Still On The Right Side Of The Grass

[gymdad150]

That's fantastic to hear! So, not a sumo stance but a wide conventional stance, with something like a snatch grip?

Definitely not Sumo stance. Feet just out past the start of the knurl. My hands are still tight to my legs. It's a little cramped until the bar hits just below the knee.

No snatch grip though, that would require more knee flexion than is comfortable.

[codgerus maximus]

That's fantastic to hear! So, not a sumo stance but a wide conventional stance, with something like a snatch grip?

[gymdad150]

4/1/21

Cycle Three Week Two - reps/sets

Deadlift - 70kg 7*3, 120kg 5*3, 140kg 3*3, 160kg 2*1, 180kg *1
Deads - 150kg 7*2
Banded Goodmornings - grey band 12*3
Kroc Rows - 90lbs 8*3
Pulldowns - 110lbs 10*4
Dead Bugs - 60sec *3
Nordic Hamstring Curls - bw 10*3
Leg Ext - 60kg 20*3

Experimented with a wider stance in hopes of finding a pain free way to pull. By moving my feet out to shoulder width, I was able to get down to the bar without the type of knee flexion that gives me pain in my knee at setup and at the initiation of the pull.

I found that I was able to pull pain free...hallelujah!!!

Downside is that I'm not used to this wide stance, and it took a little off the top single (187.5kg didn't go, as I wasn't ready to push things too fast).

At least I can pull the down sets, and that should continue for a while...long enough to get comfortable with this new stance, and to get the needed training effect. Coach and I will be working to tweak the set up: bring the feet in as close as possible without knee pain.

I will say that I really felt this session in my glutes!

Nice to leave the gym walking normally, and happy with the days work.

[gymdad150]

Keep in mind that when it comes to strong geezers you're in the upper fraction of a percent!

Thanks Tim...I appreciate that!

[codgerus maximus]

Keep in mind that when it comes to strong geezers you're in the upper fraction of a percent!

[gymdad150]

3/31/21

Cycle Three Week Two - reps/sets

Paused Bench - 40kg 7*3, 55kg 5*3, 65kg 3*3, 75kg 2*2, 85kg *2, 92.5 / 96kg *1
Paused Bench - 72.5kg 7*2
Spoto - 67.5kg 7*3
Single Arm Incline Bench - 45lbs 10*3
LTE - 32.5kg 12*3
Dips - bw 12*3
EZ Bar Curls - 32.5kg 12*3
Swiss Ball Planks - 45sec *3

My attitude these days is less than positive. I had to take a moment during warmups to get my mind right. That accomplished, the session went pretty well.

That top single didn't feel soul crushingly heavy, which is a first...I think silent anger works.

[gymdad150]

Great to see you still hard at it, Chas. And between your coach and the BBM staff you have a lot of resources to draw on.

Gonna need every last one too!

[gymdad150]

3/29/21

Cycle Three Week Two - reps/sets

Squat - 70kg 7*3, 90kg 5*3, 110kg 3*2, 130kg *2, 140 / 147.5kg *1
Squat - 115kg 7*3
Paused Belt Squat - 70kg 10*3
Single Arm Hi Row - #11 10*3
In Place Lunge - 24kg 10*3
Dead Bug - 45sec *3
Leg Exten (l/r) - 50kg 20*3

I reserve comment...

Suffice to say, the work is getting done.

[codgerus maximus]

Great to see you still hard at it, Chas. And between your coach and the BBM staff you have a lot of resources to draw on.

[gymdad150]

3/27/21

Cycle Three Week One - reps/sets

Paused SSB (@7) - 90kg 5*3
Paused Bench (@7) - 77.5kg 3*3
Cable RDL - #16 10*3
Revs Fly - 45lbs 10*3
Dumbbell Press tempo down - 25lbs 10*4
Planks - 60sec *3
Hammer Curls - 70lbs 10*3
Tri Pulldown - #10 10*3
Leg Extensions (l/r) - 50kg 20*3

Pretty easy Saturday session. I stayed at the appropriate RPE as requested...I'm such an adult.

[gymdad150]

This aging business, did we sign up for this? I trust we'll still get to share a platform one of these days, even if we have to hobble up to it.
Does the knee bother you when you're not training?

In all honesty, yes. I find that playing golf is almost out of the question...I can't get over to my left side easily / comfortably. Walking long distances make my knee stiffen up. Let it stay in a "bent" position for any period of time, and it takes a moment to straighten it so I can stand on it. Haven't played any Squash since everything went into lockdown, but I imagine moving about the court wouldn't be easy, and the morning after would be "interesting".

Sounds shitty, but I've gotten somewhat used to it.

I'm gonna keep at this powerlifitng thing regardless...

[codgerus maximus]

This aging business, did we sign up for this? I trust we'll still get to share a platform one of these days, even if we have to hobble up to it.
Does the knee bother you when you're not training?

[gymdad150]

3/26/21

Back from the Orthopaedic specialist...

Fortunately, I have no ligament damage...annnnnd I have no cartilage damage, BECAUSE I HAVE NO CARTILAGE LEFT.

The diagnosis is "advanced arthritis". There is nothing that can be done, save a knee replacement sometime down the line when the pain is too much to work around.

So, at this point in time we work in ranges of movement where we can. I think the available movement patterns will allow for a robust enough training effect to still "compete".

Wadda ya gonna do, not train?

No points are given at the end of the day for a body turned in unused!!!

[codgerus maximus]

What ever is going on in my knee joint has finally made it impossible to get into proper position to pull effectively, efficiently, and most importantly - safely.

Sorry to hear your knee is still bothering you. I hope it is something that will just take some more time to get back to normal. It seems like a good sign that you can still pull more than 300 pounds.

[gymdad150]

3/25/21

Cycle Three Week One - reps/sets

Deadlift - 75kg 7*3, 125kg 5*3, 145kg 3*2, 165kg *2, 185kg X, 195kg...LOL!

Low Big Wheel Pulls - 180kg *1, 195kg *1
LBWP - 155kg 7*2
Banded Goodmornings - Grey band 12*3
Pulldowns - 100lbs 10*4
Kroc Rows - 80lbs 8*3
Dead Bugs - 60sec *3

Da pigeons have come to roost...

What ever is going on in my knee joint has finally made it impossible to get into proper position to pull effectively, efficiently, and most importantly - safely.

Low Big Wheel Pulls are pushing it. Hi Big Wheel Pulls are no problem...

And so, I'm set up for a session with an orthopod tomorrow: Imaging and consult.

I've been putting this off since August, hoping it would resolve itself...