Physical Therapy - Week 2

Today was another session of physical therapy. This was a bit harder, and in order for me to be positive about it, I imagined myself an Olympic athlete who is trying to come back from injury. Silly as it sounds it worked for me mentally.

Because I am working on my hips and pelvic area, I am using muscles I am not used to so I am finding it hard. Compounding the situation is my lack of range of motion for some exercises. Carrie, my PT is very good about seeing what I can and can't do. If my IT Band bothers me, she has me back off a little. The massage and ice at the end of the session really help.

Next week I am having my gait analyzed. This will really show me how I move. I have to say I am not looking forward to this, as I will be watching the video. I am usually uncomfortable seeing myself in pictures. But video??? Yikes!

Overall I did well today. I head back in the morning.

Charlie

A Day of....

It was an odd day yesterday. I started the day packing. I am moving upstairs, so I am trying to get everything done ASAP! As you can imagine that makes a day busy enough.

Later in the day I had to go to the hospital. One of my roomies is very ill, and he needed company. I had time before my run with the No Boundaries group, so I made sure I went in to see him. He is feeling very sad and down, and needed a pick me up. So I was glad to pop in.

The No Boundaries group ran 3 miles. We are 8 days from their first 5K. They handled the miles and the heat(it was near 90) pretty well. I advised them to take water with them, only I had water. I hope they re-think that for the race.

I am going to miss running with this group. This has been a great experience for me, and I have enjoyed getting to know the women. I have 14, but I would say there is a core of 11 who show up each week, and they are a terrific group.

I got home and collapsed in a heap.....and now it starts all over again.

Charlie

My Tribute to Randy Pausch

I am late to the party to celebrate the life of Randy Pausch. For those who do not know him, Pausch was the lecturer from Carneige -Mellon whose famous "Last Lecture" has been on You Tube for months.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

In 2007 Pausch learned he had terminal pancreatic cancer and had months to live. He was asked to deliver "The Last Lecture" a tradtion at CMU. Instead of talking about death and the time he had left, he talked about living through a lecture called, "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams." You can either watch the video, read the book, or download it all on ITunes.

I would like to talk about my childhood dreams for a moment.

As a boy my passions were acting, Notre Dame Football, the Olympics, and finding ways to help people. So at this point in my life how am I on the scoreboard. Pausch would pleased to know that I have worked through quite a bit of my dreams, with dreams to go.

While my acting career never took off, I did do something important in 1998. It was a year after my mom died, and I felt in life she had unfinished business, and I didn't want that at the end of my life. I took classes at Second City in Chicago. I learned improv comedy. I had a blast, and one night a dream came true. I performed at Second City. A friend of mine and I were at a late night improv at Second City, and I got up the courage to get on stage, ask the audience for a situation, and performed an improvisation. I felt great after and chalked that dream as done.

Running has allowed a couple of my dreams to come true. I was never going to be a Notre Dame football player, nor was I ever going to be in the Olympics. Running changed that for me...in a way.

2006 - The Sunburst Half Marathon - South Bend, Indiana. This was my first half marathon, and the finish line was the 50 yard line in Notre Dame Stadium. As I approached the stadium, I choked up and got emotional. Here was the place where I watched my football heroes, and I was about to run onto hallowed ground. Joe Montana and I would have something in common....running out of the tunnel, and onto the football field at Notre Dame. As I got close to the tunnel, I began to tear up. I head the Notre Dame Victory March in the tunnel, and out I came onto the field. As I came out of the tunnel, the public address announcer said my name and where I was from. I had chills....I still do. Charlie Colpaert was announced to the crowd at Notre Dame Stadium. Another item off the list.

That same year, I participated in the Gay Games. For those not in the know, this is the Olympics for the LGBT community. I ran the 5K and 10K races. While I did not get Gold, Silver or Bronze, I finished, and have an amazing medal to remember the experience. The big thrill was running into Soldier Field with Team Chicago, representing the United States in the Opening Ceremony. I will never know what it is like to be in THE Olympics, but I know what it is like to have an Olympic experience.

Helping others is what I do and I love it. These days I am coaching 14 women to their first 5K. This is an incredible thrill and honor for me. I have adored this experience.

I still have dreams to go to Africa and work with people with AIDS. My upcoming research trip to Costa Rica is sure to be an incredible experience.

So as you can see I am working on my childhood dreams. If I have one year, or 50 years left of my life, I can feel good knowing I was accomplishing things. There are people in this world who never realize dreams. I know some. While I may never accomplish all of them....I know I will never stop trying.

So what is my biggest dream? Winning an Academy Award. Who knows, that may still happen.

Randy Pausch passed away this last weekend. While I did not know him, I feel I am learning his lessons for living, and I will work hard to put those lessons to good use.

Charlie

Slow, but Good

Today I ran a slow 3.1 miles. I ran to Loyola, ran 8 laps around the track, and then headed home. I felt sluggish. This is no surprise since I had not run in a week.

The good news I did not feel any pain today. That was a first in a long time. So there is reason to be happy.

So I chalk today's run as a good one....relatively speaking.

Charlie

Sore

So after a few days doing the exercises, muscles are hurting! I know it is those pesky muscles I haven't used in forever. I have felt stiff for a couple of days. Tomorrow, I will go for a run. I really miss it, and since I can run as long as I am not in pain...it's all good.

Charlie

The Struggles of Physical Therapy

Yesterday was my second session of physical therapy. I did several exercises, designed to strengthen key muscles in my legs and butt. Today I am a bit sore, but that has more to do with how weak I am in those areas, and one of the reasons why I need this therapy.

Carrie was patient as I found some exercises easier than others. She makes sure before I go I have homework. Between now and next session there are various things I need to do at home. She also gave my IT Band a nice massage, and iced it for 10 minutes. The icing part told me that when I ice things I am clearly not icing long enough. I thought I would be numb. Hehehe.

I did feel better psychologically after this session than the previous day. I just have to be patient.

Charlie

Olympic Spotlight - Kara Goucher

Next up is Kara Goucher. Goucher has turned into one of America's top middle distance runners.

She has been on an upswing since 2006 where she finished 3rd in the 3000m IAAf World Cup . Since then she has bested Paula Radcliffe at the 2007 Great North Run, gotten the Bronze Medal in the 10,000m at the World Championships in Osaka, won the mile at the Millrose ames in 2008, and had an outstanding Olympic Trials, finishing 2nd in the 10,000m anbd won the 5000m.

Kara is married to fellow distance runner Adam Goucher, and they both train with the great Alberto Salazar.

Good luck in Beijing Kara!

Today...I Feel Old

I went for my first physical therapy session today. Yes...I can freely say it, I am dealing with arthritis. Today I am 45 years old, but I feel older. I have a lot of work to do, and that was very apparent to me today.

My hips are not strong. Carrie, the PT, told me that there are various muscles which are weak, and I need to stregnthen them. She made it clear that what we are doing is not going to turn back arthritis. Basically I am buying time, and holding the degenerative nature at bay. I'm fine with that, because I am not ready to be inactive.

Still....I felt old as I was going through this.

Charlie

The Coffee Part of Running With Coffee

As the title indicates I love coffee. I know I don't talk about coffee much, but as my friends and loved ones will attest, I love coffee.

That love of coffee is now being rewarded. I have won a trip.....not just any trip. Starbucks was told me I am the winner of a two week trip to Costa Rica, where I will be working with the Earthwatch Institute.

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/earthwatch.asp

The project is about sustainable growth of coffee with the farmers of Coope Tarrazu. I will be in the field assisting with research which will help farmers produce better coffee crops and cultivate the land in a more economically friendly manner.

I am so excited about this. I was called last week, and had to be cleared by work and the doctor to do it. From a work stand point it means I use up my vacation, but oooooh...this will be worth it.

Because the region is hilly, I am going to have to crank up the working out portion of my routines. I know I have the stamina, but this will require strength as well.

Think I can bring some coffee home?

:-) Charlie

It's Just a Hobby

The other day our stores had a bi-weekly meeting, and we were sharing things going on in the store. Anyone who knows me knows I am all about customer service, but I also say, "The customer is right to a point. At that point....I am right."

A sales associate was describing how a man came into her store and asked for a shoe we do not carry. She informed him that there were other options if he was interested in trying those to see if they might work. He told her, in a rather insistant tone that the store always orders it for him, no matter what. She took the order....even though we have all been given the lecture about ordering shoes that we do not carry - very expensive to the store.

When the shoes came in, the company sent a color the man did not like. He complained. The associate apologized, and offered to get antother pair. They came....he still did not like the color. This time though....he cussed the associate out. He called her names that no one should say. She was horrified.

Her question in the meeting was at what point do we say sorry...we can't help you. The owner hemmed and hawed about this. I was pretty darned clear where I stood. I said that no one deserves verbal abuse. I have told my staff that anyone who swears at you, I will personally walk them out the door and tell them their business is not needed. The owner finally said, "Sometimes we fire the customer."

Unless you make a living at running, and darned few of us do, this is a hobby. This is not life or death. It is not the end of the world if your shoe has not arrived. Yes, I appreciate we all want the running shoe we want, but we have to understand that sometimes things happen. My feeling is the shoe he liked did arrive. Color? Who the heck cares? Your feet don't care that's for sure.

As I say....this is a hobby, one we love, but still a hobby.

Charlie

What is Club Foot?

One of the reasons it has been difficult to run is because I was born with Club Foot.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/clubfoot-topic-overview

From the website:

Clubfoot (also called talipes equinovarus) is a general term used to describe a range of unusual positions of the foot. Each of the following characteristics may be present, and each may vary from mild to severe:
The foot (especially the heel) is usually smaller than normal.
The foot may point downward.
The front of the foot may be rotated toward the other foot.
The foot may turn in, and in extreme cases, the bottom of the foot can point up.

As an infant I had surgeries to correct them. Tendons were removed from the back of my legs, and I had to wear casts as a baby. In my younger years I had to wear braces when I slept. I also had to endure orthopedic shoes - no kids wants to wear those.

The left foot took to the operations, but the right foot didn't. In my teens I had another surgery. This time bones in my foot were removed. It has greatly limited my range of motion. I am not convinced the surgery worked.

My doctor believes it is because of this limited range of motion that my hips have been working over time, and now I am dealing with arthitis. I can accept it. In my teens I was told I might develop arthritis, but it was more to do with my weight, and I was told I would not be able to walk by the time I was 65. So I think I have done a good job to this point to make sure THAT doesn't happen. Now I need to do some more to make sure I run and am happily mobile for years to come.

It's going to be a challenge, but I think I am up for it.

Charlie

It All Starts Today

Today I had three goals....

1) To run
2) To make the appointment with the physical therapist
3) To begin to learn about Arthritis

I ran 3 miles on the treadmill and felt fine. In fact it was a decent pace. After the run went downstairs and made my appointment with the PT. She is very nice, and has been a customer of mine at the store. I started venturing to the Arthritis Foundation's website to begin reading up. I want to know what is going on and what I can do.

I also went to GNC to talk to them about Glucoseamine. My doctor has sent me info on it, and I am sure I will get the supplement. I am also going to see what I can do diet wise to help.

As I am sure you will understand, I am not ready to read up on prostate problems. I will wait until I talk more with the Urologist. But that can be on the agenda for tomorrow.

In the meantime I have training to do to get strong, and today was the first step.

Charlie

The Good, The Bad, The Verdict

As I indicated, I have had a series of medical tests done, and today I found out what is going on, and what I can and can't do.

Friends and loved ones tell me overall this is good, but I see it as good and bad. First the good.

I DO NOT HAVE DIABETES!

Let me stress how important this is to me, and what a battle this has been for me. When I was obese and sick in Ireland in 2003, I had a pre-diabetic condition. To go from that to being told I don't have it makes me feel even better about my efforts to have a healthier lifestyle.

The other good news is my Cholesterol levels are excellent. I am at 152, which is terrific I am told.

Folks.....as I say time and time again diet and exercise are the key. There is no getting around it. If you want good health, you need to work at it.

All the news is not great. I call this the bad, though some will say I am dwelling on it too much.

I will need to go to a Urologist. The tests indicate I have higher than normal indicators of prostate issues. So I need to have an exam and more tests done. This is the scariest thing we talked about today.

I am also in the early stages of degenerative arthritis in my hips, specifically in the left hip. I will need to undergo physical therapy and personal training to strengthen my pelvic area. Because the range of motion in my feet is so limited, my hips have worked overtime during the years. The doctor thinks if I can strengthen that area, I will be active and running for a long time. I have to understand this is a degenerative condition, and I will not always be as I am now. That's a hard one for me.

We talked about the marathon in October - that will be a no. I am not in the condition I need to be in to do that. He did say to give myself 6 months and then I will be ready to tackled a marathon. So the therapy/training will get be ready for marathon training, and get me stronger.

So I would say today's diagnosis was better than what I feared. I'm still jittery, but feeling better than I was a couple days ago.

Charlie

Nerves

Tonight I had a feeling of nervousness. I go to the doctor on Tuesday for test results of my checkup. I have neve liked being around doctors, and I usually get a feeling of dread around them. This doctor is nice, but that doesn't mean I am not worried.

I have had so much blood taken, x-rays taken, and all kinds of pking and prodding. I always fear the worst when it comes to the medical community. I just want a clean bill of health.

Sigh.....

Charlie

Olympic Spotlight - Nick Symmonds

The Olympics are 26 days away, and from now until then I will from time to time highlight some American athletes who will be going for the gold.

First up is Nick Symmonds. Symmonds won the 800m at the recent Olympic Trials in Eugene, OR in dramatic fashion. With 300m to go, Symmonds came from the back of the pack to win the trials and punch his ticket to Beijing!

Symmonds attended Willamette University in Oregon, a Division III school. There he excelled and really improved as a runner. With Frank Gagliano as his coach, Symmonds has become one of the top 800m runners in the world.

NCAA Division III Champion 800m - 2003-2006

NCAA Division III Champion 1500m - 2003, 2005, 2006

2006 USA Outdoor Runnerup at 800m
2007 Boston Indoor Games Champion at 800m
2007 USA Indoor Champion at 800m
2007 Osaka Grand Prix Champion at 800m
2007 Pre Classic Champion at 800m
2007 USA Outdoor Runner up at 800m
2007 World Championships Semi-Finalist at 800m
2008 USA Indoor Runnerup at 800m
2008 World Championships Finalist (6th) at 800m

So now Symmonds prepares for the Olympics. His has to be considered a favorite, and will be leading an American team consisting of Oregon runners. Steve Prefontaine would be proud!

Best of luck to Nick and the rest of the 800m crew - Andrew Wheating and Christian Smith!

Charlie

The Latest Setback

In addition to knee/IT Band issues, this week I have developed a horrible rash all over my body. Seems fabric softener was used in the laundry this week, and my skin hated it...BIG time. So this made living, let alone running difficult.

I have been given an anti-histamine which should take care of it. Of course what kills me is heat, and it has been hot and muggy. So as you can imagine, I am darned sore/itchy/unhappy!

So a decision needs to be made soon. I have a follow up with the doctor next week. I am going to go over all my issues. If he feels the marathon is a no-go, then I will shoot for a 2009 marathon. I want to be a healthy runner!!!

Charlie

No Boundaries - Why Do We Run?

Last night the ladies ran another 2 miles. I stayed behind this time. I have been suffering from a horrible rash over a good part of my body, so running in the heat was not the plan last night.

When they women got back we discussed why we run. There are obvious health reasons. Lowering blood pressure, losing weight, fighting diabetes, strengthening the heart, are all good reasons to run. I was curious what led these women to run. What I heard was funny to the very serious.

One woman wanted to run because she thought it would be cool to dress as Elvis and run in a race. Note....these women are training for the Elvis is Alive 5K. Another promised to dress as Priscilla and wear her hair high. Good luck with that in August. One woman told us her boss runs, and felt she should. One woman wanted to be supportive of her friend's efforts, so she is joining her in this training program.

All of them told me they have really enjoyed the program and have really come to enjoy running. I think that is great, and I told them I will be happy to encourage them as much as they needed.

The group is really coming along well, and I am so proud of them.

Charlie

No Boundaries This Week

I have sent the ladies their weekly email, and I have given them a task. The topic for the week is "Why Do We Run?" After our 2 mile run we are going to talk about what has led us to take up our sport. I am thinking this could be a really interesting session.

The information packet I am given talks about medical reasons only. I am sure we will talk about the medical benefits, but I am more interested in what got them started. It's time for them to tell their stories. I am really looking forward to this.

Between now and then I am going to look for some stories to share with them. I always include supplemental information for them. I like to think they appreciate it.

Tuesday will be good....can't wait to share.

Charlie

No Boundaries - Week 5

Last night the ladies and I ran 2 miles. The times for the run were running for 3:00 and walking for 1:00. This was a challenge for some of the women, but for most they seemed to be fine.

This time we split the group up into two. The slightly faster group went with Liza, and the rest went with me. This worked out very well. The slower group and I chatted, and we welcomed yet another newbie to the group. The group is now at 13!

I am so very proud of these women for what they are trying to do. Making lifestyle changes is a tough move, but they are all handling it very well. Most of them are surpassing the weekly running goals, which is also exciting!

Kudos to the gals!

Charlie