I had another session in which I could not lift a tap. I am going to listen to Sami and take two days off without any training at all. I enjoyed myself, but I could not lift anything at all. Here is what I did:
Overhead Squats--5x5, 3x3--I did lots of pnf in the bottom of the overhead squat. Hugh came up with this the other day and it was awkward, but very effective.
Snatch--1x2@50, 50, 50, 60, 70 1x1@75, 80, 85--This felt like I was lifting 110 so I left it at that.
Jerk Skill with the bar
Jerk--1x2@70, 70, 80, 90 for four doubles.
Front Squat--1x2@70, 90--I then left it at that.
I had a priceless lesson tonight and it was a minor epiphany. I was talking to one of the lads in the gym and he asked me how my training was going. I said it was going well but that I was very tired from work and training and that I was a bit over-trained. He turned to me and said,
"You know nothing about being tired. Try sleeping one night since Friday. You know nothing about tired." He shook his head and my lesson was learned. Everything is relative. The guy said this in a friendly way although it was meant to sink in because he was correct. An off week is nothing major. If I rest up this week I will be fine next week. Then I will have my heavy and intense next three weeks of training and all will go swimmingly.
On another good note, good luck to Cathal Byrd who is going to Poland to compete in the European Union Under 23's tomorrow. He is an excellent lifter and an absolute gentleman. Here is his Irish record Clean and Jerk of 141kg at 69kg:
Monday 16 March 2009
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4 comments:
hey man! sometimes a break is just the cure to let your body catch up on itself....bet ya any money you will come back stronger after a short chillout! Keep her lit! Also good luck byrdy ya legend!
Hey Barry,
Having a similar dilemma myself at the moment. Pretty tired and beat up in training yesterday (a couple of misses in snatch at 80, 85 and 87.5 - although I did make each one as well; and some misses at 120 and 130 in the jerk from rack). Its hard to know though, for me, whether its a sign that I need a day off or just that I am training hard (I did alot of volume on Friday especially). The way I see it, 4-6 weeks out from Nationals is exactly the right time to be feeling very tired and sluggish. Sometimes we just need to train through the tough times, the body will adapt, especially if you have some reduced volume coming up towards a competition.
I've also had this converstation with other people but its based around the crux of the question "how will you increase your work capacity in training if you dont train a lot?". I dont think you can. The body is an adaptable machine and given the right recovery and the right aamount of time it will adapt to almost any stimulus.
I also personally think its important to develop a capacity to make certain weights even if you are tired, technique is rough etc. You'll never be in "perfect" condition so its always reassuring to know that you've made Xkg before when tired/not lifting well etc.
Best of luck
My lord, Cathal's jerk with 141 looked so easy .. just incredible.
At my age, every three weeks I must take at least 3 to 5 days off and rest .. if I don't an injury is sure to happen causing me more down off.
Eamonn,
I agree with you points about training through the tough spots. One has to push the boundaries to improve, but I still think that you have to listen to your body. This is central nervous system fatigue, not muscular and I have not felt it to this degree before. It is is good that I am feeling it now rather than a week or two before nationals. I will have one more day off rest and a light workout on Thursday with Saturday pushing it a bit harder and then I think I will be brand new again.
Franklin,
Cathal has gotten 143 in training and he is lifting in a few days. I think he can go heavier if he has a good day.
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