Monday marathons followed by Saturday marathons sure do wreck a week in a hurry. I’m not even 48 hours removed from the finish line of the Boston Marathon (as of posting this) and I’m already carb-loading for this weekend. And I’m already writing What’s Up With OJ Wednesday, my weekly attempt at re-using a headline and writing a state-of-Operation Jack blog.
Just in case this your first time here, I’m a marathon runner and a father of three. Not really in that order, though, because running is just my hobby. My middle son, 6 1/2-year-old Jack, is severely autistic. I wanted to do something to make a difference in his honor, so the idea that came to me was to try to run 60 marathons in 2010 to try to raise money and awareness for a great charity I’m a part of called Train 4 Autism.
I didn’t ask my wife for permission to do this. I just ran the idea by her. This wasn’t something to ask for permission for, because it’s such a huge commitment on the entire family. But we decided that we were better off taking a chance and trying to make an impact than always looking back and wondering if we could have made a difference.
Anyways, I don’t really have a clue as to what I’m doing — I try to figure it out daily and I’ll continue to do so until December 31. This blog is where you can follow along with me and see what goes on in my mind.
Orange County Marathon Announcements
We’re only about 10 days away from the Orange County Marathon. Maybe 11. I don’t know. I’m permanently tired nowadays and I don’t feel like doing math. But I know it’s next Sunday. It’s the most local race of the year for me, since the start line and finish are both within about 15 miles of my house.
So, we’re having a couple of fundraising events to go along with them. First, next Friday (April 30), we’re going to have a Silpada party. Silpada is jewelry, and I don’t know anything about jewelry. Well, except my wife likes that stuff. It’s not very expensive, like with diamonds or anything like that. But it’s fairly nice stuff. 20 percent of all the sales from the party are going to go to Operation Jack. If you’re local, stop by, grab some finger foods and pick up a Mother’s Day gift. We created an evite for this that you can RSVP with and pass along to anybody. It’s an open party. And when I say we created an evite, we = Tiff. If you’re not local, you can still order and benefit Operation Jack. There’s information on that evite.
Also, we’re going to have a pasta dinner on Saturday, May 1, the night before the race. It’s going to be at Buca di Beppo in the Tustin Marketplace. It’s going to be at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $25 a person for all-you-can-eat … well, I already created a page so I might as well just direct you over there so you can see the full details. I’d love to see you out there!
I Need Your Input
On Monday, after the race in Boston, I met up with three new Operation Jack supporters from Maine — Danielle, Melissa and Sarah. They really want me to run a marathon in Maine with them next year. Sarah has been on the fence about running a marathon, but she said she’d make it her first if I went out there and ran it with her. I told them I’d do it, but they’d need to build a good team.
I’m going to set a tangible goal and if they hit it, I’ll keep my word and go out there and help Sarah through her marathon. I’ll carry her gels, fetch her water from the aid stations, carry her favorite sports drink, whatever. But I’m going to set them a good goal and I want to know what you guys think I should do.
For starters, they’re going to need to start a new Train 4 Autism chapter out in Maine. And I think I’m going to set a fundraising goal for them for an Operation Jack team. We provide them with a fundraising site to help them out. What’s a good goal? $20? $3,000? $1 billion?
Me, Danielle, Melissa and Sarah on Monday.
Quick April Fundraising Plug
I’m running seven marathons in seven states this month. Since 7 is the number of the month, I’m trying to collect as many $7 donations as possible. I haven’t reached my goal, so for less than the cost of a martini, you can support a great cause! Check out the fundraising page or read the update I sent to the Facebook group at the beginning of the month.
Day-After-The-Boston-Marathon Lunch
This is where I take advantage of the fact that it’s my blog and I can post what I want. I love to post pictures of food. Yesterday, the day after the Boston Marathon, I had In-N-Out for lunch. I took a picture so I could post it. And really, the only reason I wanted to post it was so I could post pictures of my lunch from the day after the Boston Marathon last year.
This was lunch yesterday.
This was lunch the day after the Boston Marathon last year. I held my brother’s iPhone next to the burger to illustrate how big it is.
This was my plate when I was done with my lunch the day after the Boston Marathon last year.
On the subject of nutrition, I know I talk a lot about the garbage I eat, and I’m up to 80 consecutive days now eating ice cream or frozen yogurt, but I really don’t think I eat all that poorly. So I’m keeping a food journal of everything I eat this week and I’ll post it next Tuesday and let y’all decide. I’m not off to the greatest start this week, but I still have five days to go.
On the subject of me posting pictures I want to post, here’s one from over the weekend of my daughter sneaking some of Jack’s drink.
This better be the only time I see a girl taking advantage of my Jack.
Proof That I’m A Geek
I was all excited because I finished in 27th place on Saturday. It was my third 27th place this year. 27 is 3x3x3. So, for me, it was 3x(3x3x3). Like I said, I’m a geek.
Jack Is Good With Numbers, Too!
This morning, Tiff showed me a worksheet that Jack did in school. They had boxes with pictures in it and he had to count them and write down the number of items in the box. He got all six boxes correct. It’s kind of cool to see this. We know he’s a smart kid and there’s a lot going on in that little head of his, but when we see him put down on paper, it’s pretty cool for us. Keep the faith, keep the faith!
That’s a “15” … count the shoes for yourself!
OK, That’s All For Today
I got too tired writing this thing. I’m calling it quits for this one. I’ll see you back here tomorrow!
Ally Phillips says
And you totally deserve those burgers. Where in the world did the one from last year come from? That’s like an entire cow in a bun!
The picture of Jack and Ava is realy cute, even if she’s taking advantage of him! That’s what siblings are for, ya know.
How exciting about a new Train 4 Autism chapter in Maine (hopefully!). Obviously, $1B is the way to go, but, I’m just not sure that’s going to happen.
I don’t know what marathon they’d be planning on for next year and what time of year it would be, but, if they started fundraising now, I don’t see why they couldn’t hit a goal of several thousand dollars. Would it be a team goal or an individual goal? I think a team goal is more beneficial becuase by default some people have larger networks than others but it allows them all to capitalize on their own talents for the whole of the team.
That’s great, either way–you’ve sparked interest, you’ve gotten people on board. Yay!
Jennifer Swain says
Holy cow, those burgers are ridiculously big. Your mouth can’t open that big….can it? lol
Yea for Jack getting the numbers right!
Sarah Emerson says
We are aiming for the Maine Marathon 2011 in Portland, ME which is usually the first weekend in October, there is also a 1/2 and relay along with it (http://www.mainemarathon.com). We are going for an amazing team goal…we already have several people who want to join the team.
Danielle Speckman says
oh yeah we definitely want to try for $1B… although it might be a little far fetched. were hoping maybe $3-5 thousand? it will be a team of people willing to outsource and network to get this done for an unbelievable (fact, not fiction though) cause.
we all feel so blessed to have met Sam and truly admire what he is doing, not only for Jack but for anyone who has ever felt the effects of autism.
OH and the marathon will be the Maine Marathon in portland maine, 10/1/11 (or maybe 10/8/11, not sure exactly yet). so we definitely have time!
Danielle Speckman says
ok so i wrote a long comment, then registered, and it got lost…. oh well!
i would really hope we could raise $1B buuuuut realistically i think $3-5 thousand might be a bit more realistic? we have over a year and our team (growing by the minute already!!) is highly motivated to outsource and network to reach our goal. it was truly a blessing to meet you, Sam. it is unbelievable (in the fact sense, not fiction) what you are doing not only for Jack but for everyone out there who has ever felt the effects of autism. lets rock this!!
OH and the marathon will be the Maine Marathon in portland, and it will be either 10/1 or 10/8 2011 (not sure which weekend).
Danielle Speckman says
ok so i wrote a long comment, then registered, and it got lost…. oh well!
i would really hope we could raise $1B buuuuut realistically i think $3-5 thousand might be a bit more realistic? we have over a year and our team (growing by the minute already!!) is highly motivated to outsource and network to reach our goal. it was truly a blessing to meet you, Sam. it is unbelievable (in the fact sense, not fiction) what you are doing not only for Jack but for everyone out there who has ever felt the effects of autism. lets rock this!!
OH and the marathon will be the Maine Marathon in portland, and it will be either 10/1 or 10/8 2011 (not sure which weekend).