Not This Week

I am in the middle of a move, which I think I mentioned earlier this week. Now I have a cold or flu like thing. So I have decided not to run this week. No energy to run.

The good news is next week Mark and I are starting our 1/2 marathon training for Indy! I am looking forward to this race for a few reasons. First - I am happy to help Mark through to his first 1/2 marathon. This will be a true challenge for him. Personally I think he is up for it, but I know it will be tough.

Second - I have wanted to run this race. I was signed up for it last year, but had to back out as I wasn't ready.

Third - I love running in Indianapolis. I loved my marathon experience, so I am thinking this will be even more fun.

In the meantime, I am, as I said, about to move to a new apartment. Lots to do.

Charlie

Getting Back

For the last couple months I have felt detached from running. I haven't figured out where this detachment came from. It could have been an emotional let down after the marathon. Maybe it was my initial disappointment in not being promoted at work. Somewhere I felt separated from running.

Now I want to get that feeling back. I think setting goals is a good start. I am excited at the two half marathons I have planned. The one in Indianapolis, will be with Mark, as he sets out on his first half marathon. The race in Philadelphia will be for me. I want to PR. I know I can get under 2:45. I have been close, so I just have to put the pieces together to get a big faster.

I think one thing which will happen to improve my outlook is my move this week. Some of you know Mark and I have lived a horrible existence in the apartment we have been in. Now we have a chance at a better life, away from the horrible conditions we have been in. Plus I am so happy that Mark and I get to live on our own. This will go a long way to making me feel more like running.

I think running for the last year has been more of an escape from some bad things, as opposed to running because I love running. I think it's time to find that joy again. I'm ready to find that joy again.

Charlie

1/2 Marathon for the Fall

As you all know at this point, my spring marathon in the Indy Mini Marathon on May 8. My next question was what should I run in the fall? After a lot of consideration, I decided to register for the newly named - Rock n Roll Philadelphia, which had been the Philadelphia Distance Classic. I am very excited about this.

I chose this race, for two reasons; first I have never been to Philadelphia, and I thought this would be a terrific opportunity to see the city and get to know it. Second, the date really worked out. I had the Rock n Roll Virginia Beach on my list, and I knew I would have to work Labor Day Weekend. So in the end that was the serious competition to doing Philly.

As I said I am very excited about this. Now I feel I have some goals. I just need to fill in with smaller races during the year. Get ready Indy and Philly - here I come.

Charlie

Where to Run?

This was on my mind as I ran 4 miles at the gym today. I need a fall half marathon, and am really stuck on one. Many I would like to run are the same weekend as the Chicago Marathon - 10/10. I will have to work that weekend, so I need a race before or after that date.

Here are some I am leaning towards:

Philadelphia Distance Classic

Rock n Roll Virginia Beach

Cowtown Marathon and 1/2 Marathon in Sacramento, CA

Fox Cities Marathon and 1/2 Marathon

Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon

Any would work for me. I am just not sure which one I would like.

As for today's run, I ran 4 miles on the treadmill and felt great. Mark was moving right along on the treadmill next to me, running 3 miles. We will start training for the Indianapolis Mini Marathon in a couple weeks.

Charlie

3.1 and it Felt Good

Last night after work, in a freezing rain - I headed to the gym for a 3.1 mile run. I got new shoes yesterday, so it was a great way to break them in. The Brooks Dyads didn't fail me. They worked fine. The run itself was fine.

Going to the gym this time of year is always interesting. All the New Year's resolution people are there. So it cracks me up to see a line of people waiting for a treadmill. There is just something funny about people waiting in line to basically run in place. :-)

My run was filled with thoughts of work. There has been a lot of change at my store. We have a new manager, a new general manager, and soon my store will be moving to a new location. In it all is what is expected of me. In addition to being assistant manager, I am the Footwear Manager for my store. I have been asked to develop ways to improve customer service, and achieve financial goals for 2010. No small task I can assure you. so I have some challenges ahead.

I am also trying figure out my fall half marathon. Darn all these races that happen the weekend of October 10. That is the same weekend as the Chicago Marathon, and I will need to work that weekend. I need suggestions on which race to run. Thoughts?

Charlie

Odd Moments

There are odd times in my job as a running shoe guy. One of them is when I am recognized in public and folks want to talk to me. That happened this evening. I was on my way home from work, listen to the Black Eyed Peas on the ole iPod. A woman outside a German bar saw me and was waving at me. I pulled off the ear bud, and she said, "Hey man, you sold me these shoes. I LOVE them!!!" I had to smile, and laugh a bit. She wasn't running in them, nor was she training for her Tri in them...she was drinking in them. I told her I was glad she liked them.

I thought about this on the way home. Very few people affect a customer like the running shoe guy. No really....when was the last time you saw the guy who sold you the wing tips and told him how great the shoes are. What about the person who sold you a dress? Did you tell her the dress was great?

I think runners have a strong relationship with their shoe store, so it makes sense they would have a strong relationship with their shoe person. I like that feeling....but it's odd at the same time. All day I share running with people...and that is pretty special to me. I just still get a strange feeling from people stopping me outside of work to talk about their shoes.

Charlie

Way to Help the People of Haiti

There are many good charities out there wanting donations to help the people of Haiti during this horrible time. Let me share an organization with you.

http://www.soles4souls.org/ways_to_help/haitianearthquake.html

Soles 4 Souls is working to make sure Haitians are getting shoes. With all the raw sewage and debris around, disease is a real possibility for thousands. Shoes can make a difference, so people limit their contact with these potentially harmful things. If you don't have shoes to donate, money will go towards getting shoes for these people in true need.

Charlie

2010 - Eh

I am sorry I have not written thus far in the new year. Several reasons behind it. I have had computer problems, which has been corrected by getting a new computer. I have not been running as much, which is kind of depressing. I have also felt a bit down, and I guess I felt I was not wanting to share my "down" feeling.

My running had been limited to the treadmill, mostly due to the weather - winter weather = wimpy runner. I am helping Mark train for the Indy Mini Marathon in May. He does running and cross training at the gym, so I go with him. We will shift to outdoors as the weather improves.

I have not been gung ho on my running. I feel blah about it. Maybe it's the weather? Maybe it's me feeling down about other aspects of life(which I can't share in this forum). I think things will improve once Mark and I move in a few weeks. Our living situation has been a nightmare as my friends will attest. The nightmare ends in February when we move into a new apartment.

I was down on myself when I went to look at clothes. Ironically a pair of skinny jeans fit ok, but when I was trying on a suit, I was told I was portly. I am not in tip top shape, but I am not fat either. I just look blah at this point. I was horribly offended when I was told I should go to the big and tall store. I am neither! Arrrgh!

So what do I weigh? Right now 212 lbs. Not where I would like to be, but not as bad as it could be. I really need to focus on eating better, and Mark had promised to share in that endeavor as well. He has lost a lot of weight. He is at 233 lbs, and at one point was in the 255-260 range. I am proud of him.

So the year is off to an "eh" start. It can only get better....right?

Charlie