Life with Bailey - Assistance Dog in Training

Eggs - Almond Milk - Juice - Bread - etc... Simple enough. 
Just a quick little trip to the grocery store.

Not so simple when the juice in on the bottom shelf!

After I've squatted as low as I can ---- If I am lucky enough to still be on my feet, which most of the time I am not!  --  I will kneel on all fours get that (now stupid- "why do I really need this") bottle of V-8 Splash...... Take a huge deep breath and use the shelving to pull myself back up to a standing position.... 

 I am sure the many silent bystanders  were certainly baffled as to why I did not just bend right over and pick it up..... is because I am not able to!

Looks can be deceiving!   I no longer have a surgery boot, bruises, crutches, wheelchair or a large brace on my back but my body was left with permanent damage.

It has been almost 3 years since my accident. 

Gone are the Olympic Dreams of Grandeur.... Here are the days of living to enjoy each moment of a lovely life. 


 I have adjusted to new goals in life.

Physical Therapy Exercises and walks around the block are my new workouts.  Concentrating on not dropping a glass of water has become my new Mental Training Session.  And snuggling with my family is now my best Post -Work- Out Recovery Time.

Reality is...  Life for me is VERY different than before my accident.  

Things I never had to put thought into when doing before, like laundry, cooking and cleaning now have to be planned out and scheduled.  

Needing to have a family member with me or staying close to home is not going to last forever.  As my children and my husband will not and can not be with me all the time,  I now turn to my next best helper...

Meet Bailey!

   

Bailey is a Lab -Mix. 
Dang they are so cute when they are small. 
Bailey joined our family as a little 7 week old puppy.

Teaching Bailey the skills necessary as an assistance dog must be done by a professional.   And only time will tell if she will "pass the test".

I must be able to trust that Bailey will be balanced in all situations.  She needs to be comfortable with all personalities & environments.  And it is imperative that I be able to rely on her ability in meeting my needs.

HELP!!!     We speak human and our sweet little puppy speaks dog!
  

A New Leash On Life is a non-profit organization.   Staffed by a group of precious people who care about making a difference in the lives of others.   They share their love and knowledge in training therapy and assistance dogs for those in need. 

 

Let the Work Begin! 

-Bailey,  Assistance dog in training...... 

 

ATLF Surgery

ATLF Reconstruction of My Left Ankle

My Left Ankle was damaged badly in the car accident.  All efforts were made to avoid surgery but failed.  My Neurosurgeon instructed that I must have the foot surgery 

before we were to do my back fusion. 

I am kind of weird in the fact that prior to any surgery I watched videos and read everything I could.

I needed to know what to expect.   I was expecting a challenge in recovery and I GOT one.

This was a VERY long recovery process. 

The surgery consisted of 6 holes drilled into my bones at different angles around my ankle as well as about a 4 inch incision on the outside of my foot/ankle.  

Here is how pub med  describes the process...

Grade III is a complete tear. Severe pain and tenderness, inability to bear weight, 

and significant joint instability are noted.

Post- Op Cast Removal

I was in the cast for a total of 6 weeks.  I was not allowed to bear any weight and could not be on crutches for the fact of surgery on my left shoulder the same day of the ATLF Reconstruction.

 

Exit hole for the Sub-T donor tendon

Missed Olympics Vol. 8

2008 Bejing Dissapointment

 

Despite all the work and failed dreams there were huge lessons learned and love made stronger.

From 2005-2008 I worked more on race walking than anything I had ever done before.  I was obsessive from what I ate to when I slept. My work outs were on average 3-5 hours each day.

A normal work out was spent with hours walking and then time spent with visualization, positive affirmations,  breathing and relaxation techniques, toning, weight training and pilates.  

I really loved the self discipline I was gaining.    

Strangely my workouts at altitude in Utah were better than my races, which were closer to sea level and much more humid.   I learned a lot.

I was able to compete at races where my brother, John Nunn was competing, spending precious time with him as adults.

We traveled as a family to most of the races. Scheduling vacations around locations and dates of races I was competing in.    I loved the experience and I learned more about my family in the process.. 

We became “Team Carnagie”! 

Father’s Day of 2008 was my last race of the season and my last chance to qualify for Olympic Trials.  Scott was opening a new restaurant so my sister-in-law, Christy  watched the kids for me. I planned on doing this race on my own.  However, Scott's father,   Nolan, surprised me and was there to support and cheer me on.

Despite all the family support, Scott's encouragement and the miles and miles walked,  I was unsuccessful.   I had done everything I could to qualify for Olympic Trials. 

Beaten down mentally, I was ready for some rest and much needed physical recovery.

After some time off.   I began running.  I thought that if I had a different athletic focus it would recharge me.   

The goal:  a marathon.  However because running and race walking are so different, I realized the running was not good for my joints. 

After 6 months I stopped the running and returned to race walking with cycling as my cross training.  I guess you could say running is not for me.   I am a race walker through and through.

 2009 was a year we would not want to live again but are thankful for the memories made and hugs shared.  We lost several loved ones. Six(6) members of our family passed away within one years time.  We took the year to spend time with  family and friends. 

Scott's father, Nolan was one of those who left this earth. He will be forever missed.

Missed Olympics Vol.7

Mile after Mile

Scott, Mariah, Russell and Laura - Disneyland '05

 Family Support is Everything

Scott knew I was serious about wanting to do everything possible to fulfill my goal of competing in the Olympics. 

He is the voice of reason and helped me put into perspective what would be required.  We discussed each aspect of how it would happen and how it might effect the family. 

Scott said he would support and encourage me but we needed to be realistic.  He knows me so well.....   Without a coach he said it might be rather difficult but he had seen so many changes in me that he knew I was serious and determined. 

I knew all things would come into place at the right time. 

Within a few weeks (under 11) I was walking about 5-6 miles a day, lifting weights and I now weighed about 113 pounds (total weight loss 27 pounds).

I had learned how to eat correctly, hydrate and rest.   I learned to listen to my body. I had more energy and enthusiasm than I had felt in many years.

I called my brother, John,  and shared by goal with him.  He said he would talk with his coach to see if he would be willing to help me as well.  

John Nunn & Laura Carngie (Brother and Sister)

Coach Enrique Pena said he was willing but the distance between Utah and California would create difficulties.


Our Plan:  Coach would email me my workouts and I would email him my times and reports.   I made several trips to California and I worked with him in person.

I was excited.  I was greatly thankful for the support I was blessed with.  Family and friends began to encourage and support me.  

I loved what I was doing.  I was very disciplined.  I had a strict schedule and I stuck to it.  

Salt Lake, 2006

I spent 2 - 3  hours a day completing my physical workouts.  On occasion I would video my workouts and compare them to the world's best athlete's.  I made notes, worked on drills and spent an additional hour each day on visualizing and mental training.  Twice a day I would repeat my personal positive affirmations.

Some of my favorite work outs were the speed days when I would listen to the Pirates of the Caribbean Soundtrack and push my self as hard as I physically could to increase turn over of the  rotation of my hips and to lengthen my stride length. 

Amazing feelings happen when you are on a very long workout.  In reality it is your mind against your body.  I was forced to experience so many emotions and physical feelings.  There were countless times when I felt  physically spent, ready to quit. 

I was  able to "erase" one element of my physical existence at a time.  Leaving me with only my mental faculties to control my body, instead of allowing my body to control my mind.   I was more focused.   


Scott, Russell and Mariah were willing to combine my races with some of our family vacations.
California, Florida, Nevada.... I was always blessed to have them by my side cheering me on and sometimes even as my aid support.

Russell and Mariah - Great Support!

I found I enjoyed my time with my family even more because I was gaining a clear mind.  I relished  each moment with them.  This time felt inclusive of love, acceptance and mutual appreciation, instead of feeling all of my existence muddled up and crammed into one singular act.  I truly felt I was on a divine path. 

Missed Olympics Vol. 6

Getting Healthy

Scott, John Nunn and Laura - Greece 2004 Olympics

Time For a Plan Of Action

In 2004 when we returned from our trip to Europe and Greece I thought long and hard for several months about what I wanted to do.

 By the end of January 2005 I had to take a serious look at myself.  I was 140 pounds and at 5 foot 4 1/2 inches I was unhealthy, over weight and slow! 

source

It was time to pray.  

I mean really pray, for direction and inspiration as to if I should tackle the goal or re-evaluate.  

I felt a quiet thought come into my mind asking “If you knew you would not fail, what would you do?”  I knew the answer.  I had to change.  

I had to change from the inside out!  What I ate, how I ate, what I thought and what I said to myself and I had to begin training. 
 
Before I even told my husband what my goal was I talked to a dear friend of mine who I knew ran marathons and was a personal trainer.  I told her I needed to get fit.  Very fit.  I did not tell her why and she did not ask, all she said was “let me know when you are serious”.  I told her I was serious and I wanted to start as soon as possible.  

The process was hard but very structured.  She taught me that I had to retrain even my taste buds.  Eating only what was good for  me.  She showed me a 21 day plan for changing my eating habits. And we started to work out together.  I gave 100% dedication to the process ahead. 

I started to see a difference and my husband did too. 

Scott asked me why I was so focused.  He knew it was more than just wanting to loose a few pounds.   I told him of my goal.  I wanted to race walk again and do everything I could to compete in the Olympics. 

Missed Olympics Vol. 5

The Power to Motivate

John Nunn US Army WCAP Photo

 A hearts desire becomes the motivation .......

Surprisingly it was my younger brother, John Nunn, who really took off with Race Walking.   He was the one that helped me revisit my childhood dream of competing in the Olympics. 

He was a runner thru high school but was given the opportunity to race walk in college for a scholarship. He took the opportunity and has never looked back!  

 

Wining race after race nationally and competing internationally, he earned the right to compete as a United States Athlete in the 2004 Olympics in Greece. 

My husband, Scott, pampered me with a trip  to Greece to watch my brother compete. 

And that is when it happened ..... I realized the desire to challenge myself in race walking was still alive and  screaming  inside to be tested....

Missed Olympics Vol. 3

Rotary and the Philippines

Rotary has blessed my life.....

During my high school years (graduated in 1991),  I continued to train and work on my race walking. I was able to compete in some of the race walking events in Denver and continued to do very well. Race walking did not become an Olympic sport for women until 1992. 

I was blessed with one of the most fantastic opportunities in my life and it came to me while living in this town.   My father is a Rotarian so our family was able to host many guests in our home from all over the world.

As a sophomore our Rotary District hosted a Group Study Exchange, adult study group from the Philippines.  We were lucky enough to have 3 women stay with us for about 1 week.  A week that helped to change my life.  I was born in Germany.  I always  wanted to, if possible, to be an exchange student to Germany.  

Well these lovely ladies suggested I apply to the Philippines.  Their description of an Asian country made me curious.  So I applied and was accepted.   

My junior year of high school I went to the Philippines! I fell in love with Asia and Philipinos.

So many memories come flooding back as I think of what an experience this was for me.  I lived with two of the most amazing families on the earth. 

Strangers who opened their home to me, a strange American teenager, who quickly became my Philipino parents and brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles whose relationships are still there today.  

 I had never been anywhere before in my life outside of my family, where I felt so instantly loved and accepted. 

 I was blessed to have some amazing experiences there, that have helped mold me into who I am now. 
 

Missed Olympics- Mary Lou Retton Vol. 2

Missed Olympics- 1984 Olympics and Mary Lou Retton

http://karolyiscamps.com

 1984 Olympics and Mary Lou Retton

I remember watching the 1984 Olympics when Mary Lou Retton won the Gold Medal wondering if I could ever do the same in Race Walking.  My father wanted me to have a dream.  He took me one day to meet Mary Lou Retton and her coach, Bela Karolyi.

 I would practice by my self on the Jr. High track after school in the evenings and on weekends during the summer and I participated in track during the school year.  Competing in every local race walking event that was possible.

 I even met with  a coach from the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs the summer of my 8th grade year.  My father took me to meet with him.  I do not remember the man’s name but he was very nice.  I believe he was one of the coaches for the wrestling  there.  He took my father and me on a tour of the training center and mentioned that even though the U.S. at the time did not have an official Race Walking coach, as long as I continued to hold a U.S. ranking that I could live at and use the resources in the Training Center.  I was 15.

 Living in Denver I may have traveled to Colorado Springs on a regular basis to take advantage of the offer but just before my ninth grade began my family moved away from Denver to a small, rural, farming town in support of my fathers employment. I was not happy about the move and I wrote a very angry letter to my father.  At 15 I felt my whole family should accommodate me and my wishes.

My mother had very good foresight, even though I did not think so at the time, she refused to allow me to live at the Olympic Training Center by myself while my family was going to be over three hours away.  Funny thing is, there were wonderful experiences that I was able to have because of that move that I do not know if I ever would have had other wise.  


As a side note.  My father in his wisdom kept the letter I wrote and showed it to me a few years ago.  Needles to say we both had a very good laugh.