13.1 Miles, One Questionable Hip, and a Great Cause!

Dear Friends and Family,

I have officially lost my mind!

On November 14, 2026, I will be participating in the Rocky Run Half Marathon — 13.1 miles!

Yes, you read that correctly. THIRTEEN POINT ONE MILES! And no, nobody is chasing me ( at least not la migra), and as far as I know, there won’t be any free tacos waiting at the finish line.

Some of you know my story, and some of you may not. Since I was 15 years old, I’ve lived with a dislocated hip. Because of this, running a marathon and playing any sport has always seemed like one of those dreams that belonged to someone else. Something I could admire from a distance, preferably while sitting comfortably with a cold drink in my hand.

But as I’ve gotten older (and clearly not any wiser), I’ve started asking myself a different question:

What if I tried anyway?

Now, I realize most people my age are looking for ways to make life easier. Comfortable shoes, a good recliner, maybe a nice afternoon nap. But apparently, my brilliant idea was to sign up to run 13.1 miles with a hip that has been giving me trouble since Ronald Reagan was president!

I know this won’t be easy. My hips will probably file a formal complaint around mile three, and by mile eight, I’m expecting my entire body to organize a full strike. At that point, negotiations may involve promises of tacos, beer, and never doing this again!

But here’s the thing: I don’t want my physical limitations to define what I can accomplish.

And more importantly, I don’t want this run to be just about me.

I’ve decided to dedicate this challenge to raising funds for Special Olympics, an organization that celebrates the abilities, courage, determination, and incredible spirit of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

These athletes remind us that greatness isn’t always measured by how fast you run, how high you jump, or whether you finish first. Sometimes greatness is simply having the courage to show up, give everything you’ve got, and refuse to let obstacles define you.

Their determination inspires me. I know the odds aren’t necessarily in my favor, but if these incredible athletes can push themselves beyond expectations, then surely I can get my stubborn hips to cooperate for 13.1 miles. Right?!

That’s the spirit I want to carry with me throughout this challenge.

So, I’m asking my friends and family to join me in this adventure. Not by running, of course! I’m simply asking you to consider making a donation to my GoFundMe fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics.

Your donation will support an incredible cause and, hopefully, give me the extra motivation to cross that finish line.

Now, I want to be completely honest. I can guarantee that your donation will motivate me. What I cannot guarantee is that my hips will honor that agreement!

Whether it’s $5, $10, $25, or whatever your heart and wallet can agree on without starting an argument, every contribution will mean something special to me and, more importantly, will support a cause much bigger than this run.

Think of it this way:

You donate. I suffer through 13.1 miles. Special Olympics benefits. Everybody wins! Well, almost everybody. My doctor might have a few things to say about this.

And if you can’t donate, that’s perfectly okay! Your encouragement, prayers, positive thoughts, or even a funny message telling me I’ve completely lost my mind will be greatly appreciated. Just please save the “I told you so” comments until after the race!

I don’t know how fast I’ll finish. I don’t know how much my body will complain. And to be perfectly honest, somewhere around mile ten, I may seriously question every decision I’ve made in my life that led me to this moment. But I do know one thing: Every step will have a purpose.

For the athletes. For the dreamers. For everyone who has ever been told something might be impossible.

And maybe, just maybe, for that 15-year-old kid who never imagined that one day he’d be crazy enough to attempt something like this.

Because sometimes the biggest victories aren’t about finishing first. They’re about finding the courage to try something you once believed was impossible.

And if I miraculously happen to cross that finish line, whether running, jogging, walking, or doing something that vaguely resembles movement, I hope it reminds someone else that it’s never too late to challenge yourself.

Thank you for being part of my journey, for believing in me (even when my own hips have their doubts), and for helping turn a personal challenge into something meaningful.

Let’s make these 13.1 miles count!

With gratitude, determination, and a highly questionable amount of common sense,

Juan Alfaro

‍♂️ Support my 13.1-mile challenge for Special Olympics:

P.S. If you see me walking like a penguin after the race, please don’t be alarmed. Wait a minute… I ALREADY walk like a penguin!

Love you all.