Well, here we are again. It’s Thursday, time to start getting ready for the weekend and thinking about my race. I’ve got my weekly contest, a few deep thoughts, a lemonade stand and a photo shoot. You know, typical random stuff.
First real quick, in case you’ve never been here, click here to see why I’m trying to run 61 marathons this year for Train 4 Autism.
Also, I just started with something new this week called Race 4 Free. As part of what I’m doing, I’m always trying to figure out ways to get people involved, so this is my latest attempt.
Summer’s Winding Down
Benjamin starts soccer practice tonight, so last night I was starting to think about the end of the year really coming up. I keep thinking about how the epitaph on Operation Jack isn’t written yet, but I know I’m starting to run out of days. I still think everything is going to end up OK with this, that it’s going to be a success. Realistically, I think Train 4 Autism is going to be better off than if I didn’t do this, and it’s going to be up to me to keep doing my part to keep things rolling.
Sometimes, I think I’ll have done a good enough job. Sometimes, I think it won’t be much of a success. I’ve had successes and lots and lots of failures all year long. But last night, I had a different thought for the first time. When all is said and done, I’ll know deep, deep down that I put my all into it. I’ll know that I came up with an idea that might have seemed overwhelming if I really sat back and thought about it, but I went after it and gave it my best shot. I was driving and I thought if nothing else, all I did was try really hard to tackle something really big. I’ll never feel bad about stepping up and trying to making something happen.
I still have 23 marathons to go, though. Including one this weekend. What a weak transition …
Park City Marathon
I’d heard that the Park City Marathon was tough, but I never looked at the course map until Tuesday. And then I saw a huge task cut out for me. This race starts at 6200 feet and climbs! I guess it’s no Leadville or Pike’s Peak, but it’s surely not a fast course! It goes up to 7400 feet by about mile 17 and then finishes back down around 6200.
I think I’m going to be lucky to crack 3:40 in this one. And that brings me to my weekly contest. Every week, I have a contest where you make a small donation and try to guess my time. So, for instance, if you think I’m going to run a 3:42, you’d donate $3.42. If you think I’m going to run a 3:34, you donate $3.34. It’s an easy contest, it barely costs anything, and it benefits a great cause. So, give me that pat on the back I’m craving and play along this week!
Last week, I went 3:17 and Sharla Wipplinger won with a guess of 3:18.
OJ In RW!
Operation Jack is going to get coverage in the November issue of Runner’s World! I forget if I’ve mentioned it here or just on Twitter and Facebook, but we’re going to be in the “What It Takes” section. It’s not like an eight-page cover article, but still, it’s Runner’s World, so that should be good exposure. I’ll certainly remind y’all when the issue comes out.
On Monday night, we spent about 2 1/2 hours with a photographer. I couldn’t imagine being a model.
I was impressed with my work. She offered to buy me McDonald’s, but I had already eaten.
When Life Gives You An Open Spot On A Sidewalk, Make Lemonade!
Tiff and the kids are setting up a lemonade stand this afternoon in an area that should have high foot traffic in our hometown. She’s got the lemonade and she baked a bunch of her famed snickerdoodle cookies. I’m sure we’ll make some money and get a few donations, but the really cool thing is that we’ll be spreading the word to a lot of people who live nearby.
I’m going to work hard at building up my chapter of Train 4 Autism next year. Hopefully, this brings in some people!
Speak Of Next Year And Train 4 Autism, …
We’re trying to have a really good presence at the L.A. Marathon. For those of you out here in California, I’m going to lead training runs in South Orange County and we have other folks leading runs in other areas. We don’t have any fundraising minimums, but if you raise at least $300, we’ll cover your entry fee and include a training program. And of course, it’s money going to a great cause.
If you’re interested in running the L.A. Marathon, email me and let me know!
And that’s all for today. Please don’t forget to enter the contest! Have a great couple of days and I’ll have a race report posted here on Saturday!
I think Operation Jack is awesome. I hope you can look back on this year and see the positive impact you’ve had on others, myself included.
What a great photo of the photo shoot! I look forward to seeing your mug in the November issue of Runner’s World!
Yay, park city! That’s the one I wanted to do at first, but it was the week before the half ironman I was going to do *sigh* so that’s why I chose Utah valley. Anyway, I bet you’ll do an awesome job, and it’s supposed to be really pretty!
I think it’s so cool that Tiffany and the kids set up that lemonade stand! Who doesn’t love a lemonade stand?! Anyways, I look forward to seeing your clip in Runners World (SO COOL) in November! Good luck on those mountains this weekend!
I just love Operation Jack! I kind of stock your blog. We’ll be in Park City today and hope to see ya. Keep up the wonderful job!