The Seasons are Changing

It's no surprise that summer is over and fall is here.  Which SUCKS.  Don't get me wrong - I love fall. It's one of my favourite seasons. But the transition between summer and fall wreaks havoc on my body.  It's something about going from warm to cold I suppose. (The same happens at the beginning of summer, when it goes from cold to hot) But I want to sleep ALL THE TIME.  Like I'm tired on a normal day, but when the seasons change it's almost a little bit ridiculous.  And unfortunately I can't just nap whenever I want to. I used to have that option, but I've been so busy lately that I can't even sneak a nap into my busy schedule.  So I risk falling asleep wherever I am (in the office, in the van, at a class...) It's pretty terrible.  I always tell people that they aren't allowed to complain to me about being tired. Until you have felt the fatigue I feel, you cannot complain!

As you've noticed, I haven't posted all summer.  It was a busy summer.  So to re-cap: 
- MS-wise, things were good. I handled the heat well, even spending time on the beach.
- The only issue was the spring-to-summer transition, like mentioned above, and that took a lot out of me.  Again, I wanted to sleep all the time.  Fatigue sucks.
- I kinda fell off the wagon on my working out, which I'm feeling effects of now when I went back to dance class.  My foot isn't as strong as it used to be and I can't dance on my toes much anymore.  But I'm back into running again so I'm hoping it will strengthen up again quickly.

Like I said, I've been busy.  Last week I finally realized that I have too much on my plate and I have to cut it back somewhere before I relapse.  The way I've been going, it could be any time.  So I'm trying to slow down. I'm so lucky to have Jason, who keep the house in order (somewhat) while I'm busy with work and cakes.  Now I just need to teach him how to cook...

2014 Team

I am so proud of my MS Walk team this year, as usual. Together we raised $5,756.42! Fantastic!

Thank you to everyone who supported us, and to my lovely family and friends who walked this year: Jason, Cherie, Derrell, Dad, Judy, Rhonda, Derek, Carrie, Jay, Andrea, Shelley, Tamara, Mike, Greg, Ali, Holly, Cory, and Amanda. And of course the kids: Logan, Raina, Brenna, Sienna, Dawson, Whitney, Elizabeth, Damien, Treyton, Alexa, Emersyn, Alex, and Emmy!

I take it back!

I guess I'm taking back what I said in my last post about never running a 5k cause I DID IT!!

I usually run 3.5k when I'm on my treadmill, so the other day I figured I would try doing 5k. Even if it meant walking most of it. My goal was to do it in 45 minutes or less. Well I did it in 40.05! Although I could care less about my time - I actually did it! I was so happy I cried! I never thought I'd be able to.  (And just to make things even better I shaved more time off yesterday and ran it in 39.75!)

Pretty good, considering I thought my drop foot would always hold me back. But now I know that I can push through it.  Yay me!

Bye Bye Marathon

Ugh.

I should just accept the fact that I'll never be able to run a marathon. Or a 10k. Or even a 5k.

I love to run. I run on my treadmill a few days a week. But that's the only place I will run.  Scratch that - that's the only place I CAN run.

I have foot drop.  Really, that's the only symptom I have of my MS.  And it's a pain in my butt.  No, it doesn't hurt, but it annoys me.  What that means is my toes don't lift off the ground like they're supposed to.  That part of my brain doesn't tell my foot to lift high enough, and the muscles are weaker.  So when I run, like I love to do, when I start to get tired, my foot scuffs the ground. I'm surprised I don't have holes in my shoes. And then I trip.  So that's why I can only run on my treadmill.  It gives me a little extra bounce to lift my toes because if I run on solid ground, there is no spring, my toes scuff, I trip, and then I face plant.  I haven't done it yet, but I would if I ran outside.  I do trip on my treadmill too, but at least I have something to grab onto before my face hits the belt.

I wear this thing that supposedly helps my toes lift. I think it does to an extent, but I don't think it's meant for runners. I have been researching though and found another product, and it's even been used by some to run marathons.  Unfortunately though, the only Canadian distributor is in Quebec.

So I guess I should just accept that fact that I'll never run the distance I'd love to.  But at least I CAN RUN. It could always be worse.