Back, Better and Running

HELLOOOOOOO!

Yes it's been a while, but I am back, I am better and I am running. After a week of nasty cold/flu/whatever, I took to running this week. On Monday I very gingerly ran 2 miles, and that was tough. A week of being sick and non-running was not good for me.

As I ran I still had some crap in my lungs, so my chest was not 100% as I ran.

That changed this morning. Today I ran 2.6 miles, and I felt sooooo much better. How did I run? Well I did ok, but it didn't feel pretty. I think I was just glad to be out and running.

Thoughts in my head took me back a few years. I have talked in the past about my suicide attempt. Yesterday was the anniversary of that attempt. I thought about things which have happened in the last 23 years.

I have had wonderful highs, very bad lows, but one thing is for certain, I have never felt that pain or sadness I was going through when I tried to kill myself. I am not that sad 20something. I am living a good life, but it could be better, and that is what I focus on - making it better.

Charlie

So Sick

I have been sick for a few days now, and I hate it. I hate the sore throat. I hate the stuffy nose. I hate the feverish feeling. There is just not silver lining in being sick.

I mostly hate that I haven't been able to run.

Charlie

Plan Run - Cancelled

Today I was going to run 45 minutes - nope, not today. Last week Mark was sick, well it looks like it's my turn. I have a slight fever, my throat is sore and scratchy, and I feel gross. So I am not heading out on a run today.

I'm sure standing outside to help runners with water on a chilly Indiana morning did nothing to help my cause.

UGH!

Charlie

Long Run: Body Gave Advice

Today was to be a 1 1/2 hour run. It turned into a 1:11 run. I have to remind myself that this is not Chicago, and the runs are not flat, they are rolly. I am doing a lot of up and down hills that I am not really used to. So my body is adjusting. My body told me today that over an hour was good enough for today.

So what part(s) were speaking to me? My right foot was telling me that I going uphill too hard, and the part that can barely bend was not happy. My hips told me to slow down a bit. My butt(really) told me that it is not as strong as it could be(glutes that is). So I felt I accomplished a lot with the run.

What does this mean for my very hilly 1/2 marathon in May? It will most likely mean more walking than I like. I means I may have Kris go ahead of me, because it will be a lot of work for me, and I want her to run the race she wants to run. It will mean I have to find some flat places around here. Who knew in Indiana I would live in the hillier part of the city.

Lessons learned today....now I rest.

Charlie

Running With Kris

Yesterday I ran a 30 minute run with my friend Kris. She and I will be running the Geist Half Marathon in May. She has been training with my store's training program and enjoying it. Now and then I get to run with her.

It's always nice to run with Kris. We chat, we run, we chat some more. Yesterday was no exception. It was in the upper 30s, a bit nippy, but just right for a run. We wanted a flat run, so we ran through the neighborhoods in Greenwood.

I can tell Kris is getting excited about the half marathon. It's always fun to see someone get excited about a race. It can be contagious.

The run was fine. I went out too fast, and I had us slow down a bit, and then I was fine. Must remember not to run too fast and try to talk at the same time.

Charlie

Fishers

For those who are not familiar with Indiana, there is a town north of Indianapolis called Fishers. Fishers is a growing community which is more rural version of Carmel. It's a nice community, very woody. Today I ran down Eller Rd, which was very rolly, and hilly.

I felt good as I navigated the hills, of which there were plenty. I kept thinking this is a great solution to the hill training dilemma. There was traffic out, and part of the route did not have a sidewalk, so I was a bit leery. I had to depend on the good people of Fishers not to hit me. They didn't hit me.

I felt good going up the hills. For the largest hill, I walked, but I was more than fine with that.

My goal this week is another smaller run, and then a 1:30 run. Phew!

Charlie

Raw, Chilly Of Course I Ran Out There

We have had spring warmer weather until last night, then we got a sting of chilly air and rain. This morning, I looked and saw dampness, but decided to run anyway. It was chilly and raw out there, but I assumed things would improve on my run. Good news it did....at least it felt like it did.

Off I ran north on Allisonville Rd. I was shooting for a 30-35 minute run. Not too long, especially in this weather. The wind was blowing from the north....brrrrr. This was a morning that they did create the term "raw" for. When I got to my turn around point, I had run for 16:25. In my head I told myself....time to do better.

I turned around and was confronted with an uphill start to the second half of my run. "Oh goodie," I thought, this will make things easier. Notice the sarcasm? I plowed ahead. I lifted my legs a bit, and really turned it on. I kept saying over and over....must do better.

In the end, I did. My return trip was 16:09 - negative splits!!! Yes...I like a good negative split.

Along the run, my mind turned to how I could do the Geist in a couple months. I have no doubt I will finish it. I just need to be smart, and remember it is a 13.1 event.

When I got back home, and took a hot shower....I felt good with the run and with me.

Charlie

Raw, Chilly Of Course I

One Hour

Yes...I did it. Today I finally ran the one hour run I have wanted to for the last two weeks. While it was a lovely Spring day outside, I did go on the track at NIFS for this run. I had the iPod ready with tunes, and off I went.

I'll be honest, I let my mind go on this run. All I did was listen to the music and ran. I would watch the goings on of the gym while I ran, but mostly - I ran.

At the 4th mile, I thought I could get close to 5 miles within the hour. It's been a long time since I did that....so I pushed a bit. It all paid off. I ran 5 miles in 1:00:35. That was quite a run, and I was smiling at the end. Granted, I was breathing pretty hard, but I was smiling.

This run gives me a lot of confidence. I am feeling better about my running.

Charlie

Running with the Supermoon

This morning I went for a 30 minute run, and I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Supermoon as it was setting. A Supermoon is when the moon is full and close to Earth. The last one was 18 years ago I believe.

While it was a cloudy morning, I was able to see orange slices of it through the clouds. It looked so beautiful. The moon and I go way back. I am old enough to remember man setting foot on the moon in 1969. My folks woke me up to watch that moment. Religiously I watched each moon shot as a kid. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world that people could land and walk on the moon.

I have watched moon eclipses. I have seen every shape of the moon. It is such a fascinating thing to me. I also enjoy running with it in the morning. Good to know it's there, shining brightly up there - like a beacon.

Charlie

Spring Run

Spring is coming to Indianapolis, and I took advantage of it this afternoon with a 30 minute run. The course I took was the rolly border area between Indianapolis and Fishers. It was a bit of a challenge, but I know the major challenge will be in May at the Geist Half Marathon.

The world weighed heavy on my mind today.

My thoughts were one loved ones who are suffering - and they number quite a few. Some are ill. Some are sad. Some are just hurting. My frustration comes from the fact that I can't solve any of these issues, and I so wish I could.

The run helped me put some things in perspective. Did it clear my mind? No. I didn't expect it to.

Still the run was a good one....and I was glad to have it in the bag.

Charlie

Early Morning on the Track

This morning Mark and I stumbled out of bed and headed to the gym. I did 30 minutes. The track had a few people on it, but soon they departed, and it was just me. I went round and round for 30 minutes, and it felt great.

The time to run really helps me think things through. This morning, I wondered about my life here in Indianapolis. It isn't always easy. New town, new job, few friends. I also know how hard this has been for Mark, where he is now in a world that is so different for him. I know he is here to support me, and I love him so much.

Everytime I rounded the turn near the elipitical, there he would be working out. I smiled every time I went by him.

I am very lucky to have that love in my life.

Charlie

Cross Train Like Crazy

I have been fighting a cold, so the idea of running this week, just was not working. What I did was cross train. I worked my butt off at the gym today.

I worked on my arms and legs. For cardio I worked out on the Eliptical. This was 30 minutes of intense working out. I finished it off with 100 sit ups.

I keep forgetting how much I like cross training, because this rocked. No music. I just listened to the sounds of the gym. Lots of basketball playing today. Of course is Indiana you expect that.

So while I am battling the cold....I felt strong as I worked out. I sweated...and that was a good thing.

Charlie

Getting it Back

For a long time I felt very lost as a runner. If you have read this blog in the last year or so, you would wonder where the runner in me went? I think as my experience working in Chicago deteriorated, I began to lose some of my passion. I can admit that now.

Things are changing. The passion is coming back. What's the reason for it? A new place in my life. I am loving my work, and I think that love is getting into my running. It has taken a while, but more and more of my runs are not feeling like I have to be out there, but that I want to be out there.

I work with people who love to run. That helps. I help people who love to run. I work with similar in Chicago, so what is different? I am meeting more and more people who just want to run, not train. They describe joy that I have had, and feel I can have again. It's contagious.

Am I back to where I was? No...but I am a lot closer than I have been. I am really looking forward to some races now. Time to really be put to the test.

Charlie

Indoor 5K

Today I was supposed to run a 5K at Butler University. It was raining early this morning, and the weather wimp stayed in. Of course the rain let up for the race, but they had to change the course due to flooding. All in all I was glad to stay in.

I did run 5K at the gym and did pretty well. I was happy with how I felt, and how I ran today. More and more I am feeling like my old self with my running. I guess I am resigned to the fact I don't have a consistent schedule, but it bothers me.

The run was on the track at NIFS. Actually lots of folks on the track today. We all bobbed and weaved around each other. My pace was good. Not too fast, not too slow. It seemed just right.

This week's goal...a run of 1 hour.

Charlie

Do You Run?

Since I started my new job, I am frequently asked if I run. At times I find it offensive. To be honest I find it offensive when it come from a runner snob. It is a pleasure when it comes from the average runner.

No I don't look like a runner, but I have seen in the last 4 years in the running business, there is no one person who looks like a runner. We all have that capability. I really don't care if you can run 1 foot, or 100 miles, you have the capability to run.

I work with people every day who doubt they can run, but they can.

You don't have to look like a 120lbs skinny person. You can be any shape or size....as long as you remember the following: right foot, left foot repeat.

Charlie

The Body Talks

Today I went for a planned 30 minute run. I went down 96th St., which is rolly. The out portion is mostly uphill, the return is downhill. I went at a pretty good pace, with the wind hitting me in the face.

The hills were easier than I thought they would be. Could be that some of my incline work is paying off. I got to my mid-way point in 16:20. I felt like with the wind and the climb, I worked pretty hard, but my body told me I could do a bit better.

I turned around and headed home. The wind which had been in my face was still. I felt good, but my body said I could do more, and I began to push. I believe our bodies can tell us when they want to be pushed, and today it told me to push.

I began to pick up speed and attacked the hills, and sped downwards. My return trip was 14:46. Phew that was speedy. I got back to the starting point feeling I did hard work out there, and left little on this run. I think that is a pretty good sign.

My body was telling me it wants to do more.

Charlie

Bulldog Preview

This weekend will be my first race in a long time - Bulldog Jog 5K. The race goes through the campus of Butler University. I attended Butler at the start of my college career, in 1981. I was there for two years, and then moved on.

I'll be running with my friend Kris and Mark. What is my goal? I need to run the rust off, and hoping for a sub 38 minute time. My running has felt good of late, so I think I can do it. Kris and I are running the Geist Half Marathon in May, so this is kind of a tune up for her. Mark is just trying to keep active - no goals at the moment, and we love having him along.

The Butler Campus is a pretty one, so it should be a fun course. Part of the course goes along the canal towpath. That's the truly pretty part.

Looking forward to Saturday.

Charlie

Thoughts of Nancy

Yesterday my goal was a 45-50 minute run. I had many thoughts in my mind. Mostly I was thinking of my cousin Nancy who is very ill. When I was a boy Nancy was the one I loved hanging out with the most. She was the cool cousin. She had traveled, she was intelligent, and she had such a joy to her.

One of my best memories is when she came to get me in South Bend to take me to my uncle's farm in Elkhart. This was my first trip away from home. Nancy and I had such fun in the car. She even took me to a cool place called Stuckey's. I know....some of you know that Stuckey's is a glorified truck stop. To a kid though, it was amazing.

Nancy married a man who I didn't like. There was an episode where he is was mean to me. He said something very unkind, and I remember thinking this was not a nice man. As it turned out, he was a horrible man, who ruined his family, and in the process changed my beloved cousin.

Nancy has always had a problem with her weight, and she is a huge smoker. To that end, she is suffering from Diabetes, and there is Cancer. You have no idea how much it pains me to think of my wonderful cousin suffering these days.

My personal thoughts on this run were that I can't let this happen to me. I have to keep running. At 40 minutes I was tired, because I was running hard. What pushed me through was thinking I don't want to suffer as Nancy is suffering. I pushed on for that last 5 minutes, and even increased my speed.

Exercise is one part of the equation. Now I am going to look deeper into what I am putting into me. Weight and health is a two part process.

Charlie

The Snows of Indiana

Two days, two very different runs. Yesterday I ran at NIFS on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Very run of the mill run. Today....very different.

Over the last day or so we have had snow, a couple of inches. Today's run was outside in the snowy area of Carmel. I ran on the Hagen - Bourke Trail, which is a feeder into the Monon Trail. The trail takes you through quiet neighborhoods, and into wooded areas. In the snow, it looked like a winter wonderland.

There is something very peaceful about running in this kind of weather. I found myself nostalgic of winter's past, growing up here in Indiana. I thought about the inner tube rides we would take at Bendix Park near South Bend. I remembered the snow forts, and the failed snowmen, I really had no business making. I'm horrible at that stuff. I also thought about the blizzard of 78-79. WOW that was a storm.

While I was running with a group, I was really in my own head during the run. It was in the 20s and I got sweaty and hot, but I felt good. In fact it felt very good just to be outside.

4 days of running done for the week, and I am pleased.

Charlie