I was late to Barwis yesterday. I called Conner and told him that I was still coming but was running late. Connor met me outside and helped me transfer and pushed me inside. Mike was at the squat machines by the Keiser machine and I realized that I had never been over there. Mike was cleaning up. There was chalkdust all over the floor and I asked him what happened over here. He told me, “squats.” Then he pointed to the piles of white dust and told me it was chalk. I was reminded of my only story involving chalk. I told Mike. I told him, “I used chalk once. (Helps grip the bar). I got it all over me, Adam, and Chris (an intern). Then Adam told me that I can’t use it anymore.” I smiled at the memory and Mike told me to go to the blue table. (Garret was on the white one).
Mike helped me onto the table and told me that he was going to take my shoes off and that he was still getting a baseline for me. I laid on my back as he began stretching me. I asked him how I felt and he told me that it was better than Monday. He was pleased with how much range of motion I was getting and I was too. I could slowly feel my legs beginning to relax. He told me to scoot to the edge and he were going to do hypers. I knew how to do this! First position. He was going to push my shoulders down like Phil used to. But it wasn’t like Phil used to. Mike explained how we were going to do it (I explained the ballet positions to him anyway because I ALWAYS needed to start in first position with Phil). Mike was impressed with my hypers. I guess being Phil’s personal bop bag all those times helped!
We ended with me sitting at the edge of the table and having to put my foot (with my knee straight) on Mike’s knee with his help of course! We started with my left leg. (Mike knows all about my “poop leg” and told me that was why we were starting with my left.). The right leg (or “poop leg”) DID resist but Mike got it under control. Mike told me that it was “Awesome!” I could feel the awesomeness too!
I feel really good about the torch being handed over to Mike. He really knows his stuff and is passionate about his role as trainer at Barwis for all the young athletes and for me too! He reinforced my belief that Barwis IS the place I NEED to be! But as I pulled away, tears still streamed out of my eyes. I miss Phil. (I mean Adam) but it IS awesome that I am in good hands!!!