Jessica, Triumphant:

Update: SHE DID IT! Jessica finished her first marathon in 4 hours, 24 minutes, and 42 seconds!

Here's a picture that was taken just 15 minutes after her finish:

I think she's happier than she looks! Congratulations, Jessica!!

Jessica is past the 20 mile mark - three-quarters done - in 3:17:21!

We've also had two new donations so the total raised is now up to $2831!

Halfway! She passed the 13.1 marker in 2:06:58!

Jessica has passed the 5.9 mile marker in 56 minutes and 50 seconds! Go Jessica!!

The gun has fired and Jessica is away!

Jessica and her supporters made ribbons to wear:

Then went to packet pickup and enjoyed the pre-race festivities:

Even the last few hours pre-race was filled with adventure. Jessica left a shoe in San Francisco, and thankfully had a wonderful friend who left San Francisco at 3:30am to bring it to her!

Jessica also surpassed her THIRD fundraising goal. The final total is $2755. So many thanks go out to everyone who is supporting her!

Keep watching here for updates on Jessica's progress! We'll be getting live updates at 5.9 miles, halfway, and 20 miles, as well as her finish, which I will post here!

Welcome to my race for awareness!  My name is Jessica, and I run. I run for my health, I run for the challenge, and I run because I love to. THIS SUNDAY December 5th, I will be running in my first marathon ever, the California International Marathon, for the members of my family who suffer with chronic, painful, and debilitating gastrointestinal conditions.

Follow me, #4224 as I run along the American River from the Folsom Dam to the State Capitol!

This run will be to raise awareness of functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders (FGIMDs) and to raise funds for the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD); an organization dedicated to advancing medical research into FGIMDs and supporting individuals affected by these conditions.

Race For Awareness is a new organization committed to raising awareness and financial support for important issues that need solutions but receive little attention. Difficult problems are even harder to solve when people do not know they exist.

Just like the effort to find innovative treatment options and cures for FGIMDs, my effort to prepare for a 26.2 mile run needs your help! Please help me succeed by making a tax-deductible donation in my name to the IFFGD. You can donate now by clicking the donation button or you can mail a check to IFFGD, P.O. Box 170864, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217 and include “Jessica” in the subject line. Please give what you can, every contribution helps!

If you have an inspirational song, suggest it to me after making a donation using the "Add comment" link below, and I will add it to the playlist that I listen to while I am training and running.

Thank you for your support! I look forward to seeing you out there!