Starting from Scratch - MacFhearchair's recovery/off season log

**MacFhearchair** · 6th November 13, 04:53 PM

It is done. I, for the most part, spent the 2013 season on the bench because I was working on a project. Let me see if I have a photo of the final result...

Ah, here we go:

I threw at Ardenwood (14w pregnant) and again at Albuquerque (20w). It wasn't my best performance but I did get a perfect caber toss (on video!) and a gold medal thingy to give to my son as a commemorative token. Whoop de doo.

I lifted (somewhat infrequently) at the gym into late 3rd trimester, intentionally capping my squats at 155# but for the most part sticking to many reps with light weights like 95#. I gave up all ab-specific routines and maintained my biceps because dangit I worked really freaking hard for that 30# curl. I also had to bail on bench presses which turn out to be more ab-intensive than I ever credited them for. As late pregnancy wore on, though, many of my routines fell by the wayside - that business gets forever more difficult until you just feel like you're dead in the water and waiting for rescue.

This was my 2nd pregnancy and having experienced c-section recovery in the past, I was none too eager to do it again. I attempted to secure a natural delivery and came very close after 24 hours of labor, but my body didn't cooperate and we didn't want to put the baby at risk - so here I am six weeks postpartum and only now am I ready to get back on the horse (at least I hope I am - so far so good, I think). I went to the gym once at 4w PP and did a very, very light routine consisting of repeated squats and overhead presses with an unweighted 45# bar and my old buddy biceps curls (27.5#). The most adventurous I got was trying an overhead squat with the bar and I succeeded at one and then promptly fell on my butt on the second one. So that was that.

Having your lower abdomen sliced open, it turns out, really screws with you. I went back for a Real™ workout yesterday - started small with 95# squats - did 5. Form sucked so I focused harder and tried again. Got it. Great. Okay 115# - gosh it felt way heavier than it should, but I banged out five and the first three weren't even embarrassing. So I told myself I'd be happy if I did one solid squat at 135# - and I did. ...then I got greedy and did another - bad move. My back twinged and I barely re-racked before I had to get out from under it. Will I ever learn to leave well-enough alone? *sigh*

Oh well, the back thing isn't too bad - I expect it will be gone within a few days, and I've got a major case of DOMS today so it's working. The little one teaches many lessons in patience, which is good, because holy heck it's annoying to start from the bottom again.

But here's the million-dollar question: would I do it all again? Absolutely.

**California Highlander** · 6th November 13, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by MacFhearchair

It is done. I, for the most part, spent the 2013 season on the bench because I was working on a project. Let me see if I have a photo of the final result...

Ah, here we go:

I

What a cutie!

**Hawk** · 6th November 13, 09:59 PM

Name and stats on that new "project"? Congrats!

Hawk

**Douggie M** · 6th November 13, 11:17 PM

A project you have completed beautifully, congratulations.

**BCAC** · 7th November 13, 12:37 AM

Well done! I hope that you're giving him a good old Scottish name - something like Angus or Hamish!

**MacFhearchair** · 7th November 13, 12:52 AM

Thanks kindly!

Little-one's name is Alasdair, and he was born at 19" and 7lb 6oz, but he's currently somewhere up over 11lb after 6 weeks (don't have a precise scale sorry!) I can't wait to get him his first kilt or show him how to throw... but I will find a way since goodness knows those days will be here soon enough.

**BCAC** · 7th November 13, 01:11 AM

That's an excellent name. Take care of yourself, him and his father. Enjoy these early days, months and years because, as you so rightly say, time flies!

**Martin Roy** · 7th November 13, 07:53 AM

Clearly a very successful project - all the best to you and your family.
Glad to see you back in the gym. As a wise old thrower has told me many times: "Train smart"

Welcome back.

**Alan H** · 11th November 13, 03:00 PM

She's BA-A-A-A-CK!

A+ on your project, by the way.

**MacFhearchair** · 11th November 13, 03:15 PM

Thanks guys

I'm rather fond of the little dude - which is good because we spend pretty much all of our time together these days.

DOMS from Tuesday's workout lasted a solid 3 days... so that was fun (not!). I got back to the gym on Saturday afternoon. Started with squats...

Started with 95# - did 5 no big thing.

115# - 5 more - no big thing

135# - did one - no big thing BUT I STOPPED THERE because I'm recovering from surgery, damnit, and I don't want to mess myself up! See? Proof that I *can* quit while i'm ahead!

The week of Thanksgiving I will start allowing myself to do a set of 3 @ 135 if it feels okay. I'm also aiming to let my stores of junkfood run dry and get back to eating well - I'm almost there

Anyway, I also did some hanging leg lifts and a few inclined crunches on Saturday - oh and front squats with an unweighted bar - felt that in my abs boy howdy.

I did some very careful (and light) biceps curls because I somehow injured something in my elbow a while back (argh) and I need to let that heal. *sigh* This road to recovery is long and not at all straight, methinks.

At least I'm on it.