That SMA thing I run for.

I have failed miserably this month.  To be honest, I'm losing steam as far as inspiration goes right now but that is not a viable excuse.  This month called August also happens to have an "AKA" and it's SMA Awareness month.
I have been training for my very first marathon.  I have been training to raise money to help kick SMA in the YKW (you know what).  The money that goes to Getty Owl Foundation is used to aid Dr. Brian Kaspar at Nationwide Children's hospital to potentially cure SMA. I have not done a very good job of telling you guys about what it is, how it works, and the fact there is currently no cure.  So, here goes...

SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) has 5 "types".  0-4.
*0 being the most severe, where the onset is before birth and the sweet baby isn't estimated to live more than 6 months.
*1- is a close runner up as far as the most severe form of SMA goes.  These sweet babes cannot sit up without support.  Breathing, moving, and swallowing are difficult.  A simple cold can exacerbate the difficulties and can potentially cause death if not handled appropriately.  The average lifespan of children with SMA type 1 is barely 2 years.  However, with your help we can increase this number.  And as a sweet reality to this fact, sweet Getty will be FOUR in March....just saying.
*2- people with type 2 are able to sit but not stand.  Those diagnosed with type 2 have an estimated lifespan that can go into adulthood.
*3-those diagnosed with type 3 can walk but this ability is lost over time because you caught that "atrophy part" right?
*4- those diagnosed with type 4 are extremely weak but can walk and should not lose that ability over time.

Let's talk genes.  Something I don't know a whole lot about and maybe you don't either.  That's why this handy-dandy diagram is dummy proof....

Thing about this carrier thing is it's not in the regular work up as far as prenatal blood work goes.  It's foolish seeing as SMA:
is the #1 genetic killer of young children
occurs in nearly one out of every 6,000 births (and this number seems to be on the incline)
is NOT based on race, ethnicity, or gender

All that being said.  We NEED to find a cure.  Soon. Quickly. Rapidly. Allegro. Yesterday.
My race is November 16.  I am collecting money either in person or online via Crowdrise.
ALL the proceeds go towards Getty Owl Foundation which is a 501c-3 organization.  This means it's TAX DEDUCTIBLE people.
My goal is $1200 because seriously, it's SMA and I'm running a MARATHON.
That would be 26.2 miles guys. 26.2.....

In all seriousness though, please think about donating to this cause whether it's through my Crowdrise site or directly to the Getty Owl Foundation.  We've gotta get on this y'all.  We just gotta.

 

This is why I run.

Will you help find a cure? Will you donate to my half marathon fundraiser?  The whole point of my training and running the race on December 11th is to raise money to help find a cure for SMA.  So, I am asking you to do what Josh and I have done.  We took $10 that would have gone to Teagan's Christmas and put it towards this.  We want to teach her that Christmas isn't about the presents.  We want to teach her that Christmas is a time to help those who need us.  What better way to explain giving to those in need then at Christmas time? What better way to show it then to help children who could die without a cure?  A cure that could come SOON with money to research the cure.  What will you do? Will you help and donate? Even if you don't donate to my run (which the money goes to Sophia's Cure, Inc) please donate to something this year.

Here is the website to donate. ( Crowdrise )  All it takes is $10.  My goal is to raise $1000 by December 10th.  My goal is to raise $1000 towards the research of a cure for SMA.  Will you help me?

Need a laugh? Read on...

If you have been following the drama of the insoles this last week then you will find this especially humorous.

I will give you a little background on the insole drama just in case you have no idea what I am about to talk about.  I went to the doctor last week because my left foot was killing me after running.  The doctor told me to get insoles for my shoes and I would be good to go.  After the appointment I rushed to the drug store to get the insoles and assumed (shame, shame) I would be alright after that (mistake number 1).  I attempted to run at home that very night and broke down in tears and almost had to have Josh come get me because my foot hurt so bad.  I just assumed it was the wrong insole, not that my foot was still hurting from earlier (mistake number 2).  After an incredible serving of ice cream I decided I would just order the correct insoles, have them overnighted and take back the wrong ones.  The insoles were delivered yesterday.  They were the same ones I had already.  Things brings us to today and the most embarrassing thing that has happened to me in a while....

I decided I was just going to the place the doctor told me to get the insoles originally.  So, after I dropped Teagan off and checked in a the office I took my lunch break early and headed out to downtown Hickory.  This is about a 25 minute drive each way but almost all interstate so it's not too bad.  I get to the drug store and I feel the excitement and anxiety creeping in.  Are they going to have them? They HAVE to have them.  If they don't have them what am I going to do?  I bravely walk in and hand the lady at the counter the paper the doctor gave me with the specific name brand, type of insole and the item number written at the top.  I asked if they had this particular item number in stock.  She looked at the paper, up at me and then down at the paper again.  My cheeks started flushing because I just knew they didn't have any in stock. 

Are you ready for this??

She looked back up at me and kindly said, "Ma'am, this is our phone number.  It's not an item number."  Yeah, just let that sink in for a minute. 

As you can imagine, my face turns bright red but I try my best to hide it.  I just looked dumbfounded at her and managed an "Oh".  She said she could show me where they were in the store so she led me to the roundabout they were on. She shows me the SAME INSOLES I've bought twice.  I look at the back and tell her I need the insoles specifically for flat feet.  This is for mild to high arches.  She looked at me and told me this was what I needed because this provided that amount of support for people who had flat feet.  Needless to say my face turned bright red again.  I told her thank you and left.  With my head down in shame. 

The end result was me taking one pair back, keeping the ones I had overnighted and planning on a run tonight.  Hope you laughed as hard as I did. 

Here's to my run tonight and raising more money for SMA Research.  If you'd like to donate there are 25 days left to donate.  We've reached $280 which means we have $720 left to go before we meet our goal.  Help me raise money to find a cure for this disease.

Running progress

I was down for the count a few days ago.  After completing cross training last Tuesday my left foot hurt so bad I could barely walk from the Wal Mart parking lot to my car.  I had a doctors appointment for the following week to check on it but I called and said I needed to be seen ASAP because I needed to know what I was up against and how far back it would set my training schedule.  They said they could see me the next morning so I jumped on the appointment.
The doctor told me my pain was due to my flat feet and running had basically strained the muscle but all I needed were insole inserts and I would be good to go.  He did tell me to lay off it for a few days but I wasn't going to listen.  If all I needed were insoles then we were golden.  Unfortunately the running universe had different plans and trying to find these insoles became nearly impossible.  I purchased a pair that were similar but didn't even get up the road before I was in so much pain I really thought I was going to have to call Josh to come down the street to come get me.  Needless to say those were apparently NOT the right insoles. I threw a bit of a fit, quietly because Teagan was in bed, when I got back to the house.  A lot of crying and throwing the insoles and a few kitchen towels and then I sat on the couch and ate a LOT of ice cream because at that point I wasn't in training mode.
After my hissy fit I found the insoles online and had them overnighted but they wouldn't be here until Monday (today).  On Sunday I had had enough of not running and so I decided to run anyway.  Without the insoles.  I figured my foot had enough time to rest and recoop so I should be able to run.   Luckily, I was right.  I ran 4 miles in 40 minutes.  HELLO 10 minute MILES!!! Now if I could just keep that pace for all 13 miles we'll be golden! haha! Also, if I did that without the insoles I hope to do better with the insoles in. I also went to the gym today and ran hills/sprints (it's supposed to be a hilly course, ) for 2 miles and my foot only hurt slightly.
As planned the insoles were waiting for me when I got home...not planned was the company SENDING ME THE WRONG KIND!!!!!
 I will probably still run tonight but it won't be as long as planned. I will not be defeated and I will not back down.  

Half marathon, I'm still coming to get you.


If you are interested in donating to this cause please go to my Crowdrise site and donate.  All donations are tax deductible.  The goal is only $1000.  If everybody can give $5 then we will be well on our way to the goal.  A big thanks to those who have already given!!


*If you are interested in the course you can go here to see it*
*Also, keep Baby Getty in your thoughts and prayers.  She has surgery tomorrow.  Keep up with Baby Getty on her blog*