The Annoying Kids Cross Train

NIFS is a wonderful gym. One of the things I like about it is that school kids get to visit the gym, learn about it, and workout. Sadly, that is also one of the things I don't like it. Before all of you get all "but kids are obese" on me, let me explain.

This feeling I have comes from a place of pure selfishness. Yes I want kids to be healthy, but I also want to use the gym without kids playing around, barely supervised by their "supervisors." I wanted to run on the track, but kids were running all over the place, with some adult trying to keep them in line - it didn't happen.

So I cross trained. I used something called the Helix Lateral Trainer. It is like an Eliptical for your hips and butt. Well it kicked my butt. I did about 20 minutes all together on it. I also did a fast paced walk on the treadmill, alternating between a 3.5 and a 5.0 incline. Phew....that was a tough 30 minute workout. I felt darned good though.

Maybe it was a good thing those kids were there.

Charlie

1 Hour with Portland on the Mind

Today was a 1 hour run at the gym. In that time I ran 4.8 miles. Pretty good. Actually I was pretty happy with the run. My constant thought during the run was how to prepare for Portland this fall. I know I will need to run more hour runs, and slowly build the longer runs.

I also know I need to throw a 1/2 marathon in the mix - so I registered for a small one in Ohio in August. August 21 I will run the Little Miami 1/2 Marathon in Morrow, OH. So why that one? It's flat, fits into the time table for the marathon in October, and will give me a good sense where I am in training.

What I will hate? Racing in August - ugh! So hot and humid. We will see how it goes.

Charlie

Bud

Yesterday I met Bud. It's not his real name, but that's what friends call him. His real name is Charlie. Since he and I are now friends, I get to call him Bud. Bud is 73 years old, and came into the store to try on some shoes. He was considering the Saucony Mirage and the Asics DS Trainer.

I did what I always do and asked him about his running. Bud is training for his 74th marathon/ultramarathon. I'll let that sink in a bit - 74th and he is 73!

Bud's goal is to always stay one race ahead of his age. He is currently training for an ultra later this summer. For those who don't know, an ultramaraton is for those people who think 26.2 miles is just too short.

I asked how he got started running ultras. 15 years ago he ran the Chicago Marathon, and he didn't want to go back to the hotel after running, so he walked around for a few hours, and wasn't tired. It was then he decided that maybe he could run for longer periods of time. An ultramarathoner was born. Got to appreciate a man who starts running ultras at age 58.

For about an hour he told me stories of when races were more informal affairs - in the pre-chip timed Rock n Roll mega events. He talked about running with his son, and just the pure joy running gives him. He no longer cares about his time, though I bet it sneaks into the back of his mind.

I asked him what his favorite race was. He said there were so many, but he listed a few, and one stuck out to me - Portland Marathon. He ran Portland many years ago, and liked it so much, his next race was in Portland, ME. This way he could do both Portlands.

I told him I am running Portland this year, and he told me he would like to give me a video he took of the race. I told him he didn't have to do that, but that was nice of him to offer. He asked when the race was, and then said he would check in with me after the race to see how I did.

Bud wandered the store a bit marveling and the items we carry. Finally it was time for him to leave. He told me his warm up for the ultra is the Geist Half Marathon, followed by Carmel Marathon a couple weeks later. Of course then there are his long runs.

Bud is 73....God bless him. I hope I am still running at 73. He is now my age inspiration.

Charlie

Royal Wedding Run

Today was the beautiful wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in London. I was up at 4 am to watch, and later in the day I ran what I will call the Royal Wedding Run. I went to Carmel to the Monon Community Center, which sits on the Monon Trail. It's a wonderful facility with a gym, pool, basketball court, wildlife educational facilities.

The trail was active with runners, bikers, skateboarders and walkers. I headed north at a nice easy pace. My goal was to do 20 minutes out, and 20 back. The weather was ideal. Temps were in the low 60s and sunny. I ran to the downtown area. My turn around was just beyond the Palladium, the new performing arts center in Carmel, which if you believe people in the area is the next Carnegie Hall. We'll see. Still it's a lovely building.

At the turnaround point the time was 20:20. I headed back. I have enjoyed running of late, and my dominant thought was - I am a runner again. That is no small feat for me to think. As you know from reading my blog for the last many months, I have not felt like a runner. Today I did. I even thought about how to begin to trim my time more and more. That's the runner I know.

A good run. Next week I have a 2 hour long run planned. That will be a challenge.

Charlie

Running at the Crack of Dawn

Last night Mark promised me that if I woke him up early this morning, he would head to the gym with me. He did it!!!

We got to the gym before the Sun, and a running I did go. The track seemed so easy today, and I ran pretty fast. My first mile was in 11:20. No plodding along for me. I was able to maintain a similar pace for the 30 minute run. I ran 2.62 miles. Phew....I was sweating hard out there.

In my head this morning? Portland. I thought only about Portland, and how badly I want to do well there this fall. Can I do 6 hours....if I work hard at it. Otherwise, I would like to simply PR. Can I do it? I was encouraged my a co-worker that I could.

What say you?

Charlie

Managing Expectations

One of the difficult things about running is comparing yourself to your past runs. We all do it, and overcoming it is hard. I can't compare my running to 2007, which was my big year for running. Yet I do.

I have to remember the following:

I am a few years older.

I am a few pounds heavier.

I'm not running and working out like I was then.

I have to know that my running is what it is - a work in progress. I have to be satisfied with where I am now, because I am not who I was then.

Today I was pleased with my run. I pushed myself to be a bit speedier. I did. My pace was 12:16 a mile. I did 3 miles on the track, and it was a good solid run. My pace is not going to always be the same. I run on different types of courses, and I live in a part of the city which is not flat. So my times will be slower as I go through the rolling roads.

Making peace with where I am is important to me. Fitness comes with time. Improvement comes with time. I also have to know that those improvements will be different as I inch closer to 50.

Good run...and a few weeks until the 1/2 marathon.

Charlie

Running Back in Time

This morning was a particularly challenging run on many levels. From the run standpoint, my friend Kris and I and a couple other ladies ran part of the course of the 1/2 marathon we will be doing in a few weeks. I often talk about the rolly nature of where I run these days near my home.

Today was hilly, and I mean hilly and rolly. Yikes. Physically it was a challenge, but add what was in my head, there were a few challenges going on.

My cousin Nancy died this week. This is a heartbreaking loss for me. As a boy, Nancy was my favorite cousin. In my mind, she was learned traveler, who had studied and traveled in Europe. She was a free spirit as far as I knew what that was back then. To her, I wasn't just Charlie, I was "Chalie Chalie" has she would say from time to time.

She and my mother shared the same name. Both were highly intelligent women. Both traveled. Both went through a period of incredible hardship and suffering. Both were women I looked up to. Now, they are both gone by Cancer.

My best memories of Nancy were when I was pretty young. I don't even want to guess how old I was. I do know I was old enough to go on a trip without my parents to my uncle's farm in Illinois. Nancy came to get me in South Bend, and we went on an adventure - road trip variety.

I remember we chatted all throughout the drive, and at one point I had seen a sign I had seen many times before, advertising a road stop restaurant - like a Stuckey's. Those weren't places my folks normally took us, and I really wanted to see it. I asked, and Nancy said, "Of course we can." Of course??? WOW!!!!

We stopped, and I seem to remember us ordering milk shakes. Probably the best milk shake I ever had. Nancy always had a smile when she was with me, and I remember it big as anything from my being in this cool place having a milk shake, and no parents around.

That visit was great, because I got to have the farm, my uncle and aunt, my grandmother and my cousin Nancy all to myself. The farm was always a fascinating place to me as a kid. I got to see cows up close. I could explore the farm that had been in my mom's family when she was a girl. I also didn't have to share any of this with my parents or my other cousins. This was my trip.

Nancy and I spent a great deal of time talking. I loved to talk to adults as a kid, but this was special, because she would tell me stories of her time in Europe - HEAVEN! At the end of this trip, my parents came down, spend a few days, and the visit was like our usual ones. I was just so glad to have that special visit all on my own - thanks to Nancy.

I thought about this trip, and that special time with her on my run this morning. I tried to block out the heartache I felt when she went through the horrible ordeal with her ex-husband, and how that changed her.

She was also the first member of my extended family I came out to, and she made it clear that to her, I was the same person. I was still "Chalie Chalie." I treasured my relationship with Nancy, and now I feel a certain pain in my heart, and a void in my life.

In the end I hope she wasn't in pain or suffering. I hope in her last few days she also thought about that special trip.

My hope is she is at peace.

Charlie

Running Topics from Boston to Dean to Portland

Lots to talk about in this post so I will get to it.

Today was the 115th Boston Marathon. The men's race saw fastest marathon EVER -2:03:02. Geoffrey Mutal of Kenya ran a brilliant race, even passing the early fast pace Ryan Hall was setting. The women's was a duel at the end between Caroline Kilel of Kenya and Desiree Davila of the U.S.. No American woman has won Boston since 1985, and this one came to the wire. 2 seconds separated the two women.

Yesterday was one of those rare runs, which combines running with heroes and running in a grand place. The setting was the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I got the chance to do a charity run with ultramarathoner - Dean Karnazes. What a thrill to be run with him. To be fair, there were about 70 other people, but still we had a blast going around the 2.5 mile track, usually set aside for Unser's, Foyt's and Andretti's.

Today's run was a 3 miler around the track. My mantra was, "Portland, Portland" I really want to do well at this marathon, and I feel pretty good....for carrying an extra 30-35 pounds. Ugh! Still I am working at it, and feeling good about things.

Charlie

Running with the Crew

Last night I organized a group run of employees from the stores in my company. I thought this would be a great idea to go for a run, since we work for a running store company. I also thought the regular group run night was a good time for all of use to head out.

There were six of us who gathered to join the Run With a Cop program which runs each Thursday out of our store in Carmel. This was the first time folks from the company have done this, and I am happy to report we all had a good time. The run was 40-45 minutes, which in my case was 3.33 miles.

It was a warm night, and it felt it. The running, as it usually is with a group of friends, was slow. You spend a lot of time talking, and not focus on the run itself. I felt tired, mostly because I had done a pretty intense 30-45 minute workout at the gym a few hours earlier. Note to self....no workout before a run.

Overall I was happy with the run.

Today I met a new doctor, so I can work on getting in better shape and health. I went to one a month ago, and was not happy with him. This one I felt good about. I will write more about him later. Just know I felt good with who I found today.

Charlie

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