Last Summer, I was touring Tequila places and while hopping out of a car, I tweaked my hamstring a little – just a little. Nothing serious, I figured I’d power through and keep pushing ( putting the “Effort” in “Excellence Takes Effort” ). As it got worse, I got massage therapy and my therapist told me to “take it easy”. As I felt better, I pushed harder. I ended up at the Doctor getting steroids. Learning a lesson early in a process is not in my nature so…. I (again) pushed as I was able.
It all came to a head on Monday, I was running around the house and (after stepping on something) I jerked my leg. I thought my hamstring “snapped”. I hobbled around for the rest of the day, even went to work on Tuesday…. wrapped, drugged with Aleve, prescription rub and hemp oil …I still walked like Igor in the Frankenstein movies. I contacted my Doctors Office.
Everything was in tact … just a horrible pull. I was told “if you don’t take it easy, you will never get better- elite athletes get this and they rest 4-6 weeks, you need to take care”. We discussed options (including time off work and physical therapy). We bargained and I have good meds and I can still work- if (and only if) I do “light duty” and I rest whenever not working, no karate, yard work or anything that involves bending or getting down on the floor. I was warned I’ll be in some pain for a long time (months) as it heals slowly.
I had turned a “tweak” into a big deal and potential career changing event. I am learning to rest – take it easy, prioritize the important (my leg) and quit pushing through. Feeling good is not permission to work until it starts to hurt, feeling good is reason to rest a little longer.
Where have you pushed too hard and regretted it?
“Oh life is like a maze of doors
And they all open from the side you’re on
Just keep on pushing hard boy, try as you may
You’re going to wind up where you started from
You’re going to wind up where you started from”
Sitting by Cat Stevens (Yusef)