Friday, October 31, 2008

Spondyolisis


You can google it for more information, but basically I have little fracture in one of my spinal links that is causing lower back discomfort. I won't go into all of the anatomy because I could go on and on.

The point is I have it, and it hurts. I'm glad though, because I'm learning. When I went in for the x-rays the doctor diagnosed it and said "So don't be going and doing a lot of heavy powerlifting because that is bad for the spine." Hah! I went back to Neno's and he told me how to manage it saying "I was diagnosed with spondy when I was younger also and after I got chiropractic care I went and did some heavy squats and deadlifts. As I lifted more and more weight the pain gradually went away. So you should do a lot of heavy lifting and core strengthening." Neno knows what he's talking about.
I did max deadlifts today and then went to gym almost pain free. As the night went on though, it got sore, but I did all my tumbling that had previously been hurting me. I can just laugh at those stupid doctors.

Well, before I was diagnosed, I didn't know what was wrong with me and I was a little "down in the dumps." I'm better now, because I know what's up, and I know how to manage it. Today I was thinking about how I have good days when I'm excited about the day and I have bad days when I dread something. I know it's natural, but it bothers me. I've learned from my experience as an athlete that working hard even when your tired is ideal for becoming stronger. When you perform you will "rise to the lowest level of your training," so if the low side of your training is still high, you will perform well. Does that make sense? I've been going to gym when I'm exhausted or my body is extremely sore or uncomfortable and I've had to work hard just like the other day when I was on top of my game. The challenge is all mental. Often when I just forget about the pain or tiredness I end up accomplishing something spectacular, and I feed off of it. It makes me stronger. I've got to make my low higher.

I could say I'm an optimist, but I'd probably be lying. When I'm upset or injured for example, can I say "oh, it's just a temporary inconvenience?"Positive begets positive, negative begets negative. My personal challenge is always looking for a way to make the best of a negative situation. When I'm really low, do I have to rely on a circumstance to make me happy, or is there something inside me that can burst through to overcome? Of course there are things that are beyond my control, but it's the thought that counts.

I should go get some sleep. I have the day off from all working out tomorrow, I mean today. I'm training clients in the morning and then looking forward to finishing up my calculus. I think I have one lesson left.

I'm also reading a book about crazy people: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, very entertaining.

Happy Halloween

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