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Thread: Strength is Good in an Emergency

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
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    604

    Default Strength is Good in an Emergency

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    I used to run a lot. I had a dog that loved to run with me. She weighed around 100 pounds. We ran 5s together whenever a local event would let dogs attend. Once, we ran a morning race in the middle of summer. The race was delayed because of some emergency and started later in the morning than anticipated. Against my better judgment, we ran the race. A half mile from the finish my 100 pound dog dropped to the ground from heat exhaustion. I tried with all my might to pick her up and carry her somewhere to get help. All I could manage was a few steps. I simply wasn’t strong enough. We were lucky, though. A pedestrian spotted us, and was able to get us in the back of an air conditioned pickup. We were both fine. I couldn’t figure out why I was incapable of carrying my dog. I assumed the heat must have sapped my strength.

    I’ve since quit running and now I only strength train. I’ve been doing it for 18 months. Maybe a bit more. I’ve gotten very strong. Today I took my dog for a walk early in the morning. Same dog, by the way, but eight years older. Again, a half mile from home, maybe a little less, her back legs suddenly gave out.

    This time I was able to pick her up. I did the 5 step deadlift setup and strangely thought about the mechanics of picking her up. I carried her the entire distance. I didn’t even stop. I was sweating when I got home. I was breathing a little bit harder than usual too. Fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the vet. I was recovered enough to take my squirming, wriggling gyroscope out of the truck and carry her inside. I stood there, with her in my arms, until the vet tech could get a table set up for her.

    When I finally lowered her, I squatted. I broke my knees and hips at the same time and leaned over. I think I kept my back in full extension too. Oddly, I thought about the movement patterns again as I did this.

    My old girl didn’t make it. She had a tumor in her spine that was causing a lot of pain and loss of control. This story may not have a happy ending, but at least I was strong enough to carry my old girl home. If I’d stayed a runner, I’d have had to cry for help. At least now, the only crying will be done by me over a glass of bourbon.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
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    1,912

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    And that's why we do it. I explain that to family and friends when they ask, but it's odd how their eyes glaze over while I explain it.

    So sorry to hear about your old girl. We had a similar experience with our old boy some six years ago now, and we still miss him dearly. We just don't get enough time with them.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    523

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    it's hard loosing the dog,
    condolences

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
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    604

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    Thank you both. My wife and I were unable to have children, so our three dogs filled that void. This was the last of our three and hit us both hard. Writing is cathartic, as is whiskey. The good news is I'll be heading to Oklahoma and traveling through WF to get a puppy in December or January.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Texas
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    3,111

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    Quote Originally Posted by Frank_B View Post
    I'll be heading to Oklahoma and traveling through WF to get a puppy in December or January.
    Oklahoma is full of good dogs. Stop by the gym if you can.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Posts
    442

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    So sorry to hear about your doggo. I took my wife's (then gf) dog to be put down and I shed more than a few tears. She wasn't even my dog and I had no real attachment to her, or so I thought. There was something about being there and watching her life slip quietly away that got to me. Animals have a way of tugging on our heart strings without us even knowing.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
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    604

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    starting strength coach development program
    Quote Originally Posted by stef View Post
    Oklahoma is full of good dogs. Stop by the gym if you can.
    Thanks, stef! Will do!

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