Starting Strength: First Month

So since Raj is starting up training again and blogging as well, I figured I'd pick up my slack and keep him and me motivated to keep training and blogging. I've posted my first week of Starting Strength (SS) back in August, so here's the rest of the month along with any notes I took. Any notes I'm adding with this post that I didn't take then will be in [ ]. I started the program at about 159 lbs, which I arrived at after taking a mental break from trying to maintain a bodyweight in the 130s/140s.
I weighed in at 163 on 8/26/11.

Monday 8/8/11
Barbell Squat: 130 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Shoulder Press: 60 lbs 5, 5, 5
Power Clean: 70 lbs 3, 3, 3, 3, 3

Wednesday 8/10/11
Barbell Squat: 135 lbs [1 45 plate each side, always exciting to get another 45] 5, 5, 5
Barbell Bench Press: 85 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Deadlift: 165, 5

Friday 8/12/11
Barbell Squat: 140 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Shoulder Press: 65 lbs 5, 5, 5
Power Clean: 75 lbs, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3

Monday 8/15/11
Barbell Squat: 145 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Bench Press: 90 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Deadlift: 175 lbs 5

Wednesday 8/17/11
Barbell Squat: 150 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Shoulder Press: 70 lbs 5, 5, 5 - Really difficult getting through all reps in press.
Power Clean: 80 lbs 3, 3, 3, 3, 3

Friday 8/19/11
Barbell Squat: 155 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Bench Press: 95 lbs [1 25 lb plate on each side, not exactly a big boy yet but feels a lot better for the ego] 5, 5, 5
Barbell Deadlift: 185 lbs 5

Notes: Had to take 30 more seconds rest between sets of squats.330 vs 3 minutes usual. Felt a lot stronger than last time on bench press. Almost sure it was due to improved technical aspects. Felt on the verge of blackout after last deadlift but got it cleanly.

Monday 8/22/11
Barbell Squat: 160 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Shoulder Press: 75 lbs 4, 5, 3
Power Clean: 85 lbs 3, 3, 3, 3, 3

Notes: Couldn't get 5 reps in first set of press. Only got 4. Rested 330 and got 5 in 2nd set. Rested 330 again and only got 3 reps in 3rd set. Elbows also hurt. Maybe a form problem. Will repeat weight on Friday.

Wednesday 8/24/11
Barbell Squat: 165 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Bench Press: 100 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Deadlift: 195 lbs 5

Notes: Felt really strong with squats. Bench was difficult near the end. Probably related to slow rep tempo. Deadlift was very mentally and physically challenging. Bar started moving away from shins in initial pull during the later reps but still managed to complete the reps.

Friday 8/26/11
Barbell Squat: 170 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Shoulder Press: 75 lbs 5, 5, 5
Power Clean: 90 lbs 3, 3, 3, 3, 3

Notes: Squats felt medium to difficult. Press felt strong, but still challenging. Power cleans were difficult for technique, but not weight. Had some nice reps, but more sloppy ones than I care for.
Weighed in at around 163 lbs.

Monday 8/29/11
Barbell Squat: 175 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Bench Press: 105 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Deadlift: 205 lbs 5

Notes: Squats started out difficult; 4th rep onwards for first two sets were really challenging. Dug down and powered through 3rd set. Ready for next [weight] jump. Bench was difficult for first set, but also didn't keep upper back tight. Easier 2nd set. Good 3rd set. Ready for jump.

Wednesday 8/31/11
Barbell Squat: 180 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Shoulder Press: 80 lbs 5, 5, 5
Power Clean: 95 lbs 3, 3, 3, 3, 3

Notes: [Got tired of retyping them instead for font consistency and just decided to copy and paste since I write more and more notes as I learned the importance of them.]

First set of squats was hard. Felt really heavy bar speed slowed. 2nd set was a bit faster, but had symmetry problems, I.e bar tilted to one side on way up. 3rd set was almost perfect. Ready for next jump. Just had to get used to weight today.

Had to rest close to 4 minutes between squat sets and press sets. almost didn't get 2nd set of press. 1st and 2nd were both good, but almost wiped me. 3rd set was about the same as first two sets, last rep barely making it. Will micro load next week.

Power cleans were crisp and relatively easy compared to squats and presses. Had an audience of two other gym goers and I didn't want to look foolish. Also had to make sure I didn't waste time as space was tight. Form was consistent and solid. Ready for next jump.

Friday 9/2/11
Barbell Squat: 185 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Bench Press: 110 lbs 5, 5, 5
Barbell Deadlift: 215 lbs 3, 1, 1 [Couldn't get all 5 in one set, had to rest and break them up. Also, at this point I didn't realize what technically made a "set" of deadlifts, so even though I took breaks I thought it was still a set of 5 instead of a set of 3 followed by 2 singles]

Notes:

Had a sleep deficit going in to today as I've slept about 12 hours the last two nights. Took a full scoop of assault instead of a half scoop. Squats felt really strong and only rested about 3 minutes between sets. Ready for next jump.

I think I had the rack set too low from the start on the bench press. First set was tough with slower bar speed and barely getting last rep. Second and third sets were a bit less difficult. Ready for next jump.

The last rep of the deadlift was probably the most challenging rep of any exercise since I started the program. I think the sleep deficit affected me, but I'm still ready for next jump.