Well, hi all. It's been a while.
A lot has happened since I've last visited the site, here's an incredibly abbreviated version:
For any of you who are new and haven't heard my story, on October 30th, 2008 I was walking (!) across a road when I was hit by a 3 1/2 ton Suburban going 55mph. I'm a walking miracle, but needless to say I was, well, jacked up. At that time I weighed in at 175lb, and at my lowest after the accident I clocked in at 136. I don't know my 1RM's, but these were my 3x5 pr's:
Bench: 185
Squat: 245
DL (1rep): 385 I don't remember the entire week before the accident, but in my training journal I had noted to try going for 400lb the next time. Whether or not I ever did I'll never know.
Rows: 180
Overheads: 115
I am now up to 147lb. At 5'9" that's still scrawny, but a lot better for sure. At this point I still can't lift my left foot. I wear a brace to keep it at a 90 so it doesn't drag, but I'll be taking it off to lift. Since my last update I've had several surgeries including removing the rod from my left femur (right one is coming out in a few months), had my Achilles and toe tendons hacked to hell because they healed too tight, and several other things. I have been doing a little bit of cardio on and off when I feel ok enough to do so, and I have regained most of my pullups (sitting at 21 right now). I don't know why I keep up with the pullups as I will probably never be able to commission, but we'll see what the Corps says (IF my foot comes back). Until yesterday, I hadn't lifted since the accident. I'll post some baseline pics and the workout in the next post. Long story short, I'm weak as hell. I know I've been to hell and back in the past 10 months, but it's still pretty discouraging. However, I'm going to do it. I'm beginning a bulking cycle and steady cardio. I can't squat properly due to flexibility issues, so I'm using a decline leg press and perhaps I'll try the squat machine. If anyone has suggestions as to better things to do while I can't squat, please say so. I am able to deadlift, fortunately. So, overall, things hurt. But I'm doing it. I'll be beginning Rippetoes. It worked the first time, and it's been so long that I'm sure it's the right path for me now.
These are pics of the rods in my femurs, for random interest. The left one is now out, the right one is coming out mid January.
