Tipping Point

Recently I read an article about the decline in participation in marathons and half marathons. The author of the story did little to indicate why this may be, other than a glut of races. I will say, it's possible the glut of races out there may be a factor. I offer another  - cost.

Let's take a look at the cost of some races:

One America 500 Festival Mini Marathon - $75
Chicago Marathon $175
NYC Marathon $250
Disney Half or Full Marathon $190 for each
Community First Fox Cities Marathon $60

Clearly the bigger the event, the higher the cost. This does not include travel expenses for these races. Then there is the training programs, shoes, gear, etc.. The economy has been stagnant for a while, and while races have seen a boom in participation, there is a tipping point where it begins to decline, and I suspect that is starting now.

Note, the 500 Festival Mini Marathon, as of this writing, has not sold out. Typically it would have sold out after Thanksgiving. Are people not willing to pay the higher prices? Are they finding cheaper races? In Carmel, IN, they will have a marathon and half marathon a few weeks before the Mini. The marathon costs $75 and the half is $60. The Geist Half Marathon is after the Mini and the fee is $75, so roughly the cost of the Mini, but fewer people.

Now let's add the gear into the mix. Shoes two years ago averaged $100 a pair, now they are $110 a pair. Apparel has also gone up. The costs of racing now is higher once you factor the other items into it.

Of course I have no data, but more and more people are talking to me about lower priced shoes. Yes, there are still plenty of people willing to pay $150 a pair, but I am having more and more conversations about price. People are watching their wallets.

The costs of a race include a lot of goodies for runners. Ok, I still want my medal, but maybe adding a fee for the shirt, and making it an option might help. I know a large part of race costs go to the city for fire, police and street maintenance, can these be negotiated?

I have no answers. I am just putting out there that maybe race organizers, instead of making races bigger and better, need to focus on putting out quality, and working harder to make the races more affordable.

Charlie

This n That

I'm sorry for the absence from the blog. Part of the reason is lack of time, another part is lack of internet. Still I have a lot to say, and I am going to tackle a few subjects in this....

My Running -

I haven't run in over a month. The reason is some incredible left foot pain. It has felt like a huge stick being dug into my foot, between the first and second toe. I have gotten all kinds of advice on what it could be. Eventually a doctor will be seen. I don't want to get too hung up in Google diagnosing myself. Is it a neuroma? Could be. I will say today the pain feels like it is fading, but I have learned that is a cruel trick sometimes.

I miss running. I miss being part of the being outside and part of the world. I hope to be back to running soon.

Oscar Pistorius -

No story has captured the attention of runners like the sad story coming out of South Africa. As you may know,  double amputee runner, Oscar Pistorius allegedly killed his girlfriend on Valentine's Day. The Prosecution is saying this was premeditated. Pistorius is saying it was an accident. Either way, this is a tragedy on many levels.

I have admired this young man for a long time, and was so happy when he ran in last summer's Olympic Games in London. A friend of mine told me that this is another reason why we can't have athletes be role models. I agree and disagree.

We need to really think what it is about the the athlete we admire. Is it what they've accomplished, and how they did it? If so, Pistorius is a model for determination. The problem is we think we know these people because of what they do athletically, and what their press agents feed us. The truth is we don't know these people.

We didn't know Tiger Woods like we thought. We suspected Lance Armstrong. We want to believe our athletes are good hearted, brave and honest. The problem is we forget these people are human. They get angry. They get depressed. They have issues. If you want your children to use them as role models, make sure you are being clear with them why they are to be admired. When athletes fall though, it's important we talk with our children about what happened, and to remind them they are humans.

Parents -

The trials and tribulations of working with high school athletes is really in working with their parents sometimes. SOME parents I should say.  For the last month I have worked some angry parents. They seem to fly off the handle if we don't have a size 13 immediately in stock, and their son needs it today(when they should have looked about a month earlier). They get mad if the spikes don't have what they think is enough spike holes(I know that throws me too). Anger really comes up if a Nike is not in stock.

Remember what I said about role models? Throwing a hissy fit in a running store in front of your children is not the way to teach your children.

The parents who are wonderful and have wonderful kids are a joy to work with. Those are the folks who make my day. The good news is they are the majority of parents I work with.

So there you have it three different topics. Foot is maybe on the mend? I'l keep you all updated.

Charlie

Buy Local

I talked about this on an online running forum, but I would like to expand on this here. Quite often I hear people say they get their initial shoes at a local running store, but will go online for other purchases because:

The store doesn't have the color I want
The store doesn't have the size I want
The shoe is cheaper online
The shoe will come to me faster

Ironically these are some of the people who believe in shopping locally. I'm going to be a bit harsh here for a moment....you don't believe in shopping locally if you are shopping online as opposed to your local store on a regular basis.

Here are some things you need to understand.

Shoes in general make up for 70%-75% of a running store's business.

When you place a special order with a running store for shoes, the store makes virtually no money on those shoes, because they are not buying them from a vendor at an optimal discount(almost no discount). The vendor is charging the store the shipping, and most if not all running stores DO NOT pass these costs on to you, out of a sense of customer service.

Approximately 75% of shoes which are special ordered are never purchased. Why? You found the color you want now at Dick's, or you went home online, because you didn't want to wait 7 days for your shoes.

Running stores can't have every size in stock. What they sell are the most common sizes. Yes, they will have some unusual sizes in stock, but not a regular stock of them. They can't, because shoes in a stock room is money not being made. Shoes = money to a running store.

At a running store, you aren't just buying shoes. You are paying for the expertise of the person who is selling the shoes, making sure they fit properly, and will advise you how to use and not use the shoes.
All of that is built into your $110 pair of shoes.

If all you do is buy accessories at the running store, they are making less than they should, because your shoes are being bought elsewhere.

I freely admit, I have a vested interest in this. I work in running specialty. I want to continue to work. I want running stores to succeed, because they are also more than stores, they are running community centers. The staff in those stores offer advice, training tips, injury screenings with local PTs or doctors, work with medical professionals to make sure their patients are getting good shoes for their needs.

Online is....online. Online won't tell you the difference between an Asics 2170 and an Asics GT-2000(there is a BIG difference).

The sales associate in the store will take an hour or more to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your shoes. That is a live person giving you individual attention for YOU. Let me know know when Zappos does that.

If I have made you think about buying locally more....good. I think there is an advantage to online. I would just make sure if you are dedicated to buying locally, it's a bit more than buying a packet of Gu.

Charlie

Friday Responds

Yesterday I wrote a letter to my dog Friday, asking if there was a way she could go running with me. She has sent a letter I would like to share with you.

Dear Daddy,

You have no idea what my life if like. I wake you up at 6:00am so you can rub my tummy, then I insist you take me out, followed by a treat. Next I wait for you to drink that funny brown water from your handheld bowl, as I wait for food in my bowl.

I have to plan playtime with you before you go to work, then I head upstairs for my 4 hour nap. Later I come downstairs to let Mark know it's time for my next walk. He looks at me kind of funny, because he is playing with the XBox thing, eventually though he takes me for a walk. Of course that is followed by a treat.

Soon I am back upstairs on my....I mean your bed sleeping. When you come home from work, I am SOOOOOOO happy to see you. I want to play, go out side, play some more, have you rub my tummy, and then sit with you on the couch.

As you can see my day is full, and now you want to add running to it? Are you on catnip or something?

Come on.....my energy needs to be saved so I can play with you. Add to that I need my beauty sleep.

No running for me....unless you mean we are going to hunt my arch nemesis - The Bunny! Let's roll then.

In the meantime I need to go back to sleep.

Love,
Friday

Dear Friday

The following is a letter to my dog, Friday.

Dear Friday,

Why can't you run with me. I have friends who wax wonderfully about their faithful companions who run with them. You? Well you act like you want to go for a run. The times we've tried, one of two things happens: you either run a few steps, and then want to smell every smell you encounter, or you run like the wind, look back and mock me.

Is there no middle ground? I know you love to run. I take you to the church nearby and you run in the field like a dog possessed. Is it the leash? Sorry my girl, but I can't let you run free along the road.

We walk just fine. Running is just like walking but the right foot, left foot repeat is faster. Maybe I run with treats and bribe you to run?

Think about it, and let me know how we can do this. All the other cool dogs are running with their parents.

Love,
Daddy

What We Want When We Want It

One of the uglier sides to being in the running specialty field are the people who want what they want, when they want it, and they don't have a problem being ugly about it. Let me note at the start, this is not unique to my business, I see this in life more and more. You know what I'm talking about. You go into a running store, and the associate has taken the time to provide you with expertise, and then you tell him/her that you want the shoe is Emerald Green. Sadly the store doesn't have it in Emerald Green, but if it is available, they offer to order it for you. Then you huff and puff that you need it now, and threaten to go to another store, or go online. I'm sorry....what do you want that poor sales person to do? Pull it out of their butts?

Another issue is the price. Yes, yes, yes....I know we all want a good price for new shoes. I do too. I do think though it is rude, again to throw the internet in the poor sales person's face, and expect them to melt. As a reminder, companies like Zappos do a tremendous amount of volume, and they are able to do magical things because of that volume like make shipping costs disappear, or take 15% off those Asics you love so much.

Your local store is not able to do it. I know there are stores out there that do it, but I can assure you their bottom line is being severely damaged because of wilting in front of you and giving you the price you want. Please don't confuse a retail store for a flea market. It isn't.

Somehow we have become the society of instant gratification. We want, what we want, when we want it. Let me play dad for a moment. Sometimes you don't get what you want now. Sometimes you wait. Sorry to have to pull that on you, but really, be an adult, and suck up the fact that Mick Jagger was right, "You can't always get what you want."

Here is how this plays out in stores around the country. A customer is upset that a store does not have the exactly color they want(that's another issue). The store orders it for them(at no discount to them +shipping), the shoes come in, and 75% of the time, the customer decides they don't want it, and never claim it. Read that last past again - 75% of the time, the customer decides they don't want it, and never claim it. The store eats those costs. You may not care as the consumer, but business owners care.

Sadly I have no solution for this problem. All I can tell you is you don't need a pair of running shoes to magically appear. If you need to wait 7 days for your shoes....so be it. And if you need to use the internet, remember, they don't help the local economy, your neighborhood store does.

Charlie

Ouch!

I have not run for a couple weeks now, mostly because the area between my big and second toe on the left foot hurt. This has happened before, and it happened because I slept a certain way - or so I think. It feels like a nerve pain, and the ache dulls as the day goes on. Still I am afraid to run on it. I also noticed my left IT Band is tight. I wondering if it is connected.

Anyone have any ideas? So tired of being injured.

Charlie

Community First Fox Cities Marathon

As I have written time and time again, the marathon is the most difficult race for me to run. Let me be clear, no distance is easy for my feet, but the marathon provides the ultimate challenge. It tests not just endurance for me, but the how far I can challenge my body.

It is a grueling 6+ hours for me. My emotions range from excitement to agony and back to excitement. I am alone out there on the course, but I depend on support to get me through it. Whether it’s Mark out on the course, or my sister on the phone, I depend on someone to get me through this.

Have I ever had what I call the perfect marathon? Close would be the Monumental Marathon I ran in 2010. I was happy with the course, with the time, and with my friends out there supporting me. Would I have liked a faster day? Who wouldn’t. 

Now I begin to gear up for this year’s marathon challenge. It’s a bigger challenge because, well I am bigger this year. I am not in good shape. Shoddy running schedules, being depressed at times, injuries have plagued me. Still I am gearing up for another go at 26.2 miles. 

I had hoped to run the Shamrock Marathon in March, but in no way was I ready for that. So now I turn to the fall, so I have some time to get my body and mind ready. Mentally I know what I need to do. But I have to plan it out in conjunction with my real life. 

The myth is when  you work for a running store, you run all the time. I have found over time that you actually have less time to run. So that means making a commitment to a training, and hoping your family and loved ones can be patient. 

I’ve decided to run the Community First Fox Cities Marathon in September. I have lots of family there, so I know I will get support along the way. I like the looks of the course. I also like the time of year. 

So there we go. The plan is set....time to begin to build to 26.2

Charlie

Old Friends

The running community is really a community of friends. Sometimes it's people you meet through training programs. Sometimes, it's people you encounter at races. You never know where your friends will come from.

I have many running friends. Some I have yet to meet, but I have known them virtually for over 12 years on The Motley Fool. Other friends I have worked with. Many are the people I train and work with from year to year.

Today has been an old home week. A group of ladies I fit for shoes each year came in today, and it was like I see them every week. Some are kids who I help each track season, and I am watching them go through school, from middle school to high school. Times like this allow me to catch up with these folks, who are always happy to see me, and we talk like old friends. In essence that is who we are - old friends.

This week I was reminded of the generosity of old friends. As readers know I have a boycott of long distance races in Chicago(i.e. RocknRoll and the marathon). One race I enjoy is the Soldier Field 10 Mile, put on by Fleet Feet Sports Chicago(my former employer). If you haven't run this race, you need to. It starts outside Soldier Field, home of Da Bears. You run south along Chicago's lakefront. Finally you finish on the 50 yard line inside Soldier Field. It is well organized, fun race.

I was graciously offered an invitation to run the race this year, in an effort to end my boycott of Chicago races. I happily accepted. Does this mean I will run other Chicago races? I have no plans to, but I will do this one. Who knows, maybe this will be the race to turn things around for me in Chicago?

I will run with running friends throughout the race, along one my favorite places to run - Lake Michigan. A good week, and old friends made it better.

Charlie

Shoe Check

Every now and then I get handed a pair of shoes from someone, and I am asked to tell them if they need new ones just by looking at them. Most times, that is not how I can tell if you need new shoes. Rubber is so durable these days, you would really need to wear a shoe down for me to tell something like that.

Instead I ask a series of questions. How often do you run? Are you in training? Any aches or pains? What is feeling different about the shoes? I stand by my stock answers on shoes. Most shoes are designed to last you 6-8months. NEVER celebrate birthdays with your shoes. The outside of the shoe may not indicate that it's time for new shoes. Most of the breakdown happens within the shoes.

Rubber and foam get compressed, so ask yourself how the cushioning feels in your shoes. Support breaks down within the shoe. Are you feeling that the shoe is not holding you up like it has in the past? What about those aches and pains. That is a sign the shoe is no longer taking the impact, your feet are, and that impact shoots right up your legs.

If there is visible wear, it will be in the heel. Don't mistake this for supination(a foot rolling to the outside). That heel wear indicates where your have initial impact. If you want to look for a wear pattern, look at the heel, and then look at the forefoot. If the wear is on the inner portion of the shoes, you overpronate. If it is on the outside, you supinate. If it is down the middle, you are neutral.

If you still want a running professional to examine your shoes, that's fine. Just a heads up, it isn't always  something easily spotted.

Charlie

A Little Respect

This week I was told something pretty harsh. While I can't go into details, I will say that the way I looked was called into question in terms of the profession I am in. I debated whether or not to talk about it. In the end, I want to say something about how I look. I don't look like a runner. Correction, I don't look like Nick Symmonds, Usain Bolt, Ryan Hall, or any other elite runner. I am, in fact though, a runner, and I look like most runners out there.

When most people go into a running store, I am sure they expect to see track or cross country kids hawking shoes. That just isn't the case. In most running stores you go to, you will see old and young, thin and not so thin, African-American and Caucasian, gay and straight, and whatever combo you can come up with. You aren't going to a running store for what the sales people look like. You are going to a running store for the expertise these people provide.

I do find, after I get asked, "Oh do you run?" I have to let them know my street cred. I list my 4 marathons, my 15 or so half marathons, and the countless 5K and 10Ks I have run, and still run. I find it a bit disrespectful to make assumptions about me. I also find it insulting that we have an image of who we think a runner should be.

Running involves the following - right foot, left foot, repeat. All the elite runners do is right foot, left foot, repeat very quickly. They cover the same course I do. They may train more than I do(in fact I know they do). Some of the elites take EPO, because they are glory hungry and want to cheat, while the rest of us just put in the time to train. The point is, there is no reason to be a snob, and there is every reason to respect the person who is working with you.

Rant over.

Charlie

Sorry? Sorry I Got Caught

I have spoken on the topic of cheating before, but as we have endured Lance Armstrong’s staged confession to doping on Oprah Winfrey’s network, I want to revisit an aspect of cheating few have talked about - the apologies for getting caught. People like Armstrong, Marion Jones, Floyd Landis, and many others who have used the public stage to apologize have not really told us that they are sorry they cheated. Sure, they talk about how sorry they are IF they hurt people, or IF their fans have been let down. Let me be clear....they are sorry they got caught. They’re sorry they won’t be earning their millions(or in some cases paying back millions). They’re sorry they have titles stripped and medals returned. They’re sorry their glories are gone. That’s not the same as being sorry for doping and cheating.

There is doping in the running world and we know it. While it may be more prevalent in track and field, I’m sure there is a certain amount of cheating in the long distance road racing. While I long suspected Lance Armstrong used drugs, I have also suspected Usain Bolt of doping. I have no proof of this, but in the age of hyped up performances, one has to wonder if those amazing performances in Beijing and London were truly the result of hard work and training.

I have no doubt the current crop of cheaters watched Armstrong’s interview, just as Armstrong watched past cheaters’ interviews. I imagine what went through their minds wasn’t, “Man I need to stop this now, look what can happen.” No, more than likely their thoughts were, “They won’t get me.” Cheaters think they’re smart, but they are incredibly stupid. 

Some sports heroes get caught up in the fame and money their achievements bring. They crave it. It’s like power, and they’re power hungry. They’ll do whatever they can to get it. Once caught though, you never hear them say, “I’m sorry I did this.” Nope, there is usually an IF in the apology. That is what I have always said is the non-apology apology. It sounds like remorse, but it isn’t. 

I have no doubt when Armstrong told his son he cheated that was hard for him. Still though the lie continues, because he has not fully disclosed the extent of the doping and that he is sorry he did it. On the contrary, his excuse was the old, “How is it cheating if everyone does it?” He’s sorry .... he’s just sorry he got caught.

Charlie

Big Runner Shoe Myth

There is a line of thought out there that if you are a big runner(usually a man), you need the biggest most stable shoes. This is not correct. There is no such thing for larger runners. True, bigger runners will want shoes with more cushion, I have to go back to the basics. You need to be properly fit for shoes.

I am larger runner, and I wear the Brooks Dyad. The shoe is a borderline neutral/very mild stability shoe. It has plenty of cushion for me. I speak with runners though who feel they need to be in a shoe like the Brooks Beast, because someone sold them on the big runner myth.

The way to see if a shoe like that works for you is to have your gait analyzed. If you have extreme over-pronation, and you are a larger runner, then, and only then would I recommend the shoe. Don't suckered by "Dude at the Major Sports Store" who doesn't know gait from gate. He is doing what he can to sell you an expensive shoe, and make his manager happy.

As always, if you are in a stability shoe, and you don't need it, you risk injury.

Charlie

Where Do Shoes Come From?

Contrary to popular belief there aren't shoe elves who make running shoes. Every now and then though, I get asked, "Where was this shoe made?" Typically, it is being asked by a very earnest American, who wants to buy American. My usual answer is China.

People who are anti-Nike tend to talk to me about not buying Nike, because of their labor practices overseas. Here's the deal, and you aren't going to like what I am about to tell you. If you are boycotting Nike for that, then put down your Asics, Brooks, Saucony, Mizuno and most any other major running shoe, because the plant where that Nike Pegasus is being made, is the same one where that Asics Kayano is being made. Manufacturing plants deal with all the brands, and they have workers who work on specific brands, but from one conveyer belt to the next, those shoes are all being made in the same building.

If you want an American running shoe, your options are limited to New Balance. Word of caution though, not all New Balance shoes are made in the US. Less than 50% are made in the US. If you want an American shoes, read the label. It will tell you one of three things:

1) Made in the USA
2) Parts assembled in the USA
3) Made in China

The second item on the list means the parts of the shoe are made in China, but workers in the US assembled it in the USA. This means New Balance can market the Made in the USA without really lying about it. Marketing is a tricky thing.

So the next time you want to pick on Nike for their labor policies, make sure you are holding the other companies to the same standard.

Charlie

It's Spring!

No, it isn't Spring. Today is January 12, 2013. It was a balmy 60F when I headed out for my run. No trace of the snow we had at the start of the week. Just warm and a bit of a breeze.

Today I headed to Westfield. I ran through Cook Creek Park, along Cool Creek, then along the Natalie Wheeler Trail. Overall it was a 4.37 mile run. This was my longest run in quite some time, and I felt good. My pace was 14:25, which isn't speed, but for the shape I'm in, I'll take.

No one was out running. I thought that odd. Maybe everyone headed out early this morning. Still I enjoyed this route. It's rolly. Once you get out of the park, it's trees and farmland. Very pleasant for running, and I took in the view.

This was run was good for two reasons. First I was able to clear some of the muck in my head. Second, I thought about some fun run ideas I would like to consider for work. I am always trying to come up with some fun run ideas.

While I joked it felt like Spring. I worried if flowers thought it was time to pop up. I know winter isn't done, so I want the flowers to stay below.

All in all a good run. Wish I could have a few more like it this coming week.

Charlie

Running For Myself

Last night I was talking to a group of people who are interested in running for a charity. This is fairly common in long distance races. As you all know, I have raised money in the past for charities. At one point I was asked I was doing any charity running this year.

For the last two years I have run for charities, and raised over $2000. This year, my running is just for me, and I think that is fine. I am doing this for two reasons. First, I want my focus to be on my running, and not the cause I am running for. Raising money while training takes time. It's totally doable, but it takes time, especially if you have a large goal. Second, I think if we are always running for charity, our friends, co-workers and family go through giving fatigue. Remember, we runners aren't the only ones trying to raise money. There are all kinds of groups out there vying for donations. If you're like me, you get a lot of requests for this cause or that cause. After a while, I think we get a bit fatigued with it.

I noticed my inbox was full every day during the month of December of charities all asking for money. Your head spins with all the need out there. You either give some to several, a lot to one, or you think, not this year. I can't be one of many this year, so 2013 is about my running, and my improvements and training.

Charlie

Change Begins With Me

For the better part of two years I have been depressed. The depression comes from many situational things going on in my life. As you might expect, I have eaten my way through it, and am heavier now than I have been in a long time. I need to make changes, and I can't wait for the world to change, so the change begins with me.

I got out and ran today. 3 miles on the Monon. It is sooooo much better to run outdoors than on the dreadmill. You feel better. You feel you are part of life. You say hello to people.

On the treadmill, I look at a wall, watch TV, or listen to the iPod. Zzzzzzzzz.

Winter is a tough time to get out and run, but the snow on the trail was melted, so off I went. The 3 miles was a respectable 14:25 pace. So I don't feel I have lost too much. My schedule makes it difficult to plan runs in advance, but it helps if I am not scheduled to work until later in the day. I can't run after work.

So the changes I want to make start with me.....snacks are limited. Meals have to be healthier, and not so late. I have to make a better effort to get out there and run.

The situations I have some control over. They are though what they are. I can still make better choices in how I deal with them. I appreciate the support I get from all of you....it helps a great deal.

Charlie

Forming a New Plan

Now that the Shamrock is scrapped, I need to form a new plan. What I want to do is spend the winter and spring building and doing some smaller races. I think a 10K is a good distance for me to work on.

As I get closer to summer, I would then look at a half marathon to see how I am set for the longer distances. Slowly building time and distance will be the key to a successful marathon. Looking in the Sept.-Nov. time frame for a marathon. I know I won't do Chicago, as I have banned races in the Windy City from my routine.

I don't have a race in mind, but I think I have some time to plan that. I know the key is a slow build.

Part of the fun now is figuring out which races to do. I actually enjoy going to race websites and look things over. I check out course maps, elevation maps...is there a medal? Shirts I don't care about, but the bling is a key component.

What races are you all working towards?

Charlie

Resigned to No Race

After a day of disappointment, I did a 30 minute workout last night, which helped clear my head. It is disappointing to pull the plug on a race. I know it's the right thing, it was just the difficult thing to do.

Still I looked for a bright side. Now I can enter those smaller Spring races and not worry about a marathon. I could do the Holy 10K again, or the Carmel 8K. I know I don't want to do a half quite yet.

The workout last night got be sweating, and that isn't something I have done a lot of. The gym in my complex has two treadmills and an elliptical. I did a combo of both. No running. I did a brisk walk on an incline of the treadmill. Felt good.

In addition to running and working out more, I need to watch what I eat. The depression I have had for the last year or so has taken its toll. My goal for the year is to tackle things in a healthier manner. So far, I am pleased with myself. 5 days in, and I am hanging in there.

Looking forward to a run tomorrow.

Charlie

Hard Decision

UPDATE - Half Marathon is full, so I need to come up with a new plan. I can defer until next year, so I am thinking about that.

No runner likes to make this decision, but there are times you have to pull the trigger, so I am pulling the trigger today. March 17 is right around the corner, and I am not even close to being ready for a 26.2 race. In the over two months until the race, I know I can't be ready.

So I have decided to switch the the half marathon. I can be ready for that in 2.5 months. In the meantime I will figure a fall marathon, and really take the year to get ready. I am very depressed about this, but I would rather do this, then fail at a spring marathon.

Arrrgh!

Charlie