What a buzz... in my legs

I mentioned before the training ideas in Underground Secrets to Faster Running. Well, I've now done 3 of the weightroom workouts.

Holy crap!

Let me just describe today's workout:

Warmed up with some deep, active stretching of my hips and legs (lunges, over-and-unders, etc.) for about 5 minutes.

Then I went to the bench.

Now, the idea of this workout is 5 sets or less, 10 reps TOTAL or less, at 85-95% of your 1-rep max, starting with the heaviest weight.

Okay, so my plan for the first set was 2 reps at 175 pounds... but I could only get them done with help from my spotter. I waited 5 minutes for the second set and i was planning on doing 3-4 reps at 170, but I went down to 165 instead. I could barely get them done, too! Then, after another 5 minute rest, I did 5 at 160.

I was a bit surprised since I had lifted more than this just a few days ago. But I was feeling kinda tired so, I just chalked it up to that.

That's when I found out that the BAR I was using was a 45 pound bar, and I had done all my weight calculations thinking it was only 35! So, I was setting personal bests and didn't even know it!

Well, I still felt a bit tired, so I next went to do deadlifts. My 1-rep max was 95kilos, so I thought I'd try to squeeze out 2 at 90k. Again, I thought I was tired.

Well, I was wrong. I knocked out 4 at 90k and could have done more (but you don't do more than 5 reps per set). I immediately did some plyos -- dropped from a 12" box and bounced back up... forward, left, right, back, forward, left, right, back... and then rested 5 minutes.

Did 4 more at 95k. More plyos. Another 5 min rest.

Did 3 at 100k, more plyos. More rest.

That I did 3 at 100k and that it was my 3rd set suggests that my new 1RM is actually about 115-120 kilos (253-264 lbs). Not bad.

And just goes to show you that reality is very different from your thinking (I lifted more, even though I thought I was tired and wouldn't be able to).

My first goal is to hit 300 lbs which is 2x my bodyweight... I'm feeling confident that I'll be there in a few weeks.

Okay, then to abs... 5 sets of 4 reps of "Torture Twists" -- lie across a bench, face up, feet held under a bar... lean back so you're parallel to the ground. Hands behind your head, twist to the right, hold for 5 seconds, twist to the left, hold for 5... that's 1... do 3 more, rest 30 seconds and repeat for 5 sets. These are aptly named.

So, the workout is over. My abs are TOAST.

But my legs feel buzzy. To lift near your max means you're working hard and lifting slow. This is supposed to get your fast twitch fibers (ironic, I know). And it's supposed to get your nervous system to learn to recruit more muscle fibers more efficiently.

Sure seems like that's what's happening... I'm not sore. I'm not tired. But the muscles are WORKED ... and the feeling is "Let's do more! Let's set another personal best!"

Can't wait for the next workout... which will be delayed thanks to the prolotherapy treatment I'm getting in 2 hours. ;-)