The Year That Wasn't and the Year That Will Be

Anyone who reads this blog will know about the struggles I had this year. It really wasn't a year of running for me. I think it was the year of just plodding along. I'm sorry you all had to read about plodding, when you came here to read about running.

It was a year of stress, upheaval, and change. Some for the good, some not for the good. So I say we kick out 2010 and embrace 2011. The year that wasn't is making way for the year that will be.

We know I have the fall scheduled. Now I need a training plan and some spring and summer goals. Of course the main goal is FAR more important.

I need to be healthier and fitter in 2011. It is vital to me. I need to tackle the mental as well as the physical well being. I know I have had a lot of emotional issues, but I have lacked structure in my life. So I have started writing down dedicated this month for running or working out. I think this will help.

I am also determined to be a better blogger. I want people to enjoy the blog, and not worry if I ran or not. So I pledge to be a bit more interesting. Hang with me....I promise to be my old self again.

Charlie

Sad Day

Today is a hard day for me. I have written on this before, but now the elephant is being addressed. I have gained a significant amount of weight. As for this morning I am at 240lbs.

I cried. Poor Mark had to console me. I feel like a failure at the moment. I feel like so much I worked for is gone.

There are so many reasons why this has happened. Number one though is, that as an emotional eater, I have not found a healthy way to deal with emotional issues in my life. I need to do that. Step one is to make a plan, and stick with it.

I now know my January schedule, so I am going to schedule workout/run time. When the doctor told me he wanted me to run only 3 days a week, I feel that was the beginning of this. I am going to work on bumping the running back up to 5 days a week. My hips feel fine, and I think it is worse for them if I don't run.

As for the emotional issues I am dealing with in my personal life. I am going to make a concentrated effort to work on those. I may be sharing some of what is going on here. I feel this will keep me more honest.

For those of you who read this and have been inspired by my story, I feel I have let you down. I know I have let myself down. Please keep the faith that I will get a grip on this and turn things around. It does me no good to go back to being 300+ lbs.

Today I am discouraged. I know I will be fine....but for today, I feel like failure.

Charlie

Merry Christmas

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Charlie

The Great Equalizer

Yesterday I ran on the track of the gym. It was actually a very busy track day. Lots of people were running, and I observed a several things. First of all the track is oval. Granted that is not a startling revelation. I already knew that. Work with me for a few minutes though.

That oval puts runners on a level playing field. There was the guy with gazelle like abilities speeding around. There were the two women I passed a couple of times who were doing a run on their lunch hour. There was the young man training for his boot camp. How do I know that? He was running in boots with a back pack - fully loaded - on his back. There was also the older man who was just running hard, as I imagine he always runs.

It doesn't matter how fast or slow you go on the track. Everyone starts and finishes at the same place. No one is competing, but we all have a common goal. Starting, running and finishing is what we are all doing, and it doesn't matter how - we all do it.

That oval makes us all equal. The only time we are separated is in competition.

Last night was another First Steps session, and the one woman who was walking told me she almost didn't come, because she doesn't like being last. I told her it isn't about the placement. It's about the journey. She understood, but I could tell she didn't want to be last. I did put a positive spin on things - I told her we would be first back to the store. She laughed.

The oval of the track reinforces the notion that running is about the journey and not the final destination. Destination is why there are races.

Charlie

Quite an Anniversary

Today is a special day for me. It was 4 years ago I started my career in running specialty. Over the last 4 years I have had some wonderful experiences. I have met some wonderful people. I have also learned so much about running.

One of my favorite things I have gotten to do is to share my love of running with people. In Chicago I had the honor of training couch to 5K programs. I have been amazed at the stories people bring to running, and how I can help them achieve their goals.

Today I added another chapter to my story. I am coaching a program called "First Steps." This is a program for people who have not been active, as they take their first steps to be healthier lifetime. I met some wonderful person.

One woman really stuck with me. She and her husband are doing the program together. She is coming back from a brain aneurysm. She had been in a wheelchair, re-learned to walk, now wants to run. WOW! I am in awe.

I have met people from the woman I described to superstar Ryan Hall. I am so blessed to be in this business. Happy Anniversary.

Charlie

First Steps - Coming Soon

Saturday I will be co-coaching a beginning walking/running program called "First Steps." This is a 5 week starter program designed to get people off the couch and moving. This is not a couch to 5K program, which I have coached in the past. This one is for the person who needs to begin a journey to be fitter. I am honored to be asked to coach this.

I am going through my own journey these days, so I am hoping that this will give me a personal kick start. Even if it doesn't though, I am thrilled to help people. Just part of the reason I love working in running specialty.

Charlie

Hit That Treadmill

Today we were at the gym, and I ran a good solid 3 miles on the treadmill. I have had a hard work schedule this week, so I was really glad to hit the gym. For the first mile, I ran at a 5.0-5.1 pace, breaking at the 6 minute mark for a walk break. The second mile was 5.0-5.2, but I was using an incline up to 1.5%.

I like mixing things up with an incline, because the world is not a flat 0% incline. As you all know it is so hard to find a race that is completely flat, so a bit of incline training helps.

On my mind today - I was very focused on finishing the 3 miles in under 36 minutes. It didn't happen, but I was fine with how I ran, and my time was 36:10. Can't really complain. My mantra during the run was "Just do this." Sorry Nike, I paraphrased. I find it helps to have a common thought or mantra in my head as I run. As a result, I think I had a really good run today.

Charlie

40

A few years ago, frequent readers will remember how happy I was when I became a size 38. Those readers, and the rest of you will now see how unhappy at being a size 40. I had to do it. I didn't like doing it, and I am trying not to be depressed about it. Today though, I had to buy some size 40 jeans.

I am trying to be realistic about this. I am looking at this as temporary, not that that I will be a 42, but I will again be a 38. Still it was hard trying on the larger size. I saw it as a temporary setback and not a defeat.

I have talked about my recent weight gain, and I will talk about my eventual weight loss, because that is how I see it - eventual. I have some running goals, and I need to be in shape for them. I promise you I am determined to do it.

Charlie

Fall Marathon Decision

Today I made a bold choice while considering my fall marathon for 2011. I am in the lottery for the NYC Marathon, but I doubt I will get in. I want Plan B ready to go, and I wanted to pick I had wanted to do for a while. One was getting close to closing, so I jumped on it.

If I don't get into NYC, then I will be running the Portland Marathon. I am actually VERY excited about this. I love Portland, and this is a great chance to really see the city. October will be a great time to be in Oregon.

If by some freaky reason I do get into NYC, I will most likely sell my bib number for Portland.

So now I have a goal.....now I still need a 1/2 marathon for the Spring.

Charlie

Shadow and Straight Ahead

Today my goal was 3 miles on the track at the gym. So while it was FREEZING outside, I was at the gym on the track. I was very proud that I got that 3 miles in.

So how did it go? It went well. I was zipping around the track. I did a couple of things, and I learned something interesting. I noticed I was looking down quite a bit and was watching my shadow on the track. From what I saw, I had a plodding gait. So how did I correct this?

I looked straight ahead. I started picking spots on the walls, and fixed my eyes on them. I soon noticed my gait was elongated and I actually moved faster. I was surprised by this. I felt easier as I ran, and the run felt darned good.

I will see if this continues on future runs.

As for other issues....I need a half marathon for the Spring - any ideas?

Charlie

Determined

Yesterday I was determined to run 4 miles - and I did it! The gym was a must, and I went for two miles on the track. Then I hit the treadmill for another 2 miles. My music of choice started with Christmas songs. What can I say I am THE Christmas Queen! :-)

Finding a time to really run is problematic with my schedule, but when I have time, I am determined to do the miles. Yesterday was important to me. The next run will be important to me. Running helps me be sane in a world of chaos. It centers me. I miss the regularity of running.

I need to find that time. I need to be as determined in finding the time as I am in my accomplishing my miles.

Charlie

Christmas and Running

I want to talk to you for a moment about giving during the Christmas season. As runners, a good many of us have run for charity. Some of us do Team in Training. Other run to fight AIDS. We serve a noble purpose when we run for a good cause.

This season, I am asking you all to give back to running. Running gives us so much, and I believe it is important to give back so running can grow. This year I have given to two different running groups.

I have supported Marathon Kids for a long time. I have talked about this organization for a long time. Kay Morris is a force of nature, and you can't help but be taken in by her passion to get kids running and healthy. www.marathonkids.org.

For the last two years I have sent a donation to the Loyola University Chicago Cross Country team. I am a Loyola graduate and I love running, so this seems like a natural. I believe we need to encourage our next generation of runners. At a time of tightening the money belts, college programs need help. Look into a local college, or your alma mater, or even a high school program to see who needs help.

This is such a wonderful time of year, please take some time to share.

Charlie