(cover photo by Flash-Sport,  'Ralph crawling at UTMB in Aug-2018')

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On April 23rd, 2023 I'll be running the London Marathon for the Martlets Hospice.

(Originally, I was to run the London Marathon in Oct 2022.  However, unfortunately, due to getting COVID a few days prior, I had to abandon my attempt).  I have been fortunate to have gained a lottery place in London for 2023 - but I will still try and raise as much as possible for my original charity. ;-)  

I'll be doing this in memory of my wonderful dad who passed away with dementia in Dec-21 and my childhood best friend Melany who suddenly and unexpectantly passed away earlier in Sep-21.  Both who had profound impacts on my life and who I am as a person today.  

My dad, Dennis, went to Cincinnati 48 years ago to pick up two tiny 7-year-old twin boys and take them to Colorado Springs to live with a new ‘adopted’ Jennings household.  I’ll never forget that day, as I played with a hot-wheel toy on the floor of the foster home, and looked up at the towering man who’s legs appeared in front of me, and I asked “are you my new dad”?  He was, and the rest is history.  I was blessed to have him as my dad and all the Jennings as my family!  Dad’s dementia, which progressively got worse the last couple of years has been an extremely difficult  experience for the whole family, but especially for my mom and my sister Deed.  Trying to care for dad, cope with the challenges of dealing with someone with dementia, and then sorting out additional care and help when health was deteriorating – these all contributed to the realisation that help is needed for everyone in these times and kind of situations – and that’s part of the reason I have chosen Martlets Hospice as the supporting charity for my London Marathon event this year.

Now, what can I say about my best friend and soul-mate Melany?  From the time I met her in Junior High School, to going on our ‘first dates’ for both of us, to our first school dance, to the countless times we hung out watching late night horror movies on her parent’s sofa (while they slept) to the more recent trips to Colorado with my other best friend Stephen, and the shenanigans we all got up to – the list goes on and on and on.  I’ve said this many times, Melany “saved me” in High School – if it wasn’t for her, I would have probably struggled quite a bit as an introverted nerd then.  I’m still an introverted nerd, but I’m now more ‘cool’ because of Mel!  Another blessing to me that I have been able to stay so closely connected to Melany and her husband Joe over all these years.

Dad and Mel - you both are missed immensely and I love you both!

A bit about me:

Most know that in the past I have completed quite a few extreme endurance events, but health setbacks and some nasty injuries have prevented me from doing any endurance events for over 2 1/2 years.
I have decided to take on the goal of doing this marathon because I want to prove to myself that I can bounce back from the challenges I have faced and run one of the most prestigious athletic events in the world. I am also doing this for Martlets Hospice, a local ‘end-of-life’ care facility in my community - and to whom my best friend Stephen is a valued volunteer at their Peacehaven facility - thanks to Stephen for all he does for them.  The Peacehaven facility has an amazing charity shop which raises critical and valued funds for the hospice.  I know Melany would have LOVED this shop - amazing antique and retro items donated daily!  ;-D.  This hospice has been instrumental in helping so many cope with the challenges faced when they, or someone near and dear to them need special care as they prepare for end of life. This last year has really hit home to me that we are mortal beings, and life is about making sure we make the most of it while we can, and we can have peace of mind that there are people and organisations that are more than happy to help us cope with our own struggles with mortality or help us cope when someone close to us who is going through their own end-of-life struggles.
I’ve been an open book on social media regarding some of the health/injury struggles I have had, especially the last two years. From my own ‘near-death’ experience by contracting pneumonia in 2005 and needing a life-support ventilator to keep me alive. I recovered from that enough to run a marathon in 2008, an Ironman triathlon in 2015, and several 100+km ultra-runs since.
However, the last two years I’ve been plagued with a fair share of misfortune – having another bout of serious pneumonia, rupturing my quad tendon, breaking my kneecap, fracturing my wrist, tearing my bicep tendon, and worst of all tearing my carotid artery in my neck and suffering a stroke. The latter changing my life forever. MRI and CT scans discovered several ‘dormant’ aneurysms in the arteries in my neck that lead up to my brain – and thus I can no longer do anything to jeopardise any of these bursting. So, my “fitness crazy” world has come crashing down, but thankfully it's not totally over. As long as I’m careful not to spike my blood pressure or pulse too much, continued running for exercise is encouraged by my health consultants.
My London Marathon 2022 will be a gentle walk/jog for the 26.2 miles – which will be my furthest distance since I did Transgrancanaria 128km race in Gran Canaria in Feb 2019.
To keep my place, I need to raise £1500 for Martlets Hospice. I plan to raise as much via social media networking, as well as ‘auctioning off’ or ‘raffling off’ some of my artwork. So stay tuned on that front if you are interested. 😉

In the June-22 edition of Runners World UK, there will be a feature article about myself and how I have dealt with/overcome some of the serious challenges I have faced during my running career.  It's quite a comprehensive story - so if you get a chance, I'd suggest you head to a news-stand (if you are in the UK) in early May to pick up a copy.  I'll also post a link for those who might want to subscribe/order a copy of the magazine with the feature story.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.