“On your mark, get set, go!” the toddler’s father says in the video, and Ivy-jai runs across the living room into his arms. “Who’s the fastest baby in the world?”

“Me!” Ivy-jai responds, naturally.

The video was picked as the contest winner, and Ivy-jai (pronounced I-vee-Jay) and her family won a one-year pass to the Louisville Zoo and free registration to the Norton Children’s Hospital Splash ‘n’ Dash Walk/Run.

“It’s super cool to win something,” said Kelly Clark, Ivy-jai’s mother. “We were super excited. We posted it all over Facebook.”

Kelly heard about the Every Kid Healthy Challenge from family doctor Steven Patton, D.O., one of the Norton Healthcare community medical directors supporting the challenge as part of the GetHealthy502 initiative. Dr. Patton sees patients at Norton Community Medical Associates – Preston.

According to Kelly, the family didn’t set out to make a video for the contest.

“Really, we were just playing with my daughter,” Kelly said. “We were practicing running and jumping for balance. She literally just runs and jumps several times a day in our living room. We want to make sure she’s moving both arms when she’s running and both feet when she’s jumping.”

Ivy-jai has Erb’s palsy, which inhibits movement in her left arm.

In addition to exercising at their Louisville home, Ivy-jai also goes to physical and occupational therapy once a week at Norton Children’s Hospital, where she works on strength, range of motion and balance. The exercise and the therapy are helping, according to Kelly.

Kelly often takes videos of Ivy-jai’s therapy sessions and posts them on Facebook, so she was videotaping when Ivy-jai ran across the living room in the winning video.

Trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle isn’t limited to young Ivy-jai, according to Kelly. She said that as a family, they have been trying to maintain a low-carb/high-protein diet for the past year. Kelly said she has lost 23 pounds.

Kelly also tries to do cardio workouts a couple of times a week. She has switched from a personal trainer to YouTube hip-hop video workouts, which she does with her sister.

“I’ve altered my eating habits and maintained the weight loss for a year,” said Kelly, 38, a social worker. “It feels good to put on my clothes, and they fit like they’re supposed to.”

The post Ivy-jai and her family exercise at home for good health appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

What I remember most about the race were the people running for a cause, those who looked as if 3.1 miles was just a warmup, and the cheering sections of families and friends. The jubilation of a goal completed outweighed the soreness and sweat from my run. When I finished the 3.1 mile course, everything changed. I ran (and walked) that race and never looked back.

No matter your current fitness level, finishing a 5k walk/run is an attainable goal for almost anyone. And the rewards, both emotional and physical, go beyond earning free swag.

Why a 5k: A 5k (or 3.1 miles) is a great place to start your running and walking journey. Most people can easily walk the entire route. In fact, many people walk several miles a day through the mall or at the park without knowing it.

Running a 5k race seems like a lofty goal. But it’s not. I promise.

Sign up first: Though it may seem contrary, this is an important step. Schedule ahead, plan for the future and have a reason to train. Many beginners, whether they’re starting from the couch or have achieved a modest fitness routine, lack the confidence to register for a race.

For new runners, choosing an event like the Norton Children’s Hospital Splash ‘n’ Dash 5k for a cause that’s near and dear to your heart brings a special meaning to the whole experience.

Run, jog and walk: Research and follow a training plan. Several local running stores offer beginner 5k training calendars. In addition, a variety of free training calendars are available online for download, as well as through mobile apps.

Set small goals for yourself. If this is your first 5k, plan on simply finishing. If this is your second or third race, set a couple of goal times. Make one goal your perfect race time and the second a backup goal, in case something throws a kink in your plans like inclement weather, a rock in your shoe or a not-so-timely bathroom break.

Race day: Race day arrives whether you are ready or not. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Remember why you started your journey.

Don’t do anything new on race day. Don’t try new shoes or new shorts that day. The shoes you’ve been training in are fine. If you need to buy a celebratory “training-is-over” running outfit, wait until after the race ends.

Meet new people. Unless you are running for a spot on the podium, you’re bound to find a child, grandparent or spouse with a great story and purpose.

Congratulations, you did it!

The post Run, jog or walk your way to a 5k appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

“The blog, Thanksgiving in July … provided me with the opportunity to share my appreciation of the Norton Weight Management Center and the success I was seeing in just a few weeks,” Hunchman said. “I was excited about my progress and so appreciative of the support I was receiving through the program that I wanted to share it with Russ.”

When Hunchman shared her success, Cox was elated to encourage her right back. He took the opportunity to congratulate her on her mission of taking charge of her health.

That online exchange started a chain reaction and has since created a special bond.

Hunchman invited Cox to join her and her young daughter to participate in the 1k family fun run at the Norton Children’s Hospital Splash ‘n’ Dash 5k Walk/Run in August. It was Hunchman’s first walk/run and an opportunity to reach her first goal of adorning her car with a 1k magnet.

“I was delighted that Amy asked me to participate with her and her daughter,” Cox said. “I know it can be challenging to embark on a journey to get healthy, and I admire Amy for making this commitment. I also believe that it’s much easier when we have support.”

Hunchman, a single mother to 3-year-old Sophia, was six weeks into the 12-week medically supervised weight management program. She enrolled because she wants to get healthy and set a good example for her daughter.

In addition to the weight management support, she has set a goal of completing a half marathon.

“I want to participate in the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Disney World,” Hunchman said.

She knows meeting this goal will take lots of training and hard work, but she has a plan. She is already training for the Kentucky Derby miniMarathon on April 28, 2018.

Cox and Hunchman’s friendship is still going strong too.

“I absolutely intend to stay in touch with Amy during her journey,” Cox said. “She is determined and will be successful. One of my favorite things about Norton Healthcare is that we treat each other like family, and just like family, I will be here to support and encourage her. I know that her Norton friends and colleagues will do the same.”

The post It all started with a blog appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Darla York, R.N., nurse manager in the Addison Jo Blair Cancer Care Center, Norton Children’s Hospital, participated in the first Splash ‘n’ Dash last year and is back again. Her whole unit will be volunteering or participating in the event.

One of the things that makes Splash ‘n’ Dash so special is that there’s something for everyone — whether you are tackling the 5k with your friends, bringing your little ones for the 1k Family Fun Run or volunteering to make the event a success.

“Our unit wanted to participate in Splash ‘n’ Dash this year to raise funds for our Oncology Spirit Fund, which pays for ‘end of chemotherapy parties’ for patients and various staff- and patient-related activities,” York said.

This year the unit is sponsoring a Splash Zone team, whose job is to soak walkers/runners with fun water toys. The theme is “It’s Raining Cats and Dogs,” and team members have designed T-shirts and created costumes to help bring the theme to life.

One of York’s favorite memories from last year’s 5k is the Kids’ Zone.

“I loved watching the kids have fun with all the bounce houses, water activities, characters and more,” she said. “It’s all about the kids. Everything we do is about the kids.”

This year York and her husband will be volunteering at one of the watering stations.

Stacy Flanders, R.N., nurse manager in the “Just for Kids” Critical Care Center, Norton Children’s Hospital, also will be at the event with her unit.

“We have been trying for several years to find a good fundraising idea for the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU),” she said. “Splash ‘n’ Dash is great because it allows participants to raise funds for this important area of the hospital, and we see it as a great way to engage our team members in support of our daily work.”

This will be Flanders’ second year participating. She said her team members don’t train much, but they will walk a little, run a little and just have fun together.

“The event is very family-friendly and organized, and is a great experience to be active with family members,” she said. “Get some good exercise and have fun at the same time. The park is beautiful, the energy is contagious, and I think the event is excellent for families, as well as anyone who just wants to have fun!”

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