Zippy Miles

It was rainy and gross...and I being the wimp I am went to the gym to run. I ran a pretty zippy 3 miles - 34:32. Not too shabby. That translates to 11:32/mile. I am feeling good about this Sunday's race. I am racing against the bus as you all know. So I am hoping it is a slow plodding bus. :-)

I keep looking at the course map, and I am feeling good. I'm excited about the course. Hoping the Cherry Blossoms are blossoming. I am also hoping for a nice sunny day. C'mon sun!

I love D.C.. I lived in the area for a time, so it is like a home coming of sorts for me. Good friends, good race...should be a good weekend!

Charlie

Congrats and Kudos

Several friends and aquaintences ran yesterday's 29th Annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K. Here are their times:

Folks I work with at my store -

Matt K: 31:54 - 3rd in his age division
Spencer W: 32:30
Sarah C: 37:45
Fedra E: 59:30

Folks from our other stores -

Greg C: 24:33 4th overall
Karen P: 29:16
Joko A: 29:29

So a great job for Fleet Feeters in this year's race.

Charlie

After Two Days - Computer

Our internet service has been down for the last couple of days, and let me tell you that is my version of HELL!!!

So a couple days ago I did a terrific workout at the gym - 5 miles in 57:38. I did a combination of hill and flat running. I felt good, but I was aware of a tightening in my IT band. So I am aware that next week I will not be running with wild abandon.

I will be on a time contraint. The race is over in 2:20, and my wave starts 10 minutes after the first wave goes off. My plan is to clearly do the first 5 miles in under 1:00. I can do that. The next five I want to be as close to 1:00 as possible. I swear I do not want to be picked up by the bus.

So there is my plan. Sound good?

Charlie

Translating Running Into Life

This will be one of my more rambling posts. Sorry if there does not appear to be some cohesiveness to it.

For all the success I have had with my running, I can't seem to bridge the gap between those successes, and making my life more successful. I don't have a horrible life, but it is not really the life I want. So how do I translate the running success to life success?

Running has taught me what I am physically and mentally capable of. I bear pain and still finish a marathon. I can push away the negative voices in my head and have a good run. So why can't I find that link to me non-running life?

For those who know me, you know I want a career in the non profit sector. That has not happened, for various and sometimes uncomprehensible reasons. I don't know, maybe I creat my own non profit, and employ myself? Who knows.

I also worry that I am shying away from friends and loved ones, because I am not successful. As I write this, I understand it is a self esteem issue I am having. But one I can't quite crack. So what do I do?

I know I want more out of life....so how do I get it?

Charlie

The Evanston Trail

That is my new name for the runs I take to Evanston. Tonight I ran 4.65 miles of the trail. My left knee was feeling a bit stressed, so I eased up a bit. I was running in the Nike's tonight. They did not feel as stable as other shoes I have worn. I will give them a couple more runs before I decide if I am taking them to D.C. or not.

I ran without music which was a good thing. I missed it, but there is no iPods allowed at the D.C. race. So I had to keep myself going with some mantras, and keeping the negative thoughts away.

Charlie

The Instructions

Yesterday I got the "Confirmed Runner Instructions" for the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run. These people are serious about their time limits. Because of deals with the National Park Service, the race starts at 7:50 and ends at 10:30. So as long as I am below a 14:oo/mile pace I can finish the race. As the instructions say, this is a "run" not a walk.

I should be fine. I know I can run the first 5 miles in just under 1 hour, so I should be good for the next 5 miles. These people mean business! :-)

Now that I have my confirmation and bib number, I am really excited about this run. It should be fun and beautiful. Looking forward to seeing old friends of mine in the D.C. area.

So today I am going to work on some speed work. Do a couple miles faster than I have been doing, and then a couple miles slower. That is the plan.

Charlie

4 Miles in Place

Today with fresh snow on the ground(welcome Spring), I ran 4 very tedious miles on the treadmill. It felt like I was running place. Ugh! Even with The Travel Channel and the Food Network on, it all felt like a chore today.

Still I was glad to be running. I tried new shoes I was given this week. Nike gave me a pair of Air Moto's. I have never tried them. Very cushy, which is new for me after running in the NB 1062 and the Brooks Dyad. It felt good. I will be happy to give them a good try.

Charlie

Evening Run

Tonight I headed back up towards Evanston. It was a misty chilly night, and I ran 3.43 miles. I struggled a bit at the end, but I was on a 10:57/mile pace. Not too shabby my friends. Of course I need to be adding some miles, but that will come in time. I felt good out there. No pain.

I could tell it felt like I was running at the end of a long day. While I don't always like running after work, I did get a sense of blowing off work steam during this run.

:-)Charlie

Who Do You Run For?

The above title is the question Steve Runner is asking his listeners in his current episode of Phedippidations. Some people run for charities. Other people run for their loved ones. Some run in memory of those who have passed.

Who do I run for? I run for the little boy who was born with clubbed feet, and grew up chubby, later obese. I run for the boy who would watch athletes and wish he could be one of them. I run for me. I run because I need to be a healthy and happy adult.

There are times I run for a noble purpose, as I think we all should at some point. In the end I run, because I can, because I want to and because it brings me joy.

In my next life I want to be an Olympic Athlete.

Charlie

Simple Run to Evanston

Today was a colder, rougher run for me. I ran 4.28 miles from home to Evanston and back. I took more walking breaks than I like. Because my stamina is low, the walking is to be expected. There were several folks out there, and I gladly nodded a hello to them as I passed.

As I ran I listened to my podcast buddy Steve Runner on Phedipidations. As you all know I think it is the best darned podcast in the world. As always, Steve makes me happy and proud to be a runner.

I was glad to be out running. I had an emotional morning. Lots of things going on in my life came to a head, and I really needed to clear my head. As I mentioned in my last post, running really serves as a great outlet for me. I am so glad to be out there running.

Charlie

Running and Mental Health

This is a no brainer, but I thought I would talk about it. When I was a little boy my expressive outlet was performing in our basement. The front area served as a stage, and I would sing and dance. It was an amazing outlet for me. My troubles or worries would seem less when I would be singing and dancing.

Well I don't sing and dance anymore, but I run. I have found that is my outlet, and it has been hard not having it. I have felt lost at times, and not very happy. So you can imagine how I felt not only during my run yesterday, but afterwards. I felt like a burden had been lifted.

Lately I have felt unsure of my place in the world. Without an outlet I have felt even more frustrated, so any attempt to get back to normal running can only help me clear my head, feel better, and think better. Am I making sense?

Races help me keep some fitness goals in mind. After last night's run, I know I won't be as ready as I would like for D.C., but I am still going to do it with the goal to have fun and finish. No PR work this go round. My reward will be regaining some of my positive mental health again.

Charlie

I Was Smiling

Tonight I ran OUTSIDE for the first time in months. I was so happy I was smiling as I ran. I went for a 4.2 mile run, and it felt good. Don't get me wrong, I was running like crap, but I felt good just being out there and running again.

I felt nervous as I got my shorts, shirt and shoes on. I felt excited as I headed down the street. As usual people on the sidewalk were rude and I found it hard to navigate the sidewalks. Arrgh!

So as I running I felt human. I felt so much stress leave me. I felt at peace. While I understand many people don't run, I highly recommend it as a meditation practice, or way to clear your head.

I feel human again.....tomorrow I may head off for another 3 miles.

Charlie

Evening With Running Elite

Last night our main store had a grand opening party, and all the running community big wigs were there. Executives grom all the shoe companies were there. Members of the running media attended, as did community leaders. One who caught my eye was Carey Pinkowski.

For those who don't know Pinkowski is the Executive Director of the Chicago Marathon, and has been for many years. It was his decision to end the marathon last year...a decision I supported. Where he and I differed was his appearent willingness to blame the runners for the problems on the course.

After a good glass of wine, I walked over, introduced myself, and we chatted for a bit about the 2007 marathon. I will be clear I was respectful of the man, and realize he has had to deal with this everyday since then. I didn't want to bother him. I told him I had supported the move to end the race. I also made clear though I thought things were pretty bad out there that day, and I was unhappy with how things played out - water and gatorade situation.

He totally understood what I was talking about, and went over what they did and didn't do for the race. He told me he figured there would be problems later in the race, but never at the the beginning. It was so hot, the elite runners actually grabbed some of the water. Typically the elites have their own water desginated on tables. They had those, but took extra.

I understand Pinkowski feels he did everything he could for the race. He told me how he spoke with directors of the other World Majors, and got advice, and was assured he was doing everything he could.

He also talke about ideas they kicked around this year. Setting a 3:40 course limit, raising entry fees to limit the number of runners, having people qualify, etc. In the end there is a 45,000 cap, and it is getting filled. As I have said I won't be running the Chicago Marathon this year. I will be running the Indianapolis Marathon instead.

All in all it was a fascinating conversation I had with him. I appreciated his willingness to talk to me. I may not agree with his assertions of the day, but in the end I think he did the right thing. I am just not convinced he wasn't doing some butt saving by blaming the runners.

Charlie

Winter Please Go

Dear Winter,

First of all let me tell you what a big fan of you I am. I love winter.

Having said that, I also need to let you know I am a runner. I love to run outdoors. This winter you have posed a challenge for me. you have made this one of coldest winters we have had in a long time. You have also thrown an incredible amount of snow at us. Being that I am a weather wimp, this has made outdoor running hard for me.

As a result of your weather, I have run on the treadmill at the gym. I hate that. Nothing is more boring to a runner than running basically in place for 3-5 miles. Ugh!

So here is the deal....as much as I love you, I think it is time for you to step back, and let Spring come in and warm things up a bit so I can get back to running outdoors, the way I was intended to run. Please consider this. I want to still love you, but you have overstayed your welcome at this point.

In other words....BRING ON SPRING!

Thanks,
Charlie

Adventures at the Grocery

Today I headed out to the store to get some good food items. Lord knows I was there forever, reading labels and figuring out what I want for the next few days.

I headed to the produce area first. I found some nice broccoli on sale. I also got some onions and a red pepper. I LOVE red peppers!! There was a buy one get one free sale on ground turkey. I have really grown to love ground turkey. Usually I use that with pasta sauce, as opposed to beef. I also got a great deal on chicken breast - $2 a lbs. WOW!!!!

Breakfast for the next few days will be a peanut butter granola with yogurt. It may sound odd, but if this good enough for Dean Karnazes, it's good enough for me.

What I noticed is that the "good for you" items are not always the better priced. The cheaper the item, the worse it is for you. I found an amazing deal on donuts. I love donuts, but no, I don't need a couple dozen for $4.

In a time of higher prices, I really have to think about what it is I am buying and what I can afford. That is tough sometimes. I liked the fruit I saw, but it all seemed so pricey. No wonder, they came from out of the country. None of the fruit in my store was domestic. Hmmmm..... Still I should have bought some bananas.

As for running, I did not head to the gym as I hoped. Had some storage issues to sort through. Tomorrow is a 14 hour day at work for me....YIKES!! My heel is feeling much better, so I can begin to run more - finally. Just in time too!

:-)Charlie

Running, Biking, Fitting

So yesterday was a very full day. I ran a nice 5K at the gym. I have to say I felt great. I did not feel too tired at the end. So what did I do next? I hopped on the bike and rode 1 mile. Not a big workout, but it felt good.

It came to me that I have never really gone into detail about my job. Let me correct that. You all know I am an assistant manager at a Fleet Feet store in Chicago, but what do I actually do? Well my main job is to make sure that fine folks like all of you are in a proper fitting shoe. I can not stress how important this is. I work with customers every day who come in and are in pain because they pick up their shoes at Target, Payless, or whatever is on sale. Please, please, please...if you can find a store to fit you.

So what is the fit process? At Fleet Feet we call it our Fitlosophy. Typically I sit down with a customer and ask them what they need the shoe for? Is it running? Walking? Working out? Then I ask them about any aches or pains or medical conditions I should know about. I then take two measurements of their feet - a sitting and standing measurement. Of course I am looking for their size, but I am looking to see how flexible their arches are. Usually people have differing sitting and standing measurements.

After I measure, we are ready to run....as it were. I advise the customer, that whatever their size is, I recommend a half to full size up, so their feet have room to expand. The longer we are on our feet, the more our feet swell. We want to be sure there is room for that expansion. I get a test shoe on them, and then watch them run. This shows me if they over pronate, or supinate(under pronate).

At that point it is shoe trying on time. I bring out 3 pairs, with various levels of cushioning, so they can see which feels best for them. I advise that the shoes which feels most natural is the best one for them....of course I get asked about color. We have a sign in the store, "You can't buy running shoes based on color." I promise you that at mile 10 of a marathon, the color of the shoe is the LAST thing on your mind. :-)

So there it is. My joke at the store is that I am but a common shoe monger....I monge the shoes!

:-)Charlie