Phase 2, Week 2

Due to the hamstring injury, traveling during the holidays and being sick most of the week, I didn't get too much done. Here is a recap of my only workout:

Thursday
Bench - 340 x 3 sets x 2; 385 x 3 sets x 2; 410 x 2 sets x 2
Squats - worked up to a very cautious 225 x 4, then a 225 x 3. Did want to push it (hammy)

Wilson and I are headed to Memphis for the Liberty Bowl later this afternoon. GO DOGS! I hope to get back on track with my workouts next week.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Matthew 1:21 - "She will give birth to a son and you will call him JESUS because he will save the people from their sins."

Merry CHRISTmas to all! May we remember this day the real reason to celebrate this season.

Phase 2, Week 1

Well, this week didn't go as planned. I injured my hamstring on Monday night and my workouts are cut short with the holidays and all. Anyway, here is what the week looked like:

Monday
Squat - 415 x 3 x 2 sets; injured hamstring on first rep of first set with 495
Bench - skipped to go home and ice hammy

Thursday
Bench - 335 x 3 x 2 sets; 380 x 3 x 2 sets; 385 x 3; 405 x 3; 430 x 1
Deadlift - Did not deadlift due to hamstring, but it is feeling much, much better

That is going to be it for this week.

Hamstring update...

My hamstring is feeling much better. I think it will be okay after a little rest. I am going bench tonight, so hopefully it will not give me any trouble.

Slight injury...

I think I pulled something in my left hamstring last nigth while squatting. I was doing my normal routine and feeling really, really good. I had hit 415 for 2 sets of 3 and it felt like the bar on my back. My next set I went to 495 for doubles, but on the first rep of the first set I felt something in my left hamstring. It is sore this morning almost like a charlie-horse or something. I will keep a close eye on it...

Phase 1, Week 4

In preparation for the IPF Bench Worlds I will try to keep my training log current here. This week I completed Week 4 of Phase 1. I am actually peaking my training for the Brother Bennett Invitational which is a 3-lift meet in Bay St. Louis, MS on March 29, 2008. Once that meet is over, I will switch gears and focus completely on my bench press for the IPF Bench Worlds in Prague.

I have been doing a lot of raw work although I am getting a little tenderness in my pecs (sort of where the bicep tendon ties underneath the pec). Here is what my week looked like:

Monday
Squat - 475 x 2 x 4 sets; 475 x 4 x 1 set (belt only)
Bench – 365 x 2 x 1 set; 385 x 2 x 1 set; 405 x 2 x 3 sets

Wednesday
Missed - Traveling back home from Shreveport, LA

Friday
Bench – 335 x 3 x 2 sets; 380 x 2 x 4 sets
Deadlift – 415 x 3 x 2 sets; 475 x 2 x 4 sets (belt only)

Saturday
Bench - 275 x 5 x 2 sets
Light Back & Biceps

Upcoming Meet Schedule:
March 29 - Brother Bennett in Bay St. Louis, MS (3-lift)
June 25-28 - IPF Bench Worlds in Prague, Czech Republic
September - USAPL Bench Press Nationals in Charlotte, NC

News Flash!!

Well, it has been confirmed and it looks like my family and I will be moving to the Houston, TX area. I accepted a job transfer with Cybex, www.cybexintl.com, to take over the south Texas and Louisiana territory. I had previously covered Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and west Tennessee. This is going to be a great opportunity for me and my family. We are looking to get out to Texas and getting settled in. I am hoping to find a powerlifting friendly gym quickly so I can stay on track with my training for IPF Bench Worlds!

Rankin Ledger newspaper feature...

Today’s Rankin Ledger featured an article in regards to my recent trip to Denver, CO for Bench Press Nationals. Click the following link to view:

http://www.rankinledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071208/SPORTS/712080307/1002

Make it a great day!

Byron

If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. - Romans 12:18

Seeking Sponsorship for Bench Worlds

I am currently seeking sponsorships to help cover my expenses so I can represent the state of Mississippi and the USA at the IPF World Bench Press Championships in Prague, Czech Republic in June 2008. On November 18, 2007 I won the USAPL National Bench Press Championships in Denver, CO with an all-time personal best bench press of 639 . This win automatically qualifies me for the World Championships. This Championship is special because is the Open Championship which includes ALL ages. The meet I went to in Germany this past September was for Masters, which is for lifters 40 years old and up.

If there is anything you can do to assist me with my quest, I would greatly appreciate it. Shoot me an email to titan500@bellsouth.net if you are interested in sponsoring me. My survival as a teenager of a life-threatening bone infection in my right arm and my recovery from the terrible triceps injury I suffered in 2002 in my left arm to now being a part of TEAM USA at the biggest bench press competition on the planet is a remarkable story and a testament to God’s ability to bless those who walk in obedience to Him.

I appreciate your consideration and I am hopeful you will chose to be a part of my sponsorship program.

Best always,

Byron Nichols

Bench Press Nationals - Denver, CO 11/18/07

WOW!! What an incredible day! I was very nervous coming in to this meet because I was using a new bench shirt and opening much heavier than I usually do. I knew this was going to risky and either be really good or really bad. It turned out to be really good!!

I had originally planned to open with 601 but decided last night to open with 606. When the lifters were posted for my flight, there were a couple of other guys opening with 606 too, so we decided to bump my opener to 611 (I had a training partner and good friend, James Townsend, helping call my numbers). Well, I absolutely smoked 611! After hitting my opener, I went back to sit down in the warm-up room. James called my second attempt, which I didn’t know what it was until I was on the platform. 639!! I was like…what! Oh well, it’s on the bar. Let’s see what I can do with it. GOOD LIFT!!! I was fired up after that one! I didn’t know anything about what was going on with everybody else at this point. Anyway, the same thing happened on my third attempt. I had no idea what it was until the last minute. 650 was the weight! I gave it a good effort, but missed the lift.

At this point, I knew 639 had to be a good placing. Come to find out, after my 650 miss there was only one guy left that could beat me. It was Masters World Record Holder, Horace Lane. He had opened with 700 but missed it on his first two tries. If he missed it again on his third I would win 1st place. He missed and I was in 1st place!! I ended up winning 1st place in the Masters AND Open Division! Unbelievable!

Winning this meet qualifies me for the IPF World Bench Press Championships to be held in Prague, Czech Republic in June of 2008. Going to Masters Bench Worlds is one thing, but going to the Open Bench Worlds in a whole new level. I am just at a loss at how God is blessing my lifting in such an incredible way. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

Byron Nichols, 2007 USAPL Bench Press National Champion…that has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?