1000% Awesome

I’ve run a lot of different workout programs over the years and have used programs from AthleanX, Mountain Tactical Institute, Tactical Barbell, and 531 to support my ultra running goals. For general physical fitness AthleanX is my go to as the programs do a great job of incorporating athleticism and corrective exercises into every program. For specialty blocks I do enjoy incorporating programs from MTI into my calendar, but they can be challenging to run long term.  Tactical Barbell is a system I have really benefited from reading the books on and the advice in the books has been invaluable for how to combine heavy lifting with endurance work.  I do find the templates as laid out a bit minimalistic for my taste though as my body seems to respond much better when incorporating accessory work.  Tactical Barbell mentions in the book that you can substitute any of its templates for any other similarly laid out strength program, however, while still making use of its conditioning protocols.  This is the avenue I am choosing to take right now.

Since the weather is warming up and supports running outside again, I am currently seeking to run an aerobic base building block like the Capacity protocol laid out in the Tactical Barbell Green Protocol Book, but with a strength program that allows for more accessories.  I have thus chosen to run the 531 1000% Awesome program template which is a 3-day strength template designed to allow for heavy conditioning work to be done in conjunction with it.  I’m in week 2 of my first three week block and really enjoying it.  I am seeing all the work put into doing step ups, power cleans, and good mornings from when I ran Helen starting to translate into increased maxes in my deadlift and squat based on estimates from the AMRAP sets conducted each week.  For accessories I have been performing 50 lunges, 50 dips, and 35 pull-ups each session.  I see myself continuing this program for a few cycles to build some additional strength while continuing to work on my aerobic base.