Mad Dog Bench Meet - Info.

[benchmonster]

I talked to Ron Hood last night, and he is the meet director for the Mad Dog bench meet. It is being held on September 14, 2002.

Anyone who reads this and can attend, I highly encourage you to do so. There will be at least 3 and hopefully more, 500+ benchers competing there, one and maybe 2, 600+ benchers there. Not quite Ohio or Florida numbers, but not bad for the midwest. It is a deeply moving religious experience to see 600 lbs on a bench bar. But I digress.

The meet is in the Arrowhead Mall and the lifting starts at 1:00 in the afternoon. It is in the food court.

The reason I post this is that several members of the board are going to the meet, and most have never even been to Muskogee, much less to this meet.

For those coming in from the North. Muskogee sits on Highway 69 Southeast of Tulsa. Take 69 South through town till you hit Okmulgee ave. At Okmulgee Ave. turn East (left) and continue toward the downtown/business district till you hit 4th street. Turn North (left again) on 4th Street and in about 3 or 4 blocks you will drive directly into the Arrowhead mall.

Also, anyone coming through Tulsa is welcome to stop off at my house in the morning and ride down with me. I plan on leaving the Dungeon at 11:00 or so. Hope we have a good turnout, and that everyone has a great meet.

B.

 

[Screwball]

Thanks for the info Bmonster.

Do you want to try and get together this Saturday/Sunday or next weekend sometime? I should have my new custom "Fury" on Wednesday. If anyone needs to add a little kick to their training in the next two weeks, let me know. I'll see if I can enlighten you...

 

[benchmonster]

I am out of town this weekend. Maybe next weekend tho. Maybe work up to openers or something. Drop me a line. I need to get you on my IM too.

How is the shirt going to work out?

B.

 

[AnimalMass1]

do the meet doesn't start still 1:00 pm? - Do you know how many lifters there are? What time do I need to be there and where will we all meet?


AnimalMass

 

[Hannibal]

mmmmmmmmm food court....

 

[Vulgar_Display_Of_Power]

Hey guys Im back-finally got my computer back online. Not planning on lifting, but will b there to help with shirts and lift-offs.

I will get hold of you guys between now and then-

Later..

 

[bigokie]

HEHEHEHEHE. Food Court.

Screwball how the hell did you get your shirt in that quick? I called and they said 4 weeks, min. Did you just send yours back to be altered? Give me a shout this week sometime and we can talk.

VDOP, your shoulder still hurting you? It's too bad you won't be there to compete. At least your still coming.

Bench, I'll probably meet at your house and follow you down in my truck, in case you need to leave early.

See everyone there. Hopefully shirt will decide to work right?!?!?!

 

[Screwball]

VDOP: Man, that sucks that you're not going to able to lift. Thanks for showing up to support and help out.

Hannibal: The only thing I don't like about food courts is that it's so hard to decide what you're going to eat. Too many damn decisions.

BigOkie: You have mail. Let me know how your shirt training is going. My tendonitis is so bad right now I couldn't do speed work with 135 lbs. straight weight. Fucking tendonitis! I'll be good to go by meet time.

Bmonster: Let me know about training. I definitely need to find a solid opener. Let me know how your training is going this week.

AnimalMass1: Bmonster will be the man to fill you in on the meet details. As usual, he's the man with the contacts and the information. He will probably respond on Monday morning.

Good to hear from everyone. Keep training hard!

 

[Vulgar_Display_Of_Power]

Screwball-

Yah,you;re right. Im still not sure how to train around this. Been doing the shoulder rehab Dave has in his article 600 the hard way. Hopefully It will improve by my Oct meet.


Later..

 

[benchmonster]

I plan on leaving my house at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. That should put us at the meet by noon, giving an hour play for flat tires, etc. . .

Bigokie, you are welcome to ride with me. I won't be able to make it to B.L.'s football game anyway, so I will not be leaving early. If the meet started at 10:a.m. I would have left early to make it to the game.

Sorry to hear about the tendonitis Screwball, and sorry about your shoulder VDOP. Hopefully everyone will be back to health soon.

AnimalMass. If you want, you can meet me and Bigokie, (maybe Hannibal too) at my house at 11:a.m. and ride down with us. If you would prefer, however, just meet us at the food court at out noon. There are pics of us on the board, and you should be able to pic us out from them.

If you need directions to my house, just IM me.

B.

 

[AnimalMass1]

OK, well I've been out of town all weekend (the big city of Branson)

Anyway, I will ask Dave (the big guy coming down with me) what he wants to do. I don't mind driving a little further to Tulsa, to your house, and then riding down or at least following you to Muskogee.

I can hit 69S at Big Cabin and shoot straight down to Muskogee, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Dungeon.

If I do go to your house, I will probably be there around 10AM, so as to allow for any problems, as I don't want you guys waiting on me.

AnimalMass

 

[Hannibal]

Hannibal: The only thing I don't like about food courts is that it's so hard to decide what you're going to eat. Too many damn decisions.

No kidding...what's a fat man to do??!

"It's like that time Mr T was at the mall...all day long I kept saying "I'll go a little later...I'll go a little later" but when I got there they said he was already gone...and when I asked the guy if he would ever be back he said he didn't know."

Bench, as far as my plans for the meet...not sure yet. I probably will meet you at your place and just follow you to the mall. Will IM you with finalized plans.

 

[benchmonster]

That is fine bro. Mr. T makes me laugh. IM or e-mail me to get things set up.

B.

 

[Screwball]

I will drive directly from Bentonville to Muskogee. I plan on arriving at the mall around 11:45 - 12:00.

I'll hit DE upper body on Saturday or Sunday and that's it for me. I'm nursing my weak-ass arms back into shape. I may hit some AR work on Tuesday or Wednesday. No lower body work until after the meet.

Don't forget your equipment (especially shirts) and remember that a singlet is required. Everyone might want to bring something to sit in. I have a retractable chair in a bag that I intend on taking. Make sure to bring your cameras and video recorders. Also, it might be good to bring plenty of water even though the food court will be available. The mall may be cool so a sweatshirt, just in case, might not be a bad idea. That'a all I can think of for now. If anyone else has suggestions please post.

 

[Hannibal]

I'll hit DE upper body on Saturday or Sunday and that's it for me. I'm nursing my weak-ass arms back into shape. I may hit some AR work on Tuesday or Wednesday. No lower body work until after the meet.

Did you get your shirt in yet?

Have you tried it out?

 

[Screwball]

Hannibal:

Yep, I got it yesterday. I'm going to give it a run tommorrow or Sunday. I just hope it's not too big. I'll let everyone know how the test goes. Did you get the stuff I sent you?

Can you bring your "heat" and linament to the meet? I have a feeling I'm going to need some help getting my arms lose and keeping them warm.

How are you going to train leading up to the meet? At this point in the game any additional training isn't going to do a thing, IMHO. Rest and recuperation is the best thing at this point. Do you agree?

Bmonster:

You've been laying kind of low. Is everything okay? Are you working a shit-load? Drop me a line if you need anything.

 

[Hannibal]

Hannibal:

Yep, I got it yesterday. I'm going to give it a run tommorrow or Sunday. I just hope it's not too big. I'll let everyone know how the test goes. Did you get the stuff I sent you?

Can you bring your "heat" and linament to the meet? I have a feeling I'm going to need some help getting my arms lose and keeping them warm.

How are you going to train leading up to the meet? At this point in the game any additional training isn't going to do a thing, IMHO. Rest and recuperation is the best thing at this point. Do you agree?

Glad you got it in. Let us know how it goes. I will be sure to bring the "heat" to light your arm up.

As far as training goes...I have one more day. Speed Bench on Sunday w/ Chains. And then I MIGHT put on my shirt and hit my opener...we'll see how I feel. Then take it easy. A light AR workout on Wednesday...and then it will be Saturday.

 

[bigokie]

Bench, gonna meet you at your house and we can ride down together. I'll bring all three shirt that I have in case someone needs to borrow one. I am also gonna order a singlet from Frantz so I will have one for the meet.

I'm doing 4 or 5 sets of speed work on Sunday, followed by a single with 405 in both shirts. Then on Monday I'm gonna do a lower volume Dyn day. I didn't do Dyn today because I don't want to wear myself out before the meet. So two more days and then I'm off til the meet. Just trying to keep the elbows intact. Haven't had pain lately but I don't want to risk it this close to the meet.

I will open with 405. After that I will go 425, 455. I will be happy with 405 though. Hope everyone's training goes well.

Later

 

[Hannibal]

okie...looks like you and I have pretty much the same plan....even including the attempts.

 

[benchmonster]

Not laying low, just on the road all week with work. I am about to go and work up to my opener, then rest and eat like Tommy Chong for the rest of the week.

B.

 

[bigokie]

Well, plans changed today. Went in and couldn't get 405 to touch. So at this point, looks like 430 will be opener. Hopefully it will touch. Didn't work up to anything above 405 today. Just hoping that it will touch. I think it will, 405 was only a couple inches from touching. I will order my singlet and smelling salts tomorrow. It was weird, 315 and 405 came down to about the same point, but neither would go any lower without dumping it. Thank goodness I had the pins set in the power rack or I would be in a lot of pain right now. If neither of these touch, I will get out my Fury and try 455. Don't know how it's gonna go yet.

 

[spatts]

I wanna go!!!!!

 

[Hannibal]

Well, plans changed today. Went in and couldn't get 405 to touch. So at this point, looks like 430 will be opener. Hopefully it will touch. Didn't work up to anything above 405 today. Just hoping that it will touch. I think it will, 405 was only a couple inches from touching. I will order my singlet and smelling salts tomorrow. It was weird, 315 and 405 came down to about the same point, but neither would go any lower without dumping it. Thank goodness I had the pins set in the power rack or I would be in a lot of pain right now. If neither of these touch, I will get out my Fury and try 455. Don't know how it's gonna go yet.

Damn brotha...was hoping for a little better news that that. I did speed work and then hit my opener. With the weight gain...don't know if I will even be able to use my tighter shirt. Will have to figure it out at the meet. But the attempts are still 405/425/450

 

[Screwball]

I tried the new Fury (size 54) today. It's going to work really well when I gain about 10-15 lbs. Right now it's a little loose in the shoulders and arms. The lower body is loose too but that really doesn't make a difference in the shirt's performance. It gives me a good pop off of my chest but it only helps through about 50% of the range of motion as compared to 75%+ with the size 50 (PPE). I guess it's just common sense but I wish I would get that range of help with a shirt that allows me to touch a reasonable opener (for me).

This is how the the workout went:

Warm-ups:

bar x 12
bar x 12
135 x 6
225 x 3
275 x 1
315 x 1

Shirted

405 x X (no touch, about 2", locked out easily)
435 x 1 ( touched (barely), misgrooved, touched too high on my chest and bar rode back over my face but still locked it out)

Finished with light rolling dumbbells, hammer curls and pull-downs. I'll hit some AR work either tommorrow or Tuesday but that's it for the week.

My planned attempts will be 425 - 450 - 475.

I'm not sure if today's last attempt was a good thing or a bad thing. With a little shirt adjustment I think I can adjust my "touch" weight anywhere between 425 - 450. I'm kind of disappointed in my bench progress. I've hit 415 raw (a little ragged and slow but clean) in the gym and I'm opening with 425 in a shirt. Something is wrong with this picture and I can't figure out why I'm having a hard time hitting bigger shirted weights. The only explanation that I can think of is that guys that get a lot out of a shirt have incredible lock-out strength while my lock-out strength level is on par with my back, shoulders and chest strength. In other words, my muscle groups are balanced proportionately and that's why my raw and shirted bench press are fairly close together. Another issue could be my speed but I think it's fairly good and certainly not disproportionate enough to explain my lack of shirted assistance. The bottom-line is, I have to get my triceps stronger in order to take advantage of a shirt fully. Sorry for the rambling but I was thinking as I wrote all of this common sense bullshit.

I'm off of strict Westside after the meet. I'm going back to some rep training to see if I can put on some more lean muscle mass. With my heighth, any body-weight under 300 lbs. is worthless. I need the mass (lean muscle not fat) for strength and leverages. I'll still be hitting the Westside exercises with bands and chains but for reps in the 65% - 85% range. I'm going to drop the speed work for now. I'll probably have a squat day, bench day and deadlift day with accessory work. I want to focus on moving my squat and deadlift up. I feel really stale so I need a new program to get me motivated again.

This post may give you the feeling that I'm discouraged or frustrated but I feel good about where I'm at and where I'm going. If I could only train with the Okie Crew day in and day out, I know that I could make some serious gains. I need that level of consistant, quality lifting to push me to the next level. Perhaps, one day it will happen.

 

[bigokie]

Hey Screwball,

That's weird the way your bench is. Mine is just opposite, if I tried 405 without a shirt I would have a tattoo of a barbell on my stomach, but with a shirt it's not bad at all. It really sounds like you haven't found a shirt that works well for you yet. I am getting closer with my shirts, but not there yet! Hopefully with 5 days off of training 430 will work out okay. I think the Fury will touch with 455, so that is a last resort if nothing will touch in my other shirts. By the way, do you still have your Karins Denim? If you do and you don't mind, would you bring it to the meet. I would like to try it on and see if it fits me at all.

I'm not at all disapointed with my plan so far. I know if 430 will touch without too much trouble I will be able to get it without too much trouble. My problem comes when the weight won't touch and I have to wrestle it around, that is when I screw up. I think if something heavier will touch easier than something lighter, it will be easier to bench. Hopefully this will hold true.

See you guys on Sat.

 

[benchmonster]

I wanna go!!!!!

Then get your ass down here! We would love to have you down, and the extra experience would be invaluable in your meet this winter.

bigokie - I was hoping for a little better news for you as well. If 430+ is all that will touch, then just sack up and get one in. If Screwball's Karin's will allow you to touch something that is a comfortable lockout, even if it is 350 or so, I strongly recommend opening very light in that shirt, just to make absolutely certain you get one on the board.

Screwball - bro, I think you hit the nail right on the head. You are strong throughout the full length of the press. You are one of the strongest raw lifters I have been around. But, like you say, not getting much carry over. Lockout strength needs to catch up to your shirts and you will be way over 5 bills soon. Nothing to worry about, lockout is the easiest part to get better at, IMHO. And you do need to put some mass on that scrawny frame of yours. Jeez, what have you been doing? Eating rice cakes and salads? Steady diet of Beer and Pizza sounds like the remedy.

I did not have any help at the house this weekend, so I did not do any shirt work. I am hoping the extra rest will be a good thing, but never know till you are under the bar on meet day.

Remember when I hit 315 for 10 on a 5 board? Well, I did 3 sets of 10 at 315 on the 5 board for tri's last night. Even tho I just went up to a 385 bench, I still feel like it was a good night of training cause of the great accessory work.

I hope everyone does well this weekend. If everyone has a good day and hits what they are capable of, then this should be a very good meet. And afterward we can celebrate/drown sorrows as the case may be at some local watering hole.

B.

 

[Screwball]

Bmonster: It's just as well you didn't work up to an opener this weekend. You know where you're at and what your attempts will be so no need to push any more than necessary. The time off will do you a lot more good.

I don't know about being a good raw bencher. I weighed 290 when I hit the 415 so how good is that really? Not very fucking good. I would give up 100 lbs. on my raw bench to be able to hit 500 shirted any day of the week.

I am a skinny, little fuck, aren't I? Not for long. I'll be back over 300 lbs. by the end of November. Got to love the holiday season. Time to bulk...

 

[benchmonster]

Hmmm, turkey.

I hope you are right Screwball, I have backed off way more than I ever have before a meet for this one. Partly to get rid of the tendonitis in my right forearm, which is gone, I am happy to report.

I am a bit nervous about not having gone heavy for the last couple of weeks. I hope I have not lost too much strength in the last 2 weeks. If I have not, then all will be well, if I have, then I will know to have a different plan before the next meet.

I have dropped bands for the last 2 weeks, which has blown my speed through the roof, and has really made my joints feel better, and I have only squatted once per week last two weeks to give the shoulders a break.

Never know till you get there tho. Good luck to all competitors this weekend.

B.

 

[bigokie]

Well, two days left! I'm so ready, haven't been into the gym since Sunday! Can't wait to hit the meet. I'm going crazy!

Good luck to everyone and will see you guys at the meet!!

Homer: "No TV and no beer, make Homer.......
Marge: "Go Crazy?!?!"
Homer: "DON'T MIND IF I DO.....AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

Later

 

[Hannibal]

"On the road again...."

Bench, will see you in a few. As for the rest of the Okies...see ya first thing in the morning.

 

[latinus_spicticus]

FUCK!

I've been immersed in school and haven't been sticking to the westside principles or lifting in general too well lately...

As you may or may not know, I live at KU (lawrence) in a house, have my own garage gym. Power rack, bands, reverse hyper, mats, (may get some kettlebells in a few weeks) etc. If you guys are ever anywhere near this town and want to train(or hit the bars ( the girls here are FanFuckingTastic), give me an email or pm and we will set something up. I currently bench around buck fifty and squat a little less than half of that (ha ha...?) I would be in my car right now going to watch this meet if it wasn't for a Calculus and Accounting test I have on monday of next week.

Good luck to all who are participating. Benchmonster, when are you going to break that 600? C'mon! You've got the tools, learn to use them. J/K.

Peace.

 

[benchmonster]

Latinus,

we are all around you. I am in tulsa, Hannibal will be here in about 2.5 hours, bigokie is in Stillwater, VDOP is in OKC, KC crew is in KC. We are everywhere.

As for the 600, that is a ways away I am afraid. It will fall sometime next year, I am thinking. Hoping for 550 tomorrow, and maybe 585 in the December meet, assuming all goes well. Hoping for the best, at least.

Would love to train with you sometime. I will drop you a line. And regarding the girls up that way, I am very unhappily married, so I will take you up on that as well.

C-ya.

B.

 

[latinus_spicticus]

You'll hit the 550.

 

[spatts]

Good luck today, guys!!!