Life is hectic.
I’ve just moved house, and what an experience that was!
If I told you the removal company trashed my old house by dragging a wardrobe down the stairs, causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage, you’d think that was stressful enough.
But that was just the start. They turned up late, leaking oil all over my driveway before we even got going. Then, halfway to the new place, they got lost—despite having sat nav, I might add. To top it all off, they smashed their wing mirror on the gate post. You’d agree that sounds like a nightmare move, right?
Wrong.
Now picture this: mid-move, one of the removal guys passes out, not once, but twice. So there I was, mid-chaos, putting him in the recovery position while calling an ambulance. Yep, MOVE FROM HELL.
So, yeah, life is a bit turbulent at the moment!
And it seems my body’s decided to join the party. My head is more than ready to start the grind that is the build-up to the 2024 British Rowing Indoor Championships in December, but my body has other ideas.
My back is in a s**t state and not letting me train just yet. It’s frustrating as hell when your mind is in beast mode, but your body’s tapping out. So what do I do? I focus on what I can control.
Right now, that means dialing in on the basics: hydration, nutrition, mobility, rest, and maintaining a positive mindset.
For hydration, I’m making sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, avoiding anything that could dehydrate me, like caffeine and alcohol. When it comes to nutrition, I’m sticking to a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods. Think leafy greens, berries, nuts, and oily fish. Keeping the inflammation down is key to helping my back recover faster.
Mobility is all about gentle stretches and movements that keep my muscles engaged without pushing too hard. I’ve been incorporating a lot of yoga and light stretching exercises to maintain flexibility and ease tension in my back.
Rest is non-negotiable. It’s easy to feel like you should be doing more, but sometimes doing nothing is exactly what your body needs to heal. I’m prioritizing sleep and making sure I’m getting enough downtime to let my body recover. When I was going through rehabilitation during my military discharge, I learned the hard way that pushing through pain wasn’t always the answer. Sometimes, you need to step back and let your body do its thing.
And, of course, keeping a smile on my face—because, let’s be honest, sometimes all you can do is laugh at the madness. I’ve learned over the years that humor can be a powerful tool for resilience. When things go sideways, finding something to laugh about helps me keep my perspective.
Every challenge, every setback, is an opportunity to grow stronger. I know that once my back eases up, I’ll be able to get back to training. Until then, I’m staying focused on what I can control and using this time to build resilience—both physically and mentally.
All things must pass. And when they do, I’ll be ready.
Chat soon.
Coach OO.
