A Reminder About Stretching

By: Magi Scallion

All summer and fall I’ve been struggling with Plantar Fasciitis, which I thought was also morphing into a stress fracture.  It’s a hateful injury because rest and relaxation seems to be one of the few true roads to recovery… and, as any runner knows, that is a tough road to follow when you like to be outdoors and active.

Little did I consider that the onset of my plantar woes coincided with the time that I got “ultra busy” at work and canned my morning yoga sun salutations.  Let’s be clear that I was not an avid yogi, but I did make an effort to do 5 sun salutations every morning and a few hip opening poses in the evenings.  My total daily stretch routine was probably 15 minutes… so what sort of difference that does that really make?

Well, as it turns out, it does make quite a difference! (I like to learn the hard way, I guess).  I’ve been struggling with my sore feet all summer and fall – icing, rolling, and more… everything but stretching as it turns out.  Two weeks ago I decided to re-start my morning/evening yoga routine and I am suddenly pain free.  It’s amazing.

My lesson from this is that total body flexibility is more important than I thought. It’s important to treat your entire body kindly, even if you are really only hurting in one specific area.  We are entirely connected and sometimes it’s having more open hips that will cure the foot problem you’re struggling with!

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Born in Nova Scotia and emigrating to British Columbia via Ontario and Alberta, Magi has been running the entire way. Primarily defined as a cross country ski racer, Magi has competed nationally and internationally in that sport. The highlight of her career was competing in the World University Games and the World Cup races in Canada in 2007. Cross country skiers rely heavily on running for cross training and Magi has become an accomplished trail and mountain runner, representing Canada at the World Mountain Running Championships in 2005 and the winning numerous national championships medals.

Today Magi runs for fun… and it’s a lot of fun! Epic mountain runs, city cruises with friends, and more keep her happy and occupied outside of work and school.