Topic: Leightons Training Log

[leighton richards]

Monday 16th March

Had the rest of last week off to go on holiday to Disneyland Paris.
Snatch
40 * 3
50 * 3
60 * 3
70 * 3 * 4

Overhead Squats
85 * 3 * 3

Snatch Pulls
90 * 3 * 3

[leighton richards]

Wednesday 18th March

Hang Snatch
40 * 3
50 * 3
60 * 3
65 * 3 * 3

Front Squat
90 * 5
100 * 5

The front squats felt really heavy on the last couple of reps.

[leighton richards]

Friday 20th March

Clean & jerk
50 * 2
70 * 2
80 * 2
90 * 2

Back Squat
90 * 5
120  * 3
140 * 3

Had to abbreviate the session a little as I was pushed for time.

[leighton richards]

Sunday 22nd March
Snatch
50 * 3
60 * 2
65 * 2
70 * 2
72.5 * 2 * 4
Missed a few too many of the 72.5 weights forward as usual.

Overhead Squat
80 * 3
85 * 3
90 * 2

Snatch Pull
90 * 3
95 * 3
100 * 3

2 hour break

Back Squat
90 * 5
110 * 5
120 * 5
130 * 5

[leighton richards]

Monday 23rd March
Clean
50 * 2
70 * 2
80 * 2
90 * 2
92.5 * 2
95 * 2
97.5 * 2
100 * 2

Power Jerk
50 * 2
70 * 2
80 * 2
90 * 2
92.5 * 2
95 * 2
97.5 * 2
100 * 2

Towel Pull ups
8 reps * 5 sets

[leighton richards]

Wednesday 25th March
Light day

Hang Snatch + Drop Snatch
40 * 3 + 3
50 * 3 + 3
60 * 3 + 3
65 * 3 + 3
65 * 3 + 3
65 * 3 + 3

Clean into Jerk
50 * 3
70 * 3
80 * 3
80 * 3
80 * 3

I think I found a new favourite exercise!
Clean into Jerk is when you go straight from the front squat into the jerk without any pause.
I heard Taylor and Chris talking about this exercise so wanted to try it.
Surprisingly it actually made clean & jerks easier for me without the pause, and the sets took much less time to get through.

Also on the Snatch + Drop Snatch
I experimented with using a wider stance for the pull, I actually used the same width I use for the squat, so I could descend straight into the snatch recovery without adjusting my feet wider.
This made a massive difference in the consistency and stability of my snatch.
My snatch is usually quite inconsistent, I really struggle with descent into the catch position.
Tonight every rep was rock solid and I felt I could have easily put another 5kg on the bar.
I will try using the same stance for heavy snatch doubles on friday and go as heavy as I can to see if I make any progress.

[leighton richards]

Had a terrible week.
Last Sunday I was struggling to snatch 70kg for a double, I must be overtraining.

Monday 30th March
I took off to rest.

Tuesday 31st March
Judo Training, felt very fatigued.

Wednesday 1st April
did some light snatch and clean & jerk triples with 75%.

Friday 3rd April
Coming down with Flu, felt dreadful, had a night off.

Saturday 4th April
Judo, felt ok then bruised the heel of my foot being slammed into the mat.
Bruising my heel is one of the most agonising things Ive experienced.

Sunday 5th April
Couldnt even walk down the stairs in the morning.
Took loads of paracetamol, Iced my heel, managed a gentle walk in the afternoon.

[leighton richards]

Well last week I had to rest my bruised foot.
Saturday I went to wales and walked up Mount Snowdon and back.
its a 10 mile round trip, and a climb of over 1000m from the carpark!
It was a great challenge though, thanks to all of the squatting and olympic weightlifting, not once did my legs feel weak.
Although I did get a bit out of breath on some of the steeper parts.
Photos from my excursion here.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=87575&l=ce1fd531b7&id=540761325