Sat, 4 July 15

It was an awesome 4th of July in Mike's garage (a.k.a. the Puzzle Box).  I have squatted in my briefs a few times recently at the end of my last training block before nats, and since I haven't squatted in my suit in a very long time, I figured I'd give it a whirl just to see how awful it felt/I am now.  It was terrible, but hilarious.  Mike and Eric were a HUGE help as they squatted with me and we all helped out running the monolift in the Puzzle Box.  Mike has a gorgeous orange Elitefts Signature Monolift in his garage that is so damn awesome, but also the worst thing to move in the entire world.  Maryland's Strongest Man this year has a car squat event in it, so I just wanted to get a rough idea of where I am right now in terms of squatting in my suit so I can accurately measure my improvement.

Squats in Metal Jack Briefs and Suit

10x45

5x135

5x225

3x315 - These felt horrible

1x315 - After less than 5 minutes, Mike and Eric were able to offer technique adjustments that immediately and significantly improved my squat.  This made my day.

1x405 - Added briefs and belt

0x495 - Added suit, was only able to get down into about a quarter squat before I felt like my head was going to explode and I had to stand back up.

1x495 - Widened my feet and was able to get better depth, but still a little high.

1x545

1x585

1x635 - All squats would probably only have been good in the SPF, but this was good work for today.  But after all that squatting , my will to live and do the rest of my event day was rapidly dwindling.  I left Mike's and went to the Unit to try and get in some more training before the forecasted torrential downpours.

Farmer's Walk

2x80'x110

80'x220

80'x270

80'x280 - Felt bett(er) and fast(er) than 270.

Stone Shouldering

4x200

3x240

2x280 - Slipping all over the place and off the stone because I was so sweaty and didn't have any tape with me so stopped here for today.