Olympic Training Hall, Ventspils, Latvia

Today we traveled to the Latvian Olympic Training Hall in Ventspils, Latvia. We had our weight-ins and filled out the necessary paperwork. I came in at 101.9 kg and will be competing in the 105kg Masters class. My body feels good for tomorrows work that needs to be done. 80 jerks and 150 snatches are the goal. Below are a few pictures of the warm-up room which is where the Latvian Olympic Weightlifting team trains. It was quite special to do a light Clean + Jerk on the same bar as weightlifting great Victor Scerbathis.

Sunday - July 26

2-arm Jerk @ 32kg
- 7 minutes @ 8 rpm

Snatch @ 32kg, single arm switch
- 6 minutes @ 15 rpm

Felt good today for my final training day before the comp next weekend in Latvia.

Friday - July 24

2-arm Jerk @ 32kg,
- 7 minutes @ 8 rpm

Snatch @ 32kg, single arm switch
- 8 minutes @ 15 rpm

Everything felt good. One more training day on Sunday.

Wednesday - July 22

2-arm Jerk @ 32kg
- 5 minutes @ 8 rpm

Snatch @ 32kg, single arm switch
- 6 minutes @ 15 rpm

1-arm Long Cycle @ 24kg, switch arm every minute
- 20 minutes @ 12 rpm

Just wanted to break a sweat today.

Friday - July 17

Snatch @ 32kg, single arm switch
- 8 minutes @ 15 rpm

Swings @ 40kg, single arm switch
- 75 / 75

My grip didn't feel as strong today but I was able to complete what I wanted in relative comfort. Looking forward to the weekend of rest and then training Monday, Wednesday, Friday next week. Both jerks and snatches performed each day.

Thursday - July 16

2-arm Jerk @ 32 kg
- 6 minutes @ 8 rpm
- 6 minutes @ 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 8

Much better day of jerks. Legs were the limiting factor, due to deadlifts and squats the past few weeks. I am cutting out any additional exercises to give them(legs) extra rest. Overhead position and speed felt good.

Tuesday - July 14

2-arm Jerk @ 32kg
- 6 minutes @ 6 rpm


Just tired today. I'll rest and come back again on Thursday. I'm happy with my snatch sets and jerks have been solid up until today. I believe I have been pushing hard and my body is telling me to rest. Latvia in 2 weeks and now is not the time to panic and try to do too much.

Monday - July 13

KB Snatch @ 32kg, single arm switch
- 10 minutes @ 12 rpm

Deadlift
5 x 135#
5 x 245
5 x 335
5 x 380
12 x 430

Swing @ 48kg, single arm switch
- 40 / 40

Friday - July 10

KB Snatch @ 32kg, single arm switch
- 8 minutes @ 12 rpm

Back Squat
5 x 40 kg
5 x 50
5 x 66
5 x 83
5 x 100

Swings @ 40kg, single arm switch
- 4 minutes @ 63/63

Thursday - July 9

2-arm Jerk @ 32 kg
- 10 minutes @ 5 rpm

Rack Hold Jerks @ 40kg
- 5 minutes @ 1 rpm

TGU combo @ 16kg
- 1 x 5 (r/l)

Tuesday - July 7

Snatch @ 32kg, single arm switch
- 6 minutes @ 15 rpm

Deadlift
5 x 50 kg
5 x 70
5 x 90
5 x 113
5 x 135

Monday - July 6

2-arm Jerk @ 32kg
- 5 minutes @ 8 rpm

20 minute 1-arm Long Cycle, switch every minute
- 24kg @ 12 rpm

Friday - July 3

Snatch @ 24kg, single arm switch
- 10 minutes @ 20 rpm

Back Squat
5 x 135 #
5 x 225
5 x 275
3 x 310
11 x 347

KB Rack Hold @ 36kg,
- 6 minutes

Swings @ 32kg, single arm switch
- 4 minutes - 63/63

Everything has felt great the last 2 days. I look forward to resting up this weekend and getting back at it this coming week. No travel this weekend and I am excited.

Thursday - July 2

2-arm Jerk @ 24kg
- 10 minutes @ 10 rpm

Standing Press
5 x 40 kg
5 x 45
5 x 60
3 x 69
4 x 77

1-arm Jerk @ 40 kg, single arm switch
- 4 minutes @ 12 rpm

Wednesday - July 1

1-arm Long Cycle @ 20 kg, switch every minute
- 20 minutes @ 12 rpm

I need a nice recovery day to move blood through my body and get a sweat going. The last 2 weekends have really hit me hard and I look forward to this coming weekend where I anticipate getting lots of R&R for a full recovery.