Back pain persisted throughout the weekend but is better to the point of increased mobility just in time for work today. Did a bench press workout of 225x3x8 followed by JM presses of 135x2x10 and a bunch of pull-ups Friday night. Couldn’t use leg drive and upper-back wasn’t kept as tense as usual due to irradiating discomfort, so reps were slow and deliberate.

Did another upper-body workout on Sunday. Saw a video of Matt Wenning demonstrating the JM press with a safety squat bar and got the idea to try that out for fun.

SSB JM press
150 x 2 x 10
170 x 1 x 10

Incline crazy bell bench press
145 x 2 x 10

Band-assisted pull-ups: 4 x 10

Came away impressed with the SSB JM press. Felt a lot of pressure in my triceps and none in my elbows. It just felt good to do.

Back was feeling a little better by Sunday evening. Pushing a heavy shopping cart around for a Costco trip felt like rehab. Went on a short jog up Heart Attack Hill when I got home, alternating facing backwards and forwards.

Got a text from the boxing gym coach asking if I can spar his fighter next Saturday. I’m going on a beach camping trip from Friday to Sunday so he then asked if Thursday will work, which I confirmed. Can’t wait. Back is good enough to go running today.