10 Random Things For Tuesday

What do Facebook, bowling, a dented car and Jack’s photography have in common? They’re all part of my 10 Random Things For Tuesday blog.

Just in case this is your first time here, I’m a father of three and a marathon runner. My middle child, 6 1/2-year-old Jack, is severely autistic. I came up with this idea (and my wife made the decision that I’d do this) to try to run 60 full marathons in 2010 all over the country in attempt to raise money and awareness for a great charity I’m a part of called Train 4 Autism/.

So far we have new chapters in several states, I’ve raised a fair amount of money and I’m on schedule with the races, through 28 of the 60 marathons. And with that, I’ll dive into my 10 random things.

1. I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when somebody hit my wife’s car while she was inside the dentist’s office with the kids, then left before she came out. I was pleasantly surprised because the person left a note with her contact information and insurance information. Who does that nowadays?

2. Speaking of that dentist visit, Jack was with Tiff, but was just along for the ride. He remembered his visit to the DAN doctor last week and was apprehensive walking through the hallway. Poor little dude thought he was going to get stuck with needles again. He notices and remembers a lot more than you’d think he does.

3. I’m having some pretty nice pain in the IT band in my right leg. It’s been bothering me for about a month and I finally figured out what it is. Running 60 marathons in a year is a challenge. Getting over an IT band problem while running a marathon every weekend should be tricky, too. I took yesterday and today off and I’m spending some quality time with my foam roller.

4. On May 2 at the Orange County Marathon, Jack was hanging out in the stroller, playing with Tiff’s iPhone. He likes to take pictures, and he snapped one. If you’ve wondered how Jack views the world, now you know.

5. Tiff posted the following Facebook status yesterday:

Well, aside from getting lost on the way to the pharmacy, listening to kids fight in the back seat (causing Jack to cry), a way too long dentist visit for Ben which caused us to be late to Jack’s therapy, and walking out of the dentist to find a note on my car from the person who backed into it, leaving a huge dent in the back, I’d say I’ve had a pretty awesome day! Cheers! 🙂

She replied immediately to herself with

Oh, forgot too add that when I arrived at the pharmacy, my prescription was never called in.

I’m a sensitive, caring husband. So I posted

What’s for dinner?

And she told me

Steak, salad and couscous.

And I’m very appreciative, so I told her

Don’t burn the steak or I’ll be angry.

6. My ice cream/frozen yogurt streak is at 128 consecutive days now. I had cookies and cream frozen yogurt with crushed Butterfinger as a topping. Kind of an odd combo, but I liked it.

7. I’m really liking the way this baseball season is shaping up. Tampa Bay is the class of the AL, the Padres are in first place, the Braves and Nationals could make some noise and the Cardinals and Reds are locked in a battle. This is not what the experts expected. It’s looking like it’s going to be a fun summer (well, aside from all these warm-weather marathons I’m running).

8. Who are my bowlers in SoCal? I’m really trying to get a team together to represent Operation Jack on July 17 at Lucky Strike Bowling Alley at The Block in Orange. I only need four people, but I’d love to have eight. Heck, I’d love to have more, but I’ll start with eight. Here’s the info. If you’re interested, send me an email!

9. Last night, I was at a frozen yogurt place with Benjamin and Ava. The place was loud and very family friendly. Benjamin was starting to get a little wild at one point and ran around the table a couple of times with his friends. I looked at him and he made eye contact with me. He had a big smile on his face, but I wasn’t smiling. So he tried to hide the grin but he couldn’t. I looked him in the eyes, then shifted my eyes to look at his chair, then looked back in his eyes. I didn’t say a word and he sat down in his chair. I thought to myself, “Wow, I’m a DAD!”

10. You want a feel-good story for your Tuesday? Check out this blog from Asia Renning. Asia has autism and is a runner. On Saturday, she ran her 100th race! Asia and her parents Adair and Jerry are members of Train 4 Autism and good friends of Operation Jack. Go check out her blog and give her some congratulations!

OK, I’m no accountant, but I know that’s 10 random things. So I’m checking out for today. See you tomorrow!