Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. I am Endorphin Dude and I will be running 52 marathons this year! I wasn't always a marathon caped crusader though...
I was the fat kid who always got picked last in P.E. I grew up and became an insulin dependent couch potato. Exercise was something I knew nothing about. One day, I thought I was having a heart attack as a result of my sedentary and nutritionally reckless lifestyle. My super hero side kick dog Chewbacca, a.k.a. "The Epinephrine Pup," barked and ran around in circles as if she sensed she was soon going to become an orphan. I seriously thought my time was up. After everything settled, I got up and took the chiweenie (half chihuahua half weiner dog) for a walk. When I returned, my little dog snuggled up with me and gave me that don’t-ever-do-that-again sad puppy eyes.
This was the turning point. I knew I had to make some changes in my life. I took Chewbacca for a longer walk the next day. The following day we went further. Before I knew it, my little mutt and I were pulling out multi-mile urban hikes through San Francisco. I found myself starting to feel better, both physically and mentally. Over the next few months, the chiweenie and I walked everywhere, logging in 15 to 20 miles a week. Before I knew it, I was running. A year later, I dropped a truck load of weight, got weened off all meds, and ran my first marathon.
I owe a lot to that 6 pound flea bag. Because of her, I got healthy and am now in the best shape of my life. Since October 2009, I have run 45 half marathons, 48 full marathons, and 8 ultra marathons. Every time I cross that finish line, I think about how my dog saved me. Chewbacca is a rescue dog with a pretty troubled past. She was a pregnant stray when the Peninsula Humane Society found her. There was probably some abuse that went on as well. Thankfully, the kind folks at PHS took very good care of her. I knew right away that she was the one for me and it didn't take long before I adopted her. People tell me all the time that I did a good thing by rescuing this dog, but the reality is that she rescued me.
I am Endorphin Dude, and I will be running 52 marathons this year for all of Chewbacca's homeless four legged friends. All proceeds of my fundraising will go to the Peninsula Humane Society, the folks who helped me find my side kick. This dog has changed my life for the better, and it is my hope that her furry friends at the Peninsula Humane Society will do the same for another.
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support 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!
You can read all about my journey at Endorphin.Dude.com. Thanks again and I'll see you at the finish line!
Endorphin Dude & The Epinephrine Pup