Running for Chiari: When Every Minute Counts

I have a 15K race coming up in about 15 days.  So I've decided to put it and my two good legs to work and help my sister get that surgery she needs.  

It should take me about 1 hour and 25 minutes to finish.  My goal is to raise at least $10 for every minute I'll be running.  That's 85 minutes, at $10 a minute.  $850.  

$850 in 15 days.  

It's a race people and the gun just went off.  Help get us to the finish?

https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/running-for-chiari-when-every-minute-counts/69303

Before Chiari

After Chiari

"Chiari.... when Brain Surgery sounds like a GOOD idea!"

My family has a pretty colorful medical history.  If there is a unique or rare condition, I'm pretty sure someone on some branch of my family tree has had it.  And it seems that my generation is carrying on this family tradition.

You see, back in March, I got the news that my sister had been diagnosed with Chiari Malformation.  I could try to go into all the medical speak and pretend that I know what I'm talking about...but I won't.  I will tell you what I gather is the gist of it.  My sister's brain is too big for her skull and it's pushing into her brain stem, disrupting the flow of cerebral spinal fluid; which is also wreaking all kinds of havoc on vision, balance, hearing etc....I mean it's pretty serious stuff.

Thankfully there are a handful of neuro-guys that specialize in this kind of thing, and even better, one very special specialist (a Navy guy which makes him the awesomest) that is just down the road (um....a few states downs the road) from her.  She had her first appointment with him last week.  He confirmed the Chiari diagnosis and added a few more of his own.  Turns out the Chiari is a symptom of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, that has also caused a "cervical cranial instability."  Yea.  It's official.  Big Sister does in fact have a few screws loose. (Sis...you left yourself wide open for that one...couldn't help myself :) )

So, what's next?  Well, she needs surgery.  On her brain.  My sister needs brain surgery.  WTF.
They will need to do a decompression surgery to take care of the Chiari and they also need to fuse the C1-C2 vertebrae to combat the instability.

Good news?  This Navy dude is good.  Really good.  Bad news...you get what you pay for.

Now, we are not the type of family to ask for help.  But people, these are extreme circumstances.  This Navy dude is not in their insurance network and we need to get a hold of $10K for a deposit before they can do the surgery.  And I'm positive that this very special specialist Navy neuro-dude is the one that needs to do the surgery.  Too many signs and serendipitous events have led her to him.

So please, I hope you might consider helping either by sharing or forwarding this link, by sending good thoughts, keeping her in your prayers...and if willing, maybe even contributing some spare change.  Not only is she Super Mom, but she is also Super Sister and Super Friend.  And we all need her to get her head on straight  :)

For updates and the like, you can find her here on blogspot at http://lisadeflamingos.blogspot.com/.  And if you are so inclined, you can give a penny or two at her fundraising page:

Boilermaker 15K & 5K Road Race 2012

Sunday, July 8, 2012.

A day that will go down in the history books, well...for the Family Dunlap at least!

It was about a year ago my mother told me that I should run the Boilermaker.  She also told me that I should run it with my nephew, Adam, who is on his school's cross country team.  I had grown up hearing about the Boilermaker, but I never really paid attention to it...until about a year ago when I really started running.

Mom was onto something (moms usually are though, aren't they?).  My sister-in-law thought so too and she got in on the action as well.  And so, running became a family affair and Team Dunlap was born; and for the first time ever, not one, but three Dunlaps heard the bagpipes and crossed the finish line after running 9.3 miles in the 2nd largest Boilermaker on its 35th anniversary!  Registration was capped at 14,000 runners for the 15K event, and 11,360 crossed the mat.  By far the biggest race I've ever participated in, and so far the most meaningful and FUN!

I don't know if you want to hear about all the family fun time, so I won't recap that part except to say THANK YOU MOMMY AND BROTHER for making sure I had enough snacks and dinners and snacks and peanut butter for the yummy goodness that I know as carb loading.  And thank you sister-in-law for introducing me to what I like to call, Cherry Yum Yum.

Moving on.

Race weekend for me actually started the day before.  On Saturday morning, I joined sis-in-law, Jenn, and nephew, Adam, for an easy mile run with their running group, the Utica Roadrunners.  

Jenn, Adam and I (in the middle)
pre-run.  We're having fun :)

Me.  Post-run.  Oh my.  Aren't
I colorful...

A big shout out to the Roadrunners!  They are a great group of folks, who made this stranger that talked funny feel welcome AND they know how to treat their members post race...under the tent...with tomato pie...and right close to the porta-potties (this may be more important than the tomato pie....).  And for those that don't know about tomato pie....well, good.  That means more for me.  But I digress....

The Utica Roadrunners!

  
After the run, it was time to hit the expo

Me, getting my number.

Adam doesn't look as happy as I do...
He must be troubled by the
baby poop brown color of the bibs...

and preview the course.

driving down the Parkway

going into the golf course

a pretty view from the top of the golf course.

a wedding party thought so too

My niece, Jordyn.
She's having fun, trust me!

It seemed my camera skills were
suddenly lacking.

Then, after some family time, good spaghetti and meatballs (MEATABALLA), we hit the sack.

Race day saw the family up and about earlier than maybe it ever had before!  I don't know if we were all awake, but we at least were conscious.

a shirt we saw at the starting line.
a runner armed with her iPhone
sent it to me when she heard
"dang, i wish I had a camera...
that would have been perfect for my blog..."

I tell you, you have never seen so many people IN YOUR LIFE!  And they were all in line for the porta-potty before the gun went off.  We were probably in the middle of the 11,360 people...us with the baby poop colored bibs, waiting somewhat patiently.  We sang the national anthem, had a prayer and then we were OFF.  Well, the Kenyans and the Ethiopians and the Morrocans were.  It took about 10 minutes for us to actually cross the starting line.


The first 3 miles were filled with runners and spectators. Heck.  The course was lined with spectators for the ENTIRE 9.3!  The road had a very slight incline, but not so much to cause anyone any problems.  We then took the Parkway, tree lined and gorgeous, to the humdinger of a hill, the one that I was most worried about, going into and then another inside the golf course at mile 4(ish).  We made it back down from the golf course and back onto the Parkway.  It was at this point I looked to the heavens above and said "Thank you, dear Piedmont of North Carolina!"  I met those hills, the heat and humidity with little to no problem.  This is when the suffering of southern training became completely worth it!


From here to mile 6 or 7 was level for the most part.  The scenery here, not so nice.  We were on a highway for some and then behind a college for some.  But the people, oh the people, they kept you going with their shouts and clapper hand thingys and their tireless enthusiasm. Around mile 6 or 7, the course begins to take you into the belly of the city.  And it was at this point I was starting to fade.  You see, as much as I was worried about the hills at the golf course, I should have been worried about this little silent killer.  You know the ones I mean.  The ones that when you're driving don't seem like much of a hill until you get out of your car, lace up your shoes and run it.  That's when you learn about gradually increasing elevations.

By mile 8, that misery is behind you, you may (or may not) hear a drum line (I either lost the drum line, they were taking a break or they just weren't there...very sad...I love a drum line), and then mile 9 comes out of nowhere, you hear the bag pipes play (or a note...before they take a break.  sigh), and then you RUN LIKE HELL for .3 miles.


And then.  Just like that, after the months of anticipation and training, it was over.


And then you ask yourself, "Did that really just happen?"  "Did I really just do that?"


Hell yeah you did!


So next year, I invite you all to run or volunteer or spectate the Boilermaker 15K & 5K Roadrace.  It's an experience like none other.  And then...party at brother's house :)

Adam at the Finish.
Putting in a fantastic time of 1:21:40

Me at the Finish.
Ready for my half moon cookie
time:  1:29:45

Jenn got a little emotional :)
She started running in the winter,
Her first big race, and she chose a 9 miler.
You go girl!
So proud of you!!!
1:57:16

Post-race party at a brewery = a shit ton of people.

Yes, this is what a shit ton looks like.

Race Best-ofs

• Doing it with family, hands down.
• Running on the Parkway...just wish I could have gone to the zoo, I love the zoo.
• The amount of entertainment on the course, from porch djs, to belly dancers to live bands.  Fun, Fun Fun!
• The spectators.  Simply awesome.
• I got a pint glass instead of a race t-shirt.
• The winner was a male from Ethiopia this year (it's usually Kenya) with a time of 43:01, that is a 4:37 pace if anyone is wondering.  The first female finisher was also from Ethiopia with a time of 49:26, a 5:19 pace.  If you'd like to see all the results/times whatever...you can find them here:   http://www.leonetiming.com/2012/Roads/Boilermaker/

Race Not-so-cools

• Some runners were not so familiar with race etiquette.  I have no problem if you have to walk, I would just rather you not do it in the middle of the road where I trip and almost fall so I don't run you over.  Walk, please do, just do it on the side please.
• Navigating water stops.  You could never tell when they were coming up until people all around you were running you over while making a mad dash for the sides.  Big flags up up in the air would have been most helpful.  
• So, you had mad water dashers and walkers in the middle....you had to pay attention and it was pretty hard to keep a consistent and comfortable pace.

Some reflections

So much to say about the race and running, but I'll save that for another post.

Right now, as I sit at the airport waiting on my flight back, my head and heart are filled with thoughts and emotions.

I love my southern home and the life I've made there. But there is something about where you grew up and where your family is. My mother may not live in the same house she did, or even in the same town, but that area in Central New York will always be home. With every trip back, I am reminded of just how special it is, how important my family is to me......and just how much I miss, all the dance recitals, soccer games, band concerts, track meets, sewing classes, canning sessions, cookie making days, sending my nieces and nephews off to their first prom. I've missed so much of my family's lives, and I continue to do so.

I do love my southern home. But sometimes a girl needs her mommy, her big brother and big sister. Her people.

I love each of you very very much. I miss you terribly and think of you every day.

A weekend recap and a look ahead

So, this past weekend, I decided to run in a local 4-miler race.  Our local coffee shop, Summit Coffee (best coffee shop EVER), has gathered some sponsors like New Balance and New Belgium Brewing Co and put together a race series this year to benefit local organizations.  Last Friday was the Summit Solstice, benefiting Our Town's Habitat for Humanity.  A challenging course to say the least, with some rolling hills, some serious up and downers getting in and out of the college's cross country trails; and the almost always and infamous uphill finish behind the town green.  Jyl was out of town, so Graham and I braved it on our own, without our fearless leader.

I don't have much to say to recap the race.  It was hot.  It was hard.  It was hilly.  It was cool to run in the company of an Olympian (read local news recap here.  Hubby actually got his picture made enjoying the show.  He's in the top picture, all the way to the left in the orange!).

But the after party with the band Cast Iron Filter, beer from New Belgium (Fat Tire, please!) and the best damn slice of "real" pizza I've had in THREE years, made it all worthwhile.  Here are a couple pics to prove I was there!

quoting gentleman that took the picture:
"Just think - if  4 miles is this much fun - 26 will be awesome."
Funny man, that one.

Me and Graham, after the finish, right before the pizza.

Saturday found me with hubby doing a little hike around Latta Nature Preserve with a packed lunch on the trail by the lake.  The day was followed by an evening adventure into the big city with a nice dinner and KICK ASS bread pudding dessert with apples and caramel and vanilla ice cream.  Shut yo mouth tasty good!  We capped off the evening with a latte of the day (hazelnut, yum) at Summit where the Vel-Crows were playing.  I missed what I like to call the "Hey Baby Rock Me Song", or what normal people call Wagonwheel, but all was good.  I did get to see my buddy, The Sockless Runner, play and sing a few before I had to turn in for my beauty sleep.

Yes.  We. Ate. It. All.

Sunday was group run day where lots of fun, laughs, conversation and coffee post-run were had.  GREAT TIMES!  The only thing missing?  Was Jyl :(

BUT, don't be sad folks, she's back in town after a wonderful trip with her family.  We celebrated by a no-holds-barred sushi bonanza.  It was so off the hook that, of course, I had to take a picture.  Now, don't be jealous, but damn was it good.

So, after the lattes, the sushi....the bread puddings, we are back on track and looking ahead.  In about two and a half weeks, I'll be heading to Central New York to run in my first Boilermaker Road Race 15K with my nephew and sister-in-law.  We designed shirts....It's going to be crazy!

Yet, after last Friday's race, I'm doubting my ability to tackle this 4mile uphill that awaits me at the start of the Boilermaker.  But, slow and steady, healthy happy, right?  We'll get through it.  Somehow we always do, don't we?  The magic of determination and desire always makes you marvel at what you can truly accomplish when you toe up to the line.

I'll let you know how it ends  :)

Forgiveness

If it's one thing I've learned, is that we are way to hard on ourselves, and our punishments are sometimes way too severe.  Let me ask, does the punishment always fit the "crime"?  And does the punishment really make anything better?

I've found, if anything, it just makes it worse.  It's the dreaded downward spiral and it's so hard to dig out of.  So, please take my advice and just don't go down there.  Did you eat too many M&Ms?  You know you shouldn't have.  But it's done.  Accept that you did and do better tomorrow. But for heaven's sake don't beat yourself up over it.  Did you only run 2 miles when you should have run 4?  You know what?  It's okay!  Don't try to do more tomorrow to make up for it.  Accept it, just don't skimp out on the next run.

When I was younger, I parted ways with my closest friend.  She was a sister to me.  Why did we?  I have no idea.  I can't even remember.  But for about five years I held a grudge.  I held a grudge for something I couldn't even really remember.  It's like that family feud that lasts for centuries and continues even though no one remembers what started it in the first place.  I don't know if it was age, time or what, but I found forgiveness for her, but I still couldn't forgive myself.  I couldn't forgive myself for letting a relationship so special and rare dissolve into thin air.  I wanted to fix it, but I just couldn't reach out.  So for a few more years, I dug myself further down the hole.   Thankfully, she was there to help me back out.

By holding yourself in contempt, you're only hurting yourself and holding yourself back.  Don't let yourself go so far over that you can't be brought back.  Forgive yourself because you, my friend, are the only one who can.

And when you can forgive yourself, you can start to love yourself.
And that is when all the magic happens.

 

Traditions

I don't remember much from my childhood, bugs my family to no end!  But there are a few things I remember, especially our Christmas traditions.

Christmas always started for us on the Eve at Grandma's house.  I was too young to realize or understand everything that was going on, but I do know the kids, well me anyway, eagerly awaited present time.  You see, every Christmas Eve we were allowed to open one present only, and every Christmas Eve you could count on a new pair of pajamas!!!  Pajamas we looked forward too every year, pajamas we would try on and model and then get tucked into bed so Santa could come. 

Christmas morning would find mom and dad with their thermos of coffee and us kids ripping open first our stockings and then our presents while the homemade cinnamon rolls were baking in the oven for our breakfast.  The rest of the day we would play with our toys, eat cinnamon rolls and watch Christmas movies (White Christmas is still a favorite!) IN our new pajamas.

As we've grown older, moved into our own homes with our spouses, most of out traditions have disappeared or evolved.  For instance, Christmas Eve is now at my brother's house, I try to make it "home" every other year to be with my family, and I no longer get my pajamas.  I'm not a big fan of change, might be the little bit of OCD in me.  Some traditions I've tried to institute within my own family, but without much luck.  I'll be honest, it's made me a little sad over the years.  I know not all my family traditions could work with my new family, I mean, I married in and they already have their own traditions in place, but heck, you can't blame a girl for tryin', right? 

Merry Christmas!!!

So, instead of getting sad, I've realized this morning that I can start making my own traditions...for myself.  This morning, I went out for my first ever Christmas Day run.  Since I don't plan on stopping running, hopefully this is something that I can do for myself every year.  To come off of the holiday stress, to maintain sanity among the holiday hustle and bustle,  to ward off the Christmas cookie assault!  So, here I am, with a picture to prove it!

But between you and me, I still want my pajamas.

Little Lung's Return

That title sounds like it could be a movie.  I can see it now, the role of Hope "Little Lung" Childress to be played by Mila Kunis....

Anyway.  Instead of a really nifty name like "Dances with Wolves" or "Runs with Horses" or "Speaks in Quotation Marks", I have been given the name "Little Lung."  Maybe it's not as endearing as some, but it is valiant just the same and I absolutely adore my new name!  The last two or three months of 2011 for me have been filled with mucus and two lungs that might as well have been underwater.  I have since made a 99.9% recovery and have resumed my workouts and eating somewhat better, just like I told you I would.  Here was my pledge list and an update in progress:

• food logs will resume (Well, kinda)
• workouts will resume (CHECK!!!)
• lots of water will be drunk  (CHECK!!!!....where's the bathroom?)
• meals will be cooked at home (CHECK!!!!....Food for Thought posts forthcoming!)
• no junk food will enter the threshold  (um....sure?)
• I will forego the Christmas cookie bake-a-thon  (no bake-a-thon, but I did do one batch, and yes, I ate most of them.  crikey.)
• I will remain honest about my progress (See bullet points above)
• I will hold myself accountable (Do Life Movement forums, a whole bunch of AWESOMENESS!!!)
• I will succeed.  (Still in process, but I'm sayin'.....OH HELL YEAH I AM!)

Being it's the holiday season, accountability is going to be KEY to get us all through with only limited collateral damage.  Have a cookie.  Have two, but for heaven's sake don't pull a Hope and eat the whole gosh darn plate!

And with this post, I lead us, and SeriouslyHope, into the holiday season.  I am going to say Merry Christmas, because it is the best way I know how to wish everyone the best of wishes, whatever holiday you celebrate, and a very happy, healthy and active 2012.  It's going to be a great year folks.  I can feel it.

Okay Ma!  It's time to put the coffee on, get out my Vixen mug, put the little piece of chocolate on my pillow that's on the blow up mattress.....
'CAUSE Momma, IMMA COMIN' HOME!!!!

Lisa DeFlamingos: 6 Days to Go

Thanks to my sister AND my mother, I bring you a typical family conversation.

Lisa DeFlamingos: 6 Days to Go: oops.  I forgot to do my blog last night.  To my avid readers I would like to give you my sincere apologies.  To make up for it, I will give...

Progress....

First, I'd like to send a big shout-out to my big sister, Lisa DeFlamingos!  Welcome to the blogging world!  Follow her.  She's hysterical, mindful and a whole bunch of loveable :-)

And now, an update on progress.  I'm two weeks in to my new routine and things are slowly getting better....meaning I can walk and turn over in bed without  my muscles screaming at me.  So, I'm putting that in the "win" column.  I have one more week of nothing but cross training and then we start running .  I'd like to think I'm starting to feel stronger, but then again, it has been only two weeks...how much stronger can I be?  Anyway, it makes me feel better, so i'll keep thinking it .

Today, I'll close out with:

The Top 5 Things I'm Learning
1)  Stability balls are dangerous.
2)  Resistance bands are evil.
3)  4oz of cooked chicken is NOT the same as 4oz of uncooked chicken.
4)  Chocolate Vitamuffins are a product sent from heaven.
5)  Summers go by faster every year.

TTFN!