I'm Freezing My Achilles Off!

Wow, has it been a chilly few weeks! Ok, I lied. It's pretty much been freezing! But, that doesn't really stop me or many others that I know from running. Pittsburgh Marathon training season is upon us, and as they like to say: GAME ON PITTSBURGH!

Left to Right: Amy Egan, Stephanie Haas, Sara Majetic
Me, Dana Salada

It was a pretty busy fall for me. When I look back, I had competed in a race every week over a 12 week span. It seemed like all I was doing was running! (I was.) It all started with the Great Race, and ended with the Trot for Tots where I competed in both the 5k and 10k options. I mean, I had the time, so why not? But, what most of you may not have know is that one of those races happened to be the 100th race that I would start since I began on this journey so many years ago.

Now mind you, of those 100 races I included the Great Race of 1997 as well as the Big Boy Classic of 1999. One of those was 20 years ago, but I ran them. I finished them. I still have my bibs. Simply put, they count. But, the journey did not truly begin until 2011 when I ran The Great Race for the first time since '97 and then the following year when I ran my first 5K: The Run Around The Square. I really has been one heck of a journey. You already know some of those stories, but what about race number 100? Which one was it? How did I do? How did I celebrate?

I'll be honest when I say I had no idea that I had run this many races. All of my race bibs were in a box, and I felt it was time to organize them. I placed them in a folder and noted times, dates, etc. I even made sure to mark which bibs counted for two separate races. It's weird but as I checked each bib, I also remembered each race. I truly mean that. I have some very vivid memories of each one. The best part of those races are the many people I've met and can now call a friend, as well as the friends I've already had that decided to join me. These are some pretty awesome memories to have, and as we all know memories last a lifetime. Not every race had gone my way, but every race was still something that I could smile about, regardless of the outcome.

As most people that know me, I like to be organized in some way shape or form. All my CDs are alphabetical. My music files are broken down by eras on my DJ computer. Organization was no different for my bibs. I created a spreadsheet and started to input all of the the data that I had written on each one. I have multiple tabs where I've broken down the different distances, as well as a master tab showing all races on one sheet. That tab is what tipped me off to my running habit. It was just after the Chicago Marathon that I realized I was getting really close to running 100 races. Holy worn out shoes Bat Man! When I plugged in my upcoming races, it turned out the the Trot For Tot's 5K would be that magical number. I wanted my dearest friends to be there with me, and I wanted us all to run together. So, we did.

OK, I lied again. We didn't run together. We started out together but as my legs would have it, I took off like I tend to do. I thought, "if this is number 100, you better make it a good one." I always try to remind myself that you can't PR every race, and you won't, but since this was such a milestone, I wanted to see what I had in the tank. I participated in this particular race two years prior, and had my best 5K finish to date on that day, so I wanted to beat that time this go round. In 2015, I finished with a time of 24 minutes and 30 seconds. Guest what! Yeah, that didn't happen.

Channeling my inner Barry Goldgerg at the finish of
Trot for Tots 5k, race number 100.

I finished this one in a time of 25 minutes and 45 seconds. I was so close! Even thought I didn't topple that time, I still had sense of euphoria wash over me. I did it. Race number 100 was in the books. There was a ticket tape parade going on in my head (no seriously, there was.) I felt very proud of this, and was glad that my friends were there to help celebrate. Brian and Sara was at the finish taking pictures, and then I waited and cheered while Amy, Steph, and Dana finished their runs. what an awesome feeling. But, I wasn't done just yet.

Sorry girls, this is a good finish face!

I signed up for the 10K race, too. (I was pretty consistent time wise for that particular race. I ran time of 56:01 in 2015, and finished in 56:04 for race number 101.) As my friends and I were walking to the starting line, they all told me to hurry up because it was really cold (it was.) No pressure there, right?

My girlfriend Edyta had texted me good luck earlier in the morning and that she wished she could be there. I told her not to worry. It was her day off and she needed to sleep in. Soon after, I was off an running for the second time that morning. I saw quite a few people I recognized on that second run and as we do, we cheered each other on as we ran. I wanted to take it easy, but I also wanted to get back as soon as possible because I had beer in my car so my friends and I could finally toast to race number 100. As Christmas music played on my phone, I just kept thinking about how I got to this point even more than I already had in the week leading up to that race. I was also "Whamboozled" and out of the Wham "Last Christmas" Whamageddon battle royal. I completely forgot I added that to my play list (don't judge me!) Oops. Anyhow, I was still running well, feeling well, and I was almost done. I could almost taste that ice cold beer!

Joe. what did you do to the bottle?

As the finish line came within site, I saw a group of people standing there and they started to cheer. Of course a few again yelled, "hurry up, we're freezing!" I just smiled. I thought, "they must have told everyone there that I just finished my 100th race or something because we did not have that big of a group over an hour ago" As I got closer, I heard some voices and noticed some faces. What the.....????

Unbeknownst to me, Edyta had reached out to a bunch of my friends to organize a little cheering party. I could tell the look on my face was one of confusion, and I thought to myself, "What the heck are they doing here? She's supposed to sleep in!" Edyta even had t-shirts made and party favors for everyone. I was humbled and a little over come with emotion (I'm a sentimental guy.) Actually, let me correct that. I did get choked up.

Edyta and I after race 100. Her daughter
Zosia made me this crown.

As I realized what was going on, I picked up the pace to cross the finish line but that left me a little short of breath. I had to stop for a few minutes after finishing just so that I could breathe. It was when I finally looked up and saw everyone that I had had to fight back the happy tears and that stupid lump in my throat. How dare they do that to me! My buddy Joe made an attempt to pop open a bottle of champagne, but it was so cold the bottle broke. It was a good thing I had beer in my car! With a celebratory toast and an Eat and Park breakfast, the morning was done. I really did it. But, more importantly, we did it.

Cheers everyone!

One thing I always like to emphasize is that this crazy journey of mine truly is not just mine. It's ours. I wouldn't be doing the things I'm doing now if it wasn't for everyone I have in my life. I want to always honor them and make them proud. I want to make myself proud and my family proud. But more importantly, I want every step I take to have meaning behind it. 100 races and counting, they do, and they always will.

Back: Sara Majetic, Joe Glozzer, Trever Booher, Kat Vancko, Bryan Diana
Middle: Chrissie Boden, Ana Booher
Row behind me: Zosia and her friend, Edyta, Bryan Benson
Amy Egan, Dana Salada, Stephanie Haas

With that being said, keep on running Pittsburgh. Let's run the next 100 together, but more importantly, let's never stop.

Sinceriously,

Chuck Hull, The Running Jedi (more pics below!)