So the story behind this post is this:
I herniated my L5 in 2002 at a globogym going buckwild on one of those weighted rowing machines. It was one of the worst injuries ever and every bit as painful as having to sit through the Tyra Banks show. For years after, I had problems with my sciatica and things never really healed the right way. Being as how I always seem to ride the fine line between hypochondriasis and being neurotic about my health, I never really worked out again and settled for other past times, like alcoholism, substance abuse and video games. About 2 years ago, I started working out again and fell in love with the deadlift, except I always decorated the barbell with a "proceed with caution" sign lest I reinjure myself. I first joined Crossfit in Nov 2009 and my max deadlift was an uninspiring 225lbs, but I was pretty damn excited. In December, my deadlift 1RM went up to another uninspiring 245#, but again, I was pretty stoked. Just recently, March 18th, our WOD was 7x1 deadlifts. This time I was able to max out at 275#, which was incredible! If you had asked me before I started CF what I would be deadlifting at this point, I'd probably say something like "Dunno... I'll be happy if I break 200."
In late March, I started Rippetoe's program, Starting Strength. The program calls for a biweekly 1x5 deadlift. This past week, it called for 275# x 5. I was super nervous and a little scared, mostly because I didn't want to hurt my back again but also because I didn't want to fail in front of the camera. None the less, I sucked it up, ran up to the bar and without even thinking proceeded to lift it... five... times...
I must say, I'm still basking in the euphoria from having quintuply lifted 275lbs worth of apprehension and I know I have a long way to go until I'm lifting 2x my body weight, but I'm off to a fairly good start, I think. Hopefully by the end of this program (late June), I'll 1RM and see where I'm at and that'll be close to 375#. I feel like I've been reacquainted with a long lost love, except this one is 3 times as heavy and won't talk back.
Hey PN, I am battling the same injury right now (3 months in). Do you still have symptoms? What did you do for rehab. I am desperate to get back to daily WODs, but right now, just getting into my car is an exercise in pain tolerance.
ReplyDeleteGreat job by you!
Hey, I fortunately do not have symptoms any more and it wasn't bad enough to need surgery. My Dr. at the time told me that I needed to do a lot of alignment exercises in addition to core stability (primarily lower back strengthening) work and gave me muscle relaxers to help ease the pain until I started doing rehab. At the time, the PT recommended I do a lot of supermans and (what they call in yoga) "up-dogs", which are really good for straightening out the lower back.
ReplyDeleteIf you're in NY, email me and I'll give you the contact info for my sports DO. she's amazing and I've referred a few other people from CF to her who say she's done them well.
Hey, I was there for that! Good job dude!
ReplyDeletebitchin
ReplyDelete