Training for strength over a long haul is a zero-sum game for most of us where injuries are concerned. When you are younger, the body is definitely more resilient. However, this rule should apply for all.
For anyone who has been following me, you know I have taken a painstaking process in taking the pain out of my lifting and my everyday life. My injuries are numerous and well documented. Not to forget my ever-escalating age.
With lifting in the past I would always throw caution to the wind. I never had any fear under the bar, even after recovering from any one of my many injuries. Unfortunately, I still feel that way. As it turns out that's not a great characteristic.
Since returning to conjugate a few weeks ago I knew I could no longer live by that credo of no fear. I promised myself that if something started to feel even the slightest bit off as the weight was getting heavy, I need to stop the lift that instant. That's a hard pill to swallow from someone who would NEVER put that lift down in the past.
So Golden Rule #1 is "Everything Feels OK Until It Doesn't." Seriously, if we all had a crystal ball we would cut off that lift if we knew we were going to tear a pec, biceps, blow out a disc, etc. Coming from someone who has torn a few things off and blown out several discs, sometimes there's no warning at all.
A couple of years ago I'd probably recommend for a younger lifter to just go for it, but not anymore. Every bad injury on my part was followed by an extended layoff. I can't imagine what I might have accomplished had I not been forced into taking months off at a time due to injuries.
Here I give you a perfect example of what I'm talking about. I have not deadlifted on a straight bar in close to three years. I decided to use it for a max effort low body lift. 405 felt very easy so the next logical jump was 455. It came off the floor very well, however, I felt the tiniest of tug on my right hip.
I know I could have easily completed the rep. At what cost is a different story. At best it probably would have aggravated my sciatic nerve for a minimum of a week. Worst case scenario damage to one of my already herniated discs and even worse, blowing out a new one.
With putting the weight down the only thing that was bruised was my ego. That's ok though. I'm learning to live with these changes in my lifting. One thing I know for certain. I'd rather be in the gym than layed up on the couch.
Lift wisely, my friends.