Training updates

Got an update on training!  For those of you who are interested, check out my online log book at

http://www.pendlayforum.com/showthread.php?t=7283

I update it every training day.  I have always encouraged people to keep personal log books.  They help you see the progress you're making.  Occasionally I'll look back at my training log books from 2008.  It surprises me the difference in programing and strength levels!  What is really cool is that I can see great gains from July 16th 2012 (1st day of training with Team MDUSA).  A few of the benefits of having my log book public is that it holds me accountable.  How? Well the act of writing down the workouts and getting to write PR (Personal Record) next to a weight is pretty exciting! Also, a whole lot of people can see if I am slacking off...  So if you find that I'm slacking don't be afraid to call me out.  Call me out on http://www.facebook.com/tatumtrained, Twitter (@JamesTatum8), and/or Pendlayforum.com.

Ohh and American Open weightlifting competition is coming up and I'm revising my goal of a 300 total to 306. Why not?  Also Coach Pendlay thinks I'll be able to get there!

Stay Strong,

James Tatum

The Phases of Rest

When someone asked Winston Churchill what he attributed his success in life he answered:

"Economy of effort. Never stand up when you can sit down, and never sit down when you can lie down."

This quote was changed a little by Al Schoterman (1972 Olympic Hammer Throw) into this poem

"The Phases of Rest"

Never run when you can walk

Never walk when you can get a ride 

Never stand when you can sit 

Never sit when you can lie down 

Never lie down when you can go to sleep

This quote has brought a new meaning when I started training 9 times a week.  Prior to training with Team MDUSA, I had mostly trained 5 times a week but occasionally 8 times when I was feeling frisky.  For the past 5 weeks I have trained 9 times a week.  I have broken a lot of the general principles of strength training (like never train more than 1 hour at a time) and gotten great results. While breaking some principles I have come to understand other ones better, like the Phases of Rest.  When training volume is so high taking as much rest as possible is crucial because in the end more training yields more results.... as long as you rest enough in between training sessions.

This was also the last day in Wilmington for Stefanie (my beautiful wife of 3 months!) and me.  Stefanie just finished her Masters in Chemistry from UNCW and we will be moving to Charlotte NC so I can train full time with the team.  Thanks to everyone who supported me in my training so far: Jared and Dawn Olson of Next Level Nutrition, Tony Cowden and the Crossfit Wilmington Team, and to all my friends and family who have been so supportive.  Thank you.

Stay Strong!

James Tatum

The Beginning

I am sitting here waiting to train for the second time today.  I have just joined the MDUSA weightlifting team and I am surrounded by people who are by far stronger than me.  So as I start my journey with this team, I come in at the bottom.  I used to watch the Ustream videos Coach Pendlay had of the practice to get some motivation in my own training, but now I am training with the people who motivate me! It is great to take a second and watch one of my teammates lift before I do.  This has led me to get some good PR's in the three weeks I have been on the program!

I am a big believer in goals and making goals public so that I am held accountable.  So for my first blog as new member of Team MDUSA I wrote some short term goals below.

This is what I want to hit at the American open in December 2012.
Snatch 140kg
Clean and Jerk 160
Total 300
140/160 (written like this from now on)
Current Numbers
137/155

Thanks for reading, and also checkout my website Tatumtrained.com!

Stay Strong,

James Tatum