Steve 'Mobster' Gardener keeps it nice n gritty training log

Friday
The last couple of days I've done a little stretching to try and ease some of the aches and pains whilst keeping in some kind of readiness for Saturday's ''Whey Power Challenge''. One of the issues with the more frequent training I've recently adopted from a certain David Horne (who he?? ha ha) is a feeling of 'shouldn't I be training or something' on rest days. This is probably a combination of a lack of caffeine from the usual pre-workout brown stuff and no endorphins floating around the blood stream (the so-called exercise high hormone).

That, of course, gets added to the 'how will I do, I wanna do well' antsy feeling pre any kind of competition that many get. My big lift tomorrow is the bench. I hit a PB of 185-kilos at Gymnation 2 weeks ago (following a 175 and a 180). Then two more big sessions consisted of 4 singles with 180 and then lastly 4 more with 182.5-kilos. I know, as others who've seen logs of mine before, that I do well in competition so I'm all 'how will I do tomorrow?'.

On paper it's AT LEAST 180-kilos. In other words the worst day I might have I'll get 4 plates a side. With coffee etc I should do 10-kilo more than last year, so a touch-n-go 187.5-kilos. But if the moon aligns etc etc I'd like 190-kilos plus. I'd probably go swimming in bubbly if I get 200-kilos.

On a slightly different mental aspect to the heavy stuff... the more times I hit 180kilos the less it scares me. Yes; scares me. Here's the thing. Firstly it has taken me FOR EVER to get to this level. Secondly I can still remember, back when my spine worked, squatting 4 plates a side and it being hard work. Now I get to hold it over my chest and try not to drop it on my face and so on. Slightly off... I realized I've kinda out grown where the bars are set in my power rack. Hole 7 used to be at a perfect height to stop me getting pinned under the weight. But I've bulked up, with winter training clothes helping, to the point where my chest sits a lot higher than the pins. That's great for the 'gosh look how big I am' ego but worrying for the 'good lord I hope I don't get pinned' thinking ha ha. Back... so the more times I do the lift the less and less I even think about it. It's all 'lower it slowly, touch chest, push fast, push fast and Lock OUT!'

More to follow.

Be good to see the big Bench today.

See you soon.

Whey Power Challenge
Nice seeing everyone as always. I hit a 190-kilo PB (12.5 better than the 177.5 from last year and an in the gym 5-kilo PB) which was the heaviest of the day. Cool

I had a go at the strict curls failing at 66-kilos but this was as I knew it might be - made hard on any aches, pains and strains.

Finally and after the Xmas dinner (thanks to Mike and Nick (and a little bit of Kye's dad) - cheers guys) I had a crack at the Vulcan 20mm set. I equalled Paul Knights level 19 20mm close, then having missed a level 20 with the block had a successful crack at a wide set level 20 (neither card nor block so not official). Videos etc to follow.

Nice stuff - well done!!

Steve,

Did you get the videos that I sent through of the Vulcan closes?

Jim

Yes mate. Replied via email. Do you have the unofficial level 20 close as well (was the last one we did)?

Back after a very nice day spent with my daughter and son-in-law. Also met up with the other parents, took photos with my grand daughter and so on.

Having done very well, ta much, on the CG Bench (making 190-kilos (touch n go style) and missing 200 and lifting the most on the day on that lift) and then post xmas dinner with the crew hitting Level 19 20mm set on the Vulcan Gripper I had a day or 3's rest. But working the grind stone is what keeps me ahead of the rest of the baying wolves so...

Wednesday/xmas eve
Did some work (packing orders) then
Vulcan Gripper work
B/H: L1 x 6 reps @, L7 x 3 reps @
L/H: L12 x 1 rep, L14 x 2 x 1 reps, L15 x 1, VVN, VVN
R/H: L16 x 1 rep, L18 x 1 rep, L19 x VVN, VVN, VN

2HP (thick)
Started with the 70mm (2 x 15-kilo plates and heavy pin)
+30-kilos x 6 reps, +50-kilos x 3 reps, +70-kilos x 1 rep

Changed to 67mm/90-kilo plate
6 x 1 reps, then 2 reps, then 3 reps, then a 5-second hold (no belt etc so harder on the body than the hands) x 1 to finish. Borderline deep meat burn.

Bwt (same set up as before but sans boots): 290lbs

Steve,

Not sure about that last vulcan video. I'll check again but don't think that it was documented.

Jim

I think it was filmed but you may not have saved it or deleted it. There's no block or credit card involved just the Level 20 close.

My god I've been feeling rough. I've had the dodgiest guts ever all day yesterday and most of today so far. I'm having to force myself to get stuff done, eat and so on. Most of xmas day and I fear most of today has been and will be spent on the 'loo'.

Eeeeeeeeeeeee - not good!

You did cook the turkey corectly?

Started before breakfast. It might have been what seemed to be a very nice pie my daughter cooked for me or some red cabbage I had at her house. The whole thing is very draining.

Sounds desperate. You still suffering?

Yep. Since I arrived here in Gloucester I've only been to the docs to sign on and for an initial check up. I may have to go again.

If it's food poisoning they will want a stool sample to test for salmanela! Nice job for someone in the holidays, poking around in Steve's shit!