"Running for the Babies" ~ My JFK 50 Mile Race

The last month has been a whirlwind of running.  I ran two marathons in October plus a Ten Miler race and became a Marathon Maniac, all in a two weeks time frame!  Never, ever, in my wildest dreams did I see myself running over 100 miles per month but I have consistently met this mileage in September and in October and hopefully, in November!  I will write a seperate blog to spill all the wonderful details of crossing two 26.2 finish lines in a 15 day period but for now, I am focusing my energy and attention towards my biggest running goal to date.  In a mere few days, I will run the JFK 50 Miler race! 

I could say that I have trained like crazy and nothing is going to stop me but the reality is, I haven't been sleeping too well, as the daunting milage of this race is settling in.  However, my insominia has turned into a good thing.  In the middle of the night, I made the realization that World Prematurity Day is the same day as the JFK 50 Miler!  The irony was uncanny for this runner girl who has lost three babies in utero and has also given birth to my three precious, premature babies who are here on this earth!  I knew then, at that moment, waaay after the midnight hour, that I was going to run for my babies to get me to the finish line. 

I eventually did fall asleep and when I woke up with the sun staring at me, I jumped out of bed and went running (my life has been consumed with training for the JFK 50 race)!  As I ran and listened to my tunes, I thought about my plan on how I would mentally tackle 50 Miles.  That is A LOT of freakin miles to run!!  I suddenly wanted to make it bigger than me, to make this race a way to honor to all babies born too soon, a way for me to make this race about "Running for the Babies!"  But how????

I had a fantastic idea on how to make my idea happen!  But I need YOUR help!!  Since I am crunched on time, I need your help ASAP in spreading the word that I am running 50 Miles on World Prematurity Day (THIS SATURDAY) and for each of those 50 miles, I would like to honor a very special baby!  If you, or know someone who has been afected by prematurity or pregnancy loss, please share your story (if you are comfortable in doing this) in the comments section and let me know the name of the baby who you would like me to run in honor of! 

I am also asking for a donation for every dedication - this is where the giving back kicks in!  Every year, since 2001, I have participated in the March of Dime's biggest fundraiser, March for Babies.  It was in September 2000, that I experienced my second pregnany loss, at 27 weeks in utero and it was devastating.  I started participating in the March for Babies walk, as way to honor my son, Joshua Michael and a way to give back to the March of Dimes.  It gave me hope that the March of Dimes was working effortlessly to help ALL babies be born stronger and healthier.  I am asking you to make your donations directly to my March for Babies website.  The walk was in May 2012 but the March of Dimes is accepting donations until the end of this year.  The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. 

To Donate/Dedicate a Mile to a Very Special Baby & read about my own journey of loss and hope, please click here:
http://www.marchforbabies.org/AFitzgerald3

I really appreciate your help!  I am excited about my 50 mile journey and it is going to be even more meaningful because I am "Running for the Babies."  These are the babies that the are fighters, the babies that have overcome amazing obstacles, as well as, the babies that we had to say goodbye to, the babies that will always live in our hearts. 

So far, I am running for seven precious babies! 
My Earth Babies
Caitlyn and Connor ~ born Day 1 of 33 weeks and spent 2 weeks in the NICU
Kiley ~ born at 36 weeks but weighing in a healthy 9 lbs, 4 oz)

photo credit: Melissa Macri photography

My Angel Babies
Baby Faith (died in utero on 2/10/05 at 16 weeks)
Baby Joshua (died in utero on 9/17/00 at 27 weeks)
Baby Fitzgerald (died in utero, August 1999, at 7 weeks)

For my friend's grandbaby, Madison Faith Key, born August 7, 2002, who was only expected to live a very short time.  Madison was a fighter and she touched many lives during her short time here.  She sadly passed away, six months later.  Madison continues to make a difference everyday through her mother, who serves on the NICU board at Georgetown hospital.

Thank you for your support, prayers and for helping all babies be born stronger and healthier! 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

WINNING

 

This might be my best WINNING story yet!  My most recent radio contest win was a few weeks ago for Lady Gaga tickets on MIX 107.3!  Now I have to wait 30 days before I can win again.  I had thought about switching radio stations to see what other exciting contests might be happening on the air...hmmm, but I'm super loyal and I have met most of the DJ's and they are really awesome people!

This morning when I hopped into the car, there was a new radio station blaring music.  My kids or the hubby must have changed my permanent radio station to something new.  Instead of moving the dial back to 107.3, I decided to check it out.  This foreign radio station was Fresh FM.

I was in and out of the car all day and at some point had heard about the radio station giving away tickets for an exclusive concert at the radio station.  I thought that would be a really cool contest to win but quickly let go of the idea when I realized I'd be at my chiropractor appointment at the same time they were giving away the tickets.

On my way to the chiropractor's appointment, I heard the DJ announce again that at 5:25pm the contest would take place.  I had a fleeting thought that I might be able to be back in the car by that time but didn't get my hopes up.

I arrived at my appointment a few minutes late and was brought back to a room to wait for the doctor. While I was waiting, I decided to call the radio station.  I explained that I was at the doctor's and I couldn't hear the radio announcement to call for the contest and asked how I could try to win the tickets. 

                                        The DJ said to call back ON THE DOT at 5:25pm. 

Of course, the doctor walks in the door and says "hello" at 5:23pm!!  I said "hello" back and quickly announced that I was going to try and win concert tickets in two minutes.  I was not going to be this close to WINNING and give up.  He just laughed and shook his head and began my treatment. 

Then it was 5:25pm ON THE DOT and I called the radio station and it was busy...called again, busy...called again, busy...called again, RINGING!  I announced to the doctor the phone to the radio station was ringing and he gave me this look like "really?" and then...

      the DJ picks up the phone and announces I'm CALLER 9 and the.... 
                                                                                                
I really don't know who was more surprised - me or the doctor??!!  After I hung up, he said he didn't know anyone who ever calls in to the radio stations for contests, much less WINS THEM!  I think he just might remember me as the only patient who has ever called a radio station for a contest and WON, while he was providing treatment!! 

On October 18th, me and a friend will be heading to Lanham, MD, to see an exclusive concert at the radio station by these guys...

                              The hubby will be out of town so I will need a concert buddy. 

            WHO's IN for a FABULOUSLY FUN DAY???????

Punch Card in Life

I am looking at the clock and thinking why am I awake?  I have felt the need to write all week and have denied myself this creative pleasure.  I often think that that when I write, the words must flow endlessly, like a perfect lullaby, when instead, I realize, I just need to let go and type.  I have so much too say and wonder everyday, how much time do I have left to send these messages into cyber space?

For the last year or so, really incredible things have happened to me and continue to do so.  I'm talking about experiences that are once in a lifetime, unique.  But I don't live in a fancy city or have a fancy job or interact daily with fancy people.  I am just a Twingles Mom.  Living the daily grind, in the suburbs.  My life is supposed to be comprised of suburbia activities, like canvassing grocery isles, cooking creative crock pot meals, making dents in the laundry pile, playing taxi driver for the kids play dates, soccer practices, gymnastics and their other endless activities.  However, this doesn't mean I have to turn away an opportunity of play, when it comes my way. 

                          This blog isn't about bragging rights, it is about your punch card in life. 

For so long, I believed that once I became a mom, my life would be complete.  The journey to have a family was filled with Heartbreak, Hope, and finally, Hallelujah x3!  I have not known greater joy than experiencing life with my children. The first embrace with each one was filled with overwhelming emotions and I recognize that each day is a gift.  But something was missing when my youngest daughter began preschool and my twins boarded the bus for kindergarten. 

Once I embraced the idea that I had more to offer to the world than motherhood, I realized there was a whole world to discover.  I literally ran out the door that day and have not stopped running.  I wake up every day with excitement and wonder how I can turn my day into an amazing one?  I opened the door of opportunity and I keep running forward.  However, sometimes, deep inside, I wonder, if my punch card in life is almost complete?  With each new experience, I keep saying, "this is it" - the one moment I'll remember forever, and then, without any expectation, the universe sends me along to another unique life experience! 

I have seen things people are never supposed to see, a lot of death and dying.  Thanks to the endless hours I spent in the ER, as a trauma social worker.  I am uber protective of my kids.  I have said goodbye to too many precious friends who were just beginning to live life.  Each day, I am keenly aware that we can only rely on the very moment you are living and nothing else. 

I know I drive my husband crazy with my endless activities and travel requests.  He doesn't understand why I am not a homebody.  And I know my babysitters wonder why I'm going to endless concerts and to meet and greets with the band.  And my kids ask "mommy, where are you going now?" as I pack for a trip to New York City to go run a marathon.  I know there are people who don't agree with my high energy lifestyle...but I'm not at the age where I really wonder what others think about me. 

                                     I am LIVING life and relishing every opportunity.
                                                             
It is now waaay past the midnight hour.  So, I will leave you with one more thought to ponder, the most important one of all.  For it is how I strive to live this journey of life and I truly believe "my amazing luck" is instead, only kindness floating back my way. 
                                                                             

My punch card in life has truly been extraordinary.