Back in Sept, while back-squatting, I injured a ligament in my right knee. Amazeballs. It was absolutely devastating. I was so close to reaching my personal best and my baby wasn't even 6 mos old yet. ....sigh...
I definitely threw myself back into working out and lifting a little too enthusiastically. It turns out my brain is the worst person in the world for me to be working out with. I pushed myself too hard and convinced myself that I didn't need to take it slow. I'm tough. I can do this. I can't let these other girls beat me. They're GIRLS! Pssssh. I mean, I was able to out bench, deadlift, and out squat all of them WHILE I was in my first trimester. Now....they are all beyond where I was at that point and I'm the one starting over with the beginners. At least I didn't loose my form. I have great form.
So, back to my injury. My knee knocked me on my ass, mentally more than physically. I know what I'm capable of and now I have this nagging pain that says "Oooohhh...but ya can't." A talk with my trainer led to two devastating little words... "don't squat", and the mother of all bad words... "rest."
Rest. Right. That should be perfectly easy with a 6 mo old at home, working in a preschool, and trying to meet that new mom ideal of fitting back into all of my pre-pregnancy clothes 5 mos and 3 weeks ago. Plus, squatting is my absolute favorite lift. I could squat 8 days a week. It was also what I was best at. I was able to squat more than those upside-down-triangle-looking meatheads that can't put their arms down. It was my THING. Now my thing is broken.
I did what any normal person would do in this situation. I threw myself into benching and working on my upper body. After a few weeks my knee pain had subsided and I went to my trainer about squatting again. He suggested that I try front-squatting instead. I didn't understand how that would be any different and I HATED front-squatting. I had tried it before my injury and it just felt wrong. It was awkward at best; it left me with a bruised clavicle and really sore forearms. After my injury, however, I had no other choice but to embrace the front-squat and just deal with the awkwardness.
I was finally able to get back into the squat rack again. I was home. I'm nowhere near the weight I was at for back-squatting but I feel amazing and I'm learning to work with my injuries and to listen to what my body needs. On a side note, I've been able to hit an all new high with benching. I may not be able to squat as much as I used to but I think I'm slowly becoming ok with that. This injury has forced me to branch out and not be afraid to push myself in other areas and to try new things. ...maybe a little rest time mixed in there as well.
I still have great form, by the way. I know you were wondering. Form is everything.
