Ruckin's first cycle log: test cyp only [IV gear]

[ruckin]

Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck

So I just finished pinning 250 mg in my left glute less than 5 minutes ago and holy shit. I have no idea what I did wrong, but it was definitely something. I pulled the needle out after I finished pushing in the oil and blood just comes pouring out of my glute onto my sheets. I did the injection while laying down on my bed like last time. Something about pinning in this position just isn't working, I'll have to go back to doing it in the bathroom next time. Fuck that freaked me out. The needle hurt a little when I put it in the muscle too, which had not happened before. I'm gonna research quad or delt injections and look into rotating with those.

Anyway I'll be lifting later today or tonight so I'll update then.

 

[Docd187123]

You wen through an artery or vein probably. I did it once in the deLt area and squirted blood 3ft lol

 

[ruckin]

I ended up having a great workout tonight. Didn't have time to do planks or my small accessory movements since I ran out of time before my gym closed, no big deal though.

Power cleans: 210x3x5
Press: 125x11,11,13
Squat: 265x12x3
Rack pulls (height was from the knee): 385x10x3
Db Incline bench: 75sx12x2
Chins: 257x5,4,4
Weighted planks: -

The only thing I was a little disappointed in was the chin ups. I weighed myself before doing them, like I always do, and was really surprised to see I was 257 in the gym tonight. So I adjusted my goal for the chins to 3 sets of 5 and I was only able to get 4 on the last 2 sets. I wanted to get in another set or two of chins in but my gym was closing right as I finished the third set. Oh well, nothing I can do, I just would have liked to have gotten a little more bicep work from them.

So about that horror injection this morning. I started feeling a little soreness in the glute a few hours later, but it didn't get bad at all throughout the day. I'm laying at home typing this now and it's getting a little bit more sore but I don't think it'll end up bad at all. The shot was only 0.85 ml.

You wen through an artery or vein probably. I did it once in the deLt area and squirted blood 3ft lol

3 feet wow! I imagine it took a while for that to stop bleeding. I didn't think I'd ever hit any veins or arteries pinning my glutes but I guess I was wrong on that one lol. I'm sure everyone reading this was laughing at me from my post about it this morning.

 

[ruckin]

So I don't have work today, no lifting today, and conditioning isn't until tomorrow, with my next trip to the gym being on Thursday. Perfect opportunity for a nice relaxing rest day. I'm going to just be chilling around the house all day, reading my book, watching videos, and eating. Maybe I'll go with my friends to their rugby 7s practice later just to watch and hang out. I'm not playing 7s this summer like I did last summer though. For anyone interested, here's a little highlight clip of some good 7s rugby:



Not as cool as the full 15 v. 15, 80 minute game in my opinion, but 7s is still pretty popular. I'm pretty excited to see it finally played in the Olympics next summer.

 

[ruckin]

Today was conditioning day, and holy shit it was HOT outside. I've never come so close to fainting before. I was planning to do 5 sets of 2 laps (same drill I've been doing the last few weeks) and I barely made it through 4 today. I had to lay down on the grass when I finished lol. I tried standing up after a minute and everything started going dark and I had to get back on the ground. I kept trying to stand up every couple minutes, and it ended up taking like 20 fucking minutes of me laying there to be able to stand up without getting lightheaded. It was so bizarre. I have never had anything like that happen to me before. Yeah I've gotten a little lightheaded from standing up too quickly before, but nothing like today. It had to have been because of the heat and sun.

So after my stupid heart was finally able to pump enough blood to my brain for me to stand up without passing out, my roommate/teammate and I kicked the ball around for a little while. He needs to work on his kicking and I need to work on catching kicks, so it works out great. Hopefully we'll be able to keep doing that for the rest of the summer.

Anyway, I'll be pinning another 250 mg tomorrow. I want to make sure I do it right before I go to lift, so to possibly help the test absorb better. I'm gonna look into ventroglute injections tonight and tomorrow also. Never heard anything bad about pins in that spot.

 

[Seven]

Today was conditioning day, and holy shit it was HOT outside. I've never come so close to fainting before. I was planning to do 5 sets of 2 laps (same drill I've been doing the last few weeks) and I barely made it through 4 today. I had to lay down on the grass when I finished lol. I tried standing up after a minute and everything started going dark and I had to get back on the ground. I kept trying to stand up every couple minutes, and it ended up taking like 20 fucking minutes of me laying there to be able to stand up without getting lightheaded. It was so bizarre. I have never had anything like that happen to me before. Yeah I've gotten a little lightheaded from standing up too quickly before, but nothing like today. It had to have been because of the heat and sun.

So after my stupid heart was finally able to pump enough blood to my brain for me to stand up without passing out, my roommate/teammate and I kicked the ball around for a little while. He needs to work on his kicking and I need to work on catching kicks, so it works out great. Hopefully we'll be able to keep doing that for the rest of the summer.

Anyway, I'll be pinning another 250 mg tomorrow. I want to make sure I do it right before I go to lift, so to possibly help the test absorb better. I'm gonna look into ventroglute injections tonight and tomorrow also. Never heard anything bad about pins in that spot.

Not enough fluids maybe? How ya feeling today?

**Edit**
I guess its still a little early today lol

 

[ruckin]

Not enough fluids maybe? How ya feeling today?

**Edit**
I guess its still a little early today lol

I guess that's a possibility. I just woke up and I'm still laying in bed so it's too early to tell but I'm sure I'm fine today. I'm really excited to lift today by the way The numbers I have planned for today have me pretty pumped.

I was so exhausted all day yesterday after my conditioning though. That took so much out of me. Hopefully it doesn't happen again cause that was not a fun experience.

Edit: by the way, thanks for asking 7D

 

[Docd187123]

If you had that experience yesterday and want to put up big numbers today I would make sure to eat like fucking pig and keep yourself well hydrated.

Edit* and pin some TNE

 

[ruckin]

Ugh I would love to try tne. Test acetate is something I want to try also, but it seems to be pretty hard to find. Isovet has a test acetate/drol blend, but I don't think I want to try drol. At least not any time soon. If I use an oral for my second cycle this winter, I'd probably like to go with tbol for the first few weeks.

 

[ruckin]

Decent workout tonight. My only issue was my cleans. I wanted to do 215 for 5 triples but barely got 2 sloppy reps on the first set. I just couldn't get any power and explosiveness when doing them tonight, so I just did a few light singles instead of trying to force something that wasn't happening.

power clean: 185x1x3
Bench: 220x12x3
Squat: 270x12x3
Dumbbell rows: 100x12,12,13
Db incline: 80sx10,11
Chins: 250x8x1
Power Shrugs: 385x12x3
Weighted planks: 75x30 sec x2
Db Curls: 35sx12x3
Side raises: 40sx12x3


Everything besides the cleans went well though. Those squats were brutal. And I was very happy with how the bench went too, as well as everything else following bench lol.

I just don't know what my deal is with the power cleans. I'm gonna start researching how to program that lift properly for a beginner, cause 5 sets of triples thrice weekly doesn't seem to be working consistently for me like I thought it would. I feel like I'm not recovering from them enough between workouts. Maybe I'll do a light workout for them every other workout. Idk, I'm just typing out my thoughts as I think them haha. I definitely need to research how weighlifting coaches program the clean for beginners though. And yes I consider myself a novice still on that lift. A 1RM of ~225 at a weight of 245 isn't good at all to me.

Onto another topic. My injection today went pretty well. I bitched out of trying a new spot and did my right glute though. I tried figuring out how to find the right spot for ventroglute and I just could't figure it out exactly. I feel like it's such a small target and I'm afraid of missing it . I'm looking into quad injections, but I'm hesitant because of all the terrible pip stories of guys pinning quads. I've heard that to avoid pip there it needs to be on the outer-upper/middle part though. Can anyone comment on this? Here's a picture of me pointing on my leg where I feel like is the right spot:



Am I close? Maybe a little lower? I really want to add another site to my rotation and I'm not too fond of the idea of pinning my delts.

 

[Docd187123]

I got more to the front of the quad for pinning.

Here's some good assitance exercises for the cleans by Dmitry Klokov

http://www.allthingsgym.com/dmitry-klokov-assistance-exercises-from-seminar/

One thing to do for programming is working away from trips. 5 sets. Of trips is 15 total reps so try going for 6-10 doubles or 8-10 singles. Also, do you have the 3rd edition of Practical Programming by Rippetoe? If not I suggest you getting it. One of his SS coaches has a few sample workouts geared towards the Oly lifts and he goes into detail about programming them. If you want I can copy and paste some of that here for you. Just let me know.

 

[ruckin]

I did have PP by rip on my old laptop but I wasn't able to get it over to my new one, so now that I think about it I should just buy a hard copy. I have read it though, amazing book. Taught me so much of what I know. It's been a while though and I don't recall a part about the oly lifts specifically. I'll just order a hard copy online tomorrow. I'm gonna check out that link after I post this. Klokov's the man. Thank you for the input brother! I like the idea of switching to 8-10 singles.

 

[Docd187123]

Alternate between singles and doubles the differences in volume and intensity of each serves a purpose. Another factor to consider is that true Oly lifting requires a shit ton of work on the lifts at varying percentages, partials, and assistance work. It's not as demanding on the CNS bc of the lighter weights and less TUT but to excel you need to put in the work on those things. You're adding a lot of extra work that doesn't carryover much to cleans on top of conditioning for your sport so something somewhere has to give and that's what you're seeing I bet. The lack of progress is from a lot of extra work you're doing that lacks specificity to the cleans and is adding to your fatigue. You might not feel it on the power lifts or other accessories you do bc you can always grind those out whereas it's impossible to grin out Oly lifts. They only work with full power and explosion.

The first edition if PP didn't include much in the way of Oly lifts. That's why I'm suggesting the 3rd edition specifically. I have that one on my iPad on the kindle app. Bought it off amazon.

 

[ruckin]

Alternate between singles and doubles the differences in volume and intensity of each serves a purpose. Another factor to consider is that true Oly lifting requires a shit ton of work on the lifts at varying percentages, partials, and assistance work. It's not as demanding on the CNS bc of the lighter weights and less TUT but to excel you need to put in the work on those things. You're adding a lot of extra work that doesn't carryover much to cleans on top of conditioning for your sport so something somewhere has to give and that's what you're seeing I bet. The lack of progress is from a lot of extra work you're doing that lacks specificity to the cleans and is adding to your fatigue. You might not feel it on the power lifts or other accessories you do bc you can always grind those out whereas it's impossible to grin out Oly lifts. They only work with full power and explosion.

The first edition if PP didn't include much in the way of Oly lifts. That's why I'm suggesting the 3rd edition specifically. I have that one on my iPad on the kindle app. Bought it off amazon.

Great advice here, thank you doc. You're right, I shouldn't expect to make the progress on the clean that someone purely devoted to oly lifting would make. Unfortunately I can't really cut out my other work aimed at building overall size and strength and fitness because to succeed at my position in rugby, extreme size and strength, while being able to run and hit non-stop for 80 minutes is not an option, it is a requirement. So until I reach an appropriate level of size and strength (I'm not saying fitness here because extreme cardiovascular fitness doesn't need to be maintained year-round), I guess working on the clean will have to take a slight back seat. I'm still very confident that I'll be able to progress on it nicely, but just not quite as well as if it was priority #1.

If I can add 5# each week to it for the rest of my cycle, I should be up to 275 by the end though. I think that would be pretty good.

 

[Docd187123]

Great advice here, thank you doc. You're right, I shouldn't expect to make the progress on the clean that someone purely devoted to oly lifting would make. Unfortunately I can't really cut out my other work aimed at building overall size and strength and fitness because to succeed at my position in rugby, extreme size and strength, while being able to run and hit non-stop for 80 minutes is not an option, it is a requirement. So until I reach an appropriate level of size and strength (I'm not saying fitness here because extreme cardiovascular fitness doesn't need to be maintained year-round), I guess working on the clean will have to take a slight back seat. I'm still very confident that I'll be able to progress on it nicely, but just not quite as well as if it was priority #1.

If I can add 5# each week to it for the rest of my cycle, I should be up to 275 by the end though. I think that would be pretty good.

You get my point exactly! You can be a jack of all trades OR master of one. You've made your choice that size, strength, and requisite cardio respiratory fitness take precedence so the cleans will have to take a back seat to optimal progression bc the priorities of your sport are what they are. Nothing wrong with that at all, it's reality checking you like it does us all hahaha.

5lbs a week is still going to be challenging but with your work ethic I'm sure you'll do what you can to succeed at it.

Something to think about, heavy grueling lifting will probably have to take a backseat during your playing season. You'll probably have to drop volume significantly just to be able to perform at 100% and recover from the workouts, practices, and games. This might be a better time to bump up the priority for cleans bc recovery from Oly work is usually easier than heavy lifting plus it'll help with your explosiveness and power during the season.

My favorite "fitness" equipment is the prowler. I bought one last year from rogue fitness and there is nothing I have EVER used that can compare to it. It's versatile too. You can use it to promote recovery from lifting and practices/games, build anaerobic endurance, increase your condition and workload capacity, and so much more. If you have access to one or the money to buy one (~$250 and up) I cannot recommend it highly enough. You could probably get away with very little cardio work and use the prowler for the majority of it. A cheaper option would be a smaller push/pull sled and the cheapest would be to get a piece of flat sheetmetal, weld a post right in the middle to stack weights in, and buy a harness kit for it.

 

[ruckin]

You get my point exactly! You can be a jack of all trades OR master of one. You've made your choice that size, strength, and requisite cardio respiratory fitness take precedence so the cleans will have to take a back seat to optimal progression bc the priorities of your sport are what they are. Nothing wrong with that at all, it's reality checking you like it does us all hahaha.

5lbs a week is still going to be challenging but with your work ethic I'm sure you'll do what you can to succeed at it.

Something to think about, heavy grueling lifting will probably have to take a backseat during your playing season. You'll probably have to drop volume significantly just to be able to perform at 100% and recover from the workouts, practices, and games. This might be a better time to bump up the priority for cleans bc recovery from Oly work is usually easier than heavy lifting plus it'll help with your explosiveness and power during the season.

My favorite "fitness" equipment is the prowler. I bought one last year from rogue fitness and there is nothing I have EVER used that can compare to it. It's versatile too. You can use it to promote recovery from lifting and practices/games, build anaerobic endurance, increase your condition and workload capacity, and so much more. If you have access to one or the money to buy one (~$250 and up) I cannot recommend it highly enough. You could probably get away with very little cardio work and use the prowler for the majority of it. A cheaper option would be a smaller push/pull sled and the cheapest would be to get a piece of flat sheetmetal, weld a post right in the middle to stack weights in, and buy a harness kit for it.

I was actually just thinking the exact same thing, about what would happen once the season starts. How it'll be a good time to place a higher priority on the clean and improving my technique since all my other work will have to be scaled back quite a bit. As of now I intend to lean towards lower volume, higher intensities on my big compounds during rugby season just to maintain my strength and maybe even add a tiny bit here and there through improved neural efficiency.

I think 5# per week for the remainder of my cycle is very attainable for me. I was adding like 10 each week for the first 2 or 3 weeks until I dinged up my shoulder, and that was before the testosterone has even really built up. I always have crazy expectations for myself though.

As for the prowler, shit man I would love to have access to one. I don't have the resources to make one and can't afford one though and even if I could, I don't know where I'd use it. And I'd have to get weights for it also :/ sadly that likely can't happen any time soon for me.

Womp

 

[Docd187123]

I think you're on the right track Ruck!

I may know of someone looking to get rid of an old prowler if you're interested. He's moving and I don't know if he'll have anywhere to use it where he's moving to. It's a little dinged up but a fresh coat of paint will make it look good as new.

Another option I though if is to use a wheelbarrow and just take the tire and stands off the bottom. Load it up with dirt, rocks, bags of cement, etc.

I have 1-25lb plate to use for my prowler lol. Yes just a 25lb plate. I still get amazing workouts with it. I'm going to rig something up with like a few 5gal buckets on my prowler and fill them with and or something. Just need to figure out how I want to attach them so they're secure but also removable. I take mine to the local middle school/high school. I use it in the parking lot or the grass fields after school let's out. I'd do it up and down my road but it's a 45mph road hahahaha

 

[HuckingFuge]

Decent workout tonight. My only issue was my cleans. I wanted to do 215 for 5 triples but barely got 2 sloppy reps on the first set. I just couldn't get any power and explosiveness when doing them tonight, so I just did a few light singles instead of trying to force something that wasn't happening.

power clean: 185x1x3
Bench: 220x12x3
Squat: 270x12x3
Dumbbell rows: 100x12,12,13
Db incline: 80sx10,11
Chins: 250x8x1
Power Shrugs: 385x12x3
Weighted planks: 75x30 sec x2
Db Curls: 35sx12x3
Side raises: 40sx12x3


Everything besides the cleans went well though. Those squats were brutal. And I was very happy with how the bench went too, as well as everything else following bench lol.

I just don't know what my deal is with the power cleans. I'm gonna start researching how to program that lift properly for a beginner, cause 5 sets of triples thrice weekly doesn't seem to be working consistently for me like I thought it would. I feel like I'm not recovering from them enough between workouts. Maybe I'll do a light workout for them every other workout. Idk, I'm just typing out my thoughts as I think them haha. I definitely need to research how weighlifting coaches program the clean for beginners though. And yes I consider myself a novice still on that lift. A 1RM of ~225 at a weight of 245 isn't good at all to me.

Onto another topic. My injection today went pretty well. I bitched out of trying a new spot and did my right glute though. I tried figuring out how to find the right spot for ventroglute and I just could't figure it out exactly. I feel like it's such a small target and I'm afraid of missing it . I'm looking into quad injections, but I'm hesitant because of all the terrible pip stories of guys pinning quads. I've heard that to avoid pip there it needs to be on the outer-upper/middle part though. Can anyone comment on this? Here's a picture of me pointing on my leg where I feel like is the right spot:

View attachment 25656

Am I close? Maybe a little lower? I really want to add another site to my rotation and I'm not too fond of the idea of pinning my delts.

looks like it is to low and to close to the hip.

 

[ruckin]

I think you're on the right track Ruck!

I may know of someone looking to get rid of an old prowler if you're interested. He's moving and I don't know if he'll have anywhere to use it where he's moving to. It's a little dinged up but a fresh coat of paint will make it look good as new.

Another option I though if is to use a wheelbarrow and just take the tire and stands off the bottom. Load it up with dirt, rocks, bags of cement, etc.

I have 1-25lb plate to use for my prowler lol. Yes just a 25lb plate. I still get amazing workouts with it. I'm going to rig something up with like a few 5gal buckets on my prowler and fill them with and or something. Just need to figure out how I want to attach them so they're secure but also removable. I take mine to the local middle school/high school. I use it in the parking lot or the grass fields after school let's out. I'd do it up and down my road but it's a 45mph road hahahaha

i think my biggest roadblock is that I'd have nowhere to use one where I live lol. And my car definitely isn't big enough to fit something like that in it to drive it elsewhere. Maybe I could look into buying one of those parachute vest things. Like a harness you wear with a parachute that you pull and it gives resistance. Probably wouldn't be as useful as a prowler but maybe one could still be useful for developing speed when I do sprints.

looks like it is to low and to close to the hip.

can you elaborate a little huck? I'm not sure what you're saying here. Wouldn't a higher spot be closer to the hip?

Or are you saying that's too much to the side of my thigh as opposed to the front?

 

[HuckingFuge]

this video is close to what I'm saying