8 Days Out - What's Going On!

How I'm feeling going into the second annual Sonny Conly Memorial Meet at Nittany Barbell

Once again, I am approaching a meet. Only 7 or so weeks since my bench performance at the VIP Spring Classic, I am competing at Nittany Barbell in Bellefonte full power as a sort of “tune up” meet in preparation for IPA Worlds this October hosted by my good friend Matt Brooks.

After the last meet, I realized if I’m going to travel down to Virginia to lift under Matt’s banner I should probably iron out any kinks before I put out the money to do so. The big variable is my new Overkill Canvas Squat Suit, which I got very late into my last training cycle. So, I checked some fed calendars and this meet was the only one that really worked/was easy enough to get to.

I keep having to remind myself that this meet is really just for practice; although I do think if luck is on my side I might be able to squeak away with a small PR total.

Squat

Honestly, this has been the problem child this training cycle. I am having trouble getting through that last inch or two in my new suit, but thankfully have some ideas as to what to change next training cycle.

I took my opener (730lbs) twice, and both times I was still a hair high. I went up to my planned second at 785lbs, but missed in the hole. Not very confidence inspiring, but I think it was more technical than anything. I very much need to “open” more, so let’s hope I can bring that to the table on meet day.

Bench

I did my typical opener protocol this past Tuesday and it went pretty good. I took 635lbs to a touch (almost, my training partner called me up a millimeter early- I have no doubt this will come down much easier when I am more fatigued after squatting), planned 2nd attempt at 675lbs to a 1 board and 3rd at 705lbs to a 3 board.

All moved really well and despite feeling very downtrodden from the fast and loud turnaround I was super patient in the shirt and made weights move fast. Of all the lifts, my bench is feeling the best (who would’ve guessed?).

Deadlift

I went back to The Gym and Crossfit Alcides to pull on their Texas Deadlift Bar and see some old friends. It was a good time, but I learned here that my hook grip debut will have to wait until a future training cycle. I got up to my opener and gave myself a dime-sized, quarter-inch thick blood blister and realized it’s just too finicky for me right now. I very much would like to NOT bomb on deadlifts.

I made a game time decision to switch back to over-under. I took 555lbs (the top end of my opener range- depending on a few factors I will open between 500-555 ish) twice after the blood blister, and swung at 605 but again had something technical snub the lift. Setup rushed and rolled my foot a little, which cost me at the top. However, I’m very confident in this still- I just fucked up something small. I know how not to do that; I just didn’t see benefit in swinging again with my hands in the state they were.

I have some plans on long-term dialing in hook. I think my training partner is correct, I just need more time to accumulate that skin resilience; as well as getting better at quickly setting the position of my thumb in the suit.

Here is a video of my openers. Wish me luck! I will report back when the meet has passed.