Find a way

I have to admit, I have had a brutal case of writers block.  I have been trying to think about what I can share or inspire you with and also be authentic and meaningful... for both of us.  Nothing was coming to me, and then just last week the universe delivered.  Many will perceive what I am going to share as a complete bummer and bullsh*t that it happened but it did and I want to encourage a different angle on it.  

Lou has been having some knee discomfort that we thought was coming from her back issue.  She received treatment for it and the knee discomfort went away for a short stint.  Then she was feeling like her knee was "full". Last Tuesday during the sprints, I could see she had a little hitch in her giddy'up so she finished the last two rounds on the bike (she loved that 😉).  The next day we had DT on the run.  Her knee was sore but she wanted to see if she could to the runs as a slow jog.  It was okay for the first 3-ish rounds until she heard and felt a "POP" on her third round of Push Jerks.  Her pain went away at first but then I noticed she had more of a limp in her last run... so she moved to the bike to finish that workout up as well.  The pain increased and she made the first available appointment with her orthopedic doctor.  She didn't get much sleep that night do to discomfort and thank goodness her appointment was for 7:30 the next morning.  All this to say, we believe the MRI she has scheduled will confirm she has a torn meniscus in her knee.  It sucks.  It's frustrating, disappointing, and maddening to some extent.  She has worked so hard to get as strong as she is.  Focusing on protein consumption, putting in the work at the gym, challenging herself... all the good stuff.  So yes it really sucks.  However, sitting in the suck has never helped anyone move forward.  So here we are trying to move through it.  

Lou thrives on her daily training.  She thoroughly HATES to modify or even do something different than the programmed training. To enhance this hate, she has been getting stronger by the week with her lifts and her gymnastics so now she is convinced she will lose all that hard work.  I, on the other hand, am not convinced this has to be the case.  At least not for ALL of it.  Yes, depending on the outcome of the upcoming MRI, she could (likely) need surgery for repair, so yes, she will lose some leg strength.  But her upper body strength that she has been very happily improving DOES NOT need to take a hit.  It all boils down to the mindset we take when obstacles (even very big ones) come out of nowhere, or are even foreseen.  I want to challenge you all to find a way to keep training.  I am here for you to make it happen.  We can modify, scale, even completely change a workout so that you get some fitness in.  We can maintain or limit the muscle loss in the affected body part but it surely doesn't have to be a complete stop on fitness.  

The vast majority of humans are so quick to find a reason why we CAN'T do something, instead of finding the way in which we CAN do something.  Lou is not wired this way, however I have witnessed and worked with many that are.  Even if your wiring directs you to find a reason why you can't do something, this is your reminder that you don't have to listen to that excuse.  You can change the narrative.  I always want you to SHOW UP.  I will have something for you to do.  You will get a workout in.  The mental health benefits of working out are reason enough to get your ass to the gym.  This doesn't just apply to physical ailments, this is across the board, busy schedules included. 

The obstacles of life are going to happen.  No one escapes them.  How we mentally, emotionally, and physically handle them are what separates us.  Believe in your resilience.  Discipline your mindset.  Separate yourself from the average excuse maker.