# @pvellner on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DaYVoiYCSwP
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/67431161-pvellner-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/acef7da2bd.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-07-04T18:01:45.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Vellnerd (@PVellner) — https://gondola.cc/PVellner

## Caption

#SaturdayStorytime - bandaid games
social media is a highlight reel and we show the sunshine and rainbows, but I’m here to tell ya, sometimes it gets real rainy out here. And just when you think things can’t get worse, in fact they can 😂.
2020 was a weird year. shut downs, no live competitions, gym closures. Training was strange. That said, I was in good shape leading into the 2020 games.
The games that year were 5-6 weeks later than usual so it was a long period of prep. I was hanging on by a thread and eventually snapped. About 2 weeks before the games that year I tore my groin front squatting. It was very not good. For about a week any engagement in my adductors was agony. I couldn’t even roll over in bed.
With a couple weeks until competition we did what we could to take care of it and find movement patterns that didn’t hurt. Basically what this means is we tried to do cyclist squats, all quads, butt to heel and just go 100% quads for anything I could. It was an inefficient work around but I could squat. I decided I’d try my best. 
When games week rolled around massive forest fires started in Washington and the smoke was blowing north straight to us. A few days we couldn’t even see across the street and notices advised against exercise or being outdoors until further notice. Just walking the dog was like smoking a pack. Lol sweet. 
The crew at crossfitnanaimo sprang Into action. Everyone brought their air purifiers to the gym to try and bandaid this as much as we could.
Workouts got announced and 50% were squatting. Was gonna be a tough weekend. I did my best but after friendly Fran and 1rm front squat on day one my quads were screaming 😂. Following that up with a 1k row surrounded by air purifiers and a long run in the smokey harbor made for interesting memories but not ideal performances.
In the end I didn’t advance to the ranch but was closer than I expected. It’s a good thing honestly, because I would have gone and made things worse. Instead I got to lay in bed, take care of my leg, have a holiday and take a long rehab approach that helped me shine in 2021.
Anyways that was a one-two punch I don’t need again. Never say “things can’t get any worse”

## Stats

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## Tags

saturdaystorytime

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