Squatting for Nationals 2nd last session

The last 7 training days have been up and down. Thursday was average and I struggled for reps at 90% of 1RM. Conversely I smashed 90% of 1RM for 2 sets of 4 reps on Saturday for the deadlift. So it has been a case of 1 step forward two steps back.

Given that Thursday's squat session was less than stellar I was keen to make amends last night. I knew things were looking good when I rolled in at 5:30 and it was a full house. Even better Darween and Dazza were warming up on the mono-lift so I knew I had great support with these guys pushing me.

Again I can't overemphasize the strength of PTC Perths culture and while I believe in being self reliant with training, for the big lifts there is a tangible gain from having your teammates pushing you. At PTC Perth you get that support every fucking rep.

I begin the warm-ups 55kg, 75kg, 95,kg 105.kg and each set I am conscious, in fact very very focused on my errors from Thursday. Making sure I get feet planted just right, drop into the squat through my hips, knees out and aim for chest up. I also bring my hands in a little on the bar just searching for that tightness. That is the challenge as a beginner, every rep is different as you are still bedding down form. Not to worry after Nationals I have 10 months to base build and solidify my technique.

The warm-ups progress and at 20kgs from my working set I hit a single, add 10kg for another. This weight is in fact the same as my 2nd attempt from States and it goes up well. Certainly too narrow a stance seemed to be the issue from last week and despite some problems getting the bar in the right spot on my traps it is feeling much  more solid.

Darwin and Dazza are still incrementing the weight as they get closer to their working sets but now I have the bar loaded for two sets of 3 within 10kg of my PB and final attempt at States.

Dazza is there as always ready to wrap and provide coaching. Darween is on the Mono, I have big Dan on a side spot (fuck he could probably curl this weight!) and Yianni is on the other side.

Yianni asks how many and I say '3 but see how I go for a single', he says fuck that you will get 3 and fair enough I know now on this day with this team I will get three for two sets!

Wrapped and in the mono, all calm gym stops to watch, I'm 43, tired and sore and I love this shit! 

Down I go for rep 1 its fast feels tight and good. The second rep slows a third of the way up but I push through solidly. At the time my bar positioning felt a little off and in the video after the 2nd rep it looks this way as well, the bar is moving far to much and a little lopsided. Final rep is similar to the second but looks and feels more solid, particularly at the end I think I keep my chest up far better.I can't explain just how good this set felt and I back up 10 mins later with another 3 reps. 

That weight was mine for two sets of 3 and it was a weight that 5 weeks ago was a 1RM PB! Now I am looking forward to hitting a PB in my last heavy session before openers and de-load.

Again thanks to the PTC crew on the night for getting me over the line in a big way!

Bring it on

Thomo