Sports-to-business analogies abound.  Another one crystallized in my mind as I was reading a training article by Dan John this week.  His advice?     Do not chase fatigue.    “ You WANT the weight to feel light and easy. Inch that load up over a few workouts. Like we discover in throwing the shot and discus, inching your effortless efforts up a bit seem to increase your best.”  ~Dan John
 
Fatigue is a natural part of serious training, and a natural part of business life.  That’s true as individuals and can also be true of an organization as a body.   And I think that thinking of an organization as a body can provide a perspective on everything from Alignment to avoiding the Zero Sum Game.  
 
Stronger and faster is a fantastic goal.    In that regard, why not ta learn something from elite athletes?  Yes, they train, and even to fatigue.  Nevertheless, they also diligently put efforts into recovery and rest.  Many training programs will focus on fatiguing only one or two main muscle groups. Legs today, arms tomorrow, back the next day...carefully ensuring that the nervous system has what it takes to turn this teardown into new strength and skill. 
 
Likewise keep an eye on the team; the body.
 
Everyone is going to experience times of fatigue such as during big projects.  But extended periods of fatigue set you up for only one thing; injury. Make sure you do not have too much stress on one area for too long. Make sure the burden is shared. Make sure there is time for rest and recovery.
 
Want faster and stronger?   Do not chase fatigue. 
  

Yeah, I know that's a cat. But I was thinking ... if "hair of the dog" is taking some more of what made you busted in the first place... then "hair of the cat" could be something that should mess you up worse but fixes you. Right?

Anyway... I think we've made a breakthrough on the back spasms. My RMT had mentioned that more ballistic style stretching might be better, and to save the long holds for after I work out. The idea being that I'm relaxing the muscle right before a big load, and that could be what was driving me to cramp up. So JW incorporated a few more things in to the warm up last week and it made a difference. I've even been "Frankenstein walking" around work (Hidden hallway… But it probably has cameras) and it's made a massive difference. Today we added a few more things. Had the best day yet.
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Super relieved. Based on the numbers, you couldn't exactly call it an excellent session under the bar but, it felt good. More importantly, I feel good. I think I was going into a bit of withdrawal...

My back is better, but glutes are beyond sore.  Like frozen boulders and some movements seem to put that stress back in the lower back.  Squat depth sucks although it gets better and better feeling as I do more.   But right back to crap again each AM.   Physio this weekend did nothing, so I think a massage is in order.  Will try to book one for this week as this is seriously killing my buzz.   

After firing of a killer back spasm 2 weeks ago, I am back at it.  Well, not ALL of it.  I did air squats on Saturday.  Very light weight on Sunday.  A bit heavier, but still light on Monday.  And today went back to a regular(ish) load. 

Still it's 10# lower than where we left off, so I have lost (arguably) the 2 weeks, plus another week to get back to that weight.    First blush that didn't make me happy, but it's a quick head-space adjustment to realize that 3 weeks is really not that much.     I had some fear, but really focused on the balance between listening to my body, but also remembering that it sometimes is lazy and lies.   So a reasonable weight, and long rests, no rushing.   Feels like JUST the thing to get over the nagging apprehension.

I am still going to skip deads on friday (or do block pulls instead).    The 3 weeks progress lost is OK, but the crappy week in a back spasm... not really something I want to repeat.  And I have a  business trip starting Sunday, so that means no real deadlifts for at least  another week.    Then I should be golden!

I was on a charge in January, and really enjoying it. Until...(wait for it...) a less than perfect deadlift. Thankfully, it's not an injury per se. But my lower back went into spasm and has been very very painful, tight and at times totally immobilized at the bottom.

2 massages helped. Then an attempted row made it even worse. DOCTOR! Muscle relaxant, anti inflammatories and Advil. And physio therapy. I have had some pain-free moments but 8 hours on my back tighten it up quick so I think it will be a bit before I am back in good shape.

Sadness...

I have traveled quite a bit lately.  Just domestic, but still away from home, away from my honey, away from the cats.

My shoulder is killing me: not sure if it's the strange beds (hotels, so not like strange, but.... strange).  Or carrying a 800 pound back pack. :)

Going to go home tonight. Day off tomorrow and celebrate with Garth his birthday.  And another day off for me Thursday....and I'll go lift. (yay!).  And then get a massage.  All on the shoulder.  :)

Last night it was SCREAMING. So at least pain vs PAIN is progress.  It was almost out of nowhere, although I was reminded (pain does that) of the same (lighter) feeling a few weeks back on benching. 

So what happened last night was....I tried to push off 35# dumbbell for benching, and ...nope.  Didn't break off the chest at all.   And it hurt a bit.  So I went down to 25# (which should be easy), and.... yep, I got it up, but it hurt ALOT.  I stopped.

And then I could not raise my arm.

Uh-oh.

Calendar from LIFTIUM. Love this little app!
2 weeks of mostly white space owing to a back spasm...but back at it now.  Exceptionally low weight, but hopefully can get to 135# squat in a week and then fight for the next 20# back.
It's hard to lose traction as I fall SO far back.  :(
But I gave a lot of fight in me ...or at least am developing it, so it's not a rush.
Perhaps compassion, to myself, is just another version of restraint to learn.

lower back .... ugh.  And I hardly did anything. Just the de-rack and PING...
boo