Strength log for Friday, March 7th: Achievement Five unlocked

After my poor performance in 14.2 this morning, I needed a win.  It was gamble, my last 3 attempts to hit my strict press PR failed miserably.

I had done a couple of weeks of sets of 5 reps or 3 reps, or even singles at 90%, 95% an 100% of max respectively, but my shoulders took a beating this week.

So it was iffy going in, but I committed to giving it a go.

Worked up with empty bar and 65# for 5 reps, then 95# for 3.  115# for one rep seemed heavy, I started to worry.   125# went up, but not as easily as I had hoped. I took a good long break between 125# and 130#.

I unracked it, carefully positioned my hands, making sure I had a good firm grip of the bar, the weight right in the crease of my thumb, elbows down, leaving just enough shelf to hold the bar.

Then I pushed.  Right away it went higher than ever before, but it stopped dead just over my head.  Thanks to the mirror at the Y, I could see just how high it was and I thought, NO WAY ARE YOU STOPPING THERE!

My face looked like was about to have an aneurysm, slowly, one side started to go, then the other and with everything I had I locked it out.

Ta DA!  I held it over head of a long time, just to confirm to myself that I had it locked and stable over head, since the way up was so ugly.

This one was a long time in coming, after at string of achievements around the new year.  I suspect the last one may be even longer.

Still making progress.  I needed that.  



Progress update of revised weightlifting goals. Derived from intermediate level for my body weight (at the time the goals were set!) at www.exrx.net

New Strict Press PR.  Goal attained!

Lift / target weight / current PR
Bench / 190lbs / 195lbs Jan 10, 2014 (up from 185lbs) !!!!!!
Dead Lift / 300lbs / 300lbs Jan 22, 2014 (up from 285lbs) !!!!!
Press / 130lbs / 130lbs Mar 7, 2014 (up from 125lbs) !!!!!!
Power Clean / 185lbs / 185lbs Dec 30, 2013 (up from 175lbs) !!!!!!
Power snatch / 140lbs / 115lbs Aug, 15, 2013 (up from 105lbs)
Back Squat / 255lbs / 265lbs Jan 14, 2014 (up from 245lbs) !!!!!

Other lift PRs:
Front Squat 215# Sept 11, 2013
Push Press: 175# (up from 165#) Feb 18, 2014
Clean: 185# (up from 180#) Dec 23, 2013
Jerk: 185# (up from 180#) Oct 30, 2013
Snatch: 130# July 22, 2013
Clean and Jerk: 175# July 24, 2013