|
(PLEASE SEE UPDATE ON TRAINING BELOW)
Thanks for visiting the RUN FOR RIK & MOM fundraising page. This page, originally the "Run for Rik" page, now includes my mother who just passed away on May 16th.
The event: Rock & Roll Marathon; San Diego, CA - June 1, 2008
The goal: To raise over $10,000 for Mama's Kitchen and to run the marathon in under 3 hours 30 minutes.
About Rik: RIk Jennings passed away from this life on September 6, 2007 in San Diego, from a blood platelet disorder called ITP (Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura). Rik is my twin brother who I know continues to be with me in spirit while I'm still here. In San Diego, Rik lived with his partner Don Caulfield. Rik had a passion for volunteering with Don at a charity in San Diego called Mama's Kitchen. This charity helps women, men and children living with AIDS or other critical illnesses, by preparing and delivering meals to those in need. I remember Rik always talked so fondly of this charity and the annual Mama's Day was a highlight each year for him.
About Ralph: I live in Brighton, UK where I moved in April 07. I've lived in the UK for the last 7+ years now. In August before he passed away, Rik came to visit me here in Brighton. We used it to celebrate our 40th birthday - and we had a special time. As I train for this marathon, I do most of my runs on the cliffs by the seafront of Brighton. While Rik was here, we took walks on these cliffs, so I like to think Rik joins me on these runs as I know I use the time to think about him. Those who know me, know that I've always had a passion for running - ever since I was 10 years old and my dad entered me and Rik into a 10-mile race. I've run 6 marathons now, but have not run one since 2000, so this feels like a new challenge to me. In 2005, I became quite ill and was hospitalised for a month. While I was in recovery ward, I vividly remember watching the London Marathon on TV and seeing Paula Radcliffe win. I remember lying there with my oxygen mask thinking, will I ever run again, let alone do another marathon??? So now is my chance to prove that I can do it, and at the same time run in Rik's memory in the city he loved and lived, and for the charity he so passionately supported.
About Mom: Our mother, Ethel, just passed away on May 16th in Cincinnati, Ohio, from a heart problem. She was 79 years old and a mother to 14 children, 38 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. In the best interest of all of mom's children, she graciously (although very difficult for her) gave some of her children up for adoption (including Rik and myself) to families she knew could give them a better life. Mom's faith helped her to realise she did the right thing. She also got to see all of her children grown up and successful, which I know put a smile on her face. When Rik died, it brought all of us children closer together and closer to mom, and mom got to see this. Mom has left a legacy which is based on a great love for her children and an amazing faith.
Please take time to look at their website www.mamaskitchen.org, and I invite you to join me in San Diego or in spirit on June 1, 2008 (~2 weeks before our 41st b-day).
If you are unable to give by credit card through this site, but would still like to contribute, please contact me at phieee@hotmail.com or you can contribute directly to Mama's Kitchen via their website with debit card or by check - just make sure you earmark the donation for the Run For Rik effort.
Thanks so much,
Ralph Jennings
(I'd like to also dedicate this run to my adoptive parents Dennis & Margarete Jennings, and all of my siblings - Dean, Debbie, Chuckie, Johnny, Ruthie, Kathi, Eddie, Joni, Jimmy, Sandy, (i'm here), Ricky, Robbie & Louise - and Cathy and Deedee too).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE ON TRAINING (24-FEB-2008)
Training seems to be going ok so far. I did a half-marathon in Brighton on Feb 17th. As it was my first running race in over 8 years, I was a bit rusty. I started the first few miles a bit too hard and suffered in the middle. However at the end with a few miles left, I got a 2nd wind and finished well. Overall it gives me the indication that I’m on track with my marathon training and I shouldn’t have a problem breaking 3 hours, but anything can happen in the marathon and I just need to be as ready as I can be.
I’m in Jersey (one of the Channel Islands off the coast of France), and I’ve been doing good training runs here through the weekend. I even did a sprint workout at the track here. I’m getting ready to do another half-marathon on March 9th near Brighton – a town called Seaford. I’m doing these races to help me train and get me used to running in a mass of people which it will be like in San Diego.
I visited Don in San Diego in early February with my mate Stephen – and was able to do some running around Balboa Park, which was great. I also went to the facilities of Mama’s Kitchen and got to meet several people there and some of the volunteers. I was very impressed with how everything looked and the people were so nice. And it was a great time to see Don and hang out with him for awhile – he even got us free tickets to Sea World!!! ;-)
I’ve submitted “our story” to some press in San Diego and to the race organisers as well. I’m hoping they print the story about RIk and myself and why I am doing this race, to help motivate others and raise awareness to Mama’s Kitchen, which is such a good charity. I will update you on the progress and if any of the press print the story.
Thanks so much to those who have supported the Run For Rik cause – I know Rik would be so happy about this. I do hope to see some of you in San Diego in June. Take care of yourself and remember those good memories of Rik!
-Ralph
(If anyone has a special picture of Rik that you would like to see on this site, please email it to phieee@hotmail.com and I will post it onto this giving page).
-------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE ON TRAINING (10-MAR-2008)
Did anothher half-marathon yesterday (the 9th) in Seaford UK - just near Brighton. Britain is now in the midst of their worst storm of the winter, and so the race was extremely blustery along the seacoast. It also had some very nasty steep hills. It was a loop course where we had to do 4 loops - and I wanted to quit after each loop. But I hung on and finished 9th overall (out of about 150 or so) and 1st in the over 40 age category! So now I can say I'm winning in the "over-the-hill" category! The end time wasn't so good - but that's ok because the conditions were so bad. All-in-all it was an ok performance and it still shakes out the cobwebs of racing. All else seems to be going ok. Been having some good thoughts of Rik, and although I miss him so much, I can't help but know that he is at peace.
-Ralph
-------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE ON TRAINING (25-MAY-2008)
I can't believe the marathon is only a week away!! Time has flown by and now it's nearly here! I was scheduled to do a half-marathon on the island of Jersey on May 17th. However, my plans unfortunately changed when I got the sad news from my siblings in Ohio that our mother passed away. My training has also suffered a bit when I become ill with what I think was a viral infection. Heavy training can deplete the immune system a bit, so this is a fairly common illness to people training for marathons. I still think I should be able to do the marathon, but I won't be setting any records. I think a 3:30 time is probably a more realistic time for me now, so that is what I am going to shoot for. I also got an email from ELITE RACING, which is the press team covering the marathon. They have asked me for an interview on camera so they can film "my story" when the race is televised on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and the local San Diego channel KNSD (NBC-7). I will be meeting with them on the 27th or 28th of May when I go do a training run, and they will shoot the interview. I'm excited, but also nervous. Those who know me well, know that I'm not the most extroverted person. But I'm hoping that "my story" on camera can be an inspiration to more people and also raise more awareness and funds for Mama's Kitchen.
Anyway, I will be doing one final UPDATE to this site to let you all know how the marathon went and what the final amount raised for Mama's Kitchen via the Run For Rik and Mom campaign.
Thanks!!
-Ralph
-------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE ON RACE (01-JUN-2008)
Hello,
Firstly - thanks to all who have shared their support and thoughts in the "Run For Rik and Mom" effort. And a special thanks to all those who got up at the wee hours of the morning on June 1st to watch me run the race - it was such a great motivation for me to have you there cheering me on.
The lead-up to the marathon was an interesting one. Firstly I came down with a viral infection which forced me to take a week off from training. Then when my mother passed away on May 16th, I went to Ohio to be with my family and pay my respects to a wonderful mom. Although it was a sad and difficult time, it was nice to be there with all of my family.
When I got to San Diego, I was able to do a few training runs before the marathon, but I hadn't really had any runs for 2-3 weeks in the lead-up to the marathon. A couple of days before the race, Elite Racing (the press team covering the marathon) interviewed me in Balboa Park. At this point we were nearly at the $11,000 mark for donations so I was able to mention this great support for Mama's Kitchen. The interview went well and will be broadcast later (see dates below). They told me that they would look for me during the race to film me running. I'd never done anything like that so it was kinda cool.
On the morning of the race, I got a fantastic surprise when I opened my door and saw my brother Jim walking up with my sister Kathi who had arrived a few days before. Jim drove 48 hours from Cincinnati to see me run the marathon just in time!! Jim was my older brother who really was my main inspiration for getting into running when I was a kid. I was so pleased he came all the way out to San Diego to see me run!
I got to the starting line, and the butterflies started to kick in. I did a couple of sprints down a grassy stretch in Balboa Park, and then it was off to the runners corral. There were over 16,000 runners in the race, and quite of few of them dressed up like Elvis. They were trying to set some sort of world record of running Elvis's. Weird - but it added to the atmosphere. The gun was fired, and we were off. I tried very hard to keep calm and run the first miles relaxed and not too quick. I did ok, but I did run them slightly faster than I probably should have. When I got to mile 8-ish, the press team on their motorbikes came by me and started their filming. It was kinda funny and I felt like a celebrity. They filmed for about 5-10 minutes of me running. Anyway, I got to almost the halfway point and the whole team of "Run For Rik & Mom" with their bright yellow t-shirts cheered me on - it was incredible and it really helped motivate me more. About 7 miles later (20 mile mark), I really started to feel it, and my legs started to cramp up a bit. But I kept thinking about Rik and Mom, and that helped me to keep going and not stop and walk. I made it to the finish line and saw the press guy with the camera filming me. And then after crossing the finish line, I saw the sea of bright yellow t-shirts cheering. I quickly took off my t-shirt and kissed the picture of Rik & Mom that I had on the t-shirt. It was an emotional feeling and one I will never forget. The final time was 3:16, which beat my target of 3:30 (and I beat the first running Elvis), so I was very happy with that.
All in all, it was one of the most gratifying experiences I've ever been through, and it was by far the best feeling I've had after a race. I have such good thoughts and memories of my twin brother and my mom, and I keep these with me for as long as I'm here.
Over $11K has been raised for Mama's Kitchen and I'm so happy people have been so generous to help support this fantastic organisation. Again, if you haven't had a chance, take a look at their website - www.mamaskitchen.org. Donations can still be made to my site, www.firstgiving.com/rikjennings, up until then end of 2008, so if you haven't had a chance to donate now, please feel free to donate later when you are able. I will continue to keep track of total donations.
(special thanks to Don for being such an amazing person and inspiration to me, and thanks to my brother John and sister Kathi for all of their help with designing the special 'Run for Rik & Mom' t-shirts)
Thank you and much love to all,
Ralph Jennings
BROADCAST TIMES:
NBC-7/39 - San Diego local broadcast
June 21st, 4pm PST (Pacific Standard Time)
FSN (Fox Sports Net) - national broadcast
June 14th
check local listing for actual time of broadcast
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFLINE DONATIONS:
Richard D. Plewa
Michael J. Ledwein
Donald E. Caulfield
Ralph Jennings
Dennis & Margarete Jennings
Eugene Goepferd
Marsha & Bruce Rianda
Keith Caulfield
John T. Caulfield
Jack Caulfield
John & Barb Spinner
Eugene & Shari Goepferd
Lucille Grotz
James Caulfield
Dolores Gill
|
