Training Log

Last week of the Juggernaut Method

Squat - 300x6 (did a 7th rep, but got a little help from spotter, so I don't count it)
Power Snatch - worked up to 175. Wanted to hit 205, but it just wasn't going to happen, considering I failed miserably at 195 twice

It felt good to hit a PR at 300, particularly with the high-bar, Olympic style. My previous best of 5 was done with a low bar, wider stance squat. I think it really helped reinforce the "ignore your body" idea, since my knees have been feeling a bit shitty lately, mostly due to just feeling really tight around the joint (quads mostly). But, come the heaviest set, I've been able to do a good job of shutting it out and focusing on doing what I need to do. I think this also makes the compelling point for pain being largely a function of the mind. It certainly has physiological bases - there is no debate about that. But, I think it's also worth noting that the vast number of people who are able to put aside pain or ignore it completely lends a lot of credence to Noakes' Central Governor theory - that is, that the shutting down of our body really comes from the brain, not the muscles themselves. Which is really a long-winded way of saying, it's all in your fucking head, most likely. John Broz has said "the way you feel is a lie." Your body will often be capable of PR performances despite feeling like shit. Other days, when you feel like a million bucks, you may have a terrible performance. It's an important lesson, but one that takes a long time to learn.
It's also a reminder to me to push my athletes a bit harder. Some have no problem doing this. They are constantly pushing to set PRs and pushing themselves as hard as they can. Others, however, are constantly looking for reasons they can't do something, and honestly, I go along with it. Part of that is the fact that I realize my role in the sport training process. My job is to make athletes big (if needed), strong, fast, and mobile, with as little risk of injury as possible. As such, if an athlete says they have something that is bothering them, while it may seem prudent to tell them to push through it, I may be exposing them to unnecessary risk of injury. Of course, the mark of a good coach is figuring out which ones are "faking" and which ones need to be dialed back. Still working on that one, but probably most are the former. Of course, I don't really think they're faking, I'm sure they really do think they're hurt/sore/tired/whatever. But I need to remind them that doesn't give them an excuse to be a bleeding vagina. And I need to continually remind myself of it, too. Yesterday was a good start.