July 1, 2009. Three years ago Sunday. A day I’ll never forget. A day that changed my life forever.
It was a day I uploaded a small website. Operationjack.org. I announced my plans to the world that day (well, to whoever was listening) that I was going to try to run 60 marathons in 2010 to raise money for Train 4 Autism in honor of my little guy Jack. Train 4 Autism sent out an email blast, I got rolling on Twitter and started getting feedback. There was no turning back!
An idea that had started months and months prior as a brainstorming session with some of my friends and advanced to a conversation with my wife had suddenly become public. I had no clue what I was going to do. I still don’t. I was just rolling forward with faith that everything would work out. And that’s what I’m still doing.
My plan was to spend six months telling people what I was going to do, then run 60 marathons as hard as I could in 2010 to raise money and awareness for Train 4 Autism, then crawl back into my hole. I had no idea how it was going to happen. I just had faith that somehow, it would. Those first six months were incredibly frustrating. In hindsight, it’s not surprising. I was trying to raise money and awareness and I hadn’t done anything other than sprain an ankle and spend five weeks not running. Who would contribute to that?
I wanted to quit several times in the second half of 2009. The money wasn’t coming in. I thought I was going to waste a year of my life and bring my family down. I had problems with my job (I’ve worked full-time through this whole adventure). But I kept moving forward. I felt like that’s what I was supposed to do. I had no plan. I still don’t. But through Operation Jack and associated events, we’ve grossed more than $140,000 so far. I guess it’s working.
I ended up running 61 marathons and an extra ultra in 2010. I got it done, gave it my all and ran my body into the ground. That was the plan, and for me, it was worth it. If I could sacrifice my body to make sure my son Jack made an impact on the world, it would be worth it. I don’t know a lot about the tangible difference he’s made, but I know we’ve helped people in many different places. I know that some good has come out of the bad he goes through every day.
From a selfish, individual standpoint, it’s been an amazing ride. I’ve seen lots of places I wouldn’t have seen, met lots of people I wouldn’t have met, lived through experiences that wouldn’t have happened and made new friends I’m grateful to have. But it hasn’t been easy.
I try my best to let my faith get me through, to know that I’ll be OK and I just need to do my best to try to fight forward the right way and do what I can. I feel incredibly blessed to have been on this ride the past three years. It’s frequently frustrating. I see other people having more success trying to raise money doing things that I consider to be less difficult than what I did, and I won’t lie — I get jealous. I’m human, definitely not perfect. Operation Jack means a lot to me and I want to raise as much money as I can.
Sometimes, I feel like I’m wasting my time trying to keep it alive. Just last night I was asking a friend of mine if Operation Jack is dead. I know my time has passed, that 2010 was my year and it’s gone. But I wonder if I can still do anything to have an impact. And if so, how?
I have a couple of ideas that I’ll write about later this week. For now, I’m just scratching my head in amazement that it’s been three years since I first gave this a shot. July 1, 2009. I had no idea how my life would change that day. Three years and I still have no idea what I’m doing. I have no idea where I’m going. But it’s been a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m grateful I’ve been put in a position to have a chance to make a difference.
You’ve been along for at least part of this. So, thank you for your support. Thank you for caring, if even just a little. Thank you for helping me help Jack make an impact on the world. As his dad, I couldn’t hope for anything more.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” — do you remember?!
Of course I remember … and you’re one of the people I’m talking about when I say I’ve met a lot of great people. Thanks for being there and getting in my ear when I’ve needed it! 🙂
cheers
You keep having an impact; Operation Jack enabled T4Austim to grow tremendously and that will keep growing. The marathon and satellite races will continue and will hit capacity for as many years as the race is offered. You gave up much of a year (and lots of time before and after) for OJ and people around the world became aware of autism as a result; I can guarantee there are people out there donating to autism-related charities because of your efforts; there are people, like myself, who are more aware of what it means to have a child with autism. The ripple effect of OJ cannot be determined precisely but I bet it went farther and had a bigger impact that you can even imagine.
I sure hope so. It’s tough when it can’t be quantified other than the dollars, but I’m pretty sure it was all worth it.
It sounds like you have a truly amazing thing going. Fundraising aside (and realistically, for something that started as a one man operation, you’ve raised a lot), my guess is plenty of “difference” has been made thanks to your devotion to the cause. Congratulations on your 3 year milestone!
Well, I don’t know what I still have going, but I try. The world moves fast and passes you by in a hurry … I need to keep on figuring out ways to keep up!
Sam,
I, first off, must say how inspiring you and your story are. A month ago I decided that I was going to challenge myself to doing 12 races in 12 months (primarily 10k’s and Half Marathons) and I was looking for a race for December. I happened to find Operation Jack and your blog. Trust me, you are making a difference, Operation Jack is NOT dead and the hard work you are putting in is making a difference. I’m planning on trying to raise the money for my free entry fee and run that race for the son of a very close friend of mine.
So I guess, Thank you! Thank you for taking a risk 3 years ago, and for letting it grow into something amazing!
You’re not wasting your time. You’re pretty much my hero.
I second this motion!