More throwing updates

This week has been another struggle.

Not in the pain sense. I think taking last week off did the trick in a lot of different ways.  I did a LOT of cardio which helped trimmed me up.  This is usually when I would start doing heavier weights with lots of volume to put on lean muscle, but instead it's a just a ton of light light weights.  Oh well.

What I struggled with the last couple of days was finding the release point.  I just couldn't seem to get it consistent.  It may have been the fact that I wasn't throwing a baseball.  I was throwing my little pink ball that I had around.  I suppose I should try again with a tennis ball.

Part of it was trying to throw lightly. As anyone who's played catch with me can attest, I have a very hard time just tossing lightly.  I'm much more accurate when I can let it go.  So, throwing lightly and being accurate isn't in my repertoire.

I think this had to do with release point more than anything.  I could feel myself releasing way too early or way too late.  I had a lot of accurate throws too, but a good one-third of the tosses were way off.

I may just be trying to get too fine with control as well. The spot at the gym that I throw at is a wall that has a lot of racks on the top that hold the balance balls.  So, while I should theoretically have plenty of room, I think that gets into my head a little bit and I get off my game.

It's hard to actually play catch here.  It's been raining a bunch and the timing has been tough. By the time Katy gets home, it's too dark.  So, I've taken to doing it in the gym against a wall.  Luckily, most people at my gym know the deal so they usually just give me 4 or 5 minutes to finish up the tosses.

I can do a remarkable job of flipping a 2lb plyoball backwards though.  Talk about accuracy!  I can do that without thinking.  It's pretty slick.

Next week is 45 feet with a baseball.  I'm expecting better results.

Whoa boy

Second round of baseball throwing today.  I think it makes a difference when I throw after I've done cardio and some weightlifting.  Today felt great.  I mean, really great.  I had to actually restrain my arm to keep the tossing light.

Monday, I threw cold.  I don't think I'll be doing that again.  It felt cold and I felt like I had to be more careful. The only upside on that is that I really have to concentrate on my form and using my hips, lats, shoulders and everything else.

Throwing warm is the way to go.  I think it was after just 15 minutes of cardio too.  So, good mental note for you folks going through this.

Next throwing session is Friday. 30 tosses at 30 feet I think .  I honestly lost my throwing sheet and need to call those guys and get another one.  Whoops.

On another note, taking a week off from PT and weightlifting has been great.  My cardio idea has been working out really well and the core stuff is feeling awesome too.  Plus, the gym sessions are shorter which lets me hit the sauna for a while.  I've been struggling with a little cold or something for the last like 10 days and the sauna has really helped me feel better.  As always, so has the gym. I firmly believe in sweating out a cold.

Anyway.

Baseball toss

I managed to get some time and room at the gym to start my baseball throwing today.  Today was 20 tosses at about 15 feet.

Overall it felt pretty good.  I'm using my elbow significantly less honestly.  I feel that I'm driving with my legs more and am using everything BUT my elbow.  I'm also coming through a lot wider in my delivery so far.  In other words, I've got quite a 3/4 delivery going right now.  I'm sure that will change as I get more comfortable with throwing, but I'm going to try to keep the good stuff if you will.

I'm going easy at the gym and sticking to just cardio and core. My surgery site has been getting a little balky and sore this last week or so.  I've gone back to my lefty mouse  at work which should help.  I think a week off will do it about right. I need it anyway.

It's surprisingly hard to throw softly.  I always feel like I can let it rip, but I know there will be consequences if I do. I don't want to derail anything.  One muscle that's really interestingly sore is the tricep right behind the elbow.  It's definitely not the ligament itself, but it's a muscle around it.  It's really a weird thing.  It's definitely one of those muscles that you didn't know you used when you throw.

It's off and running though.  We'll see how it goes.

Throwing program

The throwing program started today.

I threw a tennis ball at what was supposed to be 30 feet 20 times very lightly.  I can't believe I almost started sweating.

It felt ok. There was a little tightness on my tricep right at the elbow but nothing in the ligament itself.  It was harder than I thought it would be.  My form felt good.

It's all flat ground.  It's in my office actually since we have a lot of room for now.  I toss against an exposed brick wall.  I only nearly hit Bob (my test lead) once and it was on a bad brick bounce.  Plus, it's a tennis ball and it wouldn't have hurt him too much.

So, the routine is to throw on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  This week it's 20 tosses with a tennis ball at 30 feet.  Next week it's a baseball.

It's scary man. I've gotta be honest. I'm not as worried with the tennis ball, but the baseball is a totally different story.  I kept waiting for the ligament to hurt like it used to, but there wasn't any pain.  There's not any soreness yet.  I'll ice it tonight just in case.

I'm starting to wonder if this is going to be more of a mental challenge than a physical one. The throwing program ramps up pretty quickly actually and I'll post it once I get it in Excel.

If you wonder....I am supposed to be up to 90 throws at various ranges in 21 weeks or 5 months.  That puts me right at about Spring Training time to start throwing a few fastballs.

I suppose that's how it should be.

Wait, Figgins is still on a team?

The NFL referees got back to work finally and will be officiating shortly.  That means that baseball season is quickly coming to a close and the NFL is actually gearing up.  

It's great to see the Padres and Mariners actually improve this year.  It's been fun to watch both clubs progress and, while neither are in contention, they are in a progression.  They are progressing toward the non-suck line  That's the line that says "Go ahead and wear that jersey with pride" or "At least we're better than the Red Sox".  Good place to be actually. It means the stadium isn't crowded yet but the baseball isn't as abysmal as it was last year or even earlier this year.

Did you know Chone Figgins still plays for the Mariners?  Not JUST sitting on the bench plays, but actually in the field, suited up, and taking hacks plays.  I thought they just made up a rare and incurable disease for him and left him in Buffalo or Omaha or something.  It reminds me of what the Padres did with Jason Bartlett before releasing him. Oh he was on the 15 day DL for about half a season before he was released.  

My man Jake Peavy is throwing well. Just the fact that he's throwing is absolutely unreal.  Remember that?  Detached Latissimus muscle?  Ouch.  

I was looking through my baseball stuff over the last week and on my Jake Peavy shelf (yep, whole shelf and it's spilling over) is the ball he signed for me (courtesy of Teri and Jenn) wishing me well.  Just seeing that again keeps you full of hope.

The hope is that when I start throwing next week, it all feels ok.  Yes, it'll probably be a tennis ball and it'll probably be about 15 feet, but it'll be throwing.  It'll be a big step and a huge early birthday present if I can throw without pain.  I worry about it a little bit.  I think you have to.  Resuming the activity that got you injured in the first place.  Even slowly?  How do runners feel running again after getting stress fractures? Do you take it easy? Do you wonder if every little pain is something to be worried about.

I don't know yet.  I get my marching orders on Wednesday the 3rd. Ken says it's easy to follow and should get me back on a mound in March.  

The last few weeks, I've focused my workouts away from that elbow.  I've done things like chest flies, shoulder raises, legwork, etc.  Anything I can do to stay away from that joint.  It seems to work and it seems to get the job done in a relatively decent manner.  Katy thinks I'm doing the Plyo tosses stronger and that my arms are looking like they used to before my injury. My elbow has been sore but at my new job, I have a right handed mouse so I've already requested to get my lefty back.  I think that's a big thing.  Switching to that left handed mouse is a good idea.  

Jake has a 3.40 ERA this year and, at some point, took a first step in throwing.  Mine is next week.

Progression

Quick Friday night post:

Hi everyone,

My throwing program starts on October 3rd. It's apparently pretty regimented and easy so I anticipate a lot of evenings in my garage throwing balls at a wall.

No obvious jokes please.

Nonetheless I honestly feel fantastic. The elbow has been sore a bit this week but I think it's getting used to a right handed mouse again.  I've given up my lefty since I got canned from PopCap.  Oh, did you know that? I got canned from PopCap but promptly found an awesome job at WildTangent. I'm having a great time.

Anyway, it's been sore a bit, but I've altered my gym routine every morning to get the most out of it.  I've avoided elbow movement and have concentrated on shoulders,  back, core, and legs to burn the calories. I've also taken up tabata training (google it) for my cardio.  It's working like a charm.  So, despite my happy hour habit during my brief unemployment, I've taken off all of that weight and amd strengthening everything around the elbow again.

I go see Ken again on the 3rd.  He's amazing folks.  Really.  If you get a chance, just Google Ken Roll.

Onward!

A lot has happened in the last few weeks which has kept me from updating this blog.  Once I can talk a little bit more about it I will.

Let me just say that overall, people are fantastic. I really have a lot to be thankful for and let it go at that for now.

My recovery has taken a big step forward.  I'm back to lifting some weight on it and even managed a few assisted pullups yesterday.  I think this is a pretty big corner that I've turned.  For some reason, everything feels stronger and hurts less.  What actually hurts is the muscle surrounding the ligament.  I haven't felt ligament pain in a while.

Now, I'm not saying I'm going to run out and start bench pressing 250 again, but I am getting more and more comfortable with the idea that I'll be able too soon.  I'll give it another test tomorrow with a bunch of yard work, but I really feel strong and able.

You want a little secret.  I threw a few rocks for the dogs at the beach last weekend.  I also threw two apples at the uber-annoying blue jays that seem to love our tree.  I missed, but it had a little gas behind it.  I didn't hurt afterwards either.

Ryan Alvis, my TJ brother and I met up at a recent Indians game and shared a few stories. He's really been a big help even though he doesn't realize it.  He even confessed that he threw a football....and it felt ok.  If we get on the same team next year...people better look out.  It will be absolutely frightening.