Getting Down & Dirty to Get Up With Research

So remember in my last post (yes, I know it was forever ago) I mentioned I would be running a race in April?!! Guess who is doing a MUD run, a Survivor Mud Run April 21, 2012? Yours truly along with super, awesome SMA mom's Victoria Strong and Meri Phelps. Here's the details on the where, when and how:

Survivor Mud Run (You have to check out the video to see how nuts we are for signing up for this.)






Yes, we are going to get down and dirty with some mud to raise funds for research for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). We decided it would be ok for mud to get in cracks it shouldn't be to raise money for SMA. To possibly loose an eye contact from wet dirt and blindly finish the race to raise awareness for SMA. To kick some SMA a** (butt) with a good slinging of mud.

But I can't do it ALL myself (well sometimes I pretend I'm Super Woman, but that's besides the point).  This is where I need your help. I have made a goal to raise $3000 by November for the Santa Barbara International Marathon by joining Team GSF. I will be running the half marathon in November, but until then I will be doing some smaller races for training like this super crazy mud run. My goal is to raise $500 for the Survivor Mud Run.

Making a donation couldn't be easier. By clicking here you can visit my fundraising page. Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.


My daughter Hayden was born a survivor. She overcomes the obstacles and difficulties SMA has put before her daily. So for me to put one foot in front of the other and get drenched in some mud; it all pales in comparison to her tenacity to live and love life.  


We thank you for your support in helping us fund research to find a cure for SMA!

I ran a race and I may be hooked.

Sunday I ran my first ever race, a 10k at the Getty Owl Run/Walk ( http://gettyowl.org/ ) in Sacramento and what F-U-N it was! My dad even joined me and did his first 5k! So proud of him. I have never ran in any official race except for 'the mile' in high school. So I wasn't sure what to expect. Would I get lost when running? Would I putter out after mile 4 since I've never ran more than 4 miles in one run? Would my knees be mad at me after? Would I have enough reserve energy to take care of Hayden after and the next day? Well, I didn't get lost (I now see it would be a little impossible; they marked it so well and I was following a crowd), all my friends must have sent me they're cheers and energy because I was passing mile markers without even knowing where mile 4 was, my knees were as happy at the end as the beginning (I did ice them that night though just to be on the safe side) and I was on such a high that I had no problem with mommy duties after the race and I was just fine the next. I must say I did sleep like a rock that night.

Over 5 years ago (before Hayden) I wrote some goals down. Well, I've always had goal lists but on this list I had: write a child's book, write a poem, use better vocabulary, go to a book signing, go to Europe, retire young to travel with Chris, understand art, run a race. I don't always remember what I put down on those lists but I have never forgotten the race goal. So it was perfect when our close friends the Strongs started Team GSF ( http://thegsf.org/campaigns/detail/jointeamgsf/ ). I was having an itching to run with their team this last November but mentally was not ready. After seeing the excitement and fulfillment that everyone had after that race I knew I would be signing up for this years half marathon race. How perfect it was that the Getty Owl Foundation was putting on a 5k/10K run/walk. I need to break the ice somewhere and it just felt so right that my first race would somehow be tied to finding a cure for SMA.

What I did learn from running my first race is that I need to strengthen my back muscles. Back was somewhat sore last night. MUST get proper shoes for my feet. I have a big 'ol size 10 flat foot. (Just so you know, the average models foot is a size 9. Just say'in) And having an ipod with your favorite tunes is a huge help. 

This was so different than running at home. Usually I can't wait to get to the end of my run and ready to walk in the first mile. Not sure if it was the early morning air or that I hadn't spent any of my energy for the day since the race started at 8:30. Or maybe it was running next to the river that keeps your mind off the running and enjoying the scenery. Or maybe its the 9 year olds that are lapping me. Or maybe it was the group of runners wearing t-shirts in memory of a little girl named Maggie that moved me to tears in the middle of my run. Or maybe it was my motivation for running....knowing that Hayden would love to run so there was not any excuse for slowing down. My legs and body just wanted to "go".Well I did slow down once to find out if Hayden would be at the finish line or if I should walk to give her more time to make it down there, but I WANTED to run. I figured I would just keep running and give her my best time. So my first race of 6.2 miles was completed in 01:10:13 :) 

Not only was this race special to me because it will always be my first but because it was in honor of a little girl named Getty and all the children that live with SMA. Kate, Getty's super awesome amazing mom, put the event on and (WOW) what an event it was. There were over 800 runners and with everyone else that showed up for the festivities I'm sure there was over a 1,000 that learned what SMA is and why we need a cure so bad. Even the news showed up along with the radio station that had a booth.  There was food, smoothies, coffee, kettle corn, princess face painting (Hayden's favorite), bounce house, craft booths, balloon hats for the kids, a gym brought equipment for warm ups, the library had story time and the SPCA had some pets.

And then the best part.....getting together with other SMA families of the area. There is a closeness that is felt when you are with others that are going through the same things you are. And Hayden loves seeing her friends. She gets so social and needs to touch and talk to her friends. I think she thinks Getty is her baby. She was so soft when visiting with her. And she was so excited when Aaron arrived. She couldn't wait for him to get out of the van. She wanted to be right next to him as to say 'Come on. I'll show you the park'. It was so cute when she wanted to have a conversation about her sunglasses with Kaige. She told him she liked his and that hers were princesses. Her eye blinks (the way she says yes) were so BIG to agree with everything he said.

To end the day perfectly, on our way home we stopped to see my brother and sister in law and baby Grady. He was the perfect reward for my race day. When I walked in he had on his onesie that I got him and it was so fitting for what I had just accomplished. I love him so much.

Now I can't wait till my next race. I was telling my mom I need to find something local soon because I can't wait till April. You ask what's in April? Oh.....it's gonna be a good one ;) Details coming soon cuz I'm gonna need some sponsors.

Waiting to rock the Getty Run. It was freeeeezzing

Some of the booths

Getty just arriving and so happy to see her mommy

Crossing the finish line

1st race down!

I did it because I love you

Getty and Hayden 

Hayden and Kaige.
Yes, she was very specific about picking out her hat. 

The families

Hayden loves her cousin. She will not let him out of her sight.

That's right!

for the love of......

Okay..so I'm finally starting my blog. This has been a long time coming. I love reading other blogs so I thought I should give back and share too. And also, there are some ladies out there that will be thrilled I've started ;o) I think this will be a good place for me to grow and better my writing. Like Alex the Lion from Madagascar says "You're not so good with putting the words together and their coming out, good thing."

So you say 'for the love of.....what?'

My daughter Hayden. That is what this blog will be mostly about. You know, she is my world. 

My husband Chris. My high school sweetheart.

A cure for SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). A condition my daughter was diagnosed with. There will be lots on that.

My friends and family. From them I've gained and learned so much. 

Food. I love food. Good food that is. I should probably add wine here too. Oh, and coffee.

I'm always interested in the author behind the blog. What makes them write the things they write. So I thought I'd tell a little about myself.

• I love to read. Growing up my parents always read. My husband teases me that I can't eat a meal by myself without something to read. 
• I find the holistic/alternative field of medicine very interesting.
• I work best under deadlines. Procrastination hangs out at my house too much. 
• My favorite season is the changing of seasons. I love summer for the tank tops and shorts, summer fruits and veggies, warm lakes and boating. Just when I've had enough of the triple digit heat; autumn shows up with its reds, oranges and browns, pumpkin logs and sweaters. Soon I'm begging for rain which brings winter with its toasty fires, winter boots and hot tea with shortbread cookies. Just when I think I'm going to be depressed from the short days and fog; here comes happy Spring. Spring comes with its bright happy flowers, BBQ's and our wedding anniversary.
• I wish I would have followed through with college. This is where I have to eat the 'I told you so's. You know when your 19, you have it all figured out. It's not so much that I want a career from it, as it is having the experience in that time of my life. 
• Jobs: Had my first job at 13. I cleaned the bakers house every other week after junior high for $20. That was big bucks for 13 years old. Through out high school I cleaned some of the local farmers house's. One summer I helped out at a trap and skeet club, which really didn't sit well with me as I have a real aversion to guns. After high school I worked at a financing company. I learned so much about mortgages and money. On our honeymoon we met a couple that offered us an opportunity to buy a smoothie shop. That was fun. We sold smoothies, vegetable juices, wheat grass juice, sandwiches and soup. Eventually it was time to move on, so we sold and I went to work at a toxicology company.We tested blood, urine, tissues, bodily fluids; really anything that could be tested for a toxic substance. Even wine. Once there was a lady that thought her husband was poisoning her through her wine. Turns out she was just crazy. Most work was done for the coroners office or police/sheriffs office. I really liked working there. It was such a fascinating job. Next I signed up to be a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. I loved making women beautiful and happy. I made lots of friends and got to travel. My most favorite and rewarding job is my current role, as Mom to Hayden. I've never felt so much happiness until she was born. You always hear moms say it, but you never really get it till you have your own.  
• I think its fun to listen to someone who speaks with a foreign accent. Especially English, with words like bloody, rubbish, bum and cheerio. It just makes you smile. 
• I use to pass out from needles but pregnancy cured that. 
• I over think. Not so much as a 'worrier'. I just like to have all scenarios played out in my mind ahead of time. 
• I have a thing for water. I always travel with a bottle or 10. It was a joke to open my car doors and count how many empty bottles would fall out. And it fixes so much stuff. Got a headache? You need water. Constipated? You need some water. Tired? You probably need some water. My favorite vacation destinations involve water too, the beach being my favorite. Love the lakes and rivers too. 
• I love farmers markets, wine tasting, floating in the river, white water rafting, cooking, humor with sarcasm and running. 

So that was some stuff about me. Hope I didn't bore you. Cheerio!