My year didn’t start exactly how I wanted it to start
We are now into the second month of 2019 and my year didn’t start how I had hoped. Back in late December I did my annual goal setting process to set me up for success in the new year. I was really pumped as I had joined a new mastermind group and dived deep into my strategic goal planning process for 2019. The plan was set and my health and fitness goals were set. We rang in the New Year with family and friends and I was super pumped to tackle my new fitness goals. Then Jan 3rd happened!
On the 3rd day of Jan I experienced one of the most painful things I have ever experienced in my now 45 years of life. It started out like any other day. I had spent time journalling in the morning, helped get the kids off to school, and then headed into the studio. But then things started to take a turn. I was running on the treadmill and my calf started to hurt. I slowed my speed and stopped and stretched for a little. I decided okay let me just power walk with incline for a little and see how things go. After about 5 minutes the pain went away and I started running again. I was feeling good and after about 30 minutes I got off the treads and proceeded to do my weight routine. It was a fairly difficult routine but I had no issues during the workout itself. But then after I stretched I started to feel some discomfort in my lower back. Nothing too bad but with someone who has had back issues in the past I am always a little nervous when I start to feel even the slightest bit of pain.
Then Crippling Pain Hit
Right after the workout I went back into my office and went to lift something off the floor and then I locked up. I mean I literally could not stand all the way back up without grabbing ahold of something to pull me up. I made it back to my chair and sat down for a few minutes but I knew this was not good. I have had back pain before but nothing to the point where I could not stand up and walk. I knew this was not good so I decided to head home and figured I would soak in some epsom salt and possibly get in my hot tub. This remedy had worked in the past but unfortunately not this time. As my body had cooled down from working out I was now getting tighter and tighter in my low back. In the past I could find some positing whether it be sitting, lying down or standing that relieved the pain but not this time. It didn’t matter what I did the pain was getting worse not better. Now of course I am a guy so I tell myself I will fight through it and will be fine. Well fast forward a couple of days and things didn’t get better it got worse.
How I battled back
As with most stories there is a climax and once that happens things get better. Well the peak here came a few days later when I thought I was getting better and decided to take down the outside Christmas lights. I was outside all by myself and went to lift a box of lights. Bad mistake. I again got stuck and locked up for the second time in just the past 4 days. I was in excruciating pain and I wondered if any of my neighbors saw me on my knees and struggling to stand up. I reached for a canid cane prop and pulled myself to my feet. I made my way to the couch and laid down. If I moved just the slightest I was almost in tears the pain was so bad. It was then I knew I needed to get help. Now, lucky for me I have a good friend who is a sports chiropractor and I have his personal cell number. I don’t like to pull the friend card but I sent him a text and he knows when I reach out things must be pretty bad so he opened his schedule and got me in the next day. Good to have friends in low places 🙂
Anyway, my road to recovery started that day. He uses a combination of what is called, active release therapy ( ART) and Dry needle therapy, which is very much like acupuncture. He did mention to me that this was the worst he had have seen me and my entire back and glutei muscles had severely tightened up. So, let’s fast forward and get through the next two weeks and I finally was able to walk for 30 minutes on the treadmill and attempt some modified weight room exercises. Finally almost a month to the day it happened I was able to jog for a little and then walk. As of this writing I finally feel like I am back at 100% but let me tell you I went through some ups and downs during this injury.
Lessons Learned
So why am I writing and telling you this story. Well the main point I want to get across is a setback is a set up for a comeback. January is my month. Why is my month? Well, first of all it is my birthday month and this past month I turned halfway to 90. 45 this is and I tell you I was a little depressed. I went into the month feeling really good and pumped up to reach some lofty goals and by mid month I was literally feeling like I was a 90 year old man about to pack it in. However, I kept working on changing my mindset and telling myself that my body would heal itself. Probably the hardest thing for me to do was to be patient and focus on recovery. That is not easy for someone who aspires to be a high achiever and performer. Not going 100% in the gym is not easy as being a coach I feel people are looking at me and wondering why am I slacking. Sure that is my insecurity and if they don’t know I’m injured I get those thoughts in my head that they are questioned me being a coach. I know it is not completely true but it is again my insecurities that I struggle with.
I also learned that although I hit a setback I now have another opportunity to rise up and still reach my goals for myself. Had Not taken the time to recover and heal I may still be dealing with a more serious injury and maybe risk not being able to work out for an even longer period.
Here is what I hope you takeaway from this. One, if you do get injured don’t wait too long to get looked at and get rehab. The longer you wait the worse it can get. Also, realize as we age it is going to take longer to heal so be patient and don’t rush the recovery process. Finally, work on your mindset during this time. Feed yourself with inspiration talks and books as if you are like me you might start to get frustrated that you are not able to reach your goals at the current moment and that will continue you on a downward spiral. Realize that it is only temporary and a setback is a setup for a comeback!!!
In Health,
Coach Dave
