Just walk

(Sorry about the feet picture...)

One fact about me is that I had bunions on both of my feet since I was probably 12 years old. I asked the doctor if it was possible to do something about it because it was very painful and I would have random cramps in my left foot that would paralyze me for a few seconds. The answer I received was; it doesn’t hurt you enough. And that was that.

I ran multiple half marathons even though my feet were painful, I did a full one in 2011 and that’s when everything went sideways. Because of the pain, I would run on the side of my feet which would misaligned my knees, my hips and create a domino effects of problems. I broke my pelvic bone with a stress fracture after my full marathon and ever since, I almost stopped completely running. In 2022, after wearing steel toe boots for 7 years, I just couldn’t endure the pain any longer and I asked my doctor to remove them. She said yes right away after looking at them. I had my first surgery in March 2023. My mom had to come and live with me because I couldn’t walk the first few days due to the pain of getting a piece of bone taken out of my body and a bone chop in two…and the rod to keep everything in place.

Prior to the operation, I had started to train a little bit. My shift was 6 am to 6 pm so I would go to work on my bike (13km one way…but with devilish hills). During winter time, I would use my stationary bike and did some spinning sessions (I use to be a spinning instructor) I had always been an active person but since my carrer started, I’m not going to lie…I had taken a slide down the rabbit hole…even more when COVID hit because everything was closed. Anyway, long story short, I knew I was going to be on complete rest for a while (didn’t know how long) so I decided to get back in (some sort of) shape. After two weeks post surgery, I started doing yoga sitting down. I added biking with my right leg a few days after that to see how my foot would respond. I started with 10 minutes and gradually added minutes. I would watch series or a movie while doing it and learned about Zwift, which COMPLETELY changed my motivation for indoor biking.

If you don't know about this platform, it’s a training app for runners/walkers and bikers that uses the Bluetooth connexion with your speed sensor. When you spin, your avatar moves. You can choose from many different landscapes and you have tones of training of different lengths. It felt like a video game and…I just got hooked on discovering every land. You can also train with other people in real time, join many groups or just ride on your own. There also is a chat room where you can send messages to your fellow riders. 

Once the rod was removed, I decided to start walking. Boy! was it painful but not where you would think. Mind you, I grew up in Montreal where I would walk every where I needed to go. I bought my first car at 27 years old and moved to a tiny village, 13 km away from the “big” city that is Amqui (6 000 people)…so after 2 km, my muscles in my hips would unpleasantly be awaken, not mentioning how I felt the next day! I was so sore! I couldn’t believe that my legs were so out of shape like that…after being a marathoner…So I decided that I would walk at least 5km everyday or so. I wanted to run again but I figured that if I couldn’t walk for 5km without being sore, how could I expect my body to run again. I put on a podcast and off I went. It became a sort of therapy because I mindfully chose my podcast, The Mel Robbins podcast (which I will talk about in another blog). She helped me with so many things in my life but mainly, I made it a date with her and myself, to be mindful and get something super positive in my daily routine. Even when I work, I am on the night shift and a coworker of mine bought a treadmill and I try to walk at least 1h every shift. At home, I kept riding my bike every day. I gradually added the gym once a week and I can confidently say that it payed off. I had my second surgery April 10th 2024 and I am already running again, beating my personal bests and going to gym 4 times a week now. I am faster on my bike, I can go longer distances before feeling tired and I am not scared of hills anymore because I know I am stronger now that I have been for the last 10 years. 

In 2023, I took part in the Paramedic ride in Quebec and added 3 extra days to ride with the Ontario edition to commemorate the 10 years anniversary even tho my foot would still be sore and swollen from time to time. I did what I could and that was the most important part. 

All of this to say that if you think that a small effort or change in your daily routine won't have a big impact in the long run, I am here to tell you that this narrative is what makes you stall. No, walking 1 km won't help you run a marathon this year…but if you keep on walking, adding little by little distances and new positive changes, in the long run, you will see the results and you will be amazed! It will pay off, I promise. I am also here to tell you that you got this, I believe in you and that you are so much more stronger than you think. 

Stay active and positive! xxx