…or a “Mexi-can’t”? One of my favorite lines from “Once upon a time in Mexico”, a flawed but entertaining movie. Johnny Depp says it to Danny Trejo. I like Johnny Depp, warts and all, and love Danny Trejo because he is a man who did not let his past define his future.

This blog is not about any of that.

I threw my back out yesterday. This is not new news. The first time I did this was about 20 years ago. I was teaching a cardio-kickboxing class in Irvine, Ca. It was a 1 hour class, and 5 mins into it I felt something pop in my lower back. Now a smarter person would probably have explained to the class that I may have injured myself, apologized and cancelled the rest of the class.

That’s what a smarter person would have done.

I loved teaching class. I enjoyed the entire process; building the music mixes, creating the routines, motivating my class with my goofy antics, all of it. I sincerely appreciated the fact that people took time out of their busy schedules to come to my classes. So was I going to let a little pain & stiffness stop me from teaching this group?

Nope.

So, by the end of the class I was effectively teaching on one leg. My lower back was locked up and my left leg wasn’t moving like a left leg should. It was scary, because it was the first time something like this had happened to me. I actually performed my shows at Knotts Berry Farm with a cane for a few days. That was the beginning.

Over the last 20 years, my lower back & I have had a relationship best described as “complicated”. We’re good most of the time. Then every once in a while, we have issues. Sometimes I know exactly was caused it. Obstacle races, lifting weights, bungie jumping off of bridges. Those are fairly clear cut. But sometimes it is less well defined. Getting out of an unfamiliar bed on a cruise ship (truth), stumbling over a curb, and the old favorite, bending over to tie a shoe. And over the years I’ve gotten used to dealing with the minor issues by simply cutting back on some activities which could aggravate the sitch. Sometimes it’s a bigger issue, or lasts for a longer time. In those cases I’ve visited a chiropractor , or picked up some “miracle cures”, which have worked about as well as you would expect them to. It’s primarily time, R.I.C.E. ( rest, ice, compression & elevation) and modifying my physical activity that get’s thing back to normal, or as normal as I get. On a regular basis I still run, lift weights and in general try new things that catch my fancy. I’m aware that I’m 63. I just don’t let that fact scare me into inactivity. I’d rather be in pain every once in a while. That’s the deal I make with myself.

So, like I said, yesterday I woke up a little sore. I had done a long run the day before, with lots of stairs (welcome to my neighborhood). Waking up with a little stiffness in my back is a pretty common occurrence. So I had my coffee & breakfast and started my “yoga-ish” stretch routine before leaving for the gym. Ya know, Monday stuff.

The first plank I tried..? Blam!

OK, so we have an issue. So maybe we’re going to have to modify our “chest & triceps” workout at the gym. The core stuff is probably out, at least for today. Hmm. Ok, so before I leave I need to stop in the bathroom. There are things I’d rather do at home than in a public restroom. You get the idea.

A note about my toilet paper dispenser.

It is situated directly across from my toilet. It is a little further away than is optimal, so you have to really bend forward to reach the roll. I’ve noticed this before, and maybe even thought “I should change that” a time or two. But it never really got high enough on my list of priorities to merit action.

It has now achieved that status.

While bending & reaching yesterday morning, you guessed it. BLAM!

And yes, the all caps was an indicator of intensity. So, not to get too descriptive, but I have several challenges. The first issue is standing, from the low seated position I’m in. The second is , we still haven’t addressed the “wiping”. That involves bending and reaching, or stretching back & reaching, neither of which movements were totally endorsed by my lower back at this point. We overcame both challenges, but praise Allah that I live alone. No one needed to see that, and I’m not sure I trust anyone that completely. I could have been trending on Instagram, and not in a good way…

…but I digress…

…So, what’s the point, Bob?

So here’s where we get to the Mexi-can / Mexi-can’t question.

I’ve pulled my back muscles, and it’s a fairly bad one, at least for me. The gym is out. The home/mat workout isn’t going to get done. There are lots of things I can’t do, at least if I’m being smart.

So, what CAN I do?

Yesterday, that was walking. I can get out, enjoy the nice weather we are enjoying in the Greater Cincinnati area and take in the sites. Was it my normal high intensity, high impact running? Nope. Did I get the same endorphin rush I get when I’m finished busting my butt in a workout. Nope. Does it feel like “less”. Of course it does. But it was something. It was a step in a positive direction. Today I got up, got in the car and went to the gym. All I did was get on the stationary bike for 45 mins. Did I get a bit of FOMO watching all the folks lifting and running and stretching? You bet I did. But I did what I could do. And felt a LOT better when I was done.

And tomorrow? I don’t know yet. I’ll gauge that in the morning. Might just be the bike again. I might try to sneak in a resistance machine or two, if it feels right.

And yes, my body felt a lot better as I was leaving the gym today. The activity loosened things up. But way more than that, my head felt better. I’m so used to activity being an important part of my life. Even missing a day or two affects my mood. It might sound funny to some, but it’s true. But, as happens in this world, the unexpected popped up. Life threw me a curve ball, and I’m kinda happy with the way I reacted to it.

I’m not always happy with me. I try not to indulge in regret, because I think regret is a waste of time & energy. But I’ve let my darker angels take the lead at times. So this time I’ll celebrate the win.

So, even though I am a proud American of Irish heritage, today I’m also a Mexi-can.

Que piensa si.

Talk later,

Bob