Training 8/16 & 8/17

8/16
Jumps
Power snatch - 3x3 @105, 120, 135
DE deadlift - 3x2 @210
Squat - worked up to 260x5, 260x3 ~15 seconds b/w, then some backoff sets
Front squat - 2x5 @195

Utter dogshit session. Definitely a -10%er

8/17
Tempo run. I cannot bring myself to run hard for distances. Much mental work to do (and physical).

Training 8/14/17

Run - 4x2 mins, 1:1 work:rest
Bench - worked up to 3x5 @205, ~15-30 sec b/w sets, then some backoff sets
A. Incline bench - 3x8 @155
B. Bent-over row - 3x8 @155
Poundstone curls - barx60
Rope pushdowns
Lateral raises

We're set up for reward systems, literally, as the pleasure centers in the brain are activated and the activity is then stored as a positive experience. Over time, these are repeatedly layered in and the act may be seen as pleasurable (or at the very least, we forget how unpleasurable it is); however, a reward is expected every time in order to keep up the charade. We must work toward making the work, or activity, the reward itself. Because the external rewards we gain (if they are to happen at all) will not be immediately evident.
Our puritanical reward/punishment system does us no favors in this regard. "I was good, I worked out today, I deserve that cookie!" "I ate like shit today, need to hit the gym and punish myself." No. It doesn't work this way. It is about developing habits and principles that serve us well over time to lead us on our journey toward success (whatever we define that as).
The reward is the act itself.

Motivation is Overrated

60+ minute run today. Approximately 6 miles.

Too often we wait until we are inspired to get things done. Waiting for that moment of inspiration, that moment when we finally feel that push to do the work. In reality, that motivation is overrated. Quite simply, all that matters is that we do the work. Period. Interestingly, I would posit, is that the more we do it when we don't want to, the less frequently those occasions come. Or, perhaps, we simply don't experience it as strongly, because we know we'll do it anyway. Regardless, ditch motivation. Cultivate discipline.

Training 8/9/17 & 8/11/17

Realized I didn't post Wednesday's training:
Run - nothing to write home about
Power clean - 155x3, 175x2, 195x1
DE squat - 3x2 @255
Deadlift - worked up to 320x10, then some backoff sets
Snatch-grip deadlift - 255 x3,3,1

Friday:
Old-school strip-set type day
Bench - strip set with 3 25's per side. 195x10, 145x10, 95x10, barx10
Wide-grip cable row - 120x10, 100x10, 80x10, 60x10, 40x10, 20x10
Low-incline DB flyes - 1 min b/w sets - 40s x15,10,8
DB shrugs - 1x20 @80s
Lateral raises - drop set. 20sx12, 15sx10, 12sx10, 10sx10
Cambered bar curls - 60x10, 50x10, 40x10, 30x10, 20x10
Rope pushdowns - 100x10, 80x10, 60x5

Lil' Yimmy

Big Data

Objective data is great. It's vitally important for making improvements in any facet, in that it gives you a baseline from which to work. However, it's also important to remember that, at its most basic, data is simply numbers until we attach relevance to it. Finding connections, attributing meaning, that's where the important work happens, because that's the only way it becomes useful. 
Dan Pfaff has noted this before, that simply collecting reams of data doesn't do any good if you never go back and look at it. "Who are the gatekeepers?" 
So whatever realm you are in, or even in your personal life, by all means, measure, record, and keep track. But make sure you are actually referencing it and putting it to use at some point, otherwise you're wasting your time.

Training 8/7/17

I figure I might as well go back to adding in my training logs here (admittedly perhaps in an effort to add some "bulk" to the blog), so here is the training for today:

Intervals - 4x400m - 1:1 work:rest, 1:40 per 400
Military press - 145x8 (could've probably squeezed out 2 more, but the right trap was feeling tight and didn't want to push it much further)
Low incline DB bench - 350 method - 70s x27,13,10
Kroc rows - 80x50
Gun show - 2x12 each

Little disappointed I couldn't push myself to add a little more volume to the runs, but with my foot and hip flexor not feeling great, I didn't want to push it too hard. Doing them on the treadmill was a good idea though, as that did feel much better. In fact, I think my foot feels a bit better now than it did when I came in. I'd call it a low-end 80% session.

Stress

The common refrain is to find ways to "de-stress" or "relieve stress." Before moving forward, it's important to note that, as James Smith has touched on, stress is a reaction. Ergo, it is entirely dependent upon how we react to something. Whether or not something is a stressor is only based on whether we perceive it to be.
With that out of the way, it is also necessary to note that stress is not something to be avoided. In fact, stress should be sought out. It is how we improve, how we grow. Stress is how we inoculate ourselves from further stress of similar ilk. It is only through this stress that we can become resistant to those thoughts and feelings when placed in similar environments.
For instance; public speaking. Perhaps it is extremely stressful for you to get up in front of a group of people and speak. While there are strategies you can use to mitigate, or at least lessen, this stress, such as significant preparation of material, and practice speaking, eventually, you will have to get up and speak. Over time, as you expose yourself to this stressor, it will be come less and less stressful to you, and it will no longer cause the response within you that it once did.
We can extend this to all facets of life and realize that stress is necessary. This doesn't mean being constantly stressed out is a good idea; but rather, constantly avoiding stress is a bad one. Expose yourself to uncomfortability. And when something uncomfortable becomes comfortable, it's time to move to something else.