Aftermath

I have to admit, that I kind of look forward to the muscle pain after a really good session. Just one more piece of physical proof that, yes indeed, we did work those muscles!
So after the heavy session yesterday, I'm not at all surprised that my upper thighs, and glutes are a tad sore. However, the real pain and stiffness will set in tomorrow. WOO HOO! the other thing is my feet are a little tender, not as bad as when I free squat, but definitely still achey, and my left knee is none too happy. I'll take that laundry list though because there's one part that's noticeably absent and that's my back. There was some minor pain as we squatted yesterday, on the very first working set. The familiar old "pinch" right in the small of my back. But it seemed to not get any worse as we went along, and I also had none of the tightening and cramping that squats usually bring on. At times, it's felt like a belt of muscle tightening around my lower back; a really painful belt at that. But yesterday, that never happened. I'm sitting here thankful for it, to be sure, but wondering why. 
Here's my thoughts. First, they were high box squats so that changes the dynamics a wee bit, less stress and strain, although last week we did box squats with mucho reps and the pain was excruciating. Something else though, that in my gut I think is playing a bigger role, was that in between each set of squats I did hanging knee raises. I got my knees all the way up to my chest and then stretched really well when I lowered them. 
Whatever the case, It was great not to feel that horrible cramping that pulls me off to one side. It was great to be able to focus entirely on squatting and not 90% on squatting and 10% on the demon residing in my spine. 
Other than that, I am simply flying high on the numbers that we were able to hit. I know that all these box squats are only helping to bump up my free squat max and I can't wait to see what that is! I still can't believe I managed 165lbs and that was before I started hitting all these new, heavier weights. that was just after the pitiful training I had been doing in my garage! As for deadlifts and pressing, they've not been the focus - yet. they've been filtered in still in my garage training and a few pressing exercises have shown up during bench nights. But I'm excited to think  what will happen when I hit them in earnest. 
So many things have me realing in other parts of my life. I've found myself behind the eightball in countless other areas. But the gym, the gym is my release. It's where I make myself proud, and a couple other people too. It's where I shape and construct myself to the image I hold in my mind, not only a physical image but an image of a strong willed, determined, badass motherfucker. I may never get there, but I'm closer now than I have ever been.