Saturday, February 19, 2022

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

This week, Sammy Jo and I sat down and had a candid discussion. A few weeks ago, she pushed me a little harder on a lift than I felt comfortable with. While I did say something at the time and she reduced the reps, she still had me lift the weight. I was upset that she wanted me to continue, but I didn't want to let her down. I left that session feeling sore and unsettled. Those feelings simmered. When I saw her the following week, I said something about it to her, but it didn't go well at all. After taking some time to think about it, I walked into this week's strength session, prepared to discuss it but also ready to call it quits if she wanted. 

I explained how I felt about lifting something so heavy. I felt scared that I was going to hurt myself. I didn't want to disappoint her. I didn't want to disappoint myself. I felt like she thought I was a wimp for saying it was too heavy. And I apologized for not saying something at the time. Then it was her turn. She didn't hold back. Bottom line: she said she knew I could do the lift. She said she would be ok if I couldn't. She wants me to tell her how I'm feeling at the time. Most importantly, she said it's ok to fail on a lift. In fact, she told me she expected it on the one that scared me because she knew how heavy it was. She'd rather have me try and fail than not try at all. This, she said, is how to get stronger. 

And isn't that the goal?

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: trail run 6 miles
Monday: pool running
Tuesday: CrossFit
Wednesday: trail run 6 miles
Thursday: strength training
Friday: run 5.5 miles
Saturday: rest

Running

On Sunday, I met up with the Trail Sisters at another new-to-me preserve for a cold, icy run. I wore my YakTraks, as did 3 of the other women that I ran with. While we started out with about 9 women, almost everyone turned around and left due to the icy conditions. Some of them ran on the streets around the preserve. We did a 6 mile loop around and chatted the whole time. I'm looking forward to coming back here in the spring!


Oh February, you are making me crazy! The temperatures were 'warm', but it was really windy. I knew the trails would shield me from the wind but that they would be covered with ice. What to do? I figured I'd try the trails, using my Yak Trax. If it was really bad, then I'd run on the roads. When I first started, it was pretty slick, so I ducked into the woods to try the single tracks. They too were covered with ice, but since they are so narrow, it's easy to avoid running directly on the ice. After a few miles, I went back out to the main trail. It seemed the ice was softening up and I was able to run continuously for the last 3 miles of my run. I took it slow, but it sure felt good to run there!


I woke up Friday morning to a fresh coating of snow. It was also very cold, but the sun was coming up. Again, what to do? I didn't really care to run inside, so I put on my trail shoes, bundled up, and headed out for my Friday run, prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best. The streets were a mess and the bike path was untouched, so it was slow going. Running through fresh snow is similar to running on the sand at the beach, and that thought warmed me up during my run. Or maybe it was the hard effort that made me sweat. Regardless, it was an absolutely gorgeous morning. I caught the sunrise, but I also saw the full moon overhead. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Pool Running

I have no photo from this week, but I probably could post one from a past pool sesh and no one notice the difference! I did the Trifecta workout, which is my favorite. There's a mix of endurance, sprints, and big movements. I was actually really tired after this one! 

Strength/CrossFit

On Tuesday, I dragged myself out of bed early to get to the 5 am WOD. I groaned when I saw the workout, but it actually was a really good one. After a coach-led warmup, we did a 20 minute AMRAP of 8 overhead lunges (I subbed front rack lunges 55#), 8 bar facing burpees, 8 overhead lunges (I subbed those front rack lunges 55#), and 8 chest-to-bar pull-ups ( I subbed banded pull-ups). I managed a little over 4 rounds of this. If you do the math you will understand why I was so sore the next day! 

So yeah, 64 of these (32 on each side).

After we talked on Thursday, SJ and I got to work. She had me do KB deadlifts (100#) 4 sets of 10 alternating with a 20 second overhead press (55#) followed by push presses 4 sets of 8. It was hard to do those push presses after the fatigue from holding the weight overhead for so long! During one set, I hit myself in the chin with the bar on the way up. No harm done, but it kind of messed with my confidence for the rest of the reps. Good thing it was the last set. After that, I did box jumps (24") 4 sets of 5 alternating with toes to rings 4 sets of 5-6. The ring swings, which I used to do with ease, were more of a challenge for me than I expected and I had to drop the reps. SJ told me that most likely I'm doing them correctly now, using my lats instead of relying on momentum. In the long run, they will get easier. 


How was your week? How do you feel about pushing yourself so hard that you might fail? Is anyone else experiencing weather whiplash? Has anyone else hit themselves in the chin with a barbell?

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown. 


39 comments :

  1. If only we knew how far to go??

    Sometimes I do push myself... other times I'm afraid of injury.

    You have to consider the end result... a PR? Does it really matter in the long run?

    That's great that you fond a running group for your love of trail running. Ice still scares me though I may attempt a hike today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ice scares me too, but I'm glad I gave it a go! Soft ice isn't as slippery, apparently.

      Delete
  2. Thankfully I have not hit myself in the chin with a barbell! I'm glad you & SJ came to terms. I enjoyed being pushed by a trainer when I worked with one, but I also never felt that she pushed me too hard. This was a really long time ago though!

    Running in snow or on sand is definitely strengthening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was exhausted yesterday and I think it was because of running in the snow on Friday. Whew!

      Delete
  3. I love that you have a new running group that you enjoy running with! I think it's great that you chatted w SJ about your feelings. As someone who had a pers trainer for a long time, there is a strange relationship that develops after a while. I also never wanted to disappoint my trainer. I can get your fear of injury especially since you've recently had one. Defintiely a discussion for in person sometime!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad that you understand this. Yes, we need to talk about this. Hope to see you when you are here next month.

      Delete
  4. Ah, knowing where the line is between pushing to get stronger and pushing too far is so hard. I guess you’ve been working with SJ long enough to know if you can trust her, but raising your concerns sounds like a wise way to approach it.

    LOL on the pool photo. I feel the same way about wanting to post a photo from the actual day/workout even if they all look the same.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I guess I'd ask what your goals are. Fear of failure is one thing but injury avoidance is another. Pushing hard has rewards but risks as well. It's up to you if pushing that hard is worth it to you. Yeah the weather is nuts. One more month though and we can kiss winter goodbye!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I want to get stronger but I struggle with the heavier weight. Obviously, we'll see how it goes.

      Delete
  6. Sounds like a good talk with SJ! She does sound like a good coach.
    I also have to laugh about the pool running comment. When I was doing pool running entirely instead of running, it was impossible to post varied pictures, especially since I always wear the same thing for my pool runs. I would try all sorts of things- waving, trying to get my cat in the picture, going from a different angle... it was silly.
    I love the picture from your Friday run with the blue sky, moon and all the snow. And that run sounds challenging, but fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahhh, Friday, that was an absolutely gorgeous morning! The lighting was amazing.

      Delete
  7. My one experience working with a coach left me feeling frustrated. Looking back, I realize (hindsight, LOL) I should have been more assertive instead of just doing what I was told. I did appreciate the experience, though, and stepping out of my comfort bubble was nice...but I did toe the start line of my race slightly injured, I think because of the higher-than-ideal mileage I'd put in. Wasn't that full moon beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess I would say that your experience is much different because you were training for a race--you had an end point, whereas my training is to support my running. I'm not actually training for anything, just working on getting stronger and staying injury free. But I appreciate your persepctive.

      Delete
  8. I get SJ's logic, but she doesn't seem to distinguish between her clients' personalities.
    To me, you are a person who pushes herself anyway (see those hardcore outdoor runs on ice), so you don't need to be pushed out of your comfort zone by her.
    Every time I read about your strength training, I feel like a wimp. I really need to sign up for a CF class!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hate to play the age card here, but I do wonder if her being so much younger than me is a factor? But I see the results of my hard work with her when I'm running--as on Weds on the ice--so there is definitely a benefit. Mentally too.

      You are the farthest thing from a wimp--you are my running hero! I wish I was as fast as you!

      Delete
  9. That's great that you had the talk with your trainer - I'd have just run away. But I'm not sure that pushing myself and failing if it was a technical thing like the things you're doing is that great, as there's the risk of injury. But then I am quite wussy and risk-averse. I love your full Moon, I saw a Moonset on my Sunrise run on Thursday but it wasn't in a place to catch a photo, frustratingly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's nice where I do those runs--those electrical towers have little shelves where I can set my phone! When there's a full moon, it's always in the west. Sometimes I have to choose between the sunrise and the moonset...

      Delete
  10. Pushing too hard also happened to me long time ago when I joined the Navy because of the hard training and later when I trained in a boxing gym. It seemed absurd to me, but they were right, only in this way we can improve.
    However I see that you are working hard and I am sure that your improvement is continuous both in running and in the gym.
    Enjoy the runs with your running group!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can feel the results of my hard work in the gym when I am running--I don't usually feel scared of a lift, but when I do, I think she needs to listen. Stay tuned!

      Delete
  11. Be careful on the ice Wendy. It only takes one wrong step and I know you don't want to go through the fun of a broken leg and recovery. I know lots of people think maybe I was just clumsy, but no, that is not what happened. Just be careful please!

    Glad you had a heart-to-heart with your strength coach and came to what sounds like a good understanding. It seems that you trust her and value that relationship enough to put in the time to resolve those issues. She clearly has kept you very strong, that's for sure!

    Great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I absolutely take your advice to heart. There's no way I want to be sidelined again.

      Delete
  12. Glad you were able to have a frank conversation about how you both saw the situation, especially as it continued to eat at you.
    Glad you were able to get out on the trails and run with friends. Look forward to your all seasons pics of the preserve

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm a certified personal trainer myself, although not working as one currently. I have mixed feelings about your experience. I've never used a trainer myself but have gone to physical therapy after injuries. My PTs pushed people pretty hard which did help our recovery but on the other hand a guy who was in there the same time as me fractured his knee cap doing an exercise they were having him do. So, even experts can push too much, in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you 100% on this. Lets hope that this conversation has cleared the way for me to speak up.

      Delete
  14. No barbell incidents with me, but my husband once had his TRX bands slip out of the doorway he had them braced in and smacked himself in the chin with them. His chin swelled up and he said "I look like Popeye!". Once he said that, I couldn't unsee it... we were both laughing about it for the rest of the day. He was lucky though, it could've been much worse!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that's scary!! I've thought about that when I use my TRX. I bet it happens a lot. Glad he was ok.

      Delete
  15. As An Outsider And A Friend , With A Due Respect , Your Friend Sammy Jo Dropped The Ball - I See The Goal As Building Confidence And There Are A Number Of Professional Ways Of Handling /Addressing This - Again, Not Knowing Sammy Jo, Sammy Did Not Meet Your Model Of The World - I Am Very Pleased You Didn't Quit And All Seems Well After Your Heart To Heart - But YOU Do You And Stay True To Yourself From Here On Out - Now, Excellent Work , Congrats On Dragging Yourself Out Of Bed , Righteous Pool Work , And I Love The Group Photo There - Stay Warm My Friend And Keep On Keeping

    Cheers
    P.S. Cocoa Needs A Biscuit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely--I will not hesitate to speak up in the future. I do want to get stronger, but I also want to avoid future injuries. I can't help but think that the age difference might be a factor and I'm not one to play the age card...

      PS. Cocoa just ate my tangerine. She is a strange dog with strange tastes!

      Delete
  16. I absolutely love that you were able to have such a candid chat with Sammy Jo about the lift and how you felt about it. It's amazing how sometimes coaches have more faith in us than we do in ourselves.

    Love that you have a new running group to explore the trails in your area!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But...we know our own bodies. So, it's a fine balance. Let's see how it plays out...

      Delete
  17. So glad you had a frank conversation with SJ. As you said to Kim, you know your body and there is a fine line between challenging yourself and risking injury - it should always be your call as to how far you go.

    It's great that you've connected with the Trail Sisters! Sounds like a great group!

    ReplyDelete
  18. How fun to run on a new-to-you trail. It sounds like you're enjoying your trail runs with the Trail Sisters.

    There's a fine line between pushing yourself hard and crossing the line to likely injury, especially when you're lifting such heavy weights. It's good that SJ keeps a close eye on your form when you're lifting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She promises me that she won't let me get hurt...but I feel like I need to also make the call when something is too heavy for me!

      Delete
  19. That's so fun you have a group of friends to run on the trails with. Just the fact that you lift weights at 5am is super impressive to me. Glad you were able to discuss everything with your trainer. I would have the same concerns about getting hurt. Great job on all of your workouts this week!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm happy you had that open and candid discussion with SJ and that in that moment you were both comfortable enough to be yourselves and to voice what each of you were feeling. I think when a relationship gets to that point where you can be yourselves and voice what you feel (even if not in agreement) the relationship is stronger for it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am so proud of you for speaking up, and I'm so glad the two of you were able to honestly communicate. I think you will do even greater things together.

    With that out of the way, I'm so glad you had a great week! So many great runs and workouts! You're really crushing it.

    ReplyDelete