Friday FITspiration: 105 Marathons to Fight Autism
August 2, 2013
Here at runladylike.com, Fridays are all about sharing the inspiring stories of fit people who motivate all of us to be better tomorrow than we were yesterday. My Friday FITspiration series profiles runners, triathletes and casual exercisers who are making choices every day to be as healthy as they can be – in both huge ways and through simple, small victories. Their stories are about the journey of transforming from ordinary to extraordinary each and every day.
Today, I’d like you to meet Sam Felsenfeld. The running accomplishments of this 38-year-old dad of 3 are simply amazing. But the reason behind his running that fuels his passion is even more inspiring.
Sam and his family Photo source: facebook.com/operationjack
Sam’s second child Jack (age 9) was diagnosed with Autism shortly after he turned 3. In 2010, Sam set out to run at least one marathon a week to raise awareness and funds to fight Autism in his honor.
Sam’s mission was successful. He ran 61 marathons that year (with a median time of 3:21) and 2 ultra marathons and raised more than $90,000 for Train 4 Autism in Jack’s honor. And his efforts had only just begun.
Sam’s journey truly shows us that what seems impossible can be possible. Sam once broke his neck in a swimming accident as a teenager. He once weighed 261 pounds after not taking care of himself in college. He once was a smoker. Today he is his own superhero. He has completed 105 marathons and 5 ultra marathons. His marathon PR is 2:57:53. He has made a difference for Jack and his family. And he is helping change the course of Autism for other children and families one mile and one dollar at a time.
“Like Jack, I will always fight autism,” Sam says.
Jack Photo source: facebook.com/operationjack
I had a chance to chat with Sam and learn more about his journey and Operation Jack. See what he had to say and what we can all learn from his story.
How long have you been running, and what inspired you to start?
I started walking when I was 30. I was 261 pounds. My wife bought me an iPod for my 30th birthday and suggested I start walking. That turned into a tiny bit of jogging … which led to a dare to run a half marathon when I was 31 (December 2005) … which led to another dare to run my first marathon (June 2006). From there, I caught the bug and the rest is history. My kids really inspired me to start, because I want to be healthy and stick around long enough to raise them.
Running became a deeper part of your life when your son Jack was diagnosed with autism. Tell us about that and about how running has changed your and your family’s life.
Running has given me a way to make the world a better place. I think deep down inside, everybody wants to make the world a better place, and I’ve found that running is my way to do that. I’ve used my legs to raise a lot of money for charity (I’ve raised about $180,000 since 2009), and I’m grateful that I have the ability to do that. I enjoy running because it gives me the quiet time I need in the morning and it gives me the ability to challenge myself daily, but it also gives me a way to have a purpose and to make lemonade out of the lemons life gave my son Jack. My other two kids know what I do, and they’re proud of me for how I work to fight autism. It has become accepted that we fight autism as a family through my running. This doesn’t define us, but it does give us a positive outlet.
Sam and Jack were featured in Runner’s World Photo source: facebook.com/operationjack
You’ve completed 105 marathons and 5 ultras. Which races were your favorites?
It’s hard to pick a single favorite, because there were good things about so many of them. My first will always be my first, so that was memorable because that’s when I became a marathoner. My 61st in 2010 was memorable because it completed the challenge I set out to do. I loved Long Beach 2009 because I ran it step-for-step with my wife (her only marathon to date). Boston 2011 was my first sub-3-hour marathon and it took me 92 marathons to get there, so that was exciting. My 100th was memorable because I limped through the whole thing with a bad hip and felt sick and threw up in my mouth, but I ran that day only because my family wanted to see me finish my 100th and it was a local race. Marine Corps Marathon is an amazing race and I loved that race for everything it is and everything it stands for. I also “enjoyed” a 50-mile race I ran in May with a good running friend of mine, just because we did it to see if we could run 50 on a whim – neither of us were really in shape for even a marathon. We had a miserable day, as expected, but we finished, so in a masochistic way, I’ll always remember that one fondly, too.
What running/racing accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’d say probably finding a way to raise money with my running. That’s the biggest thing because it means the most and I’m sure I’ll probably be the most proud of that when all is said and done.
From a strictly competitive standpoint, I won a 9:11 timed ultra on September 11, 2010. Despite all the circumstances surrounding that race (I’d run 40 marathons already that year, it was 85 degrees and humid and I ran 45 miles in a race 6 days prior), I sucked it up on the last mile and went for the win and pulled it off. I was proud of finding guts when I was running bow-legged because of the pain. I am also proud of my first sub-3-hour marathon finish. My fastest five miles of the race were miles 21, 22, 23, 24 and 26. I wanted to hammer it home for the final 10K, and I was proud of how I finished.
Finish this sentence: I run because _______________________.
I run because I can.
What goal do you most want to accomplish in 2013?
I want my race (Operation Jack Marathon, operationjack.org/marathon) to be a success. This is the fourth year we’re doing it, and the race is in Los Angeles.
From an individual performance standpoint, I want to qualify for the Boston Marathon again. I’ve run Boston the past 6 years and I can’t imagine not making it back next April.
As a seasoned veteran with more than 100 marathons under your belt, what advice would you give to someone who is just starting out or who is taking on their first full or half marathon this year?
DON’T OVERDO IT! There’s a natural tendency to want to go all-out and work harder than you should, but that will lead to injury. Take the easy days easy and rest on the rest days. Get on a plan that’s legit, stick with it and don’t go beyond what it says to do.
Additionally, keep it fun! If you’re not a professional, then running is a hobby. Find a way to make it fun and keep it fun. If that means chasing Maniac stars or running with friends or pushing yourself to PRs or just getting out for 2 miles in the morning, make it fun. If you’re not having fun with your hobby, what’s the point?
What running gear do you never run without?
My Garmin 305.
What keeps you hydrated and fueled the best?
I drink water and take gels every 4 to 6 miles on long runs. I drink the sports drink offered by races on the course and I carb load before marathons. That’s about it.
If you run with music, what’s on your iPod right now?
I don’t run with music, but I do have a pre-race playlist. It varies, but the 2 songs that remain on there are “Zombie Nation” and “Lose Yourself.” I used to run with music and I’ll admit it: the song I listened to going through the start line of my first marathon was “A Moment Like This” by Kelly Clarkson. And because I like to torture myself, the first time I went for a BQ (it was 3:10:59 at the time for me), I had “Too Little, Too Late” by Jojo come on my playlist at 3:11. Overall, I listen to Christian, Country and Top 40 music.
What is one thing most people would be surprised to know about you?
I broke my neck when I was 16. And I never in my life ran a mile faster than 8:30 until I was 31. Oh, and apparently that I can’t count to one. 😉
What are your favorite running blogs or Web sites?
I have lots of runner friends with blogs and I feel terrible leaving anyone out. But if I were to plug one person, it would be John Loftus from runyourpotential.com. He’s helped me a lot during the years and gave me great coaching during 2010 when I ran 61 full marathons. chicrunner.com and onceuponalime.com both have a big reach and have been very supportive of Operation Jack.
Sam and Jack’s story remind us to be grateful for every blessing we have and that one person truly can make a difference in this world. Have you ever used your passion for running to make a difference for others? If so, I’d love to hear about it. What will you do this year to make a difference – big or small?
What an inspiring story – especially as I marathon train – to keep in mind that racing and running can be for others who can’t instead of those of us who can
I run charity races when I can (a 5K here or there), but nothing on the scale of this. This is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing. This will definitely keep me motivated!
Comments
What an inspiring story – especially as I marathon train – to keep in mind that racing and running can be for others who can’t instead of those of us who can
Fantastic story. Fantastic runner.
I run charity races when I can (a 5K here or there), but nothing on the scale of this. This is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing. This will definitely keep me motivated!