The most difficult struggles are often those fought in
private, away from the eyes of the world. The times where discipline goes
unpraised and small accomplishments are known only to yourself. That is where
the hero is born. That is where she fights her demons. That is where she slays
her dragons. That is where she learns who she truly is.
To briefly recap part 1 of my StrongFirst story, I sustained an injury to my left TFL about 10 days before the certification weekend. The injury was due to instability in my pelvis. Squatting or getups on the left side were not possible. So I traveled to Philly at the end of July, 2018, for the StrongFirst Kettlebell certification knowing I couldn’t test all the skills. I made it through the three days of the certification, passing my snatch test and all the skills except squats and the TGU. For the full story of that weekend, check out my previous blog post.
https://viewsofgratitude.blogspot.com/2018/08/my-strongfirst-weekend.html
To briefly recap part 1 of my StrongFirst story, I sustained an injury to my left TFL about 10 days before the certification weekend. The injury was due to instability in my pelvis. Squatting or getups on the left side were not possible. So I traveled to Philly at the end of July, 2018, for the StrongFirst Kettlebell certification knowing I couldn’t test all the skills. I made it through the three days of the certification, passing my snatch test and all the skills except squats and the TGU. For the full story of that weekend, check out my previous blog post.
https://viewsofgratitude.blogspot.com/2018/08/my-strongfirst-weekend.html
Team Hayes at the Philadelphia SFG I....they helped me thrive during the three day certification, despite my injuries. |
I had three months to submit
videos of my Turkish Getups and my double front squats. But devising a strategy
to get there was not easy. I couldn’t train anything with a
backswing. I could not perform a hip bridge or any leg sweeps. If you train
hardstyle kettlebells, you know that almost every skill utilizes a backswing
and Turkish Getups require a hip bridge and/or a low sweep of the legs. All of
the traditional kettlebell exercises were off the training list. Instead, I focused
on healing the injuries and implemented gentle stretches and basic mobility work. I
scheduled appointments with my physical therapist where she taught me how to realign
my pelvis and gave me a series of exercises to improve its stability. That became my training.
My Team Leader, Debbie Hayes. I will always be grateful for her support during and after the SFG! |
My daily training continued in its new format and I gradually added some half-kneeling work. But a month after the SFG, I still couldn’t walk without compensating my stride. I couldn’t step up onto a street curb or climb stairs without changes in my normal movement pattern. And that was often accompanied by pain. I began to get worried. Some nights I would feel optimistic after my training, but other nights I was on the verge of tears. The physical therapy and stability work were definitely helping, but I questioned whether the improvements were happening fast enough.
My squat pattern progressed much quicker than the getups. The angry TFL calmed down greatly, but at the one month mark, I still couldn’t perform a bodyweight squat without some pain. I elevated my heels and trained supported squats. After a few session of those, I managed a decent unsupported squat with elevated heels. Over the next few weeks I was able to add an 8kg bell, then bodyweight without elevation. Gradually I added small increments of weight to my goblet squat…8kg….10kg….12kg….16kg. With just under one month before my SFG deadline, I could again squat the double 12kg bells without pain! My hopes elevated.
Now, I was two weeks away from the deadline. I mentioned to
my friend, Dustin, that my progress had slowed dramatically. I explained further that
my pelvis still felt very unstable and I was having some pain with certain
movements. He suggested I add heavy rack
carries and marches to my training. I felt a difference after the first
session. It was a dramatic improvement. 10 days away from the deadline, I did
my first 12kg getups….one on the right and one on the left. But they were still
not up to the standard. My pelvis did not move well enough to allow me to keep
my supporting foot planted on the low sweep and I didn’t have enough stability
to move smoothly from lunge to stand. 9 days out…..I made the first videos for
submissions, but each one had issues. I vowed to work diligently over the next
week to meet the strict StrongFirst standards.
I trained the getups daily. The squats were good to go, but
the getups kept me awake at night. I visualized each step in my mind. I felt
the pressure of my foot pushing into the floor, I felt the tension in my body as
I moved from lunge to stand, and I felt how every stage of the getup would flow
into the next and how my body would feel in each stage. I fought away panic. I
refused any thoughts except those of success.
With 7 days left before the deadline, I shot the video of my
double 12kg squats. Then I shot the video of the right getup. I would hone my
focus on the left getup....my only remaining skill. A sharp pain still presented on the low sweep or going from lunge to stand when I used the
12kg bell. Not every time, but often enough that it caused me to be hesitant and uncertain in the movement.
With 4 days before the deadline, I headed to the training
area in my guest room to try to finish my submission videos. I performed several less than
stellar left TGU’s. I became frustrated. I walked out of the training area for a
few minutes. I went back and did a few lightweight swings. Then I got angry. I just got angry. So many emotions
came bubbling up. No tears. No words. Just silent anger. I walked back into the
training area and started the video. I took a few deep breaths....rolled over and took hold of the bell....rolled into position and pressed the bell. Then, my body and my mind flowed through each
step of the TGU with intention and purpose. Every aspect of
the skill fell into place. As I finished the getup, I retrieved my phone to
review the video. It had felt good. Now I just needed to critique it. I scrutinized each step, checking off the standards as it progressed. At the end of
the video I gave out a celebratory shout. I had done it!! I had finally performed
a 12kg getup that met the standards. I was elated!
I sent in my videos and waited to hear back from my
StrongFirst Team Leader, Debbie Hayes. The answer came the next morning in the
form of an email with the subject line of “Congratulations.” It was official!
After months of worry and rehab, concern and healing, impatient light training, and careful progressions, I had passed my
remaining skills. A flood of relief swept over me followed by excitement and
personal pride.
I have to admit, it was a mental challenge to stay positive and remain calm. At the SFG there were other people there to encourage and support me. Back at home, I had to manage my attitude and emotions by myself and for myself. I was flying solo. But, I learned a lot during that time. No camaraderie, no
community, no coaching……just me putting in the work. There was nobody to impress, nobody to make me do what I should do, nobody to give me praise or reward. Often my training in solitude felt lonely. Other times it felt powerful. Some days....many days.... it was both. The email I had been waiting to receive! The words of support will always mean a lot to me. Thank you Debbie Hayes!! |
The email reporting my success in meeting the requirements to StrongFirst. More greatly appreciated feedback. |
Postscript: I have been waiting to receive my official SFG I certificate in the mail so I could add a photo of it to this post. However, there has been a glitch in the process and it hasn’t arrived yet. In the meantime, I completed 2,150 swings this past weekend with a 12 kg bell. It was for a Swing-A-Thon for Dustin Rippetoe, who is in need of a kidney transplant. I am happy to say that my body felt great with the low weight bell and high volume of swings. I have added 16 kg bells back into my training and my swings are solid with my 32 kg bell. The stability is improving and the strength is returning. I am grateful…..still a bit impatient....but incredibly grateful!
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