FAYETTEVILLE — One year ago, the Goodwin Triplets were at the neonatal intensive care unit at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center fighting for their lives. Mother and military spouse, Suzy Goodwin, was eagerly awaiting their Father Trey’s return from a deployment to Afghanistan when she unexpectedly had a seizure that sent her into labor at 30 weeks.
The American Red Cross helped expedite Trey’s return but he missed the delivery by two hours.
Gideon, Gabriel, and Charlotte’s combined weight was less than a single term baby. They remained in the NICU for the first 2 months of their lives, undergoing a number of interventions as they learned to breathe without assistance, feed from a bottle, and regulate their own body temperatures.
How will the Goodwins celebrate the anniversary of their NICU homecoming? With a Guinness World Record. Suzy will run 13.1 miles while pushing the now 1-year-olds in a triple-stroller during the N.C. Half Marathon in Fayetteville on Sunday, Oct. 30.
“I am doing this to honor the NICU staff and bring awareness to premature births,” says Goodwin, who is combining her race with a fundraising effort for the Cape Fear Valley Medical Foundation and March of Dimes.
There is currently no existing record for the fastest half marathon while pushing a triple stroller; Goodwin, who has completed over 50 full marathons, will be creating the entry.
“For me, the challenge isn’t covering the distance — it’s doing so while pushing the combined weight of the kids and the stroller, which is more than my own body weight!” exclaims Goodwin.