You know when you walk away from something really hard, and you have a warmth in your chest and a smile on your face because you know you did just a little better than last time?

Well, that’s how I felt both times walking away from RedBlack Gym on Monday and Wednesday.

That’s not to say that I made every lift. Or even that I had great form every time. Or any time. Uh-oh. I’m talking down about my performance again. Better knock that off. Ahem…

But at the end of Monday’s class as I was putting my tennis shoes back on, Zach commented that there had been progress.

“More good than bad,” he told me.

“Yes!” I yelled across the gym.

It is a big deal. We are not talking about a man who hands out compliments freely and without reason. And that’s a good thing, because I know his instruction is sincere and it motivates me to work harder.

Monday

Power Snatch + OHS 2+3×4 → 55/55/55/55
Snatch off blocks 2×5 → 55/55/55/55/55
Power Cleans 2×4 → 55/65/75/85
Push Press 4×5 → 65/70/70/75/75

Wednesday

Drop Snatch (snatch balance) 3×3, 2×2, 1×2 → 35/35/45, 50/55, 60/65
Snatch off blocks 2×4, 1×3 → 55/55/55/55, 60/60/65
Power Jerk + BN Jerk 4+3×1, 3+2×1, 2+2×1, 1×1 (BN only) → 55/60/65/70
Back Squat 75% 4×3 → 110/110/110/110

I’m very excited about how things are going. The improvements are really small, but I’m taking note. The weight is just a tiny bit higher on some things. But more importantly, I’m just a little more consistent. My body feels less awkward. I have a long way to go, but I’m encouraged.

And that’s a really good thing.