No Olympic Boycott

A number of LGBT activists are calling for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Recently the Russian government has outlawed what they call pro-gay propaganda. There can be no gay pride demonstrations, talk about gay people in a positive light, no public displays of affection, in short - any thing which is deemed pro-gay. Jail is the penalty for violating the law. The International Olympic Committee says they are working with the Russians to allow openly lesbian and gay athletes to compete.

I say let the open athletes compete, and let's see some pro-gay action. If the Russians want to risk worldwide embarrassment and humiliation - good. Let the world see how cruel Putin and his cronies are. My guess is the Russians won't risk jailing gay people during the Olympics. In fact, I would be a good deal of money on it. They want the world to see happy, shiny Russian faces, not angry gay/army clashes. Anyone want to take me up on this bet?

Charlie

Marathon Countdown: 2 Months

As of this writing two months from today I will take off on my next marathon adventure. This is a good time to take stock of my training. I've been very happy with my running. I feel good. My longest runs are yet to come, but I was very happy with the 10 mile run I did a week ago. The heat and humidity have been rough, but I've managed to work through those.

What do I need to do at this point? Two things - keep running, and stay healthy. Seems easy, isn't always.

Yesterday the Community First Fox Cities Marathon folks released a video tour of the course. First impression is lots of turns. That can be a challenge. Still it looks mostly flat, not very shady. Of course I'm not too worried about that in September. Lots of residential areas to go through. This won't be a crowded marathon, so I think there will be a lot of alone spots.

I wrote about not using the GPS the other day. I'm going to throw in another techie issue - the iPod. I haven't liked running with it this go round. I find the runs I have without it are better and more enjoyable. Of course with a 4 hour run looming, I may need it a little bit.

So with the countdown really in action now....so far all systems are go.

Charlie

What Drives You?

On a hot, and humid day like today, it's easy to stay indoors. Days like this can be brutal out on the road or trail. Still on those days, I think one question to ask is what drives you to run?

I spoke with a gentleman yesterday who runs 4-6 miles a day, seven days a week. He told me he does it to stay alive. He has battled high cholesterol, and running helps him keep it in check. He doesn't race, but he used to. He loves running. He misses running 10 miles a day, but time has a way of reducing our miles - he's 65. He is currently a 9:00/mile pace runner. He told me he walks more now, and when he hits the 10:00/mile pace he may stop running. I told him not to, because at least he is out there running. That's more than most people.

When I started running, it was to lose weight. That was my motivation. Time have changed that, because I see running differently now. What drives me is a sense of accomplishing something. Some days, it's the desire to be out on my own and just be alone with my thoughts. Some days it's because I think it's what I do to feel normal. Other days, I do it to push my body one more step. The common theme for me is that I keep moving forward.

I am running more this year, than I have the last two years, and I am a happier runner for it. Races keep me in check. Marathons, challenge me.

What drives you?

Charlie

A Letter to My Forerunner 110

Dear Garmin Forerunner 110,

What can I say, we have had some wonderful runs together. You have shown me the wonders of running, be it showing my pace, my miles logged, where I ran, etc. You have timed me, when I needed to be timed. You have uploaded info which details my fastest and slowest pace. You were kind enough to map my run for me.

Here's the thing though.....I'm just not that in to  you anymore. You see, I'm more worried about what my pace is, when I should be worried about how I am running. I feel like I'm looking at you for some sort of validation, and in return, I just see numbers going and going.  Really though, it's not you, it's me. I just don't want to know what my pace is every second of my run.

Last week's long run was nice, because I wasn't worried about was I hitting my pace. I find when I worry about it, I'm not doing it. So I've made a decision. I'm going to cut back on using you. We can call it a break, though I will confess, I may see someone else. There's a hot Timex I've had my eye on, and all it does is keep time. I know, I know, it seems cruel, but I really think technology is not making be a better runner.

Oh, we'll still see each other. I just can't commit to the longer runs with you. I want to feel freer than I am. I hope you understand.

Love,
Charlie
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Charlie,

You suck, and your wrist is a bit stinky when you run.

Yours,
Forerunner 110

The Best - Again

Refresher time.....

There is no best running shoe. There is no shoe which will assure you a PR in your next race. It doesn't matter what shoe I wear. It doesn't matter what shoe "most people buy." There is no weeklyBCS  ranking of shoes to determine to best. Sorry....it goes back to what I have said for over 6 years in the business - the best shoe is the one that fits the best and works the best for you - period.

Can you tell what my weekend was like?

Charlie

Two Runs

This week I had two very different runs, though both were designed to do the same thing. Earlier last week I attempted to run my long run - 3 hours or 10 miles. That run ended after 50 minutes. Running in the humidity was like running with a sponge over my mouth. It also turned into an angry run, where I was just so frustrated with life, I couldn't concentrate on life.

Run #2 was better. It was a cooler day, less humidity, and I didn't use the GPS, just the watch. Technology is a wonderful thing, but sometimes, you don't need to know what pace you are running at every given moment. Sorry Garmin. So I ran.

This run was much better. I felt freer to run, since I wasn't always looking at the GPS. When I run without the GPS, I feel I can focus more on the run, and my body, and what I am doing. I finished in 2:24, and ran 10 miles, which is pretty good for me. More importantly I was happy with the run.

I told my training program yesterday, that we have to improvise when we run. We can't be a slave to the program. If your long run isn't going well, scrap it, and just run. You can do the long run the next go round. It really doesn't matter if you do your long run on Saturday or some other day. I know we have busy lives, but just figure it out, and know you have some freedom.

Charlie

Firecracker 6 2013

Yesterday was the annual running of the Firecracker 6, a 6 mile race through downtown Indianapolis. What started with 250 runners in 2010, is now up to around 1,000 registered runners. Not bad. upfront, I will be honest, I have run 3 out of the 4 races, but this is not my favorite race. In fact, I don't like the course. I needed a 6 mile run yesterday, and this fit the bill.

The plus side to the race is I got to run with my friend Kris. Typically when I run with friends, that means we start together. Kris and I ran the entire course yesterday. The 6 miles was spent catching up, and just chatting.

Wait though, this was also a training run, so how did that go? I finished in 1:33, so I was at a decent pace. This was the slowest Firecracker I have done, but I was viewing it in terms of marathon training. For the marathon training, I was where I wanted to be pace-wise. This is a hot and humid race, so I walked more than I care too, but it I just felt uncomfortable, and need more walking.

My biggest complaint about this race was finally resolved. When we ran the first one, Mark was with us running, and he got frustrated that there weren't any port-a-potties on the course. This was the first year they had one on the course(Mile 3). About time folks!

I think if I am going to truly love running in Indianapolis, I need to design a course I like. Why do all the courses have to take us through the ugly industrial parts of the city. It makes it sooooo boring(500 Mini Marathon). At least the Monumental just skirts you around those parts.

I finished in 797th place out of over 800 finishers. I'll take it, a Kenyan I am not.

Charlie

30 Years to Yesterday

For a few moments, I'm not going to talk about running, or coffee for that matter. This is a rare departure on this blog, and most of you will indulge me this posting. I feel I need to express myself on a deeper level.

30 years ago this month I entered life as an openly gay man. Now to be honest, the previous 20 years were pretty gay, but my coming out was an important moment for me. David Ferguson may not have realized it then, but when he kissed me(and vice versa), back in the little practice room at School of the Arts, the real me was awakened, and my inner joy was truly born. Yup, who knew a make out session could do all that.

My journey over the next 30 years was difficult at some points, and tremendously happy in other points. There has been one constant though, my firm belief that my orientation doesn't mean I take a back seat to anyone.

The year after coming out, I endured the horror of rape. I went home with a guy, who I thought was a pretty decent guy, and in turn he raped me. The ugliness of that day haunts me. It doesn't define me though. I was told very early on, and it took me a while to understand this, but it's true - I was not responsible for what happened that day. I was still a person of worth, and not a piece of garbage as I was treated by that man.

The news though got worse. 1985 - I was misdiagnosed as being HIV+. I have to mention the misdiagnosis up front, because I don't want anyone to think I am still HIV+. I do, though, live with that diagnosis for 2.5 years. This period was I learned how little society cared for gay people.

The day I got my second test "confirming" my status, the State of Indiana health "counselor" told me to prepare to die. I asked if there was anyone or group to go to. She told me no. Little did I know the Lesbian and Gay Community were founding groups which would not only provide support on a mental level, but created organizations which took care of our medical, housing, nutritional, financial, and any other needs we could think of. We took care of our own, because we knew this wasn't "God's punishment." We knew this was a public health issue, and our country at the time didn't care. We were still the second class citizens who were "perverts" and freaks. We were "Queers" and not in that good way.

1988 I came out of the closet even further. I was elected the first president of OUT, Indiana University's  LGBT organization. With the hard work of great people like Jeff Bass, Chad Brown, Nora Fergus, Grant Kerr, Chad Fisher, and our straight allies, like Jennifer Rudd and Pamela Freeman, we worked hard over the next two years, to let the university community know that lesbian and gay students were equal to anyone else on campus.

Sexual orientation was put into the non-discriminatory policies of the university. We created Pride Week and the Miss Gay IU Pageant. We remembered those in our past who perished during the Holocaust. We laid the ground work for the LGBT Student Support Center. We demanded a place at the table, and we got it. No one gave us anything, we worked hard for it.

We also remembered those of our friends and loved ones who dies of AIDS related causes. We brought the NAMES Project Quilt to Indiana for the first time in 1990. We raised over $16,000 for community AIDS organization with our efforts.

My post IU life was very different. For a time I lived in Nashville, TN. At that time the closet door was barely open a crack. I had joined a gay men's support group, and quickly learned how self loathing some gay men could be. One member of the group killed himself, because of the "shame" of his sexuality. I have never been ashamed of who I am, and it bothered me that someone would do this. I left the group shortly after this happened. I asked the counselor why he suggested I join. He thought I would be a role model for the group. That isn't a good reason to join a group. A support group should help you, not reinforce the negatives.

I did come out to my family while I was IU. It wasn't the more positive experience. My mom took it fairly hard. I'm not sure she was every comfortable with it. At the end of her life, she told me she just wanted me to be happy, and enjoy life.

Relationships have not always been easy, but then again they never are. I have had the one night stands, the stalker, the being alone, the love, the loss of love, and the love again. Six years ago, last week, I met Mark. We met online, hooked up(yup I will be blunt), dated, and fell in love. That love has endured a lot in the last six years. His health issues have been a source of hardship for us on many levels. He in turn has dealt with my work issues, and our move to my home state of Indiana, which has not gone well for him.

I have always been honest about my life and my relationships. It has caused me trouble in the workplace, because I have worked in the past with idiots who don't consider me equal. My dad told me many years ago, that I should marry a lesbian, that way no one would discriminate against me. I looked him in the eye and said, "Dad do you really think I would ALLOW anyone to discriminate against me?" HELL NO!

My 30 year journey has included wonderful friends, both gay and straight alike. One sadness for me came in 1994, when I lost my childhood friend Dave Wagle. We had gone through middle and high school together. We were competitive with each other in choir(of course I was the better singer). We lost touch when we went to college, but found each other when I moved to Chicago in 1992. He had AIDS and was dying.

This was still at a time of great stigma, even in our community. Many of his friends had abandoned him. I wondered why he had so few visitors in the hospital. He told me his friends didn't want to see what would happen to them. I hated that. I made sure everytime we were together we did something fun. We did lunch at the old Marshall Field's Walnut Room. We went shopping. We had a cocktail or two. We did what friends do.

Dave passed away while I was in Italy in school, during he summer of 1994. When I spoke to his mother, I told her I didn't realize how close he was to dying. She told me he asked about often while I was gone. I wished I could have been there for him at the end. Still he knew how much I valued our friendship. He is buried a few miles away from where my family had a cottage at Lake Michigan. He had visited us there a few times, and I know he loved that area. I was touched he wanted to be buried there.

When the world hasn't been good to gay people, it has always been important to surround myself with friends. I am blessed to have had FABULOUS friends. Naming them is a horrible exercise, because I know I would forget someone, and hurt their feelings. I do need to name two people who were crucial to helping me develop as a gay man - Chris Runge and Marshall Shore. Oh how I wish these two knew each other.

Chris was the first person I told about that memorable kiss, and that I was gay. Of course, he would come out later in life, but he was so supportive and happy for me. I am so happy my first coming out was that positive.

Marshall I met while I was at IU. He went to Purdue(not his fault I'm sure). He was a friend of a friend, and then we became friends. He taught me about being FABULOUS! He and I have shared holidays together(my first cooking a thanksgiving turkey comes to mind in my blond wig and pearls). We have gone clubbing together(Gauze Boy). We have shared our joys and our sorrows with each other. When I ran my first marathon, I chose Phoenix, so he could be there to support me. He is my gay brother, and I love him dearly.

This 30 year experience has made me a happy and proud gay man. Still though, Mark and I face a country where we have been second class citizens. Personally I believe we are second to no one. We are equal. Thanks to the DOMA and Prop. 8 decisions by the US Supreme Court, lesbians and gays have been told that we are equal, and while our efforts need to continue, in the eyes of the highest court in the land, we are not second class citizens.

This decision will not stop the haters from trying to beat us back. History though is on our side. Mark and I will be married. It will be recognized. Our marriage won't be a "skim milk" marriage(quoting Justice Ginsberg). As the chant goes, "We're here. We're queer. Get used to it."

I look forward to continuing to be a proud gay man, and continuing to fight for that place at the table.

Charlie

Pacing in the Heat

Summer is CLEARLY here now, and so is the heat and the humidity. As I waded through the sauna like run today, I thought about how to pace myself. When the heat is like this, you don't want to go full out hard on a run. You need to pace yourself.

I was armed with water and a gel. Off I went on the Monon. I wanted to run between 45 minutes to an hour. I knew this would not be a fast run.

In my head I was working on staying at an easy pace. For me, I thought that should be a 15:15 pace. At the half way point, I was averaging a 15:25 pace. So now here is the issue; am I good with that, or do I pick it up a bit. I opted to pick it up.

At one point I was running at 14:04. Way too fast, and my body was telling me the heat would soon get me if I kept that up. I eased up, and just focused on running comfortable. This worked well, and in the end, I did 3.23 miles in a 15:00 pace. So while I was still ahead of goal pace, I wasn't tired or dehydrated.

I felt this was a pretty successful run.

Charlie

What's Wrong With Track and Field?

Over the weekend I saw video from Des Moines, IA, host to this year's US Track and Field Championships which disturbed me. I saw some of the best athletes in the world, giving their all to make the World Championship Team, in front very few spectators. This bothers me, because as I watch track and field meets from other parts of the world, I see fuller, if not full stadiums.

Des Moines is a track town. The Drake Relays are hosted there. Several NCAA Championships meets have been there. There is running history there.

I understand this is not an Olympic year. This may be part of the problem. We tend to pay attention to track and field, every four years, and then forget these athletes exist. It didn't always used to be like this.

In the early to mid 20th century, track meets garnered a lot of attention. One only needs to read the historical clippings about the great Jesse Owens to see there was plenty of attention to the meets. Of course, this was before television and 500 sport channels.

Competition for the sporting dollar is intense. Football and basketball dominate our country. Baseball and hockey come next. Soccer is still trying to gain traction.

What needs to happen to get track and field into the limelight? USA Track and Field(USATF), need only look in their backyard for what can help. Carmel, Indiana is an example of how to build interest in running - start them young.

In Carmel kids in elementary school have what are called "Pup Running" groups. Parents help coach kids to run, and set up small scale competitions. Kids love this, and it begins a feeder system into middle school and high school programs. Carmel High School is routinely a top running school in the state, and an elite program in the country. Well over 100 kids participate in track at the school, and also in cross country.

In Chicago, where I lived previously, there was little attention given to track. In fact ,when I helped Marathon Kids find a venue for their events, it is almost impossible to find something in the city. The suburbs is where running lives.

So is this an economic issue? Running, compared to other sports, is one of the cheapest to participate in. Shoes(and spikes), shirt, shorts, are your basic tools. You don't need pads, equipment, masks, balls, bats, etc. You need yourself. This would seem to be a good chance for inner city kids to participate. Yet, the suburbs are the hubs.

We have read now for decades that African American youth see sports such as football and basketball as ways out of economic hardship or poverty. Clearly, with the multi-million dollar contracts, that makes sense. I'm not saying track and field needs to have that kind of money going on(nor should it), but why can't there be an economic incentive for track and field?

Now I write this, and I understand, I don't know what outreach USATF has for growth. I will be critical though, at your national championship, you can't be happy to have NBC televise 4 hours on a Saturday of empty seats in a stadium. Not all communities are Eugene, OR(Tracktown USA), but still you have to get out there and fill those seats.

I know they are working on better financial rewards for athletes. I know athletes like Nick Symmonds are pushing for of the money that is already out there. Both are good moves, now we need the incentive to get people to watch track and field.

Charlie

Frankenstein Walk

After a long run(6+ miles), my feet, ankles and legs hurt. For about a day I walk like Frankenstein. I hate it. I have always hated it, but it's my reality. I believe part of the problem stems from the removal of tendons from my lower legs when I was an infant, in an effort to "cure" my Clubbed Foot issues.

Since my range of motion is minimal in one foot, and pretty non existent in the other foot, I have no doubt this is what aggravates everything. Add to it my Arthritis, and you have a lot of pain potential. Now when I am running, I typically don't feel this pain until later in a run. The pain sets in the moment I stop running. This probably happens because the muscles are now resting and the inflammation has a chance to kick into high gear.

So what makes it get better? Ironically being on my feet. Resting feels good, but then when I move the pain is horrible. If I can walk around a while, the pain isn't as intense, and I can walk with less limping. I just can't be on my feet all day.

There are days I wish there was a shot to make the pain go away.

Charlie

My 3rd Annual Gay Moment

Every Summer I share my gay running moment. Two years ago I talked about how I like the shirtless male runners. Last year I talked shorts. This year, I want to talk about who should and shouldn't be out there trying to look hot.

As I ran on this very humid morning, I saw all kinds of men out there. Now to be fair, it was hot and humid out there, and I don't want knock the guys who just want to be comfortable. I get it. For a brief moment, I thought about doffing my shirt. Then again....I think of others, and I know what they don't want to see.

So here is an idea of who should not be out there shirtless.

1) Hairy Men - Sorry, if you take your shirt off, and you look like a running forest, put the shirt back on.

2) More Wrinkles than a Shar Pei - While I am AARP eligible, I will never be old enough to run without a shirt. Bouncing wrinkles just is not right.

3) Painfully Ugly - It's one thing to be ugly ......

So....who should be out there shirtless for all of us to enjoy. Perfect example is Olympic Athlete Nick Symmonds.... While I appreciate Nick as a great runner, he is also a LGBT Equality Supporter, and one FINE looking guy. 

Clearly I have some work to do before I doff my shirt and head out on the trail. Come on guys....you want to look hot out on the road - get to work!

Charlie

Canal Towpath Run

Every now and then, I think it's good to get off the beaten path on a run. For me in Indianapolis. that means running on the Central Canal Towpath. This path was created in the 19th century as a waterway within the city.

As you can tell from the picture, it's a crushed limestone path that anyone can use. Yesterday I shared the path with bikers and runners, and the occasional turtles. Of course the turtles were working hard to keep up with me.

The path is 5.23 miles, starting in the Broad Ripple area, and ventures towards 30th St. You go through the woods behind Butler University and near the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I started in the Rocky Ripple neighborhood, and turned around right before the art museum. I also veered towards Butler University. I ran 3 miles.

Running on the towpath is very serene and calm. All I heard was the crunch of the limestone as I ran. Typically I run slower on this surface, and I was fine with that. This was about getting in a run, and enjoying it.

I encourage all my Indy friends to go for a run on the towpath....you'll love it.

Charlie

Summer Run

Yesterday I worked until mid-afternoon. Typically I don't run after work, but I gave it a shot yesterday. It was humid when I got to the Monon Trail. I saw a few souls out there biking and running. This wasn't a long run. I had a 45 minute run in mind. Off I went.

I didn't have a hat on, and wished I did. Flys and other insects were landing on my head. Must have been the product I had in it. I did a lot of swatting away of flys. I'm sure I looked a bit strange, running and swatting.

I got into a groove fairly quickly and felt good, though my right knee gave me a bit of a twingy issue. It went away though. At the halfway point, I was at 23:00 on the dot. I knew what I needed to do to hit negative splits - go faster. That was the goal on the return trip.

My return time was 22:58. Negative splits! Overall another good run.

I have been given an entry into the annual Firecracker 6 on July 4. This is a hot mess of a race, from a heat standpoint. I have run 2 out of the last 3. The course is "shady" at the start. The last 3 miles are pretty brutal - no shade, and that's when I slow down. My PR in this race is 1:24:28. Last year I ran 1:26 :12. I will be happy to beat last year's time.

This is vacation week, so I have some runs planned, including a longer run on the weekend.

Keep on running!

Charlie

The Long Run: Time to Think

Thinking! So what else are you going to do during a two hour run? Today no music, just me out there running, alone with my thoughts. This has been a difficult week. I had an anxiety attack the other night, and have not slept well. The long run allows you the time to think things over, and hopefully work through your issues. Oh, and while you're at it, you are running as well.

The run allowed me to think things which led to the anxiety attack. I didn't resolve anything, but the run gave me the chance to put things in perspective, and how I can handle what is going on.

When I wasn't obsessing about the woe is me part of life, I ran well. I felt good for most of the run. My pace was decent. I ran 7 miles today in 1:50. Not my best pace, but I was happy with it.

The heat did come through, and I realized I wasn't hydrated prior to the run like I should have been. I hit the NUUN bottle pretty heavy.

The week's long run is done. Now I can do a short run to wrap things up.

Charlie

99 Days.....

The countdown is now under 100 days until I run in Appleton! Running is going well. I would prefer to be running 4 days a week, but the body and time don't allow. Looking for a 2 hour run this week. Hope I can get it done.

I'm feeling good and confident that I can now form a plan to succeed in this marathon.

Charlie

Show Tunes Running

Tonight is the annual Tony Awards, a huge celebration of theatre. For my long run I loaded up a bunch of show tunes, and off I went on a 5.5 mile journey. When I turned 50, I wrote about how I had wanted to be an actor. So today, as I was listening to various tunes. I thought about the theatre experiences I had. Yup a run with nostalgia.

"Pippin" was the first big show I saw. My parents took me to Chicago(1973), to see the story of Pippin, son of Charlemagne. I remember it being a pretty randy show, so I'm not sure what my parents thought they were taking me to see. Still I was hooked!

Every now and then a show would make its way to South Bend, and I remember my mom, grandmother and me going to see "1776." If you haven't seen this show, this is a more sophisticated version than SchoolHouse Rock of how the Declaration of Independence was written.

In London I saw "Chicago" the great Bob Fosse musical. To this day, I think the stage version is so much better than the movie from a few years ago.

My most amazing experience was actually a play called "West Side Waltz." The playwright had written "On Golden Pond," a film I loved, but this was a very mediocre play, but we sat in the 4th row center, and watched the great Katherine Hepburn in it. WOW! There was the legend 4 rows away from me.

Yes, I have been to Broadway, and have been lucky enough to see "The Producers," "Les Miserables,""Rent," "Urinetown," "Kiss Me Kate," and in 2001 attended the Tony Awards.

"Cats," "Annie," "West Side Story," and by far the worst show ever - "Annie 2" have all been in my past. "I guess "Annie 2" would have been better if FDR had not gotten out of his wheelchair to dance.

My love of the stage continues to this day, and filled my head, and I did hum a bit during the 5.5 mile long run today. Great run, great memories.

Charlie

Training Assessment

When I began the training for the marathon I had a plan. I am still on track...sorta. My longest run has been 80 minutes. At this point I thought that I would be at 2 hours. I'm not worried, but as usual I underestimated my stamina. Now that I have some longer runs(1 hour+) under my belt, I feel better about tackling a 2 hour run.

Physically I know I am not anywhere close to a marathon day form. Good thing I have 105 days until race day. I am in a much better place than I was a month ago. So I feel good about that.

My diet is better, but I think it had nowhere to go but better. :-)

If I were grading myself I would say I am at a B-. So I am on track, and have room to improve.

Charlie

The Labels

Everyday I work with at least one customer who tells me they really don't run....they jog. I have never been one of those people who took to the label of jogging. There does seem to be 3 basic labels for runners though:

Runners
Joggers
Run/Walkers

During my run today I thought about these labels, and in the end, I decided they are bunk. As you all know, I see running as right foot, left foot repeat...of course the repeat is faster than a walk. If you are out doing your miles, or training for a race, or just doing it for fitness, you  are a runner. I take my cues from Steve Runner on this. He has said over and over again, that once you have run a marathon, you now and forever shall be known as a marathoner.

I think when we say something like, 'I'm just a jogger," I feel like we are putting ourselves down, as not worthy of the title of runner. I call BS. You're a runner.

Charlie

Feel Like Normal

Today was one of those runs where I felt normal. I have long said that running makes me feel like a normal person. With my lack of running, I haven't had that normal feeling - until today. Today felt like all cylinders were going. I was running well. I was in a zone.

The goal was a longer run today, and that that was accomplished. I ran 4.8 miles. Something else was accomplished. The feeling that I am doing something others are doing is important to me. As a reminder, my early life was spent not being active due to issue surrounding being born with Clubbed Feet. I still deal with those issues.

When I am out running, and I am being greeted by fellow runners, and I am feeling good on a run, I feel just amazing.

The 4.8 miles was covered 1:11:19, but in the end, much more was covered.

Charlie