That's a given with most of my advice

is that what you mean by bands? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVfRMo-aESc

the harness looks cool (2:20 onward harness = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdRbJvW1bS4 ) but i don't have one.

what is the plate on forehead?

Guessing you just put a plate on your forehead and do work. Kind of like this dude from 1:40 on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO8P97tf6jE

Yes, although we tie it to a rack.

Get one.

Yup, except I recommend using a 100lbs plate

On the road...

www.wisconsinscottish.org/

You just competing on Sat? You posted it's a 2 day event. May stop out on Sunday - looks like the athletic events start at 10am both days, after that TBD depending on # of competitors.

You weren't by chance in Madison today, were you?

I caught a look at a giant dude in the gym out of the corner of my eye and thought of you...

droopy - both Saturday and Sunday.

YD - nope, wasn't me!

9/4/11 Wisconsin Highland Games, Waukesha, WI

Braemar Stone (28?lbs) - 34'+, 35'+, 35'+ (2nd)
Open Stone - 49'+, 48'+, 50'+ (1st)
56 WFD - 39'+, foul, foul (4th)
28 WFD - 73'+, 70'+, 74'+ (4th)
22 Hammer - 101'+, 102'+, 103'+ (1st)
Caber - 10:00 (1st)
56 WOB - 15' (4th)

Overall - 2nd

Oh my, I'm the worst HG Pro ever. No excuses, I just sucked all weekend, lol.

Rain all day Saturday. Nice day on Sunday.

Also was 2nd in the Hibernian competition on Sunday.

9/6/11

Deads
135x5x5
225x5x5

Front Squat
135x5x5

CG Bench
135x5x5
225x5x5

Pullaparts

Nice and easy, just getting the blood flowing. Knees still sore from competing, so the front squats weren't really happening. I feel so out of form on everything lifting-wise, from just not doing it in several months. Can't wait to get rid of that feeling.

Are you competing in Lincoln, NH in a couple of weeks? I'm thinking of taking my daughter for the day. I've never been to one of these but they look like a lot of fun.

I'm in Richmond, IN. It's within easy driving distance of Dayton OH, Cincinnati OH, and Indianapolis. Any chance you're competing nearby this season? I think my daughter would love it.

Loon Mountain is actually the IHGF World Champs this year.

I was invited (as the #3 ranked guy for 2011) but had to turn down the invite due to a previous commitment.

If you go, it will be a good time with some big throws, that's for sure.

I currently train in Eaton, where do you train?

This weekend I will be in Columbus, Indiana and we'll throw some there, and I think it's the Midwest Champs for the amateur guys. Mostly I'll be announcing and clowning on the mic all day. Should be some fun.

I currently train nowhere! I had an awesome place in Maryland (http://www.supremesportspt.com/), but I just moved to Indiana and haven't found a local spot. I do get a free membership at the college gym, so I have access to a couple of power racks, benches, etc.

Eaton looks like it's probably the closest great facility. I'm new to the area, so I only clicked on the Indiana locations at (http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/node/4420). Thanks for pointing out that Ohio is closer!

This weekend is booked, but hopefully I'll be able to drag the family out to watch somewhere in the midwest!

Right, right, I had thought that you were out in Maryland and at that gym.

Well, whenever you wanna come check out Eaton Barbell let me know, I'll be glad to meet you out there.

Oh, and we're getting ready to move the gym into a bigger place within the next couple months as well.

Awesome! I'll definitely take you up on that!

Alright, it's time for the off-season.

I have two games left (St. Louis and Stone Mountain), and I think I'm just going to train right through them and start the off-season training next week. If I suck throwing, well....what else is new?

I miss lifting heavy and I miss being big and strong. I'm tired of throwing and I'm tired of my knees killing me for 3 days after I throw.

9/13/11
Official Weigh-in: 290.0

So as expected, I lost some weight during the season, but a totally manageable amount. Being down 12lbs from my peak after competing as much as I did and eating like **** is a win. It'll take some time but I'll get that weight back, plus some more.

My #1 goal, just like this year while throwing, is to stay injury free. I was on track to have my best off-season ever last year, and that was quickly ruined in December. Hopefully not this year, and I will make sure I'm doing what I can to stay healthy.

I'll do a write up of my thoughts on my season when I'm completely done, a month from now.

Does that mean you're scrapping the speed training in favor of lifting as heavy as possible again?

I will be taking a break from training in that area of the speed-strength continuum, and the off-season will focus more on the strength/power side of things.

More working in the .5m/s - .75m/s range, as opposed to the 1+m/s range.

I will definitely return to the speed next spring, it served me well and I was able to compete completely injury for the first time in several seasons.

sounds logical to me

Gonna practice any events in the off season at all or is just operation get hyooge, lift absurd weight?

No practice. Ever. It's been over 5 years now, I can't find a need to start.

So ya, operation get hyooge, lift absurd weight. Big time.