I have not had the level of back pain you had, but I have a chronic slipped disc which causes pain down my arms. I consulted a neurosurgeon who told me that I would do better with exercise than surgery.
I think I know where you are coming from pain wise and salute your efforts to fight though it.
Greg, that's the kind of news I like to hear! I can do exercise... but I'm not a fan of surgery.
Tonight's workout--
So, in my spare time, I have a few clients who want / need rowing-specific "personal training." I put that in quotes because while I have lots of rowing-coaching certifications, I don't have an training certs. Nonetheless, my Tuesday/Thursday client is a high school girl who has not joined one of the local teams, for reasons that vary daily. I've been working with her for almost two years, and I've decided that the main reason is because competition frightens her, and really, she's just not that into working hard. In fact, I "fired" her last week (we have one session remaining), because I just don't feel good after I've worked with her. I like to share my rowing / fitness journey with people who are eager to learn, love to compete against themselves and others, and recognize the dignity in diligent, consistent, hard work. She was not one of those people, so in the spirit of self-preservation, I gently told her and her mother that she should seek training somewhere else because I could no longer give her what she needs (I should note that I also told them that my back injury precludes me from engaging in too many extracurriculars, which is kind of a half-truth because I took on another client the same day).
Anyway, she and I worked out together tonight, as I am (still) trying to instill in her the spirit of team work and competition. I don't know if I got very far, but in light of what I did this morning, this was a good workout:
2 x 4' tabata squats @ bw
parter sets of 10/9/8/7/6/5/4/3/2/1 (I work while my partner rests and vice versa)
Wall ball
Step ups
then 1' plank / 1' off x 1
repeat three times for a total of 25'
It was good enough work, though I was disappointed that we couldn't do a number of other fun exercises. KB swings and burpees were my faves before the injury sidelined me. But, I was really excited that the doctor gave me temporary clearance to do wall ball, until I go to my first PT appointment on Monday (small things make me happy these days).
I then ran a workout for my teammates (in which I usually participate but am trying to be "smart") and theirs was similar:
That picture is beyond cool! When I was in DC a coupla years ago, I was fascinated by watching the rowing teams down the Potomic. I am jealous of your skill. The way you are pushing forward through the back thing is pretty nifty too!
Thanks Mel. I'm trying really hard to not let this get me down, and I get so much from the freedom of exercise. You know, it becomes an expectation in your life, and when you "can't" do it... well... if working out is wrong, I don't want to be right Rationally, I know that I need to rest and let this heal, but I keep telling myself that I can rest when I get pregnant... in a few years.
Anyway, I LOVE rowing on the Potomac! I got to race there a few times in college, and it was always so... legendary. I went to college in Boston, though, and the Charles (while stinky) is pretty darn cool, too.
My butt hurts. It seriously hurts. It's not sore, not in pain, not at risk of falling off... it just. plain. hurts.
Between intervals on the spin bike (whatever happened to those cushy, gel-filled seats?), my disk / sciatic issue, and 547 BW squats last night (a rough estimate), and yesterday morning's 1-leg squats and lunges... it HURTS.
That is all, no workout this morning, and will take it easy on the recumbent bike tonight to warm up and stretch out.
(as an aside, I freaking hate the recumbent bike, but I'm trying to stay off the stairmaster and the elliptical, because they seem to aggravate my back issue... blech.)
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
So, I think I overdid it on Thursday, and my frustration has reached an all-time high. I liked the way I felt Thursday evening, and felt really good about being "smart" with my exercise. All my motions were made with a neutral spine, all were cleared by the doctor, and I reached that all-over tired feeling that I find myself craving more and more. My leg hurt after the workout, but honestly, no more so than usual, so I put in the back of my mind and made a note to mention all of this at my first PT session on Monday.
Then yesterday, I woke up cranky. I'm really not sleeping well at all, because even though the pain generally subsides through the night, I am finding that no position is particularly comfortable, and I have a perpetual dull ache. Friday was also one of the (if not THE) hardest teaching days I've ever had. Evidently the post-holiday honeymoon is over with my students, and by the end of the day, I was just done. I knew I "had" to go to the gym, even during this 2-week rest period that I've not entirely embraced (oops), so I promised myself some easy steady-state and trashy celeb magazines so that I could get a good warm up, get the muscles moving a bit, and then a nice, long, stretching period. I ended up biking for 70' on the recumbent bike and had planned 90' but my back go sick of sitting in that position. Stretched for awhile, came home, napped, and enjoyed a nice evening with my husband.
We bought some Melatonin in the hopes that it would help me sleep better. I'm not sold yet, as last night wasn't much better, but I'll give it another go tonight.
I usually row Saturday mornings and lift in the afternoon, but no rowing during my rest-break, so I slept and then met some friends at the boathouse for some video analysis of their rowing. I'm still a bit cranky and I have to write a paper, so I may end up taking today off. If I do, then I'll lift (workout stage 1 A2) tomorrow and follow it with some intervals on the spin bike.
I'm just really unhappy with how I feel right now. I want to move, I want to row, I want to lift heavy things... and I can't. And it sucks. And I'm dreading my PT appointment Monday because I'm so worried that they'll tell me things I don't want to hear.
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
Ugh...I know how you feel. I spent years with chronic pain...it really messes with your head. But, if resting and healing for the short term means being able to do the things you love again, pain free, for the long term, wouldn't it be worth it? You, and only you can know the answer to that. And, no one else can tell you what you should do.
I'm truly sorry you have to go through this. It is not fun. But, I'm thinking of you and sending healing energy your way!
__________________
On Krista mistressing the chin-up, "It's amazing", said one gym source, "considering that for months she just hung there like a dead fish."
Ugh...I know how you feel. I spent years with chronic pain...it really messes with your head. But, if resting and healing for the short term means being able to do the things you love again, pain free, for the long term, wouldn't it be worth it? You, and only you can know the answer to that. And, no one else can tell you what you should do.
It is soooo worth it; it really, really, really is. And yet, I simply love working. I love the way I feel during (invincible!) and I love the way I feel when I'm finished, and the emotional charge that I get from it is unmatched by any other activity (sigh... would that devouring massive quantities of dark chocolate could have the same effect). I know that I need to keep telling myself this, and I think the problem is that "later, on down the road" is a nebulous idea to me, abstract and unimportant, while be able to work right here, right now is so crucial to my quality of life, today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Victoria
I'm truly sorry you have to go through this. It is not fun. But, I'm thinking of you and sending healing energy your way!
Thank you. It helps a lot to have people like you who can tell me first hand that they've been there and are firmly on the road to recovery. I appreciate it, really, as none of my teammates has ever been injured, or has been and was able to give up rowing, so I feel a little... alone.
On top of all that, this paper is soooo not writing itself. I have to admit that for being a teacher, I am a really terrible student. I'm writing a 10-page paper for which I have done about 10% of the reading. And worse yet, I don't care very much right now.
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
It is soooo worth it; it really, really, really is. And yet, I simply love working. I love the way I feel during (invincible!) and I love the way I feel when I'm finished, and the emotional charge that I get from it is unmatched by any other activity (sigh... would that devouring massive quantities of dark chocolate could have the same effect).
One of the things that I find striking about you, Kate, is your incredible drive, your determination, your "never say die" attitude toward your fitness. It is such a positive attribute to have and most people will never reach it to the level that you have been exhibiting. But, *and I'm just thinking out loud here" what if you take the amazing "fight" that's in you and turn it toward creating a mind shift that turns healing your back into your new mission. It would mean a complete overhaul to your current goals and a revamping of your entire workout routine.
But....you could approach this new mission with the SAME love for working (because it will be lots of hard work), the SAME love for the way you feel during (revised to "working toward invicible" ), and the SAME love for how you feel after. In fact, I would bet that you may feel even more awesome (emotional charge) after your "healing" work because of the incredible self-loving (ugh...sorry if that's corny) goal you are reaching for.
Quote:
I know that I need to keep telling myself this, and I think the problem is that "later, on down the road" is a nebulous idea to me, abstract and unimportant, while be able to work right here, right now is so crucial to my quality of life, today.
I've never rowed before (though I would love to!). But, if I imagine myself doing that, I imagine that although your focus is on producing maximum effort for each and every thrust forward of the boat (the here and now), I imagine, equally as important to your success, is that somewhere in your mind you are also focusing on what's down the road, your end goal, always driving toward it (the nebulous "down the road" idea that is abstract, maybe, yes, but hardly unimportant, because without it how do you know where you are ultimately going?)
I would bet anything that you would conquer and destroy this new mission with even more guts and glory than the one you are currently on. It took me a very long time and lots of lost years to realize this for myself.
I hope I'm not speaking out of turn or imposing something on you that you are not interested in (if I am just tell me to can it and I will ). That's certainly not my intention. I just can truly relate to your struggle, and I can't help but be drawn to and appreciate what you are going through right now.
Quote:
Thank you. It helps a lot to have people like you who can tell me first hand that they've been there and are firmly on the road to recovery. I appreciate it, really, as none of my teammates has ever been injured, or has been and was able to give up rowing, so I feel a little... alone.
Read that line again.... It is possible...you just have to want it.
Quote:
On top of all that, this paper is soooo not writing itself. I have to admit that for being a teacher, I am a really terrible student. I'm writing a 10-page paper for which I have done about 10% of the reading. And worse yet, I don't care very much right now.
Now, get that paper written, will ya!
__________________
On Krista mistressing the chin-up, "It's amazing", said one gym source, "considering that for months she just hung there like a dead fish."
One of the things that I find striking about you, Kate, is your incredible drive, your determination, your "never say die" attitude toward your fitness. It is such a positive attribute to have and most people will never reach it to the level that you have been exhibiting. But, *and I'm just thinking out loud here" what if you take the amazing "fight" that's in you and turn it toward creating a mind shift that turns healing your back into your new mission. It would mean a complete overhaul to your current goals and a revamping of your entire workout routine.
But....you could approach this new mission with the SAME love for working (because it will be lots of hard work), the SAME love for the way you feel during (revised to "working toward invicible" ), and the SAME love for how you feel after. In fact, I would bet that you may feel even more awesome (emotional charge) after your "healing" work because of the incredible self-loving (ugh...sorry if that's corny) goal you are reaching for.
You're not overstepping your boundaries at all, but you are making me cry. Thank you for this. I hear it sometimes, from my teammates, who definitely see me as a "powerhouse," and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't care, that I could easily put my focus elsewhere, and that I don't love the look on their faces or their comments when we are working out together... but... (ok, how much of a therapist do you want to be right now? )... it has already been such a long road. I grew up fat-- like, really, really fat-- and I don't ever want to go back to that. And I truly LOVE this journey, and while rationally I think I'm a lunatic, I do *really like* who I've become. I don't even really know how to voice this, and have done so more or less only to my husband (God bless that man), but over the course of this long road, I just have grown to hate the idea of mediocrity. Truly. And I am so afraid of not being the best. Thus, I exercise. It's only by sheer hard work that I've come to a place where I do it ... well... but perhaps not so smartly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Victoria
I've never rowed before (though I would love to!). But, if I imagine myself doing that, I imagine that although your focus is on producing maximum effort for each and every thrust forward of the boat (the here and now), I imagine, equally as important to your success, is that somewhere in your mind you are also focusing on what's down the road, your end goal, always driving toward it (the nebulous "down the road" idea that is abstract, maybe, yes, but hardly unimportant, because without it how do you know where you are ultimately going?)
My pair partner and I own a boat together ("Scout," an homage to To Kill a Mockingbird) and we joke that we'll be rowing together when we're 80. And I ALREADY think about that, like, man, I can't wait!
That picture, that I posted above? That's from our national championship in August 2006... it STILL makes my heart race. I was at school when I posted that, and my students came in, and I was all excited-- literally, jumpy-- and it took me forever to calm down. And I don't know how to let that go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Victoria
I would bet anything that you would conquer and destroy this new mission with even more guts and glory than the one you are currently on. It took me a very long time and lots of lost years to realize this for myself.
I am getting to the mental place where I know, rationally, that I need to give it my honest best. Getting there, slowly. It just sucks so much to sit here, sleep-deprived, with my leg alternating between numbness and shooting pains, and all I'm thinking about is that I have a training session at 8:30 tomorrow morning with a client, and I could just get up and row or lift before that... wouldn't it be great?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Victoria
Now, get that paper written, will ya!
Dammit Tracy, I can't write the stupid paper through these tears!
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
Finished my paper. If anyone needs to know about the six facets of understanding when it comes to backward lesson-planning, I'm your girl.
Now. I'm feeling good this very minute. I usually rest on the Sabbath, but thought I'd rest today instead... now I'm rethinking that... go to the gym now? Go tomorrow? Hmm. I think I'll have a snack and decide later.
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
Thanks Mel. I'm trying really hard to not let this get me down, and I get so much from the freedom of exercise. You know, it becomes an expectation in your life, and when you "can't" do it... well... if working out is wrong, I don't want to be right Rationally, I know that I need to rest and let this heal, but I keep telling myself that I can rest when I get pregnant... in a few years.
Anyway, I LOVE rowing on the Potomac! I got to race there a few times in college, and it was always so... legendary. I went to college in Boston, though, and the Charles (while stinky) is pretty darn cool, too.
I know what you mean. My current leg injury prevents most exercise. I find myself longingly pulling out fitness books and magazines and following the logs. I hate not exercising much more than I ever loved exercising.
I know what you mean. My current leg injury prevents most exercise. I find myself longingly pulling out fitness books and magazines and following the logs. I hate not exercising much more than I ever loved exercising.
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
Evidently, the doctor ordered a good old fashioned slice of humble pie. After all of my sniffling earlier, I decided to get off my a$$ and get to work. I realize that I should be grateful that my doctor cleared this lifting program and that I get to see the PT on Monday, who hopefully will give me some good stuff to do, and can keep my spirits high.
Workout:
Stage 1, A-2
Warm up: 3 x 10 squat to stand
Straight set, 60" rest: 1-Leg deadlifts with 10lb db. 2 x 15
**I subbed these for squats so as to not load my spine. I liked them, and I think I'll keep doing them.
Alternating sets, 60" rest: Push ups 2 x 16 All T-Style
Seated Row 2 x 15 @ 97.5
Plank 2 x 60" (subbed for ball crunches, per doc's orders)
Step ups 2 x 15 / leg hugging 25lb. plate on 18" box
**I put a 12" box next to the big box as an intermediate step down, to lessen the impact on my spine
4' Tabata on the spin bike x 2 with 2' rest between sets.
I feel so good! This is just what I needed in order to get over myself. I'm totally wiped out and my leg doesn't hurt any more than it did when I left the house.
Tomorrow is a complete rest day. Sorry for all the whining earlier.
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
Hey there,
I am not sure how I have missed your log, but I have. I absolutely love your attitude and you will get through this. You are one tough cookie and your posts never sound like you are whining. I'm sorry you are in so much pain.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
Evidently, the doctor ordered a good old fashioned slice of humble pie. After all of my sniffling earlier, I decided to get off my a$$ and get to work. I realize that I should be grateful that my doctor cleared this lifting program and that I get to see the PT on Monday, who hopefully will give me some good stuff to do, and can keep my spirits high.
Workout:
Stage 1, A-2
Warm up: 3 x 10 squat to stand
Straight set, 60" rest:
1-Leg deadlifts with 10lb db. 2 x 15
**I subbed these for squats so as to not load my spine. I liked them, and I think I'll keep doing them.
Alternating sets, 60" rest:
Push ups 2 x 16 All T-Style
Seated Row 2 x 15 @ 97.5
Plank 2 x 60" (subbed for ball crunches, per doc's orders)
Step ups 2 x 15 / leg hugging 25lb. plate on 18" box
**I put a 12" box next to the big box as an intermediate step down, to lessen the impact on my spine
4' Tabata on the spin bike x 2 with 2' rest between sets.
I feel so good! This is just what I needed in order to get over myself. I'm totally wiped out and my leg doesn't hurt any more than it did when I left the house.
Tomorrow is a complete rest day. Sorry for all the whining earlier.
Good job on the workout. And, you are not whining!
__________________
On Krista mistressing the chin-up, "It's amazing", said one gym source, "considering that for months she just hung there like a dead fish."
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
Hey there,
I am not sure how I have missed your log, but I have. I absolutely love your attitude and you will get through this. You are one tough cookie and your posts never sound like you are whining. I'm sorry you are in so much pain.
Thanks for stopping by Ginny, I appreciate the support. I'm not always tough, but I'm a firm believer in "fake it til you make it!"
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
I've read that before, and I believe HBO's Real Sports did a documentary on them. What an amazing pair! (as an aside, as a BC alum, I'm proud that he's working there on the "Eagle Eyes.")
There are so many reasons to be fit... simply being able to live and work and play in a way that honors spirit like theirs...
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
Yesterday was one of the most pain-free days I've had since I can remember-- it was wonderful!!! I even slept well last night, about 9 hours.
Todays workout: Stage 1, B-2
Warm up: squat to stand 3x10, lunge with hip flexor stretch, hamstring stretch, knee to chest.
Straight sets, 60" rest
1-leg squats off 18" box @ bw 2 x 15
these were tough on my weak leg, but for that reason, I like doing the single-leg work. I just have to remember to start with my right (weaker) leg.
Alternating sets, 60" rest
Shoulder Press 2 x 15 @ 25lb db/side + 2.5 lbs/side
Lat Pull 2 x 15 @ 100lbs + 12.5 lbs
Lunge 2 x 15 @ 20lb db/side + 5lbs/side
Plank 2 x 60'
(subbed for ball crunches)
Followed with Tabata bw squats:
8 x 20" on 10" off x 2 (2' rest between sets of 8)
My leg feels great even now, as I sit eating my ricotta/yogurt/protein powder concoction.
I have the day off today, so I'll be getting some work done, plus I have my first PT appointment today, AND my first session with my new client!
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
Is the melatonin helping, do you think? I take it every night and it really helps me sleep. Not that I am dealing with pain like you, but I have trouble shutting my brain down and it's better than popping Tylenol PMs.
Glad you had a good day.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
Rationally, I know that I need to rest and let this heal, but I keep telling myself that I can rest when I get pregnant... in a few years.
), and the SAME love for how you feel after. In fact, I would bet that you may feel even more awesome (emotional charge) after your "healing" work because of the incredible self-loving (ugh...sorry if that's corny) goal you are reaching for. 
). That's certainly not my intention. I just can truly relate to your struggle, and I can't help but be drawn to and appreciate what you are going through right now.
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