Where Have I Been?

So if anyone is still reading my blog, I apologize for not writing lately. Much has been going on, some good, some not so good - mixed bag.

My running has not gone well. Part of it has been the aches I feel in my feet. Mostly I have been upset at my weight gain, and have been feeling sorry for myself. This is not a new feeling for me, and I am not proud about writing it. I have always been honest here, so I continue to be honest. I have to understand that I am not the weight I was, and have to look at running a bit differently for now. I have to understand it is a slow process to get back where I was. I am figuring how to do that....one step at a time for now.

The good news in my life, is a blessed piece of news. Mark and I are engaged. We had a series if talks thus last week, and are making plans to get married. The challenge as you can imagine is where. Few places allow us to get married, and the marriage would not be legal in most of the states.

I believe with all my heat the law of the land will change, but I don't want to be 80 when that happens. Mark and I love each other, and have made a commitment to each other, now we want that commitment to be legal in some aspect, and we want to make it known in front of people who love us.

I can take care of my weight....that is temporary. Loving Mark is a lifetime and I want a long and happy life with him.

As for my running, I have run twice this week. Today's was the better of the two. A sunny and chilly November day on the Monon. I ran 3.1 miles, and it felt good as I ran easy. Thoughts? That's easy.....wedding thoughts.

Charlie

The Problem with Arthritis

A few months ago the doctor gave me some reasonable advice as far as my running. On the days I feel good - run, on the days I don't - don't. It frustrates me that I have arthritis in my feet and hips. It frustrates me a great deal. I would love to run every day, but each day I find myself assessing how I feel, and if I can run.

This morning I wanted to go for a run, but my right foot had that annoying ache between my big and second toes. Not a pleasant feeling. So no run this morning, and a LONG day at work ahead.

So on those days I don't run, what should I do? I don't want to do nothing? What might work? That's what I need to figure out.

Charlie

Recruiting to Move

First Steps is a program my store offers designed to get people out the door and walking. From time to time we offer this, and I think it is truly a great first step towards a more active lifestyle. Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak to a Weight Watchers group about joining our program.

If you haven't been to a Weight Watchers meeting, they can be very inspiring. Members of the group will talk about what they have done, the successes and the failures. Each person learns from the other. Guest speakers are rare at these meetings, so I felt honored to speak to the group.

This is my second time speaking to a Weight Watchers group, and I have to say, it was a great thing to do. I spoke about what my store does, and how we help people at all levels of fitness. Then I spoke about my journey to fitness, and how a program like First Steps can really start you on your way.

Prior to my talk, people came up to my table and politely looked over the information. After the talk, 6 women signed up. One gentleman spoke to me about recovering from a stroke, and how this could help him. I told him if he signed up, we could make the program work for him.

I met people who struggle with weight, and some who have lost a couple hundred pounds. Each person has a story, and I was moved by each one. First Steps is going to be great, and I think I will learn a thing or two from it.

Charlie

Birthday Run

I went for my birthday run a day early. It was a crisp, Fall day, which is the kind of day that begs to have a run taken. I headed to the Monon Trail, and headed north into Carmel. The run was nice. Most of the leaves are down, but now and then you still see some color on the leaves.

Thoughts on the run turned to what I want to do next in life. Next year I will be 50, so the future is weighing heavy on my mind. I thought my work, and what I want to accomplish there. Were any solid plans formed? No, but this is what a run does for me, it clears my mind of the clutter, and provides an outlet for me to think, plan and dream.

I will share one of the dreams....it involves Paris and running. Paris is my most favorite place in the world. I have visited 5 times, and would love to visit 5 more times. It is old world, cosmopolitan, beauty, charming, and just such a wonder to get lost in. I have never spent more than a few days there, but would love to spend a week or two, or heck even a good month.

I am interested in running the Paris Half Marathon. Mark suggests waiting until I am a bit faster. Since there is a 2:50 course limit, I agree. Still I wish I could do this race next year.

Ah Paris!

See the power of a good run? It can transport you to places beyond the trail.

Charlie

The 2012 Plan

As I think about my next year in running, I wanted to examine how I run the half marathon. 2012 is not a marathon year for me, but it is a half marathon and shorter distance focused year. I would like to do at least 4 half marathons. I have two in mind, and one I have registered for.

First up us the Rock n Roll USA Half Marathon in Washington, D.C. on March 17. Looking forward to running in one of my former cities. I have run the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race, but this will be a half through all the cool parts of the city. Looking forward to it.

The other one I am looking at is the Mo'Cowbell Half Marathon in Missouri. Obviously the race is named after the great SNL skit about "Don't Fear the Reaper." Looks like a fun one.

One race I am planning is the Pride Run in New York City in June. The chance to run 5 miles around Central Park really appeals to me.

There will be other races to be sure. I just want to begin focus on faster times. My PR is 2:45. Can I do that? Not at first. It will take time, but that will be the plan for the year.

Charlie

Hard Lessons

Running teaches us many lessons. Some are amazing and insightful. Others are painful and difficult. Yesterday was one of the hard ones. Yesterday was the annual Monumental Marathon and Half Marathon. Mark wanted to run it, and I was going along to help him on.

Mark did not train like he wanted to, and we came to an understanding that he would walk this. We felt walking strong would carry the day. Speaking of the day, it was ideal. The morning was cold at the start - in the 30s, but would warm up once the sun came up.

We, started with a jog, not a run. I could tell almost immediately it wasn't going to go well. Mark was not looking comfortable at the start. Quickly we started walking, and got in with the last pack of the race. There was a pace leader, and she was a surly woman. She made it clear we had to keep pace, or the truck would come by, and we would have to leave the race.

I think this panicked Mark. He started to panic. He would run a little and walk a little. I felt badly for him, but there was little I could do. He complained he wasn't feeling well. He didn't look good. He also was right in front of the truck, and the pressure of the truck was getting to him.

Mile 2 the truck passed us, and Mark in frustration and sadness told me he couldn't go on. He was almost in tears. He was so upset and sad. All I could do was walk along side him, and gently rub his back and assured him I love him.

I talked to him about how most people never make it to the start line, and that making it to that point is an accomplishment. It was tough for him to hear that, because all he thought was he was a "quitter." Mark is no quitter. He knew that yesterday was not his race, and he just did not have it.

Sometimes we get too stubborn when things aren't working, in trying to make them work. While I am sad for him, the lessons he took were, that sometimes it isn't our day, and he knows what he needs to do the next time, and he will nail it. Tough lessons, but sometimes those are the best.

In the end, I am proud of him, and I love him very much.

Charlie

Approaching Mid Life

Next week I turn 49 years old. Anyone who knows me knows I am not one to let age get to me. I have never stressed about age. This year though was a tough one for me, and for the last couple of weeks, I have started to really think about what getting older means for me.

Arthritis and all that comes with that is one thing. Having to wear a hearing aid was another. All of a sudden I felt old. With that feeling of getting old has come a feeling that my time is limited.

No...I'm not dying. I just have a feeling that time is running out to do the things I want to do in life, and that I need to change some of the goals I wanted to do. For instance, I have come to the conclusion that Boston is out. The hills I encountered in Portland made that clear. Also, an ultramarathon is out. 8 hours on the road in Portland, again lesson learned.

So what can I do running wise? I think the 1/2 marathon distance is a better distance for me. I will still do the occasional marathon, but those days feel like they coming to an end. I just have to adjust.

Think I will like my 50s any better?

Charlie