The Sound of My Feet

The iPod stayed home yesterday as I went on my 40 minute run. I am a big fan of now and then leaving the music at home, and just heading out and listening to the sound of my feet. I think there is a great benefit to listening to your body on a run. I have talked about this before.

It isn't that your body is speaking, but it is in a sense. Without the music blaring, you can get a real sense for how your body is feeling on a run.

So what did my body tell me yesterday? It told me to run, and run faster. I did. My first two miles was run in 24:30. I slowed down a touch in the last 15:30, but still made the most of my run. I felt tired, very tired at the end of the run, but that is how it should be.

There are times to go easy, and there are times to push. Your body will tell you what time it is. I encourage all of you to go for a run without the music, and listen to your body.

Charlie

Taking Advice

Some people have trouble taking advice. I find it ironic that these people ask for advice, and then will not follow it at all. Runners can be like this. Barefoot or minimal running comes to mind.

I get asked frequently about minimal shoes and should people buy them. I talk to them about how it is about form, and not just the shoes. That if you are going to buy a minimal shoes, s-l-o-w-l-y integrate them into your running. I always suggest walking in them for a time and get used to how they feel. Once you do that, then start to run small miles at first, and slowly increase the miles.

Over the last few weeks I have talked to, or read about people complaining about the pain they suffer from - running 5 miles in their new minimal shoes, doing hill training in their minimal shoes, running a race in their new minimal shoes. Now did I advise these people against that? No, but I am 100% sure someone did. Now these people are suffering.

I get we runners are a stubborn bunch, but we are not stupid. Oh we do stupid things, but by nature we aren't stupid.

I just wish we listened to advice more.

Charlie

Contemplating Life, Death and Cranking it Up

Yesterday I ran for 30 minutes and oh I had the weight of life and death on my mind.

I have written in the past about my friend Mike. Mike is fighting Mylenoma, a form of blood and plasma Cancer. He has battled for a long time, and he is currently going through another battle. He was in my thoughts as I ran, Mike has faced this battle with a fierceness that I would hope I would have if I were in a similar situation.

Mike has some important loves. He loves his wife and family. He loves God. He loves trains. He loves a good glass of wine. He loves bike riding. He loves life. Those loves are worth fighting for.

When I run, I want to make sure I am doing what I need to do to be healthy, so I can continue to love my life and the people in my life. Mike, as I have said, is an inspiration to me. I greatly admire the zest he has for living.

One of the things which has bothered me over the last few years is that I was restricted in my running. This helped a decline if my fitness, it also made me feel down. Yesterday the doctor told me I could crank things up with my running. His feeling is that as long as my hips are not in pain, I can run. More tests would need to be done, but I have never felt hip pain. Occasional stiffness? Yes, but that is a given in my life. The doctor encouraged me to get back to doing longer runs, and doing the races and runs I want to do.

For me this means I get to pursue working more towards a healthier life, and hopefully attack it the same passion Mike does.

Charlie

Worked It

Today was a cross train day. I took a page from my Chicago days, and did a similar cross train I used to do there.

5 minutes on the elliptical - which serves as a warm up.

I did 25 minutes of resistance work. My focus was on my arms, shoulder and a little bit of legs.

15 minute run - this was my cardio.

At first I dreaded doing this, but as I got started I thought, "WOW I am loving this." For the first time in a long time I felt like I was training. There is a big difference between a workout, and training. Today I felt I had purpose and I was training!

Charlie

Running with Steve and Gaga

It isn't often you can put the following together - Steve Runner and Lady Gaga. In fact this may be the only time. My 40 minute run yesterday was a combination of running with Phedippidations and Lady Gaga. The first 30 I listened to Steve's most recent podcast. The last 10 minutes - solid Lady Gag.

There is something very comforting about running with Steve Runner. He is the friend you want to run with. He talks, you listen and run. It's all good. The recent podcast has Steve talking about his earlier days. It really is like running with a friend.

Lady Gaga helped me get through the last 10 minutes of the run when I want to ramp it up a bit. Her new single "Born This Way" is a powerful anthem of empowerment for the LGBT community. I'm sure the people on the various treadmills wondered who the odd guy lip syncing was. I didn't care. I got through the run.

In the 40 minutes I ran 3.18 miles - I call that a decent run.

Today cross training is the order of the day.

Charlie

Goals for the Week

Here are the goals I am setting for myself:

Run 4 days this week.

Increase the number of minutes running - looking to have a long run of 1 hour.

Begin to cross train.

Charlie

Putting Into Perspective

This evening I watched a fave running film of mine - "Chariots of Fire." I think it's a good one to watch when you want to put your running into perspective. The story of the film follows two runners: Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams. Liddell, a Scot and devout Christian makes a stand that he will not run on a Sunday. Abrahams, a Jew, is a man burning to win. Both are gifted athletes. Both bring differing perspectives for running.

For Abrahams, his running and winning means gaining acceptance in a society which looks down on Jews. For Liddell, running is a gift from God, and he treasures that gift.

My running is not a gift, nor does it come naturally. I have to work very hard at it. Some days are better than others. I have to dig deep to make things work for me. For others running is a easy extension of themselves. I envy those people sometimes.

Still when I am running, I love it, and I feel complete. Today's run was one where I felt very complete. I ran for 30 minutes, and did a combination of speed work, and taking it easy. I felt good running.

I have to say though I eagerly await the day the snow and ice are gone so I can really run outside.

Charlie

Time Flies

Time flies when you have battled ice storms. Here in Indianapolis we have battled bitter cold, snow and ice. This is not a good mix for running outside. I have retreated to the indoors. I am so glad my gym has a nice track and great treadmills. Those have helped.

I have been running regularly. My last two workouts have been 40 minutes, and I think I am ready to tackle 1 hour runs. At least, that is what I would like to do. I am feeling good as I am running, so I say let's move it up.

I am enjoying running again. I think I will enjoy it even more once I have an outdoor routine. The gym can get old. I am also enjoying knowing I have races coming up.

Work is going well. I am beginning to put some fun marketing ideas to work, and hopefully those will take off. Good times.

Charlie

Running with Clubbed Feet

As I have shared before I was born with clubbed feet. Clubbed feet occurs in about 1 in 1000 babies. In my case my feet were sideways, and pointed in when I was born. While I was an infant I had corrective surgery, and as a small child I would have to wear corrective braces for a time.

The corrective surgery removed tendons from the back of my legs. The left foot was corrected, the right wasn't. I had a second surgery in my teens in which some bones were removed from my right foot. It corrected it some, but really did not do much in my opinion.

My right foot is a size 6 1/2 and my left is a 7 1/2.

Today my friend Kay Morris send me this link.

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/8819779.Harwell_man_born_with_club_feet_to_run_marathon/

I was actually quite happy to see someone else who has been what I have been through can run. Running can be a painful experience for me, especially in the longer distances. My right foot has almost no range of motion, so running is very hard on it. As I like to say I supinate like nobody's business. I ran practically on the outside of my feet.

It is because of these issues I now have arthritis in my hips, and I am sure elsewhere too. Time is not going to be on my side on this one. Still....I run. I'm not sure what I would do if I was told I could no longer run.

Charlie

30 Minute Sunday Thoughts

Today the goal was a 30 minute run, and I accomplished that. Mark and I went to NIFS, and I headed out on the track. It was actually nice to see families at the gym. Some were running. Others were playing basketball. I liked watching the father showing his son how to use the punching bag.

About the closest our dad every did to taking us to a gym like atmosphere, was going to the high school pool near our cottage on Lake Michigan. In the fall or winter, there were days he would take us to pool for a swim. I always enjoyed that.

As I ran, I also began to think about the races I have planned. The first 5K of the year is March 5. Am thinking of a 10K later, and the Geist Half in May. I want to begin running longer than 40 minutes. Over the next couple weeks, my longer runs will stretch to an hour. I need to work on the endurance. I know speed will come later.

The run was a good one. One run for the week down - 3 to go.

Charlie

The Upcoming Week's Running Plan

I am finding it is best if I develop my running plan from week to week. Sometimes the schedule allows for 4 days of running, some days 3. We are coming up on a 4 day week.

Here is the goal:

Day 1 - 30 minute run.

Day 2 - 40 minute run.

Day 3 - 30-40 minute run.

Day 4 - 45 minute run.

Those are actually realistic goals, and I have told Mark, if I look like I am going to falter - kick me in the butt. No worries, he won't physically kick me. He'll just give me one of those looks.

Charlie

Thank You Steve Runner

It has been a long time since I listened to Phedippidations, one of my favorite podcasts. I wasn't listening, because I wasn't feeling much like a runner. Today though I listened on my 40 minute run, and I am so glad I did.

Steve, as always, does a fine job with the show. One of the reasons I have loved listening to the show is Steve's passion for running is contagious. His show on poetry was what I needed today. I loved everyone contributing poems to the show.

I will paraphrase, but the line that resonated with me was - failure only occurs if we have not had the courage to start. That made me smile and encouraged me so much.

The run was a solid 40 minute which felt better than the other day. I ran 3.2 miles and felt darned good.

In other news, NYC Marathon is offering a chance to withdraw applications for the lottery this year. That made some changes to the rules, so they are giving people a chance to get money back. I talked it over with Mark. Plan B will now me the GOAL. I will withdraw from the NYC Marathon Lottery, and focus on the Portland Marathon in October.

Let the road to Portland begin.

Charlie

Geist Half Marathon

I wanted to share the race I will be running May - the Geist Half Marathon.

http://www.geisthalf.com/

I will also share the course.

http://www.geisthalf.com/course.asp

HILLS!!!

Yes it is a pretty course, but there are hills. Now I got to work on my hill work. One step at a time right?

Very excited to have a race coming up to really focus on. Woo Hoo!

:-)Charlie

Slow Run Along the Monon

Today I ran with my friend Kris along the Monon. I had thought we would run for 30 minutes, but I felt good and had us run 40 minutes. We were pokey, at least I was. Kris was a good sport and ran at my pace. It was nice to catch up with Kris. I am so glad she has taken to running.

So during the run plans formed for the Spring. It looks like I have a spring half marathon. Kris is going to run the Geist Half Marathon in May. The Geist is a reservoir north of Indianapolis. I hear it is quite pretty. I also hear it is rolling hill after rolling hill. OY! It is Kris' first half, so I will be happy to run it with her. She may have to run ahead though.

For now the spring looks like Bulldog Jog 5K in March and the Geist Half in May. I am leaning towards doing the 10k at the Holy Half Marathon in South Bend in April. I think that would make for a fine spring run season.

So how did I feel about the run other than pokey? It's an adjustment for me being a heavier runner again. Speed and endurance will come with time, and I need to be patient.

At least I got a 40 minute run in today.

Charlie

First Step of the Week

Today's goal - 30 minute run.

Mission accomplished. I ran 2.37 miles in 30 minutes. Not a blazing run by any means, but I hopped on the treadmill and did it. A week of no running meant I was not at my best today. I feel good though for doing it. I had to get back on track, and I did.

As I ran, I thought about the races I want to do this season. I am registered for the Bulldog Jog 5K in March. The race runs through Butler University - home of the almost 2010 NCAA Basketball Champions.

My next race? I really want to run the 10K at the Holy Half Marathon at Notre Dame. That is in April . The question then is - what half marathon do I want to run??? This is the big question. I may run something local, or I may travel a bit. We'll see.

Charlie

The Week's Plan - Back on Track

So after a week of stress and work, I have planned my running schedule for the week. It starts tomorrow - a 30-45 minute run. The goal is to run for 3 days this week, and then 4 the following week. If I do 4 days this week - BONUS!

I still need a spring half marathon.

Charlie

My Mind

This has been a busy week since I got back from Florida, so I am sorry I haven't written. I have not been able to run with the schedule I had at work this week, but I am plotting next week's running. Two very different issues to talk about today.

Running wise, this has been a great week - not my running though. Thursday was the last night of the First Steps Program I coached for five weeks. Beginner runners are so cool to work with. I enjoyed heading out with them on the runs, and getting to know them. Some of them have decided to train for the Indy Mini Marathon.

Training programs for the Mini started today, and I am one of the coaches of the program. It is a wonderful thing to watch 50-60 people head out on a cold winter's morning for their first run of the program. And it was a cold one - 5 degrees!

While it was so wonderful to watch enthusiastic runners, my thoughts have been elsewhere. My dad is not well. He is 93 years old and lives with my stepmother in assisted living. Mark and I visited last weekend, and I was glad I did.

Dad has great difficulty getting around. He has walkers and a motorized chair to get around. He is also dealing with blood pressure issues which give him mini strokes - as I call them. These episodes leave him feeling a bit confused or dopey as he calls it, and he can get a bit crabby. He is having more of these.

It is incredibly hard to watch your parents deteriorate. Watching my mom die was painful. Watching my dad getting slower, and dealing with his issues is also difficult. Dad won't talk about what is going on with him, but he will talk about other things.

On our trip he asked about my job. I told him, as I have in the past what I do. It's safe to say he doesn't always get what a running specialty store does, or why anyone would go to one. I think he is just happy I am working. No, it isn't the career he wanted for me....but it is the one I love.

He also has an odd time understanding my running. I don't really what he thinks. I tell him about my running, and he gives me that patient look, like I just said something stupid, but he will pretend to be interested. I know it probably bores him. That's ok....I did the same thing with his fishing.

Can you tell my dad and I have an interesting relationship?

Still, it is hard to wrap my brain around his failing health. I still think of him as the strong vital man I knew growing up. Not the old, barely walking, man I see today. That is not the Joe Colpaert I know.

My sister and I have already talked about the inevitable. We started these discussions some time ago. They are no different than what siblings have talked about when their parents' health is going. Still, you have to have those talks. Mentally I am ready. Emotionally it will be hard.

On a day of watching people go out and be active, my thoughts were on one who could not be.

Charlie

After This Last Week....

Last week was a difficult week. Mark has a seizure this last week. It was his first one in over a year. When someone has a seizure it is not only physically devastating, but emotionally hard as well. It is hard not only hard for Mark, of which it takes him some time to recover, but it's hard for me too.

It is difficult times like this I think running becomes important. It's a time away from the issue. A chance to re-group. It's a chance to recharge.

Sadly, there was little time for that until today.

Today I went on a short run here in Naples, FL, where I am visiting my family. I wished it could have been a longer run. I need one. Still I got out. I cleared my head, and still felt good with my run.

Mark and I have our challenges with his seizures, but I am glad to know I have my outlet to help cope.

Charlie

Got to Train

Today I ran for 40 minutes at the gym. It was one of those runs where you feel good, and that you know things are going your way. My first 24 minutes were on the track, the last 16 minutes were on the treadmill. Both felt good, and I covered more ground this week than last week during my 40 minute run. Last week - 3.22 miles, today - 3.26 miles.

I felt a little more like myself. The mantra in my head was "Got to train."

Today I decided on a 5K to run, so my head was in the place where I "got to train." It felt good to tell myself that I was training. Looking at the Bulldog Jog 5K in March. Now I need a half marathon for the spring.

Afterall - I got to train.

Charlie

Day 5 - Baby I'ts Cold Outside

As you all know I am a notorious weather wimp. That was put to the test today. New snow, temps hover around ZERO, and it was a First Steps day. First Steps is the beginning running groups I am coaching. Seven braves souls showed up, so it would really be bad if the coach did not go out.

Out I went. We ran for 20 minutes, and to be honest, I enjoyed. Oh yes it was cold, but all I had to do was 20 minutes in -7 F wind chill. I lived to tell the tale.

The runners had fun, I had fun, and now I get to rest for a day. Again the goal next week is 4 runs.

Charlie