Stressed out and sick

What can I say, I am beside myself with worry and stress about Priscilla and on top of it I have full blown head cold. Sneezing, coughing, sniffing...  My head is a fog.

Horrible update from the Vet that Priscilla is not making any progress, despite their best efforts.  I am preparing for the worst and have spent the best part of this afternoon crying.

This sucks.

Training is also being affected. Saturday's max effort was just 'effort' all the way.  Had planned to get up to 110kg of the one-board but stopped with a triple at 100kg.  I was spent and there's no point pushing it is this condition, I'd just be risking injury.

I had a massage booked for after training so, knowing that I wouldn't be getting breakfast in a hurry, I took along a Protein shake - Blackmores ProPower Chocolate.  OMG - it has to be the best tasting chocolate protein drink I've ever had!  And that was mixed with water! Imagine how amazing it would taste with low fat milk - WOW!

This morning's Max Effort squat was also not so Max Effort...  Although I still managed  to walk out and squat 160kg,  albeit a little shallow,  in full equipment and I didn't feel like my head was going to blow off  like the last full equipment squat I did 3 weeks ago.  Ahh the benefits of training in equipment a little more frequently I think.

Here's to hoping the week gets better....

Sick

Well isn't that just shyte timing!  Work up Wednesday morning and felt like I's swallowed a pack of razor blades. Erghhhh.  Skipped training  - not completely, I went Thursday morning instead, but still not so great an effort.  Speed bench with bands, 40kg felt like 40 tonne.  Same this morning for Speed squats.  Spider bar with chains 8x2 a struggle at 95kg.  Rack pulls - worked up to 3 triples at 160kg.  I'm not a big believer in pushing too hard when you're sick.  I think you have to let your body recover and by training hard you're just breaking down your body even more. So I'm not phased by my lest than spectacular sessions - tomorrow wont be much better I think....


I'll start on my Blackmores proteins next week, I want to evaluate them properly so best I wait until I'm a little  more recovered.  Cristy has also given me access to the  My Blackmores Personal Health System.  which I've just set up for myself, with the program to start on Monday.  This will help me record and evaluate my achievements and goals although I wasn't sure whether to go for the sports program or the weight loss one ( ie. to get back down to my weight class for Worlds.  I chose the "Sport & Fitness" program for now.  The online Nutrition diary looks awesome!  This is going to be fun!


Priscilla Update....

Priscilla is still in hospital, she lost her gag reflex which is needed for swallowing safely and so they operated on Wednesday to put a feeding tube into her stomach.  The had to wait 24hours before being able to feed her via the tube. Unfortunately the tube is too small so they're going back in to surgery today to put a larger tube in.  Fingers crossed for her, please!

Priscilla and the tiger snake

Priscilla, my lovely Birman cat, is currently in the ICU of the Lort Smith Animal Hospital having been bitten by a Tiger snake last week.

Last Thursday she looked like she had conjunctivitis and she's had that before which I've treated
by bathing her eye with a saline solution, unusual tho' that her face was swollen.

Friday morning she couldn't be found and when I saw her Friday evening the swelling and conjunctivitis had subsided.

Saturday, however she was quite limp, not eating or drinking and breathing poorly so I took her to the Vet.  They could not find anything wrong  and suspected a throat infection or foreign object in the throat, but they did not have the equipment to check. They treated her with fluids, antibiotics and an antihistamine and she picked up a little.

Sunday, however, she had deteriorated so badly that I rushed her to the animal hospital - it was all a mystery still.  Blood tests didn't reveal anything and they put her on IV fluids in the ICU.

Monday the Vet rang and asked to do another blood test, specifically for snake bite and there it was - Tiger snake bite, but by now it was too late to give her anti-venom. So she is still in ICU, on pain relief, IV fluids and antibiotics. Luckily she still has a gag reflex so they are able to syringe feed her and we just have to wait and hope that she can pull thru.

With all this going on I still managed to get to the gym and train, its really the only place I can put this all out of my head....

Highlights....

Saturday:  Shirted 2-board press.
Raw Full ROM - 40x5, 50x5, 60x5
2-Board - 70x3, 80x3, 90-fail
Shirted 2-Board 90x3, 100x3, 105x3, 110x3, 115x2 120x1 125 x fail (twice)

Monday: Max Box squat - straight weight.
1/2 suit & knee sleeves: 60x5, 80x5, 100x5, 120x3, 130x3, 130x1 (misload), 140x1
1/2 suit & knee wraps: 150x1, 160x1 (PR!)

Struggled doing glute/ham raise after that!  :-)

Later on that day at work....

"A parcel has arrived for you at reception"

Whoo-hoo!!! Finally something to smile about!  Cristy from Blackmores has come thru for me.  My Blackmores Sports kit has arrived.   WOW!  Take a look at these goodies.

How awesome are Blackmores.  The bag will be so handy, now I can keep my bench stuff in one bag and my squat / deadlift gear in another.  It will make it so much easier than packing and unpacking for each session - as I do in the boot of my car....!  And now I have another shaker, ohh the convenience... I can have one for my pre-workout stuff which I take on the way to training and one for my post workout. I can
have them ready the previous night, already pre-dosed with the Blackmores protein powder - ProPower, just add water and I'm good to go.  And just look quantity they've given in the pack - not just a single serve sample but full tub and full box of sachets of ProDefinition!!

Thanks Blackmores`!!   And thanks Cristy!!

Speed n stuff...

Having dropped a quantity of carbs from my diet, smaller portions etc... bodyweight is down 800grams but also my training performance is down.

Felt lethargic this week and even a break from the diet mid week to demolish a Lindt bunny didnt help. Something is lacking or maybe my body just needs to adapt.

Tuesday: An accessory session 45 mins of stretching, then lat pulldown and lat rows,  band resisted good mornings and reverse hyper.

Wednesday: Speed bench  - 30kg with purple bands. Measured velocity with the gymaware device. 30kg was good, 40 kgs still good, 50kg a marked degradation in speed. Very interesting tool tho'.

Wednesday Eve: Dropped into my old haunt Definition 352 for an accessory squat session - nothing spectacular - 2x3 @ 60kg and 6x2 @80kg  (knee sleeves - no belt)

Thursday - sleep in - yay`!!  Real estate agent came to give me a valuation and,  well,  house is on the market....

Friday - Speed box squat- Saftey bar and deloaded chains. 80kg +3 chains aside 8x2
            Conv deadlift against minibands -  worked up triples increasing bands until 3x1 (with 3 bands)
            Cable pull thrus 120
            Cable abs (40kg)
    Side raises 4x8

Heading in extra early tomorrow 5.30am for shirted bench - down to the two board.

Max effort(s)

Friday  - Speed day

Equipped box squat with bands - (Blue)  100kg x2  x8sets

• Working out of the monlift, only light bands pulling back down onto the box - just a bit of GPP for circa max (heavy bands) in a few weeks.

Speed deads - mini bands up to 3x single. bands +10kg.

• add another band each set until no more bands then add plates.

Cable abs 4x15

Side raises 4x8

Saturday - Max Bench

Shirted 3 board

• Start raw - full ROM 40x5, 50x5, 60x3, 70x1
• Add 3 board  - 80x3, 90x3, 100
• Shirt  - 100x3, 105x3, 110x3, 115x3 120x3 125x2, 130x1

Long bench session - had to run out at 8.30 for my massage with Magic.  45 mins of lower back & glute active release.

Rest of weekend spendt cleaning the house and hiding stuff. Agent coming thru this Thursday to give me an appraisal to put the house on the market....

Monday Morning - max effort - squat/dead.  

Equipped Reverse band deadlift - black bands.  (How lovely at 6.30am)

• 1/2 suit - 120kg x5,160x3, 180x3, 200x3, 220x1 (struggle)
• Straps up - 225x1, 230x1  (footage below)

1/2 squat - spider bar 4x5 @ bar+15

Glute ham raise with bands 3x15

Hanging leg raise 4x8

Cable woodchops 4x8 @ 35.

***  Laynie, Thanks for your wonderful offer of help. Unfortunately PA rules are that you have to be a member of PA to be allowed into the warmup area. Something to do with insurance and drug testing (of course). Mostly its other lifters  you train with who are not lifting that help 'cos they know how to put equipment on, wrap knees and what cues to give you on the platform.  You might hear some of the cues in the footage above. 

Time to commit

I've been undecided since the beginning of the year as to which comp I'd do next.  Local comp on June 10 or Nationals in Newcastle in July.  Not wanting to have the same disaster as the Matti Tikka where I flew up on the day of the comp and wound up with no helper (not advisable when you're lifting equipped) and considering that my training partners have also been up in the air about Nationals, I've decided to commit to the June comp.

Beyond June, I'm still unsure if I'll go to World Masters in Texas this year. Financially it will be tough. I have $500 in the "Texas" account, will need $1000 by June as a deposit to secure my entry and I figure it will cost around $3000 all up.  The outcome of the June comp will also be a consideration.  As will the need to get back down to 63kg, probably for the last time tho'.  Best I don't get too far off, hence the 65kg weight goal below.

Anyway, for the next 9 weeks - (8 training/1 deload)   I'm going to document my preparation - training, diet, highs & lows as I attempt to hit an Elite 1 total in the 72kg class.  Yes, that's competing up a weight class from last year, but I've managed to stack on a bit of size over the past few months and I want to take advantage of it.

I've also been contacted by Cristy from Blackmores who have recently launched a new online book called "Getting the Edge".  She's going to forward me some samples from the new Blackmores range of sports supplements / protein powders which I'll include in my supplement program and share my personal feedback here with everyone.  A quick glance thru the e-book and already I've spotted some great looking recipes  :-)   Will let you know how I go with those too!

Lets start with some facts and figures:

Current best lifts @ 63kg:
Squat 150, bench 85, deadlift 195.5  (World M1 Record)  Total 430.5  (Elite 1 @ 63kg)

Current bodyweight: 67kg

Goal:  weigh in @ 65kg
Goal:  squat 160, bench 100, deadlift 200  total 460kg (Elite 1 @ 72kg class)

Training

Tuesday April 10 - Max squat  (A day late because of Easter)
Raw squats  50x5, 70x5
Half suit 100x3, 120x3 with knee wraps
Straps up  (full equipment) 130x2, 140x2
Thought my head was going to explode, so much pressure when straps are up. 2nd rep of the 140 set was starting feel like passing out. Key action - squat more in full equipment.

Assistance:
Half squats (Yoke Bar) 50g
  
Glute/ham raise - purple band
Hanging leg raise
Cable wood chops

Wednesday April 12 Speed bench
Straight weight 8x3@45kg, 5x60kg 2x5@65kg
DB press 4x10 @20kg
Narrow grip floor press 40kg
Paused chest supp row - 15kg
DB rows 22.5kg
Yoke shrugs Bar +20kg

Haven't done DB press for such a long time - Owww my chest is sore today (LOL)

Raw Nationals and Pacific International Results

http://www.powerliftingaustralia.com/OnlineScoreBoard/Session1.htm
http://www.powerliftingaustralia.com/OnlineScoreBoard/Session2.htm
http://www.powerliftingaustralia.com/OnlineScoreBoard/Session3.htm
http://www.powerliftingaustralia.com/OnlineScoreBoard/Session4.htm
http://www.powerliftingaustralia.com/OnlineScoreBoard/Session5.htm
http://www.powerliftingaustralia.com/OnlineScoreBoard/Session6.htm

RAW STRENGTH !

                                                                    

Dear Fitness And Power Fan,

Who is The Strongest Man In The World? That is a Title often claimed, rarely proved.

Well, the Strongest Man In The World is the Athlete who lifts the most weight, unassisted, on the classic, standard Powerlifts of the Squat, the Bench Press and the Deadlift. And on Sunday 1st. April, 1.30 p.m. at the Arrow Hotel 488 Swanston Street Melbourne, you can see that Man.

That is, Blaine Sumner of the USA, ex -NFL, now complete Powerlifter, 350lb. of pure muscle, will be totalling over 900kg. - that’s 2000lb. - of hoisted metal.

The event is the Pacific Raw Powerlifting Invitational.  Sunday 1st. April is the day Powerlifting stands up as a true sport in Australia, with an unparalleled international field competing in Raw style Powerlifting. That’s no Lazer-like suits, only natural strength as the Athletes' weapons.

Backing up Blaine in attacking World records will be Nick Tylutki (USA), chasing 700lb. in the Squat and Sonia Manaena (NZ), the Strongest Woman In The Southern Hemisphere. Then there will be Australia’s Strongest, headed by Richard Hozjan, pound-for-pound the best this country has.

And in the days before the Pacific Invitational the Arrow Hotel will host the Australian Raw Powerlifting Championships.  Friday night March 30th is the time for the Womens Championships, then Saturday 31st March goes non-stop from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. with Australia’s Strongest Men competing for Titles in 8 bodyweight classes.

Tickets for this spectacle of strength will be available at the door, or book now to secure your place —

For secure PAYPAL bookings click here — http://www.powerliftingaustralia.com/E_store.htm

For DIRECT DEPOSIT bookings, notate your name & make a deposit to Commonwealth Bank BSB 064012 Account 10182006

For PERSONALIZED TICKETING, or more information, e-mail   rwilks@powerlifting.net.au   or call 0418 366 416 anytime.

I will be seeing you at the Arrow Hotel, 488 Swanston Street, March 30, 31 & especially 1 April.

Robert Wilks,

CEO Powerlifting Australia Ltd.

End of cycle

Last week of this 3 week mini-cycle and its so far been productive.

Saturday last: hit a new PR on the floor press - 75kg raw.  Attempted 77.5 but no dice.  This Saturday - last change for a final PR in this cycle.

Monday: After twisting my knee a few weeks ago during a max squat I've been a little hesitant to suit up for a max squat again but it had to be done and Monday was the day.  straps up for my last attempt and hit 150kg.  What I take away from this session is that I need to go straps up earlier.  Perhaps around 130kg to get more time under pressure.  I couldn't get my air in and felt like my head was going to blow off! One rep! and it was out of a monolift - imagine walking it out.  More practice needed.  Pulled 180 out of the rack from just above mid shin. Saw stars!

Tuesday: Prehab/rehab stretching and accessory back

Wednesday:  Solid  speed bench session with deloading chains, 40kg plus 15kg chains total.

Looking forward to a sleep in tomorrow.

Outside of training, my PVR shit itself.  Looks like the power supply has died.  Ordered a new one from Sydney, just hope I don't electrocute myself....


====

New cycle

Today, the start of a new training cycle....  More deadlifts, but still concentrating on posterior chain.

Had set a target of 170 for this morning's max deadlift, since I haven't pulled heavy  from the floor  in a while I thought best not to set too high an expectation.  Usually takes a few sessions to get back up to true maximal lift.  Never the less I managed to pull 180 with my lever belt undone. Couldn't get it closed 'cos I've put on "a bit of weight"  plus I'd taken the suit in when I was just 63kg....

Deads: Raw: 70x5, 100x5, 120x5
            1/2 suit: 140x5, 150x3, 160x2
            Straps up:  170x1 180x1 180x1 180xfail - let the bar get in front of me....

Pin squats: Raw: pin 13, 90kg 3x5
GM's 40kg 5x20
Abs & power runner 40kg 3x15

=========

Thanks for the very nice comment Scott. xx    :-)

Resolutions.... Ooops!

Well, resolutions are out the window.....

Here we are, mid Feb, and only my 2nd post....  one resolution gone, time to close the blog?

Enrolled in French, forgot to pay, Enrolment cancelled - although they didn't tell me they'd cancelled it  :-(

So now what?  Lifting goals remain.  Have been concentrating on hamstring development, to, it seems, the detriment of my deadlift - hmmm  more pulling in the next cycle me thinks....

Injuries, nothing serious, just annoying joint issues.

Bursitis right elbow, treated with a cortisone shot, resolved very quickly but then forearm developed pain and stiffness (tennis elbow).

Left elbow, inside stabilizer, strain / small tear? due to narrow grip, pushing elbows under during squat, hear a popping noise when I did it - contributing factor is my left shoulder mobility problem.

Right knee, twisted while under 150kg, some swelling and instability as a result but nothing serious found  -just taking a long time to heal.

And finally the shoulder physio is happy with my shoulder recovery/rehab and I dont need to have any more appts.  So now just concentrating on that last bit of mobility and building strength. Big test will be if I can overhead lift yet!


Of course more important news is that I am now a NANNA !!!






Little Xavier made his entrance on January 22.  Better than any world record - my first grandson.

Welcome 2012

The new year is here, full of promise. Please, let this year not devastate me financially like 2011. This will be my best year ever, on and off the platform.

Resolutions:

Hamstrings, hamstrings ,hamstrings. 2012, I will develop my hamstrings.

French oral practice - every week, not just in class.  Else I must not enroll in any more classes (if I'm not going to practice then I dont deserve to have lessons)

Write my blog weekly, else close it down.

=======

Lifting goals:

Squat 170, Bench 100, Deadlift 200

=======

Some pics from Worlds, Niagra Falls, New York & Kelowna B.C. ....

video bomber....

Matti TIkka rescheduled

Sometimes you just want to scream.  Heard last night that the Matti Tikka is now being split over 2 days and of course the equipped women are being moved to the Saturday.  As if I haven't spent enough money on this comp already now an earlier flight - cant change the cheepy flight have to book another and possibly another night in Sydney if its an early weigh in.  Poooo!

Or do I just pull out?

Bad deadlift session on Friday has left me feeling a little underwhelmed at the prospect of competing.  My lifting is like a roller coaster at the moment, PB bench on Saturday, 100kg touch and go, not comp worthy but its a start, then a bullshit deadlift session.

Meh.....

PA news Issue 19

2012 Preview

The 2012 competition calendar looks to be jam packed with exciting events in what is shaping up to be an astronomical year of Powerlifting.  Here is a sneak preview of key events. Get your training plans in order its going to be a wild ride: March 30/April 1  Australian Raw Championships                        Arrow Hotel Melbourne,                           + Australian Blind Champs                        + Masters Open Equipped July 28 − 29      Australian Open (Equipped) Championships                       Iron Grip Gym Nth. Sydney,                          Open/Junior/SubJ./Masters PL & BP-Only  December 7− 9  Oceania Champs.                       Iron Grip Gym  North Sydney                         Raw/ Equipped                         Open/Junior/ SubJ./Masters PL & BP-Only   BREAKING NEWS:   At 6ft.2, 160kg, NFL draft turned RAW Powerlifting Megastar, Blaine Sumner, boasting a 390kg squat, 205kg bench and a 330kg deadlift will be heading down under as a special guest of Powerlifting Australia at the Australian Raw Championships. Blaine, hailing originally from Colorado, USA, set an NFL Testing Bench Press Record by doing 100kg X 55 reps and is a 5 times National Powerlifting Champion. Dont miss this opportunity to rub shoulders with this colossal performer.

Just beware googling Blaine Sumner (images)  you'll get more than you bargained for :-)

Yet Another Drug Test

Finished Max bench workout with a triple 90kg off the one board and a double 100 off the 3 board.  Was feeling strong again this week, confidence is soaring.  Started on my assistance work down the back of the gym and shortly after noticed a bunch of people coming into the gym....   ASADA...

LOL, they must be checking my bank statements and seeing how much money I've been spending at the local vet clinic....  hahaha.   But really, it sees they have been doing the "end of year" testing rounds of all the powerlifting clubs.  Melb Uni a couple of weeks ago and Southern later on the same day as us here at ESP.

IPF Drug test result

John Edwards      GUY 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Vicki O'Brien     AUS 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Gary Pamplin      USA 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Luis Tapia        PUR 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Wade Hooper       USA 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Eric Kupperstein  USA 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Tatiana Zubkova   RUS 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Nina Kondrasheva  RUS 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Glyn Moore        CAN 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Reinhard Melzig   GER 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Tatyana Fomina    RUS 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Patrick Hartwick  CAN 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative
Jeffrey Douglas   USA 26.09.-01.10. St.Catharines/Canada World Masters Negative

Flu

So, immediately after pulling a PR,  I've come down with the flu  :-(   Must be the stress of the new trg pgm - its pretty full on.

Nevertheless I've sent off my entry form for the Matti Tikka and booked my return flight using points...  still deciding whether to head up early on Sat or in the afternoon.  Better get around to tho or I'll be paying a premium for the ticket.

Outside of lifting, some fantastic news, Mojo's fracture has healed.  Xray taken on Wed morning shows no sign of the fracture and the joint appears to have fused - which is what we had hoped.  He'll still be in the cast for the next week and then hopefully just a half cast for while and then back to the paddock in time for summer!

Deadlift PR

Full training program resumed last week and you may have noticed the count down timer has been reset for December 4. That will be my last comp for the year, the Matti Tikka in Sydney.  This comp signifies the 12 month mark since my shoulder surgery and with a little less pressure than a World competition I hope to set benchmark numbers for my 2012 training schedule.

Its looking good....

Only a week into the program and this morning already a new PR.  200kg deadlift.  My holy grail.  Ready to be carved in to the national record books.


Rankings have been updated on the PA website too:

Women's Rankings - Top 5 Open

	Name	BWT	Total	Wilks
1	Mary MACKEN	46.64	380	513.890
2	Anita MILLINGTON	144.34	620	479.570
3	Jeannette GEVERS	62.20	435	471.710
4	Vicki O'BRIEN	62.14	430.5	467.190
5	Jasmine HIGGS	62.54	432.5	467.057

IPF Doping Control

International Doping Control  
Notification and Test.