Charlie's Turning 50, and You Can Run With Him

As the clock winds towards my 50th birthday, I tried to figure how I could turn 50, run, and do something for the world. I think I came up with a good one.

I have created the Charlie's Turning 50 5K!!!

I am planning on spending 50 in New Orleans this year, and I am going to run 5K that day. What I am offering is a chance for you to run or walk "with me" and proceeds from what I raise will go to Marathon Kids.

I have written about Marathon Kids before. Marathon Kids® is a free, sixteen-year-old, trademarked, incremental, school and community based fitness program. It is a six month endurance building running/walking, nutrition and schoolyard gardening program for K-5th graders and their families.

Kay Morris, the founder and head of Marathon Kids is a dynamo! In my opinion she has created a great program which gets kids active during the school year, and teaches a little something about nutrition.

Several years ago I read about Kay and Marathon Kids in Runner's World. I made a $10 donation to the group, and what seemed like moments later, Kay contacted me, asking about creating a chapter in Chicago. We did, and it is thriving!!!

So here is the deal. If you would like to run or walk with me, all I ask is you donate a minimum of $5. If you don't have a race or run scheduled, and you need my help, I can help map out a course for you. If you need a training plan, I can help create one for you.

If you want to run with my in New Orleans....c'mon down!

Here is the website for donations.

http://www.crowdrise.com/charliesturning50

Charlie

Running in an Oven

This evening I headed out for the run I mentioned earlier in the day. It was 100 degrees, give or take a few degrees as I headed on to the Monon. The plan was short and slow.

As I trotted along, boys from a high school cross country team went whizzing by me. I mentally cursed them and kept plodding along. Bikers passed me, lots of them. Still I went along.

For the goal of going slow, my first mile was 13:32. Not as slow as I wanted, but I felt ok, but man was it hot.  I got to the Monon Center, went in to refill my water bottle, then I headed back to the car.

The goal was 3 miles tonight. In the end I did 2.13, it was just too darned hot.

Stay cool fellow runners.

Charlie

Plan for the Heat

Today in Indiana it's going to hit 102 degrees! Yowza! I have written earlier about running in the summer...

http://running-with-coffee.blogspot.com/2012/05/summer-running-tips.html

I'm going to talk about the plan for today. Clearly I'm not going to run during the intense heat of the day. My plan is two-fold: go later in the day, go slow.

I am going to do an evening run, when the sun is headed in the downward direction. On the trail there is enough shade that I should be ok. Fair warning to snakes....don't mess with me.

Going slow is the other key. There is no point in killing myself with a speedy run in the heat. Going slow and taking my time is how I will get through this. If I need to walk a bit more, then so be it.

I'm not planning a long run, just enough to get a decent run in. Will post following the run to let you know how it goes.

Charlie

Before I Run - the Anticipation

I don't know about you, but there are moments before I go on a run, that I get a chill down my spine. I think it is the anticipation of the run ahead. It doesn't matter if it is a marathon, a 5K, or just a run down the street. I am thrilled to get going.

Why does this happen? It could be that I am about to go into an unknown. Yes, you can run around the block, but each run is going to be different. You will see something, experience something, or you may even think of something you hadn't before.

Maybe you're trying something new in training, and you can't wait to see how it works. You got advice about minimal running, and now this is the first time to try it. That can be exciting.

It could be you want to try to break a speed record....here is your chance...go! Anticipating a new PR is always a fun thing.

For me, I think it could be any and all of these. I veer more towards I am heading into an unknown. I may encounter a friend on the run. I may see a house I think is really cool. Yeah.....I may see a snake, but I try not to dwell on that too much.  The point is I am anticipating something new. Usually though, I have learned something new about me during the run, and that is also very cool.

Ok.....cue Carly Simon singing "Anticipation!"

Charlie

I Was Moving Along Until.....

This morning I headed out on the Monon before the heat of the day set in. I set out and it felt good out there. About 1/4 into the run I looked at the Garmin, and it said I was averaging 15:15/mile. It didn't feel like that, so I pushed. Everything felt easy as I went along.

People were out and about waving, wishing good mornings, and I was chugging along. About 1.5 miles into the run I looked at the Garmin again, I looked again, because i didn't think I  saw what I saw. I was now averaging 9:42/mile. I can't even remember the last time I moved like that.

By now I was really feeling good moving along until.....I saw it. I couldn't help but see it - a snake. Anyone who knows me know I hate snakes. They are all evil and want to kill you. This one was a black squiggly thing moving across the Monon. I'm sure it was mocking me, daring me to come near. I stepped around and kept moving. Now in my mind it looked like an Anaconda. In reality it was a little think the size of a small stick. Still evil is evil. So now I know....evil lurks on the Monon.

Still the run was a great run. I averaged 13:09/mile which is my fastest in a long time. Best 4 mile run I have had in ages.

So take that snake!

Charlie

Community

The passions in my life have a common thread, but I doubt you will see it right away. Theatre, LGBT Civil Rights, Notre Dame, Olympics and running. Now, you may think you see the common denominator in a few of them, but all of them? It's there, and it is one reason why I am passionate about all of the listed items. 

I'm talking about community. I have always been a person who has sought and loved a feeling of community. The good news for me is I have found it in each of the areas I listed at the start. The theatrical community was my love. While the allure of being someone else, or transporting an audience to another place and time is an initial lure, you can't beat the sense of community within the theatre. You depend on the other actors to help you with your character. Unless it's a one person show, there is give and take, as well as support. You want the piece to succeed, and it can't if the actors are not working together. I know some of my acting friends will jump in and tell me some of the more unsavory aspects of the theatre, but in the end, there is a common goal to succeed, and everyone is part of that.

LGBT Civil Rights is a tougher one. Yes, we all want equality, but in the LGBT community, we come at if from different places, and that leads to attacks on each other. So why the love of this community? No matter the differences, when we march together....we are one. We insist on being equal.

The Notre Dame community is a bond which resonates with many in the Notre Dame Nation. Some of the older folks reflect fondly on past glories of Rockne or Leahy. I lived through the Parseghian, Divine and Holtz eras of glory. Tradition and love of our team brings thousands together. We bleed blue and gold. We ache when we are down, but there is something which pulls on our hearts in the good times.

The Olympic Community is worldwide. The athletes are a special breed who excel at the top of their sports. They bond, they rival, they come together every four years to celebrate. Former Olympians keep the traditions and game alive. They give back to the movement and carry it forward - for example Sebastian Coe, the great Olympic runner is head of London's Olympic Organizing Committee for this summer's games.

Running is a different community. Runners are bonded no matter their differences, with running. For example, former Gov. Mike Huckabee and I are not even close in politics; however we share a passion for running, and have exchanged letters to each other on our running. Runners can run with a group, or on their own. They bond over how to lower their race times, or which shoes which work best for them.

You don't even need to physically be near a runner to have a sense of community. Steve Runner with his Pheddippidations podcast has created a virtual community of runners who share ideas, hopes, dreams, etc. On the Motley Fool, I have "met" runners and shared the ups and downs of running. In some cases I have actually met the virtual friends I have.

It's an amazing thing to be a member of the running community.

Charlie

Be Safe

This morning I spoke with a female runner in my training program about safety. I am always amazed when I see women running alone, especially in an urban area. Yes, running alone in a well traveled area is ok, but there are those times there isn't anyone around, and there are bad people out there.

So I am going to offer some tips that both women and men could benefit from. Know where you are going. Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure you let someone know where you are going, and how long you expect to be. If your path is desolate, and you are worried....don't run there. Take pepper spray if you feel you need it.  If you can run in a group, or with someone why not do it.

I talked to a police officer about giving a safety talk, and he told me that crime on the trail really doesn't happen north of a certain street(city limits). Sorry officer, there is no invisible force field which keeps crime out of certain areas.

According to the woman I spoke with this morning, she said Oprah tells women to just drop to the ground if someone is attacking. It makes it much harder for the attacker to take you off your trail and into the woods or if in the city, to an alley. Makes sense to me.

What advice do others have?

Charlie

The Month Before Chicago

One month from today a few thousand folks will be starting on a 13.1 mile journey through Chicago. The Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon is almost here. To mark the occasion I headed out on a 5+ mile run this morning on the Monon.

The run felt good until the heat finally got to me. I blame not drinking enough and not taking a Gu with me. I walked the last 1/4 mile. Still I ran in 1:17, which isn't bad. Hindsight tells me I should have picked a shadier portion of the trail.

Still this was a good indication of how I am doing at this point. I have a 6 mile race on July 4, and my goal is to do a long run prior to Chicago of two hours.

My running is going at well. I am running three days a week. While I don't think I am getting any faster, I am feeling better and enjoying my running, and I will take that at this point in the game. Faster can always come at another time.

As it gets closer to the race I will detail the course, and my plan to attack it. Until then the training goes on.....

Charlie

Proper Form for Minimal Running

I have talked about minimal or barefoot shoes in past writings. I have always advised that the shoe is not what changes your running, it's the form. So for a few moments, I would like to talk about form. There are all kinds of information on form out there. I am just going over some key areas common in all the information out there.

There are some key areas to work on if you are going to change your form for a minimal style. Please understand this takes some time to develop. There is no easy lesson and you are good to go. The idea is to land with more of a midfoot strike, and not as much of a heel strike.

First, you need to work on posture. You want to "feel tall" as you are doing this. As you run, you want your head up, looking ahead. I know we all tend to look down, but the moment you do, you begin to slump. So head up. Your arms should be at a 90 degree angle, and swing easily. No wild motions, or flailing with arms. Keep them relaxed and swinging.

Second, you might want to try what I call marching band movements. This is when you march in place, landing the foot down flat. Do this several times, so you get a sense of landing on the midfoot. Try to avoid landing on the heel or forefoot. Heel striking can lead to overstriding. Landing on the forefoot can strain the shins, calves or achilles.

Third, you want to lean as you run. Don't lean from the waist. Lean from your ankles without bending at the waist. As you lean forward, it may feel like you will fall forward. This is what will propel you forward.

As I said, learning a new form takes time. No 1 day miracles. The secret you may not know is, you don't need the minimal shoes to do this. The form can be learned and done using any running shoe. Just know if you are learning the form, and using minimal shoes, expect some muscle pain at first, because you are using muscles you haven't used in the past.

Did I mention this takes time? Slow integrate this into your running, and you will reduce the instances of injury.

Charlie

To iPod or Not to iPod

There are times I run with music, and times I don't. Lately the non-music runs have been the majority of my runs. I know some people can't run a step without music in their heads. Others feel it's a horror to think about doing. I am somewhere in the middle.

Here is what I like about taking the iPod along. There are times I want company. This can be music, it can be a podcast, or even an audiobook. Longer runs usually are the times I put on the headphones and go.

A good portion of the time I like running without anything. I like hearing my breathing, thinking about my form, focusing on the run. I feel music distracts me from those things. From a safety standpoint, I think it's better not to have music playing. You can hear the bikes, cars and other runners.

Another problem with music is pacing. Different tunes affect my pace, and that can be a problem if I am trying to keep an even pace. I find it difficult to find music for an even paced run. So I do a couple slower songs, then a fast one or two songs, and so forth.

In marathons I take the iPod. There are times though during the race, I just want to rip the thing off and toss it to the side of the road. It just gets too much, and then I am left trying to carry it, or stuff it into the little pocket in the shorts.

A co-worker of mine tells me if she didn't have music, she couldn't run. I find that a curious statement. She finds running boring at times. I asked her what about the music makes running more interesting to her. It doesn't. It just makes it less boring. I suggested another sport, but then she told me she likes running too much. Huh???? Maybe that's a topic for a different post.

So while running with or without music is not the great running debate, there are sure loyal fans to each side of the question.

What do you do?

Charlie

Evening Run with the Frontrunners

In April I introduced many of you to the Frontrunners.

http://running-with-coffee.blogspot.com/2012/04/frontrunners.html

This evening, I had the pleasure of running with the Indianapolis Chapter of the Frontrunners. They meet twice a week for runs. On Saturdays they meet at Butler University. On Tuesday evenings, they gather at the zoo, and run along the canal in downtown.

Tonight it was hot. Temperatures were near 90 degrees as we headed out from the zoo. There were 14 men and women who ran anywhere from 3 miles to 6 miles. I was in the 3 mile pack, and by pack, it was an older gentleman named Steven and me. Before we headed out, everyone gathered in a circle and said who they were. There were two of us who were new to the group, so it was a nice introduction.

Did I mention it was hot out. The Canal area of downtown does have some shade, so that helped. I wish more people used the Canal. It is full of nice condos, and some potential cafes, pub and restaurants. I say potential, because there are almost none there.

Steven was very nice to keep me company, but I knew I was keeping him from a faster run. Still this was a better experience than the one I had with the Frontrunners in Chicago. There they all ditched me on my run, and went on their merry way.

I had contacted the group before hand, so they knew I work for an area running store. Still very few had heard of my store. From a marketing standpoint, that sucked. Still I told the organizers we would be happy to have flyers for their group in our store.

I would like to run with the group from time to time, and I appreciate the community aspect.

As for the run, we started out fast, but speed left us as the heat hit us. A nice trot and walk was how we finished the run. Very glad to meet some fellow runners this evening.

Charlie

Taking it Easy in the Heat

We have had a very hot and dry June in Indiana. So running in the heat is the norm these days. I have talked previously about running in the heat, but I wanted to mention one thing....taking it easy with an even pace.

This morning I ran 4.02 miles.  During my run, the goal was to keep it easy, and not push hard. The mantra in my head was - easy, easy, easy. When it's hot like it was this morning, going out hard and fast is a way to have a miserable run. Take it easy, and that's what I did.

My first mile I ran in 14:32
My second mile was 14:35
My third mile was 14:35
My fourth mile was the slowest I ran it in 15:45

On a day like this, I saw no need to work on negative splits. I just wanted to run easy. I made sure I drank my NUUN before I got thirsty. So by taking it easy and being hydrated, I not only finished well, but I felt terrific after the run. No heat fatigue or tiredness.

I also made sure I ran on a very shady portion of the Monon. The sun was hot, and I felt it beat down on me when I was out in the open. Good to remember in July during the half marathon.

Good run....stay cool.

Charlie

Olympic Track and Field Trials

This week Eugene, OR will be the center of the American track and field universe, as athletes gather for the Olympic Trials. Everything starts on Friday. Americans track athletes have traditionally been a power at the Olympics, and this year should be no exception.

In the sprint distances Jamaica is the country to beat. Can anyone beat Usain Bolt in the 100m? Tyson Gay, Justin Gatlin and Walter Dix are the American stars who will be attempting to go after Bolt. On the women's side, Carmelita Jeter will take her crack at the Jamaican women.

5000m is loaded with amazing talent. Galen Rupp, Bernard Lagat, Lopez Lomong, Matt Tegankamp all have ability. Can any of them beat Mo Farah from Gr. Britain? Rupp trains with him in Oregon, and are both trained by the legendary Alberto Salazar. In London, this will be an amazing race.

1500m is the metric mile. Jenny Simpson is the women's world champion, and is expected to win the trials. On a personal note, I have met Jenny, and she is a gracious and delightful person. Sometimes when you meet athletes, there is a bit of attitude by some of them. Not Jenny.

In the Decathlon, it is possible that the American men who qualify could sweep in London. Bryan Clay, the defending Olympic champion is back. His main challengers will be Ashton Eaton, who is have a terrific season and J Trey Hardee III, another wonder in this event.

One of my favorite races is the 800m. Nick Symmonds is one of my favorite runners, and this is his race. I look for him to win the trials. Andrew Wheating who ran this event in Beijing has had injuries this year, but is hoping to pull things out to go to London.

Sanya Richards-Ross will be back for another Olympics in the 200m and 400m. No reason to think otherwise for her.

So many races. It will be an exciting trials. NBC will be televising. If you can catch some of the action - do!

Charlie

Marathon....1 or 2?

2013 is a marathon year for me. As I consider what marathon to do, I wondered if I could do 2, as opposed to 1. I talked with Mark about this, and he thinks I should focus on one. My sister Anne thinks 1 is enough as well.

So why 2?

There are a couple of marathons I would like to do. One is in the Spring - The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon in Virgina Beach, VA. It is on St. Paddy's Day. It's flat, running along the Atlantic Ocean. It would be a new place for me to run. I would train through the fall and winter.

The Fall marathon would be Chicago. Clearly I want to run that so I can finally finish it. If only they would let me start where the stopped me in 2007 - mile 16. Alas, it is not so. For that one I would train in the summer.

Training wise there would be extremes weather wise. Cold and wintry for the Shamrock. Hot and humid for Chicago. 

Cost wise, Shamrock is a cheaper registration, but Chicago would be cheaper to travel.

Doing both is a big commitment training wise. I haven't run two marathons since 2007. It would be hard on my body, but I also assume the time between March and October would take give me time to heal.

So I have a lot of thinking to do...... Thoughts?

Charlie

Doping

I know very little about performance enhancing drugs. To be honest, all I know is they enhance sporting performance. I know...DUH! Still it troubles me that world class athletes resort to drugs to win.

Of course the sport we know most about cheating wise is bicycle's Tour de France. Various riders have been stripped of titles because of doping. Running though is also a dirty sport. Justin Gatlin has come back from a suspension for his alleged drug use. Marion Jones still acts defiant about her alleged drug use.

The most famous suspected drug user is Lance Armstrong. Armstrong has never been found guilty of doping. Lord knows the French and the US Federal Attorneys have tried their best. Now the US Anti-Doping Agency(USADA) has found evidence of possible drug use by Armstrong in samples taken from 2009-2010. If found guilty, past titles, including all of his Tour de France wins would be stripped from him.

Armstrong has been almost arrogant in his proclamations of innocence, but I have to tell you, I think he did something. Too many people have whispered over the years that he did. If true, what a shame. It's a shame, because I believe Armstrong has the ability without drugs to be a winner. What he wants, if this is all true, is to win at any cost, and that is just wrong to me.

I know elite athletes want an edge, but does it have to be drugs? Can't it be an innovative way to train? Or better workouts? Or some new coaching advice? What about talent? With the Olympics coming up, we know those athletes will be tested like mad. Some already know how to cheat the tests, and that is also horrible.

I'm curious about the ramifications to using some of these drugs, as far as long term effects on the body? Is fame worth whatever toll a drug may take on the body? To some, sadly, the answer is yes.

The flip side to this is....if people are going to use drugs....make it legal, and accessible to everyone. I suppose then we really would see what these drugs do to people.

It really isn't a win if you use drugs, in my humble opinion. It actually makes you a loser in life.

Charlie

The Monon Trail

Every now and then you see reference to "The Monon" as in The Monon Trail. This is where I primarily run.  I will talk about running on The Monon or in Broad Ripple, but what is it?

The Monon Trail is part of a growing trend in the U.S. of turning former railroad tracks into trails for running, biking and walking. In Indiana The Monon Railroad was a life source for over 100 years. It literally traveled the state, from Lake Michigan to the Ohio River.

Originally used as a support line for Union soldiers in the Civil War, the railroad became a freight and passenger line which was used for decades. It was the route between Indianapolis and Chicago. Students who attended Indiana University, Butler University, Purdue University and Wabash College were able to get to and from campus on the train. The devotion to schools was so strong, passenger cars were painted in the IU colors, and freight cars were dedicated to Purdue.

When we talk about The Monon now, we are talking about the refurbished trail which extends from Westfield, IN to the north, running south to downtown Indianapolis. There are approximately 18 miles of trail. Along the route, you encounter Westfield, downtown Carmel, Broad Ripple, the Indiana State Fairgrounds, and the center of downtown Indianapolis.

There are two things I love about the trail: the flat nature, and all the trees. No one will be challenged running on the Monon. There are no hills. It is flat. For someone like me, that is perfect.

The trees provide so much shade, you feel you are in the woods at times. Many times I just slow down and take in all the nature around me. Along the way I see birds, squirrels and the occasional deer or raccoon.

To give you a sense of my route, here is a brief video taking you on a tour of The Monon.....

I love running this trail as much as I loved running on the Lakefront Path in Chicago.

As I said walkers and bikers use this trail as well, and of course there are the usual battles between runners and bikers. Usually though everyone uses the trail well, and we all coexist in harmony.

Charlie

Homophobia? Not in Running

LGBT and non-LGBT sports organizations have been invited to Nike's world headquarters this week for a summit on developing ways to combat homophobia and transphobia in sports. I thought about this over the weekend and wondered how it pertains to running. While I have no doubt that in some elite circles of our sport there may be some homophobia, in general I see very little of it.

I can see where there would be issues in football, basketball, hockey, because of the big macho images those sports have. Of course those sports have gay people in them, as I imagine most sports do. In my opinion it comes down to image. They want to promote a rough and tough image, and somehow being gay doesn't fit in with that image.

One of the roughest sports I know is rugby, and we are finding gay players coming out, and showing just how tough they are. Trust me, rugby is one of the roughest sports out there, so this is no small feat.

Running though is different. Running is not a team sport. It's an individual sport. Running is also an encouraging sport. You can look like death warmed over out on a course, and someone, somewhere will tell you, "Keep it up, looking good."

Running doesn't have a macho image to uphold. Of course just looking at the apparel needed would tell you that(spandex, bright colors...please). Running is a test of endurance and what the body can take. Just as I tell people the road doesn't care what color your shoes are, it also doesn't care what your sexuality is.

There are LGBT running groups, just like there are LGBT sport organizations everywhere. These are the people who are breaking down barriers. The Gay Games goes a long way to showing the world that we can do the sports that aren't figure skating or gymnastics.

Kudos to Nike for initiating this. It will only be successful if the company puts some teeth behind its efforts, and the groups involved really get involved and stay involved.

Charlie

The Courage to Push

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

 - John Bingham

 

A long time ago someone told me, "Running, quite simply is left foot, right foot, repeat." Yes it is. For some though, there is a certain amount of intimidation to start running. I hear this every day from new runners. They will tell me, "I'm only running a couple miles a week," or, "I'm not doing a marathon of anything." Something inside them has made running much more than what it is. 

Do I feel courageous for starting running? No. It was a big step for me, but at the same time it seemed like something I always should have been doing. It felt natural to me. What took courage was pushing myself.

The first time I ran, I could not even run two blocks in a row. Time and time again though I made the effort to run those two blocks. Was that courage? In a sense. Knowing me, it would have been easy to just tell myself that walking was just fine, and I should settle for that. I learned though when it comes to my running, I don't settle. I summon what's inside of me to go further.

Am I always successful? No. Am I disappointed if I haven't run as far or as well as I wanted that day? Yes. Where I am successful is that I keep trying. I keep pushing. 

Today I had hoped to run 5-6 miles. A combination of heat and my stomach not liking breakfast got me to 3.61 miles. Mark tells me the important thing is I went out and ran.

In the past, I have had those moments when I needed to push myself to do what I needed to do: Portland, Phoenix, South Bend, and even that very first 5K those many years ago. That is where I had the courage to push. When my body ached to the point I thought I couldn't take it. I pushed. When I wanted to quit, but knowing if I did I would never forgive myself, I pushed. On the days we need it, that courage is there, and it pushes us forward.

Charlie

Distance: Half Marathon

First things first. The half marathon is 13.1 miles. This means it is in fact half the distance of a marathon. Now, most of you know this, but in my life, I talk to people everyday who don't understand what a half marathon is.

In Indiana, very few people call it a half marathon. They call it a "Mini." You can thank this phenomenon on the annual 500 Festival Mini Marathon in Indianapolis. You can go anywhere outside the state, and people call it a half marathon, but in Indiana, they just call any 13.1 race a "Mini."

The half marathon is probably my favored distance. It's long enough to be a challenge. It's short enough that is doesn't kill my body like a marathon. I enjoy the race a great deal. So do many more runners.

According to Running USA, since 2003, the half-marathon has been the fastest growing road race distance in the United States, and for six consecutive years (2006–11), the number of 13.1 mile finishers has grown by 10% or more each year. No other U.S. road distance comes close to this growth rate during the Second Running Boom (circa 1994). 59% of half marathoners are women. In 2011 there were 1.6 million finishers of half marathons.

Those figures are quite impressive. Races are popping up all the time. There is the popular Rock n Roll series. Disney is also creating races at their theme parks. Sports arenas are a lure for half marathons. You can run a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You can circle Lambeau Field. You can finish on the 50 yard line at Notre Dame Stadium. Moments of sports glory and history can be yours.

The fastest half marathon recorded is 58:23. At 58:23, I am past mile 4.

My goal for the year is to complete 4 half marathons. So far I have registered for two of them. Still figuring the other two. It should be doable though.

Charlie

National Running Day

Today is National Running Day. While this fits in the category of a "Hallmark Holiday" it certainly is a good one.

Lace up those shoes, and go for a run!

Charlie

Shopping Locally

Quite often I hear the phrase, "I want to shop locally." This means that you are shopping in a store which is local to your area, and encouraging growth of small businesses in your area. The people who tell me this are wonderful people, who probably believe what they are telling me, until their local shop fails their notion of convenience.

Specialty running stores are not 24 hour, get it now operations. They have a limited number of stock, but they provide services like gait analysis, training programs, host fun runs, contribute to the running community and give customers a unique shopping experience. If a store doesn't have a particular shoe, size or color, they can usually order it for you, and depending on the brand, can get it to you in about a week.

There are conditions for this ordering though. Let's use Nike as an example. You see a shoe you like, and you know it comes in green, but the store only has red, and you ask the store to order it for you, here are the many things which can happen:

1) Nike has it available and will send it right away.
2) It's on back order, which means the shoe will be available once it is made.
3) They are out of that color.
4) The don't offer that color to running specialty stores(various brands will only offer certain colors to running specialty).

Only the first one truly works for a customer. I dread telling a customer any of the latter three options, because they don't understand why "the internet" has it, and I can't get it. They also are not happy about the week arrival of the shoes. Why Zappos can get it to them in a day or so.

Here are the limitations to local stores. They don't do the volume of the internet or big box stores, so they can't just produce the shoes instantly. In the age of "I want it now" though, we want what we want. At that moment shopping locally flies out the window.

I haven't even covered price yet. Local stores can't offer all the discounts you see online or in big stores. Again, it's the volume issue. I know some of you say that you get discounts at your local store, but understand, that means that store is not making the money it needs to when they offer that discount. Dick's Sporting Goods can sell your Brooks Adrenaline for $99 instead of $110, because the company sell a bazillion of those shoes and can absorb the discount. Local stores don't have that luxury. Some stores try to price match, but that makes it very hard for them to make any money. Those who do that regularly, are probably running in the red.

Understand that shopping locally means you may not get the exact color of that shoe(which really doesn't matter in the end( I know I hear you all moaning out there), or you may wait a few extra days to get the shoes, but in the end, you are supporting a neighbor and your community.

Charlie

Obesity

According to the Centers for Disease Control 35.7% of Americans are obese. Medical costs associated with obesity top $147 billion. Obesity-related conditions include: Diabetes 2, stroke and heart disease. I bring all this up, because of a concern I have for people's health. As you know I have been obese, dangerously obese. I have spent years fighting it. Some days are better than others.

My shopping center where I work is a tale of two cities. Here is what you find.....

Weight Watchers
Bob Block Fitness Equipment
The local running store
Fresh Market
Dunkin Donuts
Handels Ice Cream
Chipotle
Boom Bozz Pizza

On a daily basis I see all shapes and sizes of people. I work with those who are rail thin, to those who are obese. My job is to help people live a healthier life.

Let me tell you what I saw yesterday which sparked today's post. I saw a couple in a car. Both were obese. I know this, because they were both so big, they couldn't sit side by side in the car. The were both seated almost sideways, and the man was driving like that. They were parking at the ice cream stand, and I watched them struggle to get out of the car to go get ice cream. I wanted to cry.

There are many reasons people are obese or overweight. For me, I am an emotional eater. My mood leads me to eat all kinds of things - good and bad.

Food manufacturers make it too easy for us to be obese. We live in a topsy turvey world. I can go into a store and find that Twinkees are cheaper than apples. A frozen pizza is faster and cheaper to make than baking a chicken and stir frying veggies. The foods that are high in fat, have high fructose corn syrup, and are really really yummy are cheaper than yummy food which is good for us. This is wrong to me. There is some powerful food lobby out there.

Let's just say we get people to eat better, that is only one part of the equation. They have to move and exercise. Personally I don't care what form that exercise takes. I love running, but if someone wants to walk, bike, jump rope, swim, I don't care....do it.

If you need help to lose weight, see a doctor, join Weight Watchers, find a support group, or join a gym. Do something, because being obese and shortening your life isn't worth it.

I have friends who are obese, and I have not been a good friend, because I need to let them know I am concerned about their health. I just don't want to be rude if I say something. Then I realized, no one spoke to me about it. Other than the occasional talk from my parents(who weren't good at those talks), almost know ever pulled me aside to share a concern. I won't name their names in this post, but I will let them know I am concerned.

We need to take action against obesity. We need to talk about it. We need to act on it. We need to be encouraging to those who struggle to lose weight. There are all kinds of reasons we need to fight obesity, but mostly we need to fight it, because we love our friends and family and want them to live long, healthy lives.

Charlie

Next Up - Chicago

Got the 5K out of the way, so now it's time to focus on the half marathon in Chicago in July. This will be a warm one, and I am not a fan of hot races, but if you have goals to achieve, sometimes you got to run when you don't want to.

Rock n Roll Chicago is divided into two sections: the city and the lakefront. The city portion takes you through the first few miles of the Chicago Marathon, but instead of heading north, you head south along Lake Michigan and the Lakefront Path. On a hot day, that is when you feel the heat. You are away from the shadows of buildings, and out in the sun, especially as it reflects off the water.

Being smart in this race means you have to pace yourself carefully as you go along the lakefront. It's narrower than the city streets, and because it is a public park, it isn't closed off from anyone else using the park.

I ran the first RnR Chicago, and thought is was only ok. What I hated was stepping on wet sponges after the wet sponge station. For a mile I was running on tossed down sponges. Hope they have figured a better way to do that.

Still I am looking forward to running in Chicago again. It's where I started running, and holds special meaning to me.

Charlie

Rainbow Run 5K Race Report

The morning was sunny and cool as almost 400 people gathered for the Inaugural Rainbow Run 5K. This event kicks off LGBT Pride Week in Indianapolis, and I wanted to be part of it. As I walked around the start area early on, I was struck by the communal nature of the event. This wasn't a typical run where some runners were off in a corner, preparing for a chance to win. Granted there were some folks stretching, but no one looked like they were in it to win it.

The race actually kicked off 2 minutes early, not even enough time for me to get the Garmin going at the start. It took a couple minutes to get going. So I understood, I would only have a vague idea of my time. Off we went through the Herron Morton Neighborhoods of Indianapolis. This is where a good many gay and lesbian people live in Indy, and we started at Talbott Street. Back in the day Talbott Street was a showplace gay club and I really liked it. Time has brought new owners, but it is still a fun club for the gay community.

The start went well, thought I went off too fast. I calmed down and got into a pace I found comfortable. Not a lot of people out cheering, but there was the occasional gay family out raising a cup of coffee our way. I made sure to thank police officers and volunteers as I went by. No water stations in this race, but really the only time I wanted water was when I was facing the sun.

At mile 2 I saw my pace was around 13:40, I was pretty happy with that. It meant I was doing well, and how I wanted to run the race. Remember I wanted to stick to a 41-42 minute race. There was one guy though I felt was challenging me. We would pass each other, and to be honest he was annoying me. He would pull ahead, then look back. Not sure if he was looking for me, or to see if there were others, but it bugged me that he kept doing that(never look back). At the 2.5 mile point I passed him for the last time. This guy was not going to beat me.

The last mile I was determined to finish strong. I did some speedier work, and when I rounded the final corner there was the finish line in sight. Mark, and my friends Jama and Lindsey were at the end. The ladies had already finished. I pushed through, and finished the race in 41:51. I felt GREAT in this race, and felt like I could have done another 5K.

This was a fun race. I have done pride races in the past, and this one was my favorite. I'll be doing this one again.

Charlie

Next Up - Rainbow 5K

Tomorrow morning will be race #2 this year - the inaugural Rainbow 5K. This race kicks off the annual LGBT Pride Week in Indianapolis. Really looking forward to this race for different reasons.

5K's are less demanding. This is a chance to do a race, but not invest a lot of time and effort. Since this isn't a half marathon, I know I will be done quickly, and not too sore.

The strategy is different for a 5K. This isn't about stamina. Since I typically run 4 miles, I know what to expect n a shorter race, and I can work on speed a bit more.

Fun! This race will be fun. C'mon a couple hundred gays and lesbians out running? You know there will be a drag queen or two in the crowd. Of course I would like to think I can beat a drag queen, but it depends on if they have heels on or not. This race will offer a prize for the most pridefully dressed runner. Hmmmm....where is my sequined singlet?

My store is a sponsor of this race, so I am especially proud to be running this. So all in all it should be a good day!

As for time....I am shooting for a time between 40-41 minutes. Could happen.

Charlie