Blisters Make Me Happy

Warm up stuff
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Reverse hyper :
Hang, easy swings
Hamstring / low back stretch
Arm hangs with small leg circles
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TIRE DRAG:
(Approx. 175lbs including the chain & handle)
One arm side drag about 50' ea arm
10 body squats
One arm behind the back drag about 50'
10 body squats
2 arm behind the back drag about 100'
10 body squats 
2 arm backwards drag about 100' 
The 2 arm drags were done with cloth grips
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[Press x10 (bar) / squat x3 (bar) / hanging knee raises x5] 3x
Walking lunges x12 ea leg
Strict Press 65lb x3 / squat x3 / H.K.R. x5
S.P. x4 / squat x3 / H.K.R. x5
S.P. x5 / squat x3 / H.K.R x5
S.P. x6 / squat x3 / H.K.R. x5
Strict Press, bar x10
20lb DB strict press x10 (not all at once) H.K.R. x5
15lb DB s.p. x10 / H.K.R x5
12lb DB s.p. x10 / H.K.R. x5 
Bar press w/leg drive x10
12lb DB x10 / Fat guy pull ups x10
15lb DB x10 / F.G.P. x10
20lb DB x10 / F.G.P. x13 (feet flat on floor)
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12" step ups w/ T raise:
8lb x15 ea leg
10lb x12 ea leg
15lb x10 ea leg
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30lb DB calf raise/shrug x50
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     We tried DB RDL's, but there was uncomfortable pain so we did the calf raise/shrugs instead.
     The hanging knee raises were done from the squat rack which is square tubing, slick, and a pain on the ass to grip - an excellent workout for your grip and forearms and also an excellent way to bring up some new blisters. Yes, that's makes me happy because I haven't had blisters in almost a year. I don't know, it means something to me. It means hard work. It means pushing through discomfort. It means strength being earned. To someone who, as of late, has felt weak and inadequate,  these blisters were a breath of fresh air and like a returning home. Weird, I know, but I never said I was normal. 
     There's still disappointment in not being able to squat correctly, especially when I can remember squatting 185lb and doing power lockouts with over 300lb. Now, I'm reduced to shallow squats at 65lbs, but I suppose there's something to be said for me still squatting at all.  I know there have been more than a few times that I could have given up, and more than a few times when I wanted to. I'm glad I didn't,  haven't,  and won't.  A little story for you: 
     Tuesday night, bench night, I looked up from under the bar and Emily was sitting on a stack of rogue plates by my feet. I hadn't known she was there watching. I sat up and tried to give her a smooch but she laughed and told me "no sweaty kisses". The feeling of knowing she saw me working, saw me sweating, even though I have the issues I do, is one of the most powerful feelings I could ever have to motivate me. How could I quit with that little girl watching? Even when she isn't physically with me, she's there pushing me and making me strong. I will push (sensibly) for Em.