Vodka & Pickles Workout – The Recap

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Someone suggested I put together all of my Vodka & Pickles workout posts together in one long post as a recap.

5:15 PM
Vodka & Pickles Workout – “Sort of Max” Day

Today was the final workout of my Vodka and Pickles progression and the day for me to test my “sort of max,” as Dan John describes it. I’d based my deadlifts off a 360 max and I knew last Friday that I was beyond. I ate a ton of food this weekend and took four days off as per Pavel’s instructions and tested for real without all the extra reps at 325. I pulled an ugly 385 on Friday so I was hoping to at least get it a little cleaner.

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg

Deadlifts – 360 Max

185 x 5
215 x 4
255 x 3
290 x 2
305 x 1 (miscalculated the weight on the bar with the new 45lb bumpers)
345 x 1
385 x 1

5:00 rests between single attempts

385 went up a lot better than it did on Friday but I still had to grind a bit to get it off the floor at the start. My back didn’t round as much on the way up so I was happy with the effort.

Followed it up with 175 x 5/3/2 on bench with 5:00 rests between sets per Power to the People.

Up next is Vodka and Kettlebells Part II starting on Sunday. That’ll take me through Christmas Eve when I’ll attempt another “sort of” max. Hoping to pull 405 which should be doable after a mix of deadlifts and 36kg kettlebell swings for seven weeks.

4:45 PM
Vodka & Pickles Workout #15
Cycle C Workout 5

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
5 Halos L&R – 16kg
Repeated 3x

Workout A
Deadlifts – 360 Max
Workout C5- 325 x 1/6 (reps/sets)
:30 rest between sets

Felt good today so I added some reps even though they weren’t in the program.
5:00 rest
345 x 1/2 (reps/sets with :30 rest)
5:00 rest
365 x 1/2 (reps/sets with :30 rest)

The last rep at 365 slowed down a bit but I felt like trying for 385. It was my max back in April at the end of Dan John’s 40-Day Workout so I waited 10:00 and tried again.

385 x 1

This one went up reaaaaallllyyy slowly and my form was pretty ugly but I got it locked out. Not bad after all the reps leading up to it. I’ll try again for a real “sort of” max next Wednesday after I eat and rest up a bit. I’ve worked out every other day for three weeks straight so just need a physical and mental break.

Still had some energy and did my bench press work for the day.

Bench Press
165 x 5, 3, 2 (:45 rest between sets)

47:18 total time

The Halloween Howler that blew through Chicago dusted us with some snow on our balcony deck. Not cool and the first measurable snow on Halloween since Chicago started keeping records. Not the best night for Trick or Treating.

5:15 P.M.
Home Gym Workout – Vodka and Pickles #14
Cycle C Workout 4

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
5 Halos L&R – 16 kg
Repeated 3x

Workout B
Deadlifts – see below
One-Arm Kettlebell Press – 8 x 3 – 20 kg (1:30 rest between sets)
Double Kettlebell Front Squat – 5 x 5 – 24 kg
Chins – sets of 3 superset with DKFS (1:30 rest between sets)
Turkish Getup – 5L & 5R – 24 kg

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout C4: 310 x 1/8 (reps/sets)
:30 rest between sets

42:29 Total Workout time

I was trying to cut some time down between sets on presses and DKFS/chins. Those felt really good especially after the heavier deadlifts sets that just seemed to fly up. It might have been my new Hi Temp bumper plates. Or it could be that after 14 deadlift sessions in the last four weeks I’m definitely getting stronger. One more workout on Friday and then next week I’ll test my “sort of” max and see if I can hit my goal of 405#.

6:00 PM
Vodka & Pickles Workout #13
Cycle C Workout 3

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
5 Halos L&R – 16kg
Repeated 3x

Workout A
Deadlifts – see below
Bench – 155 x 5, 3, 2 (:45 rest)
Swings – 2Hand – 10 x 10 – 32kg (:15 on / :50 rest)
Pullups – one after each round of swings for total of 10
Turkish Getup – 5L & 5R – 24 kg

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout C3- 290 x 1/12 (reps/sets)
:30 rest between sets

43:38 total time

When I got to the first set of 10 swings after the bench press today I had to stop after the fifth rep to make sure I was swinging the 32kg and not the 24kg bell. Sure enough it was the 32kg but man did it feel light! And I could probably cut down to :45 rests next time since I wasn’t gasping for air at the end. The time keeps dropping and weight feel lighter – definitely a sign of progress! Even the deadlifts didn’t feel bad at all. Looking forward to testing out my max next week.

Noon
Home Gym Workout – Vodka and Pickles #12
Cycle C Workout 2

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
5 Halos L&R – 16 kg
Repeated 3x

Workout B
Deadlifts – see below
One-Arm Kettlebell Press – 8 x 3 – 20 kg
Double Kettlebell Front Squat – 5 x 5 – 24 kg
Chins – sets of 3 superset with DKFS
Turkish Getup – 5L & 5R – 24 kg

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout C2: 275 x 1/15 (reps/sets)
:30 rest between sets

44:00 Total Workout time

6:00 PM
Vodka & Pickles Workout #11
Cycle C Workout 1

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
5 Halos L&R – 16kg
Repeated 3x

Workout A
Deadlifts – see below
Bench – 195 x 5, 3, 2
Swings – 2Hand – 10 x 10 – 32kg (:15 on / :50 rest)
Pullups – one after each round of swings for total of 10
Turkish Getup – 5L & 5R – 24 kg

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout C1 – 255 x 1/15 (reps/sets)
:30 rest between sets

48:00 total time

Definitely ready for a workout tonight after a long day of phone interviews. Deadlifts were fine but I’m around 80% of my one-rep max on bench presses and could really tell as they weren’t going up as easily as before. I’ll go back down to around 65% for my next session and work my way back up before I succumb to the moronic “one more rep” nonsense. My left shoulder is getting better but still not quite where it was pre-Jamaica. Cut some time off the swing rounds and was breathing hard by the last few rounds. I’d like to cut down to :45 second rests by the end of next week so see how that pans out.

6:15 PM
Home Gym Workout – Vodka and Pickles #10
Cycle B Workout 5

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
Repeated 3x

Workout A
Deadlifts – see below
One-Arm Kettlebell Press – 8 x 3 – 20 kg
Double Kettlebell Front Squat – 5 x 5 – 24 kg
Chins – superset 3 reps with each set of DKFS for total of 15
Turkish Getup – 5L & 5R – 24 kg

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout B5: 315# x 1/6 (reps/sets)
:30 rest between sets

43:48 total time

This workout was draining as it’s the last session of the second round of Vodka and Pickles so a tough set of deadlifts. Add to the fact that I fasted from Sunday night to around Noon today (about 40 hours a la John Romaniello’s Feast/Fast) after a fun weekend of pizza and ice cream. I probably didn’t have enough fuel in my body even with two protein shakes this afternoon. Working out fasted isn’t normally a problem for me but the last few getups at the end weren’t as crisp as usual.

Plus, I’ve worked out every other day for over a week as I’m trying to stay on schedule to finish this workout plan on Halloween and then take a few days off and test a “sort of max” the following week. Had a Kefir and protein powder shake right after the workout and then loaded up two big sweet potatoes and butter along with pork chops. Yum yum!

4:15 PM
Home Gym Workout – Vodka and Pickles #9
Cycle B Workout 4

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
Repeated 3x

Workout B
Deadlifts – see below
Bench – 185 x 5, 3, 2
Swings – 2Hand – 10 x 10 – 32kg (:15 on / 1:00 rest)
Pullups – one after each set of swings for a total of 10
Turkish Getup – 5L & 5R – 24 kg

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout B4: 300 x 1/8 (reps/sets)
:30 rest between sets

5:30 PM
Home Gym Workout – Vodka and Pickles #6
Cycle B Workout 1

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
Repeated 3x

Workout A
Deadlifts – see below
One-Arm Kettlebell Press – 8 x 3 – 20 kg
Double Kettlebell Front Squat – 5 x 5 – 24 kg
Chins – superset 3 reps with each set of DKFS for total of 15
Turkish Getup – 5L & 5R – 24 kg

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout B1: 245# x 1/15 (reps/sets)
:30 rest between sets

44:40 total time

4:40 PM
Home Gym Workout – Vodka and Pickles Workout #5

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
Repeated 3x

Workout A
Deadlifts – see below
Bench – 165 x 5, 3, 2
Swings – 2Hand – 10 x 10 – 32kg (:15 on / 1:15 rest)
Pullups – one after each set of swings for a total of 10
Turkish Getup – 5L & 5R – 24 kg

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout 3: 85% x 1/6 (reps/sets)
305#
:30 rest between sets

45:00 total time

I wasn’t feeling the workout again today but just told myself I could stop after swings. Of course, by the time I got to the swings I was feeling pretty good so I just did the pullups and finished off with the TGUs.

Cycle 2 starts on Monday so I drop the deadlifts back to workout 1 but add 10# to each workout.

5:00 PM
Home Gym Workout – Vodka and Pickles Workout #4

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
Repeated 3x

Workout B
Deadlifts – see below
One-Arm Kettlebell Press – 8 x 3 – 16 kg
Double Kettlebell Front Squat – 5 x 5 – 24 kg
Chins – superset 3 reps with each set of DKFS for total of 15

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout 4: 80% x 1/8 (reps/sets)
290#
:30 rest between sets

Tired today after a long day of phone interviews and had a ton more work to finish up after my workout. With that, skipped the TGU today. Doubled up on sweet potatoes for dinner, too.

5:45 PM
Home Gym Workout – Vodka and Pickles Workout #3

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
Repeated 3x

Workout A
Deadlifts – see below
Bench – 155 x 5, 3, 2
Swings – 2Hand – 10 x 10 – 32kg (:15 on / 1:15 rest)
Pullups – one after each set of swings for a total of 10
Turkish Getup – 5L & 5R – 24 kg

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout 3: 75% x 1/12 (reps/sets)
270#
:30 rest between sets

48:00 total time

3:00 PM
Home Gym Workout – Vodka and Pickles #2

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
Repeated 3x

Workout B
Deadlifts – see below
One-Arm Kettlebell Press – 8 x 3 – 16 kg
Double Kettlebell Front Squat – 5 x 5 – 24 kg
Turkish Getup – 5L & 5R – 24 kg

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout 2: 70% x 1/15 (reps/sets)
255#
:30 rest between sets

So I’ve been sick the last couple of weeks after getting back from a glorious vacation to Sanibel Island, Florida. The weather there was sunny and in the 90s all week and then once we got back to Chicago the temps here took a nosedive into the 30s, 40s, and 50s for a few days. Couple that with a stressful return to catching up on all the work that piled up during the vacation and adding to it some weekend wedding DJ gigs and poor nights of sleep along with the sudden urge to go lift something heavy in my home gym and well, you know, it all adds up to a toxic brew of sickness.

My cold wasn’t bad and just some sneezing that ushered it in and sinus issues to usher it out, but since I’m not training for anything other than vanity at the moment I figured I’d drop the workouts. I usually never take more than a few days off at a time but as of today it had been a full two weeks since I lifted and I’ve worked on getting extra sleep every night.

When I got back from Florida I’d decided to do the Vodka & Pickles routine Pavel Tsatsouline wrote about on the StrongFirst site. I’ve been wanting to bump up my deadlift to four wheels (405#) since hitting a 385# PR back in the spring so no time like the present.

Kettlebells and Deadlifts Go Together Like Vodka and Pickles

I’d started on this two weeks ago but it was one of the things that added to my getting sick since I didn’t eat enough that week to make up for the added volume of training fatigue the first two workouts introduced. So today I started back with workout one as written below.

5:45 PM
Vodka & Pickles Workout

Warmup
10 Swings – 32 kg
5 Goblet Squats – 32kg
Repeated 3x

Workout A
Deadlifts – see below
Pullups – one after each Deadlift rep for total of 15
Bench – 145 x 5, 3, 2
Swings – 2Hand – 10 x 10 – 32kg (:15 on / 1:15 rest)
Turkish Getup – 5L & 5R – 24 kg

Deadlift cycle – 360 Max
Workout 1: 65% x 1/15 (reps/sets)
235#
:30 rest between sets

1:00 total workout time and I was a sweaty mess. Polished off 16oz of eye of round, 16oz whole-milk kefir, some sauerkraut and Talenti Sea Salt Caramel Gelato and I was feeling pretty good.