Back in 2005, I got myself back in shape and ran my second marathon - you can read about it here: http://www.T-Nation.com/tmagnum/readTopic.do?id=1255264&pageNo=0
Since my last post in February 2007, my weight training and running have been going along smoothly, and I was tossing around the idea of signing up for the Boston Marathon this year. However, I’ll let an excerpt of my physique clinic application explain my mishap in September 2007 -
[i]It was 3rd down and 15, less than 2 minutes to play and I was feeling good. As I jogged to the line, I visualized burning my defender deep and raking in my second touchdown of the day.
“GO!”
At the sound of the snap, I pushed off with my right leg and I heard it before I felt it. My calf tightened up and I attempted to limp/run the play through, hoping no one would notice. However, once I stopped and tried to return to the huddle, I realized something was wrong. I tried to play out the rest of the minute and 30 seconds, but realized the real game would begin once I stepped off the field.
At this point, I wish I could tell you I took off my helmet and sat down on the bench when the team’s trainer examined my torn calf muscle. However, the closest bench in Brighton’s McKinney Park was taken up by a 6 year old and his Dad, and the only trainer was a distant man teaching his dog to catch a Frisbee. [/i]
Yep. Flag football. Despite R.I.C.E-ing the hell out of my calf, I couldn’t run - literally. My aspirations of running a third marathon this May were fading with each painful step, so I laid off the pavement and hit the iron harder with the hopes of a new goal: gaining muscle and strength while my injury faded away.
By the end of January, I ballooned to 215 pounds - some muscle, probably more fat, due to eating anything and everything in sight. However, the strength increases were addicting and the intrigue of a competeing in a bb show is a reality. However, I need to learn how to eat correctly!
Gustavo’s current Physique Clinic has really helped to lay out a basic roadmap and who knows, maybe I’ll get picked for the next round of participants!
Right now, I’m about 190 - been doing 45 minutes on the bike (doesn’t bother my calf) and cleaned up my diet. Once I’m lean again, I’ll follow the protocol of increasing my calories slowly and gauging my physique. If I can maintain consistency over the next year, I hope to start thinking of competing in 2009.
The pics in this post are from February when I was hovering around 215.
) lol
