squattin' & benchin'

back squats felt ok today for the first day this week. but i really do need these two rest days coming up (although i will be WODing for the first time in ages tomorrow... it's going to be a disaster!) - i'm just feeling sore and beat up. bench was a bit of a failure (tried to go up by 2.5# and failed on my last rep of 1st set, so just did the remaining sets @ the same weight as monday) but i'm trying to stay positive. used heavier weight on back extensions and it felt challenging but good. pullups continue to be a struggle.

back squats
3x5 @ 162.5

bench press
1x4 @ 85.5# (failed on last rep)
2x5 @ 83#

back extensions
3x10 @ 25#

pullups (blue + skinny purple bands)
8/9/9

listened to the first 5 minutes of this week's paleo solution podcast on the advice of a friend (thanks, philip!) and got some ideas about how to improve my press. i know i'm supposed to be following starting strength to a T, but i think i'm going to try and add in some high volume, lower weight press days and see if that helps (so tomorrow morning i'll try to do a few sets of 6 at 80% of my 1RM). maybe it will make me magically stronger for monday's press work!

also, shout out to my fellow bb clubber, laura, who ripped through 3 sets of 5 reps of bench press *at her bodyweight*!!! awe.some.