Cape Cod

This week I have been in Chatham, MA on Cape Cod attending meetings with New Balance. Yes, this is the view from my room. Running specialty dealers from all over the country have come here to meet with New Balance.

We have been shown the 2012 and 2013 shoes. We have seen the Fall 2012 apparel. We have also met with the folks who design all of these.

It is easy to come away from meetings like this with a "drinking the KoolAid" feel. the honest truth is I like what I see New Balance doing with the upcoming shoes, and will be happy to bring them out to customers. Many thanks to my bosses for allowing me to come out here.

On the running side of things, I have run two very short runs, up and down the hills of Chatham by the water. It is stunning here, and I have loved running here. My legs and feet may not forgive me though.

Now I focus on next week's marathon. I will be counting down the days.

In the meantime....I am enjoying one last evening on the Cape.

Charlie

The Week in Review

This was a big week. I ran 4 miles, 12 miles, and then I got sick.

Yes, I have a cold. As you all know I HATE being sick. But I will freak out about that in a moment.

I ran 4.8 miles on Monday, and it was a wonderful run. The 12 mile run was my 3 hour run, which was actually a 2:52 run. I felt very good after the run. Usually I am stiff and sore, but no....not this time.

Am I bothered by the fact that will be my longest run will be a 2:52? Yeah, but I can't stress about it. The running and training was what it was, and I will deal with it. What bothers me more is this cold.

I had planned a run for tomorrow before my trip to New England this week, but we will have to see if I can beat it back a bit to run.

Did I mention I hate being sick? Ugh!

Charlie

3 Weeks Until Marathon Day

Three weeks from today, I will have finished the Portland Marathon. Originally today was going to be a 3 hour run. That got changed for a number of reasons. In the end I ran one hour on the Monon, and it felt great.

Overall I ran 4.8 miles. I felt strong during the run which is important. The 3 hour run will be done middle of this week.

During the run I thought about several things. I thought about moms like my sister who raise kids with Down Syndrome. I can only imagine the challenges involved. I have nothing but admiration for Anne, and other moms I know like Claire and Heidi.

I also thought about what the course will be like for the marathon. In future posts I will detail the course, and share my thoughts about how I will tackle them.

In the meantime I am really pleased with today's run.

Charlie

It's Fall!!!

I joke this time of year that I wait for Fall weather all summer. I'm not a fan of summer, so when the temps being their plunge to the 50s and 60s, I am in heaven. Yesterday was the first Fall run of the season.

I got to the Monon Trail mid-morning, pointed myself north, and off I went. It was wonderful outside. In the shady part of the trail it felt like the low 50s, in the sun, it felt closer to 65 degrees. I could not have been happier. The leaves are already hinting of color and in some cases are falling.

The run itself was great. My goal was to go for over an hour, which I thought would be around 5 miles. It took my 1 1/2 miles to get into a groove. Once I did, I felt great. I ran past the Monon Center, and kept going North. I made the turn around by the Japanese Gardens, and headed back to my car.

Totally miles for the run - 5.3. I ran it in 1:10:39, which turns out to be around a 13:10/mile pace. My body felt good. There was no stiffness or aches.

People were in a good mood on the trail. Must have been fellow Fall lovers. Many people waved or said hello. I think a couple of them were my customers. All in all a really good run as I prep for a long run this weekend.

Charlie

23 Days.....

As we get closer to marathon day, I wanted to give an update on the running. I think it's going well. Wednesday I ran for 4 miles and felt great. Today my plan is to do 4-5 miles and see how that goes. My body is not hurting, though I am very leery of all the people around me who are getting sick. Keep the HELL away from me with your sickness.

I was asked the other day if I will be ready. Here is the great unknown - I don't know. Here is what I believe. I can do 26.2 miles. Can I do it like I have in the past? Doubtful. I just know I can do this.

Time to get ready for my run.

Charlie

Listening to the Body

The body is an amazing thing. It can tell us when it wants to do something, and when it doesn't. Runners are also amazing. They have this uncanny ability to not listen to their bodies, and push on. When that happens, injury typically happens.

Today I was feeling a bit stiff as I started my run. I changed my goal immediately. Instead of going for 4 miles, I decided I would stop when my body told me to. That happened at 2.5 miles. Nothing was wrong. I just know that after a longer run like the last one, my body doesn't snap back. Never has. So I pulled back, knowing I would run another day.

To be honest I don't always like listening to my body. Today though, I didn't mind. Portland is 27 days away, and I want to be sure my body is taken care of before the big day.

Charlie

30 Days....Long Run on the Monon

In the little time I have left to train I went for a 2 hour run. I covered 8.1 miles today. My pace was 14:19/mile. This is around the time I would like to have for the marathon.

The run felt good. The Monon already has leaves falling. Looks like it will be an early fall. I felt good, and I wanted to be sure I did not push too hard. I wanted to keep it steady, and I was pretty close to an even pace.

Of course the two things in my head were Portland and Sabrina. Both my running and fundraising goal are so close. Can't believe it will be over in 30 days.

Charlie

Trip to the Ortho

Today I went to see the Orthopedic specialist my doctor recommended. Most of my youth was spent in Dr. Dingley's office, and it was always a miserable experience. If the appointment was at 2, I usually saw him at 3:30 or 4:00. He was not a pleasant man, very sterile feeling and looking.

This was the man my parents entrusted to help me walk as normally as possible. He had me go through braces on my legs, orthopedic shoes(which are not cool when you are a kid), and I had to undergo a surgery which radically altered my right foot. I will tell you, I was never 100% convinced that surgery did anything.

So as I waited for Dr. Patel to come in, I flashed back to all those horrible times. I especially remember Dr. Dingley telling my I would not be able to walk when I was in my 60s.

Dr. Patel could not have been nicer. I explained the pain I had in my foot a few weeks ago, and he explained that yes I do have Arthritis in my foot, and the pain was a nerve. I had stretched my foot pretty bad and it triggered the nerve pain.

We talked about my running. Yes, I can keep running. Three times a week is fine. Water running is a recommended cross train. He wants to keep an eye on how I do after the marathon. He doesn't think orthodics would help me at all(good). He also told me my suspicions about how the surgery in my teens probably did not do much was right on. He indicated it was probably the best they could do then.

So all is go for Portland...I just have to get the runs in.

Charlie

32 Days.....Planning the Marathon

As I am getting ready for the marathon, I am paying more attention to things like the course map, and the video tour. I have no experience running in Portland, and I want to be ready.

The course is mostly flat. The rolly nature of the course due in part to the bridges that need to be crossed, but the elevation change is not substantial. As I look at the elevation map I see bumps, but I have to realize those are not hills. The beginning of the race rises to 150', then goes down. Once I get to mile 17, I have gone back up to 140', then it is a gradual decline to mile 26. Yes, you go up a bit to the finish, but it is nothing substantial.

So how do I make this race manageable. A lot of a marathon in mental. The running/walking will happen. It's how you train your brain for the long distances. I have decided to take the race in 4 mile increments. That seems like something I can wrap my brain around.

I am also targeting a slower pace. I felt good after the Geist Half Marathon, because I never went too fast. I stayed even until the last few miles when I began to slow. I felt so good after that race(heel blister aside).

Can I PR in this race? Well I am sure my head will go there, but practically, I am not shooting for that. I am in it to finish it.

Now all I have to do is hope it doesn't rain in Portland.....yeah!

Charlie

"Portland, Portland, Portland"

Today I ran the track at NIFS and got 4 miles in. This was a good run. I was zipping around the track. Well I was zipping for me.

I try to have a mantra in my head. Today that mantra was, "Portland, Portland, Portland." Yes, I am focused on this marathon. I have been studying the map, looking at the elevation, and trying to plan how to run it.

During my run, I imagined myself at various miles along the route. I slowed as I "ran through mile 16." I picked up the pace as I imagined the finish line. So I ran the whole marathon in 4 miles today. LOL.

I felt good, better, than I have lately.

Charlie

Odd Season

As the clock winds down to the start of the Portland Marathon, I am struck at just how odd this season has been. On a daily basis I help people with advice, selling them the gear they need, and being supportive. At this point I know all the rules of training. Oddly enough....this training has gone nothing like that.

Instead it has been a start and stop healthy/non-healthy training. There has been one thing though that has come back, and the joy I was lacking is back. I am loving the running. I am loving the lacing up the shoes and going out. The passion I felt was missing is back.

What happened?

I think the atmosphere I am in has been a better one for me. While being in Indiana has been hard for Mark, I am loving it. I am loving the quiet I had not had for a long time.

My job allows me to be creative with what I want to do.

Those things have made me more positive in general. So how does that affect my love for running? It has gotten me out the door, because I am in a better place. I was trying to make the running do something for me. It wasn't organic. I needed to have a clearer head to appreciate the running. I am feeling that now, and I want to run everyday - I just can't run every day.

Looking forward to this week's running.

Charlie

13 Mile Week

With today's run I have run 13 miles this week. I'd say that was pretty good after a two and a half week layoff. Today I ran 4 miles at NIFS. It was a solid run. I felt pretty good. I thought about going longer, but to be honest, I didn't want to push things. My goal for next week will be longer runs, and a bike ride or two to cross train.

Charlie

Slow and Plodding

Yesterday I hit the gym to run. I would describe it more as a plod. Still think having a very slow run, and by slow I mean 14 minute pace, is good for you. The marathon isn't about speed, it's about endurance and patience.

I was patient during the run. I listened to the iPod, which I don't always do. I listened to Steve Runner talk about happiness on Phedippidations. Great podcast.

My body felt ok. Still feel like I am coming back after not running for a long, long time. Then again, maybe 2 weeks is a long time in the grand scheme of things. I wasn't achy, just felt a bit stiff.

On the track some very speedy folks zipping on by. I let them. I'm getting better at people lapping me. I think this helps mentally, because I know when I'm in a race, it does irk me as people go by.

So the pace got slower as I did the 5 miles. My last mile was a 15 minute mile. As you know that is very slow for me. My overall pace was 14:01/mile. For the marathon I want to be under a 14 minute pace for a majority of the race.

Another run is in the books, and the countdown continues to Portland.

Charlie

Counting Down

The days until the marathon are dwindling, so are the training opportunities. Clearly the training took a HUGE hit with my foot hurting. I am good for now, and as long as I feel good, I am running. That's all I can do. I can't dwell on the fact the training has not gone according to plan. I know what I need to do to PR in the marathon, and so far the runs I have been able to do are getting me there.

Today's goal is to run 6 miles or 1 1/2 hours - whichever comes first.

Charlie

4 Miles in Return

Yesterday I nervously headed to the Monon for a run. My goal was to go for 30 minutes, and if things felt good, I would go a bit further. I did some stretches before the run. My right foot was feeling a bit stiff, but no pain. It also helped I took some Ibuprofen in the morning. Off I went.

My biggest apprehension was taking the first step. How would it feel? It felt great! Still stiff, but no pain. I began to run in earnest. My pace was not fast at all. How could it be after not running for over two weeks. I was keeping things in the 12-13 minute range.

I go to the Monon Center which is a 1.5 miles into the run, and I thought I should go on. I went another 1/2 mile, then I turned around and began the run back.

It felt damn good to be out there. People were saying good morning. I was smiling. I was enjoying the run. My mind was not concentrating on anything other than where I was at the moment. It felt wonderful. The weather was warm, but not hot. Of course it helps to run in the shade.

This was a terrific return to my running. Now I have to look at it as training. Portland is 48 days away. Obviously I can't train like nothing happened. So I have to re-think how I will do this. My goal over the next few weeks is to be able to get to a 4 hour run. That is going to happen slowly, but I will get there.

A good accomplishment yesterday....on to the next run.

Charlie

Degeneration

I have written many times about the difficulties I have running. Today I was reminded of just how difficult it is. I went to the doctor in order to find out why I have been in pain.

In short, the doctor doesn't know, and I am going to see a specialist. I did have to have some X-rays on my right foot, and I got to see quite a bit. I need to learn more about the operations I went through when I was young. My right foot looks like no other. Things have been fused, the shape is all odd.

What I learned today though is the bones have suffered some degeneration. This is caused by the wear and tear I have gone through all my life. As usual I have stumped the doctor as to how I am able to run. He doesn't get it, and he doesn't want to be the one to tell me I can't run.

His advice today was to run when I feel good, and to not run when I don't feel good. Not the best way to train for a marathon. I think though my marathon days may be coming to an end. You don't know how hard that is for me to say, especially if you know all I have wanted to accomplish.

Time is catching up, and I have to figure out what I need to do to keep running. In the meantime I will see the specialist and hear what he has to say.

Charlie

Tomorrow - the Doctor

I have not run in two weeks, and I finally have an appointment to see the doctor about my foot. As usual I am nervous about seeing the doctor. This is important though, because the pain is not going away.

I have hated every moment I am not running, for many reasons. Most of all I hate the fact I'm not out there.

I have bought a bike last week for cross training purposes. Of course this led me to joke that I am a Speedo away from a triathlon.

I will update all of you about what the doctor says.

Charlie

DNS

In running there are two terms which runners hate - DNS(Did Not Start) and DNF(Did Not Finish). Of the two, the latter is the worse - in my opinion. Over the weekend I was supposed to run the Little Miami Half Marathon. I didn't. I had a DNS.

Over a week ago, I injured my right foot, between the big toe and the second toe. It has hurt quite a bit to bend my foot. In the end, I could tell it was better than it had been, but running on it was a NO! So I didn't run. I did see the course, and it was beautiful. A tree lined trail, similar to the Monon. I wanted to run it very badly.

What has really bothered me more is that I have not been able to run for 1 1/2 weeks. This puts me behind in training. So I think I need to see the doctor. This terrifies me, because it would kill me if I can't run.

DNS is not what I want in any race, but if it means I need to be better for the next one, then I am ok with that.

Charlie

Almost Decision Time

My right foot is not getting any better. It has moments where it is good, but then the sharp pain comes back. Ibuprofen and a massage helped, but that won't be totally available to me on Sunday in Ohio. I still have a day to decide if I will run this race. I just hate this feeling.

Charlie

Sabrina's Birthday

Today my sweet little pumpkin turns 9 years old. Yes, today is Sabrina's birthday. It's hard to believe that over 9 years ago no one knew there would be this special little girl in our lives. I remember how happy my sister Anne was when Sabrina was born. I also remember how sad she felt when we found out Sabrina had Down Syndrome.

That sadness turned into acceptance and love. Sabrina has been such a joy in all our lives. She brings a lot of energy, wonder, love and a bit a mischief to our lives. In short, she is like any other 9 year old. As a loving uncle, I am incredibly proud of her.

Sabrina is busy exploring new aspects of life every day. This summer she has taken swim lessons, and is doing very well. She has taken dance lessons, and after watching a video of her performance, I think we have a dancing star. Then again, I could be biased.

This little girl can melt the coldest of hearts.

I want a life for Sabrina that allows her to conquer new frontiers. I want her life to be happy and productive. The National Down Syndrome Society(NDSS) works very hard to make sure Sabrina, and so many like her, have a better life, full of opportunities.

www.ndss.org

As you all know I am raising money for NDSS in honor of Sabrina. Please consider donating towards my $2000 goal. I am so close to reaching it. Once I hit it, I am done fundraising, but not raising awareness of Down Syndrome, and the work NDSS does.

www.crowdrise.com/runningforsabrina

Charlie