My Apologies

Folks,

I want to apologize for my lack of writing. It is directly connected to my lack of running. I have been feeling down all month, and have had zero motivation. Even with a race coming up. Part of it is I just don't want to go to the gym to run anymore. Part of it I have been very hard on myself for things going on in my life. So as a result, my running has suffered.

I know I pay for this in many different ways, and that makes me sadder. I am my hardest critic, so when things go wrong, I get very hard on me. It is a struggle for me.

I see tomorrow as a chance to start over, and I hope you will bear with me. I am a little over a month from the race in D.C., so I do have to get in some decent shape.

I will work on writing more, maybe that will help. But I also need some encouragement. So if you are still reading the blog, please drop me a note.

Thanks,
Charlie

Spirit of the Marathon

Last night I saw a showing of the documentary "Spirit of the Marathon." I first mentioned this back in October. The film follows 5 people, ranging from novice to Olympic caliber runners, as they prepare for the 2005 Chicago Marathon. It is a very inspiring film, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

While I sat in the theater watching, all I could think about was how I needed to plan my marathon training for this year. :-)

I don't know if there will be future viewings of this fine documentary, but if there is, make sure you see it. I am sure it will be on DVD at some point.

If you do go see it, wait until the end to see the extras, including an interview with 2004 Olympic Women's Marathon Bronze Medalist Deena Kastor, and 2008 Men's Marathon Qualifying champ Ryan Hall discuss their plans for Beijing.

Charlie

Breaking Up?

I have a long standing relationship that I am considering ending. I love my gym very much. It was the first gym I joined. The trainers and staff have been incredibly supportive of me and my goals. Now there are two issues, and this has been coming for some time.

1) The gym is about a 1/2 hour train ride from my home. So I have to really make the effort to get to the gym.

2) The expense. There are gyms closer to me which are cheaper.

I think I will check out some of the gyms first and see if any work for me. Still it is a tough decision. I love my gym, but is it good to love your gym?

Thoughts?

Charlie

Good Weekend

You can tell the runners in Chicago are getting antsy. When I talk to runners at the store, all I hear is how they want to run outside again. There must be some serious treadmill running going on.

Yesterday was a treadmill run for me. My right calf was tight, so I was cautious and ran two miles. I was pleased with that.

Today was a good day. We had a seminar at work called Running 101. It was presented by John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield. Bingham writes a column in Runner's World, and is known as "The Penguin." When I first started running, his book, "Courage to Run" really inspired me in my running. His wife Jenny Hadfiled is a co-founder of Chicago Endurance Sports, and is a contributor to Health Magazine.

I was so pleased to meet them, and I got to introduce them to our audience tonight. They talked about running, and being fit. It was a great seminar. They also used me as an example of how to lose weight sensibly. I was thrilled.

:-)Charlie

Cheating

This week the media has been focused on baseball great Roger Clemens as he testified about drug use in his career to Congress. A couple things I don't get are why is tax payer money being wasted on this, and who all cheats?

Tax payer issue aside, I want to know who cheats, and what should be done about it? I have talked about this before. My feeling is either legalize drugs, or really crack down on cheating athletes. This is an Olympic year, which means the best athletes are getting ready to compete. Can we be sure they are clean?

I have had elite runners tell me most everyone cheats. Great! So as I watch Ryan Hall leave a pack of runners in the dust, do I have to wonder what he is taking? When I see Tiger Woods win another match, am I left wondering did HGH enhance his performance? What about Lance Armstrong? I really do see a day when it will all come out that he cheated.

The sad fact is these athletes are already great! Are they that insecure of their talents they feel they need steroids and other drugs?

And please....can we stop with the lame excuse - I didn't know what they gave me? That is so wrong! And it is a lie. As a runner I am aware of everything that enters my body....and so are these folks.

The pressure to win, and the money and fame associated with it are intense. But really is it worth the disgrace if and when you are caught. Do you want your career tainted with the word "cheat" by your name? Sad.

Charlie

Valentine Run

I am not a great Valentine's guy. So Happy VD to those who celebrate.

I celebrated by running 3 miles on the treadmill today. Nice run. I clocked in at 35:12. I'm happy with that time. My heel feels ok. Not spectacular, but ok. So I was happy to get the run in.

I have joined the Fleet Feet Racing Team, so periodically I will working out with the team. I will also be running a few more races this year than I had originally thought. That's fine. It will all be good for the Indy Marathon in October.

I have to say I will certainly be glad when Spring is here. Snow and ice have kept me indoors this season. Give me a nice sunny 40-50 degree day, and I will be a happy guy!

:-)Charlie

The Penguin

This weekend at our store we are having a Running 101 seminar given by John "The Penguin" Bingham. I am a devoted fan of this guy. He writes his ""Penguin" articles for Runner's World. He has written numerous books, usually co-authored with his wife. Books include - "The Courage to Start," "Running for Mortals" and "No Need for Speed." I find the books to be informative and inspiring.

I eagerly look forward to meeing the man, and listening to what he has to say.

Charlie

2.1 Miles with Tina and Steve

I headed to the gym in a light snow...which is now a heavier snow. I listened to Steve Runner and the wonderful Tina Turner. I ran a nice 24:36 on the treadmill. Something about running to Tina singing "Proud Mary" which got me going.

Because I had not run in a few weeks, I thought today would be an easy run. With apologies to Tina...nothing "rough." I stretched for several minutes before and after the run. Feel good.

If anyone is looking for a good get your heart going song - I suggest Proud Mary!

I have not heard the end of the Pheddippidations podcast, but it is my understanding that Steve is cutting back on the shows. While I am sad about that, I am sure he has good reasons, and I respect the hell out of him.

So today was a good running day!

:-)Charlie

The Goal is October 18

Nothing kicks you in the butt like a goal, and frankly I have been without a goal for a time. So here it is - I am registered for the Indianapolis Marathon on October 18! I took the plunge and paid the money yesterday. It always seems odd to me to register for a race so far away, but the training is an investment, so you have to plan like any other investment.

I am feeling better now that I have made this decision. Time to look at training programs. Most of the ones in Chicago are geared to the Chicago Marathon. I don't see a problem signing up with one of those since this one is a week later. The running schedule would be almost identical.

In other news how did I do eating wise yesterday? I think I was pretty good. I had the bowl of Kashi cereal and toast at breakfast. My mid-morning snakc was a handful of shredded wheat biscuits...odd I know. Lunch was a Turkey Burger, and only a small portion of the fries - I did not eat all of them, and typically don't anyway. Dinner was a good old fashioned PB&J. So today I have plans to make something veggie based. YUM!

Later this morning - the gym!

Charlie

Take Back Monday

Today I start fresh! The last couple days has been good Plantar Facism wise. I have some new running shoes, though they are new versions of the old ones I have had. I am still in the market for new shoes.

This morning for breakfast a bowl of Kashi cereal and a piece of toast. Coffee....of course.

Tomorrow I have a gym workout planned. So I am getting the body back into shape.

I will be doing a fall marathon - not Chicago. I am leaning towards the Indianapolis Marathon, a week following Chicago. I will get back into a marathon training program later in the spring.

For now the focus is on getting healthy so I can run the 10 mile race in D.C. in April.

Go me!

Charlie

Two More Days....Then I Reclaim My Body

So here is the deal. I have set Monday as my start date to reclaim my body. This means a couple things. First it means I get back to eating better which I have suffered from for a while. Second it means I start cracking down on working out.

I don't look fat at the moment - but I sure as hell feel fat. And feeling fat is not good. I feel sluggish and gross. Of course not running or working out for a couple weeks will do that to a guy.

So I am making a contract with myself, which I will post here. I always feel the blog makes me responsible not only to myself, but to all of you who read it. I am accountable. Believe me when I say this accountability means a lot to me. I take it seriously.

To get me kicked in the butt, I have decided to train for a marathon. Yes...this goes against my plan to not run a marathon this year, but the more I think about it, the more I think I want to do one. I know I am not running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I will run a smaller(capacity) one.

I find a regimented training schedule helps me a great deal, and I am not always to do it on my own.

So there it is, that is what I am thinking at the moment.

Thoughts?

Charlie

Where's Charlie?

Folks I am here, but have been in pain with the dreaded Plantar Facitis(sp). Here is my plan. For the next month, my goal is to kick this pain in my heal out! I have not run in over a week. You all know how I feel about that.

My feeling is if I can't get a handle on this within a month, how I can I run a decent race in D.C. in April? Plus I want to run longer races during the year. So I feel I have a decision to make at the start of March.

I will be stretching and cross training. Running will be kept to a minimum. I don't like that, but I need a healthy heal.

Charlie