Busy Week!

I know, I know. We haven't run yet this week. I didn't feel well yesterday; I had a 6:00 appointment tonight; and guess what? Tomorrow is Kiefer's birthday and we're having cake and ice cream. The next day? We're leaving for Disney!! So, it's tomorrow, then. I'll try to get home a little early and take Cady for a quick 3-mile run before everyone gets here. Plus, I still have those 20 burpees to do or Chris will never let me live it down.

So, tomorrow it is, then! Check back tomorrow night.


On a very sad note, Cady's long-time nurse, Deb, lost her son last night. He was killed at only age 23. We all feel so badly for Deb - she really is part of our family and we wish we could do something to make her feel better. Life is short enough as it is.

Fire & Rain

Prelude:

I read Chris’ blog today (http://theplaygroundchallenge.blogspot.com/ ) – which is extremely entertaining and funny - and am glad to here that Sully is fine after getting hit by a car. I had actually intended to do a couple of burpees in honor of Geoff, but I forgot and now I’m having a vodka gimlet so that’s not going to happen – I’ll do 20 tomorrow; I promise.

First off, let me say that during my short period of semi-serious running (about 2 years) my nipples have never hurt. I’ve listened to some of my friends complain that the constant rubbing of their shirt chapped their nipples to the point of bleeding, but I never experienced it. Well, today that ended. My nipples are killing me! Could it have something to do with the torrential downpours that Cady and I ran in? By the time we came back we were both soaked.

I tried to time it so that we went out between the cloud bursts that danced around us this afternoon and although we didn’t meet up with any thunder or lightening, we couldn’t avoid the rain. Cady actually liked it; she kicked and squealed quite a bit today. It was bizarre weather –at one point, while it was raining we could see bright sunshine not too far off. No rainbow or Leprechaun, though. Most of the people who drove past us waived and smiled (like the penguins of Madagascar) and we had a couple Groundhog Day moments. But, it was fun and I’m glad we went out.

So the run itself: I have repeatedly found that when I don’t feel energized or pumped up for a run, I settle in and have a really good run. Conversely, when I’m all into it and ready to go mentally, I sometimes struggle. Today, I wasn’t really feeling it, but I told Cady last night that we’d go out today. Within the first half mile we were in a groove. We actually could have gone much further today had it not been so close to dinner time (I was the cook tonight). So our time and distance was good for a rainy day and I like the number of calories the phone tells me I burned. By the way, the Sound Shell held up better than my nipples did. We ran to an 80’s rock station on Pandora.

Someone hold me to those 20 burpees tomorrow ... Chris.

Running with Music is Better - Way Better.

Today was our first run with our new Sound Shell. It’s a portable speaker for any kind of device with a headphone jack. It’s a hard shell, the phone/device goes inside and zips closed. There are Velcro straps (it’s advertised as a bicycle speaker), so you can mount it to anything. It’s water-resistant and shock-proof; the sound is REALLY GOOD – we ran to Pandora’s Guns N’ Roses station! It was only $35 on Amazon!

My goal was for us to run 3 miles at better than a 9-minute mile. We came really close! 2.9 miles at 9:12 average pace. That’s our best pace yet by over 20 seconds. That proves that your mind is stronger than your body because I had to psyche myself into a pretty fast finish even though my legs felt like Jell-O.

Whenever we hit a hill and my heart rate soars, I tell Cady that she needs to make some noise to inspire me to push harder. I was thinking that sports teams ask the same thing from their home crowd to enthuse the players. My absolute favorite thing about going to watch the Celtics at the Garden is the music and crowd noise at the beginning and then whenever the team needs a lift. When Kiefer and I went last, he and I lost our voices for a couple days because we screamed so much! The players always say that it really does motivate them. You know what? When Cady kicks her legs and makes her unique ‘squeal’ (for lack of a better word), I get goose bumps and a little adrenaline boost! I feel like its her way of telling me she’s having fun and I run faster.

So the race – the Falmouth Road Race (www.falmouthroadrace.com ): it is 19 days away and you can bet that we’ll be ready. However, I found out that we need to have at least one, but preferably a few, escorts to run with us. It’s a safety thing – they like an escort in front and behind the AD running team (Ambulatory Disabled Entrant) just in case a wave of runners approaches. That way, the escorts can act as a buffer so no one trips over the wheel chair, etc. My brothers-in-law, Chris and Steven (Steve is Kelly’s brother and he’s in pretty good shape as a member of the R.I. Army National Guard and Chris got this whole thing going). We’d welcome another runner or two if anyone is interested. It’s free, but I need to know within a couple of days because you’d need to sign a consent form. Two is enough, but a couple more would make it that much more fun.

Most of you probably saw the facebook page that we started today. Hopefully that will make it easier for you to follow us. I also saw that we’re up to $700 for the Easter Seals and many people have called or emailed me to informally tell me they plan on donating, too. The money for the Seals is really a secondary goal. Don’t get me wrong – their mission is very noble and I believe in it. But Cady and I are running more for her mental and emotional well-being. It’s giving her a way to participate in a sport that she otherwise wouldn’t be able to do. It gets her out of the house for some scenery and fresh air. It's a bonding experience, too, just like when any parent plays a game or sport with their child. That being said, we’ll probably fund raise again – maybe for A Wish Come True or for Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

I think that’s enough for tonight. Tomorrow night I’m taking the kids to see ‘Brave’, but we’ll run again on Wednesday. I'll also tell you about the birthday party we had last week for the kids and the donations we collected for Hasbro.

Tomorrow ... I love you, tomorrow ...

Well, today just didn't work out ... for running. We had company and we ate a lot. We had a couple drinks, too. We played cards and the kids played. It was fun. Cady was a little out of sorts - she was awake much of last night and was tired and crabby all day. No matter, she still socialized and is now sound asleep.

I went on to facebook and saw something posted by Team Hoyt I have yet to read. However, I did see his sign off: "Yes you can!". I love that man. I read that and immediately told Kelly that Cady and I will be running as soon as I get home tomorrow. I think we'll work on our speed; goal: at least 3 miles at less than a 9 minute mile.

I'll post tomorrow night and I'll tell you how our new Sound Shell works.

Happy Birthday, Cady!

Five years ago,almost to the minute (10:14 I think), Cady was born. The experience wasn't like our previous two (or like Kenley's six months ago). We knew there were going to be some complications; Kelly's water had meconium mixed in (the baby's stool) and we expected some breathing issues to follow. However, meconium aspiration is not an uncommon complication, so we weren't too worried. As it turned out, the six week roller coaster ride in the NICU afterwards resulted in a gut wrenching realization: our baby was not going to grow up like the others.

Of course, we were devastated and immediately went into denial. We kept thinking her brain would find a way to repair itself or circumvent the damaged area. But, ... that didn't happen. Instead, we now have Cady as she is and love her nonetheless. Really. One time, Kelly and I were talking about our children and I told her that Cady was my favorite. She looked shocked because I'm actually closer to our two older children (Callia and Kiefer) and I love them so much. But, there's a very soft place in my heart for Cady that will never get crowded by anyone else. I'm not a soft, caring person (on the outside), but I really feel for those in need, especially children, especially Cady.

So, no running today. Just a little party consisting of close family, pizza, cake and ice cream. We're planning a family run on Sunday at the middle school track. That should be fun for everyone.

Cady smiling as we sang 'Happy Birthday' to her. Soon after, she smeared chocolate all over her face and into her eyes - I had to give her a shower!

Fore!!

Today was our best run yet: out of our neighborhood, down Old Forge Road, into Goddard State Park and back - 5.3 miles. We averaged just over a 10 minute mile. So, we’re getting there; 9 minutes is my goal. Look below at the screen from my Run Keeper app. These are our runs, except for the 6 miler I did by myself last week. Today’s run wasn’t that far off from that.

Today was Cady’s best day, too. She was very vocal and into the run. I think she liked seeing the cars drive by and the people playing in the park. We nearly got hit by a bright yellow stray golf ball! It’s a nice Callaway Practice - I took it home as a souvenir. At one point Cady seemed to be chocking a little (she often does because her gag reflex is poor). I said to her, “Breath Cady, breath”. She looked backwards up at me and said, “I ahhh bbrreee”! I apologized and better explained what I meant.

A couple notes on the running:

#1) Cady and I both need to be comfortable in order for this to work out; she kept sliding forward and I had to keep adjusting her back to an upright position. She's not a baby, but an active 5-year old girl. I’ll tinker with the straps to see what I can do about that.

 #2) The stroller needs a tune up. It kept pulling to the right like a car out of alignment. I’m not sure what got a better workout – my legs or my arms!

#3) Internet streaming music websites like Pandora or Slacker don’t work very well when you run into a dead zone (pun intended). I need to download a bunch of music on iTunes. I’ll just take whatever Kelly and my kids already have.

On another note, I spoke to or received emails from quite a few people today; people who offered us encouragement to keep running and to keep writing. Some of you were generous with your money, too, and donated to the Easter Seals – thank you for that support. Again, if you like the blog, please ‘Follow by Email’ or become a member of the site. Also, please tell others about the blog. I am going to set up a facebook page soon which should make it easier to follow us.

Someone remind me to tell you about Jessie Cooper next time.

I thought it was a giant nut falling out of a tree until I realized we were right next to a small driving range!

It's official!

It’s official! We’re registered for the 2012 Falmouth Road Race! It’s a 7-mile run on Sunday, August 12 at 10 a.m.

Since general registration was closed when I tried to apply, we had to get our bib number through one of the participating charities. I chose the Easter Seals because they help people with disabilities like Cady, and pledged to raise $1,000. So, we need a little help – we’re looking for some of you to help ‘sponsor’ our run by donating to the Easter Seals. They’ve set up a convenient web page to facilitate the fundraising:  http://www.easterseals.com/goto/RunningForStrength1027

Donations will be received directly by the Easter Seals when you click on the “Make a Donation” button and are tax deductible. I plan on having my employer match the aggregate amount donated by my co-workers and me. If you feel compelled, please make a donation to this noble organization.

As for Cady and me, we’ll be training for our run and looking for anyone who wants to join us at any of our upcoming races.

Introduction

Many of you know Cady, my five year old daughter. Cady was born with cerebral palsy (CP) because her umbilical cord was tied in a knot and deprived her brain oxygen. She spent her first six weeks of life in the hospital and has periodic return visits for miscellaneous health complications. Ask anyone though – especially her teachers and her nurse, Deb, and they’ll tell you she has spunk and intelligence. As another child once put it, ‘she’s trapped inside a body that won’t work’.

On her second birthday, we took Cady to Duke University for an umbilical cord blood reinfusion – a pilot program. The hope was that the stem cells from her own banked cord blood could migrate towards damaged areas of her brain and perhaps regenerate or repair the area. Thanks once again to everyone who helped make that trip possible – we had to raise a considerable amount of money. Although she has made quite a bit of progress since then, Cady continues to have to eat via feeding tube, still cannot speak, and cannot yet stand or walk unassisted. We still hope for the best for her.

Thanks to my brother-in-law, Chris, I recently read about a father who has been helping his disabled son participate in sports for over 30 years – Dick Hoyt (see the link here to Team Hoyt: http://www.teamhoyt.com/). This is a guy, now in his seventies, who has run well over 1,000 races and triathlons with his son Rick: when running, he pushes Rick in a race wheelchair; when swimming, Rick lays in a raft and Dick pulls him; and when cycling, Rick sits on a specially-made seat at the front of their race bike. Seriously?! Who commits to doing that? Dick Hoyt, that's who. Rick says that when he’s out there with his dad he feels like his disabilities disappear. There are others I'm finding out there who are doing similar activities.

Well, I have been so incredibly inspired by the Hoyt's tenacity and determination that I’ve set out to at least run with Cady. She's only about forty pounds and the jogging stroller is pretty easy to push (except up the hills!). I don’t aspire to be like Mr. Hoyt per se, but I have already started to experience the rewards of having Cady participate in a sport with me. I don’t yet know exactly how she feels about it, but she smiles and kicks her legs when we’re out there and I think that means she likes it. I ask her each time we go out and I think she tries to tell me 'yeah'.

I’ve started this blog to track our running progress. We’ll be running a couple times per week and I’m starting  to find races that I can register us for. I’ll post pictures and will write here regularly. I'll ask my wife, and English major and writer, not to critique my writing too harshly. I encourage any of you runners and/or supporters out there to chime in whenever something strikes you. If if you like this blog, tell others about it. Our first official race is the 2012 Falmouth Road Race. We had to get our race number through the Easter Seals and consequently will be trying to raise some money for that charity. I'll post something about that later.

I also intend this blog to be a place where others with similar circumstances can go for encouragement and support. Having a disabled family member is hard work. Mr. Hoyt’s motto is “Yes you can!” I like that. Although I view myself as being very self-motivated, we can all use some encouragement and I hope that Cady and I can encourage others to do whatever they can to give their physically challenged loved ones as normal a life possible. More than anyone else, I hope my other children grow up with positive, 'can do' attitudes. So much in life, like a race, is simply mind over matter. We can all accomplish great things and overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges if we just commit to it.

So, stay tuned. And if you happen to know my brother-in-law and good friend, Chris, thank him for getting this going and tell him to get his running shoes on and his butt out the door!

Facing you is Cady - laughing as she tries to touch her new baby sister.