New training

[Rick Walker]

I havent hit grip hard since I closed the #3.  I have had about a month off to finish up my BS and take a long hard look at what I want to accomplish long and short term-in everything.

I decided to once and for all hang up my powerlifting belt and call it quits.  Hey, retiring at 24 aint all that bad !  It is my belief that moving massive poundages and training and living the lifestyle required to move massive poundages is not all that great for one's health.  Look how many powerlifters die young-too many.

What now?  Well, I have been inspired by Lance Armstrong to venture into the unknown for me.  Bicycle racing?  No.  

TRIATHLONS :crazy !  All three disciplines.  I have about 1 mitochondria so it is going to be tough.  Started training last Tuesday and i am not enjoying it.  The pain from an up hill bike ride, up hill run, or a mile swim is pain that I have never felt before.  MUCH different then that of a tough set of squats!

Grip wise-my goals stand.  Get certified on my #3 by Augusts end (time is running out)-hoist the thomas inch and pinch 2-45s by Jan. 2003.

Tonights workout:

COCs- #1-warm up with 5s, #2-warm up with 3s, #3-held for 20 seconds 2 times each hand, #4-held as long as possible with each hand, then squeezed as far as possible for reps.

wrist work

thumb work

thick bar (PDA farmer with duct tape around knurling) worked up to an easy 110 for 3 singles.

more wrist work-different angle.

#2 COC for 5 each hand

Done.

Good workout, felt strong considering I took a month off.  Mind is clear and refocused on grip domination.

Rick Walker :hehe

[Nathan Say]

:0  :0  :0  :0  :0 !!!! I never expected that! I thought you weren't posting because of your connection was messed up or something. That's a big change! Check out that thread about the sub-3: 00 marathon time, maybe you could go from bigtime lifter to marathoner & show everyone up who doubts that someone could make the change. What about all that gear in your garage & the people you train? Will you just train differently & keep training with them or have you given up everything lifting-wise?

[paul valpreda]

Interesting post. I too am a powerlifter and can relate to the stress it puts on the body. I'm currently healing from a lower back injury I sustained a week ago while performing deadlifts. The bottom line for me is health and longevity. I've done a lot of unhealthy things to myself by competing. I just hope I haven't done any permanent damage along the way. Grip work is wonderful and I hit it full bore all of the time. Good job on trying something new and different (triathalons). Life is about exploration and doing as much as possible. Good luck in future endeavors.

[Rick Walker]

Nathan,

 I still train with weights 3 times a week-attempting to add more fat free mass.  I keep the reps higher 10-12 range and I dont squat.  Biking and running do enough damage on the knees so I do single leg leg presses instead.  I have trained with weights since I was 12, I will continue to train with weights until I am 100.

 I still train, and will always train, my athletes with the WSB (Force Training) methods.  Regardless of what I do in life, I will always love training strength athletes-its my life!  Nothing is better then having a young athlete hit a PR!

 Paul-thanks for the encouraging words.  I am making a go of this no matter how tough it gets-I can beat it.  Having exercise induced asthma (that is why I turned to powerlifting in the first place) and being 200 pounds doesnt help-but I expect to be a lean 185 with less then 5% bodyfat in a couple of months.  No looking back-

Rick Walker :hehe

[supersqueeze]

Nathan - You should check out that post yourself. The doubters did not believe EVERYONE could make the switch. No doubt there are the gifted few who could, but certainly not everyone.

Rick - My wife competed in the Hawaii Ironman a few years ago. She had a BLAST!!!!!!! It is a great sport/lifestyle. Good luck and enjoy yourself.

Mike M.