So it Begins....

For anyone who doesn't already know, my oldest daughter, Ciera, is almost 6 and has a rare genetic disorder called Zellweger Syndrome (ZS). She is blind, deaf (though she can hear quite well with her Cochlear Implants in), and cannot walk or talk.

We are very lucky in that most kids with ZS do not live past their first year. We are also very lucky in that Ciera is a loving, happy child who does the absolute best she can with what she was given!

ZS is a very rare syndrome, and to our knowledge, we are the only family in Vermont to be dealing with this. Last July, we went to a conference in Nebraska with a group of other families that also have children with ZS or other Peroxisomal disorders (PBDs). It was an amazing experience, so great to meet other people that understand Ciera in a way no one else can.

There is another conference coming up July 2012 in Florida. Of course, getting there and staying there costs money, and I have been trying to come up with ways to raise some.

Which brings me to the 2nd part of this post. I am 42, and while I don't expect to be in the shape I was 20 years ago, I am very unhappy with where I am now. I have to get into shape!

My biggest problem is simply willpower. I don't smoke, virtually don't drink. My vice of choice is food,  and what a vice it is :-) I know how to diet, how to exercise, all that stuff. I have started over and over, with ok results. But then I get stressed, or tired, and just don't have the willpower to stay with it. And breaking your diet is like potato chips - I bet you can't do it just once.

So I came up with a plan that hopefully will help me in two ways - I am telling EVERYONE about what I am doing, so I will not want to back down so easily. Also, I am hoping to use this blog and the race to raise some money for our trip next year. I don't have all the details yet, but I am thinking about some sort of pledge per mile, or other methods. Don't worry, if you keep reading these posts, eventually you'll get panhandled :-)

My plan is to get into shape, with the goal of running in and completing the 2012 Vermont City Marathon, coming up next May. I have never run a marathon, in fact never run for distance instead of speed. I am DEFINITELY not in shape for it right now, and I don't know for sure I can make it. I am going to try my damndest, though! It is something way out of my comfort zone, but I think it's worth it.

I will update my miles run, weight, and other things in these posts. I am not setting a specific weight goal, but just want to get into shape again. 'Taint gonna happen, though, without losing some of this baby fat....