Operation Jack

Fighting autism, one mile at a time.

My Best Fat Picture Ever!

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OK, quick blog today — I have two quick announcements, although first, Tiff found this picture. I’ve mentioned here before that I lost a fair amount of weight after I started running. I maxed out at 261 pounds and I’m down at about 194 now. I love looking at my fat pictures and seeing how far I’ve come. But this one takes the cake. And the chips. And the cookies. And the cheeseburgers.

Not Photoshopped!

For comparison’s sake, here I am on the left on Saturday with my oldest son, Benjamin, and my brother Josh.

Not Photoshopped!

If I can do it, you can, too!

OK, now here are a couple of race announcements:

1. If you haven’t already checked out my friend Jonathan Gunderson’s race in San Francisco on September 8, CLICK HERE! It’s an inexpensive race that benefits a great cause. If you’re going to be in the Bay Area on September 8 and you’re not running a race, GET OUT THERE! It’s a short race, so you really don’t need to be a runner! Get out there or at least spread to word to others who might be able to get out there. HINT: There are share links at the bottom of this page to post via Facebook and Twitter!

2. If you’re thinking about running the Operation Jack Marathon this year or participating as a satellite runner, I’m going to announce something special tomorrow that’s only going to be valid … tomorrow. So check back to see what that is!

Have a great Tuesday!

Home Alone … Somebody Help!

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On paper, it sounds like a dream for a guy with three kids who’s been married for 13 years. I have two weeks home alone. It’s been five days so far. Tiff and the kids are back in California. I went with them, but came back because I have to work. They’re just having an extended summer vacation with the family.

So it seems like a great break for a guy. I don’t have to ask to go to the gym after work. I can leave my clothes on the ground for a few days and nobody complains. I don’t have to listen to the kids fight with each other. I don’t have to worry about Tiff drinking all the coffee. I also don’t have to worry about her putting my favorite water cup in the sink and I can re-use it over and over. I can go to bed however early I want without waiting for her Real Housewives of Wherever to end.

I don’t have to turn off the baseball game so the kids can watch some cartoon instead.

But I’ve learned a few things. [Read more…]

Here Goes Nothing …

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I’ve run a lot of marathons (100, to be exact), but I don’t think I’ve ever had one that’s going to require so much from me physically and mentally as the one I’m running on Saturday, the Utah Valley Marathon. It’s realistically my only crack at qualifying for the 2013 Boston Marathon and I’m injured right now. As I like to say, though, PR or ER!

Utah Valley is a fast, downhill course that matches up well with how I run. I’m heavier for a runner (about 200 pounds) and I’m pretty good on the downhills. I’ve run quite a few of these courses and I know the right and wrong way to approach them. Ordinarily, I’d expect a blazing fast time on this course. I’ve run it twice before (albeit only as an official, sign-carrying 3:40 pacer) and I know what to expect. Both times I ran it, I thought to myself, “Man, I wish I could be flying down this hill!” Now, I get my chance. Kind of. [Read more…]

I Want To Win … And Lose

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Biggest Loser, bring it on! We’re having a contest at work and I’m going all-in! For those of you who know me, you’re probably wondering why I would get into a competition like this. For those of you who don’t, let’s just say that I exercise a lot — I’ve run 100 marathons in the past six years and I workout and train, on average, about six days a week. Out-of-shape is not something people have called me any time recently.

However, I do have a few pounds I can lose. I like to eat ice cream, I like to eat cheeseburgers … I just like to eat. And to be in pretty good shape at 37, I just don’t care if I’m not in perfect condition. But really, I just don’t care if I’m carrying an extra 10 pounds.

Ever since I’ve been back in shape, I’ve always known that I definitely have a little bit of weight to lose. I know that doing so would make me faster. Plus, I’d be a little more toned and Tiff would find me even more attractive than I already am.** But like I said, I just don’t care. For being 37, I’m totally content with my health and fitness. However, I’m competitive and there’s nothing like a competition.

** Not sure which of these two benefits matter more. Actually, I am sure, but this is a family show. [Read more…]

It's Marathon Week, So I'm Not Eating Carbs

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Six days from today, I’m running the San Francisco Marathon. I’ll need all the energy I can to run the best 26.2 miles I possibly can. So, I haven’t had any carbs since Friday night and I won’t have any until Thursday morning. If you think that’s a typo, it’s not. Before a goal race, which is what Sunday is for me, I carb deplete for five days. Five long days. Five long, miserable days. Five long, miserable, terrible days. [Read more…]