I have so many reasons to be happy today ! I got two 5 RM (rep max) personal records (PR) today. The first one, as the title says was in squats and the second one, with the bench press. I got 5 reps with 200 lbs in the latter. I have been stuck with 3-4 reps for the past 4 weeks !
The other reason is that, today I learnt yet another lesson on how mind is an immensely powerful entity that can drive the body way beyond its limits. What limits you ask? Well, many, but the most obvious one is the limit that your brain a.k.a. common sense tells you. I just hiked for more than two hours yesterday till past mid-day. Hikes usually tax your cardiovascular system (and to some extent your muscles) when you are hiking up. However, on your way down it's mainly your leg muscles (to pe specific, the quadriceps) that take the toll. My legs were almost shaking when I got back from the hike yesterday and almost gave up the thought of training the next day (i.e. today). I got up this morning feeling fine, with little to no soreness in my legs, which might be due to the eating marathon that I forced myself to, before sleeping (all clean food mind you, no junk at all!).
Anyways, fast forward to the gym, I see chris (a serious olympic lifter) warming up as usual, we exchange our hi/hellos and then get to work. My warmups with squats were:
150x5, 185x5, 225x5, 265x5
The last set was in particular difficult than usual and that is when my brain started talking to me, that I should give up on my plan of going for a PR today. At this point, I was considering the idea, but my mind said otherwise - "put up 305, go for it and see how many you can get!".
As I stacked the weights, shit scared, staring at Chris, He said "wow, 305 eh? impressive". (Chris witnessed my 300x5 last week, so he knew I was going for a PR)
I retorted, "dude, I just hiked for like 2.5 hours yesterday and I don't think I can even get 2 with 305"
Then He replied " Dude, don't let that silly a** hike scare off your mind, you can do it!"
This comment of his, changed me in someway, and at this point I knew no matter what I was gonna give it my all. The first 2 reps were fairly easy. I wobbled on my way up in the third. But the last two were with good form and with immense screaming which is the reason behind the title of this post :)
As I struggled up on my way on the fifth rep, I immediately knew how powerful human mind is. Who knows if I could tap fully into my mind's potential, I could have gotten 6 or 8 or even 10 reps.
The boost from the squats carried over to bench and I got 5 reps with 200 (with 4 heavy warmups before, obviously). I went and shared a high-5 with Chris and thanked him for his encouragement.
This perhaps is the longest training update I have ever written, but it is worth it ! 2 PRs in a single day ? damn !
Stay Strong !
The other reason is that, today I learnt yet another lesson on how mind is an immensely powerful entity that can drive the body way beyond its limits. What limits you ask? Well, many, but the most obvious one is the limit that your brain a.k.a. common sense tells you. I just hiked for more than two hours yesterday till past mid-day. Hikes usually tax your cardiovascular system (and to some extent your muscles) when you are hiking up. However, on your way down it's mainly your leg muscles (to pe specific, the quadriceps) that take the toll. My legs were almost shaking when I got back from the hike yesterday and almost gave up the thought of training the next day (i.e. today). I got up this morning feeling fine, with little to no soreness in my legs, which might be due to the eating marathon that I forced myself to, before sleeping (all clean food mind you, no junk at all!).
Anyways, fast forward to the gym, I see chris (a serious olympic lifter) warming up as usual, we exchange our hi/hellos and then get to work. My warmups with squats were:
150x5, 185x5, 225x5, 265x5
The last set was in particular difficult than usual and that is when my brain started talking to me, that I should give up on my plan of going for a PR today. At this point, I was considering the idea, but my mind said otherwise - "put up 305, go for it and see how many you can get!".
As I stacked the weights, shit scared, staring at Chris, He said "wow, 305 eh? impressive". (Chris witnessed my 300x5 last week, so he knew I was going for a PR)
I retorted, "dude, I just hiked for like 2.5 hours yesterday and I don't think I can even get 2 with 305"
Then He replied " Dude, don't let that silly a** hike scare off your mind, you can do it!"
This comment of his, changed me in someway, and at this point I knew no matter what I was gonna give it my all. The first 2 reps were fairly easy. I wobbled on my way up in the third. But the last two were with good form and with immense screaming which is the reason behind the title of this post :)
As I struggled up on my way on the fifth rep, I immediately knew how powerful human mind is. Who knows if I could tap fully into my mind's potential, I could have gotten 6 or 8 or even 10 reps.
The boost from the squats carried over to bench and I got 5 reps with 200 (with 4 heavy warmups before, obviously). I went and shared a high-5 with Chris and thanked him for his encouragement.
This perhaps is the longest training update I have ever written, but it is worth it ! 2 PRs in a single day ? damn !
Stay Strong !
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