Operation Jack

I have tried 2 fund raisers since starting this blog. In the first one, the only $ i raised was from my pocket and my cousin's pocket. She was doing a fundraiser for the American Heart Assoc., so we agreed to give each other $. During the second one, Movember, I managed to raise only my money. This is ok, actually, since I am not very good at soliciting. I was 'ok' with the amount.
This time, though, is different. Forget the fact that this solicitation comes at the last minute. Forget that Christmas is 'right around the corner'. Forget that for the most part we've never actually met. Forget all that.

AND, here's the big one, forget that cuppa Double Mocha Cappuccino with Almond Milk and a twist of lemon (a la Serge).

Click here, instead, and give that same amount to help Operation Jack fight Autism. Here are some numbers:

• It is estimated that between 1 in 80 and 1 in 240 with an average of 1 in 110 children in the United States have an ASD. (article here).
• ASDs are reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, yet are on average 4 to 5 times more likely to occur in boys than in girls. (article here).
• Dowload a fact sheet from the CDC here.

Enough numbers for you? I hope so, because my head is spinning already. Let's get together and help Operation Jack. I know that there are two families who read this blog that are impacted daily by sons with an ASD. I know that there is at least one reader who works with kids who have this diagnosis.
Isn't it worth skipping a "Lahge reglah" ('large regular' here in New England) just once and supporting this cause rather than your local coffee vendor?
Thank you very much for anything that you can do to help.
Oh, did i mention that for those of you who want a little extra bang for your buck(s), I'll be participating in a nation wide virtual 10K event to raise awareness for Operation Jack on 26 DEC 10. So, see? I'll be out in the cold, torturing myself. All you have to do is click on my links and spend like 3 bucks. Yep. We're trying to get at least one person in each state to participate, and I am stepping up for the Republic of Vermont!


Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Train 4 Autism.

Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:

http://operationjack.kintera.org/bigzigonline

VT Remembers 10k

This past Saturday I had the honor of participating in one of the most meaningful races/events in the state. The Vermont Remembers 10krun/walk/ruck march raises money and awareness for the Vermont Fallen Heroes Memorial at Camp Johnson, Headquarters for the Vermont Army and Air National Guards. This year was the 4th year of the event, but the first time I was able to participate.
My sister invited me to come along, and how could I refuse? Z had a football game in Pembroke, NH, so I missed that. Can't be in two places at the same time, though.

Some of you may be wondering what the "ruck march" part is all about. Here's the skinny; you have to do the 10k with a pack, minimum of 35 pounds. The packs were weighed at the start AND at the finish, and if your finish weight was less than 35 pounds, you were ineligible for prizes in that category. My little sister's pack finished out at 37 pounds. Here she is at the start. We hung out toward the back for the entire event. Think: "No One gets left behind."

That's her on the far right, looking back toward the camera.

After the dirt road leading out the 'back gate' of Camp Johnson, the rest was all on pavement. We hugged the shoulder all the way. The course was marked with cones, and at regular intervals there were Army Medics waiting to help anyone who needed it. Water was available along the course. Soldiers were at all intersections, as well as side roads to help control traffic and prevent accidents. We acted as sweepers, and made sure that everyone crossed the finish line. It was one of the best 1:54 10k's I have ever walked. Oh. I also pushed her son and our son in our stroller. Here they are, each earning (sharing) their first race bib!

Our nephew Carson(1) on our left, our son Bryce(4) on our right.

The kids had a great time. Carson fell asleep around mile marker 4, but B stayed awake the whole time, chatting, helping Carson, and fighting to keep the sun out of their eyes. For a looped course, we sure seemed to be facing the sun almost the entire time. Odd.....

I can't remember how fast the first runner finished, but the first person with a ruck finished in around 50 minutes. My PR for 10k is right around that, and that's wearing the bear minimum, NOT carrying 35+ pounds. Hoo-ah!

Here are some photos of the Memorial. For what it is worth, I recommend that we all seek out at least one race like this every year. Doesn't have to be for a military cause. Could be any local 'cause'. The military ones are near and dear to me, so I tend to gravitate toward them.

The plaques on either side of the statue are names of VT's Fallen Heroes

I worked closely with this Hero. He struggled with our 2mile run.
After I would finish, I would go back out on the course and pace
him in the rest of the way so that he would make the cut-off.
He 'hated' me for doing it. RIP, Kevin.

Bryce asked lots of questions. A day later, he was able to
tell his Mom exactly what I explained to him about the
statue.

Soldiers from the Revolutionary War, Vietnam, and the Gulf War look on.

It was a wonderful day. I wished that Tracey, Mike, and Zach could have been there, too. Perhaps next year, when my sister's husband is back from the 'Stans', the 8 of us can participate together. That would be Awesome. I might cry.

Sitting on the couch today....

making sure to wiggle around a bit so that my butt doesn't become a permanent part of the furniture, and Tracey said something like, "the weather is nice, but the wind seems to be picking up a bit." So i replied something witty like, "not as windy as I was that time I ate those refried beans....."  "yep."
**some back ground info here. my wife is married to the best conversationalist this side of the Pecos River. I can, and often WILL, talk intelligently with people from all walks of life. and i am incredibly insightful as well. oh, wait a sec. that's not me. that's Patrick Jane. now where was I??? right.
then i said something about not wanting to run in the wind, to which she replied, "i am sure with all that gear you have, you won't even notice the wind."

of course, she is right. but it wasn't the gear that concerned me. it is my amazing ability to run like i am towing a parachute, even in the slightest breeze. add actual WIND to that, and, well, it looks like a scene from a Winnie-the-Pooh story.  except there is no smile on my face. We had the conversation at around 1230, as we were settling in to watch The Young and the Restless. don't judge, lest ye be judged..... I said that I would go running at 1, but didn't actually get out the door until closer to 115. What can i say.... I was really hoping to find out more about the whole Sharon/Ashely/Adam thing. whew. I pried myself away, and drove to a small parking lot less than a mile from the house. i had a 10k loop in mind, and didn't think that i would be able to make it back up the hill to the house after i ran.....

and that proved to be a good idea. i mean, i supposed i could have made it, but would have taken longer than the hour that i intended to be gone. all things being things, the run was a good one. started out headed into the wind and going uphill. that wasn't fun. and then the BIG, steeep hill came. it is almost a quarter mile long. they all seem to be that way lately. this one might be a good candidate for a hill workout hill.

ended up with 6.2 miles in 53:22.

i am finishing this post at work on Saturday. my back is to the window, which is tough for me (Doc Holiday syndrome), but i have to do it because it is so BEAUTIFUL outside, and I am here until 4pm. but THEN i will be outside, shooting hoops with the Fam. i think we'll go to Dothan Brook School.

this weekend, try to get OUTSIDE!~