I've written on this before, and I feel I need to again. Runners don't have a look. Runners have a stereotype of being rail thin and always running. A runner can look like...well me.
This last week I had business dealings with a man, who at one point said to me, "Well you don't look like you run." WTF!!! Nice manners sir. By the way in reference to your wanting basketball shoes, the only dunking you do involves a glazed donut and a cup of coffee.
I get "the look" from people like that, where they look my up and down, and determine some things about it. It pisses me off, but I deal with it. I got a bunch of medals, documented race times, and this blog to back up my running cred. What you got?
Now, I know I'm not who you think you are going to encounter in a running store. That's the point. You want to encounter me in the store, because I know how to relate to lacing up shoes for the first time, and heading out for a run, worrying if I'm "doing it right." I'm the guy who can tell you every detail of his first marathon and go over what you need to think about as you prepare. I'm the one who is going to give the best advice I can so you can get the right shoe(not just the pretty one). I'm the guy who wears XL, and it's ok.
"The Look" underestimates me, belittles me, and is insulting. Have you seen who shows up at races? It's me, several thousand times over. So get over the preconceived idea.....and understand I am a runner.
Charlie
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Act III - Providence
The longest winter in the history of the world....or at least Rhode Island is coming to an end. With Spring comes a new act in the play that is my life - Act III - Providence.
Mark and I moved here in December. Little did we know what winter would be like. About a billion of inches of snow later.....ok, maybe closer to 70 inches, we see glimmers of Spring. The Winter and all the snow meant very little running for me, and we don't belong to a gym, so I've gained weight, and feel gross. However the next act is upon us, and there is movement afoot.
Providence Running Company is open! It's not where it needs to be yet, but it's a work in progress. I've never opened a store, and I'm not so sure I want to do it again, but here it is opening, and we are beginning to greet and meet the runners and walkers of Providence.
So far everyone has been wonderful(with the one glaring exception of a bank manager who thinks we won't do well, but still wants a discount). People are excited to have a shiny, new running store in their neighborhood.
I've hired, who I think, is a great group of people. They are all eager to learn, eager to help runners, and eager to have fun. So far so good.
Even though there have been a lot of bumps on this journey, I'm enjoying myself, and enjoying starting a business from scratch. It's an interesting process, which also frustrates, because I know what needs to be done, but am dependent on many many people to help, and communication is not a strong suit to these folks.
Still there has been wonderful support from people who I respect, and that is what has helped me be patient, and at times kept my laughing.
Providence has been good to Mark and me. We have met wonderful people. We live in a wonderful place. We are enjoying the town. I'm also enjoying running here. I'm finding nice places to run and good people to run with occasionally. I'm enjoying running....which has been a long time coming.
Yesterday I ran my first 5K since my heart attack. The St. Pats 5K was fun, fairly Irish-ish, and a great way to get back to racing.
Providence is a quirky town, but it fits us. Mark and I are kind of quirky, so I'm sure we'll fit right in.
I call this Act III, because this is my third store in my career. This could be my last store. I feel very settled with this one, and can't imagine moving on to manager another one. I have a lot of creativity with this store, which I didn't have in Indianapolis. I have more freedom, which I didn't have in Chicago or Indianapolis. One thing is for sure, I am determined to make this as fun an experience for my staff and me as possible. I feel I was missing some joy in Indy, and I have a chance to get it back.
So far, I'm liking Act III.
Charlie
Mark and I moved here in December. Little did we know what winter would be like. About a billion of inches of snow later.....ok, maybe closer to 70 inches, we see glimmers of Spring. The Winter and all the snow meant very little running for me, and we don't belong to a gym, so I've gained weight, and feel gross. However the next act is upon us, and there is movement afoot.
Providence Running Company is open! It's not where it needs to be yet, but it's a work in progress. I've never opened a store, and I'm not so sure I want to do it again, but here it is opening, and we are beginning to greet and meet the runners and walkers of Providence.
So far everyone has been wonderful(with the one glaring exception of a bank manager who thinks we won't do well, but still wants a discount). People are excited to have a shiny, new running store in their neighborhood.
I've hired, who I think, is a great group of people. They are all eager to learn, eager to help runners, and eager to have fun. So far so good.
Even though there have been a lot of bumps on this journey, I'm enjoying myself, and enjoying starting a business from scratch. It's an interesting process, which also frustrates, because I know what needs to be done, but am dependent on many many people to help, and communication is not a strong suit to these folks.
Still there has been wonderful support from people who I respect, and that is what has helped me be patient, and at times kept my laughing.
Providence has been good to Mark and me. We have met wonderful people. We live in a wonderful place. We are enjoying the town. I'm also enjoying running here. I'm finding nice places to run and good people to run with occasionally. I'm enjoying running....which has been a long time coming.
Yesterday I ran my first 5K since my heart attack. The St. Pats 5K was fun, fairly Irish-ish, and a great way to get back to racing.
Providence is a quirky town, but it fits us. Mark and I are kind of quirky, so I'm sure we'll fit right in.
I call this Act III, because this is my third store in my career. This could be my last store. I feel very settled with this one, and can't imagine moving on to manager another one. I have a lot of creativity with this store, which I didn't have in Indianapolis. I have more freedom, which I didn't have in Chicago or Indianapolis. One thing is for sure, I am determined to make this as fun an experience for my staff and me as possible. I feel I was missing some joy in Indy, and I have a chance to get it back.
So far, I'm liking Act III.
Charlie
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