Last night while I was eating my dinner, my wife asked me how many different flights I took this year. So, I looked at my list of races and started counting. I remember when I took direct flights and when I changed planes. I had 124 flights this year. I’m glad she asked — now I’ll always know! Several of you have also asked questions and I have the answers in the third in a series of Q&A blogs. How’s that for a transition? I’d give it a C+ — it was kind of weak.
Real quick, just in case you’ve never been here, welcome! I’m a father of three and a marathon runner. My middle child, 7-year-old Jack, is severely autistic. I wanted to do something to use my running to make a difference, so I’m attempting to run 61 marathons this year to raise money for a charity I’m a part of called Train 4 Autism.
I named this endeavor Operation Jack, after my son. This year is almost done, as is Operation Jack. I’m through 60 of the 61 so far! And now, the questions …
This can’t be the end of the line. What’s next for Operation Jack
Well, I’d say a nap. From a charity standpoint, I have no idea. I don’t know what I’m able to do any more. I know people got behind me because of all the marathons I ran this year, but this stuntman thing isn’t something I’m going to continue. I’d love to be able to continue to build a base and get people to make something happen. I just don’t know what I’m going to do or how I’m going to do it.
I’m going to try to build my local Train 4 Autism chapter and I’ll concentrate on helping new chapters any way I can (Maine, that’s you!). And really, I’d love to do anything I can. But I’m turning in my Superman cape for my Clark Kent glasses. I don’t know what I’ll really be able to do. If anybody has anything they want me to do to help a charity, you know where to find me.
Individually, I’ll be running the Boston Marathon, then training for a summer 5K, then I’ll move back into marathon training for the fall. I’ll also spend a lot of time with my family!
Which Marathon Was Your Favorite?
I have to answer this one with five different marathons.
1. Boston. Best run of the year for me, best quality field of runners and they put on one heck of a race.
2. Humpy’s (Anchorage). Amazing run. Very scenic, quick course. If there is one race I could go back to and run with my wife, it’s this one.
3. Oklahoma City. I loved it for everything it was about. It was a great tribute to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing and they pulled it off really well.
4. Marine Corps (Arlington, Va.). Great race, great support, amazing military presence. I loved this race, it’s a must-do for any marathoner and it’s a great race for a first-timer.
5. Operation Jack Marathon. No idea how it will turn out, but it will be one that I always remember, no question.
How do you train/mentally prepare for all these marathons?
To do something like this, high mileage is probably the best way to train. When I peaked with my mileage in 2008, I was running 100+ miles every week. I ran 26-30 miles as my long run at least three times a month or so. Attempting to run 61 marathons isn’t something I knew I could do, but I was confident it was something I could reasonably go after. The one big difference between my training and the 61 is that I’m going all-out every time when I race. It makes recovery difficult, but I’ve always recovered fairly well, so I knew I could probably do it.
On a weekly basis, I take it easy. I don’t run much more than six miles at a time. I’ve run 10 or more miles maybe five times this year aside from the marathons. If I’m feeling good, I’ll go to the track and do a speed workout to keep the wheels turning. If not, I’ll just ride the bike at the gym. I have to walk that fine line between getting exercise mid-week and staying as fresh as possible for the weekend. For the most part, I feel pretty lazy about my workouts six days a week.
Mentally, it’s tough. There have been a good 15 or 20 times this year that I’ve woken up and thought, “Man, I really don’t feel like running a marathon today.” That can be pretty tough, when you have to run a marathon. But I don’t have much choice, so I just do it. In those races, I usually lose focus and run poorly. Sometimes, I think about running fast, listen to upbeat music during the week and get myself excited to turn in a good performance. But really, when you’re running 61 marathons full speed in a year as an amateur on top of everything else you’re doing, it’s tough to find that motivation at times. It becomes a job.
How did you stay injury free?
I was blessed. I mean, I don’t know what else to say. I took 10-15 ice baths during the year (not enough), I stretched pretty regularly and I was reasonably trained for it. My injuries were minor (IT band flareups in my right leg, tendinitis in my right leg), and while they were painful, they didn’t threaten my ability to complete the races.
I did my best listening to my body, but really, I think I just have some kind of genetic makeup that helps me recover well and keeps me injury free.
What course that you ran this year will you never run again and why?
Lewis & Clark in St. Charles, Mo. It was the last running of that course, so there’s no option for me to run it again, but it was absolutely the least exciting course I’ve ever run. Nothing but … I don’t even remember. Maybe a couple of neighborhoods, plus some industrial areas I think. I couldn’t think of anything while I was running it other than, “this is the most boring course I’ve ever run.”
Are you satisfied with the way Operation Jack turned out?
Content? Yes. Satisfied? No. I say content, because I view the year as a gain for Train 4 Autism. Not only in the short term, but I also think there will be long-term benefits. But I’m not satisfied. It’s not like me to be satisfied. I’m hard on myself and I think I could have done better. There are things I would have done differently that would have made the year more successful, so no, I’m not satisfied.
Is there a course that you will run year after year after discovering it this year?
I don’t have the budget to run anything year after year. But if I did, it would be Humpy’s up in Anchorage. I loved that course and I could take a trip up there every summer, no question.
Is there a course you missed out on this year that you wish you could have run and hope to run in the future?
New York City! I really, really want to run that course someday and run through all five boroughs. I know it does a great job showcasing the city, which in my book is the most interesting city in the country. I want to qualify my way in, so I need to run a sub-2:55. I’m a little ways away from that, but I’ll get there.
When you look back at this year, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
The first thing that comes to mind is the first race of the year in Kingwood, Texas. That’s where it all started. I can’t believe I spent an entire year doing this and I’ll always think back to how it all started there on that nice run on New Year’s Day. In a broader perspective, I think the first thing I’ll always think of is going in and out of airports every single weekend.
I think that’s enough for today
I still have more questions on the list that you guys gave me. If there’s anything you want answered, let me know. I’ll see you back here tomorrow, probably with a few more Q&As. Have a great Tuesday.
Alicia Verburg says
Congrats for making it to the end, Sam! You are an inspiration to me and countless others.
By the way, what’s the best way to go about trying to get Train4Autism on as one of the sponsored charities with the Utah Valley Marathon? Email me when you get a chance. Thanks! And good luck on Sunday! Should be a fabulous end to a tough and satisfying year. 🙂
Brandon Wood says
Happy to hear that the Anchorage marathon ranks so high up there for you. I’d guess that says something, coming from someone who has run such a large number and wide range of races this year!
I just recently signed up for my 2nd marathon that will be here in Anchorage in June, the Mayor’s Marathon, which I’ve heard is also a very good race.