Team GSF

This will be my third year running for TEAM GSF. In 2012, I ran the relay and in 2013, I ran my first half marathon. 

On November 7th, I'll run my second half marathon in Gwendolyn's honor. 

Dear Friends and Family,

I thought I had hung up my tennis shoes as far as running another half marathon but losing our sweet and beautiful Gwendolyn Strong to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the #1 genetic killer of infants, this year has inspired me to go beyond my comfort zone and run my second half marathon in support of Gwendolyn. It breaks my heart to know that this year Gwendolyn will not be running with the support of her father, Bill Strong, pushing her alongside us as she has done in past years.

As most of you know, Gwendolyn and her family are very important to our family. We have been friends with the Strong family since Gwendolyn received her diagnosis of SMA at 6 months old.

At Gwendolyn’s memorial service this past August, our daughter, Samantha, wrote a poem for Gwendolyn:

G is Great

W is Wonderful

E is Energetic

N is Nice

D is Delightful

O is Optimistic

L is Loving

Y is Young

N is Never Give Up

Gwendolyn is each and every one of these sentiments. She would have turned 8-years-old in a few weeks just like Samantha. She would have already been a few weeks into the school year in 3^rd grade. It is devastating that this awful disease has taken the life of such a sweet and beautiful girl. Her parents, Bill and Victoria, have done everything they can for Gwendolyn by getting her the best care they can find and immersing themselves in the SMA community working diligently on helping to find a cure. This is such a painful time for the Strong family but once again they show us how truly STRONG they are by continuing the SMA fight.

The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation puts 100% of proceeds raised towards research to helping to find a cure for SMA. They fund “Project Mariposa”, which grants iPads to make the world more accessible to those with severe disabilities. I have seen first hand what an iPad does for those with SMA and it is incredible! While Gwendolyn was paralyzed from the neck down, she was able to control and play various programs on the iPAD with the eye gaze system that acted as a touchpad. It was amazing to see her light up at getting to play games, read stories and be just like all the other kids. 

On November 7^th, I’ll be joined by an incredible group of TEAM GSF runners who share the same passion in supporting and raising awareness to help find a cure for SMA. Please join me in honoring the memory of Gwendolyn by considering a small donation to help me reach my goal of raising $1000.

To learn more about Gwendolyn and my cause, please visit the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation website here and to make a donation please visit my First Giving Page here. 

Sincerely,

Ronda

TEAM GSF 2013

Last month I completed my FIRST half marathon! 

My cheering squad came with me to the Expo to pick up my number and timing chip.  Which coincidently, said number had to be changed because said timing chip was somehow lost at the Expo.  Thank goodness I realized it the night before the half-marathon and not the morning of because I was able to get it straightened out that evening.  But how sucky would that have been to not been tracked.....  

So lucky #2402 became lucky #4748 ;)

What I REALLY was lucky to be a part of was running for the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation.  

At the pre-race event at the Canary Hotel, we heard touching speeches, learned more about the cause and future endeavors.  We met new friends and visited with old friends, all of us there with one goal, to raise funds and awareness for Gwendolyn and others affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). 

This part of the event is really special because the room is filled with so much love for this incredible family doing incredible things.  Every single penny raised goes 100% to finding a cure, granting iPads, raising unique awareness and so much more.  100%!   Thank you to all my friends and family who so generously helped me to raise over $1000 this year! 

And look who won the random drawing for a nice (LARGE) bottle of Sea Smoke 2008 Cab.  Gwendolyn picked my name out of all 80 runners!  Gwendolyn sure knows how to pick the right person for a prize ;)

Race morning came awful quick.  Does anyone sleep the night before a race? 

My mom and dad came out to support me and cheer on all the runners. 

You couldn't go two steps without seeing TEAM GSF runners.  

Never Give Up was spotted every where you turned! 

A special tribute to Veteren's Day with multiple flyovers of military planes. 

I waited for the crowd to thin out a bit and then I was off!

While this crew went to Chick-Fil-A for breakfast, I was just running and running and running.  It takes a long time to run 13.1 miles..... You just keep running and running.....  

The Deakyne family was awesome, more than AWESOME!  They were all over the race course with signs and giving out high fives.  They made the running and running and more running more worth it ;)

I think this is around mile 8?  I knew my family and friends would be here at Modoc and Los Positas.  Seeing your family and friends out there gives you that extra boost you need to keep going.  

 

And then, the Deakynes AGAIN! 

And then, you turn the corner and running mile 9 (I think it is 9) down Los Positas is BORING!  I started to get a bit achy at that point and the road is uneven so it isn't the smoothest on your knees.  There weren't many spectators and it was getting hot. And before it gets better, it gets worse with a hill you know you have to run up. 

But then, AFTER you get up that hill, you turn a few corners and there is an ocean view and it is all downhill!  Happy Ronda again! 

And lots of happy friends!  Hi Elena!

Lauren was running the full marathon and the crazy thing is she ran the New York marathon the week prior.  Talk about dedication! 

Speedy Leanne, she passed right by me on Los Positas looking like a champ!

I was super proud of Daalia, she PR'd with some ridiculous fast time. 

Motivating signs like this were spread throughout the course.

The last mile had a banner in support of Veteran's Day that said, "The First 25.2 Miles Are For Me, The Last Mile Is For Our Veterans." Veterans were handing out American flags to each of the runners to carry into the finish line.



Mike, Bill and Gwendolyn coming through almost to the finish!

Obviously I didn't pay for my finish line photo but there I am ;)

2:03.57/9:27 mile  I was hoping for a 9:30 mile so I met my goal.  But of course now I can't help but think I could have been under 2 hours if I could shave off the :03.57

Planes flew overhead as the winner of the marathon came in which was pretty close to right after I finished the half.  Pretty incredible! 

This fabulous trio was working at the GSF booth

Lots of kiddos out supporting the team. 

And the most important kiddo (and Mama) of the day, Gwendolyn and Victoria Strong. 

Immediately after the race we rushed up for Samantha's soccer game and then lunch with the family at Hollister Brewing Company for a much needed glass of wine to celebrate.

Later, Thatcher added my race medal to his collection of medals.

And then after indulging in pizza at a post-race party, we all headed downtown for more post-race fun :)

For a recap from the Strong Family, please visit this link as they do an amazing job sharing the day!

I'm Running for Gwendolyn!

Dear Friends and Family (and those I've never met who read this blog - hi!),

On November 10th, I am running in the Santa Barbara International Marathon Relay with a group of girls who all share the same passion as me in wanting to raise awareness and money to help put an end to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

 

Our relay team: Leanne, Sarah, Me and Tia

 

 Most of you that are reading this know that our dear friends Bill and Victoria Strong’s daughter, Gwendolyn, was diagnosed with this brutal disease at 6 months old.

 

Gwendolyn

SMA is the #1 genetic killer of infants. Most babies do not survive past the age of two. Gwendolyn has been the exception and is still struggling with this debilitating disease. She is nearing her 5^th birthday and cannot walk, sit-up, speak or even swallow. She eats via a feeding tube and breathes with the assistance of a machine.

Gwendolyn and Samantha

 

What this disease does not hinder is her cognitive ability or her playful spirit. Gwendolyn is my daughter’s friend, her playmate. They play dress-up, watch movies, have tea parties and sing together.



Make-up and Dress-up with the Girls (and Jack!)

 

The fact that Gwendolyn has to do all of this while attached to machines is not fair. No child should have to go through this.

 



Bill, Victoria and Gwendolyn Strong

 

Throughout all of this, Bill and Victoria are the most positive, inspirational couple I have ever met. I am so proud of them and what they are doing in creating the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation to save their daughter and every other person out there that is battling SMA. 

 

 

My trainer and me.



 Running is not my strong point (thank you to my relay team members for letting me have the shortest leg of the race!), but if it gets us a step closer to ending SMA, I’m game!

Never Give Up.

 

I am running so that one day sweet Gwendolyn can too!

 

Gwendolyn surrounded by all of her friends who are rooting for her!

 

My goal is to raise $1,000.  You can help me by clicking HERE and donating online through the secure website.  No donation is too small, every dollar counts, ($5 or $10 would mean so much to me.)

 

Gwendolyn is running in the race too.  Bill will be pushing Gwendolyn alongside Victoria in the 1/2 marathon. 

Many thanks for your support and to learn more about the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, please visit thegsf.org.

 

 Sincerely,

 

Ronda