Items on the Agenda

So here are some things going on.

So far no running this week. My work schedule has not been kind to me. I work 9-5, or all day if it is a weekend. My heel is in pain at the end of the day. I am having it worked on in the morning with a massage therapist. I am prepared for it to hurt.

Looking ahead. I am reconsidering the no marathon plan this year. I am thinking now of a fall marathon. I still will not do Chicago, though with registration days away, I thought of it. I am looking at some possibilities.

Running with structure....I find I miss the training program I was on. I miss the organization of it, and keeping me on task. It is difficult for me to get motivated and get out there. Granted the heel has been an issue, but still.

Thoughts? Ideas? Comments?

Charlie

Running and Marathon Kids

First things first. Today I ran 5 miles. Because the temps were hovering near 0, I was in the gym. My time was good 56:15. That's a good time for me, and I felt on track for my training for the race in April. As most of you would agree, treamill running is no fun. I really need some new ways to make it more interesting. That or Spring needs to come early.

This is an exciting time today and tomorrow. Kay Morris, founder of Marathon Kids, is in town to address the Chicago Public School System, and line up more sponsors for the Chicago Chapter. Things are on target for a start in November. She and I are talking about ways I can get involved with the chapter in Chicago.

Go to www.marathonkids.org for more information on this terrific program!

Charlie

3 Miles...but Oh It Was Tough

Today I ran 3 miles at the gym. It was tough going. It was one of those days when my mind wanted to go 4 miles, but my body said, "I don't think so buddy." So I stopped at 3.

Work has been a bit stressful as we are going through some changes. So I think my body was feeling tight and not into the run. I hate it when that happens. Still I am glad to get some miles in. Every mile counts.

Charlie

Comparisons

A few days ago I received an invitation to attend an event for my graduate school. I read it and found myself doing something we all do from time to time. I compared myself and my life to others. I should say I was comparing my life to how I think others live. This is a useless thing to do and I understand that mentally. The problem is I have done this all of my life.

It's funny though, I do not compare my running to other people's running. Granted during marathon training I felt bad from time to time that I was almost always the last one back from the long run. However, I can't compare my running to anyone else's, nor should I be comparing my life to others.

I don't have the career in the non-profit world I thought I would have at this point. Yes, I am working on social responsibility within my company, and maybe that is what I am supposed to be doing at this point in life.

Running though, I know I will never win a race. I know I will never win an Olympic medal or set a world record, and I am 100% fine with that. So how come I am not content at times with other aspects of my life?

Don't get me wrong. I love working at Fleet Feet Sports. I have the time of my life. I just look at my graduate school peers, and I sometimes see something I am sure is not as good as I think it is.

Yes...I am rambling, but it was on my mind, and I wanted to share.

Charlie

Brrrrr

For those who don't know what winters are like in Chicago, this is the time of year when it gets DAMN COLD!!! Yesterday we started the day at -1F. This morning it is a frosty -4F. As you can imagine I do not run in this weather, though I saw some brave souls out there.

Instead I did a nice 72F run at the gym. I ran a good speedy 3 mile run in 33:16. I felt good for the most part, but I noticed it is time for new shoes. I felt my feet hitting the ground more, rather than the shoe cushioning it.

Afterwards I felt like I could run another two miles. This week I have a plan to increase the running. At some point I would like to run outside, but being the weather wimp I am that is out of the question.

Feeling good though.

Charlie

News From the Running World.....

Just thought I would share some things going on in our sport.

1) Haile Gebrselassie was very close to winning a HUGE payout in Dubai. Organizers of the Standard Charter Dubai Marathon offered a $1 million bonus if a world marathon record was set. Gebrselassie's time of 2:04:53 was the second fastest of all time. Still he got a $250,000 paycheck. Not bad.

2) Lance Armstrong will run this year's Boston Marathon. He will run for his Lance Armstrong Foundation, but the B.A.A. made it clear that he has truly qualified for the race, after running a 2:46:43 at the NYC Marathon last year. Nothing gets runners in a tizzy like talking about qualifying for Boston as opposed to charity running in Boston.

3) Ryan Hall will run the London Marathon in April. Hall who dominated the Olympic Trials, will set his sights on London as a prelude to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Go Ryan!!!!

4) Oscar Pistorius was banned from competing in the Olympics this summer, due to the type of prosthetic he uses. I have commented how I feel about this. Pistorius is appealing the decision.

Charlie

Let It Snow

As it snows and Chicago is headed to sub zero weather, I ran 2.5 miles today in the comfort of the gym. My back was feeling tight, so I ran 2.5 in 28 minutes flat! Not too shabby.

Generally when I run on the treadmill I watch the Food Network. I have to tell you the Food Network is THE reason to have cable. I watched the Barefoot Contessa make beef bourginon. I find I don't get hungry watching it. I look at it as something pretty to watch.

I want to share a story from a couple days ago....can't wait to hear what some of you think.

A guy walks into our store. He tells me he is going to train for this year's Chicago Marathon. I ask him what made him decide to it...as I am always curious. His answer....are you ready?

"Well I'm 22. If I don't do it now when will I?"

When indeed.

Charlie

Another Good Run

The weather this week is very cold and about to get colder. So I am usually a gym runner during this time of year. Today was a good 4 mile run on the treadmill. I felt great. My heal has been bothering me, so I took a few days off, but today's run was a good one. I ran it in 45:19. I was really pleased with that time.

Monday was the first anniversary of my first marathon. Can't believe it is has been a year.

So all in all a good run today.

I am still struggling with food though, but I am making some progress. My roommates bake like nobody's business. I have asked them if they can cut back. I mean really do we need fresh baked cookies EVERY WEEK??? I think not.

My biggest problem has been eating late. My condition really does not allow me to eat a big meal later in the evening. Or it does not digest and I sleep horribly. Sadly I have been pulling some late nights and eating later. So I am working on changing that.

Arrrgh!

Charlie

Violence in Kenya

I have been shocked over the violence in Kenya, and now it is affecting the runners in the country. These athletes have brought nothing but glory to their country, and I am stunned that people strike out against them.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080111/ap_on_re_af/kenya_running_scared

Charlie

A Good 5K

Today I was on the treadmill running a 5K. I think I did pretty well - 35:57. I'm usually happy for a sub-37 minute 5K. The heal felt good today, so I was glad to be running. I am remembering to increase the miles by 10% each week, so I can get to the weekly miles I would like to be doing. Never over do it!

So far all the races I am looking at for the spring are either full, or not taking registrations yet. I am so glad to be in the 10 mile run in D.C., or I would be going crazy about now.

Charlie

With All Due Respect I Disagree

I first heard of Oscar Pistorius less than a year ago on a Final Sprint podcast. He is a 21 year old South African who was born without the fibula in his lower legs and has other defects. He uses carbon-fiber devices known as Cheetahs, which are prostheitcs. He has a strong desire to compete in the 2008 Olympics. Note, I did not say the Paralympics. I am talking about the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing in August.

It looks like his bid to compete is about to be denied. The I.A.A.F. feels the Cheetahs give Pistorius an advantage other athletes do not have. I have to disagree, and feel he should compete. He has competed fairly in events around the world, and should be given a chance to show what he can do on THE world stage.

George Vecsey of the New York Times disagrees with me.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/sports/othersports/10vecsey.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Vecsey comes on the side of the IAAF, but in reading the article, I am really not sure why, other than he feels the prosthetic breaks a rule. In this case the rule is wrong. Pistorius may not come close to winning a medal. His times are closer to female Olympic counterparts who have won medals in the past. It is doubtful he would win a Gold, Silver or Bronze. Then again the Olympic ideal is not always about winning the gold, but the participating in the sport.

Shame on the IAAF.

Charlie

Getting to the Bottom of the Problem

I went through a injury screening the other night about my heal, and what I learned was fascinating and made sense. A year ago I developed a nasty blister on my right heal during the marathon. I have noticed it got hard then soft then callused. To be honest I thought little of it. Now I see this could be how the Plantar Facism came to be.

The therapist told me sometimes blisters not only harden, but they can double blister and callus. She thinks this could be what happened. As a result, the way I stand, walk and run changed to compensate for that, and I developed the PF. WOW! Made sense to me.

So I am working hard now on slowly filing the callus, and working on stretching my arch. She is positive I can be pain free shortly. GOOD!

Charlie

Chicago 2016

Chicago is the American bid city for the 2016 Summer Olympics. This is huge in Chicago. The city is trying to prepare a terrific bid for those games. The award of the 2016 games will be next year.

There are some issues which may keep the games from coming to Chicago. Chief among them is our transportation system. We have funding crisis after funding crisis, and it the threatening to cripple our bid. The idiots known as politicans keep pointing fingers at the funding issues, but no one is doing anything about it.

The good news is the bid is a great bid so far. The venues would all be close, and mostly along the lake front. The city would make a great host for the games.

For more info - www.chicago2016.org

Charlie

3 Mile Lesson

Today I hit the treadmill again, this time for a 3 mile run. I felt a bit sluggish, but good. I can see now I need to get back to some serious nutritional eating. Last night was a company holiday party, and yes....I had beer! So no wonder I am a touch of a slug today.

After my run I had a nice post-run meal of granola with yogurt and fruit. YUM! I really need to think more about the eating portion. I have a book about nutrition for better running performance. It's time to refresh my memory of what it says.

I am planning a cross training day tomorrow. So weight work. Time to get my strength up again.

Charlie

Happy Running Year -2008

Ok...after all the issues this week - I FINALLY RAN!!!!!

I didn't push anything though, I ran a tough 2 miles on the treadmill using the hill program. So there was nothing too easy about the run. I'm tired, having not run in a long time, but feel good - very good. I weighed myself too. A few weeks ago I was around 208 lbs. Today - 203.5 lbs. While I am sure some of this is water weight coming off, I still feel good about the lower number. You all know I am not a slave to the scale, but will check from time to time.

So now I am 3 months until the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile! The training has begun.

Charlie

My Non-Running Running Goal

I know...odd title to a post. I made a decision at the end of last year that this year I would work on writing my first book. So I have plunged into it. I can tell you running plays an important theme in my story, and it will be semi-autobiographical. The old adage, "Write what you know" is very apt.

From time to time you may see some posts about it, but I won't be talking a lot about the story. Afterall someone is going to have to buy this book....right?

:-)Charlie

Today

Today started simple enough then the world got crazy. My roommate got into the shower before I could, and I was running late, so I did not have time to pack the gym things.

Work was even crazier. We had all kinds of shoppers today. Many were using gift cards purchasing. So I was constantly running around at work.

So tomorrow....I will have the gym bag packed before heading to work. I will run tomorrow! I am ready.

Charlie

When I Don't Run

Here is what I have learned about me when I don't run:

I feel gross

I tend to get headaches

I eat stupidly

I don't feel as energetic

I get a touch grumpy

So today after work, I am determined to do some gym time. I still have the remnants of this cold/flu, but I have to get out there and MOVE!

Charlie

It's 2008!

Happy New Year to one and all. I hope the year so far is going well. I have had a clod/flu since I got home from Christmas, so today I am better than I have been, but I am still stuffy and scratchy, so no running today, but I will be running this week.

Here are my stats for 2007:

I ran 535.37 miles at an average pace of 12:29/mile. I think that is pretty good. I would like to up the miles if I can this year, and of course lower that time.

My goal for 2008 is to run a sub-2:30 half marathon. I think that is very possible.

I am looking at returning to Green Bay for the half marathon up there, and also a half marathon out in New Mexico. I also liked the Chicago Half Marathon, so I can see a return trip there as well.

That is what I am thinking. So here is to a happy and successful 2008!

Charlie