A Top 40 Weightlifting Blog

Sunday, December 31, 2023

New Year Reflection/Prediction

2023 has been quite the crazy year. First let's review the predictions I had for 2023.

Here are some predictions for 2023.

Since Covid is slowing becoming a thing of the past moving back to normal is the goal. We caught Covid and servived Covid. We got our shots. Time to move on. Being a recluse is comfortable. Being social takes effort. When the winter is over it's time to party! Life is too short to hang out at home.

I really want to tour the Central/Southern/Eastern United States. It would be a very long trip but life is short. Now to convince the wife. My two kids at home would love to do it. Fingers crossed.

As per getting out of the house I would like to compete again. It's been since 2016 that I did battle. There's a novice strongman competition coming up in the spring. Maybe. I'll continue to focus on form and mobility and continue to get stronger.

Other than getting out and about I'm very happy with life. So, not many changes for 2023.

Here's what happened in 2023.

In January our dishwasher leaked from an Improperly installed drain line. It took two years to come loose. Water leaked under the kitchen floor and into the basement. We called the insurance company and thankfully we were covered for all damages. Since so much work was getting done we took the contractor's advice and decided to upgrade our entire kitchen and basement. Some of the expenses are ours but it's a great opportunity to update a large percentage of our 1990's home. During the summer our contractor decided to drop our job and we were lefts on the hook to find a new contractor to carry out the job. Long story short, we found an excellent new contactor and we're happy about that despite still living in the middle of a construction project. All the plans to travel were canceled and life has literally been on pause.

I started working Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Have been for most of the year. In September I told my boss that I quit. There were several big issues that my employer handled extremely poorly. That plus being constantly treated like shit, it was time to move on. However, a week into my two weeks notice our executive promised us they would be taking a more active roll in our quality of life at the work place. I decided to stick around to see what changes would be made if any. The middle of December I formally resigned. My last day of work is 7 January. Currently, I'm hoping for Nonsuch Brewing to contact me or I'm getting back into the reserves. 

In April I competed at my first strongman competition. Such a lot of fun that also scared the crap outta me. I was the oldest and finished 14th of 22 athletes. Some events, log and frame deadlifts I did really well. Other events, kegs and yoke carry I really sucked. Lots to work on but lots of fun. In November I helped out at Strongest Women In Canada (SWIC) and Canadian Strongman Nationals. It was held at Minto Armouries. An amazing venue for an even more amazing event. Lots of work but I'm glad I volunteered. Silly me I signed up for the Manitoba Provincial Powerlifting Championships. I'm into week three of training. Everything is going well. I comment regularly about training on this blog. 

I stopped taking Contrave. It seemed to work alright at first but towards the end it was making me snack more. No regrets. I'm glad not to be taking four pills everyday. 

A new driver backed into my car and wrinkled my driver's side door. I have an appointment 10 January to see if it will be repaired of be written off. I love this car.

Family is doing well. It sucks to be waiting for the renovations but everyone is holding together. My wife is doing better than ever. I'm so lucky she loves me. Only two kids at home. The older graduated with a proper graduation ceremony. It was really nice. Now she's taking a year off to work and figure out what she's going to do. Our youngest is still trucking along. Grade ten is going well. Two more to go. Her goal is to become a lawyer. My oldest child is still winning at life. My son is also having lots of fun.

Here is my prediction for 2024.

So far it looks like it's going to be the conclusion of everything that's been happening in 2023. It's going to be a huge year. However, there isn't a whole lot to discuss as the wheels are already in motion  for what's going to happen.

The kitchen/house should be done by the spring. Couple more months to go.

My parents are selling their house in Nova Scotia and moving to Winnipeg. Hopefully this will happen shortly after the Manitoba Provincials 2-4 February. Having them here will be a huge improvement in their quality of life.

I will be starting another job. I hope I can get into the reserves.

I may be getting a new (to me) car.

Maybe I'll do a Strongman competition in the fall. 

Happy New Year 

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Day 9 Tire Deadlifts

Prior to training today I was still concerned with my right hamstrings tendon with regard to deadlifts. A little subtle pushing has always helped in the past to get through little nagging issues. In this case the issue seems to be still there but I'm getting past it. At least it's not getting any worse. 

Light Stretches. 

Theragun. 

Tire Deadlifts - 2 sets/6 reps/165lbs, 2 sets/3 reps/235lbs, 325lbs/2+1 reps, 415lbs/2+1 reps, 465lbs/1 rep, (belt) 535lbs/1 rep, 3 sets/1 rep/325lbs (overhand grip)



Theragun. 

Feeling good for Provincials. 535lbs =~ 242.5kg. That's and easy Provincial record. Considering it's the last training day of 2023 I had to go for it. Thanks to my friend John Beres for reminding me of that. 

Snowdaddy 

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Day 8 Bench Press

Onto the bench today. Keep pushing. 

Rebounding - 15 minutes. 

Light Stretches. 

Bench Press - 2 sets/12 reps/135lbs, 225lbs/6 reps, 275lbs/6 reps.

Power Phase - 325lbs/1 rep, 3 sets/1 rep/335lbs, 355lbs/1 rep.



Pump Phase - 3 sets/7 reps/225lbs (Narrow Grip)

Very stressed but getting control. I almost died during the final power phase. 355lbs got caught under the J hook on my left side. Totally a max effort.

Snowdaddy 

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Day 7 Squats and Stress

So stressed out right now. My home is not my home. Work is crazy. All that on top of the holidays. I feel physically stronger with good potential to hit good numbers at the upcoming Provincials. 

Rebounding - 15 minutes. 

Leg Swings and Dynamic Stretches. 

Squats - bar/8 reps, 135lbs/6 reps, 185lbs/4 reps, 225lbs/4 reps, 275lbs/4 reps, 315lbs/4 reps, (belt) 365lbs/1 rep.

Power Phase - 5 sets/1 rep/415lbs.



Pump Phase - 3 sets/7 reps/225lbs.


415lbs feels good, not great. I have to work on depth and dynamic speed. My last single felt like it should. The other four weren't great. I feel this is due to my bodyweight. I'm fat.

Snowdaddy 

Friday, December 22, 2023

Tire Deadlifts

Again, what a crazy week. Yesterday I went to Nonsuch Brewing for a social media video taping. This was the second time as the first attempt didn't work out. During the first time I asked for a job but I didn't send my resume. At this time they asked why I didn't. I made sure I did this time around. Hopefully I'll be employed at Nonsuch in the new year. Speaking of New Year, 2024 is going to be amazing. I'll talk about it on my end Year post.

Light Stretches. 

Tire Deadlifts - 265lbs/3,3,1,4 reps, 325lbs/3,3,1 reps, 375lbs/1,3,4,8 reps.


Plate Side Laterals - 25lbs/12 reps, 35lbs/12 reps.

My right Hamstring top insertion is still present. I just gotta keep working. Not much weight but lots of sets and reps.

Snowdaddy 

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Day 5 Bench Press

Yesterday was crazy. The steal a quote from Mugatu from Zoolander, "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!!!" Yes I quit my job. I've been there for just over five years. Without any hope of it getting any better its time to pull the pin and move on to something different. For now there's Bench Press. 

Rebounding - 30 minutes. 

Light Stretches. 

Bench Press - 2 sets/12 reps/135lbs, 225lbs/12 reps.

Power Phase - 3 sets/1 rep/325lbs, 335lbs/1 rep, 345lbs/1 rep.


Pump Phase - (Narrow Grip) 3 sets/6,6,7 reps/225lbs.


Now it's time to eat! Feeling good. 

Snowdaddy 

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Day 4 Squats, oh ya

Stess is the name of the game lately. My job finally pissed me off enough that I quit! I am a lion, an old lion. My work assumes we are sheep and can treat us in that fashion. Not me! Hell no! I emailed my resignation this morning. I also printed a bunch of resumes. Now it's time to SQUAT!

Rebounding - 30 minutes. 

Theragun.

Leg Swings and Dynamic Stretches. 

Squats - bar/6 reps, 135lbs/6 reps, 225lbs/6 reps, 315lbs/4 reps (no belt), 365lbs/3 reps.

Power Phase - 3 sets/1 rep/405lbs, 2 sets/1 rep/415lbs.


Pump Phase - 3 sets/6,6,7 reps/225lbs.

Slowly evolving sets and reps. More of a gradual warm up with less reps but more sets. More reps in the Pump Phase. Squats are coming back nicely. Final 415lbs felt smooth.

Snowdaddy 

Friday, December 15, 2023

Day 3 Testing Er' Out

My right Hamstring top insertion strain is still evident. When I sit for longer periods my leg feels weird especially the top of my right foot. Everything is connected. It's been several weeks now since it happened and it should be back to normal. It doesn't seem to be so now I gotta push. Today was more of a test day. A test day that went alright. 

Leg Swings and Dynamic Stretches. 

Deadlifts - 2 sets/6 reps/225lbs, 315lbs/6 reps, 405lbs/1 rep (no belt) , 495lbs/1 rep (belt).


Feeling good! A little bit of a pause at the point of issue. Still got er' done.

Snowdaddy

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Day 2 Bench Press

Despite my stressful life right now I'm super pumped about getting ready for Manitoba Powerlifting Provincials. Day 1 went really well which really helped. 

Rebounding - 30 minutes. 

Light Stretches. 

Bench Press

Power Phase - 135lbs/12 reps, 225lbs/12 reps, 4 sets/1 rep/325lbs, 335lbs/1 rep.



Pump Phase - 3 sets/6 reps/225lbs.

The stress I'm going through is the renovations on approximately 50% of my house and work. The house is going to be epic when it's done and that keeps me grounded. Work is the same as always. Oh well, I'll see how the weekend goes.

Snowdaddy 

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Day 1 Provincials Training

I spent a little while convincing myself that competing at the 2024 Manitoba Powerlifting Provincials is a good idea. Strength is slowly coming back and I really want to be the Manitoba Provincial record holder, M2 120+kg.

Today is day 1 of training. I've decided to use a modified Hepburn B program that I've used extensively in the past. Power singles followed by a Pump Phase.

Rebounding - 30 minutes. 

Leg Swings and Dynamic Stretches. 

Squats - bar/6 reps, 135lbs/6 reps, 225lbs/6 reps, 315lbs/3 reps (no belt), 315lbs/3 reps (belt)

Power Phase - 4 sets/1 rep/405lbs, 415lbs/1 rep.



Pump Phase - 3 sets/4 reps/225lbs.

Theragun. 

Good first day. If I'm not mistaken 8 weeks of training to go.

Snowdaddy 

Thursday, December 07, 2023

Rack Pulls

My right Hamstring top insertion is still present. When I sit too long it shows there is something not quite right. It radiate down into my right foot. Ok, enough being a big baby. I've taken the rest. It's time to move ahead.

Today I felt like doing some rack pulls.

Theragun.

Leg Swings and Dynamic Stretches. 

Rebounding - 20 minutes. 

Theragun. 

19 inch Rack Pulls - 2 sets/6 reps/135lbs, 2 sets/6 reps/225lbs, 2 sets/6 reps/315lbs, 2 sets/3 reps/405lbs, 3 sets/1,1,2 reps/495lbs.


Theragun. 

Only time will tell if this was smart or not. I'll see tomorrow. 

Snowdaddy 

Wednesday, December 06, 2023

NG Bench Press

A couple hours after SSB Squats I decided to catch up the week by doing some Narrow Grip Bench Press. 

NG Bench Press - 2 sets/12 reps/135lbs, 4 sets/8 reps/225lbs.

Feels good to push a bit.

Snowdaddy 

SSB Squats

My house and thus my life is upside down right now. We're into day three of major renovations of the kitchen, living room, basement, main floor bathroom and front entrance. Of course my mind is elsewhere. Today I managed to gather together what motivation I could muster and got under a bar.

Leg Swings and Dynamic Stretches. 

Safety Squat Bar Squats - bar/8 reps, 140lbs/8 reps, 230lbs/6 reps, 320lbs/6 reps, 350lbs/1,4,6 reps.



Ugliest 6 reps of my life but I still did them. Strength is still solid and going in the right direction. 

Snowdaddy