I didn't recognize you!

That's how a friend of mine greeted me on Tuesday night at the gym.  I think I look the same and have a further ahead of me than behind, but that comment from a friend at the gym (whom I haven't seen in about 2 months) reminds me that I'm my own worst critic, with one or two exceptions.

I'm still hovering between 205 and 208 and need to hit 195 ASAP for Highland Games on 11/07, but I'm every bit as strong as I was in 2011 weighing 235 pounds.  My deadlift is up to 475, my squat up to 385, and my overhead press up to 180.  I haven't maxed on bench press in a long time, so I have no idea where that's at.  I'm stronger, leaner, and lighter.

I just hope I can turn this strength into performance on the field.  I've been doing a ton of cleans and snatch grip high pulls to work on my explosiveness, but I have been more worried about making weight than sport-specificity of my training.  I don't expect it to come together for a peak till San Antonio in April 2016, but I ought to perform a damn sight better than I did at Sherwood Games in September.

In the mean time, I'll happen to  hit my other goal, God willing, of being at an all-time best physique for my 40th birthday on 12/21/15.

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