – Rope Triceps Pushdowns
  • 3 x 12 x 50

I thought about doing 225# today. I’m “right there”, why not, right?

Well, why? It’s purely an ego thing. As I thought before, I might stop the challenge due to the new job situation and try a different workout setup that might get me in and out of the gym a bit faster. And I thought if I did that, I’d probably keep my weights the same that cycle as the cycle just prior. So that would mean if I did this next cycle, I’d keep benching at 220 and the “2 wheels” milestone would be put off for another almost 2 months.

But the reason for that? Nothing but ego… eagerness, impatience, and ego.

220 is still a PR for me. Why should I skip it and rush ahead? If there was a legit reason, like I was prepping for a meet and needed to work up for that, that’s one thing. But here? Nothing but ego.

Like Henry Rollins said:

Most injuries involving the Iron come from ego. I once spent a few weeks lifting weight that my body wasn’t ready for and spent a few months not picking up anything heavier than a fork. Try to lift what you’re not prepared to and the Iron will teach you a little lesson in restraint and self-control.

And I remember this… this very thing from Rollins kept going through my mind as a counter to my desire to rush into “2 wheels”. And it’s a good lesson… the restraint, the self-control, that far more important to have. Sure I WANT the 225, but it will come; maybe not when I want it, but it will come so long as I perservere.