A number of LGBT activists are calling for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Recently the Russian government has outlawed what they call pro-gay propaganda. There can be no gay pride demonstrations, talk about gay people in a positive light, no public displays of affection, in short - any thing which is deemed pro-gay. Jail is the penalty for violating the law. The International Olympic Committee says they are working with the Russians to allow openly lesbian and gay athletes to compete.
I say let the open athletes compete, and let's see some pro-gay action. If the Russians want to risk worldwide embarrassment and humiliation - good. Let the world see how cruel Putin and his cronies are. My guess is the Russians won't risk jailing gay people during the Olympics. In fact, I would be a good deal of money on it. They want the world to see happy, shiny Russian faces, not angry gay/army clashes. Anyone want to take me up on this bet?
Charlie
Monday, July 22, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Marathon Countdown: 2 Months
As of this writing two months from today I will take off on my next marathon adventure. This is a good time to take stock of my training. I've been very happy with my running. I feel good. My longest runs are yet to come, but I was very happy with the 10 mile run I did a week ago. The heat and humidity have been rough, but I've managed to work through those.
What do I need to do at this point? Two things - keep running, and stay healthy. Seems easy, isn't always.
Yesterday the Community First Fox Cities Marathon folks released a video tour of the course. First impression is lots of turns. That can be a challenge. Still it looks mostly flat, not very shady. Of course I'm not too worried about that in September. Lots of residential areas to go through. This won't be a crowded marathon, so I think there will be a lot of alone spots.
I wrote about not using the GPS the other day. I'm going to throw in another techie issue - the iPod. I haven't liked running with it this go round. I find the runs I have without it are better and more enjoyable. Of course with a 4 hour run looming, I may need it a little bit.
So with the countdown really in action now....so far all systems are go.
Charlie
What do I need to do at this point? Two things - keep running, and stay healthy. Seems easy, isn't always.
Yesterday the Community First Fox Cities Marathon folks released a video tour of the course. First impression is lots of turns. That can be a challenge. Still it looks mostly flat, not very shady. Of course I'm not too worried about that in September. Lots of residential areas to go through. This won't be a crowded marathon, so I think there will be a lot of alone spots.
I wrote about not using the GPS the other day. I'm going to throw in another techie issue - the iPod. I haven't liked running with it this go round. I find the runs I have without it are better and more enjoyable. Of course with a 4 hour run looming, I may need it a little bit.
So with the countdown really in action now....so far all systems are go.
Charlie
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
What Drives You?
On a hot, and humid day like today, it's easy to stay indoors. Days like this can be brutal out on the road or trail. Still on those days, I think one question to ask is what drives you to run?
I spoke with a gentleman yesterday who runs 4-6 miles a day, seven days a week. He told me he does it to stay alive. He has battled high cholesterol, and running helps him keep it in check. He doesn't race, but he used to. He loves running. He misses running 10 miles a day, but time has a way of reducing our miles - he's 65. He is currently a 9:00/mile pace runner. He told me he walks more now, and when he hits the 10:00/mile pace he may stop running. I told him not to, because at least he is out there running. That's more than most people.
When I started running, it was to lose weight. That was my motivation. Time have changed that, because I see running differently now. What drives me is a sense of accomplishing something. Some days, it's the desire to be out on my own and just be alone with my thoughts. Some days it's because I think it's what I do to feel normal. Other days, I do it to push my body one more step. The common theme for me is that I keep moving forward.
I am running more this year, than I have the last two years, and I am a happier runner for it. Races keep me in check. Marathons, challenge me.
What drives you?
Charlie
I spoke with a gentleman yesterday who runs 4-6 miles a day, seven days a week. He told me he does it to stay alive. He has battled high cholesterol, and running helps him keep it in check. He doesn't race, but he used to. He loves running. He misses running 10 miles a day, but time has a way of reducing our miles - he's 65. He is currently a 9:00/mile pace runner. He told me he walks more now, and when he hits the 10:00/mile pace he may stop running. I told him not to, because at least he is out there running. That's more than most people.
When I started running, it was to lose weight. That was my motivation. Time have changed that, because I see running differently now. What drives me is a sense of accomplishing something. Some days, it's the desire to be out on my own and just be alone with my thoughts. Some days it's because I think it's what I do to feel normal. Other days, I do it to push my body one more step. The common theme for me is that I keep moving forward.
I am running more this year, than I have the last two years, and I am a happier runner for it. Races keep me in check. Marathons, challenge me.
What drives you?
Charlie
Monday, July 15, 2013
A Letter to My Forerunner 110
Dear Garmin Forerunner 110,
What can I say, we have had some wonderful runs together. You have shown me the wonders of running, be it showing my pace, my miles logged, where I ran, etc. You have timed me, when I needed to be timed. You have uploaded info which details my fastest and slowest pace. You were kind enough to map my run for me.
Here's the thing though.....I'm just not that in to you anymore. You see, I'm more worried about what my pace is, when I should be worried about how I am running. I feel like I'm looking at you for some sort of validation, and in return, I just see numbers going and going. Really though, it's not you, it's me. I just don't want to know what my pace is every second of my run.
Last week's long run was nice, because I wasn't worried about was I hitting my pace. I find when I worry about it, I'm not doing it. So I've made a decision. I'm going to cut back on using you. We can call it a break, though I will confess, I may see someone else. There's a hot Timex I've had my eye on, and all it does is keep time. I know, I know, it seems cruel, but I really think technology is not making be a better runner.
Oh, we'll still see each other. I just can't commit to the longer runs with you. I want to feel freer than I am. I hope you understand.
Love,
Charlie
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Charlie,
You suck, and your wrist is a bit stinky when you run.
Yours,
Forerunner 110
What can I say, we have had some wonderful runs together. You have shown me the wonders of running, be it showing my pace, my miles logged, where I ran, etc. You have timed me, when I needed to be timed. You have uploaded info which details my fastest and slowest pace. You were kind enough to map my run for me.
Here's the thing though.....I'm just not that in to you anymore. You see, I'm more worried about what my pace is, when I should be worried about how I am running. I feel like I'm looking at you for some sort of validation, and in return, I just see numbers going and going. Really though, it's not you, it's me. I just don't want to know what my pace is every second of my run.
Last week's long run was nice, because I wasn't worried about was I hitting my pace. I find when I worry about it, I'm not doing it. So I've made a decision. I'm going to cut back on using you. We can call it a break, though I will confess, I may see someone else. There's a hot Timex I've had my eye on, and all it does is keep time. I know, I know, it seems cruel, but I really think technology is not making be a better runner.
Oh, we'll still see each other. I just can't commit to the longer runs with you. I want to feel freer than I am. I hope you understand.
Love,
Charlie
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Charlie,
You suck, and your wrist is a bit stinky when you run.
Yours,
Forerunner 110
The Best - Again
Refresher time.....
There is no best running shoe. There is no shoe which will assure you a PR in your next race. It doesn't matter what shoe I wear. It doesn't matter what shoe "most people buy." There is no weeklyBCS ranking of shoes to determine to best. Sorry....it goes back to what I have said for over 6 years in the business - the best shoe is the one that fits the best and works the best for you - period.
Can you tell what my weekend was like?
Charlie
There is no best running shoe. There is no shoe which will assure you a PR in your next race. It doesn't matter what shoe I wear. It doesn't matter what shoe "most people buy." There is no weeklyBCS ranking of shoes to determine to best. Sorry....it goes back to what I have said for over 6 years in the business - the best shoe is the one that fits the best and works the best for you - period.
Can you tell what my weekend was like?
Charlie
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Two Runs
This week I had two very different runs, though both were designed to do the same thing. Earlier last week I attempted to run my long run - 3 hours or 10 miles. That run ended after 50 minutes. Running in the humidity was like running with a sponge over my mouth. It also turned into an angry run, where I was just so frustrated with life, I couldn't concentrate on life.
Run #2 was better. It was a cooler day, less humidity, and I didn't use the GPS, just the watch. Technology is a wonderful thing, but sometimes, you don't need to know what pace you are running at every given moment. Sorry Garmin. So I ran.
This run was much better. I felt freer to run, since I wasn't always looking at the GPS. When I run without the GPS, I feel I can focus more on the run, and my body, and what I am doing. I finished in 2:24, and ran 10 miles, which is pretty good for me. More importantly I was happy with the run.
I told my training program yesterday, that we have to improvise when we run. We can't be a slave to the program. If your long run isn't going well, scrap it, and just run. You can do the long run the next go round. It really doesn't matter if you do your long run on Saturday or some other day. I know we have busy lives, but just figure it out, and know you have some freedom.
Charlie
Run #2 was better. It was a cooler day, less humidity, and I didn't use the GPS, just the watch. Technology is a wonderful thing, but sometimes, you don't need to know what pace you are running at every given moment. Sorry Garmin. So I ran.
This run was much better. I felt freer to run, since I wasn't always looking at the GPS. When I run without the GPS, I feel I can focus more on the run, and my body, and what I am doing. I finished in 2:24, and ran 10 miles, which is pretty good for me. More importantly I was happy with the run.
I told my training program yesterday, that we have to improvise when we run. We can't be a slave to the program. If your long run isn't going well, scrap it, and just run. You can do the long run the next go round. It really doesn't matter if you do your long run on Saturday or some other day. I know we have busy lives, but just figure it out, and know you have some freedom.
Charlie
Friday, July 05, 2013
Firecracker 6 2013
Yesterday was the annual running of the Firecracker 6, a 6 mile race through downtown Indianapolis. What started with 250 runners in 2010, is now up to around 1,000 registered runners. Not bad. upfront, I will be honest, I have run 3 out of the 4 races, but this is not my favorite race. In fact, I don't like the course. I needed a 6 mile run yesterday, and this fit the bill.
The plus side to the race is I got to run with my friend Kris. Typically when I run with friends, that means we start together. Kris and I ran the entire course yesterday. The 6 miles was spent catching up, and just chatting.
Wait though, this was also a training run, so how did that go? I finished in 1:33, so I was at a decent pace. This was the slowest Firecracker I have done, but I was viewing it in terms of marathon training. For the marathon training, I was where I wanted to be pace-wise. This is a hot and humid race, so I walked more than I care too, but it I just felt uncomfortable, and need more walking.
My biggest complaint about this race was finally resolved. When we ran the first one, Mark was with us running, and he got frustrated that there weren't any port-a-potties on the course. This was the first year they had one on the course(Mile 3). About time folks!
I think if I am going to truly love running in Indianapolis, I need to design a course I like. Why do all the courses have to take us through the ugly industrial parts of the city. It makes it sooooo boring(500 Mini Marathon). At least the Monumental just skirts you around those parts.
I finished in 797th place out of over 800 finishers. I'll take it, a Kenyan I am not.
Charlie
The plus side to the race is I got to run with my friend Kris. Typically when I run with friends, that means we start together. Kris and I ran the entire course yesterday. The 6 miles was spent catching up, and just chatting.
Wait though, this was also a training run, so how did that go? I finished in 1:33, so I was at a decent pace. This was the slowest Firecracker I have done, but I was viewing it in terms of marathon training. For the marathon training, I was where I wanted to be pace-wise. This is a hot and humid race, so I walked more than I care too, but it I just felt uncomfortable, and need more walking.
My biggest complaint about this race was finally resolved. When we ran the first one, Mark was with us running, and he got frustrated that there weren't any port-a-potties on the course. This was the first year they had one on the course(Mile 3). About time folks!
I think if I am going to truly love running in Indianapolis, I need to design a course I like. Why do all the courses have to take us through the ugly industrial parts of the city. It makes it sooooo boring(500 Mini Marathon). At least the Monumental just skirts you around those parts.
I finished in 797th place out of over 800 finishers. I'll take it, a Kenyan I am not.
Charlie
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