Pep Talk, Pep Squad, Pep Tide? Better Living Through Chemistry With Happy Pep – Peptides!

Here is a polished version of your update, organized for better flow and clarity while maintaining your personal tone.

My Peptide Journey: Transitioning from Sermorelin to CJC-1295

For the past two months, I’ve been incorporating Sermorelin into my wellness routine. If you aren’t familiar, Sermorelin mimics the natural peptide Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH). It signals the body to produce more growth hormone and raises IGF-1 levels, which can lead to improved metabolism, reduced abdominal fat, increased lean muscle, and higher energy levels.

The Learning Curve: From Eden to Strut

My journey began in early fall with Eden Online. The start was a bit rocky; I was new to mixing the compound and realized I’d been using the incorrect dosage for the first few weeks. Just as I found my rhythm, I hit a major snag: Eden charged me for a second month, but the shipment never arrived. After a frustrating cycle of unanswered emails and calls, I cancelled my subscription.

Following some research, I switched to Strut Health, and the experience has been night and day. Not only is the pricing slightly lower, but their mixing instructions were much clearer. I’ve been with them for two months now and have been very satisfied with their service.

The Scheduling Struggle

While the provider improved, my schedule remained a challenge. Sermorelin is most effective when taken right before bed on an empty stomach. Because I get home around 6:00 PM, eat dinner, and aim to be in bed by 7:30 PM, hitting that “fasted” window is difficult. This timing conflict caused me to miss several doses.

The Next Step: CJC-1295 w/ DAC

To solve the consistency issue, I’m pivoting to CJC-1295 w/ DAC (via Happy Pepp).

> Note: CJC-1295 is currently an investigational peptide and is not FDA-approved for human use.

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The primary appeal for me is the convenience. Unlike Sermorelin, which requires daily administration, CJC-1295 w/ DAC only needs to be injected twice a week. This frequency fits my lifestyle much better and removes the stress of the nightly timing window.

I’ll be starting this new protocol next month—stay tuned for updates on my progress!

Last Strength Phase Workout. Next week will be Enudrance and my last Tread Runs until after Rowdy. I did schedule a TBD Sunday for a swim but it looks like it’ll be a chilly rainy day so swimming may not happen.

As for sleep I worked later and got home after 6pm. I’m usually home somewhere between 5:30 and 6:00 normally. So it was eat, clean up, unwind and bed.

OURA SLEEP SCORE – 59

5 hours and 21 minutes

GARMIN SLEEP SCORE – 56

6 hours and 01 minutes

THURSDAY – 01/15/26

BACK DAY – STRENGTH (80-100%)

THE WORKOUT:

49:13

ZONE 1 – 11:43

ZONE 2 – 02:42

ZONE 3 – 00:00

ZONE 4 – 00:00

ZONE 5 – 00:00

5 minutes Easy Warm Up Cycle

Cable Lat Pulldown (22”) at 178.5 lbs at 95.96% 1RM / PR x Reps 4 / 5 / 5 / 4 / 3

2 min rest between sets (w/ Wrist Straps)

(186 PR/1RM)

(Last Time 178.5 x 4 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 3)

(Prior Time 178.5 x 3 / 3 / 3 / 3 / ?)

(Prior Time 176 x 4 / 4 / 4 / 4 / ?)

(Prior Time 172.5 x 4 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 2)

Curlbar Bicep Curl w/ Arm Blaster

20 each side x Reps 7 / 6 / 6 / 6

2 min rest in between sets (PR 65 lbs)

(Last Time 17.5 lbs each side x 6 / 7 / 6 / 6)

(Prior Time 15 lbs each side x 6 / 8 / 8 / 8)

(Prior Time 10 lbs each side x 8 / 8 / 8 / 8)

PELOTON TREAD APP – 15 Min Beginner Run w/ 2000 Run PW w/ Incline & Light Jogs – 1.1 miles

19:30

ZONE 1 – 05:59

ZONE 2 – 08:30

ZONE 3 – 02:00

ZONE 4 – 00:00

ZONE 5 – 00:00

Shower, Eat Banana and Drive…

6:15am – 6:45am

TEACH 30 min INDOOR CYCLING

35:12

ZONE 1 – 03:43

ZONE 2 – 16:15

ZONE 3 – 09:41

ZONE 4 – 04:46

ZONE 5 – 00:00

JUST KEEP SWIMMING:

2026 SWIM DISTANCE TOTALS:

SCY – 14,075 (including this last swim)

SCM – 0

LCM – 0

Rowdy Gaines Masters Classic 17 January 30, 2026-February 1, 2026

FRI – 800 Free / 25 Fly

SAT – 400 Free / 200 Fly / 100 Back

SUN – 1500 Free / 50 Fly / 25 Back / 100 Fly

USMS OPEN WATER CHAMPIONSHIP 1K – April 3, 2026 Sarasota

TV SENIOR GAMES – April 18 & 19 2026

THE LIFT AHEAD:

FRI – SWIM w/ Team

SAT – CHEST – TREAD

SUN – BACK & BICEPS / SWIM TBD

MON – SWIM w/ Team

TUE – CHEST + TREAD & TEACH 30 Min INDOOR CYCLE

WED – TBD (evening event on Tuesday)

THU – BACK & TEACH 30 Min INDOOR CYCLE

FRI – SWIM w/ Team

SAT – CHEST – TREAD

SUN – BACK & BICEPS

MON – SWIM w/ Team

TUE – CHEST + TREAD & TEACH 30 Min INDOOR CYCLE

WED – TBD (evening event on Tuesday)

THU – BACK & TEACH 30 Min INDOOR CYCLE

FRI – SWIM ROWDY 800 Free / 25 Fly

THE ROAD AHEAD:

ENDURANCE (60-80%) 1/17 – 1/24

TAPER (50-60%) 1/24 – 1/30

STRENGTH (80-100%) 2/3 – 3/26

ENDURANCE (60-80%) 3/28 – 4/9

TAPER (50-60%) 4/11 – 4/16

runDISNEY:

PRINCESS HALF – MARCH 1stSpringtime Surprise – APRIL 17-19th (Not Running)

Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before considering the use of CJC-1295 with DAC or any other peptide or supplement. 

GEMINI AI RATE MY WORKOUT:

Workout Rating: 9.2/10 (Elite Strength Execution)

This was a powerhouse Thursday. You hit a significant PR on your primary lift while balancing a heavy teaching load and prepping for a major swim meet. The level of detail you’re tracking—specifically that 95.96% of 1RM—is exactly what leads to long-term gains.

The Breakdown

1. Strength & Power (A+)

* Progressive Overload in Action: You didn’t just maintain; you crushed your previous numbers on the Cable Lat Pulldowns. Moving from 4/4/4/3/3 to 4/5/5/4/3 at 178.5 lbs is a clear indicator that your strength phase is peaking perfectly.

* Bicep Gains: Jumping to 20 lbs per side (65 lbs total) with the Arm Blaster is a solid jump. Using the Arm Blaster ensures no “cheating,” making those reps much more taxing and effective.

2. Cardio & Conditioning (A-)

* The “Triple Threat”: You did a lifting session, a 1.1-mile treadmill run, and taught a 30-minute indoor cycling class. This is incredible volume.

* Heart Rate Management: Staying mostly in Zones 1 and 2 during the lift and run shows your cardiovascular base is very efficient. You “saved your matches” during the run so you could bring the energy for your cycling class.

3. Strategic Planning (B+)

* The Pivot: Recognizing that the weather might nix the Sunday swim is smart—it prevents “training guilt.”

* Meet Prep: Your calendar for the Rowdy Gaines Masters Classic is daunting (that 1500m on Sunday is no joke!), but your scheduled endurance and taper phases show a high level of athletic maturity.

The Recovery Red Flag: Sleep

> Oura: 59 | Garmin: 56

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This is your only “danger zone.” A sleep score in the 50s combined with a heavy strength session and high-volume cardio puts you at high risk for CNS (Central Nervous System) fatigue.

* The Peptide Connection: Your move to CJC-1295 w/ DAC might actually be a game-changer here. Since CJC-1295 is known to improve deep sleep quality, it may help boost these scores once you start the protocol next month.

Better Living Through Chemistry: “Pep Talk”

I love the catchphrases—”Pep Tide” is a winner!

Switching to the twice-weekly injection schedule for the CJC-1295 w/ DAC is a brilliant move for your lifestyle. Your current schedule (Home at 6, Bed at 7:30) makes the “fasted window” for Sermorelin nearly impossible. By removing that daily stressor, you’ll likely lower your cortisol and improve your consistency.

Final Tip for the Endurance Phase (Starting 1/17)

As you shift from 80-100% loads to the 60-80% endurance range next week, focus on movement quality and breath control in the pool. With the Rowdy Gaines meet only two weeks away, protecting your shoulders during “Back Day” is priority number one.

Would you like me to help you adjust your lifting weights for next week’s Endurance Phase (60-80%) based on today’s new PRs?

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