I belong to a group on BabyCenter, a support-group of sorts for parents of kids with Spina Bifida. It's mostly moms, with a few dads here and there. I found the group shortly after we received the SB diagnosis during the pregnancy. I usually pop on every two days or so and see the posts, learn new things, but mostly take comfort in knowing there is a whole world of other moms out there who are standing in the same exact shoes I am in at any given moment.
I only wish these moms lived in my town. I wish that instead of jumping online to give or receive a shoulder to lean on, I was driving with Emily to them...and we would drink coffee (or wine, depending on the time of day and the particular emotions that day!) and talk about how to get the medicaid waiver or how to appeal a denial or where to find the best urologist or new equipment or new therapy and comfort each other when a therapist says your child is 6, 8 months behind on speech, gross motor, fine motor. And then we would chat about and celebrate what all our kids are: beautiful, growing little people who overcome and persevere. And we would be so happy that the person right there could say, "I know just what you are going through!"
So I'll put that on my list...can't hurt to ask for it. I think, there are things we want that we don't ask for, or don't tell everyone we want. Like, my list had an ice cream maker, blu-ray DVD player, Origins Ginger Body Wash and Cream...but it had other things that I kept close to the vest, sharing with Chris, like the books My Baby Rides the Short Bus: The Unabashedly Human Experience of Raising Kids with Disabilities, and Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid: A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children. I always pictured myself as the parent who reads books on parenting, but books with titles like What to Expect: The Baby Years, or Potty Training The Easy Way. Ha!, I think now, out loud most of the time, of these books. All these books, the titles of which are now just laughable, these manuals on raising kids make complex issues out of everything. Meanwhile I'm trying to do the exact opposite: make easy the most complex of issues.
So after Christmas I'll be reading these new books (I have it in with Santa...he told me the books are on their way) and offering some reviews on them which I hope are helpful to everyone: parents of special needs kids; support people of parents with special needs kids; and people who want to understand the other side of the parenting coin, the side that mainstream media communication falls short of addressing and paying homage to.
For now, I'm going to *explain* to Emily, who should have been napping an hour ago, that PT will be here at 2:00, following immediately by Speech/Language Therapy at 3:00. Mostly she's just going to grin at me and say "Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi!" and we'll laugh about it all later during therapy meltdown...
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Back on Board
I bet you though I was never coming back! My blog recovery time was longer than my marathon recovery.
I rested the week after the marathon...and then took another week, only doing about 5 miles the second week. Then I was right back to running/weights/spin until Thanksgiving...then took another hiatus. In fact, the only running I've done has been small races, like the Turkey Trot and Reindeer Run. And I just read an article where races that have the word "trot" or "turkey/reindeer" aren't actually given much cred in the world of running...
Instead of the 40+ mileage each week, I've been decorating with this little boogie, and baking, and eating cookies and singing Christmas songs, and making excuses to skip spin and stay in my *mom outfit* all day.
But YIKES, it doesn't take long to fall out of shape. Emily is probably as fed up with wearing PJ's all day as I am.
So I'm back, back with a vengeance, so to speak. You see, we are already working on NYC 2011. The SBA was so thrilled with the $31,281 the team raised, they are ready to take on another year, this time asking for TWENTY spots instead of just five.
We are flattered, as this is a big commitment for SBA to make in us...and us in them with a minimum of $50,000 guaranteed to be donated with 20 runners, and a goal total of $100,000.
$100,000. Yep, you read that correct. Go big or Go Home.
So while I twiddle my thumbs and wait word of whether SBA was accepted as a charity partner again, and if the team was increased to 20, I need to be focused on maintaining mileage, strength, and flexibility. It likely we don't find out about NYC 2011 until late spring (last year we found out in JUNE!) so until then, I'm forging on assuming we will be a 20-person team for 2011.
Today I registered for some races that don't include the word "trot" or have animals in the title. Like the Manhattan Half Marathon January 22. And the Cleveland (full) Marathon May 15. And the Buffalo half Marathon May 30. With solidified commitments, and a goal of sub-5 for marathons and sub 2:28 for half's, that should be just the kick I need to halt this vacation from mileage, sweat, speed, flexibility, and work, and be in top shape to start an 18-week training plan for NYC 2011 should the time come.
Of course, I do expect to have a few smaller *fun* runs in there, like a Shamrock run or Freezer Run or Polar Challenge. After all, you have to mix it up.
In the mean time I hope hope hope for NYC 2011, with a huge team contribution to SBA, and the opportunity for some new team members to run on behalf of their sons, daughters, nieces, nephews,and friends, and experience the awe and exhilaration of showing all our kids what can be accomplished in life.
I rested the week after the marathon...and then took another week, only doing about 5 miles the second week. Then I was right back to running/weights/spin until Thanksgiving...then took another hiatus. In fact, the only running I've done has been small races, like the Turkey Trot and Reindeer Run. And I just read an article where races that have the word "trot" or "turkey/reindeer" aren't actually given much cred in the world of running...
Instead of the 40+ mileage each week, I've been decorating with this little boogie, and baking, and eating cookies and singing Christmas songs, and making excuses to skip spin and stay in my *mom outfit* all day.
But YIKES, it doesn't take long to fall out of shape. Emily is probably as fed up with wearing PJ's all day as I am.
So I'm back, back with a vengeance, so to speak. You see, we are already working on NYC 2011. The SBA was so thrilled with the $31,281 the team raised, they are ready to take on another year, this time asking for TWENTY spots instead of just five.
We are flattered, as this is a big commitment for SBA to make in us...and us in them with a minimum of $50,000 guaranteed to be donated with 20 runners, and a goal total of $100,000.
$100,000. Yep, you read that correct. Go big or Go Home.
So while I twiddle my thumbs and wait word of whether SBA was accepted as a charity partner again, and if the team was increased to 20, I need to be focused on maintaining mileage, strength, and flexibility. It likely we don't find out about NYC 2011 until late spring (last year we found out in JUNE!) so until then, I'm forging on assuming we will be a 20-person team for 2011.
Today I registered for some races that don't include the word "trot" or have animals in the title. Like the Manhattan Half Marathon January 22. And the Cleveland (full) Marathon May 15. And the Buffalo half Marathon May 30. With solidified commitments, and a goal of sub-5 for marathons and sub 2:28 for half's, that should be just the kick I need to halt this vacation from mileage, sweat, speed, flexibility, and work, and be in top shape to start an 18-week training plan for NYC 2011 should the time come.
Of course, I do expect to have a few smaller *fun* runs in there, like a Shamrock run or Freezer Run or Polar Challenge. After all, you have to mix it up.
In the mean time I hope hope hope for NYC 2011, with a huge team contribution to SBA, and the opportunity for some new team members to run on behalf of their sons, daughters, nieces, nephews,and friends, and experience the awe and exhilaration of showing all our kids what can be accomplished in life.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Marathon Review!
Thanks for your patients while I recovered last week!
Now for the good stuff: the 2010 ING NYC Marathon review!
Somehow I managed to keep the marathon of my mind in the days leading up to it, although by then my nerves were already shot. Saturday night me, my sister Katie, my mom, Chris, and Emily all went out for a nice pasta dinner in Hoboken, and then it was off to the Hilton Millennium in NYC for Katie and I. We were tucked in by 8:00PM, but I found Avatar on the tv...an hour into it I forced myself to shut it off - it wasn't the night to get sucked into a three hour movie that was going to get my mind going. I think I feel asleep around 10:30.
By 5:00AM I was up (daylight savings...extra hour!), and Katie was already gone for her transportation assignment. i watched some Law and Order while I got ready and about 6:15 AM met team mate Scott in the lobby. After a short cab ride to the Staten island Ferry Station, we started counting down to 7:15. The terminal was PACKED! It was awesome to see a variety of runners - just a great range of ages, ethnicity, sizes. It really drove home that marathons might be some of the most diversified, tolerant options in life. People who can run it in less than 3 hours are mixed in with people who run it in 7; people who are racing in a wheelchair are sharing the course with hand-cyclists. There is no discriminating on the course, and everyone is supportive of each athlete.
There was a little blip when the 7:15 ferry never showed...after some claustrophobic time, we managed to squeeze onto a ferry at about 7:50, and then once on SI, took a bus to the green corral. Katie and I had planned on meeting up because she was also in green, but alas we didn't get to the staging area until after her start wave had lined up. We were actually able to see runners in the first wave start because the corral was right next to the bridge. And yes, it's no joke that many guys just stop yards onto the bridge to take a leek. It was pretty funny (although, as a runner who was starting on the lower level, a bit unnerving).
After getting some coffee and enjoying a bagel, banana, three trips to the bathroom (points for me for snatching a roll of toilet paper from the hotel bathroom on my way out), and getting my ipod, sunglasses, tissues, sleeves, gloves, and hat set it was off to the starting corral. The gun went off and POOF! Nothing happened. Which I expected - it took about ten minutes to shuffle to the start line.
So the course begins on the lower level of the Verrazano-Narrows bridge. It's a double-decker suspension bridge that is the longest suspension bridge in the US. It connects Staten Island to Brooklyn, and is almost a mile long. It has been the starting point of this marathon since 1976. And here's a noteworthy tidbit: due to the thermal expansion and contraction of the steel cables, the bridge roadway is 12 feet lower in the summer than in the winter.
It was pretty chilly and windy on the lower level, particularly with the lack of sun. It has a pretty steep incline as well, but the incline, wind, and cold didn't matter: it was such an unbelievable feeling - so many months of preparing and training, and the moment was finally there. Right before my wave started a plane flew over, pulling a banner that said "Breath deeply and enjoy the moment". It was just the first of many encouraging signs, words, and sights along the 26.2 mile track.
I had a pretty good starting pace. With 12 minutes/mile as my goal, I was 6 minutes ahead of the overall 5:15 goal by the 10 mile mark. I felt great, my knees were holding up, and I was envisioning knocking another 9 minutes off to come in at 5 hours. I had been alternating between water and Gatorade at each water station to keep hydrated, but that caught up with me by mile 12. I decided to hit the port-o-potty at mile 12 and it may have been the worst decision for many reasons. First, I had to wait 7 minutes. that killed my advantage, and before I even went it I was now looking at being over 5:15 overall. Second, I didn't really have to go...big waste of 7 minutes for 20 seconds. Third, and this was my biggest worry with stopping at all - when I started back, my right knee didn't want to play along. That 12th mile ended up being a 19 minute mile and I was limping for he next three miles, which crushed any hopes of 5:15.
Thankfully, I spent some time mentally preparing for something like this. 5:15 was my goal, but I decided ahead of time should something happen to be ready to adjust he goal and set a second realistic goal, 5:30. While I reconciled myself this, in my head I was complaining a lot about the knee, even praying that the pain would subside. remarkable, a moment later a horrific sharp pain ripped through the side of the same knee, and I suddenly found myself realizing he earlier pain wasn't so bad and I could tolerate it - so I asked for the sever pain to be taken away, and promised to tolerate and work through the milder pain, which is exactly what happened. I'd like to think it was my reminder - that reminder I've given myself during many training runs, that no matter what's happening with my body, to remember how lucky I am, and remain grateful for the ability to run. Of course, it also helped knowing that I'd be finally seeing my family at mile 18.
Emily waiting patiently for me to get to mile 18, enjoying the sign she was holding up.
Ringing her bell for all the runners!
It's actually a very long time to go before seeing people you know...over three hours of running, bu what's so great about this marathon is the streets are packed the whole way - bands, people with signs ("run like you stole something" "you're feet hurt because you're kicking ass"), kids giving high-5's, people handing out tissues, candy, oranges, bananas, Vaseline. people ringing bells, screaming, encouraging you by name or by things your shirt says. It was so amazing to have people lift you up and help push you the WHOLE way.
At mile 18 I was coming up first avenue, and knew I'd see Emily, Chris, and my mom around 90th. I started looking for them after 88th, and was able to spot them right away.
No greater motivation than a big hug from your best gal...
On the move...
Besides hydrating at each mile marker, I ate a gel (Gu, chocolate outrage and mint chocolate) at mile 6, 12, 18, and 21, and ate part of a G2 bar after mile 18. Energy and hydration, thankfully, were not issues for me.
I saw my fan club again about half way into mile 23, before entering central park...just a quick pass by, and then I was on my way to the home stretch. Here I am leaving people in my dust (okay...not really but I wasn't last and I never saw the sweeper bus...)
Before the marathon Chris told me he entered my bib number into a friends-and-family program where if your bib number is visible and scanned during the course, they'll pop up a personal message for the runner. Right around mile 24 there was a huge screen and sure enough - there was a great personal message for me. I was screaming "that's me, that's for me" like a fool!!
The best sign came at the start of mile 24: "Pain is temporary, but pride is permanent". What a great thing to read at that point, having run for over 5 hours, knowing that this was the final push. My watch indicated I'd need to run the last 1.2 miles in about 8 minutes to come in by (just under) 5:30, and that saying helped me dig deep at the start of mile 25 and essentially sprint. I came in just under 5:30 according to my watch, and thankfully it was pretty cinched to the timing chip, with my official time at 5:30:48.
It's pretty awesome that Tatyana McFadden, an elite wheelchair athlete who has Spina Bifida, took first in her division in the marathon. Limitless.
After a celebration Sunday evening, and lots of awake time Sunday night reliving everything (did I just do that? Unbelievable!), and more celebrating Monday, we headed back home. The pain and ache in my legs subsided on Thursday, although i was pretty exhausted all week. It was also really weird to essentially not run or work out all week. I did go to spin Thursday after the marathon, but it was a low-effort workout. Then Saturday I hit the pavement for the first time, for an easy 3, which ended up being pretty awkward and weird - my right knee, which gave me troubles the last month of training and during the Marathon, was fine. My left knee, which only gave me small problems (eased by running with a compression band the first two months of training) was killing me! We'll see how things go this week. Only 12 miles total, 3 Tuesday, 4 Wednesday, and 5 Saturday. Then next week, a regular "base week" of 26 miles, which includes the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning. I'm hoping I can reconcile the knee issues, because I'd like to run the Cleveland marathon in May, and complete it in 4:59:59 or less.
This is the plaque that the Director of development from SBA presented to each of us after the marathon. I also received a lovely Thank You letter, with a personal note by SBA's president written on it.
The front of the Medal, featuring the bridge, the year, and of course the marathon information.
That's one relieved spouse pictured here, at dinner Monday. Word on the street is, he was more nervous Saturday and Sunday than I was!!
Great job, team...and thank you to everyone for your help and support. And of course, the biggest thanks of all to someone so special, Emily. Without you, none of this would have been possible.
You are already changing the world.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The time has come!!!!
17 months ago, via c-section, I gave birth to Emily. By that time, we had known for 20 weeks that she had meylomengocele spina bifida. That was about all we knew. We didn't know what her medical needs would be, what her physical needs would be, what her developmental needs would be.
But we didn't know a lot of other things, either. We didn't know she would be so adorable. We didn't know she'd love to hug everything. We didn't know she'd be so happy. We didn't know she'd be so determined. We didn't know she'd work so hard.
We didn't know we could love her as much as we do.
Four months ago, shortly after Emily turned one, Chris and I decided, in an effort to show Emily that we were also working hard for her, that I would run the ING NYC Marathon on behalf of the National Spina Bifida Association. Chris task was to raise $5000 or more for the national SBA. My task was to train, and run the 26.2 mile race in 6 hours or less. And so we jumped in, and with 4 other runners (one of whom is my sister, Emily's Auntie Katie), started working hard for Joshua and Emily's team for SBA: Conquering NYC to help conquer Spina Bifida.
Chris has held up his end, and held it up well. Our friends and family and virtual friends and strangers and business people and therapists and coworkers have given generously, and we raised $8,500.00. What an unbelievable accomplishment! I'm not sure I can ever say thanks enough times.
Our collective team has raised just under $30,000.00, with more donations still coming in. That's $29,000 that went directly to the Spina Bifida Association, to help educate the world about what Spina Bifida is, and help enhance the lives--live like Emily's--of those with Spina Bifida.
Now after 18 weeks of training, it's time to do my part. I've done all the training. I've clocked 464 miles. I've trained for 15 weeks. I've overcome a torn meniscus. I've crossed trained with circuit training and spin and yoga. I've iced. I've rested. I've wondered if I'm insane. I've felt the exhilaration of hard work. And it all comes down to Sunday.
At 6:20 AM Sunday November 7th, hours after my sister has left for her 5:15AM transportation assignment, I'll hop in a cab with one of the team mates, Scott (who is running in honor of his 8-year old son, Joshua) and we'll head to the Staten Island Ferry terminal a few block away for our 7:15 transportation to Staten Island. Once there I'll probably stretch...complain about the cold, find out if I have enough layers on...eat...hydrate...make upteen trips to the port-o-potty. I'll watch the 9:40 wave go, and the 10:20 wave go, and then at 10:40, I'll start making my way over the start line for the race of a lifetime, as a 33 year old stay-at-home mom to Emily. And, 5 hours and 15 minutes (plus or minus 15 minutes) later I'll cross the finish line in Central Park and be able to add something on to who I am: a marathoner.
We all have the opportunity in life to change something - ourselves, others, a concept, a belief. Sometimes change happens to us, and we resist it. We challenge it. We argue with it. We think it isn't the "right" change. Then, we realize it was just the change we needed, that it set us on a new path, one we never imagined but one we are so grateful to be on. And that leads to more change, because now we are open to so many more possibilities; we know we are stronger than we ever thought.
Isn't it amazing how something like a diagnosis of Spina Bifida can have such a positive effect on so much?
Thank you to everyone for your words of encouragement, your contributions, your thoughts, and prayers. Thanks for all the support! I've truly been touched by the outpouring of support. A special Thanks to Katie for facilitating this Marathon path and saying "hey, why don't you run it, too?" Thanks to Chris for putting up with me and the demanding training schedule. Thanks to my mom for supporting me and helping with Emily. Thanks to my 4 team mates, for fundraising and working for this important cause.
I'll see you all next week, on the other side of the finish line.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
6 days to go...
Can you believe it Emily?! We leave for New York City in three days!
Crazy.
I can remember when it was months away, and thinking about what it would feel like knowing that the marathon was a few days away.
Much like taking a test, I am a firm believe that you can't cram. You either prepared and you are ready, or you didn't prepare enough and your screwed.
I can say with confidence I believe I am in the "ready" category.
Now, that's not to say I'm not nervous and anxious beyond belief. As in, not able to sleep, knot in my stomach, might throw up at any minute anxious and nervous. And I can't really pinpoint why. I am worried about my right knee...something is "wrong" with it so I am praying it fairs well and keeps me on track for 5:15 or less come Sunday. But I don't think that's causing the nerves. Maybe because this is just such a big deal for me. Maybe because I have worked so hard. Like, harder than I have every worked on anything. Maybe because so much time and energy and focus has gone into what happens Sunday. It's gonna be a long week..........
I've been tapering the last two weeks (only doing about 25 miles each week, plus the regular regime of spin 3x/week and circuit training 3x/week) and this week I have 14 miles, 2 spins, and 2 circuit workouts before the big race Sunday.
Some people have inquired about the recovery plan, and weather I'll be maintaining the new running regime. Yes, I will be keeping up the running. Not on a marathon-training plan, but just a "base" mileage of 24-28 miles per week (3 5-mile runs during the week, and between 11-15 miles Saturday or Sunday) along with the spin and weights. My recovery will consist of a slow introduction back to running with only a 3 mile run done one week after the marathon. The following week I go up to 12 miles, then 27 miles the week of Thanksgiving with the 8K Turkey Trot for fun on Thanksgiving morning. From here the base 24-28 kicks in. I believe this plan will be easily managed (not nearly so time consuming as clocking 40+ miles a week), and I'm looking forward to running just to run. And, should I decided to do another marathon, this base would allow me to kick into marathon training mode with 3-4 months notice. I have really been enjoying spin, the cross training has done wonders for my aerobic capabilities, and helped strengthen my legs. And it's quite fun.
I do know I'll miss training for NY. Miss knowing that objective is right there. Miss how great it's been working to make a statement about what one can accomplish. Miss knowing our team is making more than a $25,000 donation to the SBA. But, I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled and ears open for the next opportunity to make myself, my family, my friends, and most importantly, my daughter, proud of what I am doing. For now, I'm just thinking about what a great story this will be to tell my best gal Em when she gets older...about how much of a difference she has made in our lives, my life, already at just 17 month old.
Crazy.
I can remember when it was months away, and thinking about what it would feel like knowing that the marathon was a few days away.
Much like taking a test, I am a firm believe that you can't cram. You either prepared and you are ready, or you didn't prepare enough and your screwed.
I can say with confidence I believe I am in the "ready" category.
Now, that's not to say I'm not nervous and anxious beyond belief. As in, not able to sleep, knot in my stomach, might throw up at any minute anxious and nervous. And I can't really pinpoint why. I am worried about my right knee...something is "wrong" with it so I am praying it fairs well and keeps me on track for 5:15 or less come Sunday. But I don't think that's causing the nerves. Maybe because this is just such a big deal for me. Maybe because I have worked so hard. Like, harder than I have every worked on anything. Maybe because so much time and energy and focus has gone into what happens Sunday. It's gonna be a long week..........
I've been tapering the last two weeks (only doing about 25 miles each week, plus the regular regime of spin 3x/week and circuit training 3x/week) and this week I have 14 miles, 2 spins, and 2 circuit workouts before the big race Sunday.
Some people have inquired about the recovery plan, and weather I'll be maintaining the new running regime. Yes, I will be keeping up the running. Not on a marathon-training plan, but just a "base" mileage of 24-28 miles per week (3 5-mile runs during the week, and between 11-15 miles Saturday or Sunday) along with the spin and weights. My recovery will consist of a slow introduction back to running with only a 3 mile run done one week after the marathon. The following week I go up to 12 miles, then 27 miles the week of Thanksgiving with the 8K Turkey Trot for fun on Thanksgiving morning. From here the base 24-28 kicks in. I believe this plan will be easily managed (not nearly so time consuming as clocking 40+ miles a week), and I'm looking forward to running just to run. And, should I decided to do another marathon, this base would allow me to kick into marathon training mode with 3-4 months notice. I have really been enjoying spin, the cross training has done wonders for my aerobic capabilities, and helped strengthen my legs. And it's quite fun.
I do know I'll miss training for NY. Miss knowing that objective is right there. Miss how great it's been working to make a statement about what one can accomplish. Miss knowing our team is making more than a $25,000 donation to the SBA. But, I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled and ears open for the next opportunity to make myself, my family, my friends, and most importantly, my daughter, proud of what I am doing. For now, I'm just thinking about what a great story this will be to tell my best gal Em when she gets older...about how much of a difference she has made in our lives, my life, already at just 17 month old.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
17 days and counting...
This past Sunday was my last 20. The weather was perfect and I was feeling great...aside from some knee pain which left me struggling at many points in the later half. I didn't run Monday, and Tuesday I hit the treadmill for a softer surface. To say it's making me nervous is an understatement, though I'm sure it just nerves. This is a 33 mile week, and between today (Thursday) and Sunday, I have the bulk of my miles, with 15 on Sunday. That 15 is the official last of the "long runs" before the marathon. This is the first week of taper, and next week I only have 24 miles to do!!
Emily's cheering shirt is all ready, and my name's been added to mine so I can hear "Go Liz!" or "Go Emily's Mom!" from the supporters. Now I start making lists...what I need to pack for me and Em in general...what I need for race day....what I still need to buy...what goes in my drop bag...how many gels I'll be carrying...
While I'm trying to get ready, and certainly excited, I'm also trying not to think TOO much about the marathon because both the excitement and nerves are already getting to me! I've been checking in the ING website for daily tips. If you'd like to see those, chick here. I'm also wondering what the chances are I'll see Bobby Flay, or Al Roker on the course!! They are just of the 45,000 people who'll be pounding the pavement November 7th.
I continue to be amazed and impressed with the generosity of so many of you. I can't express how much it means to have so many of you backing us, and showing your support for all people with Spina Bifida by making a donation to the Spina Bifida Association in support of Emily and this marathon cause. Family, old friends, new friends, people we've never met, therapists, businesses, colleagues, schools, friends of friends, fellow SB families - you have ALL made this venture so remarkable by your donations to SBA, and your show and words of support for Emily.
If you haven't had a chance to donate, there is still time! The last day for donations to be received by us through the mail is:
October 27th
You can make online donation through November 6th. Instructions on how to make an online donation that count towards our goal can be found at the link above.
Thank you!!!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
31 days and counting...
31 days to go...to what, you might ask? Well, I've teamed up with Emily and the Spina Bifida Association to raise money and run the ING NYC Marathon on November 7th. It's a wonderful opportunity to run on behalf of Emily, and spread awareness about Spina Bifida. And, it's our chance to encourage everyone to GIVE GIVE GIVE to the Spina Bifida Association.
Can you believe November 7th is right around the corner?!
Here's the training update: I am in my third of 3 consecutive 40-mile weeks. It's about one extra day of running, putting me at 6 days a week of running. While the one extra day may not seem like much, it has been a challenge fitting it into daily life. Next week it's down to 36 miles, then 33, then 24 (two taper weeks)...and then 14 plus the marathon!
There was a time I wished for two to three more months of training, but those days are gone. I'm ready for tapering to begin. 12 minute miles seems to be what I've worked to, and so I've committed to that goal, hoping to complete the marathon in 5 hours and 20 minutes.
On Sunday I completed my second of 3 20-mile long runs. It was a cold, windy, rainy day complicated by the cars spraying me with water from puddles and the slick leaves on the ground. But I am thankful for the experience of running in that weather, better preparing me for a range of conditions come November 7th. There were many times during the 4 hours where I felt misery creeping over me.
But there was, and will continue to be, one thought that prevails: I am capable of doing this, I have full leg function.
When those misery thoughts start popping up, I think about how much more physically challenging it would be to be cranking uphill with my arms in a wheelchair. Or I think about how it would sound to other parents of kids with SB, or to individuals with SB (or other conditions that compromise leg function) to hear me complaining about how hard it was...how tired my legs were. I brought myself back to one thought: be grateful you can feel the pain. Be grateful you have the option to step outside and run. Be grateful for what you have, and don't let it go to waste.
Often, it is while I'm running that I find myself most grounded.
Here's the fundraising update: our team is 72% to it's goal of $25,000. I am 75% to our $5000 individual goal. There are only 21 more days to donate. Won't you help us reach our individual and team goal? Please click on the links at the top of the page for instructions as to making an online donation directly to the SBA website, in honor of Emily Keicher. Or, please make out a check payable directly to the "Spina Bifida Association", and mail it to us. We will send it in to our contact at SBA.
I cannot stress how important this is. By donating you are supporting one of the few organizations dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals/families of individuals with Spina Bifida. And since October is National Spina Bifida Awareness month, there is no better time than now to donate.
Thank you to everyone who has donated. I cannot say thank you enough. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I hope each of you are proud of your decision to give to such a worthwhile cause...we are proud to have so many people contributing and backing us! This is the final push, with all donations due to SBA by OCTOBER 29th.
Thank you for stopping by...I will be updating on here each week between now and the marathon.
Can you believe November 7th is right around the corner?!
Here's the training update: I am in my third of 3 consecutive 40-mile weeks. It's about one extra day of running, putting me at 6 days a week of running. While the one extra day may not seem like much, it has been a challenge fitting it into daily life. Next week it's down to 36 miles, then 33, then 24 (two taper weeks)...and then 14 plus the marathon!
There was a time I wished for two to three more months of training, but those days are gone. I'm ready for tapering to begin. 12 minute miles seems to be what I've worked to, and so I've committed to that goal, hoping to complete the marathon in 5 hours and 20 minutes.
On Sunday I completed my second of 3 20-mile long runs. It was a cold, windy, rainy day complicated by the cars spraying me with water from puddles and the slick leaves on the ground. But I am thankful for the experience of running in that weather, better preparing me for a range of conditions come November 7th. There were many times during the 4 hours where I felt misery creeping over me.
But there was, and will continue to be, one thought that prevails: I am capable of doing this, I have full leg function.
When those misery thoughts start popping up, I think about how much more physically challenging it would be to be cranking uphill with my arms in a wheelchair. Or I think about how it would sound to other parents of kids with SB, or to individuals with SB (or other conditions that compromise leg function) to hear me complaining about how hard it was...how tired my legs were. I brought myself back to one thought: be grateful you can feel the pain. Be grateful you have the option to step outside and run. Be grateful for what you have, and don't let it go to waste.
Often, it is while I'm running that I find myself most grounded.
Here's the fundraising update: our team is 72% to it's goal of $25,000. I am 75% to our $5000 individual goal. There are only 21 more days to donate. Won't you help us reach our individual and team goal? Please click on the links at the top of the page for instructions as to making an online donation directly to the SBA website, in honor of Emily Keicher. Or, please make out a check payable directly to the "Spina Bifida Association", and mail it to us. We will send it in to our contact at SBA.
I cannot stress how important this is. By donating you are supporting one of the few organizations dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals/families of individuals with Spina Bifida. And since October is National Spina Bifida Awareness month, there is no better time than now to donate.
Thank you to everyone who has donated. I cannot say thank you enough. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I hope each of you are proud of your decision to give to such a worthwhile cause...we are proud to have so many people contributing and backing us! This is the final push, with all donations due to SBA by OCTOBER 29th.
Thank you for stopping by...I will be updating on here each week between now and the marathon.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
49 days away...
Wow. Out of the 50's on the days-left-countdown. That translates to 7 weeks, counting marathon week (with the marathon being the last day of the week)
Scary.
I'm at 40 mile a a week for the next 3 weeks, starting tomorrow. Then the tapering begins, with 36 miles, 33 miles, 24 miles, and then 14 plus race.
Today I ran 20 miles. I have to do this two more times, and it was a daunting task. It took me 4 hours, which is about 12 min a mile. This seems to be where I'm at. Last week in the Rochester half I averaged 12:10. I will be happy to finish the Marathon at 12-12:15 min miles, a total time of 5:18-5:30.
I'm registering for the Turkey Trot, a measly 8K on Thanksgiving morning. I'll have about 2 weeks between the Marathon and the Trot. Seeing it's only 5 miles and I'll be back to running 3-4 miles a day starting a week after the marathon, it should be a comfortable run.
Once I tackle the NYC Marathon, it seems a waste to let all this hard work turn me back to mush, so I plan on becoming a race junky. 5K's, 10K, halfs, and the Buffalo Marathon in the spring...I'd love to do the Disney Marathon they have, through the parks in the evening. Why not turn all this into a permanent thing, and be able to call myself a runner? Plus, this keeps me in shape in case SBA is able to be a partner charity for NYC next year.
So back to today, and the fours hours. While I was running, in order to encourage myself to keep going I thought about just how long 4 hours is and what can be done in 4 hours. Here are a few ideas I came up with:
Play with Emily. She has a 4-hour window in the mornings.
Roast a 26 pound turkey.
Drive to Toronto, walk the city for an half an hour or so, then drive back.
Fly to Chicago, hang out for 10 minutes, and fly back home.
Drive to Cleveland, and spend an hour eating at the bar at Michael Symon's Lola.
Have two drinks, and enjoy the Tasting Menu at Gramercy Tavern.
Tailgate for an hour and watch an entire football game.
Watch one Lord of the Rings on TBS, commercials included.
Hmm. So, it IS a whole lot of work to run for that long! If I was faster, it wouldn't be so daunting...but that's what the continued training is for.
In donation news, we are only $1,200 away from our $5000 goal. Thank you to everyone who has opened their heart and donated. There are 40 donation days left (money is due in October 29th). If you haven't donated please consider a donation to the Spina Bifida Association In Honor of Emily Keicher. This donation will go towards our team goal, and help out a fantastic organization. Information on how to donate online, or by check, can be found at the links on top of the page. To read more about Emily and this cause, please click here.
Monday, September 6, 2010
New look and an Update
We've got a new look around this blog...a picture featuring the team shirts and Miss Em, and a new blog background.
I know the look is a bit *busy* but that suits us just fine. After all, we are running all over the place as of late!
Training update: On short runs (averaging from 3 miles to 6), I'm ranging from 10-10:30 minute miles. On the weekly long runs, I'm ranging from 12:15-12:40 minute miles. And so far, no rhyme or reason. I was 12:15 for 15 miles Aug 21, then...over 13 minutes (yikes!) August 28 for only 12 miles, and then 12:40 September 4th for 18 miles. I was very pleased with this, because the wind was brutal on Saturday and took a toll on my time, and I was worried with the distance I couldn't make up ground, but somehow I did.
I know for some, anything in the twelve range might be considered, well, crap. However, considering this week finished just 10 weeks of training injury free, I'm very happy. And, I feel like 12 minute miles is within my range for the marathon, now officially TWO MONTHS away.
This weekend is the Rochester Half Marathon, which I'm doing for some race experience. I'll also be running in a pace group for 12 minutes. I've been going back and forth on the pace group. because on one hand, there won't be a pace group for NYC. And, I want to be able to self lead and manage my times. However, since I've yet to come in at the 12 minute mark for longer runs, I decided this is the perfect opportunity to push myself (with some help) and see if I can do it.
Now, to the exciting art: the fund raising. Adam Schefter, an NFL Insider for ESPN (for those who don't speak ESPN, he does the reporting for the NFL for ESPN). Chris, my husband, saw that Adam Schefter tweeted about having his picture taken with a young man, who has SB, at the Steelers Training Camp in July. Chris contacted him, giving a bit of our story, and asked if he would post a message on his twitter account about our marathon goal.
I didn't know any of this, until August 26th when Chris came home from work beyond excited saying he'd just received a call from Adam Schefter. And on August 27th, the tweet went out. It read: Please help an amazing young girl, Emily Keicher, raise $ for Spina Bifida Assoc. as her mom runs NYC Marathon. Info at http://is.gd/eGFLO
And, it was retweeted 42 times.
To say I was floored is an understatement. I mean, he read the letter, decided to help, and personally called my husband to let him know.
Oh, on top of all this, he also made a donation.
In the past three months since I signed on the dotted line to raise money and run NY for SBA (for Emily), I've been so touched at the amount of people who have helped. People who we've only met *virtually* who have helped. People who we've never met at all. People who have heard about our journey from others on the same journey, who have helped. Old friends. New friends. Family. Friends of Friends. Friends of strangers. Businesses. Old school mates who we haven't seen in years. People who have have tweeted our goal. People who have shared our story on their websites, blogs, facebook pages. People who are on the same Spina Bifida journey. Mons and Dads to sweet miracle babies.
I am moved by each and every donation, every thoughtful word of encouragement. With each I am honored that our journey, Emily's life, has effected someone, and that you've decided to make a donation to the Spina Bifida Aassociation in Emily's honor.
We are now 50% to our goal, with 52 donation days left to go. 52 days to raise another $2500 for the SBA. Our team as a whole has contributed almost $11,000.00 to SBA thus far.
Running NYC in 60 days impacts me personally, as a statement to be made to Emily, for Emily. I want to demonstrate that you can do anything you set your mind to. This impacts Emily, as it sets a tone for the type of "I CAN" attitude and perception she will have, and shows her just how much love and support is out there for her. It impacts Chris, as it's his personal goal to see we meet and exceed the $5000 we must raise. And, it impacts the lives of the 166,000 people living with Spina Bifida in the US today, with the team fund raising totaling $25,000 to be donated to the Spina Bifida Association.
Donations sheets are linked above and can be sent to us at 56 Newberry Lane, Lancaster, NY 14086. Checks should be made out directly to "Spina Bifida Asscocation". Directions for making an online donation for our team (In Honor of Emily Keicher) to SBA are linked above.
Thank you for your help thus far. Thank you for opening your hearts. Thank you for continuing to spread the word. Thank you for donating. Thank you for cheering us on.
I know the look is a bit *busy* but that suits us just fine. After all, we are running all over the place as of late!
Training update: On short runs (averaging from 3 miles to 6), I'm ranging from 10-10:30 minute miles. On the weekly long runs, I'm ranging from 12:15-12:40 minute miles. And so far, no rhyme or reason. I was 12:15 for 15 miles Aug 21, then...over 13 minutes (yikes!) August 28 for only 12 miles, and then 12:40 September 4th for 18 miles. I was very pleased with this, because the wind was brutal on Saturday and took a toll on my time, and I was worried with the distance I couldn't make up ground, but somehow I did.
I know for some, anything in the twelve range might be considered, well, crap. However, considering this week finished just 10 weeks of training injury free, I'm very happy. And, I feel like 12 minute miles is within my range for the marathon, now officially TWO MONTHS away.
This weekend is the Rochester Half Marathon, which I'm doing for some race experience. I'll also be running in a pace group for 12 minutes. I've been going back and forth on the pace group. because on one hand, there won't be a pace group for NYC. And, I want to be able to self lead and manage my times. However, since I've yet to come in at the 12 minute mark for longer runs, I decided this is the perfect opportunity to push myself (with some help) and see if I can do it.
Now, to the exciting art: the fund raising. Adam Schefter, an NFL Insider for ESPN (for those who don't speak ESPN, he does the reporting for the NFL for ESPN). Chris, my husband, saw that Adam Schefter tweeted about having his picture taken with a young man, who has SB, at the Steelers Training Camp in July. Chris contacted him, giving a bit of our story, and asked if he would post a message on his twitter account about our marathon goal.
I didn't know any of this, until August 26th when Chris came home from work beyond excited saying he'd just received a call from Adam Schefter. And on August 27th, the tweet went out. It read: Please help an amazing young girl, Emily Keicher, raise $ for Spina Bifida Assoc. as her mom runs NYC Marathon. Info at http://is.gd/eGFLO
And, it was retweeted 42 times.
To say I was floored is an understatement. I mean, he read the letter, decided to help, and personally called my husband to let him know.
Oh, on top of all this, he also made a donation.
In the past three months since I signed on the dotted line to raise money and run NY for SBA (for Emily), I've been so touched at the amount of people who have helped. People who we've only met *virtually* who have helped. People who we've never met at all. People who have heard about our journey from others on the same journey, who have helped. Old friends. New friends. Family. Friends of Friends. Friends of strangers. Businesses. Old school mates who we haven't seen in years. People who have have tweeted our goal. People who have shared our story on their websites, blogs, facebook pages. People who are on the same Spina Bifida journey. Mons and Dads to sweet miracle babies.
I am moved by each and every donation, every thoughtful word of encouragement. With each I am honored that our journey, Emily's life, has effected someone, and that you've decided to make a donation to the Spina Bifida Aassociation in Emily's honor.
We are now 50% to our goal, with 52 donation days left to go. 52 days to raise another $2500 for the SBA. Our team as a whole has contributed almost $11,000.00 to SBA thus far.
Running NYC in 60 days impacts me personally, as a statement to be made to Emily, for Emily. I want to demonstrate that you can do anything you set your mind to. This impacts Emily, as it sets a tone for the type of "I CAN" attitude and perception she will have, and shows her just how much love and support is out there for her. It impacts Chris, as it's his personal goal to see we meet and exceed the $5000 we must raise. And, it impacts the lives of the 166,000 people living with Spina Bifida in the US today, with the team fund raising totaling $25,000 to be donated to the Spina Bifida Association.
Donations sheets are linked above and can be sent to us at 56 Newberry Lane, Lancaster, NY 14086. Checks should be made out directly to "Spina Bifida Asscocation". Directions for making an online donation for our team (In Honor of Emily Keicher) to SBA are linked above.
Thank you for your help thus far. Thank you for opening your hearts. Thank you for continuing to spread the word. Thank you for donating. Thank you for cheering us on.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Why we do what we do...
We need your help!!!
As many of you know, on June 1, 2009 we welcomed our beautiful daughter Emily to the world. Eighteen weeks into my term, the doctors diagnosed Emily as having Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is caused, when around 28 days into pregnancy, a portion of the neural tube fails to develop or close properly.
Doctors are not certain what causes Spina Bifida. As with many other conditions, it appears to result from a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors, such as family history of neural tube defects and folic acid deficiency. In Emily’s case, the cause is unknown. There is no family history, and I was taking folic acid for 10 months leading up to the pregnancy, and during the entire pregnancy.
There are varying degrees of Spina Bifida and Emily was born with the most severe, myelomeningocele. With myelomeningocele, the spinal cord remains open along several vertebrae. Because of this opening, or lesion, both the membranes and the spinal cord protrude at birth. In some cases the lesion will have a sac covering it. Usually, tissues and nerves are exposed, making the baby prone to life threatening infections as well as a host of neurological impairment. From where the lesion begins and below, the spinal cord, nerves, and therefore controlled function are adversely effected. While Emily underwent surgery when she was 2 days old to close the lesion, this closure does not restore the nerves or reverse the condition. The closure simply protected her from infection, which would have been life-threatening.
Spina bifida comes along with a host of medical complications. While Emily has spina bifida, she also has many other medical conditions and complications as a result of the underlying spina bifida. In utero she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a build up of cerebral spinal fluid on the brain, and in Emily’s case this fluid cannot drain properly because she also has Arnold-Chiari malformation (a condition in which there is a downward displacement of the cerebellum into the foramen magnum, the opening at the base of the skull). The cerebellum is blocking the natural flow of CSF between the spinal column and the brain. Emily underwent brain surgery at 17 days old for placement of a ventricular peritoneal shunt. The ventricular end of the shunt was passed through the brain and into the lateral ventricle, where excess cerebral spinal fluid is collected and redirected through tubing, into her abdominal cavity for absorption. On day 19 she underwent a shunt revision, to correct the placement of the shunt valve and tubing.
In addition to the neurological diagnosis, spina bifida also causes other medical impairments, such as varying degrees of loss of movement (paralysis) from the trunk through the legs, feet, ankles, toes. The higher the level of the defect the more severe the associated nerve dysfunction and resultant paralysis will be. Many people with spina bifida use the aid of orthodic technology, such as ankle-foot orthotics (afo’s), knee-ankle-foot orthotis (kafo’s), hip-knee-ankle- foot orthotics (hkafo’s), standers, walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs. Emily also has neurogenic bladder and bowel. She has a high pressure bladder for which she is medicated, and we clean intermittent cathertrize her every 3 hours. She has kidney reflux in her left kidney. She will face a lifetime of medical complications, surgeries, and medical management for a multitude of medical conditions resulting from spina bifida.
Emily celebrated her first birthday on June 1, 2010. Since her birth she has undergone three major surgeries. She endures six therapy sessions a week, including multiple physical therapy sessions, aqua therapy, speech/language therapy, and occupational therapy. Her daily life includes a hard regimen of work and therapy to help battle low muscle tone, developmental delays, and help her reach developmental milestones. She has had over 100 doctor appointments the past 14 months and regularly sees a neurologist, urologist, and orthopedist.
Yet despite all of the medical and developmental complications, Emily has taught us so much. Her resilience and determination are only outmatched by her gloriously happy demeanor. It is clear she has a passion and love for life and everything around her. Her curiosity and independence is already starting to shine through. She has shown us what hard work and determination can do: she started army crawling about a month ago, and can pull to stand and bear weight for several minutes. She has taught us what really matters in life. She has taught us what it really means to love.
And, she has taught us that nothing, nothing is impossible. To that end, after much hard work the National Spina Bifida Association was accepted a few months ago as an official charity of the 2010 ING NYC Marathon. This means that 5 runners will be running the marathon on November 7th, on the condition they each raise a minimum of $5000 (for a team contribution of $25,000). To help reinforce the idea that everything is possible, I am pounding out 26.2 miles in Emily’s honor in the NYC Marathon November 7th.
But I can’t reach my goal of $5000 without your help!
All money raised will go directly to the Spina Bifida Association, the only national voluntary health organization solely dedicated to serving adults and children who live with the challenges of spina bifida. I also think it’s worth noting that, according to the 2008 annual financial report, only 0.9% of the revenue went to “management and general”. 81% of revenue went into program services, such as education, information and referral, government relations, chapter development, research, and fundraising. This is an organization dedicated to educating the public, and helping the 166,000 individuals (and families) living with spina bifida in the
We would be honored if you would help make this goal a reality.
You can made a donation directly online to the Spina Bifida Association In honor of Emily Keicher by clicking the Link above, "HOW TO MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION.
Orr you can make a check out directly to the Spina Bifida Association and mail the check to 56 Newberry Lane, Lancaster, NY 14086 (email me at elizabeth_webb1976@yahoo.com for more information). We mail checks into SBA every 2 weeks.
To all of those who have already donated, Thank you, Thank, you, THANK YOU!!!! We appreciate your generosity, and your support of the Spina Bifida Association, and Emily, means the world to us!
Friday, August 6, 2010
How it's all going...
On Sunday it's 13 weeks till the 'thon. 5 weeks until the Rochester half. With my knee feeling much better and the bulk of the swelling having migrated to my ankle, training is getting easier. I still have 2 sessions of PT a week and hopefully those will be winding down by the end of August.
This week's (Sunday - Saturday) total mileage is 28 miles, with 13 of those miles being done tomorrow for my "long run". I am not yet ready to run this whole distance, but continue to work on endurance with the shorter runs during the week. I am also looking into spinning class to help with endurance. I'm thankful that the temps are looking to be in the 70's tomorrow. The sun and humidity have been kicking my butt. I'm staring down Sept 4th, when I'll be tackling 18 miles that week for the long run...
On the fundraising front, $1313.20 has been officially donated and sent to SBA towards my individual $5000 goal. We have another $314 donated that has come in the past two days. That puts us at 32% to goal. We want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to those who have donated. We appreciate your support of this cause, your support of Emily, and your support for the marathon.
We have 84 days of fundraising left, and every little (or big!) bit counts. To be able to raise $5000 for Spina Bifida Association, and impact the lives of so many (but especially this little ham below) means so very much to us. This is an opportunity of a lifetime!
The total team (5 runners) has $5334.80 in, but there is several...thousand more en-route to SBA, with one team member already meeting and EXCEEDING their individual $5000 goal (AWESOME!!!) - they have set the bar high, and we're hoping to catch up to them!!!
I am looking forward to running this week in Long Island, taking in a change in scenery and seeing Jersey cows and smelling the ocean while I run during the week. And then, I'll be sampling the New Jersey streets for my 10-mile run closing out vacation.
92 days till Joshua and Emily's team for SBA Conquer NYC to Help Conquer Spina Bifida!
This week's (Sunday - Saturday) total mileage is 28 miles, with 13 of those miles being done tomorrow for my "long run". I am not yet ready to run this whole distance, but continue to work on endurance with the shorter runs during the week. I am also looking into spinning class to help with endurance. I'm thankful that the temps are looking to be in the 70's tomorrow. The sun and humidity have been kicking my butt. I'm staring down Sept 4th, when I'll be tackling 18 miles that week for the long run...
On the fundraising front, $1313.20 has been officially donated and sent to SBA towards my individual $5000 goal. We have another $314 donated that has come in the past two days. That puts us at 32% to goal. We want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to those who have donated. We appreciate your support of this cause, your support of Emily, and your support for the marathon.
We have 84 days of fundraising left, and every little (or big!) bit counts. To be able to raise $5000 for Spina Bifida Association, and impact the lives of so many (but especially this little ham below) means so very much to us. This is an opportunity of a lifetime!
The total team (5 runners) has $5334.80 in, but there is several...thousand more en-route to SBA, with one team member already meeting and EXCEEDING their individual $5000 goal (AWESOME!!!) - they have set the bar high, and we're hoping to catch up to them!!!
I am looking forward to running this week in Long Island, taking in a change in scenery and seeing Jersey cows and smelling the ocean while I run during the week. And then, I'll be sampling the New Jersey streets for my 10-mile run closing out vacation.
92 days till Joshua and Emily's team for SBA Conquer NYC to Help Conquer Spina Bifida!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
On the Run
I wish I could run and blog simultaneously. I'm sure many of you can, and while I can multi-task, I can't do tasks that require that much coordination.
And running, for me, requires coordination.
Way back before I became a Mommy I used to run. I never thought about running while I ran. I though about things at work, used running to get out my work stress and anxiety (if I only knew then what I know now. None of that mattered. None), think about what we might do over the weekend, what my next pair of shoes might be...
But now, it's a whole other world of thoughts.
I start out by thinking of the mechanics of running. Am I standing straight? How's my posture? Are me feel hitting okay? Am I keeping them straight? Can I finish this last mile in 8 minutes so my splits end up being ten minutes (and that answer to that one is no, they will end up being 11.5 minute miles)?
Then I start thinking about what hurts and I start complaining. How old I feel. How come my left knee hurts when my right is injured? Am I overcompensating? What's the muscle inside my calf that feels tight? Why is it so hot out? Why can't I find the time to get this run in early, before it gets humid?
And then I remember why I'm doing this. I think about how grateful I am that I can feel the pain in my legs. That I am able to walk. That I can run - how can I complain about running? how can I take it for granted? I think about how it must sound to someone in a wheelchair, with a walker, crutches. I think about Emily, in AFO's, and what it would sound like to her. I think about everything she has been through. I think about how hard she has to work, will always have to work. And my complaints wither away, pitiful and ashamed that they even reared their ugly head.
And then, head cleared, I take in the music. Today, "All These Things That I've Done" resonated in my ears. I moved along and just emptied my mind, and listened. I love hearing Time and truth and hearts in the background. I listened. And I heard something new. I used to think they were saying If you can't hold on, but I was wrong. Today I realized they are saying If you can hold on. How funny.
Over and in, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
Time, truth, and hearts
If you can hold on
If you can hold on
And running, for me, requires coordination.
Way back before I became a Mommy I used to run. I never thought about running while I ran. I though about things at work, used running to get out my work stress and anxiety (if I only knew then what I know now. None of that mattered. None), think about what we might do over the weekend, what my next pair of shoes might be...
But now, it's a whole other world of thoughts.
I start out by thinking of the mechanics of running. Am I standing straight? How's my posture? Are me feel hitting okay? Am I keeping them straight? Can I finish this last mile in 8 minutes so my splits end up being ten minutes (and that answer to that one is no, they will end up being 11.5 minute miles)?
Then I start thinking about what hurts and I start complaining. How old I feel. How come my left knee hurts when my right is injured? Am I overcompensating? What's the muscle inside my calf that feels tight? Why is it so hot out? Why can't I find the time to get this run in early, before it gets humid?
And then I remember why I'm doing this. I think about how grateful I am that I can feel the pain in my legs. That I am able to walk. That I can run - how can I complain about running? how can I take it for granted? I think about how it must sound to someone in a wheelchair, with a walker, crutches. I think about Emily, in AFO's, and what it would sound like to her. I think about everything she has been through. I think about how hard she has to work, will always have to work. And my complaints wither away, pitiful and ashamed that they even reared their ugly head.
And then, head cleared, I take in the music. Today, "All These Things That I've Done" resonated in my ears. I moved along and just emptied my mind, and listened. I love hearing Time and truth and hearts in the background. I listened. And I heard something new. I used to think they were saying If you can't hold on, but I was wrong. Today I realized they are saying If you can hold on. How funny.
Over and in, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
Time, truth, and hearts
If you can hold on
If you can hold on
Thursday, July 8, 2010
COUNTDOWN TO THE MARATHON
The 18 week training program has begun, injury, heat, and all! We have officially decided on a team name:
JOSHUA AND EMILY'S TEAM FOR SBA: Conquering NYC to Help Conquer Spina Bifida
Emily is our 13-month old daughter who was born with the neural tube defect Spina Bifida, and Joshua is the 8-year old son of Carey and Scott, friends we have made right here in Buffalo. Scott is taking on the 26.2 mile monster in honor of Joshua, who has Spina Bifida. Our team also includes myself, Katie my sister, and two ladies from the tri-state area Shannon and Allison.
We are each raising $5000, with a united team goal of $25,000 donated to the Spina Bifida Association. We are running on November 7, 2010 in the ING NYC Marathon as "Charity Runners", meaning we are able to run in it because we are raising this money for SBA.
So how are we doing, hows our Keicher goal of $5000 looking? Well, the first week or two we saw several online donations and received several checks in the mail. But things tapered off, and WE HAVE $4440.60 TO GO!!!
This is a wonderful cause. It is because of the SBA that things like the National Conference (from which we just returned) are held. It is because of them that education on Spina Bifida occurs. It is because of them that local chapters exist, where individuals and families can turn to people on the same journey and receive advise, support, hugs, help. Spina Bifida is a complex, complicated, permanent reality for 166,000 people living with it in the United States right now.
Please help us Conquer Spina Bifida by making a donation to the Spina Bifida Association in Honor of Emily Keicher.
Please visit this page and select "Send a Tribute Gift", and follow the steps to donate!! Please note, you MUST select "In Honor" and put in "EMILY KEICHER" for the donation to be counted towards our team. And by sending an acknowledgment to "Elizabeth Keicher" at elizabeth_webb1976@yahoo.com, I will receive an email blast that you donated.
Or, send a check to Chris and I, made out directly to the "Spina Bifida Association". We will handle the rest for you.
Thank you for considering the Spina Bifida Association, and thank you for helping to support Emily and her future.
JOSHUA AND EMILY'S TEAM FOR SBA: Conquering NYC to Help Conquer Spina Bifida
Emily is our 13-month old daughter who was born with the neural tube defect Spina Bifida, and Joshua is the 8-year old son of Carey and Scott, friends we have made right here in Buffalo. Scott is taking on the 26.2 mile monster in honor of Joshua, who has Spina Bifida. Our team also includes myself, Katie my sister, and two ladies from the tri-state area Shannon and Allison.
We are each raising $5000, with a united team goal of $25,000 donated to the Spina Bifida Association. We are running on November 7, 2010 in the ING NYC Marathon as "Charity Runners", meaning we are able to run in it because we are raising this money for SBA.
So how are we doing, hows our Keicher goal of $5000 looking? Well, the first week or two we saw several online donations and received several checks in the mail. But things tapered off, and WE HAVE $4440.60 TO GO!!!
This is a wonderful cause. It is because of the SBA that things like the National Conference (from which we just returned) are held. It is because of them that education on Spina Bifida occurs. It is because of them that local chapters exist, where individuals and families can turn to people on the same journey and receive advise, support, hugs, help. Spina Bifida is a complex, complicated, permanent reality for 166,000 people living with it in the United States right now.
Please help us Conquer Spina Bifida by making a donation to the Spina Bifida Association in Honor of Emily Keicher.
Please visit this page and select "Send a Tribute Gift", and follow the steps to donate!! Please note, you MUST select "In Honor" and put in "EMILY KEICHER" for the donation to be counted towards our team. And by sending an acknowledgment to "Elizabeth Keicher" at elizabeth_webb1976@yahoo.com, I will receive an email blast that you donated.
Or, send a check to Chris and I, made out directly to the "Spina Bifida Association". We will handle the rest for you.
Thank you for considering the Spina Bifida Association, and thank you for helping to support Emily and her future.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
NYC Marathon
When Chris and I finally found out we were expecting, we told my mom and sister the evening of the NYC marathon, which Katie had just completed, 2008. The set up was: I announced I was signed up to do a marathon.
Katie right away suggested I do a half marathon. Chris told them this marathon was different. That no body would be timing me, and I'd be doing the endurance alone. Oh, and at the end of the marathon, instead of a medal, we'd have a baby.
It took a few minutes, but finally the light bulb went on: I wasn't doing a conventional marathon...but childbirth was the marathon!! How funny that things are coming full circle now.
As you all know by now, the Spina Bifida Association is officially a Community Charity for the 2010 ING NYC Marathon. That means 5 runners get guaranteed entry to run...no qualifying runs/times, no lottery. Just raise the minimum amount of money and run for your cause.
This was my sister's brainchild. And, she might as well be a marathon runner (soon to be tri-athlete) by trade so she registered right away and is all set to be the Captain of the SBA team.
And so we go about the search for 4 remaining runners...Katie's marathon companion and long-time friend Shannon has been *invited*. I started my search for 2 more runners, briefly thinking the other day...hmmmm...I wonder if I could run it. I researched briefly how much time one needs to train and then pushed the thought to the back of my head.
There are many reasons not to do it. I've never run in a legitimate race, let alone a marathon. 26.2 continuous miles of running. Oh yeah, and while Emily is already 1, it's like I just gave birth to her two months ago, with my weight and physical fitness state. Would they be asking me to move off the streets to the side walk at some point because 7 hours had passed and I was still trudging through?
There are always reason's not to do something.
But then Katie said something about me running it. And it was like an "I second that motion" on the thought from the other day. So I gave it some more thought. Because, while there is always a reason not to do something, there are always more important reasons to do something.
You can either watch life run past you, or you can run along with life. There is always an excuse not to do something, not to go somewhere, not to participate in something, not to embrace life while you have the chance. This is not the message or value we want to instill in Emily. We want her to do anything and everything her heart contents. We want her *running* along with life, in whatever form she may be *running*. We do not want her watching from the sidelines as life runs past her.
But the bottom line is: for everything Emily has been through so far in her little life, and for everything she will have to go through in the future, 26.2 miles seems like a very small feat, and there is no excuse to not do it.
So it's official: I am entry #586757 in the world's largest marathon, the NYC Marathon 2010, running for the Spina Bifida Association, on behalf of my daughter. I'm going to raise at least $5000 (our team goal is $25,000), and run (well, and walk some...) 26.2 miles.
This blog is now essentially turning into my training tracker, journal, crutch, countdown, contribution tracker and so on. I'll be journaling every Sunday, for everyone to see how much I ran and worked out during the week, how we are raising money, what you can do to help, what I'm learning as I learn another new language, that of marathon training/runner.
If you are as inspired to jump on board, especially any of you Mommy's on this journey, please let me know. Only 2 spots are remaining on the team!!!
Katie right away suggested I do a half marathon. Chris told them this marathon was different. That no body would be timing me, and I'd be doing the endurance alone. Oh, and at the end of the marathon, instead of a medal, we'd have a baby.
It took a few minutes, but finally the light bulb went on: I wasn't doing a conventional marathon...but childbirth was the marathon!! How funny that things are coming full circle now.
As you all know by now, the Spina Bifida Association is officially a Community Charity for the 2010 ING NYC Marathon. That means 5 runners get guaranteed entry to run...no qualifying runs/times, no lottery. Just raise the minimum amount of money and run for your cause.
This was my sister's brainchild. And, she might as well be a marathon runner (soon to be tri-athlete) by trade so she registered right away and is all set to be the Captain of the SBA team.
And so we go about the search for 4 remaining runners...Katie's marathon companion and long-time friend Shannon has been *invited*. I started my search for 2 more runners, briefly thinking the other day...hmmmm...I wonder if I could run it. I researched briefly how much time one needs to train and then pushed the thought to the back of my head.
There are many reasons not to do it. I've never run in a legitimate race, let alone a marathon. 26.2 continuous miles of running. Oh yeah, and while Emily is already 1, it's like I just gave birth to her two months ago, with my weight and physical fitness state. Would they be asking me to move off the streets to the side walk at some point because 7 hours had passed and I was still trudging through?
There are always reason's not to do something.
But then Katie said something about me running it. And it was like an "I second that motion" on the thought from the other day. So I gave it some more thought. Because, while there is always a reason not to do something, there are always more important reasons to do something.
You can either watch life run past you, or you can run along with life. There is always an excuse not to do something, not to go somewhere, not to participate in something, not to embrace life while you have the chance. This is not the message or value we want to instill in Emily. We want her to do anything and everything her heart contents. We want her *running* along with life, in whatever form she may be *running*. We do not want her watching from the sidelines as life runs past her.
But the bottom line is: for everything Emily has been through so far in her little life, and for everything she will have to go through in the future, 26.2 miles seems like a very small feat, and there is no excuse to not do it.
So it's official: I am entry #586757 in the world's largest marathon, the NYC Marathon 2010, running for the Spina Bifida Association, on behalf of my daughter. I'm going to raise at least $5000 (our team goal is $25,000), and run (well, and walk some...) 26.2 miles.
This blog is now essentially turning into my training tracker, journal, crutch, countdown, contribution tracker and so on. I'll be journaling every Sunday, for everyone to see how much I ran and worked out during the week, how we are raising money, what you can do to help, what I'm learning as I learn another new language, that of marathon training/runner.
If you are as inspired to jump on board, especially any of you Mommy's on this journey, please let me know. Only 2 spots are remaining on the team!!!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Policy
This past weekend was the last installment of the Early Intervention Partner's Training Program I'd been attending. I feel privileged to have attended, and while Emily is at such an early age.
So now the question is, how best to put what I've learned to use? I have a few ideas clinking around my head, one of which is to use part of this blog to share EI Policies, experiences. Educate. Not only those who stop by to read the posts, but to further educate myself on what my role is in life, as the mommy to a special needs daughter. So the bargain I've made with myself is, for every post I make about EI, be it a concept, definition, step, experience, I have do something more with the post. In other words, the blog post enough isn't enough. I have to convert it into an action.
My plan for this week to was write about policy, a term we discussed on Saturday's meeting. We spent time discussing public policy, but the idea of *policy* can be extended to a lot of things. Dictionary.com defines policy as "a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc"
Policy should benefit someone or something, such as the group, people, or philosophy the policy's organization represents. Sometimes that's not the case. For example, it was against our health insurance policy to cover out-of-network care...but after a long battle and a good fight, they adjusted their policy for our situation.
Sometimes a policy makes no sense. My sister Kathleen is a marathon runner. She contacted the National Spina Bifida Association to have them be a "Charitable Organization" through the New York Road Runners, which would allow for some runners to raise a minimum money for the SBA in order to run in the 2010 ING NYC Marathon. We have been anxiously awaiting the NYRR's response, which was almost a month overdue.
Yesterday, the SBA heard from NYRR: They were accepted!!!
So now the question is, how best to put what I've learned to use? I have a few ideas clinking around my head, one of which is to use part of this blog to share EI Policies, experiences. Educate. Not only those who stop by to read the posts, but to further educate myself on what my role is in life, as the mommy to a special needs daughter. So the bargain I've made with myself is, for every post I make about EI, be it a concept, definition, step, experience, I have do something more with the post. In other words, the blog post enough isn't enough. I have to convert it into an action.
My plan for this week to was write about policy, a term we discussed on Saturday's meeting. We spent time discussing public policy, but the idea of *policy* can be extended to a lot of things. Dictionary.com defines policy as "a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc"
Policy should benefit someone or something, such as the group, people, or philosophy the policy's organization represents. Sometimes that's not the case. For example, it was against our health insurance policy to cover out-of-network care...but after a long battle and a good fight, they adjusted their policy for our situation.
Sometimes a policy makes no sense. My sister Kathleen is a marathon runner. She contacted the National Spina Bifida Association to have them be a "Charitable Organization" through the New York Road Runners, which would allow for some runners to raise a minimum money for the SBA in order to run in the 2010 ING NYC Marathon. We have been anxiously awaiting the NYRR's response, which was almost a month overdue.
Yesterday, the SBA heard from NYRR: They were accepted!!!
UPDATE on Wed 5/19: SBA HAS DECIDED TO ACCEPT, AND WILL BE A CHARITY ORGANIZATION FOR THE 2010 ING NYC MARATHON!!!
!!What a wonderful success story of fighting for what you want! Details to come as we have just received word from Cindy Brownstein herself (umm, President and CEO of the National Spina Bifida Association!), and they are willing to make this happen.
This just goes to show that persistence and sharing your passion pay off. I cannot express how excited I am!!!
PS-This isn't to say I scrapping the foundation idea! I would love to see Spina Bifida awareness at the level of other major causes. We are limitless, and while it may be lofty, it's lofty to crawl when your legs don't move, stand when you can't bear weight, walk when your prognosis says otherwise, and SB kiddos are doing these things every day.
This just goes to show that persistence and sharing your passion pay off. I cannot express how excited I am!!!
PS-This isn't to say I scrapping the foundation idea! I would love to see Spina Bifida awareness at the level of other major causes. We are limitless, and while it may be lofty, it's lofty to crawl when your legs don't move, stand when you can't bear weight, walk when your prognosis says otherwise, and SB kiddos are doing these things every day.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Mother's Day
Mothers day is fast approaching. Last year I was a nervous expectant mother counting days until we would be meeting Emily. I received many Mother's Day cards for the mom-to-be (those clever card companies!) and was so touched, and a tad bit overwhelmed at what path lay ahead.
Being a mom certainly encompasses so many things. It's a job that requires may talents. You have to be a giver, coach, doctor, teacher, chef, nutritionist, bartender, cleaning lady, repair lady, interior decorator, financial planner, psychic, referee, seamstress, musician, artist, gardener, chauffeur, camp counselor, nurse, research assistant, secretary, personal shopper, personal assistant, philanthropist, journalist. You have to be organized, thorough, responsible, vocal, determined. You have to be an advocate. You have to be the voice of your child when they can't be their own voice. You have to give and love unconditionally.
While you will not get a pay check for any of this, and much of your work may go unnoticed, you have the most important role ever as a mom. Your reward comes each time your child smiles at you, snuggles with you, cries to you, puts their arms around your neck, hold your hand, waives good bye, leans on you for support, calls you to chat, asks your advise, sends you a card, comes to visit, and thinks of you when you never even realize it.
Oh Moms, where would we be without you?
This year I'm excited to celebrate my first Mother's Day as a Mom. Two weekends ago we visited friends in their beautiful new home, and their almost 5-year old daughter had so many adorable and hilarious quips. And, many wise ones. She was oogling over Emily and while she was admiring her, she looked at me and said "You must be so proud to have such a cute baby!" Why, yes! yes I am! There are so many things to be proud of this year, this first Mother's Day. I'm proud of Emily's playful personality, her love of life, her love on snuggling, her beautiful features, every inch of her adorable, chubby body. I'm proud of her determination, hard work, perseverance, and enthusiasm. I'm proud at how far she has come this year. I'm proud of how relaxed and happy she is with such a busy medical and therapeutic life. I'm proud of her focus when she wants to do something, her vocalization and exploration of sounds. I'm proud of her smiles, her occasional shyness. I'm proud of everything single thing about her. But mostly I am proud that I was chosen to be her mom, and she was chosen to be my daughter.
This year I say thanks to Emily, for giving me a Mother's Day to celebrate.
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