27 Jun Lab Rat – APF Equipped Nationals

After almost thirteen months away from the platform it was time to step back on it.  I woke up right at 258lbs after forcing myself to continue eating and rehydrating most of Friday evening.  In an effort to keep things as consistent as possible I followed my normal breakfast routine (8oz. egg whites, 1 cup of finely ground oatmeal and 1 scoop of protein).   I also elected to have a ‘cleaner’ breakfast as I feel in the past all the junk food consumed putting weight back on followed by a very heavy breakfast hasn’t been the best for my performance or at least how I feel.

I arrived at the venue just after 8:30 ensuring I had ample time to catch up with training partners, settle in and warm up without feeling rushed or stressed.  The warm up was no different than any other Saturday, I started with a few rounds of the McGill Big 3 then did a few sets with an empty bar.  Thanks to Team Samson we were able to ‘control’ one of the monolifts ensuring Clint and I got our reps when needed.  The jumps were pretty straight forward starting at 155 and increasing a plate each set.  I threw a light wrap on for 425 and a moderate wrap for my last warm up of 515.

• Opener – 573.xx – good lift
• 2nd attempt – 606.xx – good lift (26lb PR)
• 3rd attempt – 622.xx – no lift

My opener moved extremely well and got me in the meet.  Getting this was a big deal as I had to retake my opener last May which threw my mental game off.  My second attempt was a soild PR as I missed 630 on my 3rd attempt last May.

There was a fair amount of downtime between squats and my bench warm up so I stayed off my feet, snacked some and kept hydrated.  Biofreeze was applied to my lower back as a precaution followed with rotator work.  Bench warmups went quick with 145, 235, 285, 325 and 355.

• Opener – 391.xx – good lift
• 2nd attempt – 418.xx – good lift
• 3rd attempt- 424.xx – no lift

I mis-grooved my opener and it moved much slower than expected.  No big deal as it was an opener, a weight you can do even if something goes less than perfectly.  My second attempt moved much better however I didn’t think there was much left in the tank, we made a small jump on the third and it wasn’t in the cards for the day.

Deadlift warmups flew by and everything felt locked in.  I started with 225 then made a plate jump each set.  My last warm up was 495.

• Opener – 551.xx – good lift
• 2nd attempt – 589.xx – no lift
• 3rd attempt- 606.xx – good lift

At this point we already did the math for a PR total on my 3rd attempt.  551lbs moved quicker than it has ever and I knew I was in a good position to make a run at a PR total.  We went safe on my 2nd attempt to ensure a victory over Cranford, a good friend.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get the lift due to a technicality.  At this point the choice was easy, we made a small jump 606lbs to ensure I had Cranford covered by total and coefficient.  My final lift moved easy and the meet was over.  I ended the day with a 1631.xx total, 20lbs short of a PR total at almost a 30lb lighter body weight.  All things considered I had one hell of a meet.