Saturday

AM
3 sets:
1200m row @ 85% effort - moderate, sustainable, high-breathing pace
5:00 walk rest
+
10:00 hamstring/hip/quad mobility work

PM
10:00 muscle-up tech practice on fat rings
+
A1. Bear crawl, 5 x 10' forward + 10' reverse, slow & controlled keeping hips level; :30 rest
A2. Deadbug w/hands pressed into wall, 5 x 10 alternating breathing out hard each rep; :30 rest
B. Power snatch, 10:00 to build to a heavy single
C. Close-grip bench press, build quickly to heavy single
+
w/partners (comp group has the same training):
Barbell Blitz 6:00 AMRAP 1
rest as needed
Barbell Blitz 6:00 AMRAP 2
+
For total time:
250m row
:60 rest w/feet in straps
250m row

AM

5:00.7 (2:05.2/500m)

4:59.8 (2:04.9/500m)

4:59.1 (2:04.6/500m)

PM

shoulder clinic 

+

3 rough singles 

+

A1/A2. complete 

B. 135, 140Fx1

C. 180 (PR +6)

+

with Leah 

30 KB snatch + 17 pistols 

(1:00 rest)

18 S2O + 7 BBJ

+

2:41.3
(0:49.7 + 0:51.6)


Oy.  Today was a lot.

Rows at 85% were challenging.  That felt like the upper limit of sustainable, at least for right out of bed... 

Surprised at how cold my shoulders felt on the muscle-ups despite the 2 hour shoulder clinic... not nearly as good as they felt last night, so I called it early.

The snatch at 130 was one of the crispest heavy snatches I've ever done (it even sounded good!).  135 was a little wobbly, but super relieved to get it today (I think only the 3rd time ever?). (Video of both). I wasn't sure if these were actually power snatches or squat snatches, and I still can't tell on video, but after I hit 135, McNaughton said "and it was power, too!", so take that for what it's worth.  I think I'm just good at snatching at exactly parallel.  Had a nice pull at 140, then chickened out.

Kind of surprised that I hit that bench PR today - 170 wasn't as easy as I was hoping, but went for 180 just for the hell of it.  Pretty slow on the way up, and McNaughton had to yell at Leah who was spotting not to touch the bar, I think she was about ready to save me, haha.  That's cool.  180 sounds pretty legit for a chick.

The two 6:00 AMRAPs were tough.  Eeeesh.  Leah suggested that we only take the 1:00 transition like we'll have in the competition, which I wasn't super excited about but went along with because I didn't have a good reason not to.  This was unpleasant.

Leah did all the pistols and I did all the kettlebell snatches.  Through 18 was no big deal.  I don't think I slowed down at all, even in the rounds of 24 and 30, but I was starting to get pretty fatigued, and my back was getting a little blown up.  It doesn't take long for Leah to do 24 pistols, which was sad for me personally but good for us as a team.

My shoulders were wrecked going into the second AMRAP.  This is how we broke it up:
3 S2O: Leah
3 BBJ: me
6 S2O: Leah
6 BBJ: 3 for me, 3 for Leah
9 S2O: 5 for me, 4 for Leah
9 BBJ: alternated 3's
12 S2O: 6 for Leah, 3 for me, 3 for Leah --> not planned, I thought we would do 4's, but she did 6 and I couldn't match her
and we alternated 3's on everything after that
I was a hot mess on this.  I legitimately thought I might fail some reps, which was a strange and unpleasant feeling.  They were all fast, with no re-setting at the shoulders, but got pretty ugly. I even ended up split jerking in the last set.  The BBJ weren't an issue at all, my shoulders were just completely toasted.  We might need to work up a better game plan... 

Did not feel recovered at all before doing the row, but felt pressed for time at this point.  Held back just a hair on the first one, intending to empty the tank on the second, but hit a wall with 100m to go on the second one and completely lost it.  Disappointing.

Thursday

AM
5 sets very easy:
2:00 bike
:60 front leaning rest on ground
2:00 bike
:30/side plank
+
15:00 mobility work of choice

PM
10:00 muscle-up tech practice on fat rings - your technique is good right now, just need more touches...
+
A1. Bear crawl, 5 x 10' forward + 10' reverse, slow & controlled keeping hips level; :30 rest
A2. Deadbug w/hands pressed into wall, 5 x 10 alternating breathing out hard each rep; :30 rest
B. Power snatch clusters, 5 x 1.1 @ 95-115; :10 between singles, 2:00 rest
C. Push press, 2-2-1-1, 21X1; 2:00 rest
+
For time:
12 rope climbs
+
3 sets:
max unbroken strict handstand push-ups
175m row @ max effort
5:00 walk rest

AM

only 3 sets complete, short on time

PM

complete 

+

A1./A2. complete 

B. 95, 105, 105, 110, 110 - in nanos, but with a hook grip!

C. 140, 145, 150, 155Fx2

+

6:27

+

16, row in 0:34.8, 1:39.5/500 avg

14, row in 0:35.2, 1:40.7/500 avg

12, row in 0:34.9, 1:39.9/500 avg
+
bonus set of 12 strict handstand push-ups video


Today. Was. Awesome.

Well, not all of it was awesome, but it ended really well.

Muscle-ups felt really good - caught a couple right at parallel-ish, which is about as high as I've ever caught them on the fat rings.  Went for the double a couple of times but chickened out (for no discernible reason).

Power snatches felt okay - technique felt decent, but the bar just felt heavy today.  But, I hook gripped!! It hurt a little bit, but not as much as last week and no more than with some of the other movements (pull-ups, etc) that bother my thumb.  Feet went a little wide at 110, but not too bad.

Push press felt awful.  I really don't know how to drive with my legs at all.  I basically dip then strict press.  This is extremely annoying.

Rope climbs went very well.  Wanted to do one every 0:30 - which I did through 8, then took an extra 0:15, then just went when Angel told me to go.  Lats and grip got super fatigued, but no real issues until the very last climb when I basically only took 0:05 rest before jumping back up and got stuck one pull from the top for a few seconds.  Super happy with this, considering October 2014 I did 10 in 7:41.  (Today, 10 done in 5:15).

And then those strict handstand push-ups.  OMG.  I knew I would PR these, considering I've had no issues hitting sets of 5 consistently.  I got to about 8 on the first set and thought to myself that these were stupid easy, and didn't really feel any struggle until 13 or so.  I think I was too excited about these to sprint properly (only saw 1:34 on the first one, 1:35 on the second and third rows).  Just wanted to hit 10 on the second set, and surprised myself with 14.  Then just wanted to hit 10 on the final set, and surprised myself with 12.  Then I did a bonus set just to catch this phenomenon on video, and just wanted to hit 10, and surprised myself with 12.  This is the coolest thing, ever.  Well, maybe not ever.  But this is certainly the coolest thing to happen since I got my first muscle-up.  Holy shit.

Thursday

AM
5 sets very easy:
2:00 bike
:60 front leaning rest on ground
2:00 bike
:30/side plank
+
15:00 mobility work of choice

PM
10:00 muscle-up tech practice on fat rings - your technique is good right now, just need more touches...
+
A1. Bear crawl, 5 x 10' forward + 10' reverse, slow & controlled keeping hips level; :30 rest
A2. Deadbug w/hands pressed into wall, 5 x 10 alternating breathing out hard each rep; :30 rest
B. Power snatch clusters from blocks (just below knees), 5 x 1.1 @ 95-105; :10 between singles, 2:00 rest
C. Push press, 2-2-2-2, 21X1; 2:00 rest
+
Every 2:00 for 6 sets:
1 rope climb
5 strict handstand push-ups
+
3 sets:
4/side KB snatches, tough but fast - complete 4 consecutive on 1 side, then 4 consecutive on the other
150m row @ max effort
4:30 walk rest

AM

complete, but rolled the mobility into the 5 sets

PM

complete, 8 singles 

+

A1/A2. complete 

B. 105, 105(1.F.1), 105(1.F), 95, 100 - no hook grip

C. 145(1), 140, 140, 145

+

0:26

0:26

0:22

0:22

0:22

0:21
(what?!)

+

0:58 (0:29.4 row)

0:55 (0:29.6 row)

0:54 (0:29.7 row)

with 35lb kettlebell

Felt extremely stiff this morning on the first FLR, so decided to blend the mobility into the 5 sets... 

Totally rough evening session.  I feel physically exhausted from a month of the new work schedule, and mentally exhausted from trying to learn new things quickly, as well as from a demoralizing meeting with my new boss immediately before training this afternoon.  Things will get better, it's just been a bear of an adjustment.

I had been so excited to try out Austin's new muscle-up technique all week (looking up throughout the whole thing for a straight-arm catch), and I'm disappointed that it's not really helping me catch any higher.  A few of the singles were solid, and a few were still caught very low.  No misses, only one attempt at a double and it wasn't close.

Power snatches were slow, soft, and sloppy.  Blocks were set so the bar was mid-kneecap (lower than last week), which was a very awkward height to start from (I remember having this problem last time I progressed through the descending blocks).  Terrible, ugly reps. I don't know what the problem was, other than the awkward position. Tried to hook grip on one set, but thumb isn't ready for that yet.

Push press felt AWFUL.  As soon as I unracked the bar each time, it felt heavy and I felt like there was no way I could get it overhead.  Almost had the second rep on the first set, but was maybe an inch away from locking it out.  There is no world in which I should be failing a 145lb push press.

But then that rope climb / strict handstand push-up thing happened, and I felt like a million bucks.  Rope climbs were fast and easy, and the descent was like fire-pole style.  Zero transition time kicking up at the wall, and all strict hspus unbroken.  This is insane.  Every time I looked up at the clock, I assumed that there was a mistake.

Had a hard time snatching the kettlebell when warming up for the final piece, which is why I stuck with the lighter weight.  I completely forgot the corkscrew method and was whipping it up and the kettlebell would slam into the top of my forearm each time, so I thought that there's no way I could go up in weight.  The first set also went like this, but then on the second arm on the second set I finally remembered the corkscrew and so the final set was a million times easier.  Only saw 1:33 on the first row, bottomed out at 1:34 on the second and third.  Felt like I just had nothing left by the time I got to this piece.

Skyped with Mike last night.  We're both frustrated, but he says he has a plan and he's still confident that we can find something that works.  He's like, "What's your goal weight again? 145?" and I laughed hysterically and said at this point I'd be happy with 159 (162.6 today).  He's assuming that there are some changes in body comp going on despite the plateau on the scale, which I may or may not agree with (depending on the lighting).  Keeping macros at 150/60/240 for a little longer, but adding a refeed day on Fridays (150/55/300).  His next ideas are messing with my PWO shake (currently 20P/40C) or dropping my daily macros just a hair to have a bigger difference with the refeed day.  I feel good (other than today) and it's not terribly difficult to hit these numbers, so I'll continue trucking along... I've been compliant for too long to just say "fuck it" this late in the game, although Mike said that I can eat all the pancakes and gelato I like on Fridays (within the macros), so that kind of helps with the monotony.

Sorry for the novel.  Just one of those days.

Thursday

AM
5 sets very easy:
2:00 bike
:60 front leaning rest on ground
2:00 bike
:30/side plank
+
15:00 mobility work of choice

PM
10:00 muscle-up tech work on fat rings
+
A1. Bear crawl, 5 x 10' forward + 10' reverse, slow & controlled keeping hips level; :30 rest
A2. Deadbug w/hands pressed into wall (these should feel easy, by the way, think of it as core activation similar to the bear crawls), 5 x 10 alternating breathing out hard each rep; :30 rest
B. Power snatch clusters from blocks (just above knees), 5 x 1.1 @ 105; :10 between singles, 2:00 rest
C. Push press, 3-3-3, 21X1; 2:00 rest
+
For reps:
3:00 rope climbs
3:00 rest
3:00 strict handstand push-ups
+
3 sets:
7 kettlebell swings, 70
150m row @ max effort
4:30 walk rest

AM

complete @ home
forgot the mobility

PM

complete

+

A1. complete 

A2. complete 

B. complete - no hook grip

C. 135, 145(2), 140 - nanos, no belt

+

6 rope climbs 

30 strict handstand push-ups 

+

0:51 (0:29.2 row)

0:49 (0:29.5 row)

0:50 (0:29.7 row)


Totally mixed day.  Digging the higher volume though... 

Muscle-ups were better than they were on Sunday, but not nearly as good as they were last week.  Did 9 singles, no misses, but all with very low catches.  Tried getting some tips for a higher catch from Jeff and Austin, but nothing really clicked.  Thinking that I need some instruction for this tech work if I'm going to make any progress... 

Power snatches went well; for some reason my chest/scaps/lats were all a bit sore (DB bench?) so I didn't feel as tight in the set-up, but speed under the bar has gotten much better.  

Push press felt okay, but I was reminded that I don't know how to drive with my legs on these.

Completely bitched out on the rope climbs.  The first 3 were done super fast (under 0:60), and I mistakenly entertained the thought that I could get 8-9 reps. Then the next 2 took a full minute, and I looked at the clock with 0:50 remaining and decided that wasn't enough time for two climbs so I stood there for 0:35.  Fucking lame.  Should have been 7.  

But those strict handstand push-ups!  2 sets of 5, 3 sets of 3, then all doubles plus one single at the buzzer.  At least I have measurably improved at something in the past 6 months.

Enjoyed the mixed sprinting, as per usual.  The row started off feeling excellent and faded a bit with each set (although I did see 1:33 for at least one pull on all sets).  I don't know why I let the 70lb bell intimidate me, because these felt awesome.

Saturday

AM
10:00 @ 70% of [250m row + :20/side star plank]
5:00 rest
10:00 @ 70% of [15 AirDyne calories + 8m handstand walk]
+
20:00 shoulder mobility + scap pre/re-hab + muscle-up play time

PM
A. 1 push press + 2 push jerk + 3 split jerk, build to a heavy set
B. 2 snatch pulls + 1 power snatch , 5 x 1 building; :05 between reps; :90 rest
+
AMRAP in 5:00 - get back to the bar!:
30 ground-to-overhead, 95
30 bar-facing burpees
+
1000m row very easy immediately following completion of AMRAP

AM
complete
+
10/10 muscle-ups (video)

PM
A. 160
B. 85, 105, 115, 120F, 120F
+
29 burpees (2:36 Grace)
+
complete

Muscle-ups are getting easier and easier, and I'm getting much more confident that I can hit them on command.  I'd like to catch them a little higher, I just don't know how, and don't really want to mess with it now that I finally figured out how to do them consistently... I'm going to the gymnastics clinic on Thursday, and may try to get some coaching on that front.  I tried for a double on every attempt today; some were close, some were not.  I'm having a hard time replicating the aggressiveness of the first one when the rings are swinging a bit.  Soon, though.  (PS - If we take the most recent 30 MUs for time, I've hit 32 this week!)

Overhead complex felt super heavy today.  Went for it just the once, and was relieved to get through it in one shot.

Snatch pulls felt excellent, but I think I forgot how to power snatch.  All the pulls were easy and really high, but the snatch at 115 was caught really wide and with bent arms.  Maybe I jumped too aggressively.  I was just so excited to finally snatch again that I may have been a little ambitious... (but also, I hate catching anything in the power position, so perhaps this isn't terribly surprising).

Really wish I had gotten back to the bar (I was so sure that I could!), but I gave this my best effort today, and I have to be satisfied with that.  Did exactly what I wanted to on the G2O (10 TnG then all quick singles, staying close to the bar and no resting).  Finished these 0:20 faster than last week.  I would have to hit another large set TnG to reduce my time any more than that, but I didn't want to run into the problem I had last week of resting between larger sets.  Tried to just keep moving at a steady pace on the burpees, but my legs felt like lead.  I felt like I was moving at max effort, but I could tell that it wasn't very fast.  If it means anything, those extra 2 burpees made this hurt 1000X worse than last week...

Saturday

AM
10:00 @ 70% of [250m row + :15/side star plank]
5:00 rest
10:00 @ 70% of [15 AirDyne calories + max freestanding handstand hold]
+
20:00 shoulder mobility + scap pre/re-hab + muscle-up play time

PM
A. 2 push press + 2 push jerk + 2 split jerk, build to a heavy set
B. Snatch pull clusters, 4 x 1.1.1 @ 135, :10 between singles, :90 rest
+
AMRAP in 5:00:
30 ground-to-overhead, 95
30 bar-facing burpees
+
1000m row very easy immediately following completion of AMRAP

AM
complete
5 muscle-ups of 8 attempts :D

PM
A. 155

B. Complete 

+

27 burpees 

+

Complete 

HOORAY FOR MUSCLE-UPS!  Missed the first two, then made #s 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 with a very near miss on #4. All on one aggressive first swing, on the skinny rings.  This brings my lifetime total up to 14.  

Barbell complex felt really good. Did the full complex at 135 and it was surprisingly easy, so did it again at 145 and it was still really solid, so figured I'd try 155 for the heck of it. Push presses were cooperating today, so that was nice. 

Snatch pulls felt excellent. All of them were patient into the hips and got to chin level. Getting antsy to snatch again... 

A little disappointed with the AMRAP. I should have started doing quick singles earlier; I spent way too much time staring at the bar. Did 7/5/5, some 3s, then singles. Finished Grace at 2:54, which is kind of pathetic, it should have been under 2:30 for sure.  Kept a steady pace on the burpees. There's no reason I shouldn't have made it back to the bar. Dammit. 

Thursday

AM (from yesterday)
5-7 sets @ Z1:
250m ski erg if they have one, 500m row if not
15 AirDyne calories
3 deadhang-to-inverted
6 weighted hip extensions, 2021

PM
10:00 light scap activation
+
A. Push press, build to a max
B. Weighted supinated pull-up, build to a max
+
For 16:00:
Evens: 4-7 CTB pull-ups
Odds: :30 front leaning rest on the ground
+
2 sets:
:70 row @ max effort
6:50 rest

AM

7 sets complete with row, assault bike and +25 

PM

A. 160

B. 217.5

+

Complete; 4 CTBs across (5 on the last one)

+

1:43.2/500m avg; 339m

1:43.2/500m avg; 339m


Weight @ gym (including belt): 172.5

Really enjoying this AM combo!

Push press felt awful; 155 was a struggle, then failed 160 twice before getting it on the third try. I have a life-long struggle with the push press.

Weighted pullups didn't feel as strong as I was expecting, got +45, could barely even start the pull at +50.

Pulling on the CTBs felt strong, but the bars are so slippery that I couldn't keep my grip or rhythm for more than 4 reps.  Tried making tape grips and that may have made things worse, because I stripped them off with one round to go and then got 5 pretty easily on the last round, so I dunno.  FLRs felt very easy.

Went out too hot on the first row sprint - was holding 1:38-1:40, but then faded to 1:46-1:48 in the last 0:15.  Was more consistent on the second one, holding 1:42-1:44 the whole way.

So.  On Wednesday about 10:00 after I finished the Assault bike, I got a horrible, horrible headache, got very nauseous and sensitive to light - was absolutely 100% miserable.  Went home, immediately took a 4h nap, and felt better.  I wasn't going to say anything because I thought it was a one-off from being dehydrated or something.  BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN.  About 10:00 after finishing the row sprints, I felt the same exact headache coming on, and it was so much worse.  I went home and immediately to bed and woke up 12 hours later, and I'm still not feeling right.  I don't know what's wrong with me, I'm legitimately concerned.  This has never happened before.  I used to get migraines, so I'm pretty sure that's what they were, but never after training like this, and haven't had one this severe in years, and now I've had two back to back.  And I ate and drank exactly normally, with an emphasis on tons of water on Thursday, so that's not it.  I'm scared to do anything at this point... can't even describe how awful it was.  And my family is quite concerned, to say the least.  What the hell?  My only thought is that it might be a weird side effect to the cortisone shot??

Thursday

10:00 light scap activation
+
A. Push press, 3-2-1; 2:00 rest
B. Weighted supinated pull-up, 3 x 1-2, 21X0; 2:00 rest
+
For 14:00:
Evens: 4-7 CTB pull-ups
Odds: 10 box jump w/step-down, 20 - if the jump/land aggravates you knee switch it back to 14 alt step-up/step-downs
+
2 sets:
:60 row @ max effort
6:00 rest

Complete 

+

A. 155(3), 160F, 160F, 160(1)

B. +35(2), +40(2), +45(1)

+

Complete with step ups; 7 CTBs across 

+

298m, 1:40.6/500m avg

299m, 1:40.3/500m avg

AM weight @ home: 167.4

PM weight @ gym: 173 (including belt) 

Mostly great day! Everything was awesome except for the stupid push presses. 155 felt really good, got the 3 pretty easily (PR). Then failed 160 twice before finally getting one, and it was a struggle. What the hell? I could not tell you what I did differently...

Same deal as last week with the supinated pull-ups.  Felt awkward hanging, but very strong pulling. 

CTBs were the best they have ever been, hands down. All sets of 7 in rhythm (regular kip) and super easy to connect with the bar. Very, very happy with this. Tried one box jump, but that was a no-go.  Grrrrrr. So over this shit...

Um, the rows felt amazing. Shocked that I was able to hold that pace for a whole minute without dropping off. Very appreciative that it was only 2; don't think I could have hung on to that pace for a third. Breathing felt great! Hooray! 

Thursday

(scap prep + upper vertical push/pull ME + EMOM SL/upper pull + AnLP->E row)

10:00 light scap activation
+
A. Push press, 3-3-2 adding each set; 2:00 rest
B. Weighted supinated pull-up, 3 x 2-3, 21X0; 2:00 rest
+
For 12:00:
Evens: 4-7 CTB pull-ups
Odds: 14 fast alternating box step-up/step-downs, 20
+
3 sets:
:50 row @ max effort
5:40 rest

Complete

+

A. 135(3), 150(3), 155(2)

B. +20(3), +30(3), +35(2)

+

Complete; 7 CTB across 

+

250m; 1:40.0/500m avg

250m; 1:40.0/500m avg

250m; 1:40.0/500m avg

AM weight @ home: 167.5

PM weight @ gym (including belt): 172

Solid day.  Push press felt great; 150 is a PR +5 for a triple and 155 is a PR +5 for a double.  155 felt much easier than 150 for some reason... but happy to hit heavier weights relatively easily two weeks in a row.

Supinated pull-ups are weird, I've gotten so used to always doing pronated.  I feel like my wrists/elbows don't rotate all the way around, so it's fairly uncomfortable to hang from the bar.  The actual pulling felt really strong though.  Pretty sure those are some PRs for a triple and a double as well.

CTBs done with a regular kip.  Again, first two sets were a little rough but got into a nice groove as the sets went on. 

Felt like energy was fading by the time I got to the row sprints, but happy with consistency across all sets here.  Was holding 1:38 for the majority, which was definitely max effort for today.  

Thursday

10:00 light scap activation
+
A. Thruster, 3-3-3 adding each set - cut if knee still limits you; 2:00 rest
B. Weighted pronated pull-up, build to a max
+
For 10:00:
Evens: 4-7 CTB pull-ups
Odds: 14 fast alternating box step-up/step-downs, 20
+
3 sets:
:45 row @ max effort
5:15 rest

complete
+
A. subbed push press: 125, 135, 145 (PR for 3)
B. 219 (+45 @ 174) (PR +11)
+
complete; 5 CTB across
+
228m; 1:38.6/500m avg
229m; 1:38.2/500m avg
228m; 1:38.6/500m avg


AM weight @ home: 168.6
PM weight @ gym (including belt): 174

Everything felt excellent this morning.  I like the occasional morning training session - it's a nice change of pace.

Push presses felt better today than they have in a very, very long time - maybe ever.  Today, 145 would have qualified as moderate - never really felt heavy.  I only got 1 at 145 in August when going for a double, so I don't know what I was doing differently today. Wore nanos, maybe that's the secret.

Weighted pull-ups were great! Tried for +50 but didn't get very far.  +45 was legit! That's awesome.  Very happy with progress here.  A little disappointed that I seem to have gained back the 3lbs I thought I lost a few weeks ago.  Ate out Sat/Sun/Mon, which is not normal for me, so hopefully now that I'm back on track, it will level out again closer to 165-166.  Not super upset about it, just noting.

When warming up, tried to butterfly the CTBs and couldn't find the rhythm.  I think that's partially because I tend to slam my boobs into the bar instead of a gentle graze, which throws off the kip, so I did these with a regular kip.  Felt easier as the sets went on - it's been a while since I've done these.  Step ups felt awkward and dumb - I felt like I was in an 80's aerobics video.

Very happy with consistency on the longer row sprints.  When I did these in July, I dropped from 1:36 on the first one to 1:44 on the third one.  I think a lot of it is mental - I decided I was not going to drop off, and I didn't. Success.

Tuesday

AM
shoulder warm-up
+
45:00 AirDyne @ Z1, off every 5:00 for 2 kipping handstand push-ups

PM
A. Tall snatch, 3:00-5:00 light tech work
B. Squat snatch, build to a heavy single
C. Box back squat (2-3" above parallel, let's see how these feel on the knee), 2-2-2, 21X1; 2:00 rest
D1. Pendlay row, 3 x 3-4, 20X0; :60 rest
D2. Close-grip bench press, 3-3-3, 20X1; 2:00 rest
+
6-5-4-3-2-1 for time:
Strict pull-ups
Push press, 105
Burpees

AM
complete

PM
A. complete
B. 130, 135Fx4
C. 225, 235, 240
D1. 130, 135, 140(3)
D2. 150, 155(2), 155(2)
+
4:36


I'm really disappointed with the snatch.  I'm just sad, and I can't shake it.  I'd been patiently looking forward to re-testing for weeks.  Lighter snatches felt really excellent - 125 was EASY.  Decided to make the 10lb jump to 135, because I was confident that I could hold the same positions and remain patient, like I've been doing for weeks now.  Which I did... I just think I wasn't being aggressive enough with the turn over or remaining tight in the catch.  Failed the first attempt at 135 forward, then just pulled, then dropped to 130 and failed 130 twice (forward) before finally hitting a solid rep at 130.  Then put 135 back on and failed twice again.  Got under it both times, just wasn't tight enough to stand up.  Lost the last one behind me in a weird way that I've never done before and just called it.  I guess I'm glad that I'm not afraid to drop under it, and I'm confident I'll get it next time (next week perhaps? Please?), but it still put quite the damper on the day.  Sigh.

Box squats and pendlay rows were fine.  Disappointed I didn't get the 3rd cgbp at 155.  I think I could have 3 at 155 on a good day, but today was not that day.

For time piece was fun.  First 6 pull-ups easily unbroken, which I think matches a PR - anxious to re-test this, as well - but then when I started breathing harder after the burpees, broke the next sets 3/2 and 2/2 (didn't have to, just did it because I was breathing and felt like taking a break.  UGH.  this is also disappointing).

I know I can't make a habit of letting one bad piece affect the rest of the training day, but I was (am) just so sad about it.  :(

Tuesday

AM
shoulder warm-up
+
45:00 AirDyne @ Z1, off every 5:00 for 2 kipping handstand push-ups

PM
A. Tall snatch, 3:00-5:00 light tech work
B. Squat snatch, 7 x 1 @ 125; begin a rep every :60-:90
C. Box back squat (2-3" above parallel, let's see how these feel on the knee), 3-3-3, 21X1; 2:00 rest
D1. Pendlay row, 3 x 4-6, 20X0; :60 rest
D2. Close-grip bench press, 4-4-4, 20X1; 2:00 rest
+
6 rounds for even times:
6 strict pull-ups
7 push presses, 95
8 burpees w/jump to target 6" above standing reach
:75 rest

AM
complete

PM
A. complete
B. complete
C. 185, 205, 215
D1. 125(6), 130(5), 130(5)
D2. 150(3), 150(4), 150(3)
+
1:11
1:10
1:08
1:06
1:06
1:09

Kind of an off day, had a headache and nothing really felt great.

No misses on the snatches; went every 0:60.  They didn't feel as effortless as last week, but really impressed with myself that I hit every one.

Box squats were weird, got better as the sets went on.  Used a 14" box + 35lb bumper.  Couldn't feel the knee at all on these.  Stayed very light.

Had a hard time sticking to tempo on the Pendlay rows at 130.  Bench did not feel nearly as strong as last week.  Almost had the 4th rep on the first set, but I got a little stuck and said "nope" out loud, so Chelsea helped, but I shoulda/coulda fought for it.  

6 sets were HARD.  Shit.  No matter how much better I get at breathing, burpees always make me so tired. I felt like the 0:75 rest wasn't long enough, but looking at my times, I guess it really was and I should stop whining.  All pull-ups broken 3/3. Used a men's bar for the push press just to mix it up.  Arms were like jell-o on the last 2 rounds, but happy to be consistent and happy to power through the burpees without taking any small rests on the ground (progress).

Knee still hurts pretty sharply below parallel, but no other issues.  I've backed off the ibuprofen a bit (took 800mg before training today, but that's it), but still icing it a couple of times a day and thoroughly rolling everything out.  Ughhhh.  I feel like I've only been healthy for a grand total of 2 weeks this entire year.

Tuesday

AM
45:00 AirDyne @ Z1, off every 5:00 for 2 kipping handstand push-ups

PM
A. Tall snatch, 3:00-5:00 light tech work
B. Squat snatch, 10 x 1 @ 120; begin a rep every :45
C. Back squat, 3-3-3, 20X0 (no pause @ top); 2:00 rest
D1. Pendlay row, 2 x 6-8, 20X0; :60 rest
D2. Close-grip bench press, 6-6, 20X1; 2:00 rest
+
5 rounds for even times:
7 strict pull-ups
7 push presses, 100
28 unbroken double-unders
:90 rest

AM

complete

PM

A. complete
B. complete
C. 255, 265, 275
D1. 115 (8), 120(8)
D2. 140(6), 145(6)
+
1:11
1:12
3:46 (5 broken sets of 13-24 DUs... argh)
1:23
1:23

HSPUs were better today than Saturday (all sets unbroken), but next time I should probably warm up my shoulders a little bit before doing these right out of bed... 

Incredibly pleased with the continued snatch consistency!! No misses, and felt easier than last week's 115s.  Every single one was solid and with good (patient) technique, except that maybe 2-3 of them were caught a hair above parallel because I was kind of babying my knee and hesitating to drop... (Stephen, PLEASE don't take away snatches, I'm so, so happy to finally be hitting these numbers easily! I can deal with my knee.).

Caught myself pausing for just a fraction of a second at the top of 275... last rep was a little slow on the way up, but not ugly.  Knee felt the same at 275 as it did with the empty bar.

Pendlay row and bench felt great! Feeling like I might be sitting on a little bench PR.

Pull-ups and push presses felt good, and so did double unders, except for the disastrous round 3.  I think I tried to rest a little less before starting the double unders, kind of trusting that they'd be there, since they've been so consistent lately, and then tripped.  And then tripped again.  And again, and again, and AGAIN.  I almost turned around and asked Stephen if I should just move on, but then just waited an extra 0:30 or so before FINALLY hitting the 28 unbroken.  Made sure to take those extra 0:10 before starting the DUs on the 4th and 5th round.  Ugh that was incredibly frustrating!

Knee (left) felt pretty terrible today, actually.  Warmed up more than I have been, and spent a lot of time rolling out everything. There's a spot that feels like it needs major lax ball attention (thinking it's the IT band insertion on the tibia?) but that's not where the pain is (referred? or just a separate issue?). Tested out lunges and RFESS - lunges feel totally fine, but RFESS really hurt when that's the elevated leg (when it's at the really flexed angle when the knee is touching the floor).  I have basically no pain at parallel (or 90 degrees), but anything lower than parallel (or less than 90 degrees) weighted or unweighted, is suddenly pretty sharp.  On the ice/ibuprofen/rolling plan, really hoping that will nip this in the bud without affecting training or requiring a medical professional.

Tuesday

AM
45:00 AirDyne @ Z1, off every 5:00 for :10-:20 L-hang from bar

PM
A. Tall snatch, 3:00-5:00 light tech work
B. Squat snatch, 10 x 1 @ 115; begin a rep every :30
C. Back squat, 4-4-4, 20X0 (no pause @ top); 2:00 rest
D1. Pendlay row, 2 x 8-10, 20X0; :60 rest
D2. Close-grip bench press, 8-8, 20X1; 2:00 rest
+
4 rounds for even times:
8 strict pull-ups
8 push press, 85
25 unbroken double-unders
2:00 rest

AM

complete

PM
A. complete
B. complete
C. 235, 255, 265
D1. 95(10), 105(10)
D2. 130, 135
+
1:33
1:24
1:25
1:21

Really excellent day!  Everything felt good.

No misses on the snatches.  Very, very happy with consistency here.

Back squats felt better than they have in months.  Last rep at 265 was a little ugly, but everything else was solid. 265 matches a 4RM; happy to do it at the no-pausing tempo today.

Pendlay row and bench press felt good.  Last 2 reps at 135 were pretty tough.

4 rounds were great! No trips on the double unders! Push press with the barbell felt super easy after all the heavy dumbbell S2O.

Thursday

10:00 light scap activation
+
A. Paused front squat, build to a max @ 21X1, then perform 5 more singles @ 85% of that @ same tempo; rest as needed between singles to ensure solid reps
B1. Unweighted strict pull-up clusters on rings, 5 x 2.2.2.2; minimal rest between doubles, :60 rest
B2. 1 push press + 1 push jerks, build to a tough set in 5 sets; :60 rest
+
3 rounds for time:
24 AirDyne calories
18 wall balls, 14 to 10
12 tough strict ring rows
+
Not for time:
100m heavy double KB/DB overhead carry

complete

+

A. 245, then 5 @ 210

B1. complete

B2. 125, 140, 150(FPP), 150, 155(FPP)

+

9:37

+

complete with 53lb KBs

Front squats felt HEAVY today, very different from last week.  245 was really sticky on the way up.  First 2 singles at 210 felt way heavier than they should have, but the last 3 started feeling easier.  Also - got extremely lightheaded on every single rep today, like, so much that I had to hold on to the rack for a couple of seconds.  That was weird.  That's happened before on heavy singles, but it was of the ordinary to happen at lighter weights, especially the later singles that felt easier...

Rest was minimal between the first 2 clusters of each set, but then became a little longer before the 3rd and a little longer (0:10 to start, then 0:15 by the end) before the 4th cluster.  Failed the last rep on the 4th set twice by not waiting long enough.  

Effing push press. These all felt terrible today.

Breathing got pretty high on the 3 rounds.  Pushed the AD a little harder than last week (probably 92%ish, if I had to put a number on it), which made the wallballs much harder.  All broken 10/8, but definitely rested too much after dropping it.  First 2 rounds of ring rows were unbroken, the last one was 8/4.  Happy to go faster this week even with an increase in reps.

Overhead carry done in 2x 50m.  The 53s felt pretty easy, so after the first 50m I considered jumping to the 70s... but chickened out on cleaning them (twice).  I could probably clean then with a little more practice, but wasn't gonna happen today.

Thursday

10:00 light scap activation
+
A. Paused front squat, build to a max @ 21X1, then perform 7 front squat singles @ that weight w/no tempo; rest as needed between singles to ensure solid reps
B1. Unweighted strict pull-ups on rings, 5 x AMRAP in :60; :60 rest
B2. 1 push press + 2 push jerks, build to a tough set in 5 sets; :60 rest
+
For time:
75 AirDyne calories
50 wall balls, 14 to 10
25 tough strict ring rows
+
Not for time:
200m light/moderate double KB/DB overhead carry

complete
+
A. complete @ 245
B1. 9, 8, 7, 7, 7
B2. 125, 135, 145, 150, 155(F PP)
+
9:53
+
complete with 35lb KBs

Great training day!

Front squats felt good working up to the 245.  245 wasn't as hard as I was expecting it to be, so considered trying 250.  Very glad I didn't, because the 7 singles got pretty tough by the end.

Ring pull-ups felt better than last week; was able to knock out a slightly bigger set in the beginning (5, then 4s), then singles or doubles to finish out each minute.  Still a lot of standing around, but also had 2 or 3 failed reps where I didn't wait long enough.

Only the push press at 145 felt solid.  Every other push press felt really tough (even the lighter ones) - still not using my legs for the most part on these.  It makes SUCH a difference when I do, but I couldn't tell you what I did differently on that one rep.  I just know it flew up without issue.

Thought the FT piece was going to be much worse than it was.  Finished the 75 calories at 5:45, going about 85%.  Wallballs broken 15/10/10/8/7.  Ring rows broken 10/8/7.  Quads and shoulders were blown up, but breathing was totally under control, which is a huge improvement.

Took the OH carry outside, and broken into 4 segments of approximately 50m each.  Felt solid.

Thursday

AM
10:00 light scap activation
+
A. 1 paused front squat, 21X1 + 2 front squat, build to a max
B1. Unweighted strict pull-ups on rings, 5 x AMRAP in :60; :60 rest
B2. 1 push press + 3 push jerks, build to a tough set in 5 sets; :60 rest
+
AMRAP in 12:00:
15 AirDyne calories
12 tough strict ring rows
9 wall balls, 14 to 10
+
Not for time:
100m snatch-grip overhead carry, very heavy

PM
Oly class

AM
complete
+
A. 235 (PR+5)
B1. 7, 6, 6, 5, 6
B2. 150
+
5 rounds + 14 calories
+
complete with 135

PM
45:00 snatch (up to 115) + 15:00 CJ (up to 135)


Front squats felt good!

Ring pull-ups did not feel good.  Opened every minute with a set of 3, but then was doing mostly singles and a few doubles throughout the rest of the minute.  Lots of standing around.

Push press was a little shaky at 150, but push jerks were easy.

Went about 85% on the AirDyne and unbroken on the ring rows and wallballs with fast transitions.  Pushed the pace in the last 0:30, but couldn't finish the 15 calories.

Snatch-grip OH carry is murder on my wrists, but it wasn't any worse today than it was 20lbs lighter.  Could do this with at least 145, if not 155, next time.

Was fried coming into the Oly class.  Perhaps I should skip the ones on Thursdays - between today being day 3, and already training in the morning, and having an uncharacteristically busy day/week at work, I just wanted to sit and watch.  Snatching was really off, and spent too much time starting to overthink things that haven't been a problem recently.  Failed a number of reps.  Switched to CJ with 15:00 remaining - cleans were sloppy, but looking forward to jerking again, these felt good!

Thursday

10:00 light scap activation
+
A. 1 paused front squat, 21X1 + 1 front squat, 1-1-1-1-1-1; 2:00 rest
B1. Unweighted strict pull-ups on rings, 5 x AMRAP; :60 rest
B2. Push press, build to a heavy single in 5 sets; :60 rest
+
10 sets:
8 AirDyne calories @ high effort
7 tough ring rows, 10X0
6 wall balls, 14 to 10
:60 rest
+
Not for time:
100m double DB/KB overhead carry, very heavy

complete

+

A. 195, 205, 215, 225, 235, 240(1)

B1. 6, 5, 4, 4, 4

B2. 105, 125, 140, 155, 165F

+

complete

+

complete with 53lb KBs

+

gymnastics clinic

Kind of an off day... nothing felt as good as last week (except the ring pull-ups!)

Front squats felt heavy.  Did the paused front squat at 240, but it was a real grind standing up, so didn't attempt the second rep. 

Strict pull-ups on the rings get better and better each week.  

Push press felt good through 155... but I think I'm missing the leg drive again on these.

10 sets felt good for the first 5, and tough for the second 5.  Could have used some air flow in the corner, but it's all good; summer's almost over.  8 cals done in under 0:20 every time. 

Double KB clean and jerk was tough with the 53s the first time, but got better and better each time - broke the 100m into 3 segments.  Definitely prefer the KBs over DBs on these, so weight choices were kind of limited.  Not sure this qualified as very heavy.

Gymnastics clinic was AWESOME! We were broken up into 3 groups and spent about 40 minutes at three stations: tumbling, rings, and bars. Worked on static handstands, handstand walking, press to handstand, pirouettes, and standing back tucks. Then moved to the rings - holy shit. I am so, so close to an unassisted muscle up. A coach was spotting on the side, and I got 4 or 5 muscle ups with less and less assistance from him. On the last one, he barely touched me (but he did, so still doesn't count). Kip and swing is MUCH improved, and I'm very, very excited about practicing in the gym. So, then we rotated to the horizontal bar, and I jumped up and immediately got 2 big rips, so I skipped that station and spent the remainder of the session fooling around on the tumble track and trampoline :) Highly recommend, and can't wait to go back!

Thursday

10:00 light scap activation (pick a few pieces from the Drew Cook files)
+
A. 1 paused front squat, 21X1 + 2 front squats, 1-1-1-1-1; 2:00 rest
B1. Unweighted strict pull-ups on rings, 5 x AMRAP; :60 rest
B2. Push press, build to a tough double in 5 sets; :60 rest
+
10 sets:
10 AirDyne calories @ moderate effort
7 ring rows, 2020
5 wall balls, 14 to 10
:60 rest
+
Not for time:
100m snatch-grip overhead carry, 115

complete
+
A. 195, 205, 215, 225, 230
B1. 4, 4, 4, 4, 3
B2. 105, 125, 135, 145(1), 145(1)
+
complete
+
complete

Another solid training day!

Front squats felt really, really good today - probably the best since the Invictus days.  230 is a PR for a triple, but saw a few stars on the last rep...

Strict pull-ups on the rings get easier every week.  Almost had the second rep on the second attempt at 145, but just couldn't lock it out.  When will my overhead pressing strength return? Blahhhh.

10 sets were super easy - either I'm getting way better at aerobic work, or Stephen's going easy on me this week.  Wall balls were a joke.

Snatch grip OH carry done in 5x 20m.  Felt very stable with it overhead, but this was murder on my wrists (even with wrist wraps).

Thursday

10:00 light scap activation (pick a few pieces from the Drew Cook files)
+
A. 1 paused front squat, 21X1 + 2 front squats, 1-1-1-1-1 tough; 2:00 rest
B1. Unweighted strict pull-ups on rings, 5 x AMRAP; :60 rest
B2. Push press, build to a moderate triple in 5 sets; :60 rest
+
8 sets:
12 AirDyne calories @ moderate effort
7 ring rows, 2020
25m bear crawl
:60 rest
+
For time @ 80%:
100m L-arm overhead DB/KB carry
100m R-arm overhead DB/KB carry

Skipped due to time - will do tomorrow
+
A. 185, 195, 205, 215, 220 (video)
B1. 4, 3, 3, 3, 3
B2. 85, 105, 115, 125, 130
+
complete
+
8:40 with 60lb DB

Early morning session - done with coffee and a protein shake.  Felt surprisingly good, considering I'd been bitching about having to train early for days.  Also, first day since the CF Total that barbell work felt solid.

Front squats felt great through 215. I like the pause!  Felt like the last squat at 220 was uglier than it was on video.  Happy that what feels ugly to me now isn't nearly as bad as my ugly reps used to be.

Push press got heavy, fast.  115 was easy, and 125 was tough - kind of skipped moderate.  Shoulder felt fine, so did the last set at 130, which was definitely tough for today.

Had a really hard time getting the DB overhead, especially with the left arm.  I thought I'd snatched the 70lb DB before, so I was a little surprised that I could barely clean and jerk the 60lb DB.  Definitely feel more stable with a KB rather than a DB.  Both sides broken 4x 25m.