Ten years ago this week, I was in a soul sucking, miserable, tiring, low paying, unappreciated at Macy's. I had started off two years earlier as holiday help, and kept me, simply to torture me I think. At the depths of despair, I saw an ad which changed my life. Fleet Feet Sports Chicago was looking for enthusiastic people to work. While I wasn't feeling enthusiastic, I did love running, and why not work in a running store?
I interviewed with owner Dave Zimmer. It was one of those interviews where you came away thinking, "Man I want this so bad, I know I nailed the interview." On Friday Dec. 15, I had a shift at Macy's. I dreaded it, but I also knew Dave Zimmer told me he would call me that day to let me know if he wanted to hire me.
I headed to work, not dressed in my black suit and tie, I went to HR, and I told them I was quitting. The HR person said, "Don't you want to give two weeks notice? After all if you just quit you won't be eligible for rehire." I assured her that I didn't want to be rehired, and was sorry I was leaving in them in the lurch. As most of you know I am not a burning bridges guy, but this was one bridge, I splashed with gasoline, lit the match and ran like HELL out of there. On the way home I was nervous and excited.....I wanted this job!
Three hours later Dave called me. He said he knew it was the height of Christmas shopping, and maybe I could split time with Macy's, but he wanted to hire me, and when could I start. "Dave, I quite my job three hours ago, I could come over tomorrow and start," I said. He chuckled and told me Monday would be great, and I would be working at the Lincoln Square store. I started Monday, Dec. 18. When I walked into the store that Monday and met Sarah Cathcart and Jeremy Schapiro, my adventure began.
By now many of you know the story....I worked with Fleet Feet Sports, then BlueMile, then Providence Running Company, and now Fleet Feet Sports again - the circle of life. You may know that I have worked with amazing people, many of who have become amazing friends. I have gotten to have experiences I never would have had, be it going to my first Boston Red Sox game at Fenway, courtesy of New Balance, or running the famed Hood to Coast Relay Race. I've met legends such as Meb Keflezghi, Dick Beardsley, Ryan Hall, Kara Goucher and Dean Karnazes.
The crux of my career has been meeting and working with runners and walkers of all types. I've learned people's stories. I've celebrated their race successes, and I've hugged them when things didn't go well. I've coached, counseled, partied, mourned, celebrated, advised, and any other thing you can imagine, with runners. That has also been my job.
I've had great highs, but I have also experienced painful lows in this career. Thank God for the friends I made along the way who reminded me who I was, and why I do what I do, or I might be doing something else now. I've resisted talking about the negative aspects of the work I have done, but there are people who know how bad things got.
I will say, the lowest point was when I had my heart attack in 2014, and my staff at BlueMile was advised not to contact me. Many of them still did, because that is what friends do, but it was a horrible point in my life where I could have used more support, and the powers that be decided to make my life worse. I am forever in debt to BlueMile Carmel team for being so wonderful.
I can't list everyone I want to here, and on Facebook, and if someone feels I slighted them, I'm sorry. There are hundreds of people I know, and I can't acknowledge all of them. Just know I am forever grateful for the role you played these last 10 years.
My next decade is being developed now. I am embarking on the new adventure of ownership. This time next year I could be anywhere, but for now I am learning and working in Carrboro, NC, and loving every minute of it. It feels like I am back home with Fleet Feet.
I would be remiss if I didn't thank one person in particular - my partner Mark. When Mark and I met nine years ago, he certainly didn't think he would be moving around like we have. He has been with me, and while he doesn't always understand what I do, he supports me and my goals(as long as it doesn't involve the state of Indiana ;-) ). Next year he and I celebrate a decade together, and I love him very much.
If I worked with you, you hold a special place in my heart. If I fit you for shoes, it was my pleasure and honor to work with you. If I trained you for a race, it was a privilege. If I handed you water on the Monon or on Blackstone Trail, it was so much fun to be out there with you, If you were my assistant manager, you are part of my family.
Thanks everyone it's been a wonderful life....here is to many more years to come.
Happy Running!
Charlie
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