The Beast From the West meet write-up

In my last entry I noted that I was competing in the meet at Untamed Strength. Wrong! The gym was the location for the early weigh-ins. The same-day weigh-ins and event was 20 minutes away in a much more obvious location: under a freeway. I showed up at the new address for Untamed, which I had trouble finding, and was flummoxed at the empty parking lot until finally I rechecked Facebook and THEN saw the correct address. I had completely misread where to go.

The right address was 20 minutes away and by the time I got there I was 35 minutes late. Parking was a little tricky so I anchored on a residential street about 5 minutes away and while anxiously walking toward the bustling activity across the street I saw this and almost committed hara kiri over the prospect of being at the wrong place again:

Alas, no Mexican food here, it was the fitness expo. I had already missed the car deadlift, an event I've been training for. The organizer was sympathetic and couldn't have been cooler to me about joining in, though.

Viking press

Within five minutes of dragging my crap from the car to the expo I was up for the viking press. I basically did no warming-up except for some arm swings, but I figured it was going to feel light being a fixed implement and I was right. Unfortunately, having missed the rules I wasn't quite sure on whether or not I was allowed to set it down and attack again. In retrospect, it's obvious that repping it would be for time, but in the middle of the lift I didn't want to take any chances so I tried to rest pause while bracing it, which didn't do anything for me. I got 11 reps, which was 7th place.

Conan's wheel

This was basically God going "Oh, did you have a good time? You liked lifting the weight while people clapped???? Well eat SHIT now!!!!" I had watched Kalle's tutorial on how you really need to dig the thing deep into the crevices of your arms and bring it high up while keeping your hips under the implement. Making it stay close to you is the foundational principle. I had this all in mind but as soon as I stood up with the thing it all went out the window. I stumbled backwards before lurching forward like Frankenstein with his rectum caught on fire at a roller skating derby. The thing went down my arms and holding it with bicep power was the single most amount of strain I have ever felt isolated on one part of my body, barring shoulder dislocations. I'm seriously glad I didn't tear anything.

As ghastly as this was I actually could have kept going in this horrible position, but it was low to the ground and the scrape made the judge say "Down!" as I kept moving forward. I stopped because of this, although he probably saved my arms. 8th place.

 
Frame carry

I dropped the frame on the first run down the lane but picked it right back up and exhibited some decent foot speed to zoom past the girl ahead of me who was going at the same time. On the way back my quads just failed and I couldn't get it any further. I'm seriously shocked and chagrined at my legs being the issue here (my grip held up good, as painful as it was). I've not been squatting past 315 during my knee recovery but I'd figure the car deadlift simulator would have helped moreso in here than squats anyway. Oh well. Get stronger legs, bitch. Somehow I took 3rd here.

I notice some people, both here at the event and in WSM, stop and look at their hands after a drop in the middle of the event. I've honestly never understood this and consider it an excuse to stall rather than practical concern for the skin, in which case I'd rather just be frank about my intentions.

Fingal's Fingers

I expected this to suck and the Conan's wheel to be a good event, especially after one guy came off without lifting the finger and saying "That was torture", but the opposite happened. This was enjoyable as hell and not painful at all. I'd go so far as to say this is my favorite strongman event in terms of fun factor. I'd seen many people not come close to getting this up so I was bracing for a sensory suckage, but was surprised at how light it was. I started "climbing" fast and frantically which prompted the judge to tell me to slow down and aim when my fingers missed the center. Unfortunately I couldn't get a second out of me despite the first going by pretty swift, which stunned me to learn I had taken 1st.

At the end I found I had placed 6 out of 11 while not having any points from the car deadlift, so that's pretty cool. One guy came up to me after the award ceremony and said he was surprised I wasn't up there until I told him I'd come late. I'm glad my pattern has been to get better and better every comp, though.

As I was about to go home I came across a bench press contest at one booth of the fitness expo and signed up. We got 2 attempts. I picked 315 as my opener and finished with 350. The spotter remarked I was strong off my chest but "wonky" by the middle, feedback I appreciated. This was a test for me to see where I was after gaining the weight back from being sick. I'm very happy with it. There were some awesome benchers who went in the low 400s so I didn't expect to be competitive.

Right as I finished I scored some flamboyant socks from someone passing them out so I considered it my prize. All in all, a kickass time. I'll be back.

I'll be competing in an impromptu strongman contest tomorrow, The Beast From the West at Untamed Strength. I had just found out about it the day before yesterday and was able to get covered for work today. The events lack much that I would otherwise have to concern myself with technique-wise like axle cleans or something. I'm very excited.

Waiting to get off work to buy some food and pack before driving to the hotel in Sacramento, same place that I stayed twice before entirely for the breakfast next door. I give myself first place for that.

Deload

Squats
185, 225, 265 x 5

135 x 18

Deload

Bench press
150 x 5
185 x 5
220 x 5

Close-grip bench press
185 x 8, 8, 10, 10

Chin-ups
10, 10, 10
90 x 5, 5

Strict press
135 x 10

Curls
135 x 10

Yesterday:

Deload

Mat pulls (9)
495 x 3

SSB squats
220 x 10, 8, 8

Weight gain keeps on coming. The scale read 215.6 this morning on an empty stomach. I'm eager to see where my strength is at after this deload.

Deload

Strict press
100 x 5
125 x 5
150 x 5

Incline bench press
155 x 8, 8, 8, 10, 10

Dumbbell rows
115s x 8, 8, 8, 8 ,8

Keg curls
160 x 15

Few important dietary things to report on. After inspiration from Jared I went to Taco Bell and ordered 2 Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Supreme, 1 Fiery Doritos Locos Supreme, 2 Ghost Pepper Grillers, 1 Beef Gordita Supreme, and some Cinnabon desserts. Everything was terrible except for the Doritos Locos and the gordita, especially the "Cinnabon" which broke my heart and tasted nothing like actual Cinnabon. I went back a few days later and just got 3 Doritos Locos and 3 Gorditas and had a vindicated meal, although it cost $17 and I was still hungry.

Last night at work:

Squats
Up to 315x5

Car deadlift sim
5 plates x 3 x 12

Leg curls

Bench press
Up to 317.5 x 3
Everything, including warm-up and work-up sets, felt shockingly heavy, but this was an improvement. I've gained 5 lbs since being sick and am looking much bigger, alternatively. It definitely feels like I need a deload. Pec tendons hurt for the first time in awhile. I should not dumbbell press AND close-grip bench on both press days of the week. Pick one.

Close-grip bench
195 x 8, 9, 8, 8

Pull-ups
10, 12, 20
Weighted
90 x 8, 10, 10

Clean and press
205 x 3, push-press x 5
My clean endurance is terrible. Need to Crossfit this bitch. My overhead strength seems to be getting better at least. I will say that cleaning under fatigue seems to force me to not use my arms as much and to really throw the thing up out of necessity, which is a good habit to practice.

Bodybuilding stuff for chest, tris, rear-delts, and biceps

As I touched on earlier, I've gained 5 lbs in total and weigh 212 now. Arms and chest in particular seem to be growing (belly too, though some of it is carb bloat).

Mat pulls (9)
515 x 7
One rest pause. I have to rush them due to worry about pressure on my knee. Maybe wear sleeves next time.

SSB squats
290 x 9, 8, 8

I entered the following into my phone while drunk and bored waiting for a friend at a concert last night.

Overhead press
155 x 5
185 x 5
215 x 2

Dumbbell press
115s x 8, 7, 9

Bilateral dumbbell rows
115s x 8, 10, 10, 10, 10

Dumbbell clean and press
115 x 1, 0

Farmers' walk x 200

Push-ups
40, 20

Curls and rear delts

That was my first time using the farmer implements and my foot speed felt fast. I basically allowed myself to fall forward with the weight and move my feet in tandem.

Also the first time in years that I've dumbbell pressed. Pec tendons felt fine.

Squats
Up to 315 x 5
Getting heavier, good knee progress. Haven't had pain in a while, just moments when I've been standing a lot where it feels a little raw, if that makes any sense.

Car deadlift sim
5 plates x 8, 8, 12
I scratched the crap out of my leg My set-up was off today with the shape of the terrain the bars were on but I got it right the third set.

 

Leg curls

Did cardio for the first time in awhile yesterday. 

Bench press
240 x 5
275 x 5
317.5 x 2
Very weak today, everything just felt like a ton. I've been eating and sleeping good so it's just one of those things.

Bilateral dumbbell rows
115s x 10, 10, 10, 7, 12
Tweaked my wrist on the second to last set so made up for it on the next one. It's so convenient to have ready dumbbells again.

Close-grip bench press
250 x 8, 8, 7, 8

Clean and press
185 x 5, x3 push-press
Same as last time except done when not fresh.

Curls, triceps, chest flyes

Mat pulls (9)
515 x 6, 3
Set-up was screwy on both sets and kept having to readjust. I'll try again next week and shoot for 8.,

SSB squats
290 x 8, 8, 8
240 x 12
150 x 20
Didn't realize I only did 290x5 last time, terrific. Knees felt good.

Leg curls

Did a pump monkey workout tonight with skullcrushers, curls, keg push-ups, band chest flyes, and band pull-aparts. Women have not come flocking so far but it should be any minute now, so I have Dragonball Z episodes on stand-by.

After work I picked up the dumbbells. I'm planning on pressing the 115s and rowing the 125s for now, as well as doing clean and press with both.

Training frequency was hurt from staying out too late one night and then getting called into work early another day as I was getting ready to train. Didn't seem to negatively impact me.

Strict press
155 x 5
185 x 5
205 x 4
Twice as many as last time. I have transformed from a weak bitch to just pretty weak.

Push press
225 x 2
4 rep attempts but two lockouts. The first 2 were due to balance and the weight being in front of me.


Incline bench
205 x 7, 8, 8

Weighted chin-ups
90 x 8, 8, 10, 10
No weight:
20, 15

Strict press (clean from floor at start)
155 x 8
135 x 8
Tweaked my elbow on the very last rep, doesn't hurt anymore though.

Am going to pick up some dumbbells after I get off work.

Got called in for work in the afternoon instead of the morning yesterday so did this early.

Squats:
Up to 295x5
Just a little bit of knee discomfort.

Car deadlift simulator
5 plates x 3 x 12

Kettlebell squats
50 x 20

Leg curls

Woke up this morning with my knee hurting. I am really at a loss, I guess I'll use a bigger cushion that supports the length of my leg instead of a pillow, which has helped before but is annoying to have in bed.

Done last night around 10-ish.

Clean and press:
185 x 5 + push-press x 3
Shoulders and of all things legs tired so fast. my body is deconditioned so I've been sore everywhere lately. Wrists felt fine.

Curls, chest flyes, keg push-ups, band pressdowns, band pull-aparts

Going to eat more and put on some mass to take advantage of all this isolation.

Bench press
225 x 5
275 x 5
315 x 3

Band rows
20, 20, 20, 20
One hand: 12

Close-grip bench press
250 x 8, 7, 6
225 x 7, drop-set to 185 x 4, 135 x 8

Done in about an hour before work, good workout for where I'm at right now. That third bench rep was a grind. I'm going to do some more tonight. I have a lot to make-up for.