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Post by abebesheir on Aug 16, 2005 19:39:58 GMT -5
Hello everyone, my name is John McDonald. I'm five five and a half, 195 pounds. I am 31 years old. I've been benching for about a year and a half and squatting/deadlifting for almost a year. I do all my training 100% RAW... My 1st ever competition will be the Hagerstown Tri-State PL meet on Sept. 24th.
My best gym lifts are a 300 BP, a 340 SQ and a 410 DL.
I look up to guys like Paul Bossi and Arthur B. Jones who are two serious raw benchers. As well as guys like Josh Bryant who has freakish raw strength in all three lifts.
My goals in the sport of Powerlifting are a double bodyweight raw bench and a 1500 raw total...
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Post by dopar66 on Aug 17, 2005 13:12:54 GMT -5
Hey, John.
I hope you have a great meet on the 24th. You have some good numbers, especially for a guy who's only been training for a year and a half!
You have some really good role models. That Josh is an awesome power/strongman type dude, and Paul is pound for pound one of the best raw benchers I've ever met.
Glad you joined us, and keep us posted about the progress and the upcoming meet.
God Bless.
Doug P.
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Post by abebesheir on Sept 27, 2005 8:13:04 GMT -5
Well, I had my first competitive experience this weekend in Hagerstown, Maryland. The meet director was John Polak and he and everyone involved did an excellent job running the meet.
It was definitely cool lifting with an Ivanko bar and calibrated kilo plates.
As I mentioned, my best lifts in the gym were 340-300-410... but those were all when I weighed in at about 208. In Hagerstown, I weighed in at 193 and went 331-275-408...
It was definitely a great exeperience! I can't wait for the next 100% Raw Federation meet!
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Post by randyw on Sept 30, 2005 22:04:18 GMT -5
ahhh..I recognize those numbers from monstermuscle forum, lol (Im John Prophet, lol)
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Post by dopar66 on Oct 7, 2005 7:39:00 GMT -5
Hey,
Those are terrific numbers for your first meet! I vividly remembering bombing out on my first meet.....
Congratulations!
Hope to see you at a meet sometime.
God Bless,
Doug P.
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Post by abebesheir on Oct 28, 2005 7:33:39 GMT -5
OK, I'm now peaking for a meet on November 5th. It's a Northern Viriginia Raw meet in Sterling. My bench is going great, I did 10x225 the other day, plus a paused single at 285 a couple of weeks ago.
I think I'm good for 290... my 1st attempt will be 260.
The squat is going well too, did an easy 345 in the gym last week. I think I'm good for 360... 1st attempt will be 330.
1st attempt in the DL will be 385. Hope to end up with 425...
Is anyone else who posts on this board doing the Sterling meet?
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Post by dopar66 on Oct 28, 2005 8:22:19 GMT -5
Can't say that I'll be there, but I can tell you John runs a nice meet!
Sounds like your numbers are right on target with your goals! Let us all know how it goes after the meet is done.
God Bless.
Doug P.
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Post by abebesheir on Nov 5, 2005 17:06:18 GMT -5
OK, my 2nd meet was a great experience. It was at one of John James's Northern Virginia Raw meets... a nice fast competition with only 11 lifters.
I wound up with the best lifter trophy (much to my surprise) with a 1070 total at 192 bodyweight.
I squatted 360 (PR), benched 285 (comp. PR) and deadlifted 425 (PR) going 9 for 9 as well.
The pace at this meet was much quicker than my last one which was a 100% raw affair in Hagerstown, MD. Obviously, I adapted well to the changes which I learned is part of being a good powerlifter.
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Post by dopar66 on Nov 11, 2005 10:28:08 GMT -5
John, I'm sorry it took me so long to reply to your post, somehow I completely missed it!
Talk about proper preparation for a meet! Your goals were 360, 290, 425, and you mentioned a recent single bench of 285. You went 9/9 and got 360, 285, 425, for 1070! Awesome! And this is only your second meet? Major congratulations!!! Hope you can make it down to Raleigh in Feb!
Mildly humorous anecdote, seems like when I went to John's meet in Sterling a couple of years ago, there were 11 lifters, and we were done by like 2:00. I was home (Greenville NC) by suppertime!
If you ever get the chance to lift in Stanardsville, do it! Our Virginia Johns host some really well-run meets! (Hats off!)
Congratulations again, and God Bless.
Doug P.
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Post by abebesheir on Nov 11, 2005 15:32:52 GMT -5
Well, Doug... this meet also had eleven lifters and was over by 1:30. I was back in D.C. with time enough for an afternoon workout with my friend Dave (giving him form lessons in the squat).
Thanks for your kind words, I was really blessed to have six great weeks of training leading up to this meet. Not so much as a torn callous or a cold. I was able to do my max tests three weeks out and mapped out my attempts based on the results of that. You can see how well that worked!
Pardon me for not knowing, but what is in Raleigh this February? North Carolina is a bit of a drive from D.C. (and I live in Connecticut!) If it's going to be a big meet, then I can try to make it... otherwise, my friend and I will have our next meet on April 9th in Warwick, Rhode Island.
That's the New England Raw Federation Championships. Even though I can't make it to every 100% Raw meet (maybe someday soon there will be meets in CT), I am still 100% Raw at heart.
BTW, I am now doing the Korte 3x3 routine... working on my technique and endurance. The 1st week ended today and went well. I look forward to squatting 400 and benching 300 in my next comeptition (who knows about the deadlift... LOL).
I hope your own training is going well and good luck for your next competition! Until next time, take care.
John
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Post by dopar66 on Nov 14, 2005 15:28:18 GMT -5
John, Raleigh is only about 11 hours from Groton....cough cough.... Not exactly a hop skip and a jump away...
The 2005 full power worlds is in Raleigh in February. Catch I-95 south to the Rocky Mount exit and turn west. Drive 50 minutes and BANG you're in Raleigh. :')
Hey, bro, if you can't make it in body you can be there in spirit! Keep up that awesome work!
God Bless.
Doug P.
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Post by abebesheir on Dec 28, 2005 6:20:32 GMT -5
To Doug and everyone else... just thought I'd update... I pulled 435 the day after heavy squatting (8 sets of 3 reps at 295). No belt, just chalk.
I was going to do a WNPF meet in Delaware in January but changed my mind. I have already registered for the USAPL Richmond Open on April 15th. There is no raw division as far as I know, but I will be competing 100% raw.
My current cycle ends on January 17th... I expect to triple 345 in the squat, 275 in the bench and 405 in the deadlift. Then I rest a bit and begin preparations for Richmond.
I'll post back on the 17th of January with the results of my max triples (lets see how close my predictions are).
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Post by abebesheir on Jan 6, 2006 15:33:26 GMT -5
Well, I cut my cycle a bit short... I never tried for a max triple in the squat or deadlift. I did get 3x275 in the bench though and deadlifted another PR, this time getting 445. I am going to begin a routine listed on Americanpowerliftevolution.net next week, hopefully it will get me to a 300 pound paused bench in my next meet.
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Post by dopar66 on Jan 7, 2006 19:42:28 GMT -5
John, it sounds like your training is really off the charts! THat's impressive improvement in just a short while.
Nick Minetti (I think I spelled it close...) usually has something to do with the Richmond meet. I would venture to guess you might could talk SOMEONE into opening up a raw division. At worst, you'll be out of a phone call. Nick posts regularly, but not frequently, at the USAPL forum if you want to use that avenue to get in touch with him. I saw something on that meet and I think they're dedicating the meet to Barbara Beasley, which is a classy move in my book.
God Bless.
Doug P.
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Post by abebesheir on Feb 23, 2006 16:07:01 GMT -5
Well, let me continue this two-man thread (thanks Doug for reading and replying)...
I hurt my lower back squatting about a month ago... took some time off and made a few attempts to get back into training that failed miserably.
For a while, I was considering quitting powerlifting altogether but I realized what an important part of my life and identity this sport is...
I am back now and even better than before. I tripled 405 in the deadlift and had maybe a fourth rep in me. I will crush my old meet PR of 425 in Richmond on April 15th!
I am benching well too... did an easy 3x285 off the 2 board (where I am usually weaker than off-the-chest) plus a couple of touch-and-go singles at 300. I will get a competition bench of 300 or better in Richmond!
The squat is still keeping me humble. I struggled through 2 sets of 5 at 275 the other day... I am working my abs for the first time in years and hitting the P-chain hard. Hopefully by the April 15th USAPL Richmond Open I will be prepared for a squat of 400 pounds.
It's nice to hear that they are dedicating the meet to Barbara Beasley... it's a shame that she died so young, but she was lifting and competing right up until the end. That's the way I would like to go!
Anybody who wants to chat about training/competing/etc. can e-mail me at abebesheir@hotmail.com
Also, check out my blog (there a link in my profile). Thanks.
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Post by abebesheir on Mar 2, 2006 19:47:21 GMT -5
Looks like I won't be doing the USAPL Richmond Open... I don't have the money for the trip. I'll be doing bench-only in a local APA meet on April 8th though.
My bench training is going well. Two triples at 300 off the two board and a strong paused single at 300 off the chest.
It's difficult to tell this early but I think my attempts will be:
1. 300
2. 315
3. depends on 2nd attempt
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Post by abebesheir on Mar 30, 2006 9:21:20 GMT -5
OK, I've done 315 off-the-chest and I'll be trying for 330 off the 2 board for a triple on Monday (4/3)...
My first attempt at the APA meet will be 305, looks like the second will be 320 and depending on the results of my board pressing workout, I'll decide the 3rd attempt.
My weight is 205 and I don't want to cut and lose strength, so I'll be a 220 for this contest.
Wish me luck!
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Post by dopar66 on Mar 30, 2006 12:10:07 GMT -5
Dude, NO luck wished! You are READY! You don't need luck. You have RAW POWER!
I'll check the board on April 9th to see what you did. Looking for a BIG bench!
God Bless.
Doug P.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2006 20:03:00 GMT -5
good luck bro! where is this meet beingheld? take some pics too!
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Post by abebesheir on Apr 8, 2006 18:16:43 GMT -5
My last workout before the meet really fizzled. I only managed 1x325 off the 2 board. Despite this, the meet went all right.
I opened much lighter. At 285. I smoked it. I went to 310 for a 2nd and got that with a little room to spare. 320 for a 3rd just wasn't happening.
I got it halfway up then it drifted out of the groove and towards my head. The spotters grabbed it quick, though. Funny aside, I weighed in at a Gatorade-bloated 209!
Thanks a lot to Doug and bodebldr for the well wishes!
Next stop, the June 17th 100% Raw New England Bench Meet! Hopefully I can diet and cardio myself back to the 198s for that one...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2006 6:26:32 GMT -5
Good job man! I can understand the bloated part, I am 220lbs and dieting down to 198...I hope I make it by may 13th! my goal is 350lbs but like you, i wil lopen light and go from there.
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Post by ironmaster on Apr 14, 2006 23:08:58 GMT -5
Hey abebesheir,
I have never lifted in a federated meet, but i am seriously considering lifting in the june 17th meet in spencer, mass. If I make it I'll see you there. Good and safe lifting to you all.
SEMPER FI
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Post by abebesheir on Apr 15, 2006 15:39:06 GMT -5
Hello ironmaster, I certainly hope that you can make it to the June 17th meet. Do you know what weight class you would be competing in? And if you do show up, make sure to introduce yourself to me... my name is John McDonald. Keep it heavy!
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Post by ironmaster on Apr 16, 2006 2:18:48 GMT -5
Hey John,
Ok, if I do make it down there i'll find you. I'm a 220.
Best wishes for you in your training. Take care.
SEMPER FI
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Post by dopar66 on Apr 18, 2006 11:24:36 GMT -5
Somehow I missed your results! My bad, John. Awesome lifting, bro! That's a highly respectable bench for a light 220'er! You figure in getting rid of that gatorade weight, and before too long you'll have to lift against Bill and Tom! :')
Sorry I missed your results, bro. I appreciate you posting them and sharing your successes!
God Bless.
Doug P.
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