cesimpson

Shed a tear ’cause I’m missing you
I’m still alright to smile
…
Said woman take it slow
It’ll work itself out fine
All we need is just a little patience
G’n'R

Workout

Deadlift 1RM Test

5x @ 135#

5x @ 185#

3x @ 225#

1x @ 275#

1x @ 295#

1x @ 315#

1x @ 365#

1x @ 385#!

At this point I was feeling pretty good. I didn’t have 405# in me, but clearly had more than 385#. I split the difference, loaded up 395#, and prepared.

Got a drink from the fountain and walked back to the bar. I sat down on the nearby rack and reached into my bag for the chalk. An older (55+ or so) man was walking through, stopped, looked at the bar, looked at me, looked at the bar again, looked at me again.

Man:

Are you gonna pick that up?

Me:

That’s the plan.

Man:

How much does that weigh?

Me:

395

Man:

That’s heavy.

Me:

Yup

Man:

Really, you’re gonna pick that up?

Me:

Uh huh.

Man:

I gotta see this.

Deadlift 1RM Test (cont.)

1x @ 395#!!

I pulled and pulled and grunted and pulled all the way up. My form was good…real solid…but it was work. It seriously took about a second and a half to break with the ground, and took another 3-5 seconds to get totally up. Veins were popping out of my neck and forehead. I tasted blood in the back of my throat. A low, steady growl came from my belly throughout the entire lift. Heavy.

Man:

How much did you say that weighs?

Me:

~pant pant pant~

Marathoner:

I think he said 395#.

Man:

That’s heavy.

Me:

Yup

Then he just shook his head and walked on. I think that was the first time I’ve ever had an audience. Didn’t really notice at the time, but the more I think about it the less comfortable I am with that idea. Weird.

Bench Press

Worked several sets up to 205#

5×3 @ 205#

3×1 @ 225#

It was a good bench day today too. I should absolutely be happy with 225#, and I am. But I have been obsessing about my deadlift for so long, I almost don’t care what happens to anything else. I was stuck at 375# for so long, starting to get a complex. All it took was a little patience. And the deadlift was just the thing for teaching that lesson.