A little under two years ago I was overweight, out of shape and I drank too much. Now, I compete in national (and one world!) competitions. I'm fitter, stronger, and calmer than I've ever been. Oh, and I haven't touched a drop of alcohol. And it's all thanks to rowing.

I owe it all to a hidden gem in West Sacramento, CA - River City Rowing Club. I'm going to ROW a MARATHON again this year, and I've decided to do it for RCRC, to give back to the place that changed my life - that helped me turn it around.

So, I'm raising money for RCRC to build a new community facility in West Sacramento. There's so much more the club can do - we want to offer adaptive rowing programs, more junior scholarships, develop more young people - especially from under privileged backgrounds, and help local children compete for scholarships. We want to change lives of more people in the Sacramento region - we want people to be healthier, and happier.

The club has wonderful people, fantastic coaches... but the facilities are sadly lacking. For one, there's no toilets. I could describe the smell of the portable toilets in 110 F summer heat... but I'll leave that to your imagination. The truth is, we're seriously behind other clubs. We're seriously lacking in space and safety.

A new facility will be the catalyst for change - to help put West Sacramento on the map - and to build a facility that the community can share and be proud of, that juniors can use, that local masters can use to keep rowing well into their 70s, 80s and beyond!

A little about the challenge - last year I rowed a marathon in a single scull. It was the hardest thing physically I've ever done. Without question. And I've run the London Marathon twice and climbed Mt Kilimanjaro - they don't come close to the pain of rowing a marathon. The cramp, the muscle pain, the constant mental battle trying to suppress that voice that's screaming for you to stop...

Well, this year I've had a few challenges - such as nearly losing my left index finger in a freak accident... but that's not going to stop me. I'm rowing with my fellow team mate and partner in madness Rob Moutrie, we're rowing a double scull - and here's the cool thing - WE WILL BE THE FIRST MEN'S DOUBLE SCULL TO ATTEMPT THIS MARATHON! So, help us set a record that'll stand for a long time, and please sponsor me to grow a happier, healthier Sacramento.


More information about River City Rowing Club Inc: RCRC is a community-based and volunteer-driven organization, dedicated to developing young people and adults in the art and sport of rowing by creating an environment that challenges, inspires and teaches team work, sportsmanship, athleticism and camaraderie through competitive and recreational opportunities.