28 Mar The Climb

The road to anything worthwhile will always be forged in pain, sacrifice and test of will. Seven weeks post bicep operation and things are starting to finally come together on the healing front but as in all great things in life, it is a double edged sword. As I get better and better I am often reminded just how far I have left to go. Although I am grateful on being able to use my arm (let alone my back), when just a few weeks back I couldn’t even brush my teeth with it, I’m hit with that bitter taste of reality when a 65 pound Log feels like the weight of the world. I’m not here to sound like I am Debby-Downer, on the contrary, I am optimistic about how fast I’ve healed. What I am here to tell you, and what most people wont talk about, are those last few paces of the climb that make you look down the mountain.

The Valley and the Climb

Getting hurt sucks. There is just no way around it. You can read all the positive memes you want, listen to all the E.T. lion and gazelle speeches you wish but the fact of the matter is getting hurt is an absolutely shitty feeling. The stages of injuries have their waves, their phases, the classic ebb and flow of the healing process. Initially the road seems clear. Just wait it out, therapy, some Netflix binges instead of PR’s and bingo bango we are all set in a few months. What a lot of people fail to mention is that bitter feeling you taste once your able to train again. It’s the no-man’s land of healing. After your initial “I’m so happy to be doing this etc etc etc” Instagram post you fall into the trenches of recovery. This where you realize your hundreds of pounds away from where you used to be, you’re still months away from dancing into your gym status quo, and that some how, in your head, everyone is absolutely 13,647 times stronger than you. I don’t know where I got that number from, but it sounds huge. Wana fight about it?

So what do we do when we get here ? What do we say, what do we listen to, what do we program so that those endless nights of visceral training anxiety begin to settle?

The Perspective:

Below I posted my current upper body work out. It looks dismal, boring, and extremely light and you know what? It is. But I don’t tell myself that. I can’t. When you’re so close to making that climb, to reaching the top and touching the pinnacle of recovery… that’s when shit gets slippery. That last bit of the climb is not the steep, rocky valleys of the initial injury that kept your wits about you, no, the top of the climb right before the summit is on a light hill with the sun shinning on your face. You’re so far away from your injury you barely feel it anymore. You’re looking better, moving better and people are starting to compliment your recovery speed. Here is when we lose track of our journey. It lulls you to sleep and when you start to train again you realize that grassy, sunny, gentle slope was just the precursor to a jagged, ominous reminder that recovery is a life long journey. Here is where I remind myself that growth, recovery, and “falling forward” is a life long lesson. I tell myself that although I almost fooled myself into the illusion of safety, that every training session, every rep and every weight demands 100% focus and appreciation. So right before the lullaby of recovery hums me into complacency, I remind myself that I have 235 pounds to go to get where I was. That I have another 100 pounds after that I’ve never touched before. That the journey is forever a climb and that I wouldn’t want it any other way. I am Stallone, this is Cliffhanger and it’s time to make that impossible fist fight scene off the helicopter a reality.

The protocol here? Never quit, remind yourself daily that 1 pound is still growth and that this journey is forever. Stay one step ahead of complacency by programming realistic numbers and sets that envelope a mind set of longevity and strength over time. The key to recovery is to engrain it in your mind and training for the rest of your life so if and when this happens again, you will be that much more prepared for the climb.

Warm up:

• McGill Big 3
• Band flies
• Band pull aparts

Work Load:

• Log Strict press 20×2 65#
• D bell incline 4×15/15 65# and 15#
• Single arm lat pull downs 4×15
• Band push downs 4×20/20
• Standing band tri extensions 4×20/20
• Lat raises 3×15
• Sled monster walks 5x100ft
• Rolling planks 1 x 25

Starting to get some motion back in my arm. Avoiding anything that involve bicep flexion and pressing is done very slowly and with very light wait. Aside from daily aches and pains, the recovery is going smooth and use of my arm is getting better every day. Workouts are still written around my back protocol and acc work has been focusing on high sets and high volume with perfect form. Although heavy weights are not in the near future, it feels good to be one step closer to the battlefield.

Never stray from The Way

MDLP

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Mike De La Pava

Michael “MDLP” De La Pava is currently a competitive Strongman and owner of The Battle Axe Gym. Born in Miami, Florida into a Colombian household, Michael finished his schooling by attending Penn State University where he graduated with a Degree in Psychology. Having his roots in martial arts, he would go on to compete in various sports as a Muay Thai fighter, Powerlifter, and rugby player before committing himself fully to Strongman. During this time, he opened Miami’s first Strongman gym, The Battle Axe, where he currently coaches athletes from various disciplines including powerlifting, MMA fighters, Strongman, officers of multiple authorities and enlisted and active military operators. Competing in Strongman for over 6 years has given Michael the opportunity to rank as high as 15th in the nation (105kg), won Florida’s Strongest man (1st in 2014 and 2nd in 2015 in the 105kg class), lift and load a 420 pound Atlas stone, log press 335, pull 700, and most importantly, share the competitive battlefield with some of the best in the game. During this journey, Michael suffered what some would consider a potentially career-ending spine injury. It was at this time that Brian and Michael would begin working together to not only rehab his spine, allowing him to return to Strongman but also develop a new Strongman training program revolving around the 10/20 philosophy. Strongman and coaching have given Michael the opportunity to travel around the nation and the world to train, coach and be coached, as well as share ideas with various leaders in the strength community. Michael’s experience and network in strongman brings a welcome connection with the ever-growing sport of Strongman to the 10/20 team and PRS family.

Latest posts by Mike De La Pava (see all)

• MDLP: Training 8 weeks out - March 15, 2019
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• MDLP: Blood, Sweat and Flesh - February 28, 2019