This week kicks off a new training cycle with a heavy emphasis on the blocks and pulling.
The last training cycle was really good for me and I saw a lot of PRs, more so than I expected. The frequency of PRs does not happen that often for me so I am getting my mind prepared for that going into this cycle. I don’t want to set myself up for failure by thinking that I will see the same amount of gains or more and should I fall short, feel disappointed. I have really pinpointed some areas to work on with the snatch and think that this pulling cycle will be good for me.
Today was the first day and the amount of volume was shocking. I guess I was expecting something less. Probably that combined with the fact that I ate horrible over the weekend meant that today was going to be a pretty rough day. I had to skip one of the exercises all together due to time constraints, but got the most important parts in. I like what I have seen and will be excited to get further into the program. Having never done a cycle that focuses this much on blocks, it feels new, and that will help keep me mentally engaged. I remember coming off my back injury in 2015, I was doing a lot of block work and pulls and felt that it helped get me stronger. Hoping for more of the same over the next 6 weeks.
When this is over, I plan to run the previous “Classic Cycle” again which should run me up toward the next local meet that I plan on signing up for.
As for nutrition, I have come to terms with the fact that I am not going to be a chiseled cover model for GQ Magazine. That much is obvious. I have never had a desire to cut weight to drop to a lower weight class. I like the size that I am and have no plans to change that. What I would like to do, however, is eat to fuel the type of athlete that I want to be and want to become. I do want to lean out more, but I could care less about losing weight. I have been talking with some people to help dial that in and get me where I need to be, so that I can lean out while also maintaining the strength that I need.