Staying Busy, But Not too Busy to Train

It's been a crazy month since I got back from England. Not the least of crazy things was the sudden decision by my former business partner and I that I should sell my half of the TPT partnership to him. Tomorrow seems to be the end of the storm as I should be into my new studio. I think this will be a very good thing for my clients: they will have an exclusive space all to themselves and I will be able to devote my full attention to them.

One of the calming influences during this time has been the ability to train, which is weird really, because in the past, training too was a negative stressor. However, in the last year, I've fully surrendered my training, which was the major priority in my life above all else, to God. It no longer holds my attention, my focus, my worship, like it once did. I actually sank into deep despair mid-year last year as I wrestled with the idea that I may never squat or compete in weightlifting again. I didn't feel like training and only forced myself because I needed to continue to be a role model to my clients and the trainers working for us. I forced myself to train for the "Beast Challenge" in September. At that point, I had resigned myself fully to never competing again in weightlifting nor squatting any sort of poundages again. My body was broken and so was my spirit. It was about that time that Z-Health was really working its "magic," so-to-speak and my body started to heal itself. God does interesting things to get your attention: He takes away the thing you worship most, the thing you think you will die without, the thing that replaces Him in your heart, in order to heal you; to heal that place in you that was wounded when you were a child, that place out of which you structure a life to protect yourself from ever being wounded in such a way again. As Z was healing my body, God was healing my heart, my spirit. Once I surrendered to Him the thing I thought I couldn't live without, He returned it to me as a gift--a gift which I would find as something peaceful instead of something that created inner turmoil and anxiety.

Fast-forward a couple of months and now I actually find training peaceful, no longer the urgent obsession to excel that it once was. Lately, it has become very private, very soothing, and very enjoyable in a healthy way. I only came to this realization last night--my last day training at TPT. It was very sad to walk away from something I helped build into the premiere personal training facility in our area. I was tempted not to train, because in the past, the idea of lifting heavy when I was stressed usually resulted in some form of injury or other failure as a result of "Man-ing Up." Last night was different: I squatted 160kg for 30 reps. Not big numbers for sure. But it is the highest workload that I've squatted in many years--perhaps five or more. It was very soothing. I thank God that what I once worshiped instead of Him, He has given back to me for my enjoyment instead of my imprisonment, which training once was--a self-imposed prison of the heart.

So now, training is no longer a compulsion, an obsession, an idol. It is just fun and finally peaceful. I no longer train to prove myself. I train because I like to and because it's good for the mind, body, and spirit. Last night was the realization, the fulfillment of this concept.

Friday, 2.2.07
The session was very simple: It was a heavy squat day. It's purpose is to build strength and put on some mass.

Back Squat

60kg/3, 100/2, 125/1, 142.5/1;
Cluster Sets: 30s rest between reps; 3 minutes between sets
160kg/(1+1+1+1+1+1) x 5

I could tell that this was a manner in which my body was not accustomed to working: my legs started to get sore about the third set. It will be interesting to see how this approach will work: On the surface, the singles seem very conducive to training for weightlifting. Psychologically, it works great, because unlike Dan John, the idea of squatting for sets of 10 makes me want to not squat at all. Anything more than two reps is endurance training in my book. And for that type of training I'll use KBs or unilateral work.

After, I attempted my KB snatches. However, the hole in my left hand opened back up forcing me to drop to a lighter bell. Unfortunately, my hams, adductors, and glutes were fatigued from the squatting so even the 32kg made me breathe harder than normal.

KB Snatch: On the minute.

40kg/3+3, 4+4; hole in hand opened back up
32kg/6+6 x5

7 minutes total.

Feeling Hopeful and Possibly Right on Track

Fast and Light Day--Thursday, 2.1.07

I love wave-loading and my body seems to like it too.

A. Power Snatch from below knee:
60kg/3, 70/2, 80/2;
(90kg/2, 97.5/2, 102.5/2) x 3; approx. 120s rest

10 minute break

B. Power Clean from Floor:
100kg/3;
(110kg/2, 120/2, 130/2) x 3; approx 120s rest

I was a little tired by the time I got here so the 130kg actually turned out to be 2, 2, and 1. No big deal though, because this is approximately 80% of my last competition clean and jerk.

I'm feeling hopeful because if my training continues to progress at this pace, there is a very real possibility that I could qualify for Nationals at this meet in March. However, I'm not going to sweat it. The goal at that meet will to be to get on the platform and go at least 4 for 6, preferably 6 for 6.