Friday 26th February 2015
This weekend I’m visiting my friend Tekkers to practise our map reading, navigation and fire lighting.

The Friday evening before our adventure, we hit up Bannatyne’s Health Club in Milton Keynes to take advantage of all the facilities. This place is well plush!

The Day Pass costs just £10 and includes use of the gym, swimming pool, steam room, sauna, sanarium (I don’t know what that is either) and jacuzzi.

For 2 people who wanted to relax and catch up, we steamed through a HIIT workout chucking in burpees and some heavy kettlebell swings.  My cardio certainly isn’t way it used to be, I couldn’t keep up with Tekkers and even had to stop for a breather.

After we’re done, I get a feeling…. I want to deadlift.  The free weights area looks cool and I want to activate stimulate my hamstrings before relaxing in the sauna.

5 x 20kg Romanian deadlifts
5 x 40kg Romanian deadlifts
5 x 60kg deadlifts
3 x 80kg

My previous personal best for a standard deadlift was 92.5kg.  I hadn’t tried for a 1RM (1 rep max) for a while, so I think “stuff it, lets go for it.”

Without thinking about it too much:
1 x 95kg

My ears were ringing a little but that felt relatively easy.  Tekkers said I looked like I had more left. I grabbed 2 more 2.5kg plates.

Uh oh, I’m getting nervous.  My hands start sweating. I get some chalk. I absolutely love that feeling of getting nervous before a big lift. And I hate it. Before it gets to me too much, I shake it off, and crack on:

1 x 100kg

Ha! Tekkers took a video without me knowing. My form was a little untidy.

I can’t believe I’ve done it. I’ve been wanting a 100kg deadlift for 2 years! And it didn’t even feel that bad, despite the noise I make.

My Thoughts:
I’ve read loads about lifting heavy and getting stronger. The majority suggest lifting heavy 3 times a week, with one rest day in between allowing the muscles time to adapt and recover.
Mat and I had a ‘taper’ week last, where we lowered our weight right down and concentrated on form.  This happens every 6 weeks so our bodies get a rest.
Having not lifted heavy for over 2 weeks is proof that taking time between big lifts is a good method for getting stronger.

Also, not putting too much pressure on it and just cracking on helps.

I’ve perhaps been a bit sneaky.  I’ve packed on the pounds recently as I am no longer running and I’m eating a lot.  I’m about 4-5 kg heavier than last year. I reckon this must have helped my lift having more weight on the bar.

My next goal is 2 times my body weight at somewhere around 125-127.5kg.  I don’t think I’ll want to go much higher than that as, in my head, I’ll get a thicker waist.

To celebrate, I have fish, sweet potato chips and mushy peas for dinner, it’s Friday after all.