Weekend Preview: San Francisco Marathon

Well here we are, staring down the barrel of another weekend. Since the calendar says 2010, I guess that means I have a marathon to go run. This time, it’s San Francisco. With my initials, I’m totally excited to run the SF Marathon!

For first-time visitors, here’s the standard introduction. I’m a father of three and a marathon runner. My middle child, 6 1/2-year-old Jack, is severely autistic. As a result, I’m trying to make a difference in the autism world, so I’m attempting to run 61 marathons this year to raise money and awareness for a charity I’m a part of called Train 4 Autism. So far, I’m through 34. This blog is where I ramble on about what’s going on.

Since it’s Friday, it’s time for my weekend preview, with a couple of random tidbits plus my weekly contest.

Why I Take Pacing So Seriously
I was the 3:50 pacer at the Missoula Marathon on July 11, the third time I’ve been an official pacer for a marathon this year (fourth time overall). I take pacing very seriously, because I know I’ll have a big impact on other people’s goal races. People typically thank me afterwards, but somebody posted this comment anonymously on the Missoula Marathon blog.

I would like to give two thumbs up to the Run Wild Missoula & The Missoula Marathon volunteers. What a great event you put together! I would really like to thank the 3:50 pacer dude SAM FELSENFELD…..I didn’t hear everything he was saying the last 4miles but he was amazing to have right there along side me. I had nothing left in me and had been ahead of him up until the last 4 miles or so. He just kept me motivated and told me he wasn’t going to kick it at the end so I needed to. That was enough, that was all I needed. My goal was to qualify for Boston and I did it. With his help as well as the help of a very dear friend who ran the last 6.2 miles with me! Than you Sam for your amazing ability to keep my head in the game. I will forever be grateful.

I’ve really been learning this year that it’s a lot more rewarding to run for other people than to run for yourself. Well, for me at least.

Weekly Contest
I have a weekly contest where people try to 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 make a donation, just click the “Donate Now” link at the top of any page on this site. Winner is the person who comes the closest without underbidding. If everybody underbids, then it’s whoever comes the closest. The prize is your choice of an Operation Jack t-shirt, tech shirt or sweatshirt.

Last week, I was super-slow in the heat in Iowa and nobody donated the $3.42 it would have taken to accurately predict my time. Denamarie Baker was the winner, though, so she’ll have a fine article of clothing coming her way shortly. I’ll get to this week’s contest in a bit.

You Learn Something Every Day!
Yesterday, I learned that on a BlackBerry Bold, if your phone is locked and you hit a bunch of buttons, eventually it will dial 9-1-1. Silly Jack, trying to talk to the police!

What I’m Looking Forward To Most This Weekend
I’m running in San Francisco this weekend and my biggest fan is going to be there at the finish line waiting for me! No, not Mariah Carey. She’s my second-biggest fan. I’m talking about my wife! It’s a quick flight up there, and all I have on the calendar is a bunch of people to see at the expo on Saturday afternoon, a dinner on Saturday night and a marathon at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday. Aside from that, it’s going to be a vacation!

Actually, it should be a nice time. I think it will probably double the time we’ve spent together this year. Well, not really, but we’ll have a nice time in the city on Sunday afternoon.

OK, The Race
The weather is supposed to be nice and chilly, perfect for running for a marathon. The first half of the course is hilly, but the profile doesn’t look ridiculous. Somewhat challenging, yes. But for the most part, I’ve done fairly well on moderate hills this year. The second half looks favorable, primarily flat. After mile 20, it looks like there’s two good downhills to get me some momentum in the final 10K.

However, my legs have felt fairly dead this week. I’m planning on taking an ice bath on Saturday, which should help. And my travel is pretty minimal. So, I wouldn’t be surprised with anything between a 3:08 and a 3:18. I’ll be disappointed if I’m not sub-3:20, and really, I’ll be disappointed if I don’t get a Boston qualifier (3:15:59 or better).

So, I don’t know what to bet. $3.10? $3.16? Heck, I could totally blow it. I haven’t been exactly fast lately. But since Tiff is going to be there at the finish line, you can bet I don’t want to keep her waiting!

Have A Great Weekend!
I know I will! I’ll try to have a race report posted at some point on Sunday!