The Agony of Victory

Athletes often push the boundaries of their physical limits. That's how they get better at what they do. But is there such a thing as training too hard? Of doing too much?

I think the answer to both of those questions is yes. Take Scott Mendelson for example. He recently broke the world bench press record, but it came at a cost. In the process of lifting the weight, he tore one of his pectoralis muscles. Even though he trained for such lifts his whole life, he exceeded the physical limits of his body. There was a tendon that could not perform what was asked of it. And it simply tore.

The real danger of such injuries is that sport's orthopedic surgeon's like Dr. James Andrews will be able to fix it. And the mindset of the athlete is that they can come back even stronger. That's all well and good, but I can't help but think that deep down inside that the weight should not have been attempted in the first place.

This isn't like a football injury, where a quick cut on a wet field, or an over zealous linebacker precipitated the injury. This is where a person really did do more than he should have. And it had dire consequences.

At the very least, when Mendelson starts lifting again, he should not be eligible for further world records. You see, at this point, he has been physically "enhanced." The doctors will have rebuilt him, making him better than he was. It will no longer be just HIM lifting future attempts. It will be medical science assisting in that lift.

I've been around athletes like this my entire life. Nearly every serious powerlifter has a similar story.

They'll just get fixed up by the doctor and start competing again. I don't mind them getting "fixed", I don't like the idea that they now may have a competitive advantage and force others to go for the breaking (tearing) point.

It just seems wrong somehow.

Yet I praise orthopedic surgeons who fix the arms of baseball players and football player's knees.

I think the difference for me is that players who get hurt doing the things that are normal for all within the sport is one thing. Miguel Sano throwing the ball across the infield is something baseball players of all ages simply do. It's not like he was doing anything wrong or different than an average player.

But when the extreme performance of the event is what actually CAUSES the injury I have to start rethinking the very event itself. We're human. We push our limits. I get that.

But this picture? It's a common occurrence for the best. Mendelson will get it fixed and be back in no time pushing even heavier weights. Until he tears something else.

I admire him and think he's stupid at the same time. But as long as their are good orthopedic surgeons, Mendelson, and others like him, will continue to go past their limits. If there are no permanent consequences for your questionable decisions, you will keep making questionable decisions. Sadly, that's also part of being human, too.