First of all, thank YOU for taking the time to
visit my page and read my story. It’s not one that I share with everyone.
As close friends and family, you’ve probably realized that I’ve developed
a passion for running in recent years.
What started as a blind date half marathon in 2017 with ZERO training,
I’ve now surpassed 8,000 running miles, over 60 half marathons, 11 marathons, a
50k, and even a 50 mile race on my 50’th birthday. These events range from the largest cities to
the most remote national parks scattered all over the US, and in 2024 I’ve
expanded to competing internationally.
To say that running has changed my life is an understatement.
In 2019, I chose to run the New York City Half Marathon
for the Lupus Research Alliance. This
was half marathon #9 for me. For
marathon #12, I am again partnering with Team Life Without Lupus and returning
to the streets of New York City in November 2024. This time for twice the run, twice the fun, 26.2
miles through all 5 boroughs: starting
in Stanton Island, then Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and finally finishing in
Manhattan’s Central Park. What an
amazing experience…I can’t wait!
Why am I running to fundraise for a charity supporting
the Lupus Research Alliance? In 2009, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus, brought about by stress from a major life change event. It
was likely something I had carried for quite some time, but I had no symptoms
prior. I didn’t at first understand the
rapid change my body was going through; it was like being hit by a truck.
I was able to adapt through doctor’s help, medication to suppress my immune
system, and two surgeries to relieve nerve pressure caused by joint
inflammation. Once I felt I had stabilized, I decided that I didn’t want
to live on prescription drugs and that I should devote more time to living an
active lifestyle. Mountain biking quickly became my main form of cardio exercise,
logging over 7,000 trail miles all over the state of Michigan. I’m now running
more miles than I bike, and have surpassed the cumulative total mileage.
By starting early after diagnosis, I feel like I’ve been able to overcome
most symptoms through regular strenuous exercise. I still feel like I
have long range endurance issues, creating issues in joints that lead to nerve
and muscular setbacks. At the time of the
2019 event, I had not yet completed a full marathon and wasn’t sure that I’d be
able to. In the 5 years since, I’ve
proven to myself that I can, including running qualifying times for the Chicago,
Boston, and New York Marathons. I’m
hoping to one day be a six-star finisher, completing each of the Abbott World
Major Marathons. I’m running miles for
those who can’t; there are hundreds of thousands of people each year that could
benefit from research into this disease and other similar autoimmune disorders
that not a lot is known about. That is the purpose for this fundraising
effort.
Please know that all donations through my page are
greatly appreciated. All donations are tax deductible and go directly to
the Lupus Research Alliance. If you work for a company with a charity
matching program, again it would be great to explore that option to double your
donation for the charity. I hope to reach my fundraising goal of $3500 by
October 31. I am planning several fun events until then, so keep an eye
out for photos and updates to be posted to my Facebook page.
Jeff
