And on a brighter note...

Spent yesterday afternoon and evening in the ER getting morphine for a kidney stone.

It's still passing, and I'm pretty well immersed in a narcofog.  When I left the ER, the CT had revealed that the stone is small (thank you) and was near the junction into the bladder.  I would have expected it to pass by now, but it's sticking around lest I miss it.

Is it related to my recent problems?  Probably.  No way to tell.

Hope you are all doing well.

Update to the update

If the doc and I are correct, I have an abdominal muscle strain.  Doesn't feel bad enough to be a tear.

Keep in mind that I strained it deadlifting, guys.

Sometimes I know I get so wrapped up in assistance for the primary muscle groups used that I forget stuff like abs.  When you reach 50, it becomes much more important -- some dynamic warm-up specifically for abs is probably in order as well.  Even for you young guys, do it even if you don't think you need it.

Think of it like sunscreen: it's inconvenient, but not nearly as inconvenient as being put down by the effects of not doing it.

Don't be halfway prepared.

Thanks.

update 2.22.2013

Not sure why I keep saying I'm traveling next week -- it's week after, from 3/3-3/something. 

Saw the specialist and he says it's more than likely muscular.  No reason to pull the trigger on big-time diagnostics just yet.  Anti-inflams and wait it out for a while.  While that's not the most satisfying diagnosis, it's better than prolapse or herniation of some critical something that would require stents or surgery.  I'm fine with taking advil for a while

Not sure how much I will be able to do while I recover. 

Guess I'll go back to loose briefs, once I get to return.  Not sure when that will be.

Thanks for checking in.

training 2.17.2013

Just did some push and pull work, nominal strain.  Worked hard, but didn't move any big weight. 

Have an appointment with a specialist on this coming Friday, and next week will be out of town.  I will get in some work this week to keep from losing my mind, but nothing particularly inspiring, I suspect.

My deal is on the rocks, but I still have hope.  If only everyone would do what I want them to...

Hope all are well.

training 2.11.2013

Week 3, day 1, raw DL for reps

Been down with a UTI and still fighting it.  Plus, Cipro does weird things (hops up caffeine like you wouldn't believe) and gives me pretty severe esophageal reflux.  Great.

Used the B-Ala/creatine mix and did a bunch of dynamic work.

DL with no support, 80% of max, 2x3 reps    went fine
DL off a 2" block, sumo, 3x10 @ 55%   too easy
Olympic squats, 4x10
GHR 4x10

Was supposed to also do back extensions but couldn't hack it.  It was DLs that got this problem started -- too much straining, pushing things in directions they aren't meant to go.  I felt it.

Sorry to whine, and thanks for checking.

update

I'm dealing with a systemic infection that's killed training -- it makes it impossible to strain.

Seeing a doc today, hope to be back soon.  Nothing horrible, but needs to be addressed.

Thanks for checking.

training 2.4.2013

Gorgeous, crisp day here.  Crisp for here, anyway.  Got foggy near the shore, which isn't terribly unexpected.

B-Ala/creatine mix, dynamic work, and a bunch of bar work.  I don't log the bar work, which I know most do -- I don't add up poundage or reps because it means nothing to me.  Work sets mean something, and the rest is a means to that end.  Just my way, I guess.

Suffice it to say that I make jumps of between 10% and 20% of my calculated work weight for the day, usually translating to a specific plate.  I also make a decision based on how I feel and how long I think I need to be really warm before putting on the real work.

This is week 2, day 1, raw cube DL max

DL pin from shins, worked up to 280kg with no support at all, which really makes me happy.  I wanted to make sure I could get at least what I pull in loose briefs, and I pulled the same weight as on 11/26.

Sumo SLDL, 2x6 with a bunch of weight
DB Rows with 50kg fat DBs, 3x10 (20 on last set)
DB shrug with the same DBs, 2x20
I'll do 50 up/down planks in front of the idiot box tonight

My monster deal is still percolating.  Thanks to those that have asked.

Ran my first baseball practice of the year on Saturday, which was wonderful.  Mostly evaluative and me being officious, so not much teaching or practice.  Good bunch of boys, and I hope I do right by them.

Thanks for checking.

training 2.1.2013

Gorgeous day today.  Week 2, day 3 -- squats for max

B-Ala/creatine mix, lots of dynamic work, lots of bar work, no support gear at all.

Squat: 1x2 @80
             1x2 @85
             1x1 @90
             1x1 @92.5
             1x4 @80

I got up to 255kg and called it.  I think that was pretty close to 92% or 95%, and I think it was pretty seriously eating into my head.  I was too intimidated to go further without any support, I admit.  Puss-boy.

Good morning, 3x8: 150kg
Lunges, 3x12: used the 150 kilo bar I had already set up

Back raises x60

Don't know if I'll be sore or not.  I'm glad I'm doing this, though, because my mental approach clearly needs some work.

No word on the big deal yet.  Stewing a bit on that one.

First baseball practice is tomorrow.  Looking forward to it.

Thanks.