Weight lifting question (Page 2)

I lift and compete in triathlon.  I find them very complimentary, except the day after deadlifts and a tough leg workout.  I try to ease up during race season and just ride/run more, but if I don't lift at least once a week I feel antsy and gross. 

I just love lifting!

And thanks, JB, for sharing that bench + marathon story.  Congrats on your goal-->success!

 Good job on the 300.  I can remember when I was pushing for 315.  I had a ton of trouble breaking through the mental barrier of 3 plates on each side.  Then came the 400 which offered the same problems.  It sure feels good to reach that goal. 

I love the mix of weights and endurance for overall fitness.  If you enjoy lifting and endurance, have you done any of the pump and runs.  They have three per year where I am located.  They vary slightly but I have almost won two of them.  You bench your body weight as many times as you can up to 30 reps.  For every rep you take off 15-30 seconds of your run time.  The person with the lowest total time after weight time is taken off wins.  Some have weight classes and some do not.  However it is great for people that lift because it balances out the field a bit more.  I have finished second twice but not won one YET.  However there is one in three weeks that I feel good about.  It has weight classes and I do not have to compete against the guy that always beats me.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Here is the link to the P&R that I have done.  if interested maybe they could help you in getting set up or signed up for one.

http://www.pumpandrunrace.com/

You might want to give Weightlifting (Clean & Jerk / Snatch) a try for a change of pace. I got interested in it from CrossFit workouts, where the oly lifts and their components are pretty much a staple. You can also get plenty of advice at T-Nation. If your squat is as strong as your BP, you would be a natural.

 I like how you think.  I will most likely not do the jerk portion of the exercise but was considering addding hang cleans back into my routine.  Too many knee surgeries(four) to try and get into the jerk portion of the exercise.  But hang cleans are one of the best lifts out there IMO.  I still haev not decided if I will change up my muscle groupings for this term or not.  If I do I could easily add hang cleans back into my workouts.  Having done them all through high school and college sports it should come back pretty quick.  Thanks

Here's an interesting paragraph from the CrossFit Foundations paper: http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/what-foundtn.html

"Numerous studies have demonstrated the Olympic lifts unique capacity to develop strength, muscle, power, speed, coordination, vertical leap, muscular endurance, bone strength, and the physical capacity to withstand stress. It is also worth mentioning that the Olympic lifts are the only lifts shown to increase maximum oxygen uptake, the most important marker for cardiovascular fitness."

 Thanks CasaJJ. Actually, I've been into the O lifts and CrossFit for quite awhile, but you do make a good point about using good form. Not only will it prevent injury, but you can lift a heck of a lot more weight. Technique is everything; it's kind of like swimming in that regard. I'm also glad you mentioned Mike Burgener. He runs O lifting certifications for CrossFit and his website is an excellent resource: http://www.mikesgym.org/. I've used programs off of this site in the past. You might enjoy this - here's a link to a video on Mike's site of a 16 yr old monster snatching 320 lbs.

http://www.mikesgym.org/gallery/video/Snatch%2004012006.wmv