a chance to inspire

This time off with my tender broken toes has given me a bit of time to think about how I’ve progressed in my journey as a runner and a healthier, fitter, me. While embarking on this lifestyle change was always about finding myself and being the healthiest and strongest person I can, I do love to inspire others. I try to do that as much as I can. After all, we have the ability to do anything we put our minds to. We just have to get over that fear of failure and there is NO failure in trying. It is my hope that people are inspired when I so openly share my own story and that perhaps they pay that forward.

The other day I was approached with a wonderful opportunity that would allow me to take that love of motivating others to a different level. Of course, I have said “yes” but I am sure there is a little more to it than that and I will find out more over the next few weeks. However, I am completely honored to have even been asked and this new possibility entices me. It is also an amazing way for me to give back for all the support and encouragement that has been bestowed upon me. Sorry to be somewhat vague but I promise I will fill you in on the details as this all unfolds. Exciting!

Running, as you know, has given me so much. Lately I’ve had some disappointments and I took those pretty hard but when I stumble I get right back up and move forward. I’m of the mind that the tough runs help me grow and the awesome ones remind me why I love to run. I’ve come so far from those first runs on the treadmill where I thought 3 minutes was going to result in collapse or even worse, my certain demise. I remember when 5K seemed like the longest distance in the world. I said that about 21.1K too. Now I am considering new goals and milestones.

I’ve already started booking events for 2014. My goal for all of these events is to cross the finish line stronger than I have in the past. I also want to try to improve my pace and increase my distances. It looks like my next year is shaping up to be quite the adventure.

This is what I have registered for so far…

Robbie Burns 8K
Burlington, Ontario
January 26, 2014

Chilly Half Marathon
Burlington, Ontario
March 2, 2014

Mississauga Marathon (Half)
Mississauga, Ontario
May 4, 2014

Sulphur Springs Trail Run 25K
Ancaster, Ontario
May 24, 2014

I’ll likely be adding the Toronto Yonge Street 10K and possibly the Mercedes 10K to the list as well as a few 5Ks, Run for the Toad and the Oasis ZooRun. I’m also seriously considering running the half or maybe even the full marathon at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in Fall 2014.

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oops—an unscheduled training break

I’m taking a small break from running and some of my other fitness activities because I managed to inadvertently  injure myself. I am notorious for being a bit of a klutz and it always seems to be the left foot that is the problem. During training for my first half marathon I dropped a cutting board on my left foot. I twisted my ankle on our bike trip through the Laurentiens this past summer. Then a few weeks ago I strained the ankle at a trail running event. That’s not what has me on the injured list though.

A few weeks ago I decided to purchase some new five pound hand weights. I used them on Saturday morning and then sat them beside my big oak desk with the intent of putting them away. Later in the day I saw that my three year old daughter Kaia was about to do something that would cause her to get hurt so I leapt out of my chair and slammed my left foot directly into one of the weights. I held back the expletives that were about to roll off the tip of my tongue. I continued on and took care of the issue with Little Miss Chevious. Then I finally looked down at my foot.

What I saw reminded me of Spock doing the Vulcan V thing with his hand. The toe next to my big toe was in its normal position but the middle toe was leaning drastically towards the outside of my foot. Crap! I taped the middle toe to another toe and hobbled around for the remainder of the afternoon.  By evening my foot started to turn all kinds of funky shades of blue and purple. The throbbing was intense and with that I decided to go to the emergency ward. I tucked Kaia safely in her bed. My friend Laurie came over to keep an eye on the kids and my friend Carla dropped me off at the hospital. I knew that there wasn’t much that could be done but I am also diabetic and I needed the piece of mind that there wasn’t going to be an issue where I could possibly have an infection.

A few hours later the doctor sent me for an x-ray and confirmed what I had feared. I had a pretty good lateral fracture in the middle toe and a tiny fracture in the toe next to my big toe. He re-taped them and told me that I may not be able to run for as long as 8 to 10 weeks. After speaking with many runners and my own doctor it seems 4 to 5 weeks is a more realistic timeline. Phew! Good thing because the thought of not running for 10 weeks makes me shudder. Go figure… me; the same person who hated anything physical is now totally ticked about not being able to put on shoes on and go for a run. Not to mention that I have a slew of races coming up in the New Year including my second half-marathon in early March.

It has been almost a week and the toes are finally starting to feel better. Today I could get a shoe on for the first time since I did this to myself. Who knows, maybe the break is a good thing (I mean the time off and not the toes). I will certainly be thankful when I can run again. I figure sometimes things happen in life to remind us of what brings us joy and to help us appreciate that more.

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