I could bore you with the convoluted,
verbalized confusion I try to spindle out to doctors and therapists about my past
injuries. None are bad enough to have surgery or severely remove me from a
fulfilling life. So to make things clear and present-focused, here’s what I’m
working with, and what I want to fix permanently:
1.
Back injuries: specifically a disc bulge
between L4/L5 vertebrae…very very common, with pain symptoms depending on how
much the bulging disc hits nerves nearby. I also am missing a disc in L5/S1,
which puts more pressure on the already bulging L4/L5.
At the moment this means I completely avoid
rowing, ergos or running. I can do low-intensity swims, watt bike, cycling and
walking. I can do most weights exercises other than those that load up the
lower back area. I have learnt over the past 12 months to prioritise strength
over cardio when returning from injury.
2.
Shin Splints: a minor injury but a
massive pest! These will come up with any running at all or a long bout of walking.
I have had these since I was 16, I gave up a while ago on trying to fix them
but I have decided to take up the challenge again. Many rowers enjoy running as
cross training or as a substitute when they need to reduce volume on the water.
3.
Motivation: I’ve found it hard to
believe that I could truly overcome these injuries to be a 100% functional
rower and athlete again. With 18 months under my belt of dealing with a bad
back, it’s easy to categorise yourself as someone whose body just can’t
take rowing.
At Connor’s Run today I was so moved by
Connor Dawes’ attitude to his illness, and what I took from his story as very
fierce positivity right to the end. This has really pushed me to believe that
with the right work and attitude, I can fix myself up and row again.
I would love to hear people’s opinions on
what has worked for them, or what they know works for lumbar disc bulges and
shin splints. Currently I do weights 2-3 times a week, which is a combination of
core and resistance exercises. I either walk-run or bike or swim once a day. I
have done this inconsistently for a few months, I do think for the sake of
motivation, that I should practice some discipline and put in the effort to do
it daily, ideally in the morning. I initially thought with shin splints that
rest was the key, though I’m finding out now though that calf stretches and strength
exercises are also essential – something to add to a daily warm up and warm
down I think.
Aeternum Fortis, and thanks Connor for the
push. Looking forward to the first time I can take the scull out for a light
row.
For more information on Connor Dawes and the RCD fund, http://rcdfund.org/
