Week Four

Here we are less than four weeks out.  For those not familiar with contest training, you start from the date of the meet and work backwards.  Most lifters need a minimum of five weeks (usually more) to peak for the meet.  Today was as close as I will get to max numbers for the remainder of my peaking routine.  It was a difficult day on the nervous system because with the Sheiko routine I'm using, I had to do all three lifts up to 95% of max.  Of the three lifts, I missed on the bench (my worst lift).  I just recently finished my rehab for both my left pec and my back (lumbar injury using bands on squat).  I was actually surprised that I didn't miss on the others and I weighed 153 today.  My meet should go relatively well.  

This brings me to a side note.  I've always believed that powerlifting was defined by lifters that did all three lifts.  It always seemed too easy to only do the one lift in which you excelled.  With that in mind, I also thought the bench did the least for your total and this made me approach it with caution.  I have too many associates with zipper marks across their shoulders and virtually no mobility to seriously push the bench at my age.  My son would not understand why dad couldn't throw a ball because of a sport that only gives me satisfaction.  

So everything seems to be on track for me.  Unfortunately, my partner here in Ocala will not be able to make the meet.  Between injuries and a complete upheaval in his personal life, he has been set back considerably.  It is my hope that we get to compete together on a later occasion. 

My biggest obstacle has been getting more than three hours of sleep each night.  My son will be going back to school on Monday and that will put my sleep schedule back to normal ( I work nights at the factory).  I cleared SQ435 and DL475 clean with perfect form.  I missed BP305 and might slightly alter my training to compensate.  Usually I don't mess with anything during peaking, but since I'm feeling healthy I might do something a little different.