When life gives you lemons...

drink a lemon-flavoured energy drink?  Check out the latest Kendall to register for the Rattle Me Bones race:

That’s right, my MOM! 

When I was training for the Rattle Me Bones race in 2011, I never imagined that:

a) I would be lying in the hospital on race day;

b) My parents would be visiting me in the hospital everyday for 3 months;

c) My parents would learn to run, training with me for the Rattle Me Bones race in 2012.

What better evidence to show that the Ottawa Hospital gave us life?

Last week, I told you about how the Rehab Centre gave my brain a workout.  Working our way down the body:  let me tell you about how it helped me regain strength in my hands and arms.  I saw an occupational therapist at least three times a week.  She was a kind and cheerful presence, and gave me all sorts of tools so that I could bathe and dress myself.   Who knew there was an assistive device for putting socks on, or that walkers can be walked into a shower, or that meter-tall shoehorns are a thing?  The Occupational Therapy department helps patients build or regain their daily living and work skills.  I even had the opportunity to do woodworking (!).  Now, we Kendall girls were not exactly bred for the workshop, but as soon as I could weight-bear through my broken arms, I successfully made a birdhouse for my parents.  Eric from the Rehab Centre spent countless hours teaching me to saw, drill, paint, etc.  My arms and spirits were so much stronger for it.

So, obviously, let’s support the Ottawa Hospital!  With so much support for my run already, I clearly needed to get my bake on.  My first “thank you” batch of ginger cookies has been delivered.  You could be next.

Thanks to the kind advice from blog-readers, I have been able to work on my running technique.  With only 39 days left until the Rattle Me Bones, I realized something’s gotta give.  Thank you Hanaa for the wicked video on drills to improve stride-length.  I have also found the Adaptive Motor Trainer (AMT) machine at my gym to be extremely helpful in the stride-length and hill-climbing departments.  Essentially, it is the lovechild of the elliptical and stair-climber.  If your gym has an AMT, I highly recommend it.  Or, you could come kick it with us at the RA Centre!

Let’s have my running mom suggest a running song: I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas.  One of my all-time favourites also.