911muscle19’s BodyBlog

Today was Nationals in Annapolis for the 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation. There was a great crowd. Over 100 spectators and around 30 lifters.  This was my 2nd powerlifting competition.

I competed in the Junior division (20-24) @ 220lbs. I set a new PB on Bench - 325 lbs. and on Deadlift - 524 lbs. Curls I got 142 which isn’t my best, but hey, I set two new PBs so Im not complaining. The lifts were in kilos then converted to pounds.

I placed 1st in Bench and Curls and placed 2nd in Deadlift. Not bad competing for only the second time. I also hold the National record for Curls in the Junior division @ 220 - 150 lbs.

The commaraderie was awesome yet again.  Everyone was rooting for everyone the way it should be.  Everyone was psyched which made it  an extraordinary atmosphere to be in.

I have Worlds in November up in Hagerstown, MD. If anyone is near there and would like to check it out, drop me something on my page and I’ll be more than happy to give you the info.  I’ll keep everyone posted on my progress  over the next 5 months leading up to Worlds!

Wow, I haven’t written a blog in so long…Anyways, today was my deadlift/back workout, the usual Friday.  My last deadlift workout before my first ever powerlifting meet next Saturday, April 26th.  I’ll be competing for 100% Raw in the 220 lb class.

I warmed up with 135, then added a 45 on each side each set.  I was working up to my opener, which was going to be 455, but I got 455 really easy and my friend Matt suggested I try 475 and see how that feels.  Again, I got 475 easily, which is my personal best lift up to that point.  The next set, I attempted 500, which would be a new personal best.  Damn!!!!! I was slow getting it up past my knees, but once I cleared my knees, it was good from there.  A new personal best lift!!!!!!500!!!!! I attempted 515, but could not get it off the ground. 

After I was done with deads, I did 4 sets of rows, lat pulldowns, standing pressdowns to my stomach squeezing my lats (sort of hard to explain), and then back extensions.  After I finished my work out, I went to grab something to eat, then headed back to my apartment.  But first, I had to fill up the tank and check the oil.  I am driving down to Virginia Tech to visit my cousin who is a freshman there, and my sister, who is visiting from Charlotte.  Of course, not until I get in my last workout where I will work up to my opener for bench.  I’ll let you all know how everything goes!! 

I hated this summer. I had to work all the time and rarely had time to lift, consistently.  Also, i couldnt eat as much as i did when i was lifting at school (WVU), so i dropped weight and lost a lot of my strength as well. 

Now I’m down to 209 and trying to gain my strength back before summer started back in May.

Wish me luck!

Wow, what an amazing workout I had yesterday. 2nd day back lifting at my high school after my first year of college completed at WVU.

It was back day and I was psyched. Just took my Animal Pump at home before I drove up to the school. Couldn’t wait to get in there and lift. I first warmed up with some pullups and lat pulldowns, then stretched out my back further before I started my deadlifts.

I always warmup with 135, then 225, then 315. Now’s time to join the big boys, haha. Loading up the bar, 405. I usually pumped out 2 good reps at this weight. My max up to this point is 430 I believe.

I’m going for it all, put on 455 a new max record if I get it. I had the middle school kids watching me this time because they usually lift at the high school after school, just like I did in 7th and 8th grade. One of the coaches, Coach Jones, always cracks jokes which is hilarious. Anyways I got 455 easier than I thought. I was feeling good so I decided to put on a 5 on each side and go for 465.

Now everyone in the enitre weight room stopped what they were doing to watch me go for it. My boy Josh, who kicks for NC State, some of the high school "children" haha, and the middle school kids and Coach Jones. I was going through my routine everytime I deadlift. Now it’s time to lift this f*ckin weight! I got it just above my knees, scrapping it against my thighs because there was no way in hell I was dropping this until it was a legit lift. I had my back extended making the lift legit, then just dropped that $h!t right back to where I picked it up from. My job was done!

Then I went to barbell rows, some back extensions, and other exercises to work my back, then it was time to go home and chill the rest of the day.

Everyone at the school , friends, former highschool classmates that are still in hs, and coaches can’t get over my strength and size. I like the attention when everyone stops what they’re doing to watch you. I love it!!! HAHA

This is my post workout blog, although it’s way after my workout, haha.

Warming up with the lat pulldowns and the pull-ups helped loosen and warm my back up.  Stretching too helped out a lot. Started of the DLs with 135, pumping out 12 easy reps.  Then on to 10 easy reps of 225.  Moving on up to 315, pumping out 6 good reps.  Then it was time for the big weights, 405.  I got a solid 2 reps at that weight.  Now my PR max at the time was 430, so I decided to take a shot at 455.  I got psyched up, taking my time so I can manage the weight.  I got ready, lifted that $h!t, but when I got right at knee level, the weight wouldn’t budge.

I almost had it, 455, more weight than I thought I could lift, haha.  I gave another shot at it, but the weight wouldn’t move off the ground.  I was pissed off, but I tried moving up 25 lbs.  Not many people gave move up 25 lbs in a lift withing a short time period.  Well I’m, determined to get it within the next two back workouts.

After DLs were over, moved onto bent over BB rows.  Pumped out some good reps at 135, 225, and a new max 315.  After a few more back exercises, I moved onto biceps and forearms, making them burn during and after my workout.

Now I can relax now that the workout was over.  Got some food, ate that, then I had to do some damn work.  God, I can’t wait til I’m done with school.

This is my pre-back workout post. 

First off, I can’t wait til all this school stuff is voer, so I can have a break for 3 months. Can’t wait til next Fri when it’s all over. I have so much $h!t to do tonight and tomorrow, I’ll be lucky to get to sleep by 2 am. Ughh!!!

Well I plan on warming up with lat pulldowns and pull-ups to warm up my back.  Then it’s time to go for a new max DL, hopefully.  Then comes some BB rows and then misc. back exercises. I’ll try to fit in some hamstrings and forearms.

I will let you all know how it goes when I’m done working out!

Making progress day by day.  To start off my chest workout, I warmed up with flat bench/flyes with 80, getting my blood flowing.  After a couple sets of those, i went up to 90, then 100.  Now it was time for bench press.  Warmed up with 135, continuing to stretch out the chest and warmup.  Then, put on an additional 45, with 225 on the bar.  I pumped out 10 reps with that weight, then added a 25, pushing out 3 reps.  Now it was time to step up to the plate.

Now last Wednesday, I failed at 315, only getting about halfway up.  I was determined to throw it up this time, not letting anything hold me back.  Took a piss, walking around stretching my chest and listening to some metal to get me psyched.  I was in the zone.  Took my spot on the bench, under the bar getting my hands placed the way I like them.  Pulled up on the bar like I always before I go for it.  Counted out, "1, 2, 3!" for my spotter to help with the lift-off.  Had the weight controlled the entire time, pushing that sh!t up and finally got it.  "Hell yeah" I was psyched!

Then I moved to incline bench/flyes, then went to cables, then finished off my workout with two calf exercises.  My calves were throbbing after I was down, knowing I worked them hardcore.  It was time for some food, so I went back to my dorm to get some comidas, haha, and it was time to relax the rest of the night.

Today was the first time I worked legs in awhile.  I can’t remember exactly when becuase it’s been so long.  Anyways, I started off with leg extensions to warm up my knees.  After four quick sets of those, I went over to the smith machine so I get the technique down.  Warmed up with a 45 on each side for one set of 12, then loaded each side of the bar with another 45.

I once read in a magazine about hardcore, insane leg workouts that seem to never end.  One of the exercises was squatting your body weight 20 reps for 10 sets.  Of course, these types of workouts are only to be done once a month.  I completed the 1st set with no trouble at all, getting the feel for the workout.  My legs felt good at this point.  Drank some water and stretched my legs out a little to get ready for the next set.  Did that one, feeling it at the end and when I got out from under the bar, my legs were wobbly, haha.  Now I was really feeling it.  Then came the 3rd set.  I struggled with the last few reps and could barely walk afterword.

Had to take a few minutes to get myself together because I felt like I was going to ralf.  Took some deep breaths to calm down my stomach.  Stretched out my legs and had some more water, then I put on my belt again.  Everytime I tighten my belt, my stomach notices.  Time for the 4th set and I knew I might die.  After struggling with the last 10 or so reps,  I thought I was in hell.  There was no way I was going to be able to complete all 10 sets, so I had to settle for 5.

My legs felt like jell-o after squatting and I wasn’t even done yet.  Then I did 3 sets of lying leg curls and then some calf exercises.  My first leg workout in awhile was finally complete.  Now I could go back to my dorm room and relax for the rest of the night.  I’m not moving anywhere, haha.

I know this has nothing to do with exercise and whatnot, but I ask all of you to pray for our "family" at Virginia Tech and send condolences to the families who lost either a child or parent.  Their lives were cut to short and had bright futures ahead of them.  I was about to head to class at West Virginia University when I first heard of this incident and couldn’t believe it, and i still can’t.

I have a sister who is a senior at Tech and thank god she is safe.  I also have around 50 friends currently attending and I’m glad to say all of them are okay.  Unfortunately, 32 innocent lives were taken from the world before the gunman, a senior english major at Tech, turned the gun on himself.  One girl who graduated a year ahead of me and from the same high school, Leslie Sherman, was unfortunately one of the 32 innocent lives that were lost.

Just send your prayers to all of the victims and everyone at VT and just thank god you are still alive today.

WOW!!! What a weekend I had! From Friday March 2- Sunday March 4, I had the greatest time of my entire life.  I went to Columbus, OH with some friends to go to the 2007 Arnold Classic Expo.  The car ride sucked, with three of the widest shoulders packed in the back for 3 some hours, but once we got there, I could care less about the ride.  When I first walked through the doors of the Expo, I was amazed.  So many professionals, supplements, the most gorgeous women in the world, and fans who love the sport.  I walked around for about 4 hours the first day, not really getting much free samples and whatnot.  Come Saturday there was so much fascinating experiences I never thought I would ever have.  While I was at "The Cage," Secret Service came walking through making an aisle with dogs.  My friends and I thought there was a bomb threat or some drug ring happening, but what I notice next changed  my life.  I saw Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California, famous actor, and the greatest bodybuilder ever.  He took a photo with a company right behind "The Cage" and then he left, walking through the path made by his security.  But before this happened, as he left the booth after taking a photo with some of the athletes, he literally stared into my eyes.  I was eye-to-eye with the one and only Arnold Schwarzenegger, no joke.  How many people can saw they looked eye-to-eye with Arnold Schwarzenegger?  I sure as hell can.

As i continued to watch what was happening in "the Cage," I was in the presence of Joe Ladnier, one of the best powerlifters out there.  He was deadlifting over 600 pounds at 40+ years of age. Damn!!  In between his lifts, he was giving a seminar of himself and some of the "Animals" in "The Cage."  I dont have enough time to talk about this, but let me just say, this was quite an experience; one i will never forget.

As they day continued, I had the opportunity to meet Jesser Merunde, a World Strongest Man competitor from the US.  He is one big mother f***er!! His hand is the size of my head, but one hell of a nice guy.  I also got to watch world records being broked in the bench press competition, of of the guys whome my buddy knows from his hometown. 

The last and most certainly not least, professional i met, in person was Jamie Eason.  Let me just tell you she is the most gorgeous women I have ever seen.  We had a nice conversation, and I also introduced two of my friends to her.  She is very nice, very very very attractive and has a great personality.  Thanks Jamie and thanks to all of the professionals, and of course Arnold, for making an appearance to represent what you all love the most. 

I will be back next year and I hope all of you will too.  I had the time of my life and I’m glad you were there too!!