Feeling better, more directed.

Wendler 5/3/1 program, cycle 23, week 1

• Work Set – Deadlift (working max: 380#)
  • 1x5x155 (warmup)
  • 1x5x190
  • 1x3x230
  • 1x5x250 (work)
  • 1x5x290
  • 1x6x325
• Assistance – Speed/Dynamic Deadlifts
  • 5 x 3/3/3/2/2 x 265
• Foam Rolling… a lot

I felt a lot better today. Cleared the air at the day job, took yesterday and today off work, so I felt no pressure nor rush to do anything. Got to the gym a little later, took my time a little more with things. Felt a lot better.

When I pulled 325, I made every effort to ensure my upper body was straight, that I broke the weight off the ground with my legs and pushed that first third or so strictly with my legs. It was a struggle, but I did it and it felt good. That’s really where I need my focus. I opted to do a sixth rep however it worked out, merely because I didn’t want to stop at just the prescribed reps.

I’ve had that bug to do dynamic work, get more explosive, see what it does for me. And after the last session (my angry bench pressing), I thought I’d give things a try today just to see about scratching the itch. The angry session wasn’t good from an anger perspective, but it did make me attack the weights more, a little more aggressive, a little more explosive. I thought it was good and useful. Well… I could tell this is not what I need right now. Yeah, it was cool, but it was quickly evident it is not what I need to contribute to overcoming my weak points. The deficit deadlifts are still what I need. So, this was a good itch scratcher and I think gets it out of my system and enables me to refocus on what I need. So all good. But that said, I also think I can take from the past 2 sessions that I could stand to be a little more explosive and have a little more mental aggression.

Watch this video from Clint Darden about speed deadlifts and attitude:

Like that. 🙂

Not that I have to get all vocal and such, but it’s a mindset thing.

Anyways, all good. I can take something home from this.

And speaking of home…. when I got home, again because I was in no great rush, I spent a long time foam rolling, rolling the lacrosse ball (finally got one), stretching stuff, and some massage (thanx, Wife!). I’m really sore, really beat up from numerous things… the worst is my left calf due to the mega-cramp I got 2 days ago. But that, my thighs, leg adductors, my neck (due to sleeping wrong), you name it… everything sucks. So I spent a good long while this morning stretching and rolling, a long hot shower… and I feel really good. Still not out of the woods, but better.