stomach problem

Weightlifting comeback seems to have been cut short again.

Have had to leave work today due to massive swelling in the abdomen area. Could be a tear or a hernia or something. can barely sit at the moment. first priority is to find out what the real problem is

injury jinx

stomach pain became increasingly worse yesterday and late into the night. Badly swoolen and with a significant lump under the navel area.

Went to doctor this morning who told me that I have at least a muscle tear in the abdomen but is undecided whether it is possibly a hernia. Told to take a few weeks rest.

More frustration because I have only started back at lifting and iam thoroughly enjoying it but relieved there is nothing serious wrong.

pain

no training today. stomach swollen. cant wear belt. been painful for 2 weeks but got worse since yesterday.

Tuesday regeneration

Headed to Rossnowlagh for half a day to get my head straight and set some new goals. An 8 mile beach walk in fine, mild weather was a joy. A few things need straightened out so I had to do a bit of thinking. Nothing like a good walk to bring clarity of thoughts

Arrived home after 4 and then decided to starta new 12 week weightlifting cycle. The plan is to compete in the Irish Seniors, jordanstown in May and try to increase my lifts.

Snatch 40x3; 40x3; 45x3; 45x3; 50x3; 50x3; 50x3; 52; 55; 57; 60; 62; 55x3; 57x3; 60; 60x; 60
Snatch balance. Plenty of light lights

sat vids

Video compilation of some of saturday's lifts. Sorry for the poor editing, not my strong point

Sunday

Not sore after yesterday's competition although i am a bit tired.

Did 90minutes of bodybuilding today.

Next competition either irish seniors or ulster open or maybe both. 3 months now to get stronger.

My 14 year old son who came down to dublin has now indicated an interest in the sport.

Irish Masters

Heading down to Dublin with Sean, brendan jnr, christopher and cathal to compete in the irish championships. We left Matheravealy at 7am and after spending 1 hour going round in circles in dublin finally reached the Ironside gym in Blackrock.

Weigh in. Brendan 84.82; Sean 85.something. Unlucky for Sean. We both thought we were safe.

The masters lifted first and I decided to, as usual, go by instinct when choosing openers. I decided from the start that I was going to at least attempt an irish masters record at some stage even if i didnt succeed.
Snatch 66; 70; 72** [new master's record] Very pleased to get all 3 at this stage.
Clean and jerk 86; 90; 95xx Couldnt clean 95 and get the c+j record.
Total 162@85kg ; 1st place

All in all, delighted with first competition in exactly 2 years.

Sean lifted brilliantly to get all 3 snatches, especially his final lift of 65kg,He got his first 2 c+j's and was very unlucky not to get his final 85kg due to majority decision with the judges.

The day was a bit long for the kids but they thoroughly enjoyed watching their parents have a go.

A great venue and really appreciate the friendliness of all the people invloved including the lifters

no lift

decided against doing any more training and give myself a longer rest. I dont to want to take the minor risk of injury.

Going out later for another 8 mile walk.

Not at the correct weight yet so Friday, I will be eating very light with no breakfast on saturday until after the weigh in


7.30-9.30. very pleasant 8 mile walk. looks like i will make the weigh in at 85.

smoothly does it

pre-competition training

Snatch
40x3; 45x3; 50x3; 40x3; 45x3; 50; 52; 55; 57; 60; 50; 52; 55; 57; 60; 62. Pretty smooth lifting.

Snatch Balance
40x3; 40x3; 45x3; 50x3; 55x3; 60x3; 40x3; 45x3; 50x3; 55x

Power clean and jerk
40x3; 50x2; 60x2; 70; 80.

That's my pre comp olympic training completed. A spot of bodybuilding tomorrow to wrap things up. Big thing now is to make weight on Saturday.

Starting lifts, not sure because the irish records are higher than I thought. Might be out of reach at this stage.

Possibly starting at 66+86.

Very pleased at where I am at after 12 weeks. I have made much more progress than I expected.

All roads lead to Dublin on Sat

records bummer

With all my prep geared towards irish records, I found out today that they were broken in october. Instead of 65+85 they are now 71+94. I may still have a go at the snatch but after 12 weeks, I think these are out of my range unfortunately. At least I know I have competition in the 85 class

sun foot injury

decided to go for a walk this morning. Mucking about with my son outside, he was chasing after me and while sprinting away, I hurt the joint near the ankle. I tried to walk on it but had to turn back home after a mile. I went to leisure centre for a bit of training but had to stop after a short period. This wont effect my lifting next week but I just need to rest for a few days.

Next training will be tuesday/wednesday but just light training.

Aimes for Sat in Dublin
Weight 84kg
Snatch 70-72
Clean and jerk 90.

The records for my class are only 65+85 so I will be very disappointed if I dont break them. If I dont break them I will bomb anyway as I am starting at 66+86

sat light press and squatathon

Didn't want to clean and jerk today because:-
1]I dont want to risk last minute injury
2] I didnt want to.

Weighed 85kg this morning which is fantastic considering I was 87.3 on Monday morning.
I will aim to weigh 86 on Monday morning because I will probably consume more food during the weekend. I should be able to make weight next sat comfortably.

Front squat
40x5; 40x5; 40x5; 40x5; 45x5; 45x5; 45x5; 45x5; 45x5; 45x5; 50x5; 50x5; 50x5; 50x5; 50x5; 55x5; 55x5; 55x5; 55x5; 40x5; 40x5; 40x5; 40x5; 40x5; 40x5; 40x5; 40x5; 45x5; 45x5; 50x5; 50x5; 50x5; 50x5; 55x5; 55x5; 60x5; 60x5; 70x5

Military Press
40x5; 40x5; 40x5; 40x5; 45x5; 45x5; 45x5; 50x5; 55x7; 60x3; 70x

Yes, a hell of a load of light squats

fri

Snatch
40x6; 45x6; 50; 52; 55; 57; 60; 62

Snatch Balance
40x3; 45x3; 50x3; 55x3; 60x3; 65x; 40x

That's all today . dont want ot push things 1 weel b4 competition.

thurs

1.5 hours conditioning

1 hour [4 mile walk]

9 days to go until lift off- can't wait

86kg [1 to lose]

jerking around

Late home today so guess what. I f_____g the jerk. Nothing was going to stop me anyway.

11 weeks since comeback and I havent missed one training session. I am quite proud of this.

Session 1 Pre Dinner
Rack Jerk
40x3; 40x3; 45x3; 50x3; 55x3; 65x3; 70x3; 75x3; 80; 85x Didnt attempt this. 80 was a press out and sluggish. Not feeling strong today.
Back Squat
40x5; 40x5; 45x5; 50x5; 55x5; 60x5; 65x5; 70x5; 75x5; 80; 85.

Session 2 after dinner
Power Jerk
40x3; 40x3; 45x3; 50x3; 55x3; 60x3; 65x3; 70x3; 75; 77; 80.
Back Squat
40x5; 40x5; 45x5; 50x5; 55x5; 60x5; 70x5.

Happy enough. Not really feeling it today but happy with volume.

Now, a bit of rest for an hour before a 2 hour 8 mile walk in the wind and rain.

close to dislocation

Snatch
40x3; 40x3; 42x3; 42x3; 45x3; 45x3; 47x3; 47x3; 50; 52; 55; 57; 60; 62; 65; 55x3; 60x3

SnaTCH Balance.
After Sean's cheeky 65, I had to go heavy today
42x3; 47x3; 55x3; 60x3; 65; 70; 75*pb; 80x [close to dislocation] 77x [nearly wrecked shed] Exciting going heavier. I will have a snaych balance of 90kg by the summer. The legs are getting stronger.

Felt a bit of knee pain so decided not to do any more today.

Now it is time for another 7.5 mile walk starting at 7.45. This will take 2 hours.

strike when the iron is cold

Saturday
Didn't get up until 12. Needed a long sleep after a tough week. Feeling a bit sore from yesterday.

Mentally decided to do my lifting on Sunday which took a bit of pressure off. Took 10 mins to get my head right before lifting.Once again, the key was "can i turn a potential bad session into a really good one. Got myself in a positive frame of mind. Below is my weekend lifting.

fri

didnt feel lik doing anything today after a difficult day and week. all mental reserves depleted. Decided to go out immdiately after work and try and get through a decent snatch session
Snatch
40x3; 40x3; 45x3; 45x3; 50x3; 50x3

40x3; 45x3; 50x3; 40x3; 45x3

50; 52; 55; 57; 60x

50; 52; 55; 57; 60; 62

55; 57; 60

Snatch Balance
40x3; 40x3; 45x3; 45x3; 50x3; 50x3

40x3; 45x3

50; 52; 55; 57; 60; 62; 65; 67*pb; 70*pb; 72*pb. 7.5 increase. Nearly gave up after a horrendus 65 but the next three were smooth but tough

All in all, a very good session considering how I was feeling all week.

thursday

1 hour of light bodybuilding.

hoping to walk 8-10 miles tonight.

Not sure about weight. Not going to weigh in until a week b4 competition. Hope to be 85kg by then

wed

rack jerk up to 87

presses and squats. decent enough session

9pm. went for a 7.5 mile walk with colleague. Time to start trimming down