From the Bottom of my Quads

From the Bottom of my Quads

I read several fitness articles emphasizing the importance of lunges and squats as part of a workout routine. I did squats when I was in basic, and went back to it during my first few weeks here in Iraq. However, I stopped doing it because I got into these biceps and abs obsession so I worked those muscles religiously. My self-developed routine helped me to build not just some muscle mass on those areas, but also strong core muscles. And with strong core muscles, my running also improved a lot. I forgot to mention this here on my blog (because I haven't been able to update in a long while) but on our October 2009 record APFT, I got a 295 score.

Anyway, back to lunges and squats, the other day, I started doing them again because, like I said, fitness experts agree that properly executed lunges and squats should be part of a real fitness enthusiasts workout plan. I was fine after doing 3 sets of 15 reps for both exercises, and 3 sets of 20 push ups. However, the next day I got up from bed, I felt a really bad soreness on my quads that turns into pain whenever I bend my knees. So today I went to the gym and just stared at the treadmill with a sad face. I can't even walk normal because of the discomfort! From what I read, this indicates weak quadricep muscles. So, this only means I have to do more of these exercises even if they are the source of the pain. Realization struck: pain builds tolerance and tolerance to pain strenghtens.

From a point of view of a pessimist, this is just a form of getting used to suffering. For them, it is our body that suffers so much that it chose to go numb. If this is true, then why do we develop muscles? Why do we improve on our sports when in fact, numbness is just not feeling anything, it doesn't speed up your runs nor does it help you go from 5k-er to a marathoner? Moreover, numbness is temporary. Once it goes away, you are left weaker and more susceptible to graver pain. Some people get too traumatized by previous pains or become too apprehensive of pain that they choose to hide under a rock and refuse to do again whatever caused pain in the past. In short, they stop living, not knowing that next time will feel better.

However, rest is still necessary. Some hardcore fitness nuts see pain as a weakness and their ego won't allow them to admit that they are indeed susceptible to it. They pretend being invincible and refuse to let pain dictate what they can or can't do once pain sets in. These people also see rest as a way of procrastinating and a sorry excuse for diminishing motivation. Go ahead, high-speed, let's see who will be having frequent visits to doctors for back problems by the time they're 30. Rest is not a lazy day, it is a reward for your body for not failing you on those days it worked hard the way you wanted it to.

These also apply to love after a heartbreak. Love more and love right amidst the pain caused by dishonesty and rejection. Love even if hurts a lot because pain will arm you with everything you have to know about love -  its truths and illusions, and teach you how to separate one from the other. Failing at love is a learning experience, only it's your choice if you want to apply what you learned or refuse to acknowledge its purpose. However, don't forget to give yourself a break, too, if needed. Againlet pain be your guide at this. Perfect timing is an essential factor to almost everything, and falling in love is no exception.

Right now, I am walking with a limp but is thinking of a good date to start my everyday 5k runs again. There will be 3 sets of 15 reps of lunges and squats on top of that run, only next time, it won't hurt as much I am hurting now. I heard my body just said "Ooh! I'm excited!!"