Find a Way

Yesterday, it was time to find my 1 rep max clean and jerk. My previous best was 175 pounds and I was confident thatll be able to PR that, since it has been close to 2 months since I have tested it.  Since that previous PR I have been able to up my front squat and split jerk by putting the time a commitment to some lifting programs.  I remember before I started those programs, specifically the squat program, I was only able to rep out 175 2-3 times at best. Now I am able to rep out 175 5-6 and it keeps getting easier. My jerk as gone up as well; 200 pounds is just a so-so jerk now and about the time of the 175 pound PR it was rough. Id say I am now approaching 2 wheels or 225 pounds which is my goal by years end.

When I started to find my clean and jerk max, I was able to quickly move through my warm up sets of 135# and 165#. When I went and lifted again, which was easily successful, I found that I didn't have 175# on the bar, I had 185#. This fired me up a little bit because it seemed really easy.  My coach and workout partner urged me to give 200 a go. And so I did. My first attempt I was able to get under with ease but I let the bar just crush me at the bottom. After reviewing the footage my coach was taking I decided to ditch the squat clean and go power clean because I caught the bar so high.  This time I got the clean,( I am generally better at power than squat cleans) but when going for the jerk I didn't quite get under the bar and my long arms failed to lock out.(You can view the attempts Here)  I now knew I had both but just needed to combine them together. With the final lift of the session I was able to get the 200# pounds I was looking for and striving for. Now...I just to get that squat clean, because I am coming for 225 next...

New Month, New Plan

Today marks the beginning of a new month and the first day of a new strategy and plan. When I started my new class schedule, I was having trouble getting acclimated with all the work and reading. This took a tole on not only my training but the most important thing for me as a student and athlete....REST .  Rest and recovery is probably the most important thing one can do and can effect a variety of things. I haven't done a very good job of getting adequate rest during the week and this has left me more tired and sometimes unmotivated to train later in the week.  So I have decided to change that.
Over the next month and beyond  I will be dedicated to getting more sleep and listening to my body. That entails not going to bed at 11 and waking up at 6 like I have been.  I not only will I need to go to bed earlier but I need to drink more fluids and mobilize more often after training.  I believe if I begin this new routine, I will not only feel better, but I will perform better in school and in the gym.