My #fatiguefriday morning started in the gym outside of #SAV but ended with three chilly rides in #athensga I had three more "numb toes" rides and I have two more tomorrow morning before driving back south and starting the work week over! . I'm exhausted. I'm freezing. I'm having a great damn time. ☺️ . #sociallyawkwardSam #dressagelifter #hybridaf #ionlyliftsoicanhalfhaltdraftcrosses #hybridperformancemethod #hybridnutrition #fittoride #dressagetrainer #dressagetrainerlife #draftcrossesofinstagram #draftcross #babygiant #rubeushagrid #itsthetraining #powerlifting #dressage (at High Point Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/B84eSGkAksn/?igshid=owrj7q79qgrx

I WAY overestimated what I would be able to do after those initial sets of squats. Fatigue set in real quick. #crossfit #wod #fatiguefriday (at Crossfit Rxd)

Because I am Italian, from this day forward when I pull Sumo i8be referred to as Super Samio's SUPER SUMO show! . Vid 1: 2/4x3 @ 210lbs Vid 2: a very pissy pull of 265lbs Vid 3: Super Samio's SUPER SUMO single for 245 lbs . #sociallyawkwardSam #dressagelifter #hybridaf #ionlyliftsoicanhalfhaltdraftcrosses #hybridperformancemethod #fittoride #fatiguefriday #heavysingleslookingforlove #heypisano (at Johnson Fitness Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7cZLmXg-qT/?igshid=16zuta7r1371d

These may just look like "fat dudes in my area looking for love" ( #heavysingles ) but to me it's saying hello to an old friend: confidence. . Vid 1: 2/2x1 @ 280lbs Vid 2: 2/2x1 @ 225lbs . My lifting #burnout is fading as I'm progressing further into this strength block. Now... if only I can get through my riding burnout. . #sociallyawkwardSam #dressagelifter #hybridaf #ionlyliftsoicanhalfhaltdraftcrosses #hybridperformancemethod #fittoride #fatiguefriday #heavysingleslookingforlove (at 24/7 Fitness at Blackcreek) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6TirdaAulO/?igshid=13badqr56vueq

What a great morning so far. Today I was in love with my #barbell again. Maybe even a little bit with myself. . Vid 1: 3/4x3 @ 210lbs Vid 2: 1/2x1 @ 275lbs Vid 3: 1/2x1 @ 205lbs . #sociallyawkwardSam #dressagelifter #hybridaf #ionlyliftsoicanhalfhaltdraftcrosses #hybridperformancemethod #fittoride #fatiguefriday (at Johnson Fitness Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6A5ehBAsCu/?igshid=182bo1jrg351i

#ssb squats: a #fatiguefriday progression. . Finally this training block is over! I'm hoping the next block has more heavy days than high volume days because honestly, I'm over it. However, I'll probably just keep on trucking and keep complaining. 🤷🏽‍♀️ . #sociallyawkwardSam #dressagelifter #hybridaf #ionlyliftsoicanhalfhaltdraftcrosses #hybridperformancemethod #fittoride (at Johnson Fitness Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5KyH4DgfDe/?igshid=1442h4951cck2

I'm fairly pleased with my efforts this morning. . Vid 1: 1/6x2 @ 92%! I did all six at 230lbs! 😏 The @hybridperformancemethod program today, called for the squat to be between 85 - 93% and I thought to myself I said, "Self? What the eff. Go for the 90s." and I did. And I could. This first set was shakey. I spared you the long, anxious set up but as I worked further into the sets I got faster, cleaner, and more confident. Progress! Vid 2: 1/2x10 #squat with chains with a focus on speed. This was around 151lbs and what I love about the chains is the challenge to my balance. You can see the weight pushing me around in my set up. Fun stabilizing work! . #sociallyawkwardSam #dressagelifter #hybridaf #ionlyliftsoicanhalfhaltdraftcrosses #fittoride #fatiguefriday #myhappyplace #imissmaverick #hybridperformancemethod #hybridnutrition (at Johnson Fitness Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3NW9AMAx-n/?igshid=1h7nf0s1w7fjo

#fatiguefriday was my 4th day this week working at or above 80% and I did not die. . Vid 1: 2/5x4 @ 86% (215) ths programming said between 80-88% working as closely to 88% as possible. While 220 wasn't going to fly today, I'm really proud of my strength today. Vid 2: How does #hybridperformancemethod end this week? SSB BSS, DUH. I have never done the split squat with the #SSB before so please enjoy my struggle. . #sociallyawkwardSam #dressagelifter #hybridaf #ionlyliftsoicanhalfhaltdraftcrosses #fittoride #hybridnutrition #wheresthatdamnbench #maverickcomehome (at Johnson Fitness Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2pbSFqgYBH/?igshid=6tss5uj6xnmc

#fatiguefriday turned into #failurefriday but I'm not even mad, bro. . Today was testing out maxes in my programming, which I thought was a little crazy considering I had already deadlifted three times this week, RDLed four times and didn't really have low weight days. . So, I failed. A lot. I failed a 245 squat after the smooth 235lb in Vid 1. I tried again and got it but I was mad. I failed 130lb in my bench (after an encouraging 125 in Vid 2) but dropped to 127 (Vid 3) and got it. Deads were the worst. I failed a 275 WARM UP lift and struggled my ass off to pick it up a second time (Vid 4) and finally called it a day. . As I was driving home and reflecting on a rough session I tried to figure out where it had gone wrong. I realised I haven't had a day off of physical (farm) labour, riding, and/or weightlifting (I do all three M - F) since May 26th. I mean, I taught lessons that Sunday but didn't have stalls to clean. On top of that, add a relentless #hypertrophy block that just wont fucking die and because of which there has been very little heavy lifting. At first I told myself these were just excuses and I effing hate hearing excuses. But I remembered these weren't excuses - they were factors. All of these things are factors into why my CNS was fried and even though I had lots of failures today, I had good form under heavy loads and did not give up until I couldn't give any more. . That made me okay with myself. I had honestly tried my effing best. . #sociallyawkwardSam #dressagelifter #hybridaf #ionlyliftsoicanhalfhaltdraftcrosses #croptop #ithinkthePTguyisflirtingwithme #6days #dontworryimtakingabreaknextweekend (at Johnson Fitness Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BytE-rbAinpF-6DdSVHFmL6UJM-DX7GYZJLtNo0/?igshid=lzgo232yp06e

When I checked my program for the day I thought to myself, I said, "Self, you might die today." . But I didn't (yet)! This was 1/6x3 @ 85% - 90%. My first three sets I went hard at 90% and was so excited I could actually do more than one. I did have to back down to 85% for the last three though but damn, for a #fatiguefriday after the long ass week I've had and a consistent new low body weight? Sam is a happy lifter today. . Now it's time to get the farm and horses ready for my #dressagecoach @cindythaxton who is on her way from #athensga for our last big training sessions before the #usdfregionalchampionships . #sociallyawkwardSam #dressagelifter #hybridaf #ionlyliftsoicanhalfhaltdraftcrosses #dressagenerd #dressagetrainer #dressagetrainerlife #fittoride #hybridperformancemethod #hybridnutrition (at Johnson Fitness Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B26dtlJg3CT/?igshid=1l6uvytbsxpw0

#fatiguefriday in the house. . There is foulness afoot with my squats this week and I haven't quite put my finger on it. Was it taking last week off from riding to drive halfway across the country and coming back this week into full workload and lifting and school? Was it my cycle starting the first #squat day of this week? Was it the VO2 max test I did for funsies last night? Was it the planetary alignment? I dunno but my squats sucked and they better knock that crap off. . After those #sadsadsquats I had little hope for my 3x5 deads, which called for 80%. Which should be 236lbs but I'm a stubborn Italian (my last name literally translates to Head of Iron, people) and slapped on 255lbs. Surprisingly, like #tinytim I did NOT die. It went up pretty smooth even though all of my warm up felt heavy. Soooo heavy. But I am ready for some rest and recovery this weekend. Along with lots and lots of homework. #sociallyawkwardSam #dressagelifter #hybridaf #ionlyliftsoicanhalfhaltdraftcrosses #dressagenerd #backtoschoolforsam #comeonlegsgetittogether (at Johnson Fitness Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsxuwLpAtw7EAzi12a_83cPmMWWoi-X9_G2oNE0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tjv7ya0oxzkz