As many of you know, before I had surgery 7 months ago, I played 8-10 games a week of slow and 18+ fastpitch softball. Today, I hit the field again in a split double header of slowpitch. And I survived!
I've been stretching (to the point I can't get any stretch out of my upper back/shoulders most days), but OMG ... that first throw I released as I warmed up *did*. I let go of the ball to throw and simultaneously thought "Eeeeee-ow! Tight!" (first time I'd thrown since I last played). Where conventional stretching hasn't been able to REALLY reach the area between my shoulder blades, nor the muscles right up next to my spine, the twist and snap of my throw woke up areas I haven't felt in a *while*.
Batting was no problem. Didn't hurt at all, didn't feel tight at all ... even when all my second game shots were hard line drives in the drop zone over 2nd base and shortstop.
Running was awkward ... not painful. While I've done some sprinting in tennis shoes since surgery, it is NOT the same as running in cleats, in sand. My body, overall, is not in the same shape as it was before, so I felt the impact of running through the fusion area. Then again, I felt *no* impact in my back when running before surgery, so I'd guess that's a lot of it. Also, just the simple fact I was breathing harder than normal when running caused some tightness in my torso - and probably contributed to back tightness (and consequently, feeling the impact). I fully expect as I run more on the field - and build my legs, glutes and lung capacity back up - the impact will lessen.
My new posture, I believe, also has an effect on learning to run again (just like learning to walk with a straighter back right after surgery): You're off balance because everything's been rearranged. I think with practice (and as I make friends with my new posture in a play situation vs. everyday activities) some, if not all, of the weird feeling and awkwardness will go away.
I slid (just a pop-up slide to start), and it was fine. After that, I felt comfortable enough to get completely down and layed out flat under 3 tags ;-).
The main thing I noticed was decreased endurance, but then again, it was over 100° on the infield (and I play 2nd base). 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. games are roasters on a good day ... I'm just not used to it like I was. I sat down for about 10 minutes after the 1st game was over, got up for something, and realized I was stiffening up ... quickly. I stayed up stretching (or at least moving) until we took the field again at 4 p.m.
I'm sore (but in a satisfying way), and no doubt it's gonna be hell Monday and Tuesday. The league, however, runs 5 more weeks (all double headers), and I think is going to be a good thing to get those lazy muscles working again! I never play winter ball (to me, it's even too cold in Houston!), but that may be the best way to keep the progress going so I'm 100% for spring ball.
For all you facing surgery (and all of you early in recovery), I hope this encourages you that normal will be within your grasp again before you know it!
I've been stretching (to the point I can't get any stretch out of my upper back/shoulders most days), but OMG ... that first throw I released as I warmed up *did*. I let go of the ball to throw and simultaneously thought "Eeeeee-ow! Tight!" (first time I'd thrown since I last played). Where conventional stretching hasn't been able to REALLY reach the area between my shoulder blades, nor the muscles right up next to my spine, the twist and snap of my throw woke up areas I haven't felt in a *while*.
Batting was no problem. Didn't hurt at all, didn't feel tight at all ... even when all my second game shots were hard line drives in the drop zone over 2nd base and shortstop.
Running was awkward ... not painful. While I've done some sprinting in tennis shoes since surgery, it is NOT the same as running in cleats, in sand. My body, overall, is not in the same shape as it was before, so I felt the impact of running through the fusion area. Then again, I felt *no* impact in my back when running before surgery, so I'd guess that's a lot of it. Also, just the simple fact I was breathing harder than normal when running caused some tightness in my torso - and probably contributed to back tightness (and consequently, feeling the impact). I fully expect as I run more on the field - and build my legs, glutes and lung capacity back up - the impact will lessen.
My new posture, I believe, also has an effect on learning to run again (just like learning to walk with a straighter back right after surgery): You're off balance because everything's been rearranged. I think with practice (and as I make friends with my new posture in a play situation vs. everyday activities) some, if not all, of the weird feeling and awkwardness will go away.
I slid (just a pop-up slide to start), and it was fine. After that, I felt comfortable enough to get completely down and layed out flat under 3 tags ;-).
The main thing I noticed was decreased endurance, but then again, it was over 100° on the infield (and I play 2nd base). 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. games are roasters on a good day ... I'm just not used to it like I was. I sat down for about 10 minutes after the 1st game was over, got up for something, and realized I was stiffening up ... quickly. I stayed up stretching (or at least moving) until we took the field again at 4 p.m.
I'm sore (but in a satisfying way), and no doubt it's gonna be hell Monday and Tuesday. The league, however, runs 5 more weeks (all double headers), and I think is going to be a good thing to get those lazy muscles working again! I never play winter ball (to me, it's even too cold in Houston!), but that may be the best way to keep the progress going so I'm 100% for spring ball.
For all you facing surgery (and all of you early in recovery), I hope this encourages you that normal will be within your grasp again before you know it!
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