My goal: To run 12 Marathons over the period of 12 Months and raise $7,500 to support the Scleroderma Foundation.  UPDATED GOAL as of 11/8/09 is $5000.00

Why?: Those who know me are familiar with my passion for running, the further the better.  I have been searching for a way to put my passion for such a solitary sport towards the good of others.

Why Scleroderma?: My niece Katie was recently diagnosed with Morphea Scleroderma and is currently undergoing treatment.  Before her diagnosis I had not heard of the rare disease and I want to do my part to raise awareness and help find a cure.

You were sent a link to this site by someone who knows and loves Katie.  Please take the time to make a donation, even the smallest amount makes a difference.  I also ask you share this site with your friends as family as well.  With your help attaining my goal of $7,500 over the next 12 months should be easy.

Your Part: Make a donation no amount is too small!

My Part: 12 Marathons in 12 Months:

COMPLETED! 1/25/2009 - Home to Del Valle Marathon - Livermore, CA
COMPLETED! 2/21/2009 - Buzz Marathon - San Miguel, CA
COMPLETED! 4/4/2009-Golden Gate Headlands Trail Marathon-Sausalito, CA
COMPLETED! 4/19/2009 - River City Marathon - Sacramento, CA
COMPLETED! 5/9/2009 - Quicksilver 50K (31mi) Trail Run - San Jose, CA
COMPLETED! 6/13/2009 - Lake Merritt Half Day - Oakland, CA
COMPLETED! 7/26/2009 - San Francisco Marathon
COMPLETED! 9/5/2009 - Redwood Park 50K (31 miles) - Oakland, CA
COMPLETED! 9/26/2009 - Big Sur Trail Marathon - Big Sur, CA
COMPLETED! 10/25/2009 - Silicon Valley Marathon - San Jose, CA
COMPLETED! 11/7/2009 - Stinson Beach Trail Marathon - Stinson Beach, CA
12/12/2009 - Muir Beach Trail Marathon - Muir Beach, CA

To see details of my training: http://www.running-log.com/calendar/month?athleteid=5523

***UPDATE 11/07/2009***
I finished my 11th today through Mountains above Stinson Beach.  I wish I had time to stop and take pictures.  My journey towards 12 marathons in a year has taken me to some amazing places.  I am looking forward to visiting the same places again next year... hiking with my family.

***UPDATE 10/25/2009***
I never thought it would feel so good to be on the home stretch... but I am (2-to-go)!  Another great run today, feeling blessed to have my health and to use it towards a good cause.

***UPDATE 9/27/2009***
Thank you to all of you who donated over the last few days to get me over the $3000.00 mark.  I finished my 9th marathon of the year yesterday on a very hill trail course on the Old Highway 1 through Big Sur.  I finised 24th overall and won 2nd place in my age group.  Take a look at the pictures, some amazing views! 

I can't thank you all enough for your generosity!

***UPDATE 9/5/2009***
Home Stretch... I think I may actually pull this off.  Completed a 50K today, running for 6 hrs and 44 minutes is an out of body experience!

***UPDATE 8/3/2009***
My story was featured on the Rock-n-Roll San Jose website: http://san-jose.competitor.com/features/tell-us-your-story/ helping to raise more awareness for Scleroderma.  This will also be included in the next eNewsletter for this race reaching several thousand people.

****UPDATE 7/26/2009*****
After completing the SF Marathon today I was blessed to have my family join me at the finish line.  Katie and her parents, my Mom and Dad, and Donielle and the kids came to cheer me on as I crossed the finish.  I am truly blessed to have such as supportive family.  Thank you!

****UPDATE 6/13/2009*****HALFWAY MARK
I ran a 6 hour race today.  This is the first time I have done something like this.  Rather than running a specific distance as fast as possible, you run a specified time (6 hours in this case) and run as far as possible.  We basically ran laps around Lake Merritt in Oakland (3.1 mile round trip).  My goal was to run my longest distance ever (previously 31.1 miles) and I did just that, finishing 33.5 miles and taking 10th place overall. 

The highlight of my day was after lap 8.  The race organizer set up a website so friends and family could track their runners progress and also send emails to a runner which they then printed out and handed to the runner as they passed through the aid station.  At lap 8 they handed me 7 emails and a bit later handed me 3 more.  I cannot tell you how much this support meant to me and lifted my spirits when I really needed.  Thank you again for all of your support!

****UPDATE 5/9/2009*****
I ran my first Ultra-Marathon of the year today and crushed my personal record at 5:10:00 for 50K (31 miles) which equates to a 10 minute/mile pace.  My previous record at this distance was 6:45:00 last September.  After last months dissapointing Marathon time it felt good to do so well today (I took 11th place overall).  Today goes to show that some days you have it and some days you don't.

****UPDATE 4/19/2009*****
I had to make a last minute change since I found out last weekend that the Marin Marathon was cancelled so I ended up waking up at 3AM and heading up to Sacramento to run the River City Marathon today.  The marathon followed the American River from Folsom to Sacramento.  I "hit the wall" at about mile 20 due to the record heat (85 at the finish) and ended up with a disappointing finish time of around 4:38.  But... I finished and got #4 under my belt... raising close to $2200 so far.  Thanks again to all of you for your generous donations!

****UPDATE 4/10/2009*****
Great news!  I was informed last week that Katie's doctor has suspended intravenious treatment for 3 months since she has taken so well to her first round of medication.  Her blood tests also show signs of improvements.  We are all very happy and relieved at this latest news. 

Also, Katie and I were featured in another article, this time in the "Catholic Voice"  which is a publication that goes out to the Parishinors of the Oakland Diocese.  Click here to reat the article: http://www.catholicvoiceoakland.org/09-04-13/inthisissue4.htm

*****UPDATE 4/4/2009*****3 DOWN 9 TO GO!
I finished what was probably my most scenic marathon ever today.  Today's marathon was run in the Marin Headlands with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island and the entire bay(take a look at the photos).  The weather could not have been more cooperative with sunny clear skies.  Of course, breathtaking views do not come without HILLS!  This was also my most challenging marathon ever, with elevation gains close to 5000ft and primarily run on trails.  I am proud to say I finished in tenth place and took 1st place for my age group... which is a first for me! 

*****UPDATE 2/22/2009*****2 DOWN 10 TO GO!
I completed my second marathon of the year yesterday down in San Miguel.  The weather was perfect (36deg start and high 50s finish temp).  This was a very small marathon and a great experience.  I met some great people and came away with a medal, shirt, and bottle of wine.  If you include the hotdog and soda after the race I think I came out ahead of the game with the low $40.00 entry fee.  I would definitely run this race again!  I also ran my PR at this race at 4:14:35 which is 13 minutes faster than my previous record at Big Sur last year.  The website was misleading and I was expecting a flat course, in reality the elevation gain was close to 1450ft which was more hilly than the SF Marathon and close to the Big Sur Marathon.  I also reached 25% of my fundraising goal last week, thans to all of you for your generous donations, keep spreading the word!

*****UPDATE 1/25/2009***** 1 DOWN 11 TO GO!
Since I was not able to find a local marathon in January I decided to add a few miles onto this morning's training run and make it my first Marathon of the 12 I will be running this year.  I must say that it was my longest (time) marathon ever at 5:15:30 which equates to a 12:02/mi pace however it was also the most challenging terrain I have encountered in a marathon.  With about 60% of the 26.2 miles run on the trails surrounding Del Valle and Sycamore Grove in Livermore and a total elevation gain of 2,720ft.  I left my home at 6:00AM and returned just after 11:00.  I did not pass many fellow runners (due to the threatening weather) but had to avoid many cows!

*****UPDATE 1/19/2009******
Katie and I were featured in a article which ran in the Tri-Vally Herald, Valley Times, and Contra Costa Times this morning, click here to read the article: http://www.insidebayarea.com/mytown/ci_11486430

Thank you again for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to my fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!