State title - pics

Quick update - pics and response to comments....

"How many women were in your division, weight class?" As far as I know we were all in different classes - here are the top 3 placings (total/body weight)

OPEN WOMEN
Vicki O'Brien 345 @ 66
Louise Vu-Duy 255 @ 54
Romy Klotnick 290 @ 74

"why aren't you allowed to wear the t-shirt under the bench shirt?" It is against the rules to double shirt.... so the T-shirt constitutes an unfair advantage.... ahem..... So I can only wear a sports bra or crop top underneath.....

Meet the Doherty's squat training team....

Mil (Webby working the monolift on the left)

Jason (overall winner for the day!!)

80 kg bench (Leigh lifting off for me....)

Press call - 80kg

145kg deadlift

Trophy - complete with implants.... LOL

1st place - Vic State Powerlifting Titles

Yep, there you go, I won the state title with a total of 345kg at 66.6kg bodyweight.

Actually, thats a lower total than I did for the masters just 6 weeks ago of 360kg. So while I am ecstatic to have won my first state open title I am a little disappointed with my lifting on the day. I opened with a 120kg squat for which I was give one red light on the right side for depth. my next lift which was to be a state record was a 135kg squat but failed on depth - 2 red lights, third attempt again 135kg 2 reds again - as it was a state record I was given a 4th attempt but I was spent, got the depth only because I could not get back up - 3 reds. Looking at the photos 2nd attempt was definately shallow but the third attempt looks borderline - they were being tough.

Failed 135kg 3rd attempt

Next the bench press, easy opener on 70kg. Jumped to 80 kg with Shazza's bench bitch shirt and got it (a comp pb for me) set up for 85kg on the third and the side judge (the one that gave me red on every squat) pulled me up because I had a tshirt under the bench shirt - which is not allowed (I'm still learning) so I had one minute to take off the bench shirt (impossible) and the tshirt and refit the bench shirt - had no time to get my belt on made the attempt at 85 but was so rushed and no belt - could not lock it out. So that was a lesson well learnt - something to be aware of in the nationals.

Finally the deadlift, opened easy on 130kg, next attempt at 145kg - 3 whites but it took its toll. 3rd attempt at 157.5 trying to beat my own pb but couldn't get it moving off the floor. Called it a day there - there was no chance of taking Shazza's deadlift record that day.

Overall the judging was harsh and erratic. They failed lots of lifters on depth for squat - one judged seemed to call it as 'if in doubt, fail it' yet on some of the other lifters who definitely did not break parallel we given the all clear. The deadlift, a lot were red lighted on failed lockouts and even one of the female competitors who got her finger caught on her suit was red lighted for 'hitching' (that is pulling up twice)

The venue was quite nice and the only complaint I would say was the air conditioning - it was way to cold. After warming up the lift, we had to put on jackets and then before the lift taken them off and freeze. Hopefully they'll sort that out for the nationals

Victorian Female competitors

Its time

Well this is it.... There wont be an update on until after the comp on Saturday (unless I sneak a quick one in after the weigh in). The body is feeling good, no niggles (thanks to the anti-inflamms -lol ) I'm confident of some big lifts and I have a 380kg total in my sights.


Day off work tomorrow, sauna in the morning as I'm still sitting just under 69kg and then off to Altona for the lunchtime weigh in. Once I've made weight I'll be heading out to review the battle plan with Leigh over a coffee and the nice array of Haigh's chocolates that I purchased today. Spotted a nice pair of shoes that should do nicely as deadlift shoes - grabbed those - they're nice and flat, soft leather upper - so as not to hurt my poor big toe and its bloody bone spur.... I tried to get new jiffies but they're no where to be found.

Check back again on Sunday for results and Monday I should have some pics and clips (via youtube) from the comp

Tapering....

Well down to to final countdown. Last bench session yesterday and I'm keeping it quiet. Looking forward to some big lift and already starting the planning for the Nationals in August. Have set myself a goal for a 400kg total (880lbs). The comp last month saw me attain a 360kg total (792lb) I believe that the my goal is achievable. I will have some more 'shirt' time under my belt and also expect to get into a deadlift suit for the Nationals - if I can get the money together I'd like another new squat suit as well. I've mentioned before that I'd like to get the really tough 'Hardcore' squat suit from Inzer but at $US 145.00 its a big jump from the $US 42.00 'Z-suit' that I have now - with the exchange rate and shipping........ Given that the 'Max DL' deadlift suit I want is also $US 145.00 I think I'm gonna have to flip a coin and only get one. Of course having both would likely guarantee a National Tittle!!


Tonight I'll have my last training session - just a very light squat and deadlift, enough to keep the blood pumping thru the muscles and keep the joints mobile.

Stretching routine every morning and night and extra BCAA's 3 times a day. Was down to 67.7kg but now back up to 68kg, (150lb) just fluid I guess, but need to get under 67.5 for the weigh in on Friday.


Tomorrow is a public Holiday here in Australia, ANZAC day, so I get a sleep in - yay!! Carrying the pager for work tho' but at least I can stay in my jammies all day if I want to - LOL Well that's about it for today - not much else to report, just tapering down for the big day. I know you're all rooting for me.

XXX


Footnote: New pics on AMG - Sitemeter is spinning Whoo-hooo!!

Last big squat

At Doherty's *with* all the right equipment at 7pm - ready for the last big squat session before the comp. This time using the monolift instead of the squat cage so Leigh had tee'd up with Jason to give us a hand as you really need someone spotting you and someone working the monolift.


This was my first time using the monolift and it was a little strange to start with getting under the bar and not having to walk out. Made sure my footing was correct, lift the bar off, the supports move away and squat. Started the warmup with 50kg, just to get the feel of the monolift and to get my legs and hips moving. progressed up to 80 ish before lightly wrapping my knees (never really sure about how much in on the bar.... I leave the loading of the bar to Leigh) at around 100kg the suit went on - just half way. Then it was time to pull the straps up and get serious - doubles. Ahhh 115? 122.5?? and 135 - I had no idea what was on there until after. The first 135 did not feel deep enough, neither did the second one, but Leigh and Jason seemed to think they were pretty close - perhaps just a fraction lower would be good. Finally, after knowing that I had just done 135kg. We opted for one more attempt - a single at 140kg. With Jason ready to catch me from behind I dropped into the squat nicely...... and could not get up..... Bahhhhhh.

Well good things from this session:
a) the suit is fitting better - therefore not losing my balance.
b) I know I'll get at least a 135kg squat - which is 5k more than the record I set in March.
c) Experience in the monolift - since they are using one in the comp.

The other thing I have going for me is that we have not been using the 2.5m wraps - this will also give me some advantage on the day, they're new and they're longer! Its shaping up good!

Just another manic Monday

Monday night, I raced Madi to Lisa's house, as we thought she was booked in to do her C-Certificate exam Tuesday night. In the madness of getting home and rushing around I left my squat suit and post workout protein drink both sitting in the kitchen. It was not until I had arrived at Doherty's at 7pm that I realized - Uggghhh. What to do....?? Shazza to the rescue! As luck would have it Shaz was doing cardio and she was wonderful enough to agree to train me for bench instead.

Went over to the guys to tell them I'd be benching instead tonight and here's Jason with his arm bandaged and in a sling!! Leigh asks him "what happened Jason?". "Paper cut" was the reply and they all laughed - another dig at my incredibly sore and bruised finger - what a hilarious bunch of jokers (under Leigh's command) Revenge will be mine.

Back over to Shaz for training..... Again we worked up raw to doing doubles at 80kg (however I felt like she had a finger under the bar helping it up - she swears not.....) After that it was on with her Denim shirt - we're leaving the tough metal shirt for now, working partials on 100kg with Leigh doing the lift off as Shaz wont be at the comp. Once training was over, the mad rush back home to pick up Madi from Lisa's.

So late when I finally got to bed.... and to top it off a crappy nights sleep, mind spinning, mosquito buzzing, too hot, too cold uggghhhhh

Tuesday, as it turned out, Madi had not been put forward to do the exam - what an anti-climax! Took myself off to Definition to the the Bench supp work that I was not able to complete last night. Dumbell floor presses, elbows out press, chain pullups, cable rear delt flyes and seated row retractions.

Slept like a rock!!


Tonight - going back for 'the' squat session I was supposed to have Monday - Handy email from Leigh reminding me of all the things I need to bring for training.

DON'T FORGET YOUR;
Squat suit
Knee wraps
Belt Wrist
wraps
Chalk
Lifting shoes
Dry spare T shirt
Sox etc
Hair net thing or scrunchie
War face and hard attitude (most people forget these because they are empty heads)

Me thinketh he is being a smartarse! LOL

Called Joanne today for a chat - haven't spoken for a couple of weeks - we're both so busy..... Too bloody busy to tell me she's gotten engaged!!! Steve popped the question last week!!! Talk about your whirl wind romance - 6months??? He's had to head off to QLD for work and after all she went thru with Martin dragging her around from place to place on a promise... she told Steve she wasn't going to move interstate unless there was some commitment from him - I don't think she was expecting a proposal tho' !! Anyway I'm so happy for her. Sad for me 'cos probably by the end of the year my best friend will have moved away again - but well on the positive side.... somewhere to go for a holiday!!

Back from holidays

Have been down the beach for a few days of the holidays with Madi and Mojo. Great weather and mostly relaxing.......



Except that we drove down (3 hrs almost) without any dash lights in the car and no tail lights either - and it was dark! Plus the next day we found that one of the tires on the float had blown out and the wheel brace I had did not fit the nuts on the float!! Thankfully one of the neighbors came to the rescue with the right size brace and we could get the tire off. Later in the day when we got back from the beach Madi discovered a nail in another tire on the float and with no more spares I wasn't going to pull the nail out as risk a flat tire, so on the way home we called into a tire place and replaced *all* the tires - they was on the to do list any way.


Dinner and a movie with Leigh on Sat night, saw "300". Lots of nice bodies those Spartans! LOL. I am *soooo* not used to the 'full service" date that I forgot to take my keys when Leigh picked me and so when he dropped me off - I was locked out of the house! Could only happen to me! A lovely night out ending with me breaking into my own home....

House warming BBQ yesterday, ok, I've been there for 3 years.... so??? I hate entertaining, so stressed I forgot to take pics - sorry!

Last training days coming up. Squatting tonight - again more suit work with no finger squashing! I wonder what damage I can do tonight?

Happy Easter

Well the Easter Bunny has been and gone and left tonnes of chocolate which will probably take the next 6 months to get thru. Leah, Madi and I are all well and truly over it! LOL

So, whats been happening you ask.... Thursday night I did my deadlift test, prior to training I thought it a smart thing to eat 2 krispy kreme donuts - sugar = energy. Wrong, Krispy kreme's & deadlifts = indigestion and crap lifting. Best lift was 140kg after throwing up into my mouth - yuck. Made a couple of pathetic attempts at 150kg but no go. Well serves me right! Went on with my supp training but it just wasn't happening, had the prickly bar for squatting and it dug way into my already tender back, then my shoulder was tight and painful getting under the bar - gave up and left them gym in a stink. Pretty disgusted with myself, but just have to put it down to learning what *not* to do.

Friday - gym closed. Sat around eating chocolate.

Sat - lots of running around and a quick catchup with Clay for coffee and a few photo's at Blackburn Sanctuary. Once I've sorted thru them I'll be passing them onto Andy to update my page on AMG. Sunday, Pony club for Madi. Caught up with some of the mum's. Jane is going thru a rought patch with Dean (he's moved out) and Monique and her hubby have split.


Off to train at Doherty's under Leigh's guidance. This time we just worked the suit. After a few mishaps ie me dumping the bar etc Leigh dropped the weight back around 100/ 110 and 5 reps, slowly brought the weight up, telling me there was only 115 or so on the bar when in fact there was 120ish and much better reps, back up to 125 and 13o for doubles although I faltered on the very last rep - it was fatigue not anything else. I was happy with that - really hated putting the weight down - so demoralizing - but it worked to get me back in the right context for the lifts - as does not telling me what's on the bar. At some point in amongst all this lifting I managed to jam my finger in the rack under the bar when I was racking the bar after my reps - did that ever kill - I swear I saw stars and started to shake. Have a nice swollen purple finger as a result - and got very little sympathy.

More pain was to be had taking the suit off, I could only get it so far and then Leigh had to dig his fingers in under the seam - I am not looking forward to putting it back on. The photo's I took this morning say it all - you can see the bruises. Shaz was in training shoulders, so we waited until she had finished and we all went down to Lygon st for pizza and coffee. Followed up with a debrief just Leigh and I.

Today, running around getting things ready for Madi's party (which is still going on at this moment.

Tomorrow, benching with Shaz. Must remind her to bring her denim shirt...... Then heading down the beach with Madi and Mojo for a couple of days.

Back on Thursday in time for my speed work.

Bench Training

Arranged for my colleague, Bane, to cover the pager for the last hour of the day while I benched with Shaz. Amazing how easily Bane is bribed with coffee or chocolate, hmmm for that matter so am I.... In fact the whole BDE team can be bought with chocolate.... "you want the bug fix in what version? Rejected, no longer supported - ohhh you have chocolate?? I'll have that fix for you this afternoon..." LOL

Anyways.... at Doherty's and I warm up on 60kg for reps, 70kg - 2 sets of doubles and then again 80kg - 1 double. Important observation - If I follow the bar across my body with my eyes - I lose form - if I don't watch it I stay tight(er) although its hard not to watch where the bar is going and even harder to bring it down with out looking at it..... but it if helps me keep tight.......

On with the shirt..... partials with 80kg (impossible!!) partials with 100kg better - getting half way down doing triples. To finish of this weeks session, Shaz had me remove the shirt and just take the bar over, while holding form - this was done with 100k on the bar. I could hold it, despite my arms shaking a little. Did this a few times and then tried one partial - raw - scary stuff! one was enough!

Later after going home and eating, I was back in Definition to do my westside supplemental work for about an hour. Tired but feeling good. In bed a little after 9.30, 5 mins reading (Dying Light by Stuart MacBride) out like a light after just a few minutes....

The outlook is good for a big big squat!

The new squat suit fits like a glove.... a glove 10 sizes too small. After searching thru my knickers draw for an 'appropriate' pair of knickers (side track - why are they a pair when there is only one?) anyway's.... trying to find something that will retain some modesty, yet not bunch up, when I remove my shorts and don the suit in the middle of Doherty's gym. Boy leg, no, g-string, definite no, Brazilian, no, satin boxer, no...... finally pulled out a Bonds string knicker (ohh good - red, that will add to Leigh's stress levels when I strip off - do I have another colored pair? No?) Red it is...

Off I go to Doherty's... No walkouts tonight, straight into lockouts - too easy (except the bar keeps slipping down my back) - off with the T-shirt - thankfully I have a Bella crop top underneath ( hmmm red again - Leigh is going to think I've conspired to tease him - LOL.) On the last set Webby wrapped my knees - soooo tight 'He' was groaning!! Damn that hurts, legs very quickly going numb, lucky I don't have to bend too much to get under the bar - 3 reps... Done! Next - squatting between pins 3 reps each set, off the bottom and hitting the upper pins about 3/4 the way up. Hitting the pins above threw my balance out and so it was difficult to come backup for the 2nd and 3rd rep.

Finally it was time to try out the squat suit - It took two very large powerlifters (Leigh and Webby) quite some time to force me into the suit (even with the suit slippers) - and it hurt like all hell on the legs (nice deep bruises on the inside of my thighs today that I can feel but not see) then the belt pinched when it was done up and I couldn't breath - the sympathy from the boys was overwhelming... (overwhelmingly absent!) such is life.... tried with 100kg - ughhh to light, cant get down (and I can already feel the suit pulling me out of line) tried another couple of times - heavier, still no good. In the end even with 142.5kg I could not get all the way down and I totally lost my balance - good catch by Webby to get me back up. Time to get the squat suit off, rolled it down ok but ohhh trying to get it off my legs.... the pain!! well if I was girl I would have cried but I'll leave the crying to Jason.... (Yeah - gloves are off guys.... calling me a girl, picking on the color of my new suit, snickering at my westside training, and getting in cahoots together to suck me into Leigh's 'magic tricks'.... its war boys!)

Completed the supps - but didn't do the deadlift test (nor good mornings squats) after what I'd just gone thru it was pointless. Suitcase deadlifts - lifting the bar at the side with one @ 40kg. Busdrivers - not even going to attempt to explain this one - just to say it's a core exercise (and this is what the 'little children" were poking fun at). Last of all weighted hypers with 20kg dumbbell.

Tony Torcasio from Max's was at the gym - a quick 'Hi' and then out looking for somewhere to have our post-training coffee after Leigh lent me once of his T-shirt's, which could easily have doubled as a dress had I had a belt with me...... had a bite to eat, as much as I needed it, its hard eating late after training - a protein shake might have been a better option - note to self pack some Max's post-workout power for after training next Monday night. Stayed out way too late, bad, bad, bad, but.... I enjoy Leigh's company a little too much! Home and in bed by 12.30 (am) ugghhhh have to get up in 5 hours and benching with Shaz this afternoon....... And supp's later at Definition....

Squat suit - take 2

whoo -hoo the squat suit arrived. Leigh has already offered to help squeeze me into it.... think I'm gonna regret having eaten so many chocolates over the weekend.... Also had a planning session with Dirk yesterday morning - sorted out the next 3 weeks of westside. Yes, Tom, 3 weeks of bands is enough...

Day1 Max Squat
Main (to max 1 rep)	Leigh
Supps 3 x 8 -10	Good morning squats
(stop short of	Suitcase deadlifts
failure for all	Busdrivers
of these)	Weighted Hypers
Day2 Max Bench
Main (to max 1 rep)	Shaz
Supps 3 x 10 reps	Dumbell floor press
(stop short of	Elbows out press
failure for all	Suspended pullups
of these)	cable rear delt flyes
	Seated row retractions
Day 3 Speed Squat
Main (12x2)	Pin squats - speed
Supps 3 x 10	cable pull thru
	comp squats
	band decline situps (15's)
	Revers hypers 4x20
Day4 Speed Bench
Main (8x3)	Bench with chains (60%)
Supps 3 x 10	Reverse grip pin press
	Single benchers ext
	Barbell pullovers
	Neutral grip front raise

Tonight however I am to test my deadlift instead of doing the Good morning squats - after training with Leigh... that will be interesting.

Weekend was busy and quiet - ??? well everything seems quiet after the horror pager last weekend. Madi competed in her first C grade comp on Mojo and scored herself 2 placings - 6th and 5th which was great. Sunday was her 15th birthday, so after I got home from the gym I dropped her off at a Fi's place and they went shopping. Dinner at La Plume (Chinese) restaurant, the 3 of us plus Fi who stayed over.

Back: Fi & Me. Front: Leah & Madi.

Missing Bands

Into the gym a little bit late as I had parent/teacher interviews for Madi after school then had to feed Mojo. Was almost bordering on not going it was sooo late, but with the State comp looming I pushed on to the gym. Could not find the bands in the office where they usually are. Asked George, the owner of the gym.... and decided that speed deadlifts would have to take the place of deadlfting in bands. 10 mins later after George has made a few calls the bands are located and I'm able to do my band work! Yay. He is top notch our George! With 90kg plus bands for the remaining 7 of 12 sets x 2 reps I discovered just how much effect the bands have. Speed disappeared! Dumbell stiff leg deadlift, 75kg dumbbells using wraps again so my grip doesn't give out. I must be getting tough - no bruises on the wrists today - LOL Glute/ham raise - will I ever get this?? still only ding partials 8 reps, 7 reps, 6 reps...... Roman chair situps.... Called into the paddock on the way home to let Mojo out of the tack yard into the big paddock - pitch dark, raining and he would rather stay where he was, so had to drag my by the mane into the muddy paddock - yuck.

Home by 8pm, just in time to watch 'Saving Babies' followed by Law & Order: SVU and promptly fell asleep in the recliner during Criminal Intent. Dragged myself up to the bedroom - read for 5 mins before succumbing to the Z's

Benching with bands tonight, luckily Madi's basketball game is a late one - 8.40. Round 3 of the show jumping tomorrow - Madi doesn't ride until 11.56am so a sleep in is in order! Madi will be 15 on Sunday - so we'll be out for dinner Sunday night. Back to Being on P1 pager again Monday. Happy Happy Joy Joy.

Training update

Started this update yesterday and got too busy to finish......


Monday evening over to Doherty's to start sorting out my leg training and so Leigh can asses what sort of weight we should use in training. Started with walk outs - the idea being to get used to coming out of the rack with a heavy weight. Simple enough you would think, but set up for a big squat is very important and feeling the weight on your back and stepping backwards is not so easy. Walked out with a max of 140kg. Partial squats - starting from the squat position under the bar and driving up. Similar to the low box squat but not the same. The bar is sitting on supports in the rack and you have to get under to set up. First couple of sets were ok, then Leigh added just 5kg and I couldn't lift it. Now it wasn't heavy, but starting from the bottom of the squat takes a lot of effort and I needed to get my head around the fact that I *could* do it. Once I got the first rep - all was ok. Finished legs off with some single leg extensions - light, 2 sets of 15 reps + 1 set of 10 - quads were burning and weak! Last on the list was some ab work, decline situp with an overhead dumbell and cable sidebends (per my westside training).

Went out for coffee down Sydney Rd with Leigh afterward to discuss training and stuff.......

Benched with Shaz on Tuesday, but before I was allowed to start I was grilled about my dinner date with Leigh at the weekend. How did she know about it? Seems her and Leigh had caught up that morning and had coffee - - Gossips! I showed her the Inzer knee wraps he bought me and she responded "Oh, How romantic" LOL. Well, from one powerlifter to another...... :-)

When I was finally allowed to bench I managed a double at 80kg - RAW! very happy with myself. A couple of guys in the gym were impressed as Shaz told them that I had no idea how much I was benching and then she told me! 80kg! Then it was time to get the shirt on. Struggle to get it on, belt up, wrist wraps, chalk... I'm breaking into a sweat before I even touch the bar! Partial reps again - half way only with 100kg. Very happy, kept my back tight and shoulders down, finally some progress! As Shaz moved on to her next client I was 'ordered' to do more incline rows, light and high reps - 15's alternating each set overhand and underhand grips - 6 sets in all.

My new squat suit from Inzer is on its way - expected to arrive next Monday, April 2nd:

Type: Package
Status: In Transit
Shipped to: MELBOURNE, AU
Shipped or Billed on: 28/03/2007
Service Type: EXPRESS
Weight: .80 Lb

Package Progress
Location Date Local Time Description
SHREVEPORT,LA, US 28/03/2007 20:23 ARRIVAL SCAN
LONGVIEW,TX, US 28/03/2007 19:30 DEPARTURE SCAN
28/03/2007 19:24 ORIGIN SCAN
US 28/03/2007 19:43 BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

Tracking results provided by UPS: 28/03/2007 21:55 Eastern Time (EST)/New York Time (USA)

Its another Z-suit, size 30 - 2 sizes smaller, ordered this one in navy blue to distinguish it from the what will now just be a training suit. Would still like to get a Hardcore suit but at $US145 I'll leave that for the Nationals in 2008 when I hope to challenge the National Squat record. Still on the wish list for this years Nationals is a proper deadlift suit and slippers (still eying off the pretty pink ones but I think my supporters on the day might disown me. LMAO.

That's it.... Advice, comments,support and donations all welcome!!

ROFL.

Vicki xxx

Training? whats that?

Missed a couple of training days...... Sometimes life just gets in the way. Thursday night all set for deadlifting in bands when the call for help goes out..... Mum! I've lost my car keys. Yep, Leah had managed to get all the way into work, lock her car and at some point lose her keys..... So, knowing that I was expected at Jo's place in seville at 8.30 I had to drop the training session and drive back into the city with Leah's spare keys - damn peak hour traffic!. Got home in time to give Madi a kiss goodbye before heading out to Jo's.... Oh and Leah's keys... turns out they were locked *in* her car!

Finally met Steve, Jo's new boyfriend. Pretty quiet guy. Think our discussion on fanny waxing was a bit too over the top for him. She's none too keen to move to QLD where Steve has applied for a job as he'll be away for 12 days at a time leaving her on her own in some small town - without a job.

Friday night again missed training, Madi's basketball game saw us out at Waverly for a reasonably early game and with having to pick up one of the players along the way there just want enough time to get to the gym.

DARC sat morning..... Raining, so I stayed in bed thinking if the pager is quiet I'll go to the gym.... No such luck! Spent all afternoon getting paged over and over again. Especially annoyed as it was interfering with my dinner plans with Leigh. Speaking of whom,not only did the darling boy take me to dinner at the Meat & Wine Co. Restaurant at Southbank he also brought me back a cap from the Police and Fire games *and* gave me a new set of Inzer knee wraps to train in. He's certainly scoring some serious points with me. And to think, he's going to help me with my squatting too - I feel very special!

Sunday, much the same.... no worse, if thats possible! Paged non stop and worked all afternoon again. Thankfully its over now - next week back on pager again with the newly extended hours 8am to 3pm coverage but no weekends until mid May! Definitely training tonight!! Nothing's gonna stop me.

A run at last

Short run yesterday morning - the first in a while. Just under 3 km from my usual parking spot to Anderson st where I stopped for a quick drink of water and a stretch, then back again to the car. Could feel last nights low box squats in my glutes and upper hammies, into the attachment, every time my foot struck the pavement, tight, sore - but much better after the run. Nice hot shower at the office after.



Quiet night at home, Madi went out for a ride while I caught up on TV shows...... Had txt from Leigh and a call from Webby earlier in the day to say Leigh had done well - benched 182.5 RAW - not even wrist wraps!! A few more messages from Leigh throughout the evening which was really sweet. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing him on the weekend and hearing all about the games.

After a very restless night, I arrived at work at 6.30. Half hour massage this morning at 9am (before the pager kicks in from 10am), lower back, glutes and shoulders/neck - felt great after.... much *free-er*. Picked up some Haighs chocolate, yumm. They had samples of broken easter eggs.... after easter they'll be selling the broken eggs, then I'll really need to pick up the running.....

Training - speed bench - band work and then off to Joanne's place. It's takeaway night - not that I'm much into junk food, just a once a week thing for the girls really, and an excuse not to cook. Had a nice piece of grilled fish last week.... mind you I dont like seafood except for the said grilled flake and calamari. Dont know what to have, having eaten scorched almonds all afternoon I'm not all that hungry. Hmmmm What I'd really like... I nice lump of cow''s butt - well done and garlic sauce - what the hell.... no one else in that bed but me. I wonder if garlic will keep the mozzies away like vampires?

Catchya on the morrow.

Stupid Girl

Well I did end up training last night. Madi couldn't make basketball training because some idiot thought it would be funny to trip her at school playing basketball and she's banged her knee up pretty bad. So in all the excitement of going training I left my squat boots at home! Doh! Stupid girl! Funny how some tools very quickly become essential (unlike my bench shirt) Anyway still managed a 85 kg ultra low box squat max. Carefully executed the zercher squats 3 sets of 10 with 50kg - it is damn uncomfortable to have the bar in crook of your arms! Below knee partial deadlifts were next - at 100 kg. Decided that I should use reverse grip. For competition I always go left hand under right hand over. So for the sake of balance I trained the other way for all 3 sets of 10. Called it a night there as I only had decline situps and side bends to go and thought it better not to push my lower back on these just yet. I have booked a short massage for tomorrow morning, 1/2 hour with someone who is not Kelly - but I really need to have my lower back massaged.

R&R tonight, try to catch up on some TV shows that I've recorded, Law and Order and stuff, got Boston Legal out of the way last night..... So glad Nora is dead in Desperate Housewives - what a pain in the arse she was!

Catching up with Jo tomorrow night after training - girly stuff and gossip, I'd take a bottle of wine except its a long drive back from Seville and I'm whacked after 1 glass! Besides, her boyfriend Steve will be there stifling the gossip. He's applying for a job in North Queensland and after the disaster that was Martin, I don't think Jo's too keen to pull up roots and move interstate.

Right, I'm off early today - had enough of the pager. Four more days of this wretched thing.

Grumpy

Busy again on pager this week. At least after this weekend my weekends will be pager free until mid May. It totally drains me. This week particularly will drag, not only because I have been on pager since Sunday (and yes I got paged 3 times) and don't get off until next Monday but for other more personal reasons too.

Daylight saving ends this weekend and winter will come quickly - at least I hope its a wet one - we need the rain. Its already dark in the morning and getting colder too. Finally got the orthotic re-fixed yesterday so no excuse not to get out and run.... except that its cold and dark!

Andy has pinged me for some new photo's and clips to update my page on AMG, so I'll need to engage one of my volunteer photographers again soon.

Benched for an hour under Shazza's guidance yesterday afternoon. Had bit of a headache which was no fun! Started light with a full pause at the bottom and again pause at the top. I don't want to get into any bad habits like pressing or racking before I'm given the signal. Had a few goes with the shirt on - Light again, 80kg and could not bring the bar down more than a couple of centimeters, but at least I'm keeping 'better' form - still not perfect. Later I completed my training at Definition - supplemental work. Triceps - reverse California press 30kg 3 sets of 10, overhead press 20kg 3 sets of 10, wide row 100lb 3 sets of 12 (needed the wrist straps as my grip was giving out - so again I have bruised wrists)

















Injuries

My left elbow is totally trashed, I have an appointment for a ultrasound in April for lateral epicondyle - but now have developed medial pain as well. Grrrr. Lower back has eased off and I can toss around in the bed freely... however I've been so tired lately I just pass out and dont move! (falling asleep in the recliner repeatedly at 8pm - sad) Could still do with a decent massage. Might try for a really early one on Friday before the pager kicks in. My neck is also in bad shape - from benching so I'll get that worked thru as well.

Bit a of a whingy update isnt it? Sorry. I'm a little out of sorts this week. Grumpy. Coffee machine at work is still out of order.... how do they expect us to function without a decent caffeine fix? Never mind - I'll be fine once the weekend comes around, I've something to look forward to....

Not training tonight, Tuesdays are becoming too hard to squeeze in anything now that Leah is working afternoon shift, I have to ferry Madi from basketball training 5.30-6.30 to C-Certificate training at Pony club 7 - 8.30. So max squat will have to wait until Wednesday. I am going to have to organize myself a little better.

That's it for now... cya!

Friday - part 2

Constable T. Bear - Cute huh?

Right.... Where was I?

Got the truck fixed on Thursday morning..... Last weekend an almighty backfire while towing the float blew out the main muffler. I really could do without car problems! Drove the truck to work after having the muffler replaced and in my many attempts to park the damn thing my tight allocated parking space at work, it appears that I have lost a whole lot of power steering fluid.... at least that's what I think it is.... reddish... oily.... and now the steering is making some noise - sigh!

Tonights training..... In the gym by 6pm. Grabbed the skinny bands and setup the bench press. As this is for speed work I dropped the weight back to 50% of my 1 rep max - ie 40kg. 8 sets of 3 rapid reps. Felt much better this week with slightly less weight I was able to get the speed and effect of the bands. Followed this up with the leg press pushes.... Both Daniel and John had a go at it too and realized its not quite as easy as they thought. It really makes push with your whole body. Next week I'll load the leg press with a little weight. Into the boxing room - for some reason the Tbar row lives in there. Put 10kg on and lifted it up and setup for single arm presses - again this is not how the TBar is supposed to be used but and effective way of training shoulders/upper chest. Was chatting to Daniel when he all of a sudden mumbled something and disappeared - out in the main part of the gym was, I think, his wife... none too happy for some reason - I think he may have been in trouble.... for what I have no idea. Looked like they were a having a small barney. I moved on to the floor skull crushers with 30kg, 3 sets of 6 - up in weight from last week then finished off with face pulls 3 sets of 10 at 110lb - tried to keep my upper back as tight as possible.

Mad dash home at 7pm to take Madi to her basketball game in Warrandyte, which is fortunately only a 5min drive from home. Unfortunately tho' they lost 38 - 20 BUT this was only a practice match and it was against a team already graded for a higher division. Tomorrow is the 2nd round of the Metro Show Jumping - This time in Ringwood at Quambee reserve. 3 events all scheduled for the morning. With a little luck we'll be out of there by 1pm. Of course this means an early start tomorrow morning, especially as I need to go out and buy some power steering fluid for the truck (I have no idea where to put it!!) so I really should log off and go to bed soon......

And if its nice on Sunday.... this is what I'll be doing (if I dont get paged for work)

Busy busy busy....

Partial update...

Flat out at work this week, haven't had much chance to update the blog....

The trip to Adelaide is off. :-( Unfortunately Shaz has some other commitments that can't be worked around so I'll just have to wait patiently to hear how Leigh fares at the bench next Wednesday. We caught up Wednesday just gone for coffee and he brought along a little friend for me - Constable T. Bear. So cute! He'll be watching over me while Leigh's away.... hmmm better frisk the bear for hidden microphones and camera's. I'll post a pic of the cutie tonight. (the bear that is.... lol) Last bench session for Leigh that night, now he needs to focus. To that end I'm keeping a low profile..... incommunicato... dont want to distract him.

Back is feeling better after a couple of rocky nights not being able roll over in bed, needed an engine hoist over the bed - now that would have been an idea.... Last night Deadlift with bands 90kg and used the every so slightly shorter bands, Dumbbell stiff leg deadlift with 75lb dumbbells, very tight in the glutes - to put it politely! Used wrist straps so that my grip would not come into play - after all this is a hamstring/glute exercise. This morning I wondered how I got the bruises on my wrists... Doh!!

To be continued..........

Stiff

You know when you know you just shouldn't have..... Woke up yesterday morning a bit stiff in the lower back, put it down to sleeping awkwardly. Went to the gym for a big leg workout got thru the ultra low box squats with a 1 rep max of 85kg.... I tried 90kg but went down and stayed there. Next up were Zercher squats and although these were light at 40kg I went down and something just gave..... Belted up and finished the 3 sets - carefully. Wasn't sure if I'd be able to do my rack pulls - loaded the bar to 100kg and really held myself tight but I could feel this wasn't a good thing.... didn't push myself too hard. Side bends also hurt as well as the decline cable situps - which I only managed 2 sets of partial reps - I just wasn't chancing it. Sleep poorly last night, unable to move without causing a lot of pain. This morning rolled out of bed, still in lots of trouble.... its muscular strain only tho... not a disk out I know what that's like from a long long time ago. Coupla days..... She'll be right mate.

Weekend events:

Madi and Mojo did really well in the dressage section of the Hickstead sitting in equal 5th place at the end of the day. Sunday's cross country was disappointing tho with Mojo refusing one of the 'easy' jumps and knocking the rail off the last jump and putting them both out of ribbon contention. Madi was not happy....

Madi and Mojo at gear check before the dressage event.

Back to Sat night..... Met Leigh outside Dallas Brooks Hall for the finals of the Pro show. Here are the placings and a couple of pics I took. Check out the results page for more pics and info on each of the competitors.

1 Dexter Jackson
2 Ronny Rockel
3 Vince Taylor
4 Martin Kjellstrom
5 Hidetada Yamagishi
6 Joel Stubbs
7 John Hodgson
8 Wong Hong
9 Luke Wood
10 Mossimo Villi
11 Neil Gardner

Martin Kjellstrom - isn't he just gorgeous!!!

Went out for supper with Leigh after the show and we 'chatted' until the wee hours.... I'm going to try to get over to Adelaide next week for the World Police and Fire Games where Leigh is competing in the Bench Press on Wednesday morning. Shaz was thinking of driving over and asked if I'd like to come with her. So.... I may be in Adelaide for a couple of days next week. Watchout!!