Juno What?

        This weekend finished off my first two weeks of training.  So far, it has gone really well.  Honestly, the schedule seems a little bit along the lines of what I am already used to doing.   However, I do have to make sure I give myself at least two days rest.  Sometimes, that's tough.   There are days where I feel I really need, and feel that I really can get out there and put in maybe four to six, or even seven miles.  Sounds crazy to most people, but most people hate running.   I thought I did, at least until I started.

About a little over a month ago, I joined the Steel City Road Runners group.  You can always find them at packet pick up for a lot of the city's big races (The Great Race, The 10 Miler, The Marathon, etc.)  They seemed like a very encouraging group, and one that won't leave any man or woman behind.  I liked that.  I heard one of the perks of joining the group was that you can get training for things like the marathon and the half marathon.  Since this is my first crack at running a full marathon, I thought I would take advantage of joining.

They offer group runs a few times a week.  I haven't been able to take advantage of the Tuesday or Thursday runs, but due to sometimes getting stuck at work, this is OK.   I can just come home, and do my thing around Neville Island and Coraopolis.   The group runs on Saturday I seem to be able to take advantage of the most.   These runs tend to be longer, but it does require me to get up early.  Yeah.  Early.  On a Saturday.  Saturdays I like sleeping in.  But now, I gotta get up early?  I know.  Boo hoo, right?  Most of you always get up early on Saturdays.  Most of you have kids so I know, I am barking up the wrong tree!  I apologize in advance for my nonexistent pain.  I'll suck it up and be a better runner for it.

The groups runs are not too bad since they offer pace groups for every type of runner, so you can get out there with experienced runners, and maybe learn some new things.  This past weekend, my schedule had me down for 12 miles.  I know I've done that many times, so it shouldn't be any problem at all.  Just another day of training.  But, the past couple of weeks have been cold

The cold doesn't bother me too much.  I love the winter time and I love the cold. (Most of the time anyway.)  Some days were colder than others, but I had no problem throwing on an extra layer of clothes to bundle and keep warm.  More importantly, I made sure to keep safe.  I was good to go and ready for the weekend and ready for my 12 miles.

That is at least until Juno paid the East Coast a visit.

I honestly was peeved by this.  I'm the type of guy that is a kid at heart. I love the snow.  I know, much like running, most of you hate it (that is of course unless you ski.)   There is just something about the snow that just makes everything seem so peaceful.  At this moment in time, I was feeling the exactly opposite about the snow.  There was no love here at all.  The group runs were cancelled, and rightfully so.  I mean, Pittsburgh was getting up to 6 inches of snow in most areas throughout the night.  (The rest of the east was not getting so lucky.)  I didn't care though.  Nothing was going to keep me from my run on Saturday.   I wouldn't normally make a big deal about it, but my treadmill broke and I'm trying to fix it.  So yeah, I needed to get out there and I needed to run.  I also needed a new pair of shoes.  Minor details.

I putzed around about as much as I could Saturday before I finally go out there and ran.  It actually seemed like a pretty productive day (except for that wasted trip to the Nike store at the Tanger Outlets which were closed for the day.  Wimps.)  I still did get some new running shoes, some new Jeans (up to two pairs that fit,) a haircut, and  then finally made it home.  I ended up doing more than I originally had planned.  It seemed like my mind was trying to make excuses of why not to run.  There is snow; it's cold; it's now 4:30pm.  However, on the drive home, it looked like most of the sidewalks were clean in my area so I laced em up and headed out the door.

Man was I wrong about most of the sidewalks!  Sure there were moments of clarity in spots, but not so much in others.   I knew it was hard to run in the snow, but it was a lot harder than I thought.  I found my legs working muscles that I normally wouldn't work.  6 miles in and I was already exhausted and ready to call it a day.  Unfortunately, I was still about 3 miles from home.  So again, I sucked it up and kept going.   I added distance by running up and down the side roads between fourth and fifth avenue in Coraopolis.  I got to my aunt's place and saw my uncle Micky finishing up shovelling the walk.  Of course, me being the "funny" guy I said, "I guess you knew I was coming, huh?"  His prompt reply was " you better be careful!"  I told him I'm always careful....and then immediately almost wiped out.   He jinxed me.  Jag.

Anyhow, I got back down to the island to add some mileage through the RMU Ice Complex.   I hit the 10 mile mark, and I had to stop.   I needed a refill on my water and I really needed to rest for a few minutes.  I took about 5 minutes to catch my breath but mostly to make sure I could keep going.  I still had two miles left.  I was pretty sore, but I fought through it.  Juno tried to beat me, but I beat him.

Sunday is a day that our couch would like us to run three or four mile so that we get used to running on tired legs.  I joined up with my girlfriend for this one.  It was so much nicer to have that kind of company on such a snowy run.  These four miles were just as tough as the day before.  There was more snow.  There was more ice.   There were more muscles being used that I don't remember using before.  We both got through this one, and we both agree that running in the snow is not fun at all.  But, it doesn't mean we won't do it again.

And now, it's Monday.  It was also about 45 degrees out today.  Most of the snow is already gone.  Gee, thanks weird Pittsburgh weather.

Until next time....keep running, and keep safe.

Sinceriously,

Chuck Hull, The Running Jedi.  (I'm a dork, I know, but I don't care.)

Don't forget to donate to the Mario Lemieux Foundation!

https://www.crowdrise.com/lemieuxpittsburgh2016/fundraiser/chuckhull

Running for a Reason: 26 miles, 26 dedications

                Why do I run?  That’s a really good question.  When I first started at running all I could think to myself is, “dude, really?”  As a person who has never really been that athletic, asking me this question in my head time and time again never really seemed to get answered.

                At first, I remembered that I was in pretty decent shape when I was in the Navy.  Sure, I was 21, but still I felt pretty fit and even felt handsome and attractive.  However, I’ve not always felt that way.  When I originally signed up to join the Navy, I was 185 pounds and pretty husky.  I had a 38 inch waist and most of my shirts were extra-large.  Of course, that all changed and they whipped me into shape.  When I got out in 1997, I was 155 pounds and had a 32 inch waist.  I tried to keep up with the exercise.  I ran the Great Race as soon as I got home, and two years later I ran a 20k in Wheeling.  After that…I did nothing.  I got lazy. I got bored.  I was working. I was going to travel school.  But, mostly, what it really seemed like I had were excuses.

                But, something changed in me back in 2012.  I had gone up and down in weight over the years, but I wanted to do something about it.  Something in my brain said I wanted to get back to Navy shape. Something else said I just needed to be more conscientious of my health.  So, with some encouragement, I signed up for a 5k.  I trained.  I ran.  I walked.  I finished.  I enjoyed it.  I really, really enjoyed it!  That was an amazing feeling!  After crossing that finish line I felt that as long as there was a race, I could run it.

                And run races I did. 

Everyone on my Facebook page has seen plenty of pictures and plenty of posts of me running.  However, the one thing that wasn’t changing was the reason why I was running.  Sure, I liked to run, but was that the only reason to run?  I soon found out it wasn’t.

                Two years ago as you all know, I decided to run for charity when I signed up to run my third half marathon.   I had already run two, but this time I was running with a purpose.   There were more than enough charities to choose from, but I chose The Mario Lemieux Foundation.  I cannot tell you all how awesome that was to raise the money we did that year.  $5800 plus? Are you kidding me?  My mind was blown!   I had a lot of help of course, and I could never have done it without that help.   I also learned a few things.  

1.       It is such a rewarding experience to raise money for charity.  This is something I’ve never done before.

2.       I do not look good in dress.   I shouldn’t anyway.

All fun aside, I was not sure if I would do it again or if I would even reach those heights a second time fundraising.  Last year however, I decided I should do it again anyway.  The second year we managed to raise over $2500, and I could not have been prouder.  So much money was raised for such a great charity in two years.  But, would I do it a third time?

When I decided to do my first full marathon, I felt I would not have the time to focus on anything else but training.  The more I thought about it, the more I felt I was just being selfish.  I mean sure, I do have to focus on training and that should be my priority, but for that to be the only reason why I don’t raise money for charity a third year is just silly.  It’s also nothing more than another excuse.  So, with that thought in my head, I signed up to raise money for the Mario Lemieux Foundation for a third year in a row.  The goal is not as high as the previous years, but maybe, just maybe, we can find a way to have another successful campaign.

Now, with that being said, that’s really not the only reason I’m running.   When choosing to run the 5k, the Half Marathon, The Full Marathon, and even the Marathon Relay, the race organizers do a great job of promoting the charity option and to “run for a reason.”  There are so many wonderful charities to run for, and of course I chose mine.  However, I have more than just that charity as being the reason I’m running the full marathon this year.  In fact, I have 26 reasons.

I’ve hash tagged “#26miles26dedications” a lot recently, and it’s because I truly am going to dedicate this race 26 different ways.  I’m going to dedicate each mile to 26 different people or groups of people.  I truly mean that.  I’m 43 years old and I’ve gone through some experiences in my life, but so has everyone else.   I’ve been touched emotionally by a lot of you, in nothing but positive ways.   I couldn’t thank everyone enough for that.  We see so many bad stories every day on the news.  It’s never ending.  We see a lot of bad things on social media as well, not only in things that are posted and shared, but also in people’s comments.   However, I still feel there is more good than bad out there.  I want to be one of those things.  I want to be able to make you all feel as wonderful and positive, as hopeful and happy, as you make me feel on a daily basis.

I already have a good idea of how these dedications will pan out and who they will be directed towards.  I was originally going to blog each week on a dedication.  But, I have so many stories to tell that I’ve chosen to reveal all of my dedications at once and on a separate blog.  That blog will come close to race day. 

We’ll catch up on week one of training later this week, but for now, just please continue on this journey with me.  I think it’s going to be a fun run.

Sinceriously yours,

Chuck

#RunRinseRepeat, #26point2forTeamLemieux #26miles26dedications

https://www.crowdrise.com/LemieuxPittsburgh2016/fundraiser/chuckhull

26.2 for Team Lemieux

So, I’ve decided to give running a full marathon a shot.   What the hell was I thinking when I did that?  I’m not really sure.   I mean, I signed up months ago, but I’m still trying to wrap my head around that.    Most of us drive that every day, and it doesn’t seem like a lot.   Well, in a car it’s not, but for the human body, it really is.

                Most people are thinking, “Dude, you’ve been at this for the last 4 or 5 years, you got this.”   I know I’ve run four half marathons and four 10 mile races, but this is nothing like that.  Nothing at all.   And honestly, I’m preaching to the choir here and I’m not really saying anything that anyone doesn’t already know.  But still, what the hell was I thinking?

                To be honest, I was thinking a lot of things.   My first thoughts were of inspiration.  I’ve seen countless people do this.  I know quite a few that have done this.  One of my close friends Bryan Benson’s brother Brad has run many marathons.  He’s done the New York Marathon.  Always encouraging, and always running.   I reached out to Brad when I first decided to run a half marathon for some tips, and they helped.   I’ve watched other friends cross the finish line and seeing how proud they were of themselves for doing so, and the seeds started to be planted in my brain.  And then, I read an article online about an 82 year old woman (or maybe it was 92) finish a marathon.  Are you kidding me?   This women, twice my age did it.  Why they hell couldn’t I?   That right there is inspiration.

Crossing the finish line of my first half, I couldn’t believe what I had just done.  And, I didn’t want to stop there either.  So, I did a few more.  But why did I have to stop there?  I’m sure I’m going to do plenty of half marathons, but what is the next challenge?   Well, that seems to be easy enough to figure out.  I might as well double that mileage.  And now, I’m committed to it.  Come May 1^st, it’s going to get real.   Yep.  Sh*t is gonna get real.

I’ve never been the most athletic person.   But then again, I don’t think I ever gave myself a fair shake, or even enough credit.  Even at 42 years old (43 come race time) sometimes I still don’t give myself enough credit when I should.  Maybe that’s a fault of mine.  Or, maybe that’s just my own way of pushing myself to do better.  At one point in my young life, I played little league football.  Back then, we only had four teams in Moon, and we didn’t travel around to other schools.  We just played those other three teams I think 6 or 9 times.  I can’t remember.   For my first two years, I was on the Little Tigers (god how I wish I still had those team pictures) and on the third year I was on the Little Packers.   It was when I was on the Little Packers that I started losing interest.  I would show up for practice every day and I always give my best.  Even at 12 however, I felt that my best was not good enough because I only got to play in barely 2 minutes at the end of every game.  I told my dad I wanted to quit and he asked why. I told him why play a game that I’m not really getting to play at all.  He did the dad thing and called the coach to voice my concerns and the coach said he felt I was too small and didn’t want me to get hurt around the other players.  That was it for me.  I gave up. I quit.  I never played another sport again.   I still liked sports, and I still enjoyed watching them and playing pickup games with my friends, but to be on a team again it was just not going to happen. 

There was one point between my junior and senior year of high school my mind started to change about that.  I was talking to one of my classmates, Mike Wetzel, about joining the football team and what it would take.  He didn’t even bat an eye and said anyone could make the team and to just join him for the team meeting at the end of the school year that week.  Mike never once discouraged me about it.  I had been talking to him about it for weeks and all he ever did was really push for me to get involved, give me advice, and always encouraged me in every positive way that he could think of to really put my mind at ease about all of my misgivings.  So, on the last day of school that year I joined him in the team meeting.  I did notice a few faces look at me and I read their expressions to say, “You’re kidding, right?  What’s the nerd doing here?”  This was all going on in my head, but who knew if that was actually true.  I already let my mind think what it wanted to think.  After the meeting, Mike asked, “So, what do you think?  Are you going to play with us and be a Moon Tiger?”   Nope.  I wasn’t.  My mind was made up in about 1 minute of sitting in that room.  I just remember saying to Mike, “thanks for trying to get me to do this, but I kept looking around this room and seeing a bunch of people I can’t stand and don’t want to be around.  These are the same people that always pick on me and give me a hard time.  I’m going to pass.”   He told me he understood and thanked me for coming anyway.  But after all these years, I think I have to say thanks to Mike.   In all my years after elementary school, when I didn’t realize how different life became as a child when you hit the 7^th grade on up to the 12^th, he was the first guy that really ever gave me a shot at doing anything more the simply try to be the funny guy who most people just saw as the dork.   Thanks Mike.  I hope you are doing well in life.  Wherever you are I wanted you to know, I’m giving something a shot.   26.2 miles.

                 

          And on that note, I’ll get back to the task at hand.  Saturday started our training with Steel City Road Runners.   We had the option to do 3, 6, 8, or 10 miles.   I met up with a friend at his apartment which is about a mile away from the SCRR headquarters.  We jogged down to where everyone was meeting and they had things set up just like a race.  There were vendors, refreshments, start line, paces, and a shit ton of people. (Editor’s note: no one knows exactly how much a shit ton it, but we’re looking at a couple of hundred people.)  I stuck with the 9:30 pace group and we ran pretty good.  Half the group stopped at 3 miles while I was signed on to do 6.  Since I already did one to get there, technically I was doing 7.  After 6, my friend and I just kept going.  We finished the day with 11 miles.   I felt fine keeping the pace I did, but by the time I got to the 7^th and 8^th mile, my body did feel I should start to slow down a little bit.  I didn’t, and just kept at that same pace.  Overall, I felt it was a good test to see what I can and cannot do.   It’s not really at matter of me telling myself I can’t do it, but listening to what my body is telling me so that I don’t injure myself.  This is only day one.  We still have 18 weeks of running to do before the big one, so listen to my body I will.  When all was said and done, it was a good day and a good run.

                And, I’m looking forward to the next 18 weeks.

                Until next time everyone…… 

#RunRinseRepeat, #26point2forTeamLemieux #26miles26dedications

The introduction to this blog, and my quest.

Just a brief introduction to this blog.  I meat to leave all of this in the header so that it's there permanently, however it only limited me to 500 characters or less.

                First a foremost, I’m not a writer by any stretch of the word.  Heck, I wouldn’t even consider me a blogger.  I mean, I haven’t had any formal training with this sort of thing, however, it feels like a fun thing to do.

                I decided this year that I’m going to run a full marathon.  I’ve been running for the better part of 5 years now, and the last two or three I’ve really picked things up and focused a lot more on more than just the run.  I’ve dropped a lot of weight, and I’ve gained a love for running, and all things associated with it.

                I’m calling this my quest for 26.2 for Team Lemieux.  I have raised money for The Mario Lemieux Foundation the last couple of years, and I thought about not doing so this year because I wanted my sole focus to be on those 26.2 miles, and nothing else.  That is just plain selfish of me.  I can still focus on the task at hand while trying to do my best to raise money for a good cause.  So that’s what I’m doing.  The main goal is only $1600.00 this year, and my minimum us $100.00.  To donate, you can click this link:

https://www.crowdrise.com/LemieuxPittsburgh2016/fundraiser/chuckhull

                I’m not sure what I’ll be writing about.  I mean, how much can you write about running?  Well, there are countless magazines so apparently a lot!

                I’ll mostly just write about what’s on my mind during a run, or even the run itself.  I’ll talk about some races.  I’ll talk about music.  I’ll talk about me in general.  Maybe I’ll have some stories to tell.  Maybe I’ll have some lessons to teach.  I may be funny from time to time, and I may be serious.  But, if anything, I’m just going to write and hope that you read.  I'm definitely going to tweak things as well to make it look a little nicer.  I'm just learning the ropes and how to do this.  In the meantime, leave some comments if you wish. Share you thoughts, or even your experiences.   It’s a small world out there, and we are only here for a brief period of time.  Let’s do something great together.  Let’s get out there and run.

Sinceriously (this is a word, so says Stephen Amell, start of the CW's Arrow),

Chuck Hull