What to Do When You Have Plantar Fasciitis

Four months ago I noticed that the soles of my feet felt tender with my left one being particularly bad. I was asking Gary for more foot rubs and I remember saying that it felt like I was walking on bruises. Now, this was not too strange for me for three reasons. I had started teaching three months prior which meant long hours in dress shoes on a hard surface. Secondly, I have always had very "bad" feet (fallen arches) and wear runners with orthotics whenever I'm not at work. Finally, I had gained weight which means there was even more pressure on my feet. These are three of the main risk factors.

When it got to the point where I didn't feel better each morning I started looking into what it could be and realized this was Plantar Fasciitis. I went to massage, physiotherapy and finally a podiatrist.
*I am not a doctor so please go and see a professional if you are concerned.* 

This is what I found worked best for treating Plantar Fasciitis:

Run With Me!

I've always been a runner.  I've never been a `good' runner in regards to great times but it is something I have done for years.  I used to run cross country in high school, and before I had kids, I did three half marathons and frequent 10 km races.  After 3 pregnancies (and years of sleep deprivation), and about 2 years total of dealing with an autoimmune disease (Graves),  I feel like my body has the energy and desire to run again.  My plan right now it to stick to the 5 km runs as it is not hard on my body and the training required is realistic while maintaining balance in my life.

I have been running in the MEC Race Series.  I love it because it's local (Langley), affordable ($15), smaller in numbers, and every 2-3 months.   The next one is in Fort Langley on June 21st.  Have you ever wanted to run in a 5 km race?  Have you done it in the past and are ready to get back into it?  Join! 

If you're looking for a good program, I have used the couch to 5 km before and there are apps for it too.  It's a combination of running and walking until you are able to run the whole 5 km's. They also have numerous programs if you are wanting to train for a 10 km run.  

Here are some friends that have been in the last two runs....

{Estelle ran her first 5 km race and rocked it!}

{Tamara ran the 5 km race at Williams Park with her sweetest little family cheering her on!  Great work, Tamara!} 

{Frances did the 5 km in the first of the series and then got a personal best in the 10 km for the second one!}

So the question is: Will you sign up?   If you currently run and use a program, I'd love to hear about it!

Love,

Louise

Run For The Cure 2014

May our children never have to run in memory of us.  Look at all these little ones my mom was never able to meet (besides Ani).  It's sad, but at the same time, her legacy lives on as she was an awesome mother and some of that rubbed off on us all.

{The picture above was taken by the Abby News which we saw on their facebook site! Super dad!  I promise I was there, I'm just behind the lady with the pink hat :)}

Kai Bear ran the whole 5 km and finished in 33 minutes.  Koen ran about 2 km of it and jumped in the stroller with Nya for the rest (Gary pushed them and finished well ahead of Kai and I).  I finished about 30 seconds after Kai. 

{The picture above is from my sister Jackie.  I'm red faced and cheering but I love that I'm finishing  the race with my daughter; Nya Greta, named after my mom}   

We finished the run by celebrating Thanksgiving with my side of the family.  The kids are at an awesome age for it which means that the adults can get a bit more conversation in.

And then....Kai Bear got to fly from Chilliwack back to Langley with Opi, Ani and Izzy!  Apparently Kai asked Opi to do a barrel roll and he `pretty much did half of one'.  Not sure about that :) 

Thanks for hosting Thanksgiving lunch, Nana Jo.  Thanks for being a fun grandpa, Opa Jack! 

Although I no longer have my mom (and greatest cheerleader), I do have a giant team behind and around me.

Love,

Louise

Run For The Cure 2013

Today we participated in the Run for the Cure. Again. Every year.  It was a GORGEOUS day and so it was perfect.  This day is primarily to honour my mom and then also to raise support to fund cancer research.  I know there has been some information going around about how terrible they are at fundraising (they have a D-) and how much actually ends up going to research.  However, a friend of mine is going through treatment right now and says that she supports it as it allows her to try new drugs.  Overall the charity has a B- I believe.

Onto more positive things...everyone was there except  for Steve and my sister Jan.  However, Maria's friend Tessa joined us again which was nice.

I have not run 5 km in about 6 months as I've just been to tired/sick/busy.  I've run 3 km about once/week but that's it.  So, I thought I would run it with Kai so it would be okay to walk:)

Little did I know that he would be able to run the whole thing!  We had a slow and steady pace going and by the 4 km mark, he just took off and I `let' him go.  He finished in 35:15.  I was 20 seconds behind him. I was shocked that he could run it no problem, it was amazing to me.  Although,  I guess if he can do the Grouse Grind, he can run 5 km!  I kept saying `Kai, do you want to walk?' and he would just say, `No matter what, I'm not walking'.  He's a bit competitive:)  Where could he get that from?

Gary pushed Nya and Koen in the double jogging stroller.  He let them out so they could finish the race.  He was the second double stroller in this year...he better pick up the pace next year! Ha.  Koen is convinced he will run it next year.  Put Kai in front of him, and he will!

Nya and Hannah being cute together pre race.

My running buddy:)

I have had a very, very, veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery busy few weeks with weddings, sessions and subbing (and life).  I feel exhausted.  Thankfully I now have almost two weeks `off' to work on those photos.  Nya has been a little more needy/annoying lately.  I feel bad saying that but she has been frustrating me when I feel that she is constantly screaming for something.  She has also been up before 6am the past few days as well...  

Hope you had a fantastic weekend.  Kai and I were talking during the run about how my mom was probably cheering us on.  I was so proud of him.  Not his time necessarily but just his determination.  You can do a lot with a little determination!

Love, Louise

A Look Back

Yesterday was the first time in a really long time that I had nothing on the calendar!  As much as I always think I would look forward to it, I quickly realize that unless there is a good book to read, I just fill my time getting things off the `To Do If There Is Any Spare Time' list.  Boring!!  Yesterday? I went through our photos from 2008-2012 and deleted about 3/4 of them to clear space and then burn discs of them.  They are backed up in two places, but you can never be too safe!

First of all, I realized that I have way too many pictures of my kids.  Wow.

Secondly, I realized that it is so amazing that I have been able to stay home with my kids and experience every day with them.  I know I give them my all and although it's not always fun, it is good for them and me.  I know it is not for everyone and I never even considered what `the plan' would be when we had kids beyond going back to work part time after Kai was born.

This is perfect timing as I'm feeling unsure of what I want to do with my life right now.  I want to be with my kids but I do need something more.   I'm an adventurous person and when `decipher that illness' is the most excitement I have for the day, it's not that fun.  On that note, Kai has a painful growth on his chest that I had to take him to the dr. for this week....he's on antibiotics but they are not sure that it is an actual bacterial infection so I will bring him back in a few days.

So, for a fun look back, here are just a few random photos I found while going through the photos...
                                                                         
                                                       They were so cute and Bubi is in great condition!!

Below, Gary and I hiking Greendrop Lake.  I really need to go for a hike with my husband!  I love this picture.

Love Oregon.  That is what we are doing next summer.  Hopefully we'll find a solution to staying warmer at night.  LOVE Nehalem Bay State Park.

Love my boys.

Koen has such a zest for life.

Two weeks before Nya.  

And then there were three.

Gary has the great ability to nap anywhere at anytime.  Love you baby Nya!

We love Tofino.

And now, because we are running the race in one month (oh boy, better get running more than 3km again!), here is a look back at the last 5 years of the race.  This year I am not only running in memory of my mom but I am running for my friend Alissa.  I lived with her  for 6 months while I was in Kenya (we shared a bed and a hut and were the only mzungus, aka white people, that had lived within miles and miles) and she was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago and although she was in remission, it has come back and is in her hip.  She is younger than me and lives in Alberta with her husband and two kids.

2008 (Kai is 2 years old and I'm 6 months pregnant with Koen)

2009 (I was sick with Graves Disease and had to walk the 1 km)

2010

2011 (baby Nya was in utero..just 6 weeks pregnant!)

2012 (babies Hannah, Isaac, Jack, Nya and Georgia joined our team this year!)

I hope you are having a great week.  

As much as it can be boring to be at home, I am so thankful that I can be there every single day for them and with them.

Love, Louise

Run For The Cure 2012

It was a beautiful day to Run For the Cure in Abbotsford.  All of my sisters, brother-in-laws and nieces and nephews were able to be there.  It's an important day for me to remember and honour my mom and to also run for the future.  You know, my sisters, nieces, and my baby Nya.  I guess I should say that I know breast cancer can also affect men, but ya, women are way more at risk.   I have been doing this run for probably 12 years. This year my goal was to run under 40 minutes.  I didn't know how long it would actually take me so that's why I gave myself a super attainable goal:)  I did it in 32:53.  Not bad!  I wasn't pushing myself, just slow and steady.  Seriously though, these extra 20lbs make it way harder to run.  Hoping they are gone by next year:)  And, because it matters to my family, for those that ran, the order was: Gary, Trish, Jan and then me:)  

Thank you to everyone who supported our team, `Greta's Girls'.  Maria's friend Tessa joined our team and all together we raised about $1300.00.  

Koen ran to the finish line 4 times, that is his favourite part.  I was actually moving quickly here even though it looks like I'm not going to make it:)  Kai ran/walked the 5km's with Uncle Tyler.

Terrible picture of Nya but it was cold.  Her pink toque is so cute:)  Thanks to Tessa for holding her during the walk.   Do you realize how cute babies are in hoodies?!  Very cute.

A little breastfeeding before the run..makes things a bit more comfortable:)  On that note, Nya has been a terrible breastfeeder the past two weeks.  Only good at night. Oh well, no choice, still love it and we're going to make it work!  Besides, it is good to help decrease your chances of breast cancer. 

My family.  Love these kiddos!!!

The team!  I thought we had everyone but noticed that Steve is missing from the picture.  Hard to get everyone together at once!  Looking forward to seeing all the babies walking the track next year:) Soooooo cute!

There's a picture of Steve (and Trish and Hannah).

On the topic of breast cancer, if you had the option to have genetic testing done to see if you had the breast cancer gene, would you?  

Running For My Mom

These pictures are taken about 34 years apart. Mom and me. Me and Nya. I wish so badly that I could have a photo with the three of us together:) My mom was so incredibly happy when I was born. I was the first child and they waited a long time for me. My mom LOVED being a mom. I miss her a lot. I find that by having a daughter, I feel more connected to her. When I look at Nya with awe, I feel how my mom must've felt looking at me.

I fear getting cancer, I really do. Both of my parents had it...more than once. I really, really, really want to be a grandma one day. I want to see my kids become adults. I want to be around when Gary retires.

We are doing the Run For The Cure again in just 3 weeks and this time we'll have 5 more babies on our team! If you feel like you would like to donate, I still would like to raise an additional $75.00 (and I'm thinking Gary still needs to raise $150!).

You can click here to support me or here to support Gary.

If you have a mom, give her a hug and tell her you love her:)

Love,

Louise

PS Doesn't my mom have a great smile? I miss that smile and her laugh. She had a great/terrible laugh where she didn't hold back.

Join Me?

All right, so, next week I will be 6 weeks post surgery and allowed to run! I am planning on doing a plan like this and see how I like it. I think I usually ran 5km about 8-9 weeks after each of the boys were born so this should be no problem as the 5km wouldn't be until about 12 weeks after Nya was born.

My question is, who wants to do this with me? Anyone? It doesn't mean we run together (unless you want to!), it just means that you stick to a program like this. I can tell you now that my `cross train' days will just be days that I go for a walk:)

And then, on August 11th (`Race Day' which would be a Saturday, not the Sunday), we could do a 5km run! This is one that I found somewhat locally. Run for prostrate cancer in West Vancouver...I love a nice run along the water! You don't have to sign up for this run, I just know I do best when I have something to train for and a plan in place.

Or, we could just do our own 5km along the Fort to Fort Trail or something.

Any takers? No worries if no one is in, I'm still going to do it!

Yahoo, I/we get to start next week:)

Love, Louise

Run For The Cure Race Day!

Okay, so it's not really a `race' as it's more a time to honour those that have had breast cancer. However, amongst the sisters, it is kind of a race:) It is always a really wonderful way to remember my mom and for the kids to feel connected to an oma they never met. This year, our group was a bit smaller as we were down two sisters, their husbands, and their big baby bellies. Regardless, we still had a wonderful time (besides that fact that they started 30 minutes late...seriously organizers, think about people with kids!!).

The winner of the sisters for this year was MARIA!! Way to go. She beat me by about a minute, I guess it helps to actually run once in a while:) I came in around 34 minutes (I would rather be closer to 32 but oh well!). Gary was ahead of me by quite a ways, as always, pushing the boys in the double stroller. He's always the first double stroller in (second of all strollers today:) I have to say that it was a nice leisurely run and I enjoyed it! I love the nature paths that we run on, it was good. Yay for a healthy body!!!

Looking forward to seeing how many kids there will be in our family next year!!

{Yes, my eyes are closed...Jackie, Tyler, Nut, Steve, Dad and Joanne, hope to see you next year!!}

Kai finished the last 200 meters with me. He then said, `Mommy, you were the first of the slow group! I couldn't believe it, I thought you would be last!'. First of the slow group? Dude, there's not slow group and I did just fine. Thought I would be last? Dude, your mother is in decent shape.

{Kai and I running to the finish line. He met me on the other side of the track and we ran the rest together.}

Thank you to all of those who supported me, I raised $250.00 in 24 hours! Incredible! Thank you to KS, LW, TF, MV, SS, and MB.

Miss you mom. So thankful to have had you in my life!!

Love, Louise