The Challenge of 4 Miles - Last Run at the Gym

Today we headed to the gym. I believe this is our last visit to the gym before we leave Chicago. So another good bye today. I have loved FFC - www.ffc.com. It's the first gym I have ever belonged to, and it served me well. I discussed this a bit in yesterday's post I believe.

FFC was my first personal training experience. I could not have asked for someone better than Josh. I was worried about him being a "body Nazi" he could not have been more supportive or nicer. All in all a great guy and excellent trainer.

Scott was the manager when I started at the gym, and was also head of the marathon training program. He guided me through the 2007 Chicago Marathon, then developed a plan for me for the Indianapolis Monumental this last year. Both these men have been 100% supportive of my efforts and I thank them.

Today's run was a challenging 4 miles. 2 miles I used the hill program. I need to work on this, and I could tell I was not in great hill shape. Still I ran the 4 miles in jut a shade over 46 minutes. That was really good. I worked up quite a sweat in this run, and was satisfied with the run. Overall a good running week.

Charlie

What I Leave

In a few days I will leave Chicago for a new life in Indianapolis. I hope you will indulge me as I write some thoughts about my time in Chicago.

I have lived in Chicago 3 times. I moved here in 1992 to attend Loyola University Chicago. I had a a goal to become a journalist. It didn't happen. I truly value my education I got at Loyola. The lessons I learned there have served me well in my life.

From Loyola I went to Southwest Airlines. For the next 5 1/2 years I worked for one of the most amazing companies ever. I left Chicago to live in Albuquerque, NM. I lived in New Mexico for 2 years. In 1997 my mother passed away, and I decided to come back to Chicago. I was still with the airline at the time, so a transfer was easy.

In 2000 I left Chicago and Southwest to move to the Washington, D.C. and work for the Motley Fool(www.fool.com). A few months later I was laid off. I found work soon enough, but it was not a great job, and I felt lost. While there, I lived through 9/11. I lived 1/2 mile from the Pentagon, and I saw the plane that would crash into it that morning. Truly that was a harrowing time.

It was from that day that I went on a new journey. Initially I visited South Africa, where I learned quite a bit about myself. In particular, my experiences visiting a village near Victoria Falls in Zambia led me to come back to Chicago, to attend DePaul University and work on a master's in non profit management. Of course I did not get that career in the non profit world, and was very discouraged.

During my time at DePaul, I became ill, very ill. I had a pre-diabetic condition, which was a result of my being obese. I was a little over 300 lbs. This diagnosis would become what I consider one of the most important turning points in my life.

Over the years I have detailed my weight loss. I have talked about my ups and downs. One thing was constant - the running which I credit with adding years to my life was started here in Chicago. This city became my running trail. Whether I was running along the lakefront, through the neighborhoods, in Evanston, or even my ill fated 2007 Chicago Marathon, I loved running through this town.

It was in Chicago where I worked for Fleet Feet Sports, and found a joy in working with other runners. I met so many inspiring and wonderful people through my work at Fleet Feet.

You never know where the road of life is going to lead you. I did not become a journalist, but I blog. I did not become a leader in a non profit organization, but I have worked with many of them, and feel my management skills have always helped me at Fleet Feet. So while it is not the life I thought I would have, it is a pretty good life that I have.

There is one more thing about Chicago. I met Mark and found love. I met him at a very low period, and I credit him with bringing love to my life. I was meant to be here this time.

Now, though a new chapter begins. Mark and I move to Indianapolis for a new life. I will still be in running specialty, and I will use all the lessons I have learned along the way. Returning to Indiana is returning home of sorts. I was raised in Indiana, and now I get to come home and start this chapter.

I don't know what lies ahead. All I know is I look forward to it. I will miss Chicago, but it will always have a special place in my life.

Charlie

Squeezing a Few More Miles

Yesterday I ran the longest I've run in quite a while - 5.2 miles. It was a sunny and warm afternoon. Temps were a bit cooler - in the mid to upper 70s. I can assure you it felt a lot better in the shade.

The route was one of my farewell journey on the path along the river. This is the path Fleet Feet uses for its fun runs. It's a nice path, which if I took it all the way north, would land me in Skokie, IL. It is a bit rolling in places, and that was what I needed....something with some rolls in it.

Lots of people were enjoying the park, which was nice to see at 4 in the afternoon. Lots of kids. Some kids snickered as I went by. I'm sure seeing a guy running in tight shorts can be amusing. I learned to let that go a long time ago - I can do something they can't, I run marathons. Oh I know, some of them may run a marathon one day, but until then - I AM SUPERMAN! :-)

On my run, I thought about how close we are to the move. It is now days away, and there is still some packing to go. We will get it done. It just takes time - arrgh!

Today we may go to the gym. I feel the need for a bit of a cross train.

Charlie

Another Scorcher - 4.2 miles

There is a lot to be said for a warm summer night's run. There is something else to be said for a hot summer night's run. Another hot one this evening. When I started on my run, it was 84 degrees. I wanted to push myself tonight, so I stretched my run to a 4.2 mile run. I am glad I did.

Yes I got hot out there. Yes, I took some more frequent walk breaks. In the interest of not dying out there, I thought it prudent to take breaks a bit more frequently. I did run a good portion in a 8/1 interval, but then I brought it down to a 5/1 interval. It made for a pokey run. but I was not about speed tonight, I was about distance.

So what did I think about tonight? I got a lot going on - need to renew my driver's license, pack, and get a move going. That kept my mind busy. Thank God I had Bon Jovi and John Mellencamp among others on the iPod to keep me company. The move happens in a week, so there is much still to do.

I want to enter a race. There is one in Indy on July 3. I am still thinking of doing that one. We'll see.

Charlie

Summer Runnin'

With apologies to Grease the musical -

Summer runnin' had me a blast.

Summer runnin' happened so fast.

I ran in Brooks, crazy for them.

I went out, ran some miles.

Well-o well-o UH....tell me more, tell me more, did ya get very far. Tell me more, tell me more, like did you out run a car.

LOL....yesterday's run was an 87 degree scorcher. I was determined though to get my third run of the week in. I did the 3.8 mile loop around Andersonville. I was slathered in sunscreen and had a bottle of Nuun. I was ready.

The run was a good one. I thought I would really fatigue, but perhaps the 3.8 miles was the right length for the heat. I suspect had I pushed the miles it would have been a different story. I did run out of Nuun and quickly bought some Gatorade. That got me through the rest of the run.

All in all I was happy. I ran 45:55 which is a touch over a 12:00/mile. I was thirsty for a long while after the run, but I expected that.

Looking to up the miles this week.

Charlie

An Offer

Yesterday I was offered a charity entry to the New York City Marathon. I had not planned to run a marathon this year, and I have to say I am tempted. I think though in the end I am going to turn it down. As much as I would like to run NYC, this is a non-marathon year for me, and I will be starting a new job and already taking time off for the Rock n Roll Philly.

I do have another goal. I am going to ask the charity if they have a spot for next year's Boston. I have a strong desire as you all know to run Boston. I can't qualify, and I know charity entries are a controversy in our community. I can tell you though I would train like nobody has trained before to do my best in Boston. Let's see if I can get an entry for that one.

Charlie

The 3.8 Mile Loop - Thoughts!

Today Mark and I ran 3.8 miles through Andersonville. Lots on my mind during this run.

- Our move to Indianapolis and what we need to do before we move.

- What kind of car to buy.

- How hot it was outside.

- Did I mention the move.....

So mostly I thought about how we need to organize and get to packing. I start my new job on July 5.

Even with my mind full of stuff, physically I felt great on this run. I did a 4/1 interval. Not my normal interval, but I lessen it when the weather is hot. Temps were creeping to 80. Still my body was feeling terrific, and I did not feel overly hot. Thanks goodness for NUUN!

So today we do more organizing for the move. We also have to sublet our apartment, so lots to do.

Charlie

Overcoming Adversity - The Runners Round Table

Tonight I had the pleasure to co-host The Runners Round Table.

www.runnersroundtable.com

The topic was about overcoming obstacles or adversity through running. I found it a fascinating hour where Lisa( www.nurseontherun.com ) and I talked about what we have overcome to become runners. The show was hosted by Mark U, host of www.runinamerica.com.

I encourage you all to give the show a listen. Sometimes when I do these podcasts, I wish the show could go on for more than an hour. Today was one of those shows. I gain so much from hearing people's stories and learning from them. I encourage all of you to give the show a listen. Would love to know what you thought of it.

Charlie

This is June?

Run number two in Greenwood, Indiana was another hot and sticky one. Temps have been in the 80s and humid, with thunderstorms every day. This morning it was about 65, but it felt like 75 outside as Mark, Kris and I headed on a 3 mile run through the area.

We worked up quite a sweat out there. Still it was a nice morning. The ground was still a bit wet from the series of thunderstorms we have had here over the last few days.

I think group runs are good for talking things out with folks. We talked about life, the apartment search Mark and I have been on, friends' trials and tribulations. Chats like that make the run go by faster.

Now we look forward to our move to Indianapolis!

Charlie

Running in the Rain

This morning I am in the Indianapolis area. My friend Kris and I went for a run in her neighborhood. Kris is new to running, and is working towards a 5K. She has also never run with anyone else. So off we went in a light drizzle.

As you all know I am a notorious weather wimp. I bit the bullet though and ran. We had a nice run. I have known Kris since college, so we have a long history. It was nice to catch up and talk about our lives. It sure makes the miles seem shorter.

The course we traveled was rolling, which was a really nice change of pace from the flatness of Chicago. After one rolling hill, I thought - yes I could do Boston. Um....not really, but a guy can dream.

Out pace was slow, which was fine with me. Of course it made me feel wetter to run slower, but the damage was done - I was wet. We took 45:43 which is a 13 min+ pace. Again no problem. We ran 3.36 miles - a first for Kris. Woo hoo!

We are in Indy looking for a place to live. I visited my new store yesterday. Good people and a nice place. All in all a good weekend.

Charlie

Two Runs

I am a bit behind. Sorry lots going on these days.

Sunday Mark and I went for a nice run through Ravenswood. It was an easy and slow run. I think every now and then you need a slower run, if for nothing else, just to take things in. It was sunny and bright, and lots of people out. Ravenswood has older homes, which can look quite stately. I'm quite fond of the area. All said we went 3.4 miles.

Easy was not how I would describe today's run. The goal was to push myself and I did. I ran 4 hard miles at the gym on the treadmill. I did a combination of speed and hill work. I worked up quite a sweat there. I thought about pushing it to 5 miles, but I think my hard earned 4 was fine for today.

As much as we need the occasional easy run, we also need the runs which push us hard. I was dripping sweat at the end. I felt good though. In fact I felt darned good.

The next few days we will be in Indianapolis looking for a new place to live. I will do some running in Indy and as always will talk about it here.

Charlie

A Truly Nice Run

I ran 4.2 delightful miles today. The weather was great. Temps were in the 60s, the sun was out. It was really nice. I had a blast out there running through the neighborhoods. There is something a bit sinful about running as you watch people heading to work. They look uncomfortable in their business outfits, and there I am in a singlet and shorts running. Hehehehe.

No great deep thoughts today. I simply enjoyed the run. Was not looking to work on speed. Just wanted some good miles in. I felt the 4.2 I ran were quality miles. Thinking of running between 6-7 miles this weekend. Slowly building my miles as I train for the Rock n Roll Philly.

Charlie

National Running Day

Today is National Running Day. I encourage everyone to lace up some shoes and head out on a run. I promise you will feel good for doing it.

Charlie

Alone With My Thoughts - Leaving my Friends

I often find a run is good for when I want to be alone with my thoughts. Today was especially good for that. So much is going on in my life, that it really helps to be out on my own, running, and just being.

This month my world turns upside down. I leave Chicago, and a job I have loved for 3 1/2 years to start a new life and a new job in Indianapolis. I should have been thinking about what Mark and I need to do this month. Instead my thoughts turned to what I am leaving.

Saying goodbye to friends is never easy. I have wonderful friends in Chicago. Of course they will remain my friends, but things will be different. We will go our separate ways, and just see each other from time to time.

Krys and George are my closest friends. Krys I met through graduate school. George I met online. In the years I have known them, they have seen me through my successes, my failures, my joys and my sorrows. They are family.

At work, Bill, Fedra and Meghan have seen me through some rough patches, but also we have shared our terrific stories of the people we help with running.

Obviously I can't name everyone who means something to me. The point is though, these people are a part of my life, and I will miss them very much. Somehow poking someone through Facebook just isn't the same.

Mark and I have talked about what lies ahead. We will make new friends, as well as re-establishing old ones. These people will be our close friends, and I am sure at some point friends from elsewhere will visit, and we will introduce them to our new friends. Still, I will miss these people. They are family to me.

Oddly enough I didn't get all weepy on the run. I got sweaty that was sure. Still it was nice to just be alone, and let these thoughts go through me.

Charlie