Weekend Preview: 71 miles?
OK, here we go. Weekend preview time and while I've already run 40 marathons since January 1, this is definitely going to be my toughest one so far this year. I have a variation of my contest for this week, but it's still an opportunity for you to get some Operation Jack gear.
Real quick, just in case you've never been before, click here to see why I'm running 61 marathons this year for Train 4 Autism!
I have two races this weekend — a marathon and an ultra in back-to-back days. Thank goodness I have Monday off of work for Labor Day!
First things first, though — news concerning my grandpa!
This Is Wonderful News!
I've been talking a lot about my grandma lately and she's doing very well with her new pacemaker. But today, I have GREAT news to share about my grandpa!
He had In-N-Out Burger yesterday for the first time ever! It's never too late, even if you're 87 years old! Awesome!
Speaking of In-N-Out, I dug out this picture of me and Jack right after he was born. You see that Hawaiian shirt I'm wearing? Yeah, it's an In-N-Out shirt with flying burgers and fries!
That morning, I looked in the mirror, did my hair, and thought, "Man, I look GOOD!"
I'm REALLY starting to get excited about this race. I'm feeling good and mentally ready to run hard. For those of you who have been following along, you know I'm chasing sub-3, which is running a marathon quicker than three hours. My fastest ever is 3:00:05, just six seconds too slow! I'm going to try to get that monkey off my back on Saturday.
Now, don't get me wrong. I always try to run my fastest. But I know going in what I'm capable of this time, I think I have a legitimate shot at it. The course is a downhill course, which can be fast, but it can also wreck you if you run it wrong. No matter what I do on it, I'll be in a world of pain. Downhill courses pound the heck out of your quads, especially if you're heavy. I'm 200 pounds, which is a lot of weight slamming down on those hills.
I'll be walking funny afterwards, no question. But I think I can run it quick. I feel like I'm in good shape, I've had good speed workouts lately, I've been happy with my paces at key points during recent races and I know I can do this. More importantly, I'm in this mentally. I want this and I'm feeling good physically right now. I'm ready to go out and give it absolutely everything I have, and I think that might well be enough. I might come back with a 3:20 with my luck, but I'm not holding back at all. Check back Saturday for a race report!
Contest (more like, promotion) details are coming up right after I talk about my race on Sunday.
Sunday's Race: Operation Jack 7-Hour Challenge
This is a race that was put together by Operation Jack supporter Deb Bosilevac and it should be fun. I'm not exactly sure how many folks will be running in this race — I think somewhere between 10 and 20 — but we'll be running loops around a one-mile course for seven hours. That's exactly what I want to do the day after thrashing myself on a downhill course! Well, not really.
But it's for a great cause (Operation Jack!) so I'll be there. I'm aiming for 45 miles. I think I can go out and hold 30 miles at a pace somewhere between 8:30 and 9:00 a mile. I'll keep going as long as I can, but at that point, I'll probably incorporate a run/walk mix. If I can average 9:00/mile for the first 30, which I really think I can do, I'd need 15 miles over the last 2 1/2 hours (10:00/mile) to hit 45. So that's my goal, although talk to me 5 hours into this thing!
Now, one thing about Deb ... she's a marathon runner, but she's a graduate of the University of Kansas. And I'm a proud graduate of Kansas State University. I'm supposed to hate her. I don't, but I'm going to beat her and probably sing the K-State fight song every time I pass her. She's expecting to run about 35 miles, so I'm thinking I'll sing 10 times.
And that leads me into what I'm doing in lieu of this week's contest …
Who Wants To Give me Motivation To Run Myself Into The Ground?
First, last week's contest winners were Sarah Reade and Tracy Ricker. I did a random drawing of everybody who contributed in honor of my grandma. OK, moving along ...
I'm trying to collect pledges for every mile I beat Deb by. It's a K-State/KU thing, and this Wildcat is ready to stick it to a Jayhawk! So, here's the deal: If you pledge at least $1/mile that I beat her by, I'll send you an Operation Jack t-shirt. If you pledge at least $1.75/mile that I beat her by, I'll send you an Operation Jack tech shirt. And if you pledge at least $2/mile that I beat her by, I'll send you one of each.
I might only beat her by three miles, and in that case, you'll be getting off cheap. But I might find some special gear and beat her by 15 miles. A bet's a bet, though, so either way, I'll send you the stuff. I'm just looking for some motivation. I'm running for seven hours the day after running a pounding marathon to support Operation Jack and Train 4 Autism. Can you pledge $1 for every mile I beat Deb by?
If you want to participate, just
send me an email and let me know your pledge! Thank you so much for your participation!
EDIT: Deb and I created a side bet as to whether a Wildcat or a Jayhawk can do a better job raising money. The loser has to donate $20 to the other school's alumni association. K-STATERS: PLEASE don't make me send any of my hard-earned Wildcat money to Lawrence!!!
OK, that's all I have for today. Have a great weekend and take it easy! I should practice what I preach, huh?
Comments
Posted by Dan Merker, 9.2.10, 12:08 p.m.
$2/mile if you sing -- no shirts needed. Beat KU. Badly.
Posted by Melissa Gillespie, 9.2.10, 11:08 a.m.
You're going to have a great weekend and I really really hope you beat the big 3:00. Oh, and stop being mean to Chubby Sam! I'm pretty sure he was a kick ass husband and father too, even if he wore greasy dead animals on his clothing.
