Triumph!

The photo above was taken on Saturday, September 7, 2024 not long after I finished the Campbell & Haliburton Insurance Family 5K run at the annual Queen City Marathon in Regina.

Behind every photo there is a story and there is definitely a story here.

In August of 2023 I started experiencing some discomfort in the big toe on my right foot.  As I was, at the time, only walking (not running) at events, Dave and I thought I had just strained a tendon in my foot.  However, it did not get any better and by January 2024 I could barely walk 2 km’s.  I remember taking the dog for a walk on the bike path and hardly being able to make it around the lake.  For someone who likes to be outside walking and hiking, this was distressing.

I had already sought medical attention to no avail in 2023 so I pressed harder.  What followed was a series of x-rays and ultrasounds that eventually determined that I had minor bunions on both feet along with arthritis in the hallux joint (where the big toe meets the foot) on both feet.  In addition, the IT band (fibrous tissue that runs along the outside of each leg) was weak and had very little strength.

It was a relief to finally have a diagnosis.  Now, what do I do about it?

The first step was a series of physio appointments to get a plan in place to strengthen the toes and the IT band.  Diclo In Diffusimax was also prescribed.  If you haven’t heard of that it is a compound ointment that is 10x the strength of Voltaren – best stuff ever!  And, for good measure, I saw a sports doctor and received hyaluronic acid injections into the hallux joint on both feet to lubricate the joints – OUCH!  No pain…no gain, right?

It was amazing to me how much care was required for something as small as a toe but I did everything I could and was able to run/walk my events last year.  The QCM event was my final event of 2024 and even though it was a hot 32 degrees Celsius I ran/walked my second best time ever in 39:18 and in the women’s group of 256 I finished 35th which, for me was a fantastic result that I was super happy with!  The gain was worth the pain!

The journey was not easy.  Specific steps needed to be taken in order to literally get me “back on my feet” for the season.  I took all of those steps and finished the season with an excellent result!

Is there something you want to work on right now?

What specific steps can you take to set you up for success?

Recommended Resources

-          Article by Medium – “The Power of Taking Small Steps to Achieve Your Goals” - https://beyouonlybettereveryday.medium.com/the-power-of-taking-small-steps-to-achieve-your-goals-3b56d58caf9c

-          Tedx Talk by Mark Steel – “Achieving  Big Goals with Small Steps” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9Z9UBQKuB8

Monthly Challenge

-          Draw a set of steps on a piece of paper.  At the top of the page write down one goal, then write out the steps you need to take to reach it.