2010 NYC Marathon Virtual Course

ING New York City Marathon Course Video

On Our Way

Many of you may want to know just how much money we have raised.  Hang tight.  With donations still being mailed in, totals will be tallied shortly after the race in a later post.  We are more than pleased with the generous donations well exceeding what we had set as our goal.

However, if numbers are your thing, you can track either Melyssa Ostler (BIB #40,083) or Adrienne Trigg (BIB #39,215 with an estimated 10 minute pace and goal to be my PR of 4:27) on our route via the following link:
http://www.nycmarathon.org/Join_In.htm
My iphone will update via GPS once per minute on the NY Marathon Spectator App.

Destination, New York City.  

It feels like forever ago that I started training for this race.  I became inspired by a mother I have never met in NY, Liz Keicher, who started running for her daughter with Spina Bifida and helped to partner the Spina Bifida Association as a official charity partner of the New York City Marathon.  I asked her if I could join her in running and advocating the NYC marathon in 2011.  I was ecstatic when I learned that not only would I be part of the team, but that my sister, Melyssa, could join us too.

One of the things I think about while running for hours is, that I have learned that running this marathon is like a metaphor for my life.  I do not get to run a sprint to the finish line where everyone is cheering and everything is OK.  Instead I am learning to push myself to endure a pace through exhaustion and at times adrenaline and then acceptance for the long road ahead.  I have learned a whole new running language and met a new group of people I never would have met.  I have trained in the hottest TX summer on record.  Sweat and threw up from heat exhaustion many times.  But I kept on.  Woke at 5am leaving my family behind every Saturday morning for the past 27 weeks for a total just over 614 miles.  I could have run from Austin to Albuquerque (619 miles) to visit my sweet in-laws or Denver to Billings (555 miles) to visit the Montana family.

I really don't know why I started running.  Running a marathon was not what I had planned.  I know it was good exercise and I wanted to loose the baby weight.   I could clear my thoughts and relieve stress.  I remember thinking I would be a good example for my kids and all that they struggle with and work towards.  Wow, was I wrong.  As it turns out, my family has been my greatest example and is what keept pushing me to run.  The thoughts of my lil brother, Austin, and sisters, Cate and Julia, flocking in the late summer nights, my sister Melyssa tirelessly training, fundraising while working and going to school. Hanna & Hayden flocking in their pjs and welcoming me home after every run.  And mostly, Scott putting up with my early Friday evenings and exhausted sweaty Saturdays while he wielded the kiddos for most of the day.  They are my inspiration and gave me determination to see it through.

While my little Hayden may not have the strongest body, he is my super hero in Spirit.  He makes all those around him want to help him do better.  Everyone he greets with a smile, hug or kiss.  His personality is quiet and magnetic.  He is patient and joyful.  At times he does get frustrated with his body not keeping up with everything he wants to do.  We don't know if Hayden will be able to walk, but that will not define him or his quality of life.  He will have every opportunity to DO whatever he wants.  My purpose as his mother is to help develop all of his abilities and strengths.

All of us have weaknesses, let's develop and discover our talents.

So we are off...and in Hayden's words...."Lets GO PLAY!"

Holiday Shopping & FUNdraising

You may DONATE directly for the NYC marathon by clicking on donate.

Only 26 more days until the NYC 26.2 mile marathon! This is your last chance to make a donation in Hayden's honor.  
Every amount no matter how small is precious and will help advocate about the importance of Folic Acid and giving these wonderful children a chance for their right to life and a good quality of life.
Thank you for every dollar you sponsor me or my sister, Melyssa on the run of our lives!  We are SOOOO EXCITED!
If you are not in Austin to attend our Spina Bifida open house, you may also like a little Holiday Shopping Preview with a percent of proceeds going to the SBA:

The Pampered Chef:

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/mellissahoskin?page=2ways-order-products

Encantada:

http://encantadadesigns.ecrater.com/

Scentsy:

https://marciakent.scentsy.us/Buy?partyId=54113525

Spina Bifida Jewelry:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/anett1

Milestones

Hayden has never stood for this long by himself.  He has to wear knee immobilizers for support, but he is getting stronger!  Please see the posts below by clicking the banner above.

Flamingos migrate from Austin, TX to Billings, MT?

To DONATE click here.  To read the whole story, click on the banner picture above.


With some mixed emotions of gratitude, sadness and relief, after 30 days of moving 2 migrating flocks in 100 degree heat, our Austin, Texas flamingo flocking has come to an end.  Due to the heat, our flamingos have flown the coup.  Many of them lost libs or broke wings in sustaining their efforts.  They have moved to a cooler climate, Billings, Montana where my running partner & marathon sister, Melyssa, will debut her fundraising efforts.

We are sincerely thankful for our wonderful neighbors and friends generous donations to the Spina Bifida Association and motivating support that made our fundraising so fun and heart felt.  Our Texas donations were much more than we anticipated. To date, we have raised more than $4,000!  

Over the course of the 26.2 mile race I will be motivated knowing I have over $150 riding on each mile I endure running.  It really helps give me something to think about while I have been training in this terrible Texas heat. 

Why have we done this?  We want you to know that Spina Bifida CAN largely be prevented by taking prenatal vitamins or daily FOLIC ACID PRIOR to getting pregnant. Spina Bifida occurs at ~20 days gestation, just before the 1st missed period.  Although prenatal vitamins were taken in Hayden’s case, not all diagnosis are known why.  

We have been blessed with abundant medical resources and state support while many families throughout the country are not.  Upon learning the diagnosis at the 20 week ultrasound, MOST mothers are pressured into delivering the baby prematurely to terminate the pregnancy.  Spina Bifida is not a death sentence.  EDUCATION = POWER & HOPE

Where Does The Money Go?  100% of your donation goes directly to the national Spina Bifida Association.  

• $52.40 will provide 10 diagnosed mothers-to-be and six families living with Spina Bifida with tools, resources, information, and guidance from our National Resource Center for one day.

• $78.60 will provide a full-day of education and supportive services to a family of three living below the poverty line.  This includes treatment information, access to health-care facilities, and psycho-social programming assistance, among others.  A meal is also included.

• A $131 contribution provides 550 women with information about preventing Spina Bifida with daily folic acid.

• $183.40 will support at least two children attending the three-day Kids!Camp – the only such camp in the country that promotes self-confidence, esteem and independence all in a fun atmosphere.

• $262.20 enhances our college scholarship fund to further a young person with Spina Bifida’s education.

• $1,000 furthers research in Spina Bifida to develop better treatment for, more understanding about, and new ways to prevent this life threatening birth defect.

NYC SBA marathon fundraising fun

Just finished the graphic that includes all the children of the parents who will be running the NYC marathon for SBA.  They represent just a few of the wonderful people with Spina Bifida that I am honored to represent.

Thank you to all of you who continue to contribute and support our fundraising efforts.  The 3 dozen flamingos that are flocking our neighborhood has started off really well, thanks to the full support of our HOA and our generous neighbors.

I am humbled and more grateful than words can express to all our generous donors!