Check-in with Nathan. I explain, truthfully, that I feel nothing for this final competition. The biggest of my 'career'; the fifth of five this season, the NPC European Masters in Milan. No excitement. No motivation. The response gives me the required kicking. "Whether motivation or excitement is there or not we have a job to finish. Put the blinkers on and push. Don't come this far only to come this far."
Need to travel from my Essex home to Cambridge for a 9am meeting for my new job. Like the previous two days before this, I wake, check-in with pics in the kitchen, then the garden. Once up and about the pain starts eating away at my stomach. Soon, I am bent double, tip-toeing about trying to food prep. Sooner still I am crouching in pain. Then lying flat on my back on the kitchen floor in agony. Every. Single. Day. I am 11 days out from the NPC European Masters in Milan.
As time ticks away I fight with my conscience; I'm in my second week in this job, I need to go in. But I'm lying on the floor in agony. I can barely move. I feel drained by it. Not prep. But by a diarrhea that has lasted a month and sharp morning pains that are cutting my spirit in half.
I can't go in. I limp to the couch. Text those who need to know about my absence and make plans to get to A&E. I sleep for a few hours. The pain has subsided and I make my way to A&E. Luckily it is a quick turnaround; blood pressure, five lots of bloods and a chat with a doctor soon after. He is not happy with the GP who told me to "monitor things" three weeks ago and failed to take a sample. He suggests maybe IBS or colitis but insists we won't know until the GP takes a sample. Three weeks wasted. I prescribes me some medication for IBS symptoms and strong painkillers.
I'm in pain again. The painkillers are not touching the sides. Take two when needed. I take three. Lie down to help pain. When I'm back upright again I feel drowsy from the additional medicine. I have a client at 10, I need to train at 11, then I have to take a class at noon. How I get through is anyone's guess. And how post-workout pictures look as good as they do is a mystery.
As I get up to check-in the pain shoots around my tummy again. I need to be at work at 7am. I'm on the floor yet again. Management are down today. I can't miss another shift. I dose myself with painkillers and wait for the pain to end. As I clean up the gym and re-rack weights, I feel it pulling on my stomach. I have to wait to train until much later than usual. I travel along the A13 to see Chris Jones at Evolve Fitness, getting a pull session in about 7pm.
10am until 6pm today. Pain still there as I wake. I want to train before work but the pain forces me to lie flat and so I make the decision to delay training until after my shift. I'll be home later than normal but what can I do. My push session at 6pm is another good one, though. Incredible shoulder pump and pics look good again. Somehow I am keeping everything on track for Milan, even if the feeling is not quite there. I'm dieting on 2800 calories. Things could be worse.
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