Training on the Fine Line of Intensity and Insanity

Figure Foodie

Training is hard; sitting on the bench is harder.

In 2005, after competing in my first Figure competition, I tore the ACL in my left knee. I wasn’t training, I was just removing a stubborn toddler from the car. Feet planted, I picked her up and twisted. Snap and ohmygoddoesthathurtgogetyourfatherNOW!

An excellent orthopedic surgeon replaced my ACL with an old-man’s hamstring—or some shoe leather—I’m not sure which. I’ve really never fully regained the flexibility. But after about four months, I was very glad to be back to training hard.

Fast forward to last week – when I heard a snap in that knee again… The internal struggle in my mind started up – you know those two voices in your head: one is panicky and dwells on the negative side of everything the other is the calm one who always looks for the silver lining. I think of them often as the angel and devil sitting on my shoulder.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I sat with my knees iced. The little devil in my head says: You’re hurt! Will you be able to compete again? Did you tear that ACL again? You are nuts for doing this!

Calm down, the angel says, taking over: It will all be alright. Breathe. Do the drill: Ice, Ibuprofen, Eat, Drink, and Rest.

Then my brain started turning over why I put myself through this. Competing is hard. Why do I put myself through all this pain, expense, and time-time that I guiltily steal away from work and family?

I do it because it gives me focus, drive, and determination. These filter into the parts of my life-work and family-where the time is stolen from and makes me better able to cope with focus on my work. It makes me a better parent. Goals are the anchor that keeps me from being adrift in life.

Luckily, I think my knee is OK. It got me back to being grateful to be able to train hard! As a competitive athlete, there is nothing like an near-miss on an injury to make you stop whining and realize how much you do really DO want to be training.

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