Thoughts, Training Log Up to Nov 4, 2009

Thoughts:

I hate being a perfectionist like I am. During times when I want to excel like exams, I stress myself so much that I experience psychosomatic symptoms.

On Monday, I experienced crushing retrosternal pain, centrally located when leaving the hall after PMP. But there was no signs of increased sympathetic activity: no tachycardia, no palpitations, no sweating. I had to sit to relieve myself. Stand up again and walk: return of pain. It only disappeared about an hour while eating (an early) dinner. And of course, there were no symptoms during training.

Today, I experienced some severe claudication in my right leg when going back after the short case exam. And of course, the pulses were palpable, the pain didn't disappear with rest. There was no pallor/congestion or other signs. It only started disappearing during training (almost 9 hours later).

I hope that I get the D, not because I think I deserve it (I don't), but because the wreck it would give me if I don't get it. I like underestimating and overachieving, simply because expectations (whether they are from yourself or others) are a burden. Believe me.

Training:

It's exam week, so no conditioning, partial deload, change from 4 days to two days (today and Monday). We'll push it hard again next week.

Monday:

Deadlifts - Up to 110 kg for 5 reps. All with hook grip. The first time I did my last sets without a mixed grip in a while.

Bench Press - Up to 68 kg for 5 reps.

Front Planks with Salutes - 3 sets of 12.

Today:

Front Squats - Up to 77 kg for 5 reps. Easy.

MP - Up to 43 kg for 5. It was supposed to be 41, but trying to be accurate is probably a waste of effort.

Pallof Press - As usual, up to 3 sets of 6 each side with 29.5 kg cable.

This week, John joined the team (Abe and me). He'll be doing a program similar to mine; more functional leg accessory work compared to Abe (more mass-building). Welcome to hell. I can't wait to coerce him into doing barbell complexes with the barbell rather than the doomstick (the bamboo stick). Lady Gaga people!