Run Brigitte Run

Happy Fourth of July to our American cousins

2008-07-04T09:14:00.001-04:00

Happy Canada day

2008-07-01T09:03:00.002-04:00

On other news, I had to go to the hospital for a routine check up on my BP last monday. There was a 2 year old there that had the worst cold/influenza you could imagine. Fast forward 5 days ago, I started to have a fever and the sniffles. And today, yes today is absolutely the worst day of all. There is not one inch on my body that doesn't hurt. My ears are in pain. When I cough, I see stars. But at least, no more fever. So, for almost a week now, I haven't done anything outside.
That said, I am going back to bed. One way or the other, this will be over soon, I just hope that I survive...

the doors and windows are in.

2008-06-25T09:13:00.006-04:00

We didn't hear any noise last night for the first time since we moved in this house.
What a difference. I can just imagine how much warmer the house will be this winter.

I am off to continue building the Ikea furniture.

2nd run 3.35 km 35 minutes

2008-06-22T12:05:00.003-04:00

I still have to pinch myself. No pain once again. And if Garmin is right, I can actually run at a pace of 6.15 mpk. Same thing for the walking, I can actually walk at a pace of 8.15 mpk. I guess my legs are more powerful now that I can put my foot on the ground the right way.
I am very happy.
I have to find a stretch now or maybe an exercise for my ligaments on the side of my tigh. Because they feel like they are wounded up like elastic. But one thing at a time. I will get the right way with all.

In other news, we are now the proud owners of a plasma 1080P Panasonic tv and a Wii!!! And I am ashamed to say that I played Wii sport boxing so much that I am actually soar this morning all around my chess and rib cage.
I now have to shop around for the new digital recorder of Videotron for HDTV.

Have a nice sunday, I am off to Ikea for a futon/sofa bed for my daughters when they come over and sleep to our house.

3.9 km 36 minutes 1-9

2008-06-19T10:35:00.005-04:00

Hurray!!!!! I ran today. WITHOUT ANY PAIN
Oh my God!!!! What a feeling.
I am so happy. I tapped my knee. I am not sure I have it exactly like my physio does it but close. And off I went. Very surprise to not feel pain at all in my knee. I was very cautious when putting my foot on the ground. That is something that I absolutely have to be aware of because it is part of the problem. So I have to concentrate on putting my foot down completely on the ground.
The first minute, I actually ran 2 minutes. I didn't do it on purpose, I swear. It is just that the minute was over and I didn't realize it. I am very happy about that because it means that I didn't fully loose my fitness. When I first started running, the first minute would just not end. What a struggle it was.

I can't wait for saturday morning. Yes I am going again. And yes I will wait until next week, monday morning, to run 2 minutes. I have made an oath, I will not hurry this up and I will take my time. I will back off if there is pain, any kind of pain. Pain is never good. And no pain no gain is absolute crap. Same goes for pain is just weakness leaving your boy. Whoever came up with those quotes didn't know anything about the mechanism of the human body.

This is not about running in a race, it is about gaining my fitness back. And if it takes me 6 months to run 9/1, then that is the time that it will take me. I don't care if I don't run in a race until next year or ever of that matter. It is about something else. I paid the price with pain for too long. Never again.
I will never let myself be bullied by anybody into racing to truly find myself and blablabla. Some of us are not gazelle, some of us are not olympic athlete. Not everybody owns a F1 motor or frame. And that is fine by me. I know what I am worth, I don't need to show the world with any kind of numbers. No offense to anybody. :)

I am floating on air right now. Life is beautiful. Thank you God.

hurray!!!!

2008-06-18T14:26:00.002-04:00

Guess what I am doing tomorrow morning????? I have the okay to go for a jog. Rain, no rain, I am going. Nothing will hold me back.
My knee is so much better. I have been diligent about the exercises and the @#$%*& massage to break down the cicatricial tissue on my thigh ( Holy F..k it hurts!!! and I went trough labor 6 times so my pain threshold is mighty high...)So when I saw the physio this morning he said ok, then, let's up the exercises a bit. I am not allowed to go for more then 10 minutes in a row. I told him, no problem, it has been so long that I am sure I am going to have to build up from the beginning again, so probably 1-9. He said fine then no more then 30 minutes. Only 3 minutes jogging in all but I will take anything. And you can be damn sure I will go extra, extra slowly at building distance and time up. I have had so much pain that I will listen. The old me would have run today but he said that I couldn't today because of the intense session I had with him ( trust me, it was : electric session while doing the chair on the bosu ball for 15 minutes, stepping down on one leg 15 minutes, biking 15 minutes and of course the wonderful breaking down of the tissue...ouch, double ouch and even tripple ouch).
I am doing my happy danse here. Is it tomorrow morning yet???

lessons of life with cats

2008-06-17T06:48:00.005-04:00

When you hear a big thump/metal noise in the night...
When you painted the day before and didn't seal the paint can because you had some touch up to do and were just too tired to do them right away...
Even if you are very, very, very tired...
Specially when you have cats...
GET UP!!!!!

this is the only picture I could find on Google that mildly, I said mildly ressemble the mess that we had this morning when we woke up. The spill was about the size of an extra large pizza and the color of the paint is dark chocolate.
I just started to clean to see what I could prevent as damage and didn't think of the photo to remember the mess. I could have taken the paw prints from the mess to the hiding place. I just hope that there was not enough paint stuck to the paws to be toxic. And that is the thing, doesn't mean that the cat with the paint is the culprit.

the lost fingers

2008-06-14T17:34:00.002-04:00

a new group from Quebec. They are doing covers in a jazz version.
Very cool. I love their pump up the jam version and of course Careless whisper.
The lost fingers

electric girl

2008-06-13T12:30:00.004-04:00

Just came back from my third appointment with the physio.
I learn how to tape myself so that I can replace the tape in 2 days.
I got another electric session.
Standing on a bosu ball, connected to a machine placed on my tigh.

Anytime I felt the current contracting my tigh muscle, I had to do a squat. That lasted 15 minutes.
Then, the other electrical machine connected on my knee so that current goes trough it. For 15 minutes as well. As soon as I don't feel the current, because my brain is use to it, I have to raise the power.
My leg is still tangly.

it is the shit to be an adult

2008-06-12T19:28:00.003-04:00

***warning, self pitty post***
I am in a strange mood. I was all happy looking at the video of the birth of the new baby beluga at the Vancouver aquarium. Then I realize that those belugas are breed in captivity and that is just wrong!!!
I boycott Nike because of their child labor practice. I boycott Walmart because of their unfair business practices and the way they treat their employees. That means that I often end up going all around to find a store that is often selling way more the same item that I would have bought. And I still end up questionning myself of that stores business practices.
I pay more for vegetables and fruits that are organically grown so that kids don't get cancer from exposure to poison pesticides
I see almost everybody I know not giving a f#@k and shop at Walmart and buy Nike and eat whatever they want and buy their food anywhere they want.
I know that I am not doing all that I can do, it is just impossible to keep up to date with all the wrongs in this world.
But sometimes, just sometimes, I wish I was not aware of all of this.

sorry!!!

2008-06-09T15:14:00.002-04:00

Father's day is next week!!! Well I don't have a father to celebrate, so that is my excuse, it is lame and I am using it. :)

39 humidex

2008-06-08T14:59:00.005-04:00

This is what as been keeping us awake for the last 2 nights :
After looking on the internet, I finally found out that it is aleopard frog Now the video doesn't give justice to its true volume. It sounds like it is in the house, in the pokey's room actually. Problem is that it is soooooooo hot that there is no way we can sleep with the windows closed. Only 2 dodos left before they come for the AC. This house has absolutely no air circulation since the patio door doesn't have a screen, the front door doesn't have a screen and the 3 windows in the living room just don't open. I don't know how the previous owner did it. Before I forget : Happy Birthday to all the daddys out there.

I am happy

2008-06-05T12:43:00.002-04:00

Oh yeah baby! Went to the physio this morning. He said that it is not a big problem for my knee. 2 or 3 weeks should do it.
Basically, I don't put my orthetics anymore, I buy new shoes and I go to see him next week again.
My knee is inflamated but it is not an injury or something that is irreversible.
So I got an electrostimulation session ( calm down boys !!!), some exercises and some manipulations. And finally he put a tape on my knee that I have to wear 2 days. I can already feel the difference when I walk and when I climb or go down stairs.
I am very happy. He wants me to wait for the running until it is not swollen anymore and there is no more pain. But I am allowed to bike and walk.
So tomorrow, I am going to the running room to buy new shoes. And off we go.

Victory: KFC Canada Gives In to PETA's Demands

2008-06-01T19:43:00.001-04:00

Yep, you read that right. KFC Canada has given in to our demands, and we wanted you to be the first to hear all about it. This would not have been possible without all your hard work with signing petitions, handing out leaflets and stickers, and boycotting the restaurant chain. We're now ending our Kentucky Fried Cruelty boycott in Canada. (The boycott will continue in other countries where KFC has restaurants, including the United States, until they follow KFC Canada's lead.)

Basically, following seven months of closed-door negotiations between PETA and KFC Canada (which is owned by a different company than are KFC restaurants in other countries), we are thrilled to announce that KFC Canada has agreed to a historic new animal welfare plan that will dramatically improve the lives and deaths of millions of chickens killed for KFC Canada.

The company will take the following actions:

Phase in the purchasing of chickens from suppliers that use controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK) up to 100 percent—the least cruel form of poultry slaughter ever developed. KFC Canada is the first major restaurant chain to commit to phasing in the exclusive purchasing of chicken meat from CAK slaughterhouses.
Add a vegetarian "chicken" item to the menu of 65 percent of all Canadian KFCs. (Order it in a wrap without the mayo and it will be vegan!)
Improve its animal welfare audit standards to reduce the number of broken bones and other injuries suffered by birds.
Urge its suppliers to adopt better practices, including improved lighting, more space for birds, lower ammonia levels, and a phaseout of growth-promoting drugs and breeding practices that painfully cripple chickens.
Form an animal welfare advisory panel to monitor the changes and recommend further advancements.
This is an enormous victory for PETA and our supporters. We cannot thank you enough. Congrats on your hard work. Please also take a moment to email info@priszm.com (KFC Canada's parent company) and thank them for raising the bar on animal welfare.

While we get the next campaigns ready for you to take on, you might want to cook up some vegan fried "chicken" with the recipes found at vegcooking.com and brag to your friends and family about how you helped make a difference. And if you're looking for current campaign ideas, check this out.

Thanks, everyone!

Sincerely,

Pulin Modi
Senior Street Team Coordinator
My MySpace
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114/90

2008-05-29T15:54:00.009-04:00

I feel really exhausted today. And still very dizzy. But my BP went down alot. So that could be the reason.

We have installed the cedar hedge in the back. It looks very nice.

The garden is done too. We are using the coconut coir stuff this year. It looks nice and clean. We have to go get more at Canadian Tire.

Yesterday, I painted the pookey's room. Very pink. Altough on the photo it looks purplish. You can see the pasta robot family. :)
She chose it. The room is going to be a princess room of course. But I decided to forgo the bedset from the Disney's princesses. A bit to pricy ( 200$ for the blanquet alone because she has a double bed and that becomes a special order). We agreed on a quilt that my mom is going to make her. It will be a coverall for one that we already have.

The electrician came today. Took him 5 hours to change the whole electrical box. We should now get the furnace very soon. That is a good thing because it comes with AC and the temperature is slowly rising. Or I am getting hot flashes, I don't know anymore.
The windows and doors should be the second week of june.

We are still waiting for the check from the sale of the house. And then we can say that it is done.

I cannot wait to see the physio next week. I want to run. And now that my BP is cooperating, I could if my knee was not excruciatingly painful.
All I do is walk. I know that it is still exercise for my heart but it feels like I am doing nothing.

Tomorrow: Indiana Jones. I can't wait.

Ironman ( the movie, not the event)

2008-05-23T22:02:00.003-04:00

We went to see it tonight. It was pretty good. Not enough battles in my taste but all in all a decent flick.

I saw the doctor this afternoon. He changed my medication. My BP has been an average of 150/110 for the last 10 days. Not optimal yet. So I am still not allowed "hard" sports as he calls them. Walking and only walking. I have to see him again in one month. He did blood test again for my kidneys and my sugar level. It seems to be fine since he didn't call home.
I can start running once I am in the 90s for the diastolic. Same goes for weight lifting and biking on hills. Biking is out anyway until I see the physio. My knee cannot take it and it is still swollen. It has been more then 2 months. Even if I put cold and heat on it. And I tried the campher oil to. That had worked wonder on my ankle a few years ago. Mind you, it was in combination with physio and accupuncture. So I am pretty much putting all my faith in the physio, june 4th. Oh yeah.
I am so afraid of losing all my progress so far. It was going very well before the knee and the move.

Have a nice week-end people.

long week-end finished already

2008-05-20T09:19:00.003-04:00

We went for nice long walks on saturday night and sunday night. We are exploring our neighbourhood slowly.
We went to get my mom back from her cruise on sunday morning. Then we went to the old house to do the last cleaning, clean the floors, cut the grass. I succeeded in bringing back some strawberries plants, the pelownia and some hostas. We planted them as soon as we arrived here. I know that they will trive here and grow easely.
I brought back the tree that Nanne had planted for Bella. That way it will continue to grow here.
My lovey took out the stupid ac that was installed in the living room wall that goes in the garage. Turns out, the electric plug was cut anyway. So it wasn't working at all. Doesn't matter because we are getting the new furnace with ac very soon.

7.2 km 1h20 minutes

2008-05-16T13:10:00.002-04:00

I decided to go to the dollar store by foot with the pookie in the stroller. It was very nice but I am glad to be home. We left it was cold, 11 celsius but by the time I got to the store I was soaked. We bought everything to make another pasta robot . We had done one in the past and the pookie truly enjoyed it. But we were out of silver paint. So off we went. Now we have all the supplies.

The guy came for the renovation( we plan to change the garage into a big living room). Buuutttttt!!!! First of all, he is a plumber. He says, don't worry I do renovation to. Second, I ask how we go about to get a plan to have it approved by the city so that we can get the permit. He answer:"right, right for a project like that you would need a plan. You would also need a permit. When we do bathroom and small project we don't use a permit. I mean, the city gets us enough on the money." What???? Sooooo!!! we will be looking elsewhere to get the plan and see if they can recommand someone. Because the first guy that the inspector recommanded to us never called back. Second guy I got from Home Depot seems very shady. Hopefully, third time's the charm.

It is a long week-end here and we plan to enjoy it. My mom is coming back sunday and we are going to get her at the bus terminal. Then last cleaning of the old house, I will wash the floor while my lovey cuts the grass. Then we are back home and we can enjoy monday together. Yeah!!!

a nice walk again tonight

2008-05-15T19:57:00.004-04:00

We went for another walk tonight around the river. I love it. So beautiful and calm. I tought that the sound of the dam on the river would be nice.
There is also a little woodpecker on the tree in front of our house. He is not there everyday, so I don't know where he goes but tonight he was there when we came back from the walk. You can't see him on the video but you can hear him.

1 hour walk

2008-05-14T05:54:00.004-04:00

We went for a long walk last night across the bridge and into town. It was beautiful. Of course, I forgot my camera. But we saw a geese on the side of the river. I tought those were on farm usually. Except this one was right there in the wild. I don't know if it escape or what happen. I will bring my camera next time in case she is there.

Tonight, we are going to the notary again, but this time it is for the procuration for the sell of our house in Ste-Catherine. We won't be there as my lovey can't take a day off. Since my mom is not here( she is still on her cruise) we are bringing the pookie. Pray for us. :)

152/109

2008-05-13T16:07:00.003-04:00

It is much better but not perfect yet. I am so tired and I am dizzy most of the time. I know they are side effects from the new drug but I feel like I am 80 years old. I am spaced out to. So I rest and try to adjust but there is so much to do around the house. Lesson in patience( not my strongest point). Tonight I hope to go for a walk with my lovey. Last night, he was too tired. I should have gone alone but I was too tired to.
I painted the entrance closet today and emptied some more boxes. And I went for a mini walk with the pookie so she could practice with her bike. The goal is for her to become good enough taht she can ride her bike when we take our walks at night. I think her bike is not that good tough because the back wheel spins in space when she tries to pedal. We will see if it is time to buy a new one.

220/130

2008-05-11T20:30:00.002-04:00

Scary? Very scary, that was my BP this morning. I finally decided to go to the hospital because the base of my skull was feeling weird. And that is when I discovered that my BP was that high.
The doctor put me on medication. Good news is , they did blood works and a cardiogram and my heart is good and my blood is good ( my kidneys, my sugar...)
But the doctor said that some time, even with all the good intention in the world( i.e. diet, exercises) the BP needs medication and that is all.
So, I am on pills. He also said that until I see him in two weeks, may 23, I cannot run, bike hills or lift weights ( no boxes either). Walking is the only activity.
I have no family doctor but he agreed to see me at the follow up clinic in the emergency.
I am a little bummed but I know that it is something that I needed to do, now it is done. Hopefully, in a few pounds, I can get off the meds.
Happy mother's day to all the mommys in blogosphere.

12.62 kmh 47 minutes

2008-05-10T20:35:00.003-04:00

I went on Pierre Laporte ( the same road as the run with the dogs, but I figure that they wouldn't react the same with the bike). It was really good. I had some gravity induced peak of 32kmh in some of the hills. Very scary. I wonder how the triathlete do it. Of course, coming back I had to walk beside my bike on those hills. I went all the way down to 6kmh and 10 speed position, trying to climb them, after 10 minutes I just gave up and walk beside my bike. One day, I will climb those hills on my bike. It was a beautiful ride, almost no cars, very quiet. I love it. My butt got numb at 32 minutes, like clockwork. And both my wrist this time. But I love biking.

We went to Montreal last night after my lovey's work, we slept at my in-laws. They were very happy about that. We went for a 45 minutes walk. Of course, since the pookie had slept in the car on the way to their house, she fell asleep at 10h30.I was exhausted this morning. We are done at the old house. We got everything. We are going back in two weeks to cut the grass and wash the floors one last time. That is one good thing done.

My mom wrote me to let me know that Nanne was sick on the ship but Stephanie was doing great. Can't wait to see the pictures.

Good night people.

when you need a reason ( thank you Cheese)

2008-05-09T09:11:00.002-04:00

4 things :
- the extraordinary love of a father.
- motivation to live your life to the fullest.
- greatfullness for this body of mine that is healthy.
- greatfullness for the health of my beautiful daughters.

conquered my fear yeah!!! 8.77 km 41 minutes

2008-05-07T10:05:00.005-04:00

One fear down, one gazillion more to go!!!
I took the wood bridge with my bike. I was yelling the whole way but I did it. The wood plank were crakeling the whole time with my 228 pounds. Probably 30 pounds more for my bike. And I even pass back on it to come back. Yeah me.
I walked a bit on this bike ride because I went wrong ways and ended up in cul-de-sac but all in all it was beautiful. After 35 minutes, my butt began to go numb and my right wrist to. But I am surely doing something right with the weight training for the wrists.
I found some hills to. Very happy about that. When I am in top shape to run I will definitely go there for some hills repeat.
Beautiful area, beautiful weather.
I am off to start my vegetable patch and maybe my garden. They delivered the garden soil yesterday morning. My mom bought a yellow prune tree. I have to plant that to.