Update 2016 and Beyond

It had been a long time since I last made a post.  First off, I keep telling myself that I am going to post on this blog more but it just does not happen.  So, let's start with a quick recap since the last post.

After 2015 nationals, I competed at the Arnold Classic and came in 15th place.  Short of my goal of the top 10, but was extremely pleased in my showing of the axle deficit deadlift (3rd place).  After the Arnold, I competed in Maine at Central Maine's Strongest 9 where I almost swept the competition and won overall.  This qualified me for 2016 nationals.

For those of you close to me, you know that I have been struggling with a problem in my left knee for a few years and I have always felt like it has held me back.  So after locking up a spot to nationals, I decided to do something about it.  After getting a MRI on my left knee, it was discovered that I had "significant patellar tendonitis and a tear in the patellar tendon". 

Good job Rich, way to keep training on that for 2+ years.

On May 20th, I received a PRP injection in the tendon to begin my repair.  Just over two weeks into my recovery and I'm optimistic as to how it is progressing.  Still trying to take it easy, no squats, push pressing, or deadlifting so far and the daily pain I would usually feel from walking has gone away.  Monday begins the incorporation of deadlifts back into the programming.  At this rate, Monday July 4th will not just be a BBQ celebration, but a celebration of being able to push press and carry heavy ass yokes with no knee pain.

This will set me up perfectly for the push for nationals.  That first month will be getting back into the heavier lifts and then August, September, October will be a full press on to become the biggest, strongest, baddest mofo.

All this being said, I have definitely have had motivation issues.  Prior to getting the PRP injection, I was mentally out of it.  Every deadlift session, weights that should've been easy felt like the world and I was beginning to get depressed and be in a miserable funk.  Having to do this recovery time has been the best thing for me.  Not only am I doing the right thing for my body and allowing it to heal, but my gym sessions have been incorporating different lifts or modifications of lifts and have been having fun. 

Training has become fun again.  In the end, isn't that what it is really about, having fun?  We don't do this for the money (haha what money?) or the fame or the glory.  We all do this because it is fun, it is fun to be able to pick up and throw things that "normal" people see as extraordinary. 

I have noticed that the further I progress in this sport, the more I need to self-reflect on why I am doing this and how far I have come.  Like most people, I consistently compare myself to others, and how I need to keep improving to catch up to them and beat them.  Then when I have misses or off days, it negatively impacts me much more.

When the training kicks up again after my rehab period, I am going to incorporate mental training days.  I need to make sure that my mind is in the right place and I look at myself and only myself.  I need to make sure I am improving and are comfortable with each training session, the ups and downs, because in the end, when it is all said and done, only after I am mentally and physically ready, will I be able to accomplish my goal of winning my pro card.

But for now, it is time to continue rehab and get ready to incorporate deadlifts again into my programming.  2016 will be a bigger year than 2015 and some big things will be happening.