Finally Qualified for the famous, Western States 100!

It's true!  On Saturday October 20, 2012  I ran the 2012 Palo Duro 50 Mile Ultra outside of Amarillo, Texas in 10:55:47.  Running this time qualified me to run the world renowned Western States 100 Mile run!  I'm so thrilled that I made this time in a specific "qualifying" race.  The tough thing now is to actually get picked to run in its "lottery" held every year.  Hopefully I'll get picked one of these years to run!

Palo Duro was a great trail run.  Held in the Palo Duro Canyon State Park, temperatures hovered near 100 degrees so all the runners drank plenty of fluids during the day.  I immensely enjoyed the ice poured down my back at most of the aid stations during the hot parts of the day!  The canyon is the second largest canyon in the U.S.!  There are a lot of great, colorful rock formations on most of the walls of the canyon, and a lot of trails to explore, so there's a lot to see and do!

I had the pleasure of meeting some real nice people, runners and spectators alike!  One runner I met during the race has completed over 400 Ultra's in his life so far!  This is an incredible feat!  I came home to a celebratory bottle of champagne and a fantastic home made greeting sign from my wife Lori!  Life couldn't be better!

#7 Ultra done!  Here are some pictures!  Thanks for all of your support!

Donated:  $100.00  10/22/12

False Alzheimer's Diagnosis!

The article written in the Wall Street Journal on August 28th, 2012 states that there have been many false diagnosis of Alzheimer's in patients suffering from confusion, memory loss and personality changes!

Please read the article:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444327204577615353048888094.html

New studies have also shown that symptoms similar to Alzheimer's can be side effects from commonly used drugs such as antihistimatines, sleeping pills, painkillers, and others!  Exposures to high levels of iron, lead and copper can also cause symptoms related to Alzheimer's.

To really be tested properly, a new form of PET scan can confirm "amyloid buildup" in the brain.  This test can be done on the living as well.  A negative PET scan can rule out Alzheimer's so doctors can search for other explanations of patients suffering from similar Alzheimer's symptoms.  This is good news.

Bulldog 50K Trail Ultra Accomplished!

Hi again everyone!  Well I finished another 50K (31 miles) Ultra in beautiful Malibu, California!  #6 Ultra for 100 by 100 done!  Wow, was this a neat course and really beautiful.  It was held in the Malibu Creek State Park on Saturday, August 25.  My wife Lori and daughter Abby were there to cheer me on too!  I guess they had a great impact because I ran a PR of 5:56:55 !  Yeah!  There was some serious elevation gain of over 7000 ft too.  I met some great people and talked to a lot of runners during the race.  It was fun, for sure!  Eating Red Vines during the later portions of the race even helped me finish in great form!  Here are some pictures!  Yes, another $100.00 donated to the cause!  Thank you all for your support!

Donated:  $100.00  -  8/28/12

Logan Peak Trail Run Accomplished!

June 30, 2012 was a beautiful day in Utah to run an Ultra in the Logan, Utah!  The race was 28 miles of pure Ultra in the truest form!  The beautiful scenery and sights all of the runners saw on the run was really quite outstanding!  It seemed like at every turn there was another beautiful scene to see.  I highly recommend this area to anyone who like to do outdoor activities in the mountains.

It was a hard run which had 7200 feet of elevation gain/loss, however it was all worth it seeing the outstanding views.  I accomplished this feat in 6:38 and had a great time and met some great people all the while!  I then came home to home made cookies made from my daughter, Della!

Here are some pictures!

Donated:  $100.00  7/2/12

Is it a curse to get the diagnosis?

The Wall Street Journal published article:

articlehttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304791704577418173565087592.html

explains that there is now a way with a radioactive dye (Amyvid) to detect brain plaque changes more visible on PET scans.  Bigger plaque and tangle changes can be associated with Alzheimer's disease.  This test can either be a curse or a benefit for the families to plan accordingly - depending upon the family feelings.  Please read the article!

Thank you for reading!

Ice Age 50 Completed!

AND, another $100.00 donated to ALZ.ORG!  #4 Ultra Completed!

Wow, what a trail race this was!  My second 50 mile Ultra - Yes!  This was a very tough trail race with relentless hills almost the entire length of the course!  My time was: 11:30:34 on 5/12/12.

Here are some pictures!  Thanks for your support!

$100.00 Donated 5/16/12

Excess Iron, Copper, and Zinc - found in peoples brains afflicted with Alzheimer's

Published in the Wall Street Journal on January 31, 2012, an Australian study with laboratory mice showed that "reducing excess iron in the brain can alleviate Alzheimer's-like symptoms".  Research of the metals role of the aging brain  is very complicated,  and so far has lagged behind other research.  Researchers have found out that an "overabundance of iron accumulated in the brain is toxic".  Now, to find out how this happens!

Read the article at:
  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204740904577192901072611524.html

Eat Fish, Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer's?

Published in the Wall Street Journal on February 28, 2012, eating a rich diet of fish can help aging people maintain a healthy brain.  In one ongoing Framingham study found out that eating salmon or tuna can even lower the risk of Alzheimer's and other dementia problems!  Check this article at:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204653604577249192836516880.html

More News!!!

Recently published in USA Today on April 19, 2012, "a higher level of physical activity" can aid in delaying of the onset of Alzheimer's.  This is great news - not only for people who exercise with great intensity, but for also people who partake in tasks as simple as gardening, cooking, cleaning, and washing dishes.  Research was first published in the journal of Neurology and was part of a four-year study at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Here is the article:    http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2012-04-19-Alzheimers--exercise-helps---_ST_U.htm

News! News! News! The latest in detecting Alzheimer's earlier than ever!

Published in the Wall Street Journal on Monday April 9th, 2012, Elli Lilly has developed a test that detects the proteins that are similarly found in patients with Alzheimers!

What this means is that doctors could effectively detect Alzheimer's at the earliest possible sign of patients memory problems!  Also, for those patients for whom the test results are negative, doctors can then try to find other potential causes for their memory problems.  This would eliminate a lot of wasted time, money, and energy for sure!

Please read the article!  Here it is!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304587704577332090297872490.html

Exciting!  Thanks for your support!

"Don't wait for inspiration to come find you.  Become it"  (yourbuds.com)

Finally, the 100 by 100 Logo !

Well, finally I made a logo to match my objective here and I'm so excited!

I will wear these shirts with great pride in all of my Ultras I run.  I like how the Alzheimer's logo is printed in the middle of the runner's chest too.  That is where I keep people afflicted with this disease - right next to my heart.  Hopefully, wearing these shirts will help spread the word that there is a huge need of support for Alzheimer's.  Here are some of the basic printed shirts I have so far!  Please, spread the word!  Look for me at the Ultra races!

Finished the 2012 American Birkebeiner 54K Classic Race on 2/25/12 !!!


Ultra #3 Finished!


Held in Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin, the Birkie is one the worlds best cross country ski races.  Running in its 39th year, the Birkie attracted 9000 skiers from all over the world which always includes many olympians as well.  I feel very accomplished for competing in this event and very happy that I finished with a smile on my face!


I finished in the 60% percentile in the Classic 54K (33.55 miles) race with a time of 5:25:13.  My wife, Lori was there at the finish to greet me too!  What a finish to have thousands of spectators cheering you in on main st. downtown Hayward!  I will always remember this one for sure!  I am truly a very happy ultra-skier!


Here are a few photos of me at the finish, my wife Lori, and very good midwestern friends Ultra Bill Thom and Mike Pellikan.  Bill and Mike finished their 50K Birkie Skate Race in 3:55 and 4:20 respectively.  These are great times for one who doesn't know.




Donated: $100.00     2/28/12

LATEST NEWS YET! As of : 1/17/12

The Federal Government has made a goal to have an effective treatment for Alheimer's by 2025!

Yeah!  Way to go!

The priority is to make sure doctors are able to to recognize and identify the symptoms early and then give patients the proper drugs.  As of this moment, we may have effective drugs but we're giving them too late.

Here is the lastest news yet on the CBS News with Scott Pelly!

Go to:http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57360569/finding-a-treatment-for-alzheimers-by-2025/?tag=contentBody;cbsCarousel


Please help and donate now.  Thank you so much!

The DPR (DesPlaines River Trail Run) 50

Finished #2 Ultra!

The DPR 50 held on October 22, 2011 in Gurnee, Illinois

I am one happy 50 Miler! Here's a shot of my sister Bev and me at the finish.  Thanks for all the support Bev!

50 more miles closer to bringing an end to Alheimer's!

Donated: $100.00  12/19/11