Yowza!!

That's all I can say after this weeks long run.  It was only one mile longer than last week, but wow was it hard.  Last week I felt so great out there running the whole time so it was a little bit disheartening to be out there and really feel the challenge.  I think there were a lot of reasons why this run was so much harder.

I haven't been sleeping very well because for some reason both kids have been waking up at night more than usual.  With Constantine I understand that he can't turn himself over so he wakes up a little and calls for me to turn him.  I usually don't get frustrated doing it because I can't imagine not being able to get comfortable on your own.  Lately though it has been more frequent, which gets hard.  Aurelia has just been really restless.  I am trying to figure out a way to get her to sleep better without needing me to help her back to sleep so often.  This isn't really easy (as I'm sure other mom's know) and I am definitely not the cry-it-out kind of mom.

I also switched up my workout schedule since it was raining so hard on Wednesday.  I still ran, but did 3 miles instead of 6.  I actually love running in the rain, but it is hard here because the roads get really bad when they are wet.  So, I ended up doing 6 miles the next day, closer to my long run than usual.  It was also pretty hot and sunny when I did my long run, which definitely makes it harder for me.  The biggest thing was the route that I chose to do.

Again, like last week, I wanted to take it easy and do something more flat.  I mapped my run to Henniker along a road that I know well, then back to Hillsborough on a road along a river because (here is my genius thinking) I thought it would be more flat.  I was so wrong!  This run was unbelievably beautiful, through countryside, then the town of Henniker, then along the river, but man was it hard.  The road back to Hillsborough was extremely hilly and, since I didn't know it, it felt like it would go on forever.  At first when I came to another hill I found myself laughing out loud at how wrong I was, then later I actually started to get mad at myself.  What was I thinking!  It really was beautiful though so I tried to ignore my pain and enjoy the views.  It is really important to me to not push myself too hard because I want to stay strong and healthy to take care of my kids.  When I do these long runs I go slow and enjoy them, which is why I was annoyed with myself for not planning better and choosing a less hilly run.

Oh well, live and learn.  On the up-side I had Dom and the kids meet me in Hillsborough at the icecream place in town, which was awesome.  I finished my run by running up behind them walking.  Constantine was all excited saying "Mommy have good run?  Long run, Mommy!  Nice job!  Go eat icecream!"  Could he be any more cute?.  They brought Gatorade for me, which I really needed, then we had some delicious icecream.  We give C the tiniest little bites of it to keep his lungs safe, but he still loves it.  It was a great end to my most challenging run yet (by far).

12 Miles

Today was my 12 mile training day.  I was dreading it a little bit more than I would normally dread a 12 mile run for one reason. I was sick earlier in the week.  I actually felt bad that I missed two runs in there, and was almost going to go the first day when I was in denial about getting sick.  Then I threw up and gave up on the idea.  Luckily it was a fast bug because I was only sick for two days.  Constantine and Aurelia got a very mild version of it, then Dominic got it.  He may say that he had it worse than I did, but really we had two different things.  I had wife/mommy-gets-sick-and-pushes-through-like-a-champ syndrome, while he had husband-gets-sick-and-turns-into-big-baby syndrome (sorry Dom, I love you!).  Anyway, there were actually three days in there that I couldn't run, but I made one up on an off day.

My plan was to take it easy on this long run.  I still wanted to do the 12 miles, just maybe not the hilly hills in Hillsborough runs that I usually do.  I was thinking a nice easy 12 miles through Keene or somewhere else nice and flat.  My plans changed though when Pepere and Oma (my dad and step-mom) suggested we go to the trolley museum in Lowell.  When an opportunity arises that has anything to do with trains there is no possible way I could turn it down.  Constantine LOVES (I need a stronger word than that...) LIVES trains.

We had an awesome day going on a trolley ride through the old factories.  Constantine got to sit up front with the engineer and ride on an elevator (he calls an alligator) to his seat since we had his chair.  He was in heaven with all the train noises.  We also saw a huge engine and a caboose which he said looked like Hiro from "Hero of the Rails" the movie and the caboose was like the Little Red Caboose, only BIG.  Then we walked around downtown to get me a coffee ( I didn't sleep well the night before because I have two kids under three and more often than not that's how it goes).  Aurelia is so curious about everything, and is so squrimy and fast, I find myself wanting to get one of those kid leashes to keep her safe as she points and runs after something else new saying "dis? dis?".  We then took them to a skydiving place to watch the airplane and the parachuters.  They both loved that.  I loved watching them.

I just have to add this little story.  We were driving home and Aurelia was upset (she hates car rides) so I was singing to her.  C says, "Mommy sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".  So I did, then he starts singing Bah Bah Black Sheep while I was singing.  So I started singing with him.  He immediately switched to Twinkle Twinkle.  He is such a clever little stinker, he was joking with me.  I looked back and he had this sly little grin like "haha, I messed you up, mommy!".  So we kept singing the different songs that have the same tune and then switching.  Unfortunately, Aurelia wasn't too impressed.

We got home at 3:30 and me wanting to get my run in before  the kids bedtime just went with the same old route.  I did my 10 mile run through the hilly hills of Hillsborough then added on a 2 mile lake run.  I actually felt awesome.  I thought it would be grueling, but I really felt great and just enjoyed being out there.  Even the last two miles when I passed my road and kept going around wasn't too bad.  I have to admit that now that I am home with the kids asleep I am starting to feel it.  Maybe someone really nice will proof read my post and get a great idea to give me a nice foot massage. hmm.

Today was a great day.  My kids are awesome.

Challenge

I did my long run today which was 10 miles.  I thought when I got done it I would be crawling home and dead tired, but I acutally felt really good, like I could almost run some more.  I think that was probably the runners high kicking in, but it was a reasuring feeling to know that I could do it and have some strength left. 

While I was putting my daughter to bed later(which took a LONG time tonight)  I was thinking about how challenging this marathon is going to be.  Then I started thinking about when I gave birth to Constantine and how much of a challenge that was.  When I think about this marathon I can't help but compare, especially since I am running it for Constantine.

When I had Constantine I obviously didn't know what to expect since I was a first time mother.  I was in good shape from running through my pregnancy and I was pretty mentally prepared.  I had him at the Birth Cottage in Milford, New Hampshire and walked around through most of my labor.  When I started to push I got into the birthing tub where I stayed for about four hours.  The first three I pushed. THAT was the hardest thing I have ever done.  I used every muscle in my body and every last ounce of effort that I possibly could.  The room was filled with my closest friends and family and my husband was there in the tub with me, but I was so in the zone that I didn't notice anyone or anything. 

When he finally came out everything came into focus and I saw everyone there and was just amazed that this little person was here.  I think that experience released massive amounts of endorphins becasue I spent a week after his birth just laying in bed staring at him (95% because I was so in love with the little guy and 5% because every inch of my body was sore).

This marathon is a little bit similar in that I am going through this hugh challenge not to bring him into the world, but to do my small part to help sustain him, save him.  The challenge of giving birth to him was mine alone, but this marathon challenge makes me feel like I'm part of this big network of moms and dads and relatives and friends who are each contributing to saving my son's life and their son/daughter/friend's life.

With such a hugh collective effort of each family embarking on their own fundraising challenge I can't help but feel in my heart that there will be a treatment soon.

My plea for donations (As seen on my firstgiving page!)

I am Constantine's mommy, also known as Luciante. As a mommy it is my job to do everything I can to keep my children healthy and happy. That job for Constantine is a little more difficult than usual becuase he was born with a genetic condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). There is currently no cure or treatment for SMA...But that WILL change. They are getting close. Reasearch for SMA is the closest to finding a cure than any other genetic disease and there are countless individuals who are working hard to make a cure a reality. Research for SMA also will benefit other genetic disorders like ALS and Multiple Sclerosis.

It is my goal to run this 26.2 miles for Constantine in the hopes to raise enough money to help fund the vital research for a cure.


Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a disease that affects the motor neurons, which causes muscle weakness of varying degrees. One in 6,000 babies is born with SMA worldwide and one in 40 people are genetic carriers. SMA is the #1 genetic killer of babies under 2.


We had never heard of SMA until Constantine was 8 months old and was diagnosed. We were devastated. We have been dedicated since that day to make Constantine's life the best it can be and to support every effort to END this disease.


Constantine is (sorry, I'm biased) the coolest little boy in the world. He is smart (at 2 1/2 he knows all his letters, shapes, numbers and names of everyone he meets including our chiropractor the "Pretty Nice Guy"). He's funny , sweet, silly and friendly (and the boss of the world). He is so happy despite all his limitations. He loves to collect trains and the cars from the movie CARS ( in which he has 29 and his colletion still grows). He also loves his dogs and his little sister, Aurelia (except when she steals his cars or trians from him). Constantine deserves the best, and we know that with all the research being done for him and all the other amazing kids with SMA -THERE WILL BE A CURE.


My dream of dreams is that Constantine will someday walk and run and play. I will be almost equally elated if he is someday able to eat without a feeding tube, or cough without a cough assist, or not need to wear a Bi-Pap at night to help him breath. He has the most inner strength and perseverance I have ever seen and he deserves a cure.


Please help find that CURE for Constantine! Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.