Let the Fun Begin

It's always exciting to start a new cycle of training. I can't wait to be finished teaching my classes so I can get to gym and try out my new training. The anticipation about kills me. I want to find out how challenging it is and how my body will react. I just get giddy!

So, here's what I got to try out today:

Double Clean to Squat to Push Press - 12 kgs (26 lbs. each)
-3 reps/ minute for 15 minutes.
-The squat portion was a challenge. The cleans are easy, shmeazy. The presses are as well. I have a definite sticky point in the squat. It's my big toes. I keep working on them.
RPE - 7

Snatches - 12 kg - 8 x 10 L, R
-30 seconds rest between sets of 10 L, 10 R
-This took me a little less than 8 minutes to complete. In retrospect, I should have just done two more rounds for an even 10 minutes and 200 reps.
RPE - 6

It was actually a fun training session. I'm pleased with my output.

Busy, Busy

I've been busy catching up on life the past few weeks. I'm finally well. I will be starting a new phase of training - lots of conditioning. I've been working on increasing strength. Now I'll cycle back to getting my heart pumping and smoking my lungs. I don't know if I'll try the Ultimate Snatch Test again, or not. I'd like to get more than 200 in 10 minutes. Gotta have goals!

My job gets super hectic over the next three weeks. I'm an English professor, and research papers and essay exams start streaming in, all needing to be graded before December 18. My training will be a welcomed diversion. It will keep me sane, I hope!

Easing Back In

I'm feeling a bit better, so I had to do some training. I started with my Zscription. Ahhhhh!

It's been awhile since I did snatches and swings, so I thought, "Why not?" It felt great to get my heart rate up.

Snatches - 16 kg (35 lbs) - 50 left, 50 right
-I did the RKC snatch test: 100 snatches with the 16 kg in 5 minutes. Still got it! (with time to spare)

Swings - 24 kg (53 lbs.) - 10 min.
-I did 20 reps every 30 seconds followed by 30 seconds of rest. That was a workout! It felt good to get back to the basics and just sweat.

I'm Alive!

I haven't done any training this week since Monday. Life has been really crazy, and I'm trying to kick this crud. I decided it was best to give my body a rest. Monday I'll start a new round of training. I'm really looking forward to it.

Really?

Am I really going to continue to be sick? Really? I thought I was done with this junk.

I'm sick of being sick, and I haven't even been that sick. Last weekend I had a stuffed head, so I slept most of the weekend. This weekend I was weak, tired, and unable to eat. I just can't seem to completely get over this bug, nor do I get knock down, drag out sick either. I don't even get a fever. What gives?!

My training is paying the price. I keep holding steady, but I'm not making any progress. Next week, my program is getting revamped. Until then, I'll do what I can and hope to kick this virus.

Open Palm Plate TGUs - 35 lb. plate - 5 x 2 L, R

1 Arm 1 Leg Deadlift - 24 kg - 5 x 5 L, R

Bent Press - 28 kg - 5 x 2 L, R

Same as last week. At least I'm not going backward!

I'll Take It

Not bad. That's my assessment of today's training.

Goblet Squat - 24 kg (53 lbs) - 5 x 10
alternated with
Ring Pullup Negatives - 5 x 3

Open Palm Plate Press - 35 lbs - 3 x 1, 2, 3 L, R
-First time waiter pressing a 35 lb. plate. The right side was a challenge, but I made it. The left side was a struggle. I could get one rep, but then I had to help it up a bit for reps two and three. I did a slow negative, however, to build that side.

The pullup negatives don't ever get easier. I'm convinced I don't have proper body alignment. One problem is that the space I have to train in only gives me about 7 foot clearance from the rings to the floor. That means I can't stretch out, so my body is constantly moving to change leg position on the way down. *Sigh*

Brad - can I skype you during a training session? This pullup is just ticking me off!

Me Likey!

Today's training was fantabulous! I feel like a She-Woman. Roaaaarrrrr!!!

Open Palm Plate TGU - 35 lbs. - 5 x 2 L, R
-Solid.

1 Arm 1 Leg Deadlifts - 24 kg (53 lbs) - 5 x 5 L, R
alternated with
Bent Press - 28 kg (62 lbs) - 5 x 2 L, R
-My lats are still shaking. :)
-I'm still sick, so putting up these numbers is astonishing. I can't wait to see what I do when I'm at 100%.

I best be placing an order for a 32 kg kettlebell. I need more iron!

"B"ack After It

Yay! I was able to get some training in today. It wasn't stellar or PR material, but it moved me toward my goals. After being sick for the past three days, I am thrilled with my effort today.

Goblet Squats - 20 kg - 5 x 10
Ring Pullup Negatives - 5 x 3
-Mini circuit style.

Open Palm Plate Press - 25 lbs - 3 x 3, 5, 7
-Even though I'm feeling weak from my illness, I was able to press the same as last week. I can't wait to move up to the 35 lb plate on Friday. I can taste it!

I'll B Back

I've been asleep half the weekend. I did take a short Harley ride to revive my soul on Saturday, but that's about all I have had energy for. Hopefully I'll "B" back soon!

B Postponed

Block B training will be postponed today due to a head cold. I can't hear, breathe, taste, smell, or see well. Maybe if I kick it today, I'll be able to train tomorrow. I'll take this over H1N1, though.

B Tough

Block B was tough on Wednesday, but I pressed through.

Goblet Squats -24 kg - 5 x 10
Pullup Negatives - 5 x 3
-This was a mini circuit.
-I am NOT happy with the pullup progress. I either need an attitude adjustment, some serious face-to-face training w/ Brad, or a new strategy. Perhaps I need some patience???? I've met other big goals, so I believe I should meet this one just as quickly. Attitude adjustment.

Open Palm Plate Press - 25 lb. plate - 3 x 3, 5, 7 reps
-Tough, but totally doable. And do I did. Woot Woot!!

I am pretty sore this morning. My pecs, lats, arms - you name it on my upper body, I'm feeling it.

I'm off to edumacate the masses on communicashon. Happy Thursday!

B Good

I'm back to Block B. It's all good.

Open Palm Plate TGU - 35 lb. plate - 4 x 2 L, R
-My wrists were screaming during these. It's been several weeks since I've done Block B, probably even a month. Yikes!

1 Arm 1 Leg Deadlifts - 20 kg - 5 x 5 L, R
-This is less weight than I was scheduled for, but I didn't want to tweak my back. I tend to do that on this drill. The lighter weight made a difference.

Bent Press - 28 kg (62 lbs) - 7 x 1 L, R
-Amazing! These felt relatively light. I don't remember the 28 going up this easily before. Heck yeah!

So, can someone tell me why I can put up 28 kg bent presses, but I can't do a pullup? I know. I need to shave about 4 inches off my height and 20 lbs. off my frame and I'll be cranking them out, right? Oh long limbs. I love you and I hate you!

And Friday Makes Three

Three great training sessions this week. Celebrate good times, come on!

Double KB Snatches - 16 kg bells - 8 x 3
-No extra swings between reps. :)

Double KB Viking Push Presses - 12 kg bells - 8 x 10
-They felt great. I could have done more, but I ran out of time. :(

I'm going to enjoy my extra hour of sleep on Saturday night and get ready for next week's training.

Let the good times roll!

Black Eye Wednesday

No, I didn't injure myself. It is the two week anniversary of my run-in with the jerk, however, and I am finally black eye free! Today's training was solid.

Double KB Jerks - 16 kg bells (70 lbs. total) - 7 x 7
-I did lots of Z drills between sets. I was jacked today.

Double KB Cleans - 20 kg bells (88 lbs. total) - 5 x 8
-Good times. I feel so powerful when I throw 88 lbs. of cast iron around.

Goblet Squats - 24 kg bell (53 lbs.) - 5 x 8
-These still put some strain on my low back, but I'm NOT whining. Just observing.

I'm happy to be moving forward. I feel as if I'm making progress now after a few stalled out weeks.

That's More Like It

I finally felt like I had a strong training session. It's been a few weeks. I feel like all I've done is whine the past few weeks about my back and my eye. Pity party is O-V-E-R.

Two drills today. Two killer sessions.

Double KB Snatches - 16 kg bells (35 lbs. each) - 8 x 3
-For the first three sets, I did any extra swing between reps. Then, for the last 5 sets, I did the three reps without an extra swing.
-I felt so great when I finished. Then I stepped back and reflected on what I had just done. I snatched 70 pounds of cast iron 24 times. I can't even believe that this is me doing these things. Holy crap! I snatched 70 pounds of kettlebell. Blows my mind. So someone tell me why I can't do a pullup. Seriously.

Viking Push Presses - 12 kg bells (26 lbs. each) - 10 x 10
-If I were a marine, I would shout hoo rah. Good times.

I hope today is a sign of what's to come with my other training sessions this week. Now, I just need to avoid the H1N1.

Friday's Training

I did a quick training session on Thursday before leaving for Des Moines.

Double KB Jerks - 16 kg - 8 x 6
Double KB Cleans - 20 kg - 5 x 7
Goblet Squats - 24 kg - 5 x 7

I didn't have time to mess around. I got in, I got out.

The eye is almost back to normal, thank goodness. Off to do a little shopping and then heading back home.

Training Like a Viking

It was more double kb drills today. Lovin those bad boys!

Double Snatches - two 16 kgs (35 lb each) - 8 x 3
-These were tough! I had to put a swing between each rep to get enough hip snap. My low back is still a little stiff from the spasms I had 10 days ago, but the training seems to be helping. It feels a whole lot better after I've trained.
RPE - 9

Viking Push Presses - two 12 kgs (26 lb each) - 10 x 8
-These were strong. I finally feel like a Viking!
RPE - 7

In case you're wondering, my eyes came through unscathed this Wednesday. My battle wound is almost gone. I am painfully aware now just how close those bells come to your head when practicing jerks and Viking Push presses. Be careful!

Climbing Back Up on that Horse

When a horse throws you, you have to climb right back up on him. That's what I did today with double kettlebell jerks. Only today, I used two 16 kg kettlebells (35 lbs. each). Word.

Double KB Jerks - 16 kg - 7 x 7
-After the first set, these went fabulous. I was a bit gun shy on the first set. (Wonder why!)

Double KB Cleans - two 20 kg bells (44 lbs. each) - 5 reps
30 secs rest
Goblet Squats - 24 kg bell (53 lbs.) - 5 reps
30 secs rest
5 Rounds
-The squats were a bit of a struggle today with the back spasms, but I did them with excellent form.
-The cleans are just plain heavy, but sooooo much fun. I LOVE throwing around that much weight (88 lbs).

Last week was a bear. So far, this week is starting off great. Let's keep that momentum going!

Keeping Life Interesting

The result of talking while doing jerks. I'm back to training in solitude. If I don't talk to you while training, don't take it personally. :)

"Back" in Black

Light, light, light.

First I did some 24 kg swings.

Then I attempted some pullups. I needed a little nudge. Grrrrr!!

Double Jerks -12 kg bells (26 lbs each) - 5 x 10
-On the third set, I brushed my brow with a kb. It didn't hurt; it just startled me a bit. I did two more sets and realized I had a little robin's egg ballooning out the side of my head. Now I've got a stinkin black eye. Seriously. I've been training with kbs for over three years and this is the first time I've hit myself.

I am too blonde for words!