Peak Week

The goal this week, is to lift 80% of my competition maxes from the hang position just above the knee and perform the "power" version of the lifts: 105kg Snatch, 130kg Clean, 130kg Push Press. Also, I intend to back squat 180kg x 1.

This is to set up the next 8-12 weeks where I'll be training for hypertrophy and by default, regain some of my conditioning, thus allowing me to realize more strength gains in future cycles.

Here's how today's training session went:

Power Snatch from above knee:
50/3, 70/3;
80/3, 85/2, 90/1
85/3, 90/2, 95/1
90/3, 95/2, 100/1

The 100kg for a single was fast and high. I barely dipped my knees to catch it. It felt surprisingly good. Thursday, I will hit 105kg and shoot for 110kg x 1, which I haven't done since I trained at Rif's last Christmas and weighed almost 20lbs. more.

Back Squat:
90/3, 110/3;
130/3, 140/2, 150/1
140/3, 150/2, 160/1 (This wave was the easiest.)
150/3, 160/2, 170/1

The last wave, everything felt good until the 170kg. It felt like I couldn't get into my lift hip so it was ugly. I still got another 10+kg in me though. I'll hit 180kg on Thursday. Admittedly, my mind wandered after the 160/2 and I started thinking about work. I wasn't in the moment. I'll have to do something about that.

Knees felt good today. Only 1 or 2 painful reps on the squat today, which is a pleasant surprise because they were sore all weekend. I can squat fine now, but lunges still give me grief. No idea why. I'll pick Dr. Cobb's brain when I see him next weekend.

Looking forward to tomorrow's training session. Had some high quality RDLs last Friday--160kg for a three triples--easy ({140/3; 150/3; 160/3}x3). These always bring the cleans up, so shooting for 125kg for a single tomorrow, maybe even 130kg. Come to think of it, it'd be nice to finish out this cycle with 140kg x 1. We'll see: No need to be greedy.

I must say, for the first time in a very long time, I am really enjoying my weightlifting training. Must be the pain free thing. I do miss my KBs though. Right now, I just don't think my CNS can handle too many things. I'd like to plug them back into the hypertrophy work--maybe some complexes at the end of every training session. I dunno--have to wait n' see.