It’s never too early to line up bets for January 1 and Super Bowl Sunday. That’s what I’m doing now. But my wagers have nothing to do with college bowl games or the NFL. They’re about my attempt at weight loss and my pacing battle with Operation Jack coach John Loftus, a national-champion marathoner.
First, though, a quick status report.
Standard introduction: If this is your first visit here, I’m a marathoner and a father of three — but not in that order. My middle child, 6-year-old Jack, is severely autistic and next year I’m planning on running 60 marathons to try to raise money and nationwide awareness for Train 4 Autism, a wonderful charity.
Running & Hyperbaric Chamber Update
I had another session scheduled for Saturday at Advanced Hyperbarics, so I planned my long run for that morning to beat myself up for fun. I didn’t have enough time to go 30+, but I got 28 in. I ran 19.5 of the miles with a friend of mine who took it a touch slower than I would have, but it was still a good enough pace that I’d consider it a fair workout to beat me up somewhat before my session.
I went in with Jack for the chamber session on Saturday afternoon. He was a little uneasy, but nothing like last week and he was fine within about a minute or so. We’re supposed to hold masks up to our faces during the process. It’s a little (OK, a lot) difficult to do that with Jack, but he let me hold it up a bit and things went well. I held my mask up for the full hour, plus I took a new anti-inflammatory supplement called Moxxor I was just introduced to, and about two hours after I was done, I felt a LOT better than I normally do after a 28-miler. I felt like I had run about 8 miles, not 28. Now, I don’t know if that was because of the slower pace, the oxygen or the Moxxor. But I’m going to pay very close attention and try to figure it out, because I like it when I don’t hurt! This morning, I felt great and ran quicker than I have lately on my 14-miler. I’m thinking it’s going to be a good week.
Surf City: Time For A Wager!
First of all, if you have any intention of registering for the Surf City Marathon/Half-Marathon/5K, don’t take too much time. I’ve been getting emails letting me know that it’s close to selling out. Sure, that’s marketing, but if you’re definitely going to run it, you might as well sign up. And on that note, when you do, PLEASE select Operation Jack/Train 4 Autism as your running club. It costs you nothing, but Surf City will donate a portion of your entry fee back to the charity. So, thanks in advance (or thank you if you’ve already registered).
Now, on to the wager. Operation Jack’s coach John Loftus is pacing the 3:10 group at Surf City. I’m pacing the 3:30 group at Surf City. It’s about even for each of us based on our abilities. His fastest time over the past 12 months is 2:41:19, 28:41 faster than his assignment. My fastest time over the past 12 months is 3:01:31, 28:29 faster than my assignment. I have to say, though, I’m money when it comes to pacing. I only paced once — Surf City this year — but it was the 3:30 group and it was on one hour of sleep (work emergency!) and I went 3:29:57.
So, I talked with John last week and told him that we’re going to have a wager over who paces closer to their target without going over while keeping a consistent pace (no running two minutes faster than the goal and then running a 9:30 final mile). We’ll talk a little smack in here as the race gets closer, but we need something to wager and something to get you guys involved. Any suggestions? And who do you think will win? Do you bet against me? You all say such nice things all the time and I couldn’t imagine you’d turn against me. Or do you bet against the guy who’s probably one of the best 2 or 3 runners in his age group in the country?
Speaking of wagers, …
My Weight-Loss Quest
On Thursday, I talked about how I really want to get from 203 down to 190 by January 1, even though I haven’t been below 195 since I started running marathons. I want some kind of penalty to drive me as motivation. A lot of you suggested I run a race in a dress. Heck, my mother-in-law suggested I run in a bikini, although I’d only do that if she watched, and I know that’s not something she wants to see. Anyways, I started thinking that I’d combine this dress thing with an attendance drive. Maybe I’d wear a dress and run the 5K in Cleveland the day before the marathon if I didn’t make weight and I got 25 people on my team. Or, maybe I’d run in a dress regardless of my weight if I got 50.
I’ve gotten mixed feedback. Some people think it would do a great job bringing attention to the charity. Others think it would make a mockery of what I’m doing and it’s not something I should do. What do you think? I’m kind of torn on the issue.
OK, That’s All For Today!
Have a great start to your week! May Friday come quicker than Monday did!
Jamie Fellrath says
I think it’s perfectly possible to have fun, be a bit silly, and still be serious about things. One charity I’ve been involved with in the past is St. Baldrick’s Day, where we get pledges to shave our heads and raise money to fight childhood cancer. Sure, we look a bit silly, and the shaving is done at a pub on St. Patrick’s Day, but it doesn’t take anything away from the cause or the seriousness thereof. In fact, it can even ADD to it.
I like the idea of challenging people the way you’re discussing. It attracts attention, and that’s half the game in any sort of promotion, which Operation Jack most certainly is. And the real event of the weekend is, of course, the marathon, which I’m assuming you wouldn’t do in drag (as the last thing you want during a road race is drag. OH! BAD PUN ALERT!).
Deirdre Edwards says
How about a pledge system. Get everyone to pledge say $20 or whatever amount, and if/when you hit that goal on 1/1/10 we all have to pay up with a donation.
Ally Phillips says
Hmmm….I got nothin’ in terms of the weight loss quest and the motivation to do so–I like the idea of involving the “penalty” with the number of people you get on a team–I think that is motivating all around and will hopefully get people to sign up.
Glad the hyperbolic chamber went better than last week and glad you’re feeling like you had ran an 8 miler versus 28–that’s awesome!!
Also, a friend of mine is running the OKC Half and I’ve been wanting to run a race with her for ages, so, I was excited to see that you’ll be there too–now, I just have to figure out if I want to run the full or the half–I should also mention that I’m considering The Big D Texas Marathon as well–since that’s my town and my current running route (ha!). Anyways, I guess I can make the final desicion when it gets a little closer, but, thought I’d share that little tidbit.
Have a great week!
Erin Fortin says
Dude, you should TOTALLY run the 5k in Cleveland in a speedo. With a hot pink wig on. And a fluffy boa. With “Operation Jack” painted onto your back/chest. It’s like any other big crowded event… the more obnoxious your costume, the more attention you receive! Isn’t that the purpose of OJ? You WANT to stand out and have people saying “woah, do you see that guy? Oh wait, what’s Operation Jack?” and bam. There’s one more person who’ll learn about OJ.
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