Sponsor my first marathon and support students at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology! Make a gift and join the effort as I prepare to run the Tacoma City Marathon on April 28. Please read more of my story and details below. Let's make an impact together!

Why I Started Running

Last year, during my annual physical exam, I was shocked to learn my A1C (blood glucose level) had shot up to 8.9%. While I had previously been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, I had managed to keep my A1C level around 6% to 6.5% (5.8% is normal). The previous year had been a difficult time for me with stress from work and personal losses. Immediately after my physical exam in July, I decided to cut out carbs and exercise more.

Discovering Joy and Adding Purpose

I discovered the joy of running while using my daughter’s treadmill which was equipped with iFIT. Soon I had my own iFIT treadmill. Running with iFIT instructors on various routes from locations around the world–including London, Kenya, Bolivia, and Japan–made the exercise much more enjoyable. A goal-driven person, I decided to add more purpose to my running.

Improving My Health

After three months of running 3-4 miles daily, I was very happy to learn that I had lowered my A1C to 6.7%. Additionally, running also helped me better cope with the stress from work and life.

Dedicating Each Mile

One night as I ran along the Boston Marathon route on my iFIT treadmill, the instructor shared that she dedicates each mile to a person in her life, a friend or family member. So I decided to dedicate each mile of my long runs to someone in my life, praying for Seattle School colleagues or my kids or family members.

Motivation & Races

To continue my motivation, I decided to participate in races. Last November, I ran my first half marathon at the Seattle Marathon and finished in 2 hours and 9 minutes, placing approximately in the first half of my age group. It was highly unconventional that I tackled a half marathon before 5K or 10K races. In March of this year, I ran another half marathon at Lake Sammamish Marathon, finishing in 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Running a marathon before turning 60 has been on my bucket list so I registered to run a full marathon at the Tacoma City Marathon on Sunday, April 28. I decided to raise funds for The Seattle School with this marathon. If I can inspire people with my running and use my race to raise funds for The Seattle School, I will have a higher purpose as well as added motivation and pressure not to give up.

The Tacoma City Marathon

The beautiful course starts at Dune Peninsula Park, passing through Point Defiance Park, and also includes the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The first third of the race is almost entirely uphill and the second third is entirely downhill while the final third of the course is flat. To make it to the starting line by 7 am I will stay at a hotel in Tacoma.

Training for the Marathon

I mostly run on a treadmill during the weekdays. After my last half marathon, I felt the need to hire a coach, Jon Phillips, who could help me with my training schedule and various advice. Jon lives in Seattle, and while I have never met him in person, we communicate through texts, Zoom calls, and a training app called "Final Surge." I run outside whenever I can now, especially on weekends. Sunday is my long run day, and last Sunday’s run was 2 and a half hours. As I am gearing up for a full marathon, I will run 3 hours this week in preparation.

Marathon Goals

Finish without an injury.
Finish within 5 hours if possible. In theory, I should be able to finish within five hours.
Aspirations: Running a marathon on each continent. World-famous marathons such as Boston, New York, Chicago, London, and Tokyo. Some races have qualifying times but it will not stop me from dreaming and working towards my goals.

Support Seattle School Students

My goal is to raise $10,000 for The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. I would like the donation to either provide scholarships for our theology students or go towards improving learning environments for our students including technology.

How to Sponsor

Donate a set amount.
Or donate an amount for each mile I run (a marathon is 26.2 miles)
Designate a gift for a specific mile in the 26 miles. I will think of you and pray for you for that mile.
Provide an incentive for me such as finishing within 5 hours: I will do my best to earn that gift.

Thank you for supporting The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology and thank you for sponsoring my run!

Gene's Marathon

By The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology

Gene's Marathon

Support The Seattle School as I run the Tacoma City Marathon