Eat, Train, Sleep: Triumphalis, Trenazone, and Trestobol

Week 3

Volume Training: Chest, Delts,and Triceps

Heavy Primary Movement:
DB Flat: 100x5, 110x5, 115x5, 115x5, 115x6
--
Volume Movements:
BB Decline: 200x8, 200x8, 200x8, 200x6/140x10
Seated DB Lateral Raise: 10x20, 20x12, 30x10, 30x10, 30x10
--
Chest Cable Flye: 30x30, 40x20, 50x10, 50x10, 40x20, 30x20
Rear Delt Flye (machine): 40x30, 50x20, 60x15, 60x15
--
EZB Overhead Extension, Seated: 50x10, 70x8, 70x8, 70x8, 40x20
DB Flat: 50x10, 60x10, 70x10, 80x10

Intense session, I'm pleased with the numbers and contractions were excellent.

After I experimented last week with DB Flat pressing on both the power and volume days for a primary "wake up" lift, I will be going back to the DB/BB split to keep myself fresh with the movement. DB Flat will still be retained as a volume movement on both days, however.

Tomorrow is the squat-deadlift volume day, perhaps the most dreaded day of the week for me, but I will make it mine!

Consumption:
Meal A: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Casein, 1 scoop Isolate
Meal B: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Casein, 1 cup Egg Whites, 4tbsp Powdered Peanut Butter, Spinach, Tomatoes
Meal C: 4 slices Ezekiel bread, 200g Chicken Breast, Spinach, Broccoli
Meal D: 80g Oats, 2 scoop Casein, 1 cup Egg Whites
Meal E: 1 cup Cottage Cheese, 2 scoop Casein

~3156kcal, 48g fat, 314g carb, 367g protein
 
Glad to hear you're on & gaining strength & mass; remember volume squats & deads are more about mental toughness - think strong, & you'll have all you need to get through.
 
Training: Legs/Back/Biceps Volume

BB Deadlift: 320x10, 320x10, 320x10, 340x10, 350x10
--
HS High Row (weight per side): 70x12, 95x8, 120x8, 145x8, 120x8, 95x10, 70x20
CG Lat Pulldown: 100x15, 130x12, 130x12, 130x10
--
Leg Extension: 110x20, 130x10, 150x10, 170x10, 190x10, 200x10
Unilateral to Exhaustion: 50x15, 50x15, 50x15
Hamstring Curl: 50x20, 70x15, 90x10, 90x10, 70x15, 50x10
--
BB Row: 135x8, 155x8, 185x8--Transition to DB Row: 70x8, 95x8, 100x8, 100x8, 100x8
DB Concentration Curl: 20x12, 20x12, 20x12--Transition to DB Hammer Curl: 30x8, 40x8
--
Cable Curl, Rope Attachment: 60x20, 70x10, 80x10, 90x10, 100x10, 110x10, 110x10, 110x8

Good sessions today, back pumps decimated me early on however despite taking in about 10-12g of Taurine between waking (5AM) and training (9AM). I wanted to focus on the posterior chain this session since I haven't been able to do as much isolation work for the hamstrings on my standard leg day. I'm fairly certain I make a big ruckus when I deadlift as I really try to go all out. My plan initially was to lift within my set rep ranges but I decided today that, instead, I would do the following: pick up heavy weight for repetitions until I couldn't do it anymore.

Also, props to Hyde for the encouragement: "think strong, be strong" was a vocalized mantra I used to get through the last deadlift set.

The rest of the day will be spent recuperating and eating.

Consumption:
Meal A: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Isolate, 1 scoop Casein
Meal B: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Casein, 1 cup Egg Whites, 4 tbsp Powdered Peanut Butter, 300g Broccoli
Meal C: 2 scoop Casein, 1 cup Cottage Cheese
Meal D: 300g Chicken Breast, Spinach, Tomato, Mushrooms (salad), and 1/2 of an 8-inch, brick-oven, vegetarian pizza (cheat meal)
Meal E: 200g Chicken Breast, 200g Brown Rice

Had a cheat meal today so macros cannot be specified; I like to think of it as "smart" cheating though, opting to use the pizza slices as a carb component to the chicken breast and greens.
 
Nice work; I have to use self-talk all the time to get myself in gear. Otherwise I'll bitch out or give up n such.
 
Rest Day

25 Minutes HIIT: Elliptical

My posterior chain is absolutely fried from yesterday's session, particularly the deadlifts; looking forward to chest-delt power tomorrow!

Consumption:
Meal A: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Isolate, 1 scoop Casein
Meal B: 4 slices Ezekiel Bread, 200g Chicken Breast, Spinach, Tomato, Pickles
Meal C: 4 slices Ezekiel bread, 200g Chicken Breast, Spinach, Tomato, Pickles
Meal D: 2 scoop Casein
Meal E: 4 slices Ezekiel Bread, 100g Chicken Breast, 1 cup Egg Whites, Spinach, Tomato, Pickles, 300g Broccoli
Meal F: 2 scoop Casein

~3242kcal, 45.5g fat, 296g carb, 411g protein

I'm not sure why I have an obsession with chicken-and-Ezekiel sandwiches all of the sudden, but I don't mind it.
 
Routine Revisions

I thought I would post this here for feedback/criticism, I did train today (Chest/Deltoid Power) and had a good session which included some intensity PR's on my DB Flat Pressing (100x7-8 for 3-4 sets after heavy flat presses), a positive development--but I'd like to "declare" the changes I will be making.

A downfall of mine has been to modify routines too excessively/frequently in the past; I am trying to take advantage of my increased recovery capacities during this cycle by bringing in more 8+ repetition work. I am more generally a fan of 5-8 repetition training during off-cycle phases but I suppose change is necessary.

Press Complex
--Power--
DB Flat: 5x5
--Chest--
DB Flat: 5x6-8
DB Incline: 5x8-10
--Deltoids--
DB Arnold: 5x6-8
DB Lateral Raise: 5x8-10
--Triceps--
BB Floor Press: 5x6-8
Skullcrusher: 5x8-10

Pull Complex
--Power--
Rack Pull: 5x5
--Horizontal Pull--
BB Row: 5x6-8
DB Row: 5x8-10
--Vertical Pull--
High Row: 5x6-8
CG/WG Lat Pulldown: 5x8-10
--Accessories--
BB/DB Cur Variantl: 5x6-8
Cable Curl Variant: 5x8-10

Squat Complex
--Power--
BB Squat: 5x5
--Quads--
BB Squat: 5x6-8
Leg Extension: 5x8-20
--Hamstring--
Deadlift: 5x6-8
Hamstring Curl: 5x8-20
--Finisher--
Hack Squat: 5xFailure

Press Complex Volume
--Power--
BB Floor Press: 5x5
--Chest--
DB Flat: 5x8-10
Cable Flye: 4x10-12
--Triceps--
Overhead Ext: 5x8-10
Tricep Pressdown: 4x10-12
--Deltoids--
BB Landmine: 5x8-10
DB Lateral Raise: 4x10-12

Squat/Pull Complex Volume
--Power--
(None)
--Quads--
BB Squat: 5x8-10
Hack Squat: 4x10-15
--Hamstring--
BB Deadlift: 5x8-10
Hamstring Curl 4x10-15
--Pull Superset--
DB Row: 5x8-10
Isolation Curl: 4x8-12
--Pull Superset--
CG/WG Lat Pulldown: 5x8-10
Cable Curl: 4x8-12

Consumption:
Meal A: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Isolate, 1 scoop Casein
Meal B: 4 slices Ezekiel bread, 1 cup Egg Whites, 200g Chicken Breast, Spinach, Tomato
Meal C: 80g Oats, 2 scoop Casein, 1 cup Egg Whites, Tomato
Meal D: 4 slices Ezekiel bread, 200g Chicken Breast, 300g Broccoli
Meal E: 30 g Almonds, 2 scoop Casein, 1 cup Cottage Cheese

~3403kcal, 62.5g fat, 304g carb, 405g protein

Appetite has noticeably increased over the past few days, not sure what to attribute this to.
 
Training: Pull Complex
--
Rack Pull: 350x5, 430x5, 450x5, 480x5
--
BB Row: 255x6, 255x6, 255x6, 255x6, 225x8
HS High Row (weight per-side): 95x8, 120x8, 130x8, 140x8
--
DB Row: 95x8, 100x8, 105x8, 105x8
BB Curl: 70x8, 90x6, 90x6, 90x6
--
Lat Pulldown, WG/CG Alternate Grips: 100x10, 120x10, 130x10, 140x10
Cable Curl, Rope Attachment: 80x10, 90x10, 100x10, 110x10, 110x8

Decent session today, I took things a bit easier to feel out the new routine and the rack pulls; I slept terribly last night, netting about 5-5.5 hours of sleep and actually fell back to sleep for about 30 minutes after laying down prior to leaving my room in the morning. Hopefully sleep quality will improve tonight; night sweats and an elevated body temperature have erupted and, along with the increased seasonal heat, are making things difficult, but I will endure.

I had a long discussion with a friend of mine today regarding training and plans for the long term, I'm beginning to consider that I may--in 1-2 years--have a physique worth competing with, so this is something for me to keep in mind.

I've also begun to think of what sort of routine I will pursue in PCT (though it is still several weeks away) along with the fact that there seems to be no "tried-and-true" program for bodybuilders in the vein of The Cube, Wendler's 5/3/1, or Madcow/Stronglifts 5x5 for powerlifters/strength athletes. I do enjoy heavy training and perhaps will run 5/3/1 with the Boring-But-Big accessory sometime down the line after maximizing my gains with the current volume, which is in fact a major change from my previous training styles which largely emphasized the 3-6 repetition range.

Micro-regulating routines can be cumbersome at times, and I think we all suffer more than we would like to admit from turning this "marathon" into a "sprint" for size gains, but I know I must be patient.

Looking forward to some heavy squats tomorrow, provided I get enough rest!

Consumption:
Meal A: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Casein, 1 scoop Isolate
Meal B: 100g Oats, 2 scoop Casein, 1 cup Egg Whites, 4 tbsp Peanut Butter, Spinach, Tomato
Meal C: 4 slices Ezekiel Bread, 200g Chicken Breast, Spinach, Tomato
Meal D: 300g Sweet Potato, 200g Chicken Breast
Meal E: 2 scoop Casein, 2 Whole Eggs, Spinach, Tomato

~3136kcal, 51.5g at, 295g carb, 372g protein
 
Training: Squat Complex
--
BB Squat: 375x5, 380x5, 380x5, 380x5, 380x5
BB Deadlift: 275x10, 320x10, 350x8, 360x8
--
Leg Extension: 110x15, 130x15, 150x10, 170x10, 190x10, 190x19
(Unilateral to Exhaustion: 70x10, 50x20)
Unilateral Hamstring Curl: 50x10, 60x10, 70x10
--
Calves
Leg Press Extension (plates per side): 3x25, 3x25, 4.5x20, 4.5x15, 4.5x15, 3x20

Excellent session today; after the squats and deadlifts I was completely gassed and had to turn to isolation lifts for the pump. I'm pleased with the 380 squat for reps as well. My legs are absolutely fried and dropping the standard pairing of legs with another muscle group made a huge difference. The pictures don't really show it all too well, but I had quad and hamstring vascularity that I've never seen before, which was encouraging.

Consumption:
Meal A: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Isolate, 1 scoop Casein
Meal B: 100g Oats, 2 scoop Casein, 1 cup Egg Whites, 4 tbsp Powdered Peanut Butter, Spinach, Tomato
Meal C: 4 slices Ezekiel bread, 200g Chicken Breast, Spinach, Tomato, 2 scoop Casein
Meal D: 4 slices Ezekiel bread, 200g Chicken Breast, Spinach, Tomato, 300g Broccoli
Meal E: 30g Almonds, 2 scoop Casein

~3414kcal, 58g fat, 313g carb, 410g protein
 
An Extension of Thanks

I just wanted to make a distinct post to thank henryv, author of the Total Flex Blog--which I'm sure many of you are well familiar with--and representative of both Iron Legion and Antaeus Labs, along with the minds and staff of AL and IL, respectively, for hooking me up with two bottles of the now-discontinued AL Trenazone to augment the rather large dosing protocol I am employing for this run.

My prior experience with Trenazone was during my SD/Trenazone/Stano run, which was successful on all fronts and logged to positive feedback. I encourage and hope that many of you will consider transdermal dienolone--to be released in a vamped-up formula via Iron Legion under the title "Dienazone--as a non-methyl component to any bulking or recomposition run. In a PH market where cost-effective, non-methylated compounds are few and far between, a transdermal dienolone product is a blessing and well worth the investment for its versatility and potency.
 
very good ish so far brotha, very, very detailed and def some beastly workouts, keep destroyin it!
 
Summary: Week 3

Thoughts

Strength gains are rolling, size gains appear evident but scale-weight gains have stalled somewhat at ~172, although a 5lb gain in 3 weeks is not shabby (particularly given that this is not an all out bulk), perhaps its a sign that calories should be increased?

My intake was largely a 400kcal surplus for Weeks 0-2 (Week 0 referring the Trenazone front-load), and heavy water retention appears to occur only after dosing Trestobol and Trenazone. I wake up lean and full, which was an effect I had seen referenced in other Triumphalis logs.

Appetite has increased over the past few days however, almost worse than the appetite increase of my SD run.
But the question then becomes:
Do I elevate calorie further to continue bulking and enter PCT with a continued bulking surplus?
(In my experience, this is a recipe for fat gains)
Or do I maintain a moderate surplus of 300-400kcal and enter PCT with more flexibility as bodyfat gains?
I suppose that's my micro-management tendencies kicking in; on an unrelated note, I need to increase my carbohydrate and fat intake vis-a-vis the protein intake, but I'm wary of the exact amount of carbs someone at my height/weight actually needs, regardless of gear.

Lift Assessment

The primary lifts for my chest and back have seen much fluctuation and have been difficult to track; though as a general rule my DB flat pressing strength has increased.

More notable, and significant for the long term, is that by Week 3 I've added 20lbs to my 5x5 power squat which went from 360 to 380 in total, along with increases in the weight of my volume deadlifts from 320 to 360.

Side Effects

Back pumps (though I managed to mitigate them during my last power session)
Testicular atrophy
Water retention
Nipple puffiness/sensitivity (due to Trestobol)
Elevated body temperature and blood pressure spikes
Night sweats and sleep difficulties
Acne
Calf pumps
 
I'm back at home for the weekend so my training schedule will be a bit skewed, but rest assured everything will be trained!

(Friday)

Training: Chest, Delts, and Triceps Volume
--
Pre-Exhaust: HS Incline Press (weight per side): 115x5, 125x5, 135x5, 115x5
--
DB Flat: 80x8, 90x8, 95x8, 100x8, 100x8
DB Lateral Raise: 20x10, 30x10, 30x10, 35x8, 35x8, 35x8
--
HS Flat (weight per side): 45x8, 70x8, 100x8, 100x8
Tricep Pressdown, Unilateral Reverse Grip: 30x10, 30x10, 30x10, 30x10

This session was rushed since I headed back home this weekend, I just wanted to blast my chest with some flat pressing and did so. Handling the 100lb DBs in the 8-repetition range after pre-exhaustion (and with a twist, essentially similar to John Meadows' "Twist Press") demonstrates a strength increase that I'm pleased with.

(Saturday)

Training: Legs Volume
BB Squat: 320x8, 340x8, 340x8, 340x8, 320x6/225x8
BB Deadlift: 320x8, 340x8, 360x8, 375x6
--
Leg Extension: 105x15, 130x15, 150x12, 180x10, 180x10, 190x10, 205x10
Hamstring Curl: 80x15, 100x15, 105x10, 105x10

Excellent squatting session today; that's a a 20lb increase on volume squats from starting the log, and deadlifts are climbing up as well. I know things aren't quite within the stereotypical "volume range" with these lifts, but if I'm going to squat and deadlift back-to-back, I'm going to go as heavy as I can with the secondary movement.

Training in my local gym today was a nice change of pace; weights are non-rubberized "prison style" Ivanko slag iron and the hammer strength machines are older variants which are a bit more challenging. I'm looking forward to training my back tomorrow. Plenty of compliments today as well from guys who haven't seen me for the past 3-4 months or so, and quad/calf/hamstring vascularity was through the roof.

Triumphalis is the real deal!

I won't be able to track my diet as thoroughly over the next few days as I'll be enjoying some of my Dad's grill preparations, but fortunately he is on board with my training and makes accommodations. Calories will likely be a bit over but I will tighten things up as soon as I get back to my university on Monday. Rest assured, though, a visit home is not an excuse to eat dirty for me.
 
Enjoy some good food - the extra cals for a few days wont hurt if you're already wondering if your daily macros are becoming a bit low. Putting in great work; it's nice to see the Triumphalis is making a big difference for you vs just the dienelone & trest (dienelone I could see gains from, but trest prob more of an intensity/vascularity/base type of compound).

Where are you at as far as libido & erection quality right now (or lack thereof)? I am curious how the dienelone & trestobol are affecting that. When you're single it doesn't matter but if I get into a relationship my compound choices have to accomodate that (got some Halotestin coming for fall, but if I have a gf then iit's gonna sit on the shelf during the winter cycle).
 
Hyde said:
Enjoy some good food - the extra cals for a few days wont hurt if you're already wondering if your daily macros are becoming a bit low. Putting in great work; it's nice to see the Triumphalis is making a big difference for you vs just the dienelone & trest (dienelone I could see gains from, but trest prob more of an intensity/vascularity/base type of compound).

Where are you at as far as libido & erection quality right now (or lack thereof)? I am curious how the dienelone & trestobol are affecting that. When you're single it doesn't matter but if I get into a relationship my compound choices have to accomodate that (got some Halotestin coming for fall, but if I have a gf then iit's gonna sit on the shelf during the winter cycle).
Click to expand...

Trest is certainly useful as a base but I know the strength/size is coming from the Triumphalis/Trenazone combination (I'm sure my relatively high dosing contributes as well).

Libido wise I've had no issues, everything is still functioning and performance hasn't been impacted. I find that typically when I cycle, though, sex is pretty far from my mind unless my girlfriend is right there in front of me. Perhaps it is the same for others? When the deed needs to be done, I can do it, but I don't turn into a dog as others do with particular compounds. For what its worth, Trenazone has been known to impact libido, but I have not seen similar side effects mentioned in the other Triumphalis logs--so I do think it would be good to go.
 
I noticed Elite Formulations picked up the rights to the Ultradrol name from Antaeus? Thought that was interesting, although I don't think there's gonna be the same demand as when they were the only msten supplier on the block (it's everywhere & fairly affordable now, & people realize you need at least 20mg).

Good to know the business can still roll out on a ho with this combo for you (I know trestolone was created as a male contraceptive but as its mainly marketed as a base compound like stano I wondered what it would actually do to guys downstairs). I will probably always avoid dienelone in the near future (pro-trenbolone would def be my first choice if I choose to use a progestin & fight my gyno with prami the whole cycle/pct), but nice to know it's not absolutely crushing. But I'm same way during cycles I've had (unless I'm using a lot of 4dhea) - sex is only an afterthought. Training, diet & growing are where my mind is.
 
Just a small update here; I'm now back at university and will resume the detailed logging tomorrow.
I did train today (press complex, power) and hit 305x1, without any hands-on spotting, this was a major accomplishment for me.

I also just got my copy of Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 book (second edition), and I cannot wait to begin this program during PCT and on into the inter-cycle period. I hope that the strength training of 5/3/1 and its assorted assistance program (I'm still trying to decide between Boring But Big or the Triumvirate) will give my body the impetus to retain all mass/strength gains made as things return to homeostasis.


Hyde said:
I noticed Elite Formulations picked up the rights to the Ultradrol name from Antaeus? Thought that was interesting, although I don't think there's gonna be the same demand as when they were the only msten supplier on the block (it's everywhere & fairly affordable now, & people realize you need at least 20mg).

Good to know the business can still roll out on a ho with this combo for you (I know trestolone was created as a male contraceptive but as its mainly marketed as a base compound like stano I wondered what it would actually do to guys downstairs). I will probably always avoid dienelone in the near future (pro-trenbolone would def be my first choice if I choose to use a progestin & fight my gyno with prami the whole cycle/pct), but nice to know it's not absolutely crushing. But I'm same way during cycles I've had (unless I'm using a lot of 4dhea) - sex is only an afterthought. Training, diet & growing are where my mind is.
Click to expand...

Yeah, quite a strange move on their part to keep the 4mg dosing. I can see people paying for a guaranteed purity but with IML now competing in that sphere they won't dominate the market anymore. On the other hand, people are still somewhat wary of the whole Shredded Labs debacle so perhaps they will be able to move product.
 
Shredded only had problems with their M1A & Hexadrone....apparently all their other raws have been legit: at least, nobody has reported any reason to believe the rest of their products were bunk...sucks, that kind of stuff can happen to anyone really.
 
Training: Squat Complex
--
BB Squat: 430x1, 385x3, 385x3, 350x5, 350x5, 350x5
BB Deadlift: 430x5, 410x5, 380x5, 320x8
--
Leg Extension: 110x12, 150x12, 190x12
Unilateral to Exhaustion: 90x10, 90x10, 70x10, 70x10
Unilateral Hamstring Curl: 40x20, 60x10, 70x10

Good session today; glad to test my 1RM in preparation for 5/3/1. I followed the 430 with a missed 450 attempt, I managed to come out of the hole but couldn't grind through it. I will take my deadlift 1RM sometime within the next week.

Consumption:
Meal A: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Isolate, 1 scoop Casein
Meal B: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Casein, 100g Cottage Cheese, 1 cup Egg Whites, 4 tbsp Powdered Peanut Butter, 300g Broccoli
 
last warmup at 405 for a single, 8 min rest, 450 like a boss. Make sure you got some heavy music in your earbuds or the background, and if you don't have any ammonia have somebody give you a good bitchslap across the back before you go to the bar.
 
Hyde said:
last warmup at 405 for a single, 8 min rest, 450 like a boss. Make sure you got some heavy music in your earbuds or the background, and if you don't have any ammonia have somebody give you a good bitchslap across the back before you go to the bar.
Click to expand...


I may try this before the run is through; a 450lb squat at ~175 is not shabby at all!
My warmups included a 400x1, 410x1, 430x1 before attempting the 450, so I'm sure if the stars align correctly I could nail it at least once.
 
Too many heavy pulls before the max attempt. Cut the 400 & 430, 410 to 450 is a very reasonable bridge. After getting loose with 135 you want the least possible reps to make the jump to your max attempt. And when you pull, decide that you are pulling it. Don't grit & hope to succeed. DO. Tell yourself I CAN, I WILL, I AM!

I remember reading this muscle & fitness interview w/ an 800lb deadlifter at like a 170's weightclass or something stupid. He said when he goes to pull, he knows in his mind he will finish no matter what - tells himself, "My back will snap in half before I quit trying to finish this lift." Kindof a scary sentiment, but that's absolutely the diehard crazy mentality you need to bring.
 
Hyde said:
Too many heavy pulls before the max attempt. Cut the 400 & 430, 410 to 450 is a very reasonable bridge. After getting loose with 135 you want the least possible reps to make the jump to your max attempt. And when you pull, decide that you are pulling it. Don't grit & hope to succeed. DO. Tell yourself I CAN, I WILL, I AM!

I remember reading this muscle & fitness interview w/ an 800lb deadlifter at like a 170's weightclass or something stupid. He said when he goes to pull, he knows in his mind he will finish no matter what - tells himself, "My back will snap in half before I quit trying to finish this lift." Kindof a scary sentiment, but that's absolutely the diehard crazy mentality you need to bring.
Click to expand...

I believe I've seen the video of that guy, associated with Animal/Universal, right?

Hell, if I can pull 430x5 after squatting my max, I know I can hit much more than 450lb deadlift; the missed 450 attempt refers to my squat (all of which were done before I deadlifted). This weekend I will be shooting for my deadlift 1RM but as you've always said, and are correct about: think strong, be strong.
 
lol my bad, I see now. What are you gonna pull? 475? 495? You gotta have 495 in you, easy. Prob higher.
 
Hyde said:
lol my bad, I see now. What are you gonna pull? 475? 495? You gotta have 495 in you, easy. Prob higher.
Click to expand...

I have not taken my deadlift 1RM for several months, I'll be interested to see where its at, I think 480-90 is certainly possible; if I could pull 500 I'd be ecstatic, I plan on tackling the lifts via 50lb increments or so.

On an unrelated note, I had no issues with back pumps today and have been following your suggestion of liberal taurine dosing upon waking and preceding the training session.
 
Can't hurt; I've used as much as 30g spaced thru the day I bet in 5-6g doses with zero sides, & never heard anyone else to notice any sides at 20+g either. It's like the 2nd most prevalent amino in the body besides glutamine or something. Glad you're beating the pumps!
 
Summary: Week 4

Thoughts

Time is truly flying by with this run, but it has largely been an enjoyable experience thus far. At this point in the cycle, I can better assess each compound and would like to notify readers of the modifications I have made to dosing and ancillary protocols. I apologize for the sparse Week 4 updates, things were hectic with my traveling and will continue to get busier as I approach my final exams. However I have neither missed training sessions nor meals at any point in this log.

First, I've dropped the Trestobol.

I've developed some puffiness and what feels like dense tissue beneath my right nipple, while both nipples in general are puffy as is the standard response to hormone use. This current inflammation, however, feels sore to the touch. While there are no burning/itching sensations, both nipples are visibly distended and protruding during full-fledged agitation but there has been no growth of tissue around the areola.

Now, the strange part: this swelling/sensitivity grows and subsides as the day goes on. Upon waking, my nipples are normal in appearance, with perhaps only a slight and minor puffiness until I begin to dose my PHs.

At no point in this cycle did I dose above 40mg of Trestobol pre-training, and over the past two weeks have been tapering doses down to 30mg and 20mg to glimpse whether or not I saw the same response: the result was an absence of the pumps/energy for which Trestobol is known, but the persistence of the sides (bloating/water retention/sensitivity) regardless of the smaller dose, so I've dropped it.

For what its worth, I am in fact gyno-sensitive and had hoped that 12.5mg Exemestane daily would keep things in check, but it has failed to do so. At this point, I will be bringing out a low daily dose of Nolva to prevent further agitation.

Which leads me to the current status of Triumphalis and Trenazone dosing:
Triumphalis-60 mg
Trenazone-4 mL

This combination has produced a linear increase of strength, as is visible from the stable increase in loads utilized for my squats and deadlifts over the course of the log. I've been somewhat erratic in stabilizing my upper-body regiments as I still come to terms with my abilities (or lack thereof) with barbell pressing movements, though my DB pressing strength has seen a continuous increase (as have my endurance abilities).

The aforementioned increases in load and intensity are in part due--I'm sure--to my decision to lower loads at the beginning of this log as I transitioned away from the crutch of hands-on spotting to a more self-sufficient and personal approach to training. Some of my strength then, has not disappeared, but is rather reasserting itself as I become my psychologically acclimated to hands-off training.

My 1RM tests in preparation for 5/3/1 demonstrate that these androgens have played a major role in preserving my strength during this transitional phase. As much as I would like this log to be one of near-endless PRs and weight smashing, I understand that in the long term it is better for me to pace myself so that my long-term journey towards cultivating a physique that is both "show" and "go".

Training

As has been implied, I'm already looking towards PCT and the months-long gap between this cycle and the next (which, if all goes well, will involve Mithras). During this period I will center my focus on strength training and optimizing my routine towards a proper balance of strength and hypertrophy. Increasingly, I've come to see the extent to which natural bodybuilding is a farce for all but the genetically gifted few--regardless of disciplined diet/training/supplementation--and as a trainee who will most likely not employ AAS at any point in the near future, I have to both reorient my goals and my efforts in the "gray" world of PH/DS use.

Sides

All aforementioned side effects still apply, notably the increased nipple inflammation discussed earlier.
 
While this is debated, many believe that Nolva will aggravate the sensitivity of the progesterone receptors...meaning that using it to defeat gyno while on a progestin such as Trenazone might actually have the opposite effect: further aggravation.

Crank that Exemestane to 25mg e/d for duration of cycle & bring in liquid Pramiplexole, start at .3-.5mg (however brave you're feeling) and crank it as fast as you can handle til you get to 1mg e/d (do NOT start at 1mg!), for duration of cycle. Prami doesn't need to be tapered off so you can drop it when you come off the progestins (or whenever you feel prolactin is controlled).
 
Training: Chest and Deltoids

BB Incline: 270x1, 230x5, 190x5, 140x5
DB Flat: 100x8, 100x8, 100x6, 100x6
--
DB Arnold: 40x12, 50x8, 50x8, 50x8
DB Lateral Raise: 35x10, 35x10, 30x12, 25x15
--
Cable Flye: 40x12, 40x12, 50x10, 50x10, 50x10
Tricep Pressdown: Done to sufficient contraction/failure

Opted to test my BB Incline 1RM today and gauge how the loads feel as a whole; I believe I will opt for, as the 5/3/1 template calls for, an Overhead Press day rather than using the Incline Press as a primary lift. I did in fact notice that my overall training intensity/focus benefits from splitting the chest-delt-tricep chain into pairings of Chest/Tricep and Chest/Delt.

Tomorrow I may attempt to gauge my deadlift maximum if I'm feeling well and have slept well.

Consumption:
Meal A: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Casein, 1 scoop Isolate
Meal B: 4 slices Ezekiel bread, 200g Chicken Breast, Spinach, Tomato, 300g Broccoli, 1 cup Cottage Cheese
Meal C: 4 slices Ezekiel Bread, 200g Chicken Breast, Spinach, Tomato
Meal D: 4 slices Ezekiel Bread, 200g Chicken Breast, Spinach, Tomato
Meal E: 2 scoop Casein, 1 cup Cottage Cheese, 30g Almonds

3430kcal, 62g fat, 310g carb, 408g protein
 
Training: Pull Complex

BB Deadlift: 480x1, 430x10 (singles, 30-40 second rest between each)
--
HS High Row (weight per side): 70x10, 90x8, 115x8, 125x8, 125x8
HS Low Row (weight per side): 70x10, 90x10, 115x10, 125x10, 125x10
--
BB Squat: 320x6, 320x6, 320x6, 320x6
Leg Extension: Done to sufficient contraction and full exhaustion
--
Lat Pulldown, Wide-Grip: 100x12, 130x8, 145x8, 160x8, 100x12
Cable Curl, Rope-Attachment: 80x10, 90x10, 100x10, 110x10, 110x10

I'm pleased with the deadlift 1RM, but a bit perplexed. These numbers are all accurate, but are not quite making sense to me from a programming perspective. Am I potentially undershooting my maxes and/or approaching them incorrectly with my warmups?

Since I began my training career, my adage has been: lift heavy until you cannot lift anymore.

Now to hit 480x1 as my 1RM, and follow it up with pulling 10 singles at ~90% of my 1RM, and then to follow that up with several sets of squats at ~75% of my 1RM for more than 5 repetitions per set--is there something amiss here?

To be big, one must lift big, eat big, and rest well. The early years of my training consisted of sets largely in the 3-5 range for almost all exercises, along with accessory movements like floor presses and rack pulls--and lifting at or near 80-90% of my 1RM multiple times weekly. Breaking all the rules? It seems to be so, particularly as I review Wendler's long term 5/3/1 plan.

But hell, I enjoy doing it, and my body responds well to it, and I have a habit of forcing my CNS to power through lifts as a matter of principle, and I've never taken a deload week, or even anything more than perhaps 2-3 days off of training in my career thus far.

Keep in mind, I am not, nor do I aspire to be, a competitive powerlifter, but my goal--aside from ultimately competing--is to be a thick backed, tree-trunk legged, big-armed, wide-chested mother****er.

So can anyone please advise me as to why my performance in the gym seems to defy conventions in both bodybuilding and powerlifting spheres? I have the feeling that the hands-on spotting I employed for the past several years allowed for a sufficient degree of endurance, CNS conditioning, and intensity to work with supra-maximal loads without injury, and that this has contributed to my ability to sustain this sort of training for so long.

Consumption:
Meal A: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Casein, 1 scoop Isolate
Meal B: 4 pcs Ezekiel Bread, 200g Chicken Breast, Tomato, Spinach
Meal C: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Isolate, 2 scoop Casein
Meal D: 4 pcs Ezekiel Bread, 200g Chicken Breast, Tomato, Spinach, 300g Broccoli
Meal E: 2 scoop Casein, 1 cup Cottage Cheese

3150kcal, 46g fat, 302g carb, 385g protein
 
Even in PCT right now, I don't take off days unless I need them & don't lift/eat/sleep any less intensely when I'm off cycle. It's a life-style 24-7. I lift heavy every single week (unless working around a tweak or injury), I just have more volume on cycle since I can stay at the gym for 2hrs or more & know I'm not catabolizing and going backwards. The 3 months of 5/3/1 I did, I never deloaded properly. They just became bodybuilding weeks with extra cardio that ended up being just as intense or more as the usual heavy lifting. Deloading is a sham. It's not something to be done routinely, it's something you do AS NECESSARY. If you are burnt out, injured, sick of the gym, have personal issues, then one should always take as much time off as they need, because real life happens.... but why lift light or take full off-time if you're ready to go? Nobody got stronger by not lifting. If we could get stronger lifting only light weights, we would.

Sorry for the soapbox, but I agree with you. If you're ready, lift. That's what you love, so even if you only broke even it would be worth it.
 
Hyde said:
Even in PCT right now, I don't take off days unless I need them & don't lift/eat/sleep any less intensely when I'm off cycle. It's a life-style 24-7. I lift heavy every single week (unless working around a tweak or injury), I just have more volume on cycle since I can stay at the gym for 2hrs or more & know I'm not catabolizing and going backwards. The 3 months of 5/3/1 I did, I never deloaded properly. They just became bodybuilding weeks with extra cardio that ended up being just as intense or more as the usual heavy lifting. Deloading is a sham. It's not something to be done routinely, it's something you do AS NECESSARY. If you are burnt out, injured, sick of the gym, have personal issues, then one should always take as much time off as they need, because real life happens.... but why lift light or take full off-time if you're ready to go? Nobody got stronger by not lifting. If we could get stronger lifting only light weights, we would.

Sorry for the soapbox, but I agree with you. If you're ready, lift. That's what you love, so even if you only broke even it would be worth it.
Click to expand...

We are in agreement on all of those points; I only recently incorporated volume training (10+ repetitions) into the regiment. When I feel out-of-it or overly fatigued, I can/will take a day off from the gym, reorient my split, or even train a different group to facilitate my recovery; and I'm absolutely in agreement with the highlighted phrase. There are plenty of guys out there who I see at my local gym--construction workers, longshoremen, piledrivers, etc--who obliterate every single lift of mine by leaps and bounds. I know damn well they've never read a muscle magazine, purchased the latest amino acid supplement, or given a rat's ass about their diet. Now, they pay for the latter of course in their conditioning, but these guys didn't get to where they are by employing the latest rest-paused-strip-set-non-linear-periodization-hypetrophic-stretching routine. They got there by lifting heavy, lifting consistently, and eating to grow. If they combined their diligence/determination with the knowledge that's out there, they would be monsters, and that's what I plan to do.
 
Training: Press Complex

BB Flat: 305x1, 230x5, 230x5, 230x5
DB Flat: 100x8, 100x8, 100x8, 100x8
EZB Overhead Extension: 60x8, 70x8, 80x6, 80x6
Cable Flye: 40x10, 50x8, 50x8, 50x8
Tricep Pressdown, Reverse Grip and Rope Attachments: Done to full contractions and exhaustion

Not the best session today, my sleep has been horrendous for the past 4-5 nights or so; waking constantly to urinate and being unable to fall back to sleep due to the heat, and night sweats have been an increasing issue. Stress has been mounting due to school, but I'd rather be stressed/sleep-less on gear than in a natural state.

I plan to experiment this week on modifications to the 5/3/1 template; my training partner has returned from being out of town so I'll be assessing his 1RMs as well and prepping him for the program, it will be a long road ahead.

As it stands, this is Week 5 so I must increasingly gear myself towards PCT and decide what route to pursue from then on.
 
SPLocal and the Pissed-Off Squat Session of June 4, 2013

So as it stands, I logged about 4-5 hours of sleep last night. I slept from 8-12, waking at around 12:20 or so, and was unable to fall back asleep until around 2:30 or 3:00. I've always had a hard time "shutting off" my thoughts before sleeping, and as soon as I wake my brain starts to crank and makes things quite difficult for me.

I lay on my back, eyes closed, waiting--hoping--to fall back to sleep so that I would not only have a good session in the gym today, but also that I wouldn't be exhausted during my classes, as this is the last week before finals and new material is still being introduced (bastards).

So around 2:00 I figured--**** it, I'll eat my pre-workout meal now and hit the gym at 5:00 AM sharp. Nothing like a nice warm bowl of oats and whey at 2 AM to help settle the stomach--which I also noticed is that I've been waking up hungry these past few nights.

I thought about the cycle, about training, about my lifts, about my successes, shortcomings, about my lack of size (at least, in my own eyes), about my weak bench press, about time wasted in the early years of training, about my finals, about my girl (who I've been training in the deadlift and squat and can now pull a plate for reps, she's awesome), and about bodybuilding as a whole.

I started to get angry.

Angry about my fat bitch of a neighbor blasting some techno at 12:00 which was what woke me.
Angry about new material being introduced the week before finals.
Angry about my poor benching abilities and the setbacks I created for myself by using hands-on spotting.
Angry about my lack of chest growth as a consequence of the above.
Angry about the time I spent with hands-on training for the squat and other lifts as well.
Angry that nobody seems to squat or train legs at either of my gyms.
Angry that people fail to realize the dedication/discipline they need for success in training, particularly when natural.
Angry that I lost my chalk at the gym yesterday.
Angry that without full blown AAS, Slin, HGH, and Peptides I may never reach my goal physique.
Angry that there are tools out there who look/lift like bodybuilders simply due to drug use, and demolish my physique and all of my lifts, but fail to embody the spirit or essence of training (at least, in my opinion) as a character-building, disciplined and quasi-militaristic devotion to perpetual self-development, self-criticism, self-challenge, and personal growth.
Angry that if I ever decide to enter an NPC competition I will have to go up against the aforementioned persons while I myself have not partaken of an equivalent amount of gear.
Angry that I haven't squatted 4-plates for more than 1-rep yet this cycle

4:30 AM rolled around, I had just fallen asleep at around 3:30 or so, and was awoken by my alarm.
I said, **** it and **** them, **** overtraining, **** taking the day off, **** 3x10 or 3x8, I'm going to go into that ****ing gym at 5AM on 4 hours of sleep and squat 4-plates to depth for reps and there is nothing that anyone can do about it.


So I did it.

410x3---My gym uses 50lb bars.

And then I added weight, and I did it again.

415x4

In total:

BB Squat: 410x3, 410x3, 410x3, 415x4, 435x1 (the 435x1 broke last weeks PR of 430x1).
BB Deadlift: 380x10, 320x10
--
Leg Extension: Done to appropriate contraction and exhaustion, mixtured of unilateral and bilateral movements.
Hamstring Curl: Done in similar fashion as above.

Its now 7:30AM or so and I've consumed 1400kcal and around ~150g of carbs; I have to get ready for class so I will try to provide a more complete update later, but let it be known: SPLocal needs no spotter to hit those heavier weights.

New goal is to hit the 410 for 3 sets of 5 before this cycle is done. I think that is feasible.

SinX will upload the squat videos sometime today, hopefully, those of you who like the videos, please shoot him some reps as he has been quite helpful!
 
Great to hear man - I only got 415x3 on cycle, & squat 445 thru parallel - I think you can do that or more, I'd bet.
 
Training: Back and Biceps

Superset:
DB Row: 100x8, 100x8, 110x8, 110x8, 115x8, 115x8
BB Curl: 70x8, 70x8, 70x8, 60x8, 50x8
--
HS High Row (weight per side): 90x8, 90x8, 115x8, 115x8
HS Low Row (weight per side): 90x10, 115x10, 115x10, 115x8
--
Rack Pull: 320x6, 370x6, 410x6
Lat Pulldown: 100x8, 110x8, 115x8, 130x8

Decent session today, things were hot at the beginning but for some reason I lost touch with the pump fairly quickly. My routine has seen an atomization as of late and I'm still trying to decide how exactly to structure assistance/power lifts with both intensity and stimulus in mind. My strength inclinations push me towards making simple, 3-5 exercise routines while the bodybuilder in me thinks of angles, TUT, drop sets, etc. On cycle of course I can get away with just about anything so long as I work hard and eat enough, but things will change during PCT.
 
SPLocal gettin' under the bar:

410x3

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415x4

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EDIT: These are both the 410x3 vid; looks like you PM'd me the same link - send me the 415 & I'll get her up asap brother!
 
Summary: Week 5

Thoughts

How time flies, next week will be the final week of this run and I will post a summarizing post shortly thereafter. I have not decided yet as to whether I will continue to log my PCT training here, or open a new thread in the appropriate subforum (and on AM as well) to document my progress for the 3-6 month layoff period I expect to take until my next cycle (most likely Mithras bridged into either Triumphalis or Epistane).

I plan on getting some picture updates included as well; as of late I haven't been logging my caloric intake but I have in fact increased it over the past two weeks from the 3200-3300 range to 3400-3500. Thus far I've yet to see much fat accumulation but we will see how things play it once PCT rolls around and glycogen retention dissipates.

Training

Records have been set, frustrations have been vented, dialogue has been had, thus far I have no qualms about the course of my training with this run. Come PCT I will likely retain my 5-day split but limit the volume training and span of exercises per session in order to get in and out of the gym quickly.

I will perhaps make a post here or in the appropriate subforum asking for an overview of the modifications, keep a look out for it if you are interested.

Miscellaneous

Aside from the usual SERMS/AIs I've also got my hands on an 8-week supply of Purus Labs D-Pol tablets and PES Anabeta Elite which I'm quite excited to run as they've given me excellent results before--in fact Anabeta/Anabeta Elite is the only natural product I stand by as giving tangible results in positive strength/fullness/appearance effects. I will also begin dosing creatine monohydrate once more, but I will make a more detailed PCT-protocol post when the time comes.

On the gyno front; nipple agitation has decreased somewhat but still seems to go through this daily roller-coaster of non-existence, to puffiness, to "I'm going to have to get this thing cut out", to settling down until the next day. It does in fact act in the immediate hour or so following PH dosing which is to be expected. Again, there is no burning or latent pain, only upon forceful contact/pressure, but such are the risks of the game. It will certainly influence my future choice in compounds however.

For the record, and for those who are considering a similar run in the future: I am estrogen sensitive and attribute the flareup to standard on-cycle hormonal flux and my gamble with the use of aromatizing Trestobol--I do not attribute to this to Trenazone or Triumphalis, both of which structurally cannot aromatize.
 
I really enjoy your thoughts on this run so far. Are you running any prami or caber btw, or just the exemestane? What dosing again on exem?
 
my bad brotha just got back and saw your email throwin these up now, intense yo:

410x3

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415x4

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Hyde said:
I really enjoy your thoughts on this run so far. Are you running any prami or caber btw, or just the exemestane? What dosing again on exem?
Click to expand...

I'm glad you've been following along, its certainly been a source of encouragement.

Current exemestane doses are just shy of 25mg daily and they seem to be helping somewhat (I'd imagine the doses are also impacted by quality/potency of the RC itself); I do have Letro on hand but would rather not bring it out until things go entirely askew. I have Caber on hand and have been dosing it up to 1mg weekly in two .50mg intervals but as I was never experiencing lactation I cannot differentiate between the Exem and Caber's efficacy. I also toned down the Trenazone to 2mL and will keep it there until the end of this run.
 
Week 6

Training: Press Complex
--
BB Flat: 250x5, 250x5, 250x5
--
DB Flat: 100x6, 100x6, 100x6, 100x6
DB Arnold: 65x6, 65x6, 50x8, 50x8
--
BB Decline: 140x8, 160x8, 180x8, 190x6
BB Skulls: 60x8, 60x8, 60x8, 60x8
--
Superset
Cable Flyes/Reverse-Grip Tricep Pressdown: Done to appropriate contraction and failure

Well the cycle is winding down; I wanted to do something big with this chest day but I have absolutely zero work capacity when it comes to the barbell flat. Last week, in a session I did not record, I hit the following on chest: 230x5, 280x1, 230x5, 300x1, 230x5
so it's a bit disheartening that I struggle with 250lbs for repetitions. It seems that when I'm doing singles or triples, I can crank out the heavier numbers without an issue, but anything approach the 5+ rep range and I have to take a serious drop in loads.

Any thoughts on this? I've noticed that I've yet to really get my breathing pattern down with the lift, I often end up holding my breath because I treat the repetition sets as if I'm about to hit a single or triple. I take a standard powerlifting form, elbows tucked, triceps tight, ass-on-bench, feet planted, and I do feel contractions in the appropriate places, but the lift as a whole just takes a lot out of me--it is perhaps the most exhausting (physically/mentally) lift for me of the Big 3.

Some sticking points I noticed: getting my breathing pattern down, getting stuck off the chest during the latter repetitions of my 3rd set. I think Floor Presses would facilitate this but I'm not sure how to incorporate them, I do enjoy them in the 6-8 repetition range though, but just to note--I am not a "natural" at the bench press, it just doesn't give me that same intensity/enjoyment I get from squatting/deadlifting that really makes me want to go all out.

Regardless I took some photographs after the session which will be uploaded at the end of the log--I think you will all be very surprised.

I'll record my consumption for this final week because, well, why not?

Consumption:
Meal A: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Isolate, 1 scoop Casein
Meal B: 100g Oats, 1 scoop Isolate, 2 scoop Casein, Salad (Tomatoes, Bellpeppers, Cucumbers, Spinach)
 
I have the exact, and I mean EXACT, same problem on bench. It's like a few heavy reps come easy, but you get me over 3 reps & my numbers plummit. Note that I also suck at bench compared to squat & dead, and if I bench 405 in my life raw I will $h!t my pants. And I mean years from now even.
 
Hyde said:
I have the exact, and I mean EXACT, same problem on bench. It's like a few heavy reps come easy, but you get me over 3 reps & my numbers plummit. Note that I also suck at bench compared to squat & dead, and if I bench 405 in my life raw I will $h!t my pants. And I mean years from now even.
Click to expand...

Do you ever work out high reps?
 
Yeah, especially on cycle where hypertrophy is actually attainable...nobody tells you that you can't really grow muscle except when you're on; kind of one of those things that you just realize one day. Lifting off-cycle is purely to preserve strength/size - you have to give the muscles a reason to exist, or they'll peace out. But cycles are when you really grow. Off-time is better for developing strength/cutting fat IMHO. All my accessory work is always in hypertrophic rep ranges. After heavy squat last night did 100 total reps of chins/rows & 75 total reps of hanging leg raise, for example. Simple, but effective.

On this last cycle I had to work around a shoulder tweak the first month or so, so benchpress wasn't ever heavier than 5 reps minimum, usually higher. As it healed up I was able to max at the end.
 
Got a new log up, you guys should get in it! Just getting going!

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Tony, your inbox is full. Clear that out son so peeps can send you love notes!
 
Hyde said:
Yeah, especially on cycle where hypertrophy is actually attainable...nobody tells you that you can't really grow muscle except when you're on; kind of one of those things that you just realize one day. Lifting off-cycle is purely to preserve strength/size - you have to give the muscles a reason to exist, or they'll peace out. But cycles are when you really grow. Off-time is better for developing strength/cutting fat IMHO. All my accessory work is always in hypertrophic rep ranges. After heavy squat last night did 100 total reps of chins/rows & 75 total reps of hanging leg raise, for example. Simple, but effective.

On this last cycle I had to work around a shoulder tweak the first month or so, so benchpress wasn't ever heavier than 5 reps minimum, usually higher. As it healed up I was able to max at the end.
Click to expand...

Yeah I meant more reps to help so you dont fail on tge heavy sets after 3 reps or whatever you were saying. But I dont feel like I cant grow off cycle. You honestly feel that way? Ive dried out a lot in my pct now but my weight isnt really dropping below 3 lbs less then on cycle and im starting to get bigger. But I have determination to add 3-5 lbs natty before my next cycle. If not that at least keep my gains. My appetite has been freaky in tgis PCT..
 
I've managed to generally make more strength than size gains during my natty phases; but again the emphasis really isn't on hypertrophy so much as it is strength training. At the end of the day, it comes down to a mixture of genetics, eating at a surplus, and how you respond to that over time. There are some thick, ox-necked mother****ers at my gym from years of heavy lifting and hard work, but they couldn't step onto a stage. I'm more or less coming to the conclusion that "natural" bodybuilding (i.e. to be both big and lean, rather than big/fat or small/lean) is at worst, a farce, and at best, the purview of the gifted few. But I'll be damned if I don't keep fighting to attain it each session.
 
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