When I say it’s tough for me to run this many miles, that’s because “this many miles” is zero. I hate not running. But I’m trying to be smart, for once (well, once aside from my decision to try to run 60 marathons next year).
Today’s Run
If you’ve been reading this, you know I have issues with my knee right now and I’m seeing a good sports medicine specialist for it next Monday. I’m fairly certain it’s tendinitis, which hurts a little, but isn’t as bad as a tear. For the most part, it takes time and rest to get over. I’m pretty sure that’s what it is, because I’ve had it before, and I’ve run plenty since it first flared up two months ago. I’ve run a marathon and a 10K (albeit both were slow), and a fair amount of training miles since then. I haven’t run particularly well, but I’m not that far off and still running better than I was when I was a 3:20 marathoner.
But I went NASCAR with my running last night. No, I didn’t go out for a 500-miler. I decided to shut it down. Sometimes a car will go to the garage in the middle of a race for some kind of problem, then head back out to the track and run laps. There’s no chance of a victory, but there is an opportunity to pick up some points by moving up. But there comes a point when there aren’t enough laps left to gain any more ground and they call it quits. There’s absolutely zero to gain and no reason to continue.
That’s the point I decided I’m at last night. I think that overall, I’m just a little banged up, but good enough to run. The goal is next year, though. Not this week. And I just don’t want to risk anything between now and then. How much fitness am I going to gain or lose in four days? What if I ran awkwardly and truly damaged something? What if I’m actually on the verge of a tear and one more mile put me over the edge? It’s just … not … worth it. So, I shut it down. I’m in the garage. And quite frankly, this is coming at the perfect time, because I’m so busy with all of my “real world” work obligations. I’m no sponsored athlete — I work way too much, although that’s what you do when you’re single-income, five mouths, especially in this neck of the woods.
For those of you reading this for the first time, wondering how many miles a guy planning to run 60 marathons ran this morning, the answer isn’t too exciting: Zero.
Sweet Schwag For A 5K
I have enough race tees to clothe an overcrowded classroom. I have enough freebie tech shirts to outfit a PE class. Yet I’m pretty excited about the giveaway being offered at a 5K at Angels Stadium on August 1. $30 is the entry fee, and ordinarily, I’d call that a tiny bit high. But ordinarily, race entries don’t include two tickets to a ballgame. So, if you’ve been wondering, “Where will Sam be on the morning of August 1?” … now you know! (Thanks to my friend Danica for telling me about this race!)
Talkin’ Jack
In case this is your first time here, or if you’ve never been to the rest of the site, I’m planning on running 60 marathons next year to raise awareness for a charity called Train 4 Autism. My son, Jack, is severely autistic and I want to do something to make a difference in his honor. In this spot in each blog, I’ll talk about Jack a little bit.
Jack had a little bit of a tough day early on yesterday. He got upset for no good reason several times in the first part of the day and had a few meltdowns. That happens often enough, unfortunately, because of the problems caused by his inability to effectively communicate. However, yesterday was his day off from therapy — that’s like a day off of work for him, and he only gets one of those per week. On top of that, he got to go to Us Too Gymnastics, a gymnastics center for special-needs kids. We take him there every other week, but the lucky guy went Tuesday as a make-up session and again yesterday. No therapy, two days in a row at Us Too … yeah Jack!
Ice Cream Update
My kids finished off the ice cream in the freezer yesterday afternoon, so come early evening, there was nothing in there for me and I hadn’t extended my streak yet. So, I did what any rational person would do: I went down to the grocery store and picked up a couple of half-gallons. Peanut butter fudge swirl was the flavor of the day, and it was pretty good. Generic, and only $2.39 per 1/2 gallon, yet very good. The streak is now at 22 days with ice cream or frozen yogurt. I’m not going to get over confident, but I feel good about my chances of pulling within 33 of Joe DiMaggio tonight.
In-N-Out Today!
This is my first week blogging every day, so some of you might not be used to my eating habits. Well, I make a weekly trip to In-N-Out on Fridays. Those of you on the West Coast know what that means. Most of the rest of you probably know what it means. For those of you who don’t, I feel bad for you. Dollar for dollar, it’s the best food on the planet. You might find a slightly better meal (might), but it’s going to cost you a whole lot more that $6. I normally go on Fridays, but I’m switching to Thursday this week because I think I’m meeting up with a friend of mine for Chipotle on Friday.
Sign Up For A Team And I’ll Do The YMCA In A Chicken Suit In Front Of 16,000 People!
Oh wait, I’ve already done that. Yeah, that’s me, in a packed MGM Grand Garden. Don’t ask. For the record, I couldn’t see down or more than three feet in front of me, hence some of the awkward movements. Oh, and I’m totally not coordinated, plus I’m a computer guy, not a professional mascot. Yeah, that might’ve had something to do with it! I’m at the beginning, blindly going down the stairs and scared to death of falling in front of everybody, and I reappear at about the 1:10 mark. I actually fell on top of people, because I couldn’t see, but that’s not on the video.
That’s All I Have For Today
I say this every day, but I really appreciate you reading this. I can tell during the day how many times it’s being read, and I get excited when I see the number jump. You all read this because you are supporting my cause and you believe in what I’m trying to do, and that means a lot to me. I’m going to beg this every day, so here goes: If you’ve read this far, please do me a huge favor and encourage just one person to come to the site! Operation Jack is going to succeed due to tiny efforts by a ton of people, not just huge efforts by a couple of people (well, I’m going to have to work hard, but that’s a different story). You can truly make a difference by bringing 2 or 3 people to the site each week.
Thanks for your help! Have a great Thursday, everybody!
Ben Delaney says
I can’t believe you posted that video. Do want some pictures to post too?
See you at In-n-Out today. I think it is my turn to buy.