The 1400 or Bust Log

From yesterday:

Squats w/ wraps
95x8
135x5
185x3
225x3
275x3
315x3
365x4
405x4
445x3 (missed fourth)
445x4

Hip Abductors, five sets

Leg Curls, BWx200

Notes: Squatting in wraps felt more comfortable this week, and I continued to work on keeping my stance out a couple of inches with these. The missed rep on 445 was a weird balance issue; the first three reps were pretty easy, and I hadn't started to really have to grind reps yet. I got too forward on it out of the hole and lost it immediately. I retried this set and was able to get it with another rep or two in the tank.

What's frustrating is that my strength, especially with sub-max weights, is better than when I squatted 510 late last year. Even on a down week, I feel stronger with these sorts of weights. The misses at 496 at the UPA meet are probably due to a number of different reasons, but not getting enough near-max wrapped squatting in is chief among them. So, I'm hopefully going to get in some wrapped work every week from now on. For this first cycle, I'll just be trying to put together some quality reps while experimenting with my stance; after that, I'll start trying to break rep PRs when I feel I'm ready.

This was an encouraging first wrapped session: the numbers weren't mind-blowing, but I got more comfortable in them towards the end, and I know at least that my squat *should* be in the low 500s again soon.

I know you said you are going to be doing more wrapped squatting, still planning on keeping some unwrapped work though?

Seth wrote:

I know you said you are going to be doing more wrapped squatting, still planning on keeping some unwrapped work though?

Yeah; I did 320x10x4 on August 12th (Monday). It's back a few pages in my log. I'll be doing some longer-set unwrapped work in my Oly shoes once a week.

Paused Bench Press
Barx20
95x5
135x5
185x5
225x1
230x7
230x7
230x7
230x7
230x12

Barbell Rows
185x10
185x10
185x10

External Rotations, five sets

Pec Deck, three sets

Dumbbell Flies
15x20, 20
15x20, 20

Wall Angels
x20
x20
x20

IYTs, 30-second holds

Notes: My paused bench is coming back around now. The bar speed on these felt a bit better than it has in recent weeks, and experimenting with a new setup got me into tighter position. It might take a little getting used to, but I felt pretty good with a lower foot position, and I also felt like my bench looked closer to what it was like when I was on a Forza. If I keep logging reps week after week, my bench should be moving again soon.

Reverse-Band Squats (90 lbs. at bottom, 20 lbs. at top)
135x5
225x5
275x3
315x3
365x3
405x4
455x4
470x4

Notes: These reverse-band numbers were very good. I'm still getting used to this setup, but the weights so far feel pretty good. I have one more week in this wave before I start introducing a little more volume into these sessions.

I figure now's a good time to post this. I'll try to keep it short. Because I'm posting this in some not-so-private places, I will have to be purposely vague.

Over the last month or two, I have been doing some thinking regarding my future as a competitive powerlifter, and that thinking has intensified these past few days. 2013 has been a decent year for me, training-wise--I have made a modest increase in my total and have posted some solid meet PRs. I haven't broken my best meet total yet, but I am certainly stronger than one year ago. But my progress is slowing down, and that trend is probably only going to increase in the coming years.

That has never really been an issue for me, as I've tried to be patient with my progress since I started competing in 2009. I have now been competing for four and a half years, and I feel at this point like I have at least achieved something in this sport. I'm not a world-class lifter, but I have reached an "elite" level of performance. I've hit a number of important goals, and my lifetime competition numbers are pretty good.

I have done this, up until now, as a natural athlete. And I have started thinking about changing my supplement intake. The possibility of getting stronger, faster, and increasing my ceiling as a 148er is appealing to me. I want to take my performance as far as I can, and at this point, the last *major* change I can make as an athlete is to take this step.

As of now, nothing is decided. I might give something a shot after my November meet, in preparation for RUM. I need to do a lot of research and talk to a lot of people first, and it might end up that nothing comes of this.

But with that said, I wanted to be up front about it. I don't know what I would run, or for how long. Again, I need to do a lot of research first. If you have any suggestions/comments/whatever--whether they be positive or negative--feel free to express them, in public or in private.

Thanks,
Kyle

first

I think Anabolics is in the dropbox. When my wifi works again I can send you Chemical Muscle Enhancement. If you want, I can put you in contact with some guys on other forums I know. Steroid.com and /r/steroids aren't that bad either in all honesty.

I would be 100% behind you if you decided to use because in all reality it's what you have to do to be at the top of your sport for an extended period of time.

Plus you can raw dog it and not worry about birth control while you're on.

Nathan Poage wrote:

Plus you can raw dog it and not worry about birth control while you're on.

brb, anabolic'ing just for this




Also, would this mean that Kyle becomes a Super Anabolic Furnace? brb, clenning and becoming a true Catabolic Furnace before going full Anabolic.



Also, Clint Darden has some really good videos on anabolics on youtube. He is extremely open about educating people about it.


Also, seeing as you've already talked to him in person--talk to Louie Simmons. I can't think of too many people that would be more helpful.

What does Rich Peters think about this?

Was about to post that same question.

What do bb.com and sherdog think of this?

Nathan Poage wrote:

I think Anabolics is in the dropbox.  When my wifi works again I can send you Chemical Muscle Enhancement.  If you want, I can put you in contact with some guys on other forums I know. Steroid.com and /r/steroids aren't that bad either in all honesty.  

I would be 100% behind you if you decided to use because in all reality it's what you have to do to be at the top of your sport for an extended period of time.

Thanks--that helps a lot. And I agree with you--I'm never going to be as good as I can be without it. I'm 27 now and it's at least reasonable for me to start thinking about it. I've never been a rah-rah natty guy, but I have at least felt like I had a lot I could work on before I went this route.

Chris Anderson wrote:

Nathan Poage wrote:

Plus you can raw dog it and not worry about birth control while you're on.

brb, anabolic'ing just for this




Also, would this mean that Kyle becomes a Super Anabolic Furnace? brb, clenning and becoming a true Catabolic Furnace before going full Anabolic.



Also, Clint Darden has some really good videos on anabolics on youtube. He is extremely open about educating people about it.


Also, seeing as you've already talked to him in person--talk to Louie Simmons. I can't think of too many people that would be more helpful.

Yeah, Clint Darden is great--I'll definitely listen to him. And I thought about getting in touch with Louie Simmons and asking him for input. You're right, there really aren't too many people who would be as helpful. Once I have enough info so that I don't sound like a jackass, I'll give him a call (assuming I make it that far and don't change my mind).

Nathan Poage wrote:

What does Rich Peters think about this?

I don't think he distinguishes between competing in the UPA and using--to him, it's the natural, inevitable progression of evil.

Nathan Poage wrote:

What do bb.com and sherdog think of this?

I don't think I'll say anything to BB.com--that forum seems to have strict rules regarding inferences, and I don't know the people well enough there. Plus, a lot more Iowa students frequent that site. I'm thinking sherdog will be positive, and I might get some good insights there.

KKeough wrote:

Nathan Poage wrote:

I think Anabolics is in the dropbox.  When my wifi works again I can send you Chemical Muscle Enhancement.  If you want, I can put you in contact with some guys on other forums I know. Steroid.com and /r/steroids aren't that bad either in all honesty.  

I would be 100% behind you if you decided to use because in all reality it's what you have to do to be at the top of your sport for an extended period of time.

Thanks--that helps a lot. And I agree with you--I'm never going to be as good as I can be without it. I'm 27 now and it's at least reasonable for me to start thinking about it. I've never been a rah-rah natty guy, but I have at least felt like I had a lot I could work on before I went this route.

If you do want to work on getting better without gear, your best bet is honestly to completely revamp your squat technique.

I really don't see why not at this point.

I think you might want to finish your natty career with a really solid meet though. You are definitely good for upper 1300's low 14's

KevinAlvy wrote:

I really don't see why not at this point.

I think you might want to finish your natty career with a really solid meet though. You are definitely good for upper 1300's low 14's

Yeah. I don't know what the fuck I'm doing, so the November meet will 100% be a natty one. We'll see what happens after that.

Nathan Poage wrote:

KKeough wrote:

Nathan Poage wrote:

I think Anabolics is in the dropbox.  When my wifi works again I can send you Chemical Muscle Enhancement.  If you want, I can put you in contact with some guys on other forums I know. Steroid.com and /r/steroids aren't that bad either in all honesty.  

I would be 100% behind you if you decided to use because in all reality it's what you have to do to be at the top of your sport for an extended period of time.

Thanks--that helps a lot. And I agree with you--I'm never going to be as good as I can be without it. I'm 27 now and it's at least reasonable for me to start thinking about it. I've never been a rah-rah natty guy, but I have at least felt like I had a lot I could work on before I went this route.

If you do want to work on getting better without gear, your best bet is honestly to completely revamp your squat technique.

+1. Someday, Jeff.

Just realized something--you will actually be able to use Westside now.

wow....things are getting interesting in here

Some updates on my situation:

I've taken some time now to talk to some people that I trust, and the consensus seems to be that either a.) "supplement" use is almost certainly going to cause some weight gain, whether that be just a few pounds or considerably more, or b.) "supplement" use may or may not cause weight gain, and it will be difficult to predict and impossible to completely control. I've gotten a lot of support, no real negative feedback, and a number of people who have suggested I try getting stronger without for a while longer.

I'm going to take that advice: I want to remain in the 148-lb. weight class for at least a few more years, as I still think I can get stronger for a while at this bodyweight. This has been a good experience, and I've picked up some new information. I'll continue to do research and learn what I can, but I will be remaining natty for the time being.

Other than that, I come back to training after a complete week off today, and I'm really looking forward to it. I have posted my first return mesocycle (four weeks) up on google drive:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApcCkRiqOrLJdDZMbXFIYUtRRjh3VWp4bTlSMU1hTUE&usp=sharing

Nothing's too complicated here; I'm doing a lot of lower-RPE, moderate-volume work and re-establishing a base while I continue to rest up. I have three extra sessions semi-planned, but I haven't written anything up just yet.

Anyway, that's all for now. Here's 545x3 off 2.5" blocks from last Sunday:

Fuckin google docs, man, how does it work?