Memoirs of a Tough Old Bastard: the Resurrection of MHL

[-=FLEX=-]

^^^Good point.

lmao

true enough......

[mharrislove]

Glad you are back my brother and very glad things are returning to a somewhat neutral state once more. You indeed have been missed.

FWIW, I sense a theme with all those "Re-Entry" pics...and, I know the feeling.

Yeah, it's good to be back, man. I don't know if missing the Iron Brethren is more a commentary on the quality of the best guys that post here, or a damnation of the common associate or situational friend IRL. But some things should not be subject to over-analysis. Genuine friendship and camaraderie are rare, and therefore valued in any manifestation.

And, yes, those pics were selected with intention.

lmao

true enough......

If anyone around here would understand that sentiment, it would be you, bro.

[mharrislove]

RE-ENTRY: DAY 5

@#$%&* delts, 'bout time..!



----------



DELT/CALVES/BASTARDology

The usual suspects were on deck. OHPs, while not earth shattering, had snap to 'em at the top of the movement. Definitely something to build on. DB C&Ps and laterals w/BNPs were all good. Behind-the-back shrugs were a welcome addition after falling off of the face of the earth for a while. The cuff, shoulder labrum, and AC joint feel good - that may be the only aspect of my bod that benefited from the extra time off. I'll take it.

Calves are gonna' calve - no surprises here. Work, work, work.


Bastard work
seated machine flyes


IRL Stuff
- Big work projects are wrapping up; just need to check a few budgets, proof this and that, do some mild prep work for early next year stuff, and ride off into the sunset.

- Putting the last touches on my final exam while brining/braising pork chops now (will proctor the exam tomorrow) - and, hopefully, be able to take Friday off...

- Planning a few family outings for the weekend and slowly coming back to life.








Impressions:

[mharrislove]

MHL's Training




Anniversary!!!

This is a repost from the main O35 section, but I can't think of a better way to kick start the journal than acknowledging how this thing got rolling in the first place.

FWIW, I should've made this post in mid-November, but clearly I wasn't able to post much of anything around that time given my schedule. Anyway, it's hard to believe that I have 3 years of training under my belt now.

In many ways, sh!t gets real about now - age 45 is major physique milestone for me that's just around the corner. And I still have major iron athlete goals in my sights by age 50 (the ages are really arbitrary, but the targets work for me), so the task in front of me is immense. But I wouldn't have it any other way...



--------------------------------------



David (2nd_Chance) got me in the habit of acknowledging my "training anniversary" a few years ago. Both of us made our comebacks around the same time of year and and around the same age. So, it's been a great way to recognize how far we have come, and to stay focused on the goals that lie ahead.

I'm actually several weeks late with my post this year since I've been so damn busy at work - but that's really the point of this annual ritual. The last time I stopped training was because I got busy with life; that "I'm busy" bullsh!t resulted in 13 years away from the gym and about 40 lbs of unwanted lard.

So, late or not, I'm making the damn post: 1) as a celebration of kicking ass in the gym, and 2) a public declaration that the "fat boy" days are indeed over.























See you next year...

[ironwill2008]

Congratulations on your training anniversary, MH.

[Akudela]

3 years is nothing to scoff about. You've done well with your time. You've built something to be proud of.

Age is only an indicator of wisdom, not one of ability. You'll reach your goals in due time.

As for anniversaries, I guess I should mark late September down on my calendar. That'll be my third year married to the iron. I can only hope I'll have something impressive to show for it.

[mharrislove]

Congratulations on your training anniversary, MH. [img]http://assets.bodybuilding.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif[img]

Thanks, Bill!

As for anniversaries, I guess I should mark late September down on my calendar. That'll be my third year married to the iron. I can only hope I'll have something impressive to show for it.

Of that, I have no doubt.

[Boomer29]

From a fat, short, guy with glasses..?

Hardly...

You better believe it!

Finally pics again!

[Stncldsnake]

Awesome work MH, congrats on the anniversary, you are a true inspiration!!

[mharrislove]

Hams and Back

Heart of darkness

Edging closer to baseline...



warm up:

• standing DB presses, 1 x 15
• DB squats, 1 x 10
• DB RDLs, 1 x 10
• standing DB curls, 1 x 10
• pull ups, 1 x 10
• dips, 1 x 10
• hyperextensions, 1 x 10
• knee extensions, 1 x 15
• lying leg curls, 1 x 10

HAMS

Sumo deads (from platform; belt; Vgrips on top sets)
135 x 5
225 x 5
315 x 5
365 x 4
405 x 3
415 x 2

My real work will be at the level of the straight 5x5. However, having been saddled with moderate weight for the past several weeks, I just wanted to test the waters in the low 400s and prepare the body for the general trend for heavier work.


Lying leg curls (stack weight)
140 x 15
140 x 13
140 x 10


Glute-ham machine (stack weight)
50 x 10
60 x 10
60 x 10

I had some residual low back pain before the workout even began - not game changing LBP, but enough to get my attention. Therefore, the 2x/wk squatting protocol is hold this week. I'd rather save my joints for the main squatting day rather than on middling low bar back squats after deads. They'll be back soon. Live to squat another day...


Bentover BB rows
135 x 10
225 x 10
275 x 6
285 x 5


Bentover DB laterals
75 x 10
85 x 8
100 x 6


Seated high cable row (using lat hand pulleys)
160 x 10
160 x 10
160 x 10


Seated reverse flyes
115 x 10
115 x 10
115 x 10

I'm flipping things around here a bit; putting the heavy rear delt work earlier in the scheme and putting them back in during the lat workout. They were often getting left behind on delt day.


The "Take that you lazy bastard!!!" High Frequency Sets
_____________________________________________

DB C&Ps
60 x 4
60 x 4
60 x 4

Seated machine flyes
130 x 10
145 x 10
145 x 10

_____________________________________________



I had today off, caught up on some sleep, and ended up working out during the retiree hour (read: a good thing; "...sup, Bill..."). I made some runs downtown and ate like a king for my post-workout meal. Then I turned on the radio...

This post, the pics, etc, were going to be very different until the full measure of today's headlines hit.


...sigh...






Impressions:

[Raigs]

Wow that is some strong Pulls! Glad you rocked those out before the back started acting up.


No tv for a few days and listen to pandora I dont want to hear anymore

[Boomer29]

Nice pulls mhl!

The volume is coming back!

[mharrislove]

Nice pulls mhl!

The volume is coming back!

Improvement is coming with each workout; I'm coming back to life!

Wow that is some strong Pulls! Glad you rocked those out before the back started acting up.

Yeah, I think that the pain came positioning during sleep (probably while at my desk working on the project), so it should resolve quickly.

No tv for a few days and listen to pandora I dont want to hear anymore

Hearts are breaking everywhere over this story...

[mharrislove]

Chest w/triceps + calves

warm up:

• standing DB presses, 1 x 15
• DB squats, 1 x 10
• DB RDLs, 1 x 10
• standing DB curls, 1 x 10
• pull ups, 1 x 10
• dips, 1 x 10
• hyperextensions, 1 x 10
• leg extensions, 1 x 15
• lying leg curls, 1 x 10

Low back is a little bit better, but still angry, so pressing power was absent. Adapt or die... Made some changes on the fly, and ended up with a half decent workout.

Despite the work around issue, I had a great time and really enjoy being back to regular training.



CHEST - shoulder rehab continues...

Flat BB bench press
bar x 10
--------- two doubled red bands, high tension
45 - 135 x 10
115 - 205 x 10
135 - 225 x 10
155 - 245 x 10
185 - 275 x 7


Hammer Strength incline chest press
--------- two doubled orange bands, high tension
1 plate + whatever x 10
1 plate + whatever x 10
1 plate + whatever x 10

Really great reps here; nice pump to show for it


Seated machine flyes - extemporaneous superset with the above exercise
130 x 10
145 x 10
145 x 8

2 sec hold w/each rep




The real Iron Chef!



TRICEPS

CGBPs
185 x 10
185 x 10
185 x 10


Machine dips
170 x 14
170 x 10 --- "railroad" style, no rest sets
--> 180 x 10
---> 190 x 7

These were not true "railroads" since the reps didn't go up, but increasing the load as I went on was still a nice challenge


Cable pressdowns
115 x 10
130 x 10
150 x 10


The "Take that you lazy bastard!!!" High Frequency Sets

Leaning laterals
40 x 10
40 x 10
40 x 10

Reverse curls
70 x 10
80 x 8
90 x 6

* supersetted with calf work

_________________________________________


CALVES

Standing heel raises
2 plates x 15
2 plates x 20
3 plates x 12


Seated heel raises
2 plates x 20
2 plates x 20
2 plates x 18





Impressions:

[-=FLEX=-]

Looking beastly, MHL.

[mharrislove]

Looking beastly, MHL.

Thanks, bro. Instead of shrinking down to the size of a middle school student in the spring, I'm leaning towards keeping the larger model around for the next several months.

[Vytis]

That quad sweep is sweet - need me one of those...

[Stncldsnake]

Great couple of sessions MH, hope the back issue heals quickly for you, throwing around some big weight!

[Sillybubba]

You're an inspiration to every single one of us that dreads the big 4-0!

[Raigs]

I came in saw some iron chef comment saw a jacked guy in the picture but no food. Not sure if Im going to neg or not

[howimliving]

[center]MHL's Training Anniversary!!!

See you next year...

congrats on your tenure and progress



i started training the right way labor day of 2009 and celebrated my three years' this fall. feelsgoodman.jpg

[mharrislove]

Quads, Biceps, and Forearms

Into the Deep

warm up:

• standing DB presses, 1 x 15
• DB squats, 1 x 10
• DB RDLs, 1 x 10
• standing DB curls, 1 x 10
• pull ups, 1 x 10
• hyperextensions, 1 x 10
• knee extensions, 1 x 15
• lying leg curls, 1 x 10

Well, well, well... Look who's back. The low back came around just in time for the party. The squat rack calls...



QUADS

Front squats
bar x 10 wu
135 x 10
225 x 5
255 x 5
275 x 5
285 x 4
225 x 10

Feelin' solid as a rock.


Adapted leg presses (narrow stance; using hip sled machine; stack weight)
330 x 15
330 x 15
330 x 15


Leg extensions
140 x 15
140 x 13
140 x 12



BICEPS/FOREARMS

Oly bar curls
45 x 10 wu
85 x 8
100 x 6
105 x 6
115 x 5


DB Hammer curls
30 x 10
35 x 8
40 x 6


Machine Preacher curls
80 x 10
95 x 10
115 x 10


Standing reverse BB wrist curls
135 x 10
185 x 12
185 x 10


The "Take that you lazy bastard!!!" High Frequency Sets
_____________________________________________

DB front raises
30 x 10
35 x 8
40 x 6

_____________________________________________









Impressions:















Is This Real Life?:




Lordy, I had forgotten that hibachi cooking is a gift to bodybuilders worldwide.

Not a single calorie was counted on that day...

[mharrislove]

That quad sweep is sweet - need me one of those...

Hey, thanks man. It could be a bit better, but no doubt - it's an upgrade from a few years ago.

Great couple of sessions MH, hope the back issue heals quickly for you, throwing around some big weight!

The low back came around today - thanks.

You're an inspiration to every single one of us that dreads the big 4-0!

Really? I appreciate that. BTW, no need to dread 40 if your aspiration is building muscle or losing fat. Now setting sprinting records and contact sports are a different deal altogether, but hey, you can't have everything...

I came in saw some iron chef comment saw a jacked guy in the picture but no food. Not sure if Im going to neg or not

Check the post today, bub (LOL)!

congrats on your tenure and progress

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/iWJw9.gif[IMG]

i started training the right way labor day of 2009 and celebrated my three years' this fall. feelsgoodman.jpg

I see... We are brothers in iron in more ways than I realized. Feels good, indeed.

[Bo_Flecks]

The "Take that you lazy bastard!!!" High Frequency Sets

I've been thinking about adding one of these a couple of times per week to try and give a couple of weaknesses some extra attention.

[mharrislove]

I've been thinking about adding one of these a couple of times per week to try and give a couple of weaknesses some extra attention.

Yeah, after some reflection on anecdotal evidence and general lifting theory, we may end up with similar conclusions on the issue. Good luck.

[FlaIronMind]

Excellent work of late my brother, particularly today's session. Those front squats, as always, are phenomenal. The reverse BB wrist curls are nothing to sneeze at either.

Good job my friend.

As for that caloric fun-fest, super terrific happy hour....well done.

[llahhsoj]

congrats on your tenure and progress



i started training the right way labor day of 2009 and celebrated my three years' this fall. feelsgoodman.jpg

+1 You are very motivational man.

[bamazav]

Great job today.

Nothing like some hibatchi. Looks great.

[Raigs]

MMM food Hibachi is amazing!

Nice session as well. Those Raises are killer

[mharrislove]

Excellent work of late my brother, particularly today's session. Those front squats, as always, are phenomenal. The reverse BB wrist curls are nothing to sneeze at either.

Good job my friend.

Thanks, man. I've been trying to ease the 5-rep work up each week until I'm back to pre-end-of-work-year-blues levels. I'm pretty close now...

As for that caloric fun-fest, super terrific happy hour....well done.

A good time was had by all!

+1 You are very motivational man.

Thanks, Josh; I could easily repost that statement in your journal as well.

Great job today.

Nothing like some hibatchi. Looks great.

Yes; I will be back!

MMM food Hibachi is amazing!

Nice session as well. Those Raises are killer

Thanks; I'm definitely finding my way in the dungeon again.