Jan 1, 2015

 ** Barbell Squat **
- 45.0 lbs x 5 reps
- 95.0 lbs x 5 reps
- 135.0 lbs x 5 reps
- 185.0 lbs x 3 reps
- 225.0 lbs x 1 reps
- 240.0 lbs x 5 reps
- 240.0 lbs x 5 reps
- 240.0 lbs x 5 reps
- 240.0 lbs x 5 reps
- 240.0 lbs x 5 reps

 ** Sumo Deadlift **
- 135.0 lbs x 5 reps
- 185.0 lbs x 5 reps

** Deadlift **
- 225.0 lbs x 5 reps
- 240.0 lbs x 5 reps

** Ab Wheel **
- 3 x 10 reps

My hips were hurting with the sumo stance, although I'm not even going very wide, so for my last 2 sets, I switched back to conventional, which always feels awkward for me on account of my short arms (I think).  I also can't seem to keep my lower back from rounding.  This is rather problematic given that there's no squat/bench only meets and deadlifts are supposed to be the biggest number adding on the total.  If I can't sumo because of bad hips and I can't conventional because of lower back rounding, then I'm in trouble.  I'm hoping to get some help from Jon or from Dyke at Cutting Edge when I go there in Feb.  Hopefully they can point out how to keep my lower back from rounding.

Anyhow, regarding squats, 240 felt light and really smooth.  5x5 wasn't a strain at all, so that definitely built a lot of confidence for me.  It also makes me question again the Russian Squat Routine, which would have had me doing 6 sets of 2 reps with 240....not sure that would have done much, but hey, people who know way better than me have seen success with it.  I might do it after this Smolov (-1) cycle to maintain and add a little after 6 weeks, then go back to Smolov.