Here we go again, and again. It’s time for my next marathons of Operation Jack, and I’m using the plural form of the word marathon, because I have my third double of the year this weekend. I’ll be running Olathe, Kan. on Saturday and Dallas on Sunday to bring me to within 42 marathons of completing Operation Jack.
Just in case this is your first time here, I’m a marathon runner and a father of three. My middle son, 6 1/2-year-old Jack, is severely autistic. I hatched up this crazy idea of trying to run 60 full marathons this year to try to raise awareness and money for a charity called Train 4 Autism. So far, things are going well. I’m raising money, building new Train 4 Autism chapters and doing a fine job running my body into the ground.
As I frequently mention, while I want to tackle the world this year, I know that it will be a lengthy process that takes more than just 2010. I’m planting seeds this year. I really hope to see growth down the road! But right now, it’s just one day at a time. And it’s already Thursday. Wow, these weeks fly by.
Weekly Pick-My-Time Contest
Every week, I have a contest where people guess my time in the form of a small donation. Basically, if you think I’m going to run a 3:15, you donate $3.15. To donate, you can click here or you can click on the “Donate Now!” link at the top of any page on this site.
It’s an easy way to support the cause and I really appreciate it because it tells me that you believe in what I’m doing. It’s the proverbial pat-on-the-back. Last week, Dina Williams was the winner. She also won her NCAA Tournament bracket and donated her winnings to Operation Jack!
Anyways, to help with this contest, I give you my insight on the course. One thing that’s different this week is that I’m running two races. So, we’re going to go with Sunday’s race as the one I use for the contest. I’ll get to details on that in just a minute.
Orange County Marathon Weekend
I’ve mentioned a couple of times that we’re going to have a Silpada party on Friday night, April 30. We’re waiting on one last confirmation and then we’ll post the evite next week.
Also, we finally nailed down a location for a pasta dinner on May 1. This one should a little less hectic than the one we had the night before Surf City. I don’t want to totally announce the exact details because we’re still confirming the time, but it looks like it’s going to be an all-you-can-eat thing for a reasonable price at an Italian restaurant in Irvine. If I have this confirmed today, which is very likely, I’ll update this blog. E-mail me if you’re interested and I’ll get back to you.
This Weekend’s Races
OK, I have the Olathe Marathon on Saturday and the Big-D Texas Marathon on Sunday.
Olathe is a suburb of Kansas City and starts just a few miles from the first apartment Tiff and I lived in after we got married in 1999. I’ll actually run within about 1/2 a mile of that apartment in Overland Park, Kan.! I’m so excited! The course is pretty flat. The elevation profile I saw shows some rollers, but there’s only about 40 or 50 separating the highest point from the lowest point. So, I’m mentally treating this as a flat course. I’m not expecting anything (other than having to run 26.2 miles) that’s going to cause much trouble.
One problem I really have right now is a lack of confidence. Catalina was a 3:48 and that was a decent run because it was a hilly trail course, but I followed that up with two 3:20s and a 3:23. I have no confidence in myself right now, and I haven’t really decided how I’m going to run. I’m thinking I’ll resist any kind of temptation to run anywhere significantly below 3:10 regardless of how I feel. I’ll try to keep the pace between 7:10 and 7:15 and if I get the feeling that’s conservative, maybe I’ll try to push a little bit starting at around 21. Otherwise, I’ll just hang on for dear life.
I’m thinking that if I run smart, which I’m going to try my best to do, I can go 3:13.
Sunday’s race in Dallas isn’t terribly hilly, but it’s not flat. There will be a few more challenges than I expect to see. In my five previous doubles, I’ve gone 3:17/3:16, 3:04/3:09, 3:24/3:19, 3:18/3:21, 3:28/3:29. For the first three, I’d say the course/elements were slightly easier on the second day. The fourth time it was a little tougher the second day. The fifth time, I ran in wind, mud and hail the first day, then had perfect weather and had an easy time leading the 3:30 pace group the second day.
So, I’m thinking that whatever I do on Saturday, I’m going to head out and try to run at the same pace to maybe two minutes slower per mile on Sunday. So, if I average 7:22s on Saturday, I’ll try to run between 7:22 and 7:27 per mile on Sunday. I’m thinking I’ll start to struggle no later than mile 20 on Sunday, but I’ll still push forward as hard as I can.
What does that all mean? I think I’m going to be about 2-4 minutes slower on Sunday and if I were betting, I’d probably go with a 3:22 just based on how I’ve been running lately. But don’t get me wrong — I’d be very disappointed if I went 3:22 either day.
April Campaign Plug
I’m making a push on an easy campaign in this month. Take a look at what I’m trying to do!
OK, That’s All For Today
Have a great weekend, everybody. And please enter the contest! Please, please, please!
Back to backs! You are such a rockstar! I think you’ve got more in you than you think! Run hard and run safe and have a safe trip!!!
You’re a beast! Dominate this weekend! Get your head in it, and go after it! Go big or go home! To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift. You know, all those motivational quotes. Empower them this weekend. You’ll do awesome! Yay, go OJ!
As someone who cares about pace and finishing times, I’ll be the one to remind you that funks happen. This could be your weekend to break out of it so be more positive in your thinking! Don’t be disappointed in your race times as you are doing what others can’t- helping build a charity, working full-time, and being a wonderful husband and parent. Best wishes for this weekend.
I am nothing short of 100% confident that you will do great this weekend. Here’s a little bit of trivia to help you along. As of right now, you have already run further this year than the distance from my house here in WA to my dad’s just north of Sacramento!
I never thought I’d say this, but I actually miss Kansas. Life was simpler, people were nicer and the sky was bluer! Enjoy your time out in Kansas! Tell all of your Phi Delt brothers that Tiff says,”Thank you for all the amazing support!”
Oh, and one more thing…that if I came to visit their house, would I now be allowed to park in the driveway? 😉
Oh, and one more thing…that if I came to visit their house, would I now be allowed to park in the driveway? 😉