Tonight was a big night for the PTC Perth crew. Our last scheduled squat session called for 100% 1RM for a double and yes it felt like a big ask.
All 7 of the team was ready to squat tonight and coupled with a full gym and ACDC pumping the atmosphere was electric. I took time tonight with my warm-ups making sure I got to my top set feeling strong and in the groove. One of the many learning's over the last two months has been that some warmup sets will feel good others shit. The key is not to dwell on the bad ones just get the form right and keep moving up.
There was plenty of rest between sets tonight, no one was rushing to get to their top set but the vibe was good and confidence high. I felt good but as my warm-ups progressed my second and third last set felt rough slightly out of the groove.
I sat and collected my thoughts and watched the rest of the team under the bar. The mental toughness required particularly for the squat in powerifting is significant. That feeling of a limit poundage on your traps driving you into the hole, trying to staple you to the floor is sensational. Even though you are surrounded by spotters and straps in the mono are there to catch you there is still the hint of fear just below the surface.
The lads are looking solid and in no time at all I am up. I am feeling it and want more pressure the weight on the bar is my single PB from States. I ask for an extra 2.5kg and I am going to double this. Dazza wraps as always, it's tighter tonight but I don't mind it's game on and time to go inside.
Hands on the bar now, it's cold, I smell the chalk, I can feel the energy from my team mates and their support. This double is mine. I lift off and then sit down, feel the pressure driving me down further...then up and first rep is done. This PB is definitely mine now, as I drive the second rep up and rack that fucker.
Simple a 2.5kg PB and I doubled it!
I work through my bench session but help the rest of the team as they hit their top sets. A few of the lads had trouble with the double tonight but it's understandable with the numbers we have been running and the numbers they had to hit tonight.
Dazza in particular couldnt get the groove tonight but I know he will smash it at Nats. He went 9/9 at States and is a big game performer.
Two sessions to go and we deload, I can't wait for deadlifts Friday.
Stay Strong
Thomo
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