Field Notes from the Build
Dispatches
The work between competitions: training, recovery, adjustments, setbacks, and the decisions that shape what happens on the field.
New entries document the Road to Wisconsin as it happens.
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June 30, 2026: A Noticeably Lighter Upper-Body Day
Read Dispatch: June 30, 2026: A Noticeably Lighter Upper-Body DayA lighter upper-body session at the UIUC ARC paired incline dumbbell presses and cable rows with rear-delt, core, and shoulder work, followed by an easy recumbent-bike cooldown after a noticeably harder day.
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June 29, 2026: Right on Schedule
Read Dispatch: June 29, 2026: Right on ScheduleA well-timed session at the UIUC ARC paired push presses, high-bar squats, and farmer’s carries with steady progress through every prescribed set. The work felt appropriately placed, and only minimal changes were needed along the way.
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June 27, 2026: Six Reps Was Plenty
Read Dispatch: June 27, 2026: Six Reps Was PlentyA full event-focused session paired high pulls and clean and push presses with dumbbell-to-shoulder work, loaded carries, and cable backward walks. One unclear rep prescription also turned the opening dumbbell set into more work than expected.
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June 25, 2026: Heavy Pulls, Then One Second Short
Read Dispatch: June 25, 2026: Heavy Pulls, Then One Second ShortA heavy deadlift session built to two sets of 330.5 for five before a timed event set, Romanian deadlifts, and farmer’s holds. The final hold ended one second short when my grip gave out.
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June 24, 2026: Treadmill Work and Mobility
Read Dispatch: June 24, 2026: Treadmill Work and MobilityA straightforward session built around 20 minutes on the treadmill, followed by breathing work, hip mobility, hamstring and calf stretching, and five minutes with my legs elevated.
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June 23, 2026: Pressing, Rows, and Shoulder Work
Read Dispatch: June 23, 2026: Pressing, Rows, and Shoulder WorkA straightforward upper-body session built around incline dumbbell pressing, cable rows, machine shoulder presses, rear-delt work, Pallof presses, and brief cardio at the beginning and end.
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June 22, 2026: Squats, Push Presses, and Farmer’s Carries
Read Dispatch: June 22, 2026: Squats, Push Presses, and Farmer’s CarriesThis June 22 session paired back squats and push presses from the rack with three 60-foot farmer’s carries, hamstring work, core training, and short cardio bookends.
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First Blood: My First Strongman Competition
Read Dispatch: First Blood: My First Strongman CompetitionCOMPETITION REPORT June 6, 2026 · First Blood Showdown · Lindenhurst, Illinois · Novice Division – 5 Events On June 6, 2026, I walked into Unit Strength in Lindenhurst, Illinois, for the First Blood Showdown—my first strongman competition. I entered the novice division with five events ahead of me: axle clean and press, Conan’s wheel,…
The next Dispatch is still being written. Follow the current training on YouTube in the meantime.
Continue the Story
The Journey follows the larger transformation from the beginning of formal strength training through the first competition and the current Road to Wisconsin.
FERRAXIS WORKS 