On Saturday night in Boston, I was at a place in Boston called Kings, hanging out with some friends, when one of them gave me a bib she wore last year at the Marine Corps Marathon. There was a group of four of us, and we had all been trading some pretty funny stories that aren’t fit to be posted here, but once I saw that bib, I wasn’t laughing any more.
Here it is:
I’m wearing this on Monday.
I’ve been talking with a lot of people, and after running 61 marathons last year in an attempt to raise money and awareness for Train 4 Autism, I’m taking Monday’s Boston Marathon as a “me” race. I feel selfish in a way, but every here and there you have to do something for yourself, right?
So I’ve been training hard, and I’m really excited to run well. I’m in great shape, and I have every reason to expect that I’ll be able to achieve individual goals I’ve been chasing since 2007, primarily running a sub-3 marathon (quicker than 3:00:00). My closest to date is 3:00:05.
But then I saw that bib, and I instantly knew I was going to wear it. I’ve never bought a race photo, but if when I go sub-3, I will probably buy the package of all the photos they take of me, and I want that bib in every picture. I realized that even though I’m taking this as a “me” race, it’s just a stepping stone to my next race, the San Francisco Marathon.
I’m running that one to raise money for cancer charities, but I realized that I’m only in a position to do what I’m doing there because of what I did last year. I did what I did last year because of Jack. I hate what he goes through, and I want him to have an impact on the world. He’s going to struggle doing that on his own for the rest of his life, but I can help him do that.
I’m running as fast as I can on Monday because this is my hobby and I enjoy doing this. But in my heart, I really want to be a charity runner. That’s where my passion is. I feel I’ve been led in this direction and I never want to stop pushing and using my legs to help people.
I know that when I run well, everybody who’s following me gets excited and energized. And everything I will ever do will be as a result of wanting to change the world because of Jack. He’ll never know or understand that, but I don’t care.
So tomorrow, I want to get that goal you all know I’ve been chasing. I know you’ll be excited. I know it will get me some momentum heading into San Francisco. I have to get it done. It all goes back to Jack, and the impact I want him to make on the world.
On Monday, I’m going the distance for Jack.
Godspeed, Sam!
You are amazing. Run Boston for BOTH you and Jack. Keep inspiring us and helping the world!
Good luck Sam! You\’re goig to do awesome!
Best of luck big guy.
Darnit. You made me cry again! Counting down until tomorrow….rock that course!
That’s a great post Sam!
I through you Jack has already impacted so many ppl! Good luck tomorrow- hope to see you! Send me a txt when u get your phone back after you break 3 hours!
As when I saw the bib last night on Twitter, this brought tears to my eyes. May your feet move as fast as your heart believes they can tomorrow.
go get em sam!
Sam – Good luck tomorrow! I think it is wonderful that this is a ‘you’ race but you’re also doing it for Jack. After all he is a huge part of who you are today! I’m looking forward to watching and cheering on my first Boston Marathon in person. Hope you get the sub-3 you are shooting for.
That was sweet of her to give that bid to you. Good luck tomorrow and make Jackie proud!
You got this Sam, go get ‘er done!
One downside to living in Alaska – FOUR hours behind the east coast – is that all you running Boston tomorrow will almost be done by the time I wake up.
Awesome awesome awesome! Run hard Sam, for you, Jack and all of us!
HE DID IT!!! 2:57:53!!! WAY TO GO SAM!!!
Dang it! I am crying! Sam, you’re my marathon guru, I couldn’t have done even my first without your guidance and support. I was so humbled to be a teensy tiny part of Operation Jack. Congrats on a freaking AMAZING finish today, I’m so thrilled for you. And way to go the distance–just like you always do!