ExoSym - The Prototype

Yesterday I headed back to the Hanger Clinic, where a prototype of my ExoSym was waiting for me to try. Ryan wanted to be sure everything was good, and no alterations needed to be made before the finished product is complete.

I really wasn't sure what to expect as I tried it on. It was amazing! It felt good, and as I tried walking, Ryan explained I would need to re-learn how to walk with this device. I felt no stiffness or pain as I walked. In fact, there was a spring I've never felt. Once we took it off, I felt like I was plodding along.

The key to walking with this, will come with using my core. I walked several back and forths trying to utilize my core more, and I can tell I have a lot of work to do. Once I have it though, I need to really work on a strong core.

Monday I head back to get my ExoSym and begin the PT/learning process.

Charlie

ExoSym - The Casting

Greetings from Gig Harbor, WA. Today and tomorrow I am at the Hanger Clinic, being fitted for my ExoSym Brace. Today was the casting of my foot and leg, from this can make the brace to fit my individual needs/brace.

What you see in the picture is a fiberglass cast which was molded around my foot and leg. Look chic! Tomorrow I will try on a prototype of what will be my brace. After that the ExoSym is made, and I return to the clinic next week to get it, and to go through PT on how to use it, and get started using it.

This is the only clinic which fits people for this brace, and most of the people who have had it are men and women in the military who have suffered horrible injuries, but amputation is not an option for them.

While I was waiting for the cast to dry, I watched a group of Israeli soldiers working on their PT and gaining their strength. People come from all over the world for this, and have had much success with the brace. I am excited at the prospect of this helping me.

Ryan Blanck who created this is fitting me for it, and could not be nicer. He has created something wonderful which has given mobility to so many people. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Charlie

Rebel Reliever

I have a new assistant, which is part one of my way back to being mobile. This is the Rebel Reliever by Thuasne. In short this is an off-loading brace, which takes the compressive forces off the damaged part of my knee and pulls the bones apart(a misnomer). My affected area will feel as if I didn't have bone on bone action going on.

This is the first step of a process I am trying. Many people have expressed their opinion that I should be having surgery. There are many reasons as to why I don't want to go through surgeries at this time.

Brace Yourself, a brace store in Portland, was so good to help me. They got a representative of the company to come in and fit and re-fit me for the brace. We also will meet to make sure things are working as they should.

Using this is a process. I used to recommend to people trying orthodics a few hours a day until you are used to it. The brace is the same thing. Yesterday I wore it for 3 hours. Today I get to use it for 4-5 hours. It's a slow build to all day.

Next up - ExoSym

Charlie

The Road to Mobility

Every journey I have taken over the last decade+ has been a Road to.... this one is no different. This one is the Road to Mobility. In my last post I detailed how the issues I was born with have turned into OsteoArthritis, leaving me in a great deal of pain when I move. Note, I don't mean run or walk, I mean move. I can't even cross my left leg as the Arthritis is so painful.

I am taking action to get moving again. The doctor and I feel braces are the key to my success, as opposed to serious operations, or amputation(which was discussed). I am going to use two different braces. Tomorrow I will take ownership of an off loading brace for my left knee. Off loading means the brace is configured in a way which will pull the bones rubbing together apart, and allow me to move with considerably less pain(or no pain).  I was fitted last week, and I could tell from the moment I put it on so much relief.  The brace company is configuring one for me.

The other brace is a bit more complicated, but then again, we are talking about my right foot, which has been a mess from the day I came into this world. A certain brace was highly recommended by my doctor, alas the insurance company has said they won't pay for it. For a while they prevented me from even getting it on my own. It's called the ExoSym. As you'll note in the video, this is quite the device.

I've been in contact with Ryan Blanck, the creator of the brace, he believes strongly this will give me mobility like I have not experienced before.

My doctor and I think we can be success in an appeal to get the insurance to pay for part of the brace, but I am still going ahead with this. In fact, I got the thumbs up today, and dates for fitting have been set.

Does all of this mean I can run at some point? I don't know, but I do know I want to be pain free, or at least in less pain as I move.

I will talk more about this as I get closer to the fitting in a few weeks.

Many people have reached out to me about operations and why I'm not trying those? Part of the reason is I can't be out of work for the extended period of time that recovery and PT would demand for a replacement, and it is not just one area, it would be more than one replacement.  I'm trying to become a tour director, and my success depends on me being available for tours and mobile. This made the most sense to me.

We'll see what happens. I'm very excited about this and ready for this new road to begin.

Charlie

Where I Am Now!

I have not written in a very long time, mostly out of lack of things to say, and too much to say, all at the same time. I do want to get this out there today, so please bear with me.

For people who have read this blog, you already know, for the others, I was born with Clubbed Feet. For those who aren't clear, here is what I was born with:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/clubfoot/symptoms-causes/syc-20350860

"Clubfoot describes a range of foot abnormalities usually present at birth (congenital) in which your baby's foot is twisted out of shape or position. In clubfoot, the tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual. Clubfoot is a fairly common birth defect and is usually an isolated problem for an otherwise healthy newborn.Clubfoot describes a range of foot abnormalities usually present at birth (congenital) in which your baby's foot is twisted out of shape or position. In clubfoot, the tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual. Clubfoot is a fairly common birth defect and is usually an isolated problem for an otherwise healthy newborn."

As an infant I had tendons removed from both my legs in an effort to straighten my feet. The left foot took to it, but the right foot didn't. Years later, in my teens, I had surgery which removed bones from my right foot. I was able to have a straighter foot, but at a cost, lack of range of motion. 

At the time I was given a grim diagnosis, that I could be wheelchair bound in my 50s. This horrified me, but had no guidance on how to avoid this. As you all know I took to running in my 40s. Clearly I loved it. I loved it for many reasons. Mostly, I loved it, because it made me feel normal in a world with people with normal feet.

While it bothered me how I looked as I ran, I got over that, and just ran, and loved the act of running. Running has always been painful for me, as I was told that the surgeries and the way I walk could lead to arthritis. 

Several years ago I was told I had a minor form of arthritis in my right foot. No one wanted me to stop running, and was told to run as long as I could. So I have done just that. 

Since my heart attack in 2014, my running has been more sporadic. I had a difficult time getting back into it, as medicines have affected how I run. In the meantime, most of the weight I lost early on returned.

Since last August, my left knee has been in a great deal of pain. It literally hurts to bend it too much. It hurts when I walk, sit, do anything. This week I found out, the problem is a sever form of Arthritis. I've been told I have to lose weight, but at the same time it has to be easier on the knees, so my exercise choices are limited.  There is the possibility of surgery if things can't get under control.

I'm extremely depressed over this news. I feel that everything was set in motion from the moment I was born, and am fighting so hard not to be wheelchair bound later. I have another battle now....weight loss and the determination to keep moving. I'll be honest, I don't know what to do, and feel lost. It's all so painful right now.

Mark and I have backed out of this year's Gay Games, as I can't run with any comfort right now. I also don't know if I will be able to run in the future.

I have a lot of work ahead as I navigate this. I just needed to get this out there.

Charlie

At This Point

I realized today I hadn't written in well over a month. So how is everyone? Everybody good?

What have I been up to? Well, that's easy - a lot! Since I last wrote,  I have been to Montreal with Mark.  We spent Inauguration Weekend in Canada, where we felt free and happy. We went to Igloofest, which is an EDM festival in the middle of winter. It was chilly, but we had such a wonderful time in Montreal. I wish I could have used my limited French more, but people kept speaking English to us. D'oh!

My next adventure was Austin, TX. Under Armour was bringing people from Fleet Feet into town to show us their latest shoes, which are Record Equipped. In their shoes, there is a chip, which once activated, and synched can track your running, via the Map My Run app. I remember when Under Armour first introduced shoes. Gotta say back then I wasn't impressed. Boy what do a few years of development do for a company. While I have too wide a foot for the shoes, I liked them, and I found the app/chip combo easy to use. I highly recommend giving them a try.

Austin is a great town, but what the heck is it doing in Texas??? It's like someone took Portland, OR, gave it a bit of a twang, and moved it to Texas. Plenty of Tex/Mex food(for those who like it), some great beer(which I really enjoyed), and a great attitude in the town.

Of course, I am working and running. People ask me many things about what I am doing. First of all, it's difficult to call it a job, as I don't think of it as such. I wear many hats. First and foremost, I am a student. I am learning the business from the ground up. Now, I know you are saying, "Charlie you have been in run specialty for 10 years, what do you need to learn?" PLENTY! Everyone has a way of doing business, and I am learning this way, as it will be my future.

I have been working in the stores, fitting customers. I've learned visual merchandising. I work on digital media, I've learned how to order footwear. Mostly, I've learned how to think like an owner, which is very different from thinking like a manager. You view business differently from the lens of an owner. Your decisions take on more importance, and you have to learn to train people to know what you know, and then delegate, so you can focus on the success of your people, and the growth of the business.

While there is a lot of work, I do have fun. There isn't a day I don't enjoy something I am doing. I also get to work alongside some amazing people.  The guy to the left is Ben. Ben and I are both in the Leadership Development Program, and I could not ask for a better partner in crime. We joke that maybe they should let us co-own a store, but then we would have to promise to use our powers for good.

While I have the work side going well, the running side of life gets better for me. Mark and I are training for the Tobacco Road Half Marathon in mid-March. We have been working with a trainer at the gym, who has really focused our training on an interval system, which is heart rate based. The goal is to get to a point where we run long as we can before walking, and do that at a sustained pace. I have been able to hit a 8min run/ 1min walk interval, and I feel good doing it. Am I fast? No. Will I finish the race? Yes! This is the best I have felt about running in a while.

Mark is enjoying it, and now gets that we don't have to run together. We can go at our own paces, and it's fine. Typically he is just ahead of me, listening to his music. I focus on my form, pace and breathing. So it all works.  The picture to the right is after a 4 mile run. At this writing, we will go for 8 miles today. The race is in 3 weeks, so I feel we are on a good pace to accomplish the race.

At this point in life, I am in a great place. I love where I live, which I know is temporary. I love the business. Running life is good. Mark and I are in a great place, so it is all working.

So now it's time to lace up the shoes....and head out on a run.

Charlie

The Art of Conversation

I haven't discussed my training in Carrboro much, mostly because what I do is considered confidential in nature, as things I learn I can't share due to the industry, but there is an observation I can make, as it has been mentioned many times in conjunction with me - the art of conversation.

I've been told by several people that I am very cool to watch when I'm with a customer. They note that I am animated, I listen to what they are telling me, I get them to talk, I talk about all the things I need to talk about during a fitting, and I make them feel glad they came into the store. I'm told I'm charismatic when I talk. I'm also told that I sound like a friend talking to people.  Now - how is that taught to other people?

First of all, I appreciate the kind words. My sister Anne told me last week, I should embrace being charismatic, as that is not a word I have ever thought to describe myself. Next, no one taught me any of this. I thought about my career in customer service, and I think the listening part goes back to my beginnings at Southwest Airlines.

At Southwest, I worked in reservations, where you really have to listen to what people are telling you over the phone, so you can work with them. Back then I was told I had an excellent phone voice, and really was calm and professional on the phone. I had nothing but conversations, and I felt I was pretty good at it.

As time went on, and I worked also in the non-profit world, I understood the value of talking and listening. I learned that when you can say back to the person what they told you, they have a sense you are listening and are understanding them.

Even at Macy's, when I wasn't signing people up for credit cards, I was engaging them, and they were buying thousands of dollars of stuff from me. I knew how to be the salesman who did not intrude, nor was I pushy.

I do believe there is an art to conversation. It's developed through time and experience, and some tips you pick up along the way. Back in the "good old days" more people practiced this. Today as we Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, we are not encouraged to look up long enough from our phones to have actual conversations. In fact we are encouraged to have virtual conversations. I think sometimes I startle my customers because I am more into them at that moment then they are probably used to.

So what can I offer to people to be better in their sales jobs?

1) Put the phone down. Try having actual conversations away from the phone. In fact, if you have to, the next time you are in a social setting, leave the phone somewhere you can't get to it readily.

2) When you listen to people, make note of what they are saying. Your customer is going to tell you are there for one reason, but as you talk to them, you will see they need a number of items. Remind them that they need Body Glide, if you hear them mention chaffing for example.

3) Focus on them. Make that person the center of your world for that interaction. Pay attention to them. I know we live in a ADHD world, but please focus on the one person. That customer could spend $1000 with you because of it.

4) Have fun. Act like you are having the time of your life, and your customer will get into it, and think what a fun place they are in, and how fun and professional you are.

5) Us the customer's name as often as you can. This will help you make it a personalized experience. Give them your name. For that next however long you are together, you are a bit more informal. You are their running friend.

Now, I'm not saying you will be Shoe Fitter of the Month if you do these things, but you will be a better sales person than they person who just doesn't give a damn.

Charlie

Points System

Happy New Year everyone.....

I got a jump on the new year a week ago, and in an effort to lose weight, and feel healthier, I joined Weight Watchers. For those who don't know how it works, Weight Watchers gives points for foods, and you are allowed so many points in a day. Fewer points are for the more healthy items like fruits and vegetables(0 points). You also can get more points to use if you are more active.

In the week I've been doing this, I feel like I'm doing a fantasy football game, where I am watching the scoreboard. For me what I find helps is seeing how many of the healthier alternatives I can eat so I won't use up points. Last thing I want is to have 5 points for dinner. I find the majority of my points is used at breakfast. This to me is the important meal of the day.

As a result of points, I've had to reconfigure how I distribute food during the day. So maybe more fruit at breakfast, so I have points to spare at lunch, dinner, or snack time. The points also help me figure what to eat and what not to eat. I am now confronted with important food choices. As a result, I've had to say no to things, but then I rationalize that some other day I can have those things, I just have to plan.

Do I like this plan? Too early to tell, but I do think there is benefit to the points system.

Charlie

Weight Watchers

This morning I took the plunge. I joined Weight Watchers! This is a trial period for me. I am giving myself 3 months of the online program to see what I can do. I've gained a lot of weight, and I feel bad, and unhealthy. So I needed to do this for myself.

Weight Watchers is based on a points system. According to my assessment, I can have 42 points a day. The more processed food, the higher in point total. Zero points for fruits and veggies. You can get extra points for being active.

This will help me be more accountable to myself. If I think it's working after 3 months, I will continue. I think though the 3 month trial is a good way to gauge success.

I will keep you all posted.

Charlie

How to Begin

Running is something we do all our lives. As kids we run to get from place to place, or in playing games or sports. As adults, the joke goes, we run if we're being chased. I think for those who don't run all their lives, it's a challenge to begin.

So how do you being to run? As most of you know I break it down to right foot, left foot, repeat. The truth is it's a bit more than that. It's deciding when to go outside for a run, or head to the gym. It's a matter of making sure you have proper shoes(don't underestimate this point). Figure out if you want to run for fun or health, or both!

Running can be intimidating. Don't let it gt to you. Yeah, I know those amazingly fit people in spandex and shorts look graceful. In the end, it doesn't matter what you look like. It matters that you do it. Go to that local running store and be fitted for shoes. Go to a park, a lakefront, a trail, or even your neighborhood and run a bit.

My best suggestion is start slowly. Sorry to tell you this, but unless you are  a gifted athlete, or Kenyan, you don't want to just jump into 5-10 mile runs. I started one mile at a time. I also started walking. So try running a couple minutes, and walking for one minute. Don't try to set land/speed records. If you think you are going to fast, simply talk out loud to yourself. If you are breathing heavy - you are going too fast. Not everyone breaks the 4 minute mile, so why are you trying?

Another suggestion.... if you have a secret lifelong goal to run a marathon, that's great. I suggest NOT jumping into that until you even see if you like running. Make a 5K your first goal. Trust me mile 18 in a long run or marathon is the wrong time to figure out you hate running, or hate running that distance. Build your miles, stamina, patience, and running in general. You'll know soon enough if you like running.

Have fun! Listen to music, or just run with the noise around you. It doesn't matter. If you got running shoes or a gift card for shoes this morning.... make plans to go for a run this week(if not today). Start slow and build, but above all - enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Charlie

Running in a New Age

It's easy to pick on Millennials. They are typically viewed as not very social, all hooked into social media, and they don't understand any pop culture references. They have also turned the running world on its ear.

Running has been on a down turn of late. Race registrations are down. Running store business hasn't been as great. A minor panic has set in. Younger people simply don't want to just run, they want running to be a part of something. They want social runs. They want to Tweet from their activities. Taking a selfie at the finish line of a marathon is passe.

So what is in? Obstacle course runs are in. Relay races are in. People are searching for races which don't invest a lot of time training. They want to be challenged and have fun. I get it.

Don't cry for half and full marathons. I think their day is not done at all. Running, as most things in life, has cycles. It wasn't too long ago the minimal shoe was all the rage, and now people want maximum cushion - go figure.

The key is to stay on trend, but don't give up on the tried an true. Invest in those training programs, but also develop the fun stuff. Cheer on the mud runner, but also celebrate the marathoner. Pass the beer, and still have time to train couch to 5K. It's a balance.

Who knows, we may yet see a Beer Mile at the Olympics!

Charlie

Dyad 9

The Brooks Dyad 9 is now out, and I finally got a pair in my strange size 8.5 4E. Initially I was told it was a softer ride, and a wider fit. I've now run twice in them. I'm not too sure about either.

I think part of the problem is they have taken away a bit of the volume of the shoe. This is a continuing effort by shoe companies to make shoes lighter, so the mesh upper is closer to the foot - snugger fit. I find that feel irritates my foot. To offset this, I've re-laced the shoes, so it doesn't come down so closely to my foot(remember you don't have to have the lacing the way the company does it).

As far as the cushion goes, I'm feeling a firmness I haven't felt previously. No one will ever confuse this shoe for a soft cushy ride. I like a firmer feel, but this is feeling a bit too firm.

Do I like this version? Eh....it'll do for the moment. I have few options, though I am always willing to try something else. I wish I had different feet, and then the choice of shoes would be more wide open for me.

Charlie

My Success and the Future

For the last few years, the economy of the running store hasn't been great. Running is down, running stores are closing or the business is consolidating. The internet has been the running store of choice for a while. Yet I see optimism.

My success in running specialty has been built on the following principles: treat your customer as a friend, treat your staff as family, treat running as something special. Notice, I didn't put any fancy economic terms in that list of success.

I've sold thousands of dollars worth of shoes, socks, insoles, etc. over the years. I know how to build a sale. I know when I can and can't discount. I'me learning more and more about the every day economics of the business. None of that though means anything if you don't follow what I outlined in the last paragraph.

I'm told I have an outstanding way of dealing with customers. My interactions with customers are conversations. They are friendly, welcoming, and more importantly, they are focused on the person in front of me. I see this as no different than talking to a friend. If a friend comes to you and is sharing their goals, you listen, encourage and get excited with them. Well, I am the running friend when you come into the store.

While I've never paid anyone to be a friend in a store, I hire people who I can be friendly with, and treat them like family. These are the people making you money, and raising your sales numbers. You need to treat them well. As I get to know staff, I make sure I know as much as I can, so I can do things like celebrate birthdays with them, give them encouragement when they are running a race, teach them what I know, like a parent passing down knowledge to their child. Sometimes, you do become good friends, but that's a bonus.

Running IS something special. It's a way to get fit, relax, pray, release tension, it's whatever you want it to be. When I ask someone what they need shoes for, and they tell me, I talk to them about how cool, important, or interesting their reason is. I do this, because I love running, and I want to pass that love on. I joke all the time that, "I just sell the shoes." I do more than that though. I express a love for an activity I embrace.

In an era of less social interaction(I'm not counting social media), I think what I do may be old fashioned, but it's also refreshing. People seem happy that I am so involved with what they are doing. They want to share what they are doing, and I don't mean by clicking the share icon. I think there is still a desire for person to person interaction in a store that the internet can't do.

I realize the battle I have with the internet, but in the future, I will be using both face to face, and internet with my customers, and I will be successful then, as I am now.

So 10 years is under my belt, and I move ahead for the next decade. I look forward to it with excitement, a bit of nervousness, and some confidence that I will continue to be successful.

Charlie

10 Years? It's a Wonderful Life

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

#InItToFinishIt - Track Run

The weather in Carrboro today is stunning. Temps are in the low 60s, and Fall is in the air. I headed out to McDougle Middle School, where our No Boundaries group sometimes meets, and hit the track.  I had a goal of 2 miles, and 2 miles I did.

I have no expectation at this point. I am simply getting back into running after London. So out I went. My first mile felt comfortable. I didn't feel I was pushing it. I was thrilled to be on a flat surface, as flatness is not easy to find here in this area. Well imagine my surprise when I ran my first mile in 14:17.

I felt good, and I was weaving around little kids were using the track for their bike rides. Parents were also playing soccer with the kids in the infield. So this was a family environment. I had the music playing on my phone, so the kids appreciated Justin Timberlake as I went around them.

My second mile was slower but not by that much - 15:13. So yes I finished 2 miles in under 30 minutes, which for me is phenomenal. I'm working with my personal trainer for the half marathon, and at this moment all things are go to start and finish the half in March.

#ImInItToFinishIt

Charlie

Wanted: Stronger Heel

Note: The following is NOT about my normal running shoe.


The other day I spoke to a rep from a shoe vendor. They had asked me how I liked the shoes I had on my feet. I told them I liked them, but the problem I found was that the heel was weak, and because I supinate, I found the heel collapsed pretty quickly. In fact, if you were to look at the shoe right now, it would look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This was after two weeks of wear.

The rep looked at my shoe, and said, "Yeah, we use _____________ which is a soft material in the heel, so it will do that." I get it will do that, but how about getting some months under my belt before it happens. The rep was sympathetic, but added, "I'm sorry it didn't work for you, but that's how we are going to build the heel."

On a personal side, I felt that was an unsatisfactory answer, but I understood from the professional side. People want to feel "soft" under their feet. Since so many people break down the heel, I would like to see a shoe with a sturdier heel(kind of like my normal shoe).

My request to shoe companies is we supinators need shoes with stronger heels. Put the softer material elsewhere.

Charlie

Overcoming Being Underestimated

The other day I saw that a lady needed help, so I asked her how I could help her. She told me she was waiting for one of the women on staff to help her. Seeing that the woman she was talking about was busy with another customer, I said, "Well let's see what I can do to help you." She was game. She needed workout apparel, and didn't know if I knew enough about women's apparel.

I not only knew, but she really liked all of the selections I picked for her. She underestimated me, because I'm a man. It's ok. I get underestimated all the time. You have to be confident in what you do, and tackle the challenge of being underestimated.

How do you overcome this? You have to learn the products in your store. As a man, I don't know how  women's items fit, but I can sure ask, and I do. Female staff are always happy to help me with my questions. You can't be afraid to ask. If you don't know the answer when a customer asks, I think it's fine to tell them you don't know, but you will get an answer.  Depending on the customer, humor is ok. I've joked "from personal experience I can't answer that, but..." Most women are good humored, and know you don't have that experience.

For this customer, I got her set up with a fitting room, then while she was in there, I looked for other items. She liked the other items. I also did involved the female staff member, and we tagged team to help. Never be afraid to tag team. It shows how much you want to help the customer.

In the end, the customer was pleased with everything, and walked out with $472 worth of merchandise. She didn't think I could help her, but in the end, I not only helped her, but overcame the underestimation to do it, and she asked for my name for the future. I will be a go to person for her.

Study, be confident, and tag team....you can overcome being underestimated and be a success.

Charlie

The Next Step

While I was in London, I made the decision to not run the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November. My back was bothering me, and I had a sore achilles. I knew it would take me time to get back running, which I started up again last weekend. I'm working with my personal trainer or better stretches exercises I can do to strengthen apparently weak areas.

So what is doable for me? For the next few months, I would like to re-build my way to a half marathon. I'd like to do some 5Ks which I haven't done in some time. I would like to build my stamina.

I had a choice to make. I was sent an email reminding my I had a deferred entry to the NYC Half Marathon in March. I know my body can't take those hills without some serious training, so I am not going to run that race. Instead I am going to train for the Tobacco Road Half Marathon, which is the same weekend as the NYC race.

The course is "flat"(trust me for this area it's flat), local, and is more manageable for me. I'm going to develop a plan, and work with the trainer to get me there. I feel good about this step, as I think I can start and finish this race.

My theme for this training is #InItToFinishIt.

Who wants to come to NC and run this with me?

Charlie

The Conversation

One of the things I train any staff in a store, is how not to act like a sales person. Now when I say sales person, I'm thinking of the person in the store who is hovering, upselling, and acting like all they want to do is sell stuff. I believe the best sales people are the ones who know how to carry on a conversation.

When I work with a customer, I make sure I introduce myself. Hopefully they will do the same, but I can live with them not giving me their name. Next I ask why they have come in. Typically they want shoes, but really, I know there is more they want.

Example - a man comes in and tells me he needs new shoes, because he has decided to train for his first 5K.

I ask a series of questions. The surfaces he runs on, any leg or feet issues I need to know about, has he started training etc.. More important than me asking questions, I am listening. I'm an active listener, which means, I not only listen, I will repeat parts of it back so they understand I know what they are saying.  I will also ask non-running related questions, like how their day is going? Are they out doing errands?

I always want a customer to feel at ease and comfortable. They also feel free to ask me questions, and when I do I find ways to tie it to why they are in the store that day. I share my experiences, so they know that there is more than just shoes they need. All I do is introduce other non-shoes items(wicking socks, training programs, apparel, Superfeet, Body Glide, etc). If they don't buy those items that day, I'm ok with it, because they know there is a bit more than shoes to run comfortably.

A few months ago I got a call from a friend of mine who told me that former customers missed me, and what did I do to make them want to work with me. I told them all I have shared in this post, and then I said, I also let people know I care about what they are doing. If you don't really care that someone is training for a 5K, or trying to qualify for Boston, or whatever their goal is, then you are simply selling stuff. These people come back and share their races with me. They let me know if they PR'd, or if they had a struggle on the course that day. They ask about my running.  I celebrate with them. I commiserate with them. I'm their running friend.

It all goes back to the conversation you had with the individual who came to your store. You have to talk, listen and be present with them. That is how you succeed.

Charlie

The Lesson of No

I've told this story many times, but it applies to what I want to talk about today. A few years ago, when I interviewed to work for The Running Company(later BlueMile), the first question I was asked was, "At this point in your life, do you think you are still educatable?" Now, at first glance it's making reference to my age, which is insulting and if asked incorrectly is illegal. My answer was, "I never feel I know everything, I always think I have something to learn, so it doesn't matter what age a person is, they always have something to learn." 

In December I will have been in run specialty for 10 years. Every step of the way I have learned something new.  When I came to Fleet Feet for this leadership program, I made the conscious effort to be open anything. A few times my experience has been mentioned, and along the way someone has made the comment like, "But you know how this is." I do, but I want to learn, or in some cases re-learn something. It's an enriching and sometimes humbling experience, but it's important to come into what I'm doing thinking I DON'T know everything. 

I'd like to think that the previous experience has laid the foundation for what I learn now. One of the lessons which hit me has come over the last couple of week. It's about the word "No". We hate hearing NO from people. In sales we can equate the word with failure. Here's the lesson - it isn't failure. All the customer is saying is "No," not, "No, good God in Heaven are you a horrible person for recommending a sports bra."

Sports Bras! In my training at this moment, I am styling the area of sports bras and apparel. This products can be vital to the success of a running store, and it is also where running stores lack because sales people don't know how to address them. It is historically difficult for men to discuss bras, because we have this notion of bras as lingerie, something you get at Victoria's Secret. In run specialty it's equipment, and you have to view it as equipment. For women, it's as important as a pair of shoes. There are all kinds of health reasons women need to be in a good supportive bra, especially when you know that 8 out of 10 women are in the wrong size bra. 

In the last few weeks, I've realized what keeps most men and some sales women from mentioning bras is they hate to hear "No". If the woman tells you know - so what? She isn't screaming at you. She isn't calling the police because you are a pervert. She is simply saying "No". 

What most of us fail to realize is if you introduce a topic, and explain in a professional manner, the answer may be No at that moment, but the information is in their head, and they may realize later they do need a sports bra, and will be appreciative of the fact you raised the subject. 

In the last few weeks I have sold more sports bras than I ever have, because I raised the subject, and I worked in tag team with a female staff member to have the women professionally fit for a sports bra. A woman's face lit up when I suggested if it took her two years to replace her shoes, it might be time to replace her sports bra. She bought two bras. She was glad I mentioned it. 

I've had to learn that "No" is not a traumatic word in retail. A "No" can turn into a "Yes", but you don't know until you ask.

Charlie