lovestolift training log

[amaeland]

As a muscle therapist I am impressed by your assessment and choice of treatment for this injury. It is pretty much what I would have recommended, although I would - after a week or so - have added light massage to the recipe (not just for the sartorius but for the whole thigh). Get that blood flushing without pushing your body too hard. You will experience some pain but it should not be of the "this is definitely bad" type, if you get my meaning. Increasing the workload by lowering the box and maybe even adding some subtle weight increases should help you get back to form.

You should be proud of yourself for how you have tackled this injury. Good luck, mate.

[lovestolift]

Thanks for the input amaeland. I have been doing a bit of massage, but perhaps not as often as I should. Do you have any idea what would cause an injury of this type? Is it at all common?

[amaeland]

I strained the sartorius myself once during squats, although it wasn't as bad as your injury. Not sure how common it is, but I suppose thigh injuries are to be expected when lifting heavy weights - sometimes one's concentration may be off, the body is not sufficiently warmed up or something else.

I can recommend walking a lot, just to get the blood flowing.

how do you apply massage? With a foam roller?

[lovestolift]

I use a cardboard tube like Mehdi suggested in a post, and my hands. The tube is basically like a foam roller I suppose.

[lovestolift]

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009
Squats to a 17.5" box- 45/25,25,25

The pain is the same as yesterday, no better, but no worse during the sets. It is feeling better in general though. It doesn't flare up as often in everyday life.

[lovestolift]

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009
Squats to a 17.5" box- 45/25,25,25

I may be at this depth for another session or two. This seems to be the pain threshold. I'll take it day by day. If I can move it down tomorrow I will.

I must note that the pain is much better around the knee. I originally felt the pain around the upper part of the quad and it crept down to the knee. Well now I just feel the pain in the "original" injury location for the most part. There are some occasional pain reactions around the knee, but I believe they are just outliers.

[lovestolift]

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009
Squats to a 16.5" box- 45/25,25,25

Dropped it to the lower depth. More pain here than at the previous depth. The lower I get, the more it hurts. I am reconciling myself with the notion that this may be around longer than I'd like. In fact, it has already outstayed its welcome.

[amaeland]

Hang in there, mate. How would you describe the pain? And what is the current angle between your hips and knees? I guess 16.5" is just slightly above parallel?

[lovestolift]

How would you describe the pain? And what is the current angle between your hips and knees? I guess 16.5" is just slightly above parallel?

It sort of feels like the muscle is being pulled apart laterally (a bit hyperbolic, but that is the general sensation). At 16.5" I am an inch or two above parallel. I believe that my normal depth for a below parallel squat is around 13.75".

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009
Squats to a 16.5" box- 45/25,25 - 55/25

It didn't fell as bad today, at least after the first set. There seems to be a breaking-in period when I get to a new depth. I added weight to the last set. I will try for 45,55,55 tomorrow, then 45,55,65 the next day. When I get that I will go to the next depth and start back at 45,45,45.

[lovestolift]

Monday, Sept. 14, 2009
Squats to a 16.5" box- 45/25 - 55/25

I have been sick. Very sick, and quite out of it. In fact I thought I had only missed two days, but looking at my last entry it was actually three. I am still very sick and I felt on the verge of passing out while trying to do my sets today. I couldn't get the last one. I'll see how I feel tomorrow.

[pagangoddess]

Hope you feel better soon LTL.

[mpetry]

the worst luck man

sick on top of the injury...still, good job for toughing it out and getting your sets in. you'll be back lifting heavy soon enough

[lovestolift]

Other than a vague and near-constant feeling of needing to void my stomach contents in a manner counter-indicated by it's regular directional bias, coupled with a slight cough, I feel a little better.

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009
Squats to a 16.5" box
- 45/25
- 55/25
- 65/25

These didn't feel so bad today. I may be coming along finally. I decided to just go for the 65 lbs even though I missed some days. I'm glad I did, these were the best set.

I will say this though - I have good reason never to squat above parallel after this is over. It hurts my knees a bit. Not in a "really doing damage" sort of way, but definitely in a "full squats feel much more knee-friendly" sort of way. Anyone that says full squats are bad, I say fuck 'em.

Next up, 3x45x25 at 16" depth.

[lovestolift]

Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009
Squats to a 16" box -45/25,25,25

First one felt sore, the second felt much better and the third felt as close to normal as I have felt while squatting in a while. I am cautiously optimistic now.

[lovestolift]

Friday, Sept. 18, 2009
Squats to a 16" box
- 45/25
- 55/25
- 65/25

I am impatient to get back to working out properly so I moved the progression ahead. It worked well, and my leg feels much better than before, so I'll repeat this process at the next depth (15.5"). The process of course being 3x45x25, then 45,55,65x25.

I feel like I am within striking distance of an actual, proper workout.