New Online Trainer & Injury Update

I was lucky enough to win a month of online personal training from personal trainer and bodybuilder, Karen Nolan-Evans. Karen also just won  Miss Physique BNBF Wales 2013.  

I am excited for this opportunity, but also a little scared!!  Lol!  I have been working out on my own for over a year now, but with a personal trainer, I'll be monitored (and pushed if needed!) and be accountable - exactly what I need right now.  

If any of you are interested in trying out an online personal trainer, I urge you to send Karen a message on her Facebook page (click here) or email her at KNolanEvans@aol.co.uk  

She offers many different options to meet your needs and goals:

I will keep everyone updated on my progress working with Karen, and post on my blog here and on my Facebook page My Journey to Getting Fit and Healthy.  Be sure to check back often, or better yet, sign up to follow my blog (the link is on the right hand side of this page).

INJURY UPDATE

My plantar faciitis, as I have mentioned in my last couple of blogs, is healing quite nicely.  I have been doing exercises, rolling a ball underneath my foot, new insoles in my running shoes, and of course, KT Tape. I did a run yesterday and I had no pain during or after. Even waking up this morning and walking on it, there was no pain.  Yay!

I had a fun run yesterday, my daughter rode the horse, and I ran and walked along beside.  We went down the road, through some fields, and through trails in a neighbour's woodlot.  It was a fun time (except for the deerflies that kept eating us).  

I am in Love with KT Tape!!

If you read yesterday's post, you will already know that I am suffering a flare-up of plantar faciitis.  A very, very painful flare-up.  During my lunch break yesterday, I went out and bought my first roll of KT Tape.  As you can see, I got hot pink :)  I want my tape to be pretty and girly - lol. 

I wasn't sure how much it would help, or if I'd even get it on right, but with the pain I was in, I was ready to give anything a shot.  I went on YouTube and checked out the great how-to videos from KT Tape.  

The pink is so pretty

I watched it twice, and then gave it a go.  Here is my taped foot.  I think I did quite well, and the video was easy to follow (thank you KT Tape).

 I was ready to show off my beautiful pink tape and super taping job, and can you believe it, no one noticed!!  So I had to make a point of showing my friends and co-workers.
Maybe I should have gotten the purple to match my shoes....hmmmm.   Next purchase will be purple...or bright blue...soooo many cute colours to choose from!!

Within just a couple of hours, I couldn't believe the difference in the pain - it was almost gone.  Yes, I was taking anti-inflammatories also, but I was before I applied the tape too.  The KT Tape made it bearable to walk.  I am so impressed!!!
When I woke up this morning, I had no pain when I got out of bed - yippee!!! Even sleeping with the tape on, plus a shower, it is still sticking strong.  I am so happy that I tried the tape!  I know that I need to do exercises for my plantar faciitis, and I need to get good support insoles, etc.  KT Tape doesn't "cure" it, but it sure helped with pain relief.

Day 2 and still staying in place

*KT Tape did not pay for this review, nor was I contacted to do this review.  These are my personal opinions and experience with the product.

Awesome Run & Plantar Faciitis

Our longest training run yet!!!

Even though it has been so hot and humid here, I have to get out and run in it to acclimatize myself (and my daughter) so we can continue with our summer races (yes, we have become addicted like so many of you predicted when I first announced that I was running a 5k!).

Yesterday started out breezy and cloudy when we left, my daughter, our Pug Lola, and myself.  Not long into our run the sun came out and seemed to just bake us.  The country side road that we took is wide-open farmland with few trees along the road, so there was no shade at all for relief.

We stopped on the sideroad overpass to watch the traffic

My daughter checking out the traffic - you get quite a dizzy feeling looking over the edge!

It soon became apparent that it was just a little too hot for poor Lola, so I called my older daughter to come with the car and take poor Lola home to cool off in the air conditioned house.  Lola was more than happy to hop in the car with her :)

Lola took a chance to cool off in a water puddle.

We made it to our turnaround point, but it was so hot that our walk breaks became longer and our running time became shorter.  I was having a good time (my daughter kept complaining though, lol) and enjoyed the long run/walk session.  I couldn't believe how wet my shirt was from the sweat, but that is good!!  Sweat doesn't scare me!

At our half-way point.

It got to the point it was just placing one foot infront of the other to make it home.

Nice calorie burn!!  Oh, and a "nice" sunburn to go with it.

I was very happy with the workout, and had a nice calorie burn. That always makes me happy :) :)

What didn't make me happy was the pain in my left foot that began not long after we got back.  I had a sneaking suspicion that it was my plantar faciitis flaring up - NOT good news, I have races coming up!!!  Aghhhhh!!

And a flare-up of my plantar faciitis.  My first try with KT tape.

I have purchased some KT tape, and following the company's how-to videos, have applied it to my foot.  Along with anti-inflammatory meds and exercises, I hope it heals.  I'll be sure to keep you updated on my training and the faciitis.   Keeping my fingers crossed!