Well, now that we’re about 1 1/2 days removed from the Chase Community Giving contest, I figured I’d write a post-mortem recap about it. It was an amazing experience and I think the whole process we went through is worthy of a blog.

Just as a real quick intro in case you’ve never been here before, I’m a father of three and a marathon runner and my middle child, 6 1/2-year-old Jack, is severely autistic. I came up with an idea to try to maximize my ability to recover well from marathons and make a purpose out of his autism by running 60 marathons this year to raise money and awareness for a charity I’m a part of called Train 4 Autism.

So far, it hasn’t been exactly what I expected, but I’ve been putting in my best effort and I know I’m reaching people, bringing people into Train 4 Autism, and, of course, raising money. I’m 33 marathons down, 27 to go.

That being said, we did it! We just finished this Chase Community Giving contest on Facebook and finished in the top 200, netting the Operation Jack Autism Foundation $20,000! That will end up being an extra $20,000 that we give to Train 4 Autism at the end of the year. AWESOME!

I want to start off by thanking a few people real quick. First, Operation Jack supporter Laura Sullivan alerted me about a week before this contest was going to begin, so I definitely owe her a huge thank you. I also want to give a big thank you to Sarah Stanley. Sarah also uses her running to push philanthropic efforts and she used her large reach to give us a big boost on Sunday afternoon when we were in danger of slipping out of the top 200. We needed some momentum badly and we got it at a critical time when social media is typically very quiet.

And of course, I have to thank Tiffany. It was awesome going through the highs and lows of this contest together. We make a great team and it was such a great experience to go through this with her.

I’m calling them out specifically, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t notice the efforts of a ton of other people. I saw it all go down on Facebook and Twitter and it just about overwhelmed me emotionally. I don’t know why, but I felt unworthy of the incredible outpouring of support. But I felt very appreciative. VERY appreciative.

I’m doing what I’m doing and a lot of times, I wonder if I’m reaching anybody or if anybody even cares. It’s tough to labor on through this for an entire year. Over the final week of this contest, though, I could tell that I have backing from people all over the country, many of whom I’ve never met, and it was amazing.

I’d scroll down my Facebook and see people posting and re-posting. I saw a lot of people pounding away on Twitter. The e-mail tool I built was used well. I’d beg for a push and people responded. For a while I felt like I was bugging people, but then it seemed like people were truly on the bandwagon and excited about it. I was watching hour by hour Monday early into the evening, and I finally just let go about 50 minutes before the voting closed. There was nothing left I could do to change anything. I felt like I was a lawyer waiting on a deliberating jury, but at the same time, I was pretty confident I had it locked up and I felt like the quarterback of the winning football team kneeling down to run out the clock. Watching the totals refresh on Monday night 30 minutes after voting closed was like watching election returns.

Knowing that I was able to rally 1,583 votes for this cause (that was the official final total) means a whole lot more to me than running 33 marathons between January 1 and July 11. It tells me that as I go alone to my trips and sit here alone behind my computer, I’m not really alone. I’m so grateful for all of your efforts. Actions speak so much louder than words and while people tell me they support what I’m doing, y’all showed it with your relentless push.

I believe in my cause, which is fighting autism. I keep things on the positive and I crack jokes here all the time, because that’s just the way I approach things. Deep down inside, I’m so upset about what Jack’s going through, I don’t really know how to deal publicly with it or talk about it. Tiff did a much better job of that writing a guest blog here on Monday. I’m numb from the pain and I don’t do a very good job of being open about it all. I keep it to myself and inside for the most part. But just to be clear, I absolutely hate what he’s going through and I hate what it’s done to our family. This has turned our world upside down and it has a big impact on Ben and Ava. I hate autism. I hate it. I’m going to do whatever I can to fight it for the rest of my life.

So anyways, I’m doing Operation Jack, trying to make a difference, even if it’s a small difference. Train 4 Autism might break through and become like Team In Training. Or, somehow, my efforts might be able to indirectly make life better for five children with autism. Either way, it’s all worth it.

The contest win was great. Getting the confirmation that I’m not alone and I have the support of people all over the nation was even better.

But the biggest thing is $20,000 for Train 4 Autism. Don’t forget that this contest was very, very real. That’s real money that’s going to have a real impact. I’m really excited and proud to be a part of Train 4 Autism. That’s my team, and I feel like I was able to help bring home a win for the team. We won and we’re going to be better off for it. As the verse at the bottom of my site says, let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. We did not give up in this contest. And while this contest is over, I’m not giving up in the bigger mission. I will continue to fight autism and Train 4 Autism gives me a weapon.

Yesterday, Ben Fesagaiga, the founder of Train 4 Autism, included the following in an email to me:

The money is great — it can definitely be put to good use. As you know we direct just about everything that comes in back out to organizations that out athletes choose. This is what makes us different and, well, us. As proud as I am about supporting other organizations, the reality is we have very little resources to promote T4A. We rely mainly on the organizations that we support to in turn promote T4A. Most of them have done an outstanding job.

I recently did the SD R&R Half you remember me saying “Sam!!” as you shot past me on your way to finishing the full. That day I saw a sea of purple, as thousands upon thousands of TNT athletes from all over the country competed, and their supporters lining just about ll 26.2 miles, plus the finish area. I had a lot of thoughts go through my mind. Wouldn’t it be awesome if T4A had this kind of mass involvement and support? It’s inspiring, and at the same time intimidating as I finish the race and walk back to my car alone.

Also, Molly Rearick, the Director of Communications for Train 4 Autism, wrote:

We run on a tiny operating budget (9.5% of all funds we take in), so we are exited to be able to support more families affected by Autism with the money earned from the Chase contest. Because of the Felsenfelds’ passion for and dedication to raising Autism awareness, we will be able to reach more families and make a difference in more lives. I was touched to watch votes come in from around the world – from friends, family members, and complete strangers who believe in what Operation Jack and Train 4 Autism are doing. Thank you to everyone who realizes what a worthy cause this is!

This wasn’t just a vote contest. This was real and it’s going to make a difference. So thank you, all of you, for making this happen. None of us could have made this happen on our own, but we did it as a team and it’s going to make a real difference.

Normally, I use my blog to promote my cause and my charity, but today, I’m going to use my space to promote another charity runner who did something amazing this past weekend. Well, don’t get me wrong — I still have some things I need to promote. But I really want you to read this today to read about an incredible runner.

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 decided I wanted to try to use my running to make a difference in the autism world, so this year, I’m trying to run 60 marathons to raise money and awareness for a charity called Train 4 Autism. So far, so good. 31 down, 29 to go.

Gotta Plug The Chase Contest
First things first, we’re in the running in the Chase Community Giving contest. This is an easy way for the Operation Jack Autism Foundation to earn $20,000 (which will essentially be $20,000 for Train 4 Autism). It’s a simple voting contest through Facebook. All you need to do is click here to go to the page and vote. If you’ve already voted, please go back to the page and click the link share it on your wall or through Twitter.

We’re hanging on in the top 140 or so, and we need to stay in the top 200, but we need to keep fighting to make this. So, thank you for your help!

Here’s A Runner Who Really Did Something Awesome This Weekend
I know what I’m doing with my running this year seems abnormal to most of you, but I have a running friend named Jonathan Gunderson who blows my mind with his endurance ability. He’s a four-time finisher of the Badwater Ultramarathon, a 135-mile race in the middle of July in Death Valley, Calif. The race starts at 282 feet below sea level and climbs up to Mt. Whitney. Temps climb well over 120 degrees! It’s the toughest footrace in America, no question. Anyways, like I said, he’s finished it four times (I think it’s four), including 11th overall last year.

This weekend, he ran in the Western States 100, one of the toughest trail races in the country and arguably the most prestigious. The goal everybody chases there is a sub-24 hour finish. If you do that, you earn the coveted Western States 100 belt buckle. Jonathan set his sights well beyond that, though. He put everything he had into training for this race and was ready to push for a sub-19 and maybe even a top 10. His training went well, his tune-up races (50- and 100-milers) went well and he was ready to go.

However, he suffered a severely sprained ankle just 10 miles into the race on Saturday. He also battled nausea for the majority of the race. He couldn’t get into the top 10 on the sprained ankle, but he was still able to finish in 23:47 and earn the belt buckle. Just to repeat, he ran 90 MILES ON TRAILS on a severely sprained ankle and still finished Western States in less than 24 hours! If that’s not tough, I don’t know what is!

Normally, I promote my own cause on my blog, but today I really want to promote his. He’s a charity runner who raises money to build wells in Uganda and he has amazing character. Please, please, please, take a look at his site today.

Brief Seattle Recap
OK, so we’re closer to this coming Friday than last Friday, but what the heck … I have pictures to post, so I’ll be real brief. I met up with some runner friends of mine I’ve known for a few years, Emil and Ryan. If you guys think I’m nuts, I’d like you to know that Ryan ran a 100-miler two weeks ago. That’s nuts. I’m just a little on the unusual side.

From there, I got to meet Operation Jack supporter Melissa Gillespie. I’ve talked with her for the better part of the past year and it was great to finally meet her. I got to try out my bad sense of humor on her, too. She had to drive something like 76 miles with her kids to visit me. We were texting back and forth a little bit and at one point, she was stuck in traffic and she texted me to tell me she was in Tacoma. So I texted her a simple question:

Tacoma? Isn’t that in Washington?

Oh, I make myself laugh. But nobody else. I immediately followed up and let her off the hook. She made it up and I hung out with her and her kids for a few hours. Later on, I met up with somebody named Lindsey Judd (and her husband Patrick) who I’ve talked to a fair amount through Operation Jack but never met. Well, I guess I have now. I’m a ding-dong and I totally forgot to take a picture, though. We had dinner and I had a reuben sandwich. I took advantage of being away from Tiff and picked up some sauerkraut breath. I love that stuff, but she hates the way it smells. Yay for toothpaste!

My motel was terrible. I’ve stayed in some dives this year, but I think this one takes the cake. It smelled like there 20 ashtrays in there, there were stains on the tub, I was scared to take my socks off, the people in the room above me had a party all night and I’m sure somebody was making meth in one of the rooms. I think it cost something like $30 or $40 to add it on to my flight on Travelocity. I survived, so I guess that’s all that matters.

I Conducted An Experiment For You!
Have you ever thought about running a marathon, spending 30 minutes decompressing afterwards, then taking a 30 minute subway ride followed by running 3 miles up and down rolling hills while carrying your gear check bag so you can get to your motel in time to shower and get to the airport? Yeah, I did that on Saturday. In case you were thinking about doing something similar, I can safely say I don’t recommend that three mile run at the end.

Is There A Cure For The Summertime Blues?
I don’t normally get “summertime blues,” but I can sense them coming on this year. I’m grinding through this year, everything slows down in the summer when school is out, I have a bunch of warm marathons coming up, my body is starting to feel the wear and tear of it all, plus I still have a long ways to go.

I don’t know … maybe it’s because I haven’t been to In-N-Out for 17 days.

OK, That’s All I Have Today
Not the most fascinating blog ever. But they can’t all be the most fascinating blog ever, right? See you back here tomorrow!

Normally I write 10 random things on Tuesday, but I’m going with one not-very-random thing for today instead. This is going to be the shortest blog I’ve ever written, and it will be the easiest way for you to help us out. Chase Community Giving is having a contest again, and 200 charities will receive at least $20,000 each. PLEASE help Operation Jack make the cut! It will take about 30 seconds of your time and it’s a one-time voting thing.

NOTE: Just in case you’ve never been here, I’m a father of three and a marathon runner. My middle child, 6 1/2-year-old Jack, is severely autistic. I’m trying to run 60 full marathons this year to raise money and awareness for a charity called Train 4 Autism. So far, I’m through 29 of the 60.

All I need you to do is two things.

1. Click here and vote!

2. Post this on your Facebook wall!

I have a new page here on this site that is what you’ll be posting on your wall when you click the link in #2. It gives a brief explanation of what we’re doing, just in case you’re referring somebody new here.

And that’s it! Simple enough, right? If you dig what I’m doing, please show your support by voting and spreading the word. 30 seconds and you’re done!

Thanks for your help … see you tomorrow!

Do you ever feel like you’re trying to make a difference, but you keep banging your head into a wall and nothing good comes of it? I have days where I could feel that way, but fortunately, I have Chris Fales to look to for inspiration. If you don’t know who Chris is, he literally carries the flag for Train 4 Autism. If you ever feel like you’re trying to make something good happen, but all your efforts might be for nothing, you can draw inspiration from Chris, too.

Chris, like me, is an autism parent and a proud member of Train 4 Autism. He runs marathons and ultramarathons carrying a big Train 4 Autism flag. I don’t know what goes through his mind, but sometimes, there must be smaller races where he wonders if it’s worth it.

As an example, there was a 50K (31 miles) on March 8, 2009 that he ran and carried the flag. The race wasn’t huge, maybe a few hundred participants max, and in a race like this, the field spreads out and you’re running by yourself for the most part. The course has miserable hills. Aside from elite trail runners, nobody can maintain a run up those hills. They have to be walked. So, he walked up those hills, carrying that flag.

The day got hot and it was dusty and exhausting. But he finished the race, carrying the flag. Maybe his mindset is similar to mine, that it doesn’t matter if he sees immediate results — he’ll run his body into the ground if it there’s a chance it could help in the fight against autism.

Well, when Chris crossed the finish line that day, he was pretty spent. It was not an easy race. I should know — that’s where I saw him for the first time. I’m kind of shy and didn’t talk to him. I was pretty spent, too, and I wasn’t even carrying a flag! I don’t know who he talked to that day, and it’s very possible he made the long drive home thinking he didn’t reach anybody.

But I saw the flag, even though I didn’t tell him at the time. Later that week, I contacted the race director to find out who he was. She gave me his info, I dropped him a line, and the next week, I met up with Ben Fesaigaga, the founder of Train 4 Autism. I had Operation Jack in mind, but I thought I was going to have to start a charity. Train 4 Autism already existed, so all I had to do was run 60 marathons in a year! I ran the idea by Ben when I met with him, and he was on board.

From there, the rest is history. I don’t carry a flag, but if you didn’t already know, I’m trying to run 60 marathons this year to help raise awareness for Train 4 Autism. I’m doing my best to grind it out and raise awareness for Train 4 Autism. Some days, I feel like I’m running myself into the ground and getting nowhere. Other times, I see progress seemingly come from out of nowhere and I know I made a difference. But I’m not having any long-term doubts about my efforts like I have in the past. I can just look to Chris as a role model and have an increased sense of faith and confidence in what I’m doing.

If Operation Jack works, then Chris accomplished a ton for Train 4 Autism by carrying the flag in Malibu. Even if it doesn’t, there’s no telling how things will play out in the future. I know I found Train 4 Autism through Chris and I’m definitely in it for the long haul. Operation Jack is the flag I’m carrying. There’s no telling exactly how it will benefit Train 4 Autism. But even if I don’t get the feedback I’m looking for, I’ll keep pressing on. I am dedicated to the cause and I believe in Train 4 Autism. I’ll proudly keep fighting the fight in my son’s honor.

When it comes to Operation Jack, there are lots of questions I get asked time and time again. Are you worried about your health? (Not since I started running!) Do you work? (Yes, full-time, and I even live at home with my wife and kids!) Sixteen? (No, sixty. Six-zero.) But there’s one I get asked more than any other, so I figured I’d use a Tuesday blog to answer it in-depth. That question? Where does the money go?

A lot of you are making donations and I know you trust what I’m doing, but many times I’ve been asked about where the money is going. I’ve put snippets on the site and I’ve answered people who have asked me, but I know that for every person who asks me, there are probably another 10 or 20 who wonder the same thing but remain silent.

Basically, Operation Jack is a capital investment followed by another capital investment. The initial capital investment is funding the endeavor. The reason I picked an unusual stunt (60 full marathons at an all-out effort in 2010) is to get attention for the cause. My dad asked me why I didn’t just run 10, or why I didn’t get a few other people to run some of the races for me. Well, because nobody cares if I run 10 — I did that last year!

For me, even though I entered the year with only 28 lifetime marathons completed, it’s reasonable for me to expect that I can complete these races. However, there’s a “wow factor” I’m counting on to generate excitement. 60, while not impossible, is unusual.

So far, the buzz has been there and I’m meeting my fundraising expectations. Without traveling to these races, I wouldn’t have the ability to raise the kind of money I’m shooting for (I’ll get to my goals in a little bit). Getting to the races is a requirement and flying costs money. But everything about this is being done as economically as possible.

I’m getting comped and discounted entries at virtually every race. I fly coach (and I don’t even pay the $10 extra to have Southwest automatically check in for me). I’m renting compact cars when I don’t have a ride in the towns I’m going to. And through the first 17 marathons, I’ll end up having spent five nights in hotels (some as cheap as $50/night) and nine nights in somebody else’s home. Believe me, I’m keeping costs down! And nobody is earning a dime.

I’m estimating the cost of the entire year to run somewhere around $20,000. We’re about 70 percent there, yet we’re very early in the year and still working to gain momentum. My goal for the year is $100,000, and I think that’s still definitely realistic. I’m breaking the year up into thirds, more or less.

The first third, I’m getting going and gaining some momentum while spreading the word. The following four months I’m expecting to be pretty tough. It’ll be warming up, not really marathon season (except for me, of course). Families will be taking summer vacations and things will slow. But I’ll still be working hard to build my base and maintain momentum. For the final 1/3, kids will be getting back to school, families will be getting into routines and fall marathon season will be approaching. That’s when I’m expecting us to really finish big and make it all happen.

Every extra dollar raised will go to Train 4 Autism. If we reach $100,000, that’ll be $80,000. The purpose of that money will be to facilitate growth. So, on the surface, that looks like only 20 percent goes to operating expenses and 80 percent goes to charity — not a bad ratio. However, Train 4 Autism is an organization that works hard to help folks raise money for autism-related charities. The turnaround compares to what I’m doing with Operation Jack. The money raised for expenses generates way, way more for the cause.

I’ve mentioned this quite a bit, but I really, really like Train 4 Autism’s model. It’s very similar to Team In Training, but it’s in the autism realm. One key difference is that it allows you to pick the autism-related charity that you wish to be the recipient of the funds you raise. You can’t throw a stone nowadays without hitting somebody who is impacted by autism or knows somebody impacted by autism. There’s a big need for Train 4 Autism to be big nationwide, and I’m hoping to draw people in from markets all over, and of course raise money to help expansion.

Back to the money that will be going to Train 4 Autism. When somebody raises money through Train 4 Autism, only 9 percent is reinvested to fund overhead, infrastructure and growth. Raising $80,000 for Train 4 Autism is the same as what the charity would receive from participants raising $888,888 through their fundraising efforts. This will be a huge towards long-term growth. I’m working on planting seeds with the people I’m bringing in. Hopefully, this money will water those seeds and we’ll see the growth for years and years. There’s really no telling how successful Train 4 Autism will be over the next 10 or 20 years, but there’s no question that the model works and there’s a market for it.

I’m not exactly certain how Train 4 Autism will use the money. My strength is running — not running a charity. But Train 4 Autism is a 501(c)3 and I know every leader within the organization. We’re all parents of children with autism and we’re chasing the same dream for Train 4 Autism. I don’t know specifics on how the money will be spent, but I know it will be used to help make these dreams become reality.

So, for now, that’s where the money is going. My estimate is that only 20 percent is going towards expenses. And that other 80 percent is going a long, long ways for a long, long time! If you ever have any questions about any of this, please email me or fill out the Contact Us form!

Have a great Tuesday!