Next Stop: 100% RAW Toronto Open, 2012

That’s right. I’m competing again.

I have exactly 12 weeks and 6 days to break the squat record (125kg) in the 60kg division for this federation. My aim is 128kg, or 281.6 lbs.

When I told my coach my goal, his response was:

“You have to bust your ass. It will be damn hard. You cannot lose focus or slack off. It will be one of the most difficult things you have ever done. Largely because your head will fuck with you. 90% of lifting is mental.”

If I know anything, it’s this. It’s going to be really hard. Breaking this record would mean a 20-lb. competition PR for me, in a lighter weight class.

BRING IT, SON. I got this.

I’ve recently acquired some new training partners at my gym. Found out that a group of strongmen train at my gym in the later hours (7-8pm) so I decided to pick up training with them, since it’s great motivation and I push myself much harder when I’m surrounded by support. They’re pretty beastly strong as well, and aren’t afraid of a little chalk and a lot of roaring. I like that in a lifter.

Here’s a couple of recent training videos, followed by some notes from my coach:

“Good. Your elbow position is fine on the way down, but when you change directions you make a common mistake and allow your elbows to lag. Push your elbows up out of the bottom and allow your hips to follow them.”

This seems to only happen with me when the weight gets much heavier. Need to remember my cues and stay focused, remembering not to drop my elbows at all at the bottom.

But that 175×2 front squat was a huge PR for me. Earlier this year my max front squat was 165 belted. I just did 175×2 with no belt, after a heavy deadlift session.

To be exact, I did this double right before moving onto front squats:

You want something, go after it and get it. And then once you get it, go for more.

280…you will be mine.