What Do.....

What do a funny named shoe, a drag queen named Bianca, a scared garter snake and 2 miles have in common? Well it was all a part of my run today.

The goal as last time was to run 2 miles, as I slowly come back from injury after injury, and the dreaded weight gain. I have to remember not to be frustrated about doing 2 miles. It could be worse, I could be doing NO miles.

I headed to Westfield for a run north on the Monon. Off I went. Today I am running in my run only pair of Hokas. I have a pair for work, and one for running now. Hokas are an odd named shoe, that's for sure. While I don't believe in miracle shoes or products for running, this shoe comes close to it. It is built for long endurance runs like ultras, but you can wear this big bulky looking shoe for any distance. What will surprise you is how light it is - 10.8 oz. If you are a runner who battles injury, I encourage you to try this shoe.

So as I was slowly moving, I noticed movement a ahead. As I got closer, there it was - my arch nemesis - a snake. This was one of those so-called harmless garter snakes. It looked like he heard me coming, and the Earth was moving, because he was moving as quickly as he could to get out of my way. Yeah take that snake....run away from me.

The way back my knee was feeling a bit achy, so I tried adjusting my step a bit, and that seemed to help. Still once bad things happen on a run, you need to dig deep to get some inspiration to keep going. Today's inspiration came in the form of the drag queen Bianca Del Rio. Sorry, not just any drag queen, this is THE RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6 Winner, Bianca Del Rio.  She is an insult drag queen. Picture a far younger, prettier Don Rickles, and you get my drift.

So how did Bianca inspire me today. I needed something to say to myself over and over again to get through the doubt, and desire to stop. My phrase was ....

"Not today Satan, not today."  

Hey whatever works!

Overall I feel good about the run. I ran 1.7 miles and walked .3 today. Again, I will take that. Looking to do another 2 miles this week.

Charlie

Without the Brace

Today the goal was to run two miles - without the compression knee brace. For the record, my knee feels about 75%-80% better, but obviously not perfect. Not where I need to be that is for sure.

For now my goals are pretty simple. If it feels pretty good - go run. If I can, run more than I walk. So today I headed down the Hagen-Burke Trail. I was running in the Hoka Bondi's today. It takes a bit getting used to, running in those shoes. I'm not used to CUSHION!

Overall the run was fine. I did manage to run more than walk. I figured I walked 1/4 mile of the two miles I ran. I was slow, but then again, why do I need to be fast now?

I thought about the people who make excuses that they "jog." Oh please, it's right foot, left foot, repeat. There is no great trick to this. If you run slow....do it proudly. If you run fast....then Run Forest Run!

The knee bothered me some, but I was glad to have the extra cushion of the Hokas. All in all a good run. If I feel good tomorrow....then I will do it all over again.

Charlie

This n That

This is a hodgepodge of items for this post, there isn't a common thread, other than the theme of running.... :-)

1) This week's running consisted of two miles. I'll take it. After NOT running since November, two miles, is two more than I have done in months. This is a slow process to get back into running. I'm not pushing anything, other than to do a 5K this year.

2) Hokas - When I was a teenager, there were the Earth Shoes. For me those were a miracle shoe. They were the first decent looking non-orthodic shoes I could wear comfortable, and felt no pain in my feet.

Flash to the Hoka. It's too early to proclaim a miracle, but these shoes are great, and I feel virtually no pain in them when I walk. When I run, I feel a bit tender in the knee, but not enough to prevent me from running. I will do a more complete review once I have put more miles on them, but for now, they are helping me run.

3) Special Olympics - A couple months ago I came up with the idea of offering Special Olympics athletes a 20% discount in my store. I worked with the area chapter, and they had a donor who wanted to give each athlete a gift card to purchase shoes. It worked very well, and now about 40 athletes are running happy with new shoes.

My latest idea is also coming true. We offer a training program in the Summer for Fall races. The local SO chapter is going to select one athlete to come and train for a 5K with me. My store will provide the training and find a 5K in the Fall to get us into(complimentary). The county director loved the idea, and if it works, we will integrate more of the kids into the training programs in the future.

So it was a good week in my running world. Next goal - run 1.5 miles 3 times a week.

Charlie

The Slow Road Back

Today was an important day for me. I've had the back issues. I still have the LCL issue, but I was determined to run for the first time this year. The goal was 1 mile. The place was a flat, flat, flat, did I mention flat portion of the Monon. The plan was to run 1/2 and walk 1/2 if I could.

I needed some tools though.... A few weeks ago I tried walking in a Hoka Bondi. If you have not tried these shoes, I think they are worth it, especially if you are prone to injury or issues.

As I walked in the shoes at work, I noticed one thing, my left leg didn't bother me. It was the first time in months I walked around not feeling pain on the left side. The Hoka rep was kind enough to give me a pair to test out. So today I gave them a spin.

The other tool also came to me last week. CEP, which is a leader in compression, has designed a knee sleeve. I've used this at work for a week, and I notice I feel little discomfort on that left leg. So I thought I should put it to the test and run with it on today.

I got to my spot in the center of Carmel. I stretched a couple of minutes, and then, verrry slowly I started. It's awkward to run in new shoes. These were no exception. The Hokas are very cushy. Most of the time I don't like that kind of cushion, but today was ok.

I started with a slow jog, for 1/4 mile.  The knee area felt tender as I ran, but not too sore. I walked for the next 1/4 mile. My leg felt better. At the midpoint, I took a breather, then headed back to the car. This time I walked 1/4 mile. I ran the last 1/4 mile. Towards the end of the run, my main thought was not to push too hard. I could tell 1 mile was all the leg would allow today. At the end my leg was a bit sore, but not horrible sore. I stretched, and did a walk around the parking lot, then headed home.

Did I like the Hokas? I did. I'm not sure how they will hold up to my extreme supination. Time will tell. I was glad to have the brace on. Most important lesson....I need to have a doctor really look at this, and tell me what I need to do. $$$

The goal is to be able to run a 5K later this year. So today was a good first intro back. Felt good to be out there with the other runners.

Charlie

This Winter

Let's be blunt, for most of us this winter sucked for running. A good many people either didn't run, or they ran on the dread mill for hours at a time. I'm talking to a good many people gearing up for the Spring marathon/half marathon season who may not have run for two months, only ran on the treadmill, or are over training. In almost every case, they are complaining about pains and issues.

Folks, this is a gentle reminder, you can't make up lost training. Nope sorry. If you skipped a month of running, you can't do two months worth in one month to make up for it. Why? Injury. The greatest reason we get injured is from over training.

One gentleman insisted to me it was his shoes. It couldn't be the 5 miles a day he started doing(previously he was a 2 mile every other day guy). My fear is this race season will see a lot of people in a lot of pain on the road.

If you have to push through these races, I'm suggesting a good use of walking breaks. No, you actually don't have to run the entire race. You can take walk breaks, and no one thinks ill of you. Nor are you any less of a runner(no matter what the snobs say).

Use some sense, and you can get past the lack of winter training. Focus on some cross training and build/re-build your core. Make sure the shoes are good. Your local specialty running store can help you with that. Improve your nutrition. Put the donut down, and have something a bit better for you. Your insides will thank you, and it will improve your running.

It's Spring, but yes, we can overcome this past Winter.

Charlie

How Do I Run?

If anyone is still reading the blog, I'm sorry I haven't written since the marathon in September. To be honest, I haven't felt like writing here, because I haven't been running. The marathon ended at mile 13, when my back just kept feeling stiff and a bit sore. I knew I didn't have another 13 miles in me that day. I was fine stopping. I didn't get emotional as I thought I would.

Since then, I have only run twice. Neither run was spectacular. The back still bothered me. Once the back felt better, I sprained my LCL on my left knee. This bothers me some, but I am hoping to start running again. The problem is, how do I run?

Yes, I know it's right foot, left foot. With all the time away, I just don't know how to start. I feel lost, and have felt lost about running. It doesn't help that I have struggled for months in my personal and professional life. In short, I've been miserable. It would have helped to run, but I couldn't. Now I feel I want to start again, but, as I said, I feel lost on how to do this.

I have a goal of a 5K, maybe a 10K this year. Nothing lofty, nothing too much. I want to get back into it, and develop a routine, and remind myself of the love I have for this sport. I do love it, but there are days it's hard.

In the meantime, I've been coaching runners, but I feel like a fraud, because I'm not out there running. The worst part is I've gained quite a bit of weight, and I feel gross. So as I begin to come out of the mess that has been my non-running life, I hope some of you will give me some advice, encouragement, and maybe a spark to get me back.

I will write from time to time, and get back into the swing of things here. I've missed running, and I've missed writing on running.

Charlie

Countdown to Marathon - 1 Day

It's the day before the marathon. Goals today are to tour the course to see what the heck I have gotten myself into, go back to the expo(went to get the packet, but didn't explore the expo, hang with the cousins. Plan the race.

Not sure how this one will go. Mark's ankle looks like it will keep him from going around the course. I'm thinking maybe seeing him at the start, and then at the end. He just can't get around. I know there are people out there who run these things with no support crew. Maybe this is my time to go solo. We'll see.

I start at 6am, in the early start. I anticipate the rest of the runners will start as I head into mile 4. I expect to be passed, and I'm ok with that, afterall I'll have been leading for a while, about time someone came by to take over the pace if the race. :-)

Tonight a pasta dinner, then an early bedtime. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Charlie

Countdown to the Marathon - 2 Days

On to Wisconsin is the rallying cry today. Very excited about the race. Very excited to see my cousins. Very excited to get cheese curds(if you don't know....it's ok).

The road to a marathon is full of highs and lows. Trying to put the last month out of my head(back, cold, Mark spraining his ankle). Time to focus on the 26.2 miles ahead. It won't seem real until I get to the expo tomorrow. That's when you know it's happening.

Weather still looks great for Sunday.

:-)Charlie

Countdown to Marathon - 3 Days

Today we pack for the journey to Wisconsin. This is important. I can forget a lot of things: the shirt I want to wear for dinner one night, the jeans which fit pretty well, toothpaste. What I can't forget is the running gear. Clothes - check. Shoes - check. GU - check.

A glitch in the plan. Mark has fallen and sprained his ankle badly. This makes things difficult for race day. I am hoping a cousin or two will be able to help me out on the course. I can do it on my own if I need to though. My worry is his ankle, and how he sees this as a set back.

On the health front, my back is mostly better. My throat has been sore for a while, and it gets worse the more I talk. Good news, I don't have to talk to anyone during the race.

So 3 days out....wish things were better, but I am packing and ready to go.

Charlie

How I Run - Comparison

There is a big difference between how I think I run....

....and I most likely run....

:-)Charlie

Countdown to Marathon - 4 Days

I haven't written much this year about being 50. Truth be told the year has sucked, but besides that, how does it affect my running? Yes, I am slower. I can work on speed, but I won't be the runner I was 7 years ago, unless one of you has some magic pill.

The recent problems with my back allowed me to examine more how I move. I have to be more deliberate with my movements. For example, when I get out of bed, I have to move carefully, and before I stand up, I sit for a moment and make sure I'm not making any odd movements. I don't know how I got the muscle spasm in my back, but I know it started when I got out of bed, so whatever it was I was doing - I don't, or at least try not to do.

Running means I have to watch what I am doing. Because my feet are the way they are, I notice oddities. My feet don't respond to curves in the road. Now we all think roads are flat, but they aren't. The flattest part of a road tends to be the center, then there are slight curves to the sides of the road. I assume this is so when it rains, the water can quickly go to the sides, and into drainage. My feet feel that slight bend. I try to stay close to the center.

Yes, I know this makes me sound like someone who is say....60 or 70. I want to continue to run then, so I think it's important to be even more aware of my body now. As I get closer to this race, I am aware that my body is not at ideal marathon shape. Part of that is cross training - specifically strength training. I am going to work on this. The problem is money is tight, and joining a gym is not possible now. When it is....gym time.

Don't get me wrong, the goal of finishing can still be met. I just have to take more care now.

Charlie

Countdown to Marathon - 5 Days

What to wear? No, I'm not being a fashionista this morning. You have to figure what to wear on race day. "Come on Charlie - shorts, shirt, socks, shoes - duh," you may say. Well....yes....and no. Always keep an eye on the weather when figuring out your race day wear.

Right now the forecast for race day is sunny, low of 46, high of 62. Now, for me that is ideal, but how do you dress? As the days turn colder, you want to dress in some sort of layers. Now in this case, I have to think about when I will run the majority of my race.

I will start at 6am. The sun won't be up yet. A short sleeve shirt and shorts won't do. A long sleeve shirt will work, because I can always later roll up sleeves as the race goes on. I might want a jacket at the start, but I know that will come off fairly quickly. As for the bottoms, I am looking at 2 in 1 shorts, or I have longer running tights, that are light enough, that it wouldn't be a problem in the later stages.

Half the race will be run before 9:30am, so the coolness will be a factor. Remember, as you run your body temperature is 15 degrees warmer. So when it does it 62, it will feel like 77. I might not want those light tights at that point. I do know as the race goes on, my pace gets slower, so if it is chilly, I will feel it more in those later stages, so I can still opt for the tights.

See I told you this wasn't about being a fashionista.

Socks and shoes are a breeze. I am planning on Fits Merino Wool Socks and of course my Brooks Dyads. Hat - Boston Red Sox Cap. I may wear wicking clothing, but my hat is always a cotton. Call me nuts, but I like that on my head.

Body Glide is a must for long distance running. Chaffing is NOT fun during a race.

It's always best if one or two of your runs is done with what you are planning to wear. This way you'll know if there are seams in the clothes which may bother you. Or, you may find out it just doesn't work. Race day is never a good day to figure out something isn't working.

Planning things like this is key to a good race.

Charlie

Countdown to Marathon - 6 days

In the past I have dedicated my run to various people or causes. I had thought I wanted to dedicate each mile to various people, but in the end, I decided to go a different route. On the journey towards a marathon, there are a lot of people who show support and are there for you. They support you are you train, as you run the race, and as they follow you virtually.

During this training, I have received wonderful support from my friend Kris, who has been out there during one of my longer runs, being a support crew. I have gotten lots of encouragement from the staff of my store. These people mean a lot to me. One associate brought in his office chair I could use at my desk, so my back would feel supported. Another has made sure I have been getting enough nutrition and hydration. All have asked how I am doing, and am I ready. Mark always makes sure I am feeling good. He's been patient as I've gone through my back issue. He'll be out there race day with a cousin or two I imagine making sure I'm ok. I'm looking forward to seeing various cousins out there cheering me on. I rarely get to run with family watching, so this will be fun.  I'm also grateful to the people online who have sent me messages of support. It means a lot to me.

This is the year of the support network. I will carry all of those messages, offers to help me, run with me, etc., with me during this race.

There is another group though, that I am also dedicating this race to. Since April, I have thought a lot about those who suffered in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombing. Some died. A good many were badly injured. Mostly, people endured a horrific event, that we need to be sure doesn't happen again. I will be wearing my Boston Red Sox cap to honor these people. I will be Boston Strong as I make my way to the finish line.

6 days to go....still feeling good.

Charlie

Countdown to Marathon - 7 Days

A week from today I toe the start line, and head off on a 26.2 adventure. Today I ran a nice 3 mile run. I felt good. No signs of back issues, though I have been dealing with a cough and sore throat for a a couple weeks. Nothing though seems to bother my running.

So how am I feeling? Nervous. Training has not been what I would have liked, but that seems to be the norm. When you work in running specialty, you never get to run as much as you would like, or can. Still what I have been most proud of during this training is the fact I have stayed on pace. The goal is to finish in seven hours. My long runs have been pretty close to race pace. Now, will I be able to do that over the longer distance, that I don't know.

I've been asked what my race plan is. I half joke that the plan is to run, until I can't run anymore, then I walk until I finish. I would say if I can sustain a good run/walk pace over 16 miles, I am in good shape for the last 10.

The test is always between miles 18-20. That's when I mentally break down. I typically call my sister at that point. Note to self....remind Anne to have phone ready.

So now I get ready for the big day.

Charlie

Being the Good Samaritan Cost the Long Run

The goal this morning was to run for 4-5 hours. My opportunities for this run are running out, and the marathon is 2 1/2 weeks away. I gathered my gear, and headed out solo.

About 2.5 miles into the run, I saw a sight which made me stop running. There on the trail was an elderly man in his 70s sitting, holding his right ankle, and looking sad. I noticed that two women had been with him, but were now walking away. I stopped to make sure he was ok.

He had tried to find a gap in traffic to cross the street, instead of waiting for traffic to clear. He went across the street, off the trail, jumped over a small wire fence, and his foot landed in a hole. He was lamenting that he probably broke his ankle. I asked if I could call anyone for him, or try to get some help. He explained that the women who had just gone had called his wife. I offered to stay with him until his wife arrived.

He didn't want to interrupt my run, but I told him I would feel better if I stayed and made sure help came. He thanked me, then told me about his past ankle problems, and how this was going to put a crimp in his running. I listened, and told him he would run another day, the important thing was to get to a doctor.

He then said, "May I ask you a question?" "Sure," I answered. He asked, "Is it true Brooks is doing away with the Trance?" Of all the questions in the world, that one was not what I expected. I had helped this gentleman a few times in my store, and now he wanted to talk shoes. I laughed and told him the Trance would be leaving by Spring, and the Transcend would take it's place. He noted that I suggested a lighter stability shoe, like the Dyad, but he really liked the Trance.  He also told me how nice one of my staff has been to his son.

The gentleman has a good memory. He asked if I was ready for my marathon. I told him I was doing a long run today. He felt bad about my stopping. I told him it was nothing to worry about. The wife and her friend had not arrived, and by now he wanted me to call her. He laughed and said his wife sometimes thinks he is joking about things, and I was to call her and tell her it was no joke. I looked down the trail and saw two women and a Cocker Spaniel heading our way. Help was about to arrive.

Both women are nurses, and the wife began to scold him for what he did, "How the Hell old are you?" She was smiling, so I knew it was a husband/wife thing. He introduced me as the owner of his running store. I gently corrected and told her the manager. She was happy I had stayed. Soon I headed off on the run, he thanked me, and told me he would be in soon for a pair of Brooks Trance.

I was with him for about 25 minutes. As you can imagine, it's pretty hard to restart running after not running for a a long period. I felt pretty good though. Still I didn't know if I could finish what I started.

I would find out later I couldn't do it. I tried, I did. In the end I ran 1:33, and did 6 miles. Nope, not good for a long run. And my long runs are running out. My original thought was to transfer to the half, and just focus on a marathon next year. Nope - the half is sold out. So now I need a plan B. I think that plan will involve more walking than I would like. I know at this point I can do a decent half marathon. The finish it, I have to more frequent walk breaks. I also felt under nourished and hydrated today. So I need to kick that up a bit.

The last few weeks have been horrible for me. A combination of a cold, and muscle spasms in the back have knocked me out of running. Maybe that was my taper, and now I build to the marathon?

Oh this marathon may not be pretty, but I will do it.

Charlie

Each Race is a Lesson

I have often thought that each race we run provides a lesson, not only in terms of our running, but in life as well. My first 5K was a Trick of Trot Halloween race. Prior to this, my running consisted of my getting up at 4 a.m., and heading out the door. I didn't want people to see me run, because I thought I looked horrible.

What I learned in this first race, is that nobody, but a Kenyan, looks like a Kenyan when they ran. I saw people stomp their way through the race. I saw prancing. I saw run/walking and walk/running. No one looked especially graceful. Then again, I was towards the back, maybe all the Kenyan like folks led the darned thing. Still, I valued the lesson that I no longer had to be ashamed of what I look like running, and to this day, know I look kind of silly running, but who cares?

My first half marathon was a different lesson. I learned not only could I do long distances, but the long distance race can be emotional. Now to be fair, I was running in my hometown of South Bend, IN, and running into Notre Dame Stadium. Still I learned that these milestones can sometimes me very emotional. I got choked up as the stadium came into sight. I got chills as I ran through the tunnel. I WAS Joe Montana running into the stadium, and I was thrilled beyond belief.

The marathon, each one I have run, poses a different set of lessons. The marathon is about seeing how far you can push your body, and what you can take. None of the marathons I have run have been easy. The first one, proved I could do it. The second one showed me that even under adverse weather conditions, sometimes it's best to call it a day. The third one showed me I could go faster, and more importantly share my love of the race with others. The fourth was a true lesson in endurance, and how hard the distance can be.

All of these races have a common lesson though, once you put your mind to something, you can accomplish anything. It may not be pretty. It may not be glorious. Sometimes it hurts. In the end though, you can do it.

Charlie

31 Days ...

We are now 31 days until the marathon. Within the next week, I will need a really long run, so I am figuring when to do that. In the meantime I have maps of the course, and trying to figure out the places Mark can meet me along the course.

I am also doing something different this time as motivation. I will be dedicating various miles to various people. If you are interested in having a mile on the course dedicated to you, let me know. I have already dedicated the first, 13.1 and final .2 miles, which I will talk about as the month goes on.

I'm feeling fairly good at this point. I am relatively healthy. My runs, for the most part have gone well. I think I have a handle on the race nutrition. So far so good as the saying goes.

At this point in race training, it's a matter of getting mentally strong to endure the 26.2 miles.

31 days and counting....

Charlie

NB 880v3 vs. Brooks Dyad 7

As I became more serious about running, there have been two brands I have been able to wear somewhat consistently; New Balance and Brooks. Because of the various issues with my feet, and the fact they are extra wide, very few companies make shoes I can wear. These two brands have been pretty good for me.

Over the last three years I have been strictly Brooks. The reason being that as New Balance has tinkered with old standbys, I have found their shoes to be too narrow, or in the case of the last shoe I wore, the heel broke down in 7 runs.

Now there is a new version of the NB 880v3 out, and I was given a pair, so it's time to compare shoes....

On the right, we have my current shoe - Brooks Dyad 7. One the left - NB 880v3.

Let's look at the make of the shoes. First of all the Dyad runs a bit longer than the 880. It isn't by much, but there is a touch more length.

The stability pods on the Dyad also make it a wider shoe. Both have a wide toe box which is very important to me, as that is where I am widest.


Not many people think about depth in a shoe, but the move these days is to have a shallower shoe. This helps make it a lighter shoe.  In this case, the NB 880 is much closer to the foot than the Dyad.

Both shoes have the 12mm drop from heel to toe. These are more traditional, as the move is the have 4mm less heel to tow drop. Thank you barefoot movement.

So how do the shoes compare running?

The Dyad 7 has Brooks DNA cushioning in it, which has been in several of their other shoes like the Adrenaline or Glycerin. It is designed to make Brooks shoes even softer. For the record, Brooks shoes have never been known for their pillowy feel, and to be honest, I don't like a softer cushion. I find over time my feet and ankles hurt with more cushion, because I'm not as firmly planted on the ground, or so I feel.

NB 880v3 uses Abzorb for it's cushioning. Again, this is not a pillow to run on, it is a pretty firm shoe. They have also added ActevaLite which is a premium lightweight midsole, for an additional cushion.

Yesterday I ran 5 miles in the NB 880v3. Here is what I liked. The firm feel. While Brooks has made the Dyad feel softer, I liked the firmer feel of the New Balance. I felt I could push off from the ground better, like I was more in control of planting my foot. The New Balance is also lighter. The Brooks Dyad can sometimes feel clunky. Now this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes I want more flex in my shoe. While the 880 felt narrower, I never felt the width was a problem. To be fair, I would need to do a longer run, and allow my feet to swell before I made a final determination.

What I didn't like... The shallow depth of the shoe was an issue. I felt it pressing on the top of my foot, especially on the left foot, to the point I felt some pain. I thought this was odd, because my right foot is the wider. I did loosen the shoes laces, and alleviated some of the pain. The pain though, lingered through the rest of the evening. The shoes laces on the 880 are very thin, and it can lead one to tie them too tight for fear they may come undone. I am going to re-lace them a bit differently on my next run to see if there is still the issue.

My other concern is the heel. After my last NB shoe, I am a bit leery of the heel strength. Again, further running would need to be done before any durability can be discerned.

Overall I really liked the 880v3. Am I going to give up on the Dyad? No. I think it's good to have another shoe in the arsenal. I am going to run a few more times before I decide which one I want to use on race day.

Charlie

Saying Goodbye to a Friend

Last week I talked about one of my favorite customers JB. In keeping with the notion that I can't mention specific names, today I want to talk about AS. AS is another young man who I have helped now for a few years.

When I first worked with AS, he was looking for shoes for hist first marathon. AS comes from a very nice family, so I got to know his mom as well in the process.  She would talk to me about his goals, and how she wanted to encourage him. I offered advice to both. I figured the runner not only needs advice, but the support crew needs some too.

For his first marathon, his mom was going to follow him around the course on her bike, but she knew she couldn't go everywhere. She made a sign with his name on it, and asked if I could hold it up and cheer him on race day. We had a cheer section, so I was happy to do it.

On race day I saw him coming down the road. We were at mile 15, so I figured this would be a tough stretch for him. I got the sign, the cowbell, and the the crew ready to cheer him on. He flashed a smile and a wave as he went by.

Later, not only did his mom thanks us, but AS came into the store to tell me that he was at a low point in the race when we saw him, and that cheering section boosted his spirits, and he was able to keep going. I thought that was awfully nice of both of them to thank me. I was happy to do it.

Months later, AS ran Chicago. This time, his mom was worried about how to get around. I went over the course map, and where along the route she could easily get to. Again, another successful race for AS. Again, I was thanked for my help.

Since then, AS comes in to order his shoes, and talk a bit about his running. His mom comes in from time to time, and catches me up on his progress. I have made a point of telling her over time that I think she has raised one of the nicest boys I have ever met. I know that makes her feel good.

Every now and then I see AS running, or run into him at the grocery store, and he always asks about my running and progress. Yes, we check in with each other on our running. I think it's cool that he inquires about how I'm doing.

Now we come to yesterday. AS came into the store. I knew he bought shoes a few weeks ago, but this was a different visit. He wanted to tell me he is heading off to college this week. He wanted to come in, say good bye, and thank me for all the help I have given him. I told him it was my pleasure. I asked how his mom was doing. She's been a bit emotional, because now both her kids will be out in the world. He assured me he would be back at Thanksgiving for new shoes, and to catch me up  on life. We shook hands, and off he went. I went into the back room and cried a bit. It felt like an old friend was moving on.

Again, I write a story like this, because I think those of us in the running specialty business have a unique relationship with our customers. We are advisor, coach, friend, sales person, and so much more to a good many folks. I doubt we have this kind of relationship with the folks at a big box store. We form a bond which is special, and it is truly one of the best parts of my job.

Whether he runs marathons, does Tris, or just jogs now and then, I hope AS does well with his running. I know he will do well in life. He is a good guy, with a level head on his shoulders.

Charlie

Long Run Quest

My quest for a good long long run during this training is still elusive. The goal this week was a 5 hour run. The result was a 2 1/2 hour run. My right knee was bothering me this week, and gave me some trouble of the run. I could feel the adjustments I was making was hurting my hips, so I ended the run 1/2  hours into it. Still I am pretty happy I made it 9 miles in that amount of time.

Time to let the knee feel better before the next really long run. Shorter runs don't seem to be a problem.

Charlie