DaPack..Fighting Age One Day at a Time

Hyde said:
Absolutely. You do not want a quality judge who’s a personal friend judging you; unless you hit it clean as a whistle, they’ll have to redlight you. I’ve had it happen to me, but I am glad because he was an awesome guy & I don’t compete for gifts. I wouldn’t want the integrity of his judging questioned when he did so much for the sport in the area.

This way we can host something close, be a part of planning the dates, but all of the calls are on outside USAPL judges. Then the gym gets a cut of the profits too. And the members who spot/load get to support their friends competing.
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that's how we used to do it with USAW Oly events. back then really only xfit boxes were running anything oly related so a lot of competitors came in from not xfit backgrounds but the judges were always USAW and not box affiliated. We had some high quality meets that were run pretty quick tbh. but then again, Oly is only 2 lifts.
 
March 26th, 2025 (Wednesday)

Deads;**Deficit 25lb Bumper, Sumo
1 set 3 reps 225lbs
7 sets 1 rep 275lbs, 315lbs, 345lbs, 375lbs, 405lbs, 435lbs, 460lbs**PR, +5lbs

Bench;**Comp
8 sets 1 rep 185lbs, 205lbs, 225lbs, 245lbs, 260lbs, 275lbs, 285lbs, 295lbs

Rack Pulls;**Peg 3
4 sets 3 reps 315lbs, 365lbs, 405lbs, 435lbs

As much as I like to think my conv and sumo are close today showed that they are not. Will still try and PR my conv at the meet if it is there. Plus side is I can always switch to sumo if I feel it is not attainable.
 
I always thought it was cool when someone opens up with one stance, then comes out in the opposite for their second or third pull.
 
Hell yeah, why not set a PR on conv then come out and slam a higher sumo? I think Layne always pulls sumo in meets and for a natty dude he has some pretty awesome numbers IMO
 
Hyde said:
I always thought it was cool when someone opens up with one stance, then comes out in the opposite for their second or third pull.
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Dustin07 said:
Hell yeah, why not set a PR on conv then come out and slam a higher sumo? I think Layne always pulls sumo in meets and for a natty dude he has some pretty awesome numbers IMO
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Will see on Monday how things play out when I do my last heavy conv. Feel need to hit around 455 to 465 to have a shot at 478.5. The other thing is when I take my last heavy sumo if I hit between 475 and 485 clean will probably do sumo since will have a shot at 500.5. Would love to PR conv this meet but getting 500.5 would be even better.
 
dapack said:
Will see on Monday how things play out when I do my last heavy conv. Feel need to hit around 455 to 465 to have a shot at 478.5. The other thing is when I take my last heavy sumo if I hit between 475 and 485 clean will probably do sumo since will have a shot at 500.5. Would love to PR conv this meet but getting 500.5 would be even better.
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Something special about a 1/4 ton pull
 
March 30th, 2025 (Sunday)

Bench;**Pause
7 sets 2 reps 155lbs, 170lbs, 185lbs, 200lbs, 215lbs, 230lbs, 245lbs

Bench;
5 sets 2 reps 260lbs, 275lbs, 285lbs, 295lbs, 305lbs

Flat Dbl Press;
4 sets 13 reps

Seated Dbl Press;
4 sets 13 reps

Push Downs;
4 sets 13 reps
 
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March 31st, 2025 (Monday)

Deads;**Conv
2 sets 3 reps 225lbs (DE)
7 sets 1 rep 275lbs, 315lbs, 345lbs, 375lbs, 405lbs, 435lbs, 465lbs**Gym PR

Rack Pulls;**Peg 3
2 sets 5 reps 275lbs, 315lbs
2 sets 3 reps 365lbs, 405lbs
1 set 1 rep 450lbs

Last set was hard but at least puts me in a position to possibly go for a conv PR at the meet depending on the day.
 
Segansational said:
I think it's interesting to see you doing both sumo and conventional pulling, particularly if you're competing in one stance consistently. Maybe I need to add in sumos too. Plus a good reminder to add back in some rack pulls again.
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Yeah with your lower back issues SUMO might be the way to go for you. Far less forward lean, so it stresses the lower back less.
 
Good to see things moving right along for you, congrats on the PR!
 
April 2nd, 2025 (Wednesday)

Bench;**Comp
10 sets 1 rep 185lbs, 205lbs, 225lbs, 245lbs, 260lbs, 275lbs, 285lbs, 295lbs, 305lbs, 315lbs

Leg Press;
6 sets 13 reps

Leg Ext;
3 sets 13 reps

Leg Curls;
6 sets 13 reps
 
April 5th, 2025 (Satruday)

Deads;**Sumo
2 sets 3 reps 225lbs, 275lbs
5 sets 1 rep 365lbs, 395lbs, 425lbs, 455lbs, 485lbs

Bench;
7 sets 1 rep 185lbs, 205lbs, 225lbs, 245lbs, 265lbs, 285lbs, 305lbs
1 set 2 reps 315lbs

Pretty excited how today turned out. Obviously 485lbs is hard but it remained at the same speed throughout once I broke the floor to lockout. I just PRd my conv on Monday and today was 4 days before I would have taken my last heavy for sumo that was planned. 485lbs was my goal today and nothing more but if I planned my jumps to take 500lbs it was there. Definitely going to pull sumo for the meet and hopefully it is a better meet than last because I feel 500.5+ is there for the taking. Bench was solid hitting 3 wheels for 2 reps so another plus. Just need squats to fall in line come Monday which I am only looking for 395 to 405. Would be happy at 418 for the meet for squats.
 
dapack said:
April 5th, 2025 (Satruday)

Deads;**Sumo
2 sets 3 reps 225lbs, 275lbs
5 sets 1 rep 365lbs, 395lbs, 425lbs, 455lbs, 485lbs

Bench;
7 sets 1 rep 185lbs, 205lbs, 225lbs, 245lbs, 265lbs, 285lbs, 305lbs
1 set 2 reps 315lbs

Pretty excited how today turned out. Obviously 485lbs is hard but it remained at the same speed throughout once I broke the floor to lockout. I just PRd my conv on Monday and today was 4 days before I would have taken my last heavy for sumo that was planned. 485lbs was my goal today and nothing more but if I planned my jumps to take 500lbs it was there. Definitely going to pull sumo for the meet and hopefully it is a better meet than last because I feel 500.5+ is there for the taking. Bench was solid hitting 3 wheels for 2 reps so another plus. Just need squats to fall in line come Monday which I am only looking for 395 to 405. Would be happy at 418 for the meet for squats.
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Solid work man!!
 
April 7th, 2025 (Monday)

Session #1
Squats;**Cerberus Sleeves
2 sets 5 reps 185lbs, 205lbs
2 sets 3 reps 225lbs, 250lbs
2 sets 1 rep 275lbs, 300lbs

Pioneer Heavy Wraps
5 sets 1 rep 325lbs, 350lbs, 375lbs, 405lbs, 425lbs

Bench;
7 sets 1 rep 185lbs, 205lbs, 225lbs, 245lbs, 265lbs, 285lbs, 300lbs

Session #2
Leg Press;
6 sets 13 reps

Squats came together at the last moment so happy about that. 418lbs is my goal since really don't want to push 100% this meet on squats do to be able to recover in time for the next meet. Will see what type of day the meet is and if it is great might go higher. Today was the last day for heavy gym bench singles and don't know why after 2 days hit 315x2 I thought 325 to 330 was possible, which it was not. Thursday will be last comp bench and just looking for 305 to 310 being a smooth rep.
 
April 10th, 2025 (Thursday)

Weight: 188lbs

Session #1
Bench;**Comp
7 sets 1 rep 185lbs, 205lbs, 225lbs, 245lbs, 265lbs, 285lbs, 300lbs

Rack Pulls;**Peg 3
2 sets 5 reps 275lbs, 315lbs
2 sets 3 reps 365lbs, 405lbs
1 set 1 rep 455lbs

Session#2
Leg Press;
7 sets 13 reps

Flat Dbl Press;
4 sets 13 reps

Push Downs;
4 sets 13 reps

Wasn't the best bench session but realized it was my 3rd ME day since Saturday so should have expected as much. Still have confidence in 308lbs for the meet if it is a good day. Main point since last meet was to recover and get rid of all the aches and pains and accomplished that. 9 weeks out until the next meet and looking at really only have 5 weeks I can really push it but now feel physically like I can do it.
 
April 14th, 2025 (Monday)

Weight: 187lbs

Squats;**Cerberus Sleeves
3 sets 3 reps 185lbs, 205lbs, 225lbs
3 sets 1 rep 250lbs, 275lbs, 300lbs

Bench;
3 sets 3 reps 185lbs, 205lbs, 225lbs
3 sets 1 rep 245lbs, 260lbs, 275lbs**Comp

Deads;**Sumo
3 sets 3 reps 225lbs, 275lbs, 315lbs
2 sets 1 rep 365lbs, 405lbs

Squats felt really good but bench/ deads not so much. Wasn't horrible just didn't like how things moved this close to the meet. So my wife and I decided will spend Thurs/ Fri at a hotel next to the meet. We drove the meet both days in the past, 3 hours one way, and it wasn't horrible but it was tiring. First time doing a water cut away from home so need to make sure I have everything packed. Plus side it the weigh-ins are at 9am so I could actually do the water cut early in the morning before I head over. Thinking probably 4 baths tops to make weight. Goals for the meet are 418/ 308/ 500.5, so openers will be 363/ 280.5/ 440. Plan is only to give 100% to bench and maybe deads if 500.5 so I can recover for the next meet 8 weeks after.
 
Do to situations out of my control, hotel water does not get hot enough, will move up to 198lbs. Was sitting great at 184.7lbs when I started filling the tub. Realized it was not hot enough but tired anyways and lost 0.4lbs. If I naturally lose 2lbs at night, higher end, would still end up heavy. Gorging time now.
 
I hope you kill it buddy!
 
Weighed in at 185.7lbs which surprised me with how much I ate when I realized 181.5 would not happen. Time to continue gorging.
 
Sorry to hear you couldn’t finish the cut! That’s tough when you don’t have access to a proper bath and it’s late enough you can’t get a daypass at a gym with a sauna. If you can’t do that, the last play if you have access to a car is to put on as many layers as you can wear and just sit in it with the heat maxed out. Sun would already be down at this point, otherwise you obviously also park in the sunlight. Car with heater is brutal.

Also, chewing gum or ideally sucking on hard sour candies like ice breakers and spitting in a cup is worth at least half a pound over time. It can coax saliva out when your mouth is otherwise pretty dry.

I hope the meet goes awesome for you!!!
 
April 20th, 2025 (Sunday)
Meet Recap

Sleep was horrible the night before and came really close to canceling on the meet. Told my wife would see how squats go and make a decision based on that. The body is a strange thing since based on sleep would think the meet would be horrible but turned out to be one of my better meets.
Squat warmups felt heavy but nothing really outside the normal so stuck with 165kgs (363lbs) for opener and it was slow but went up pretty good. 2nd attempt of 180 (396) and it was a solid lift and flew up but stuck with the game plan of 190 (418) for 3rd attempt. 3rd attempt was actually hard based on the 2nd but did end of getting it.
Bench went really well and had my best lift in about 12 years. Opener was 127.5 (280.5) and no issues at all with it. 2nd attempt was 138 (303.6) and it exploded off the chest and was really surprised how quickly it moved. 3rd attempt was 142.5 (313.5) and it was slow but a lot better than December when I hit it on the 4th attempt. Goal was to get 313.5 on the 3rd which would be an improvement from December. Could have attempted a 4th but declined since another meet is around the corner.
Deads. Warmed up to 405 at is was slow and started to get in my head before I realized for me from 365 to ME the weights always seem to move around the same speed. 1st attempt was 200 (440) and of course slow but no issues at all so jumped to 215 (473) for the 2nd attempt and was the same as the 1st. Decided to go for it and did 227.5 (500.5) for my 3rd attempt. Ahead of me was to younger people with the same attempt and they both got it pretty smoothed. When my turn came told myself wasn't going to be the only on out of us not to get. Was hard breaking the floor but overall was and clean lift. Ended up PRing my deads and my total for the meet of 1,232. Time to rest and recover for the next meet.

 
dapack said:
April 20th, 2025 (Sunday)
Meet Recap

Sleep was horrible the night before and came really close to canceling on the meet. Told my wife would see how squats go and make a decision based on that. The body is a strange thing since based on sleep would think the meet would be horrible but turned out to be one of my better meets.
Squat warmups felt heavy but nothing really outside the normal so stuck with 165kgs (363lbs) for opener and it was slow but went up pretty good. 2nd attempt of 180 (396) and it was a solid lift and flew up but stuck with the game plan of 190 (418) for 3rd attempt. 3rd attempt was actually hard based on the 2nd but did end of getting it.
Bench went really well and had my best lift in about 12 years. Opener was 127.5 (280.5) and no issues at all with it. 2nd attempt was 138 (303.6) and it exploded off the chest and was really surprised how quickly it moved. 3rd attempt was 142.5 (313.5) and it was slow but a lot better than December when I hit it on the 4th attempt. Goal was to get 313.5 on the 3rd which would be an improvement from December. Could have attempted a 4th but declined since another meet is around the corner.
Deads. Warmed up to 405 at is was slow and started to get in my head before I realized for me from 365 to ME the weights always seem to move around the same speed. 1st attempt was 200 (440) and of course slow but no issues at all so jumped to 215 (473) for the 2nd attempt and was the same as the 1st. Decided to go for it and did 227.5 (500.5) for my 3rd attempt. Ahead of me was to younger people with the same attempt and they both got it pretty smoothed. When my turn came told myself wasn't going to be the only on out of us not to get. Was hard breaking the floor but overall was and clean lift. Ended up PRing my deads and my total for the meet of 1,232. Time to rest and recover for the next meet.

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This was awesome to read bro. I'm glad the meet went well even with the piss poor sleep, that'll kill anyone's performance but that's when we dig in and go hard

That pull looked solid
 
I’m really glad you didn’t quit - I hope this was an eye opener for you! And congratulations on your new PRs!!! That’s a sick pull.

I’m very surprised to hear you say this though - poor sleep almost never kills anyone’s performance at meets. Nearly everyone who has competed multiple times experiences a meet where they get virtually no sleep the night before, yet kick ass anyway. Nerves/excitement, being in a different bed or noisy/brighter room, indigestion from all the food, elevated gear use, sharing a hotel with different folks - there are so many common reasons to have bad sleep, I’d say it is the norm to sleep poorly before. I’ve had meets where I couldn’t eat during the evening due to fever and vomiting. Then woke in a puddle of cold sweat, feeling fine - ate an entire box of cookies at 3am, up at 6am, squat & pulled 30lb PRs same day.

Sleep leading up to the meet is very helpful to promote the recovery/delayed transformation, but the last night is basically just a cherry on top.
 
That last pull was all grit, btw! And that’s what this sport is, a lot of times. Excited to see your next meet, because your training is working for you.
 
Congrats on a fantastic meet!! you're still raising the bar!

dapack said:
When my turn came told myself wasn't going to be the only on out of us not to get.
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ahahaha I find this super relatable. I almost always lift better in a bro session, especially with strangers, than solo.
dapack said:
Ended up PRing my deads and my total for the meet of 1,232. Time to rest and recover for the next meet.
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This is phenomenal, great numbers!!

Hyde said:
I’m very surprised to hear you say this though - poor sleep almost never kills anyone’s performance at meets. Nearly everyone who has competed multiple times experiences a meet where they get virtually no sleep the night before, yet kick ass anyway. Nerves/excitement, being in a different bed or noisy/brighter room, indigestion from all the food, elevated gear use, sharing a hotel with different folks - there are so many common reasons to have bad sleep, I’d say it is the norm to sleep poorly before. I’ve had meets where I couldn’t eat during the evening due to fever and vomiting. Then woke in a puddle of cold sweat, feeling fine - ate an entire box of cookies at 3am, up at 6am, squat & pulled 30lb PRs same day.
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Super common in all sports. I've been watching Full Swing and a lot of other sports documentaries and hearing these guys talk about how they eventually went to getting VRBO's etc so they could try to create their normal home routine while on the road. Of course, these guys are competing for a couple million bucks a week, flying private jets etc, but the idea is the same... travelling to compete is hard! really wears on you and you gotta accept it and find those little hacks to create consistency. I don't travel for sports anymore but even on business trips I find myself trying to keep my normal bed time/alarm time in the morning so my body maintains some sort of consistency for brain power.
 
Congratulations on the meet! Well done Sir!

I thought you were taking 25 weeks after this meet to recover, train and grow, or is that after the next one?
 
MrKleen73 said:
Congratulations on the meet! Well done Sir!

I thought you were taking 25 weeks after this meet to recover, train and grow, or is that after the next one?
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After the one on June 14th will be done until December. Just kept adding a meet trying to hit all my goals and hoping this last one it will happen.
 
SkRaw85 said:
Congrats Pack! What the plan for bodyweight at next meet?
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So the plan for this meet is to gain around 15+lbs, granted will be a lot of fat, and come in at the top of 198lb weight class. Went back and forth if I wanted to do it since each pound gained is about a weeks worth of dieting to take it off. The only goal remaining is to PR my wraps squats, 429lbs currently, and with such a short time there is only a few options to gain strength. Adding size/ weight is one of them and figured it is worth it short term to get fat again.
 
AnfoAjax said:
This was awesome to read bro. I'm glad the meet went well even with the piss poor sleep, that'll kill anyone's performance but that's when we dig in and go hard

That pull looked solid
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Segansational said:
Congrats on the meet PR! That's awesome that you were able to push through and nail it.
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Hyde said:
That last pull was all grit, btw! And that’s what this sport is, a lot of times. Excited to see your next meet, because your training is working for you.
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Dustin07 said:
Congrats on a fantastic meet!! you're still raising the bar!


ahahaha I find this super relatable. I almost always lift better in a bro session, especially with strangers, than solo.


This is phenomenal, great numbers!!



Super common in all sports. I've been watching Full Swing and a lot of other sports documentaries and hearing these guys talk about how they eventually went to getting VRBO's etc so they could try to create their normal home routine while on the road. Of course, these guys are competing for a couple million bucks a week, flying private jets etc, but the idea is the same... travelling to compete is hard! really wears on you and you gotta accept it and find those little hacks to create consistency. I don't travel for sports anymore but even on business trips I find myself trying to keep my normal bed time/alarm time in the morning so my body maintains some sort of consistency for brain power.
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Thanks all. Hoping can close it out with a squat PR in June.
 
dapack said:
Thanks all. Hoping can close it out with a squat PR in June.
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If you put on 15lbs and don’t PR I’d be amazed. I’d expect at least 2lbs/lb gained, bare minimum. And I’m just talking doing this fast, short term. You would be in an energy surplus the entire time, could handle a bit more volume, and be gaining leverage over time.
 
Hyde said:
If you put on 15lbs and don’t PR I’d be amazed. I’d expect at least 2lbs/lb gained, bare minimum. And I’m just talking doing this fast, short term. You would be in an energy surplus the entire time, could handle a bit more volume, and be gaining leverage over time.
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That is what I am thinking to. Only 11lbs short last meet so it is there. Another plus is both bench/ deads will also benefit from the gain.
 
April 27th, 2025 (Sunday)

Average Weekly Weight: 194lbs

Bench;**Pause
5 sets 7 reps 170lbs, 185lbs, 200lbs, 215lbs, 225lbs

Bench;
4 sets 1 rep 240lbs, 260lbs, 275lbs, 295lbs

Both my elbows have been really acting up since last meet and today on the higher reps my left elbow really hurt bad. Decided to see if heavy singles would work better but didn't. Tomorrow have squats so will mess around with some dumbbells and see if anything short term is possible. This meet is all about squats so if I have to just take a "get on the board" bench that will be fine. Average is up +6lbs in last 10 days and abs have went bye bye. Hope this pans out.
 
April 28th, 2025 (Monday)

Squats;**Cerberus Sleeves
5 sets 5 reps 205lbs, 225lbs, 250lbs, 275lbs, 300lbs

Knew my elbows on squats would hurt but once my shoulders loosened up and could get my grip closer the pain got a lot better. Messed around with some bells trying out different stuff and will be a no go for now. Will try again Sunday and hopefully things improve. Last meet took a lot out of me and just getting in today to do squats took everything I had. Hoping by next week at least that part gets better.
 
I hope the elbows come around sooner than later. Whenever mine flare it up it seems to be maybe 2 to 4 weeks and I haven't really discovered a rhyme or reason, except when I'm leaned out a lot they get worse. When I took a break from training squats I definitely had a hard time getting both the elbows and shoulders into position but obviously that's not the issue for you.
 
I hope everything starts feeling better for you.
 
Dustin07 said:
I hope the elbows come around sooner than later. Whenever mine flare it up it seems to be maybe 2 to 4 weeks and I haven't really discovered a rhyme or reason, except when I'm leaned out a lot they get worse. When I took a break from training squats I definitely had a hard time getting both the elbows and shoulders into position but obviously that's not the issue for you.
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SkRaw85 said:
Give those joints some love
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MrKleen73 said:
I hope everything starts feeling better for you.
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As the week went on feeling better but pain in the elbows is there still but def a lot better. Left knee is bothering me but doing squats was fine since with weight on the back doing everything to protect it compared to normal life and just moving around. Right shoulders is bothersome but at least not a painfully as a the week before. This last meet definitely took a lot out of me.
 
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