Monday, November 30, 2009

On Great and Not-so-great Sessions

Credit goes to Dan John for this essay. Good to keep in mind the next time you lift and it goes great or not-so-great:

"...In a group of five workouts, I tend to have one great workout: the kind of session that makes me think that in just a few weeks I could be an Olympic champion and Mr. Olympia.
Then, I'll have one workout that's so awful that the mere fact I continue to exist as a somewhat-higher form of life is a miracle. Then, the other three workouts are "punch the clock" workouts: I go in, workout, and walk out. Most people experience this.
Now, in 100 workouts, there could be 20 great workouts. Of that 20, a couple will be flat-out amazing. And in 1,000 workouts, just one is worthy of an article, or bragging to your non-lifting buddies about. So, once a decade, if you're lucky, you have that workout.
Unfortunately, many people think they're under-training all the time because they don't puke every workout, the world record doesn't fall during the session, or a swarm of reporters from People magazine aren't taking your picture. Really, I never understood this idea that every workout had to be the best and finest training moment of your life.
This brings to mind two things: where else in life does something become better and better every single time? Meals? Sleep? Work? Even sex can have highs and lows. (I was going to say "ups and downs," but somehow even I can't handle that level of bad pun.) Furthermore, how can you honestly think that training improvements are that linear?
Remember this: if you start bench pressing 100 pounds, and add 10 pounds a month, you'll bench 460 in about three years and 500 hundred in a few more months, right? How many of you with just three years of training under your belt are knocking out 500-pound benches? (You know, in the gym, not just on the Internet.)

In other words, give yourself a break emotionally and physically... most of the time..."

Friday, November 20, 2009

New PR in the OH Squat

Chad hits a new PR in the OH SQ: 90 for a single. Nice!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Clean and Jerk PR

Posted by Ethan tonight: 112 kg. Nice!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Columbus Meet Results: November 14

Approaching the meet on Saturday as this week's heavy day for everyone, the results were impressive. PRs were set as well as a 6 for 6 day. Many thanks to Bob and Penny for working the video and photography. Good info about everyone's lift here. Also, thanks to Junior, Emily, Erin, and Bob for watching.
Frank, 85 kg, 6 for 6: 53/70/123
Breann, 58 kg, 2 for 6: 50(meet PR)/60/110
Chad, 85 kg, 2 for 6: 77 (PR)/97 (PR)/174 (PR)
Josh, 105 kg, 2 for 6: 100 (PR)/122/222

Josh was also Best Lifter on formula. Back at it this week as the run up to Winterfest begins in earnest.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

A Small Meet in Columbus, Ohio, November 14

Mark your calendars for this small meet in Columbus, hosted by the Columbus WC, on November 14 at 4 PM. Weigh in is from 2-3 PM. Sounds like a good check point for some peeps and a nice way to start off the lifting career for others. Will have more details later.