Listen. I hurt myself. Again. Due to my own stubbornness. And this time, it was entirely preventable.

Picture it – Sicily, 1912 (iykyk). But for real, it was September timeframe and ja girl had an ACFT coming up. I wanted 100 points in the sprint drag carry. I started a leg-heavy training plan WHILE doing the SDC at least 1x during the work day (most days twice). Sounds good, right? Wrong.

See, what I was lacking in this leg intensive plan was stretching AND mobility training (and warming up). IN MY DEFENSE YALL – I get to the gym around 0445 and HAVE to be home by 0600, so that doesn’t leave much time for these *extra* things. I go in, do my business while minding my own, and go home. Just keeping it simple. 

Never once from September – January did I think “I should scale back, maybe try stretching my muscles for a change.” I went hard every day. You can’t get stronger by being weak sauce, ya know? 

Fast forward to January – I’m hitting the gym, per use, and BAM! I can no longer use my left leg. Pain, tightness, straight up can barely walk. I sheepishly make my way to the door and scram, in the middle of my RDLs. 

No amount of stretching or massaging at this point will undo what I have done (err, haven’t done). It’s been a long 16 days (and counting) since I got in a gym workout, but the amount of pain I’ve been in has made me realize that resting for a month is better than permanently injuring myself. I have found some great alternatives though! Walking a ton, and doing yoga has helped keep me in a good mindset. 

So remember friends, warming up, stretching and mobility training are NOT optional! Unless you want to be humbled by your own body.

Stay strong, and until next time friends!