Picked Last In Gym - The Misadventures of Chuck: March 2018

Last year it seemed like all I was doing was training for something. Come to think of it, I really was. I went from a marathon, to a half marathon, to an attempt at a 50 mile trail run, to yet another marathon and more. I remember from The Great Race on to the end of October I was register to run any random type of race. It seemed as if I was not giving myself a break. I really wasn't. But, was I having fun? Oh yeah. I was having a lot of fun!

I'll admit, there were days where I just didn't want to run anymore, however those days were very few. I really have gotten to love running and just about everything that comes with it. I enjoy being outside no matter the weather. I enjoy listening to all the sounds around me (and not particularly the ones coming from me.) I just like being...free. I was free from work. I was free from technology and social media. I was free from everyday life. I was free to just run, look around, and smile. There was no better feeling than lacing up my shoes, stepping out the door, and simply taking off down the road. It was intoxicating and invigorating. And again, it was fun!

The classic Dan Potash photo bomb....

Most days were simple. I felt like I got a lot done, and I felt great. I felt happy. But, there were those days when I felt like what I was doing was too much and it did feel like work. It wasn't supposed to, but sometimes that just comes with the territory. Running long distance races is one heck of a commitment. It takes up a lot of your time if you even have that to spare. It takes a lot of dedication, and it takes pure drive to stay on the right path. You will always try not step off of said path and head into a different direction, but you may slip up and find yourself headed that way. Although I never really strayed from my path, (and again I admit that there were days I just wanted to stop) I asked myself if I was over doing things? Was I giving myself enough rest, and was I eating right? I'm pretty sure I answered yes to all of those questions, and when I look back at it all, I was still having fun.

One thing about me that most people know is that I always want people to have a good time and enjoy themselves. I'm an entertainer. I need to make people laugh and smile. I need them to feel good about themselves, and if I can help I will. It's one of the reasons why I DJed for over 15 years, and one of the main reasons why I sing for a band. If everyone is having a good time, I know I did my job. And if you are, then I certainly am. But, if neither of us are then we're all in a little bit of trouble.

By the time I was done DJing, I was getting really tired and bored of it. Music had changed way too much from when I started. Half of the time I was not sure what anyone listened to anymore. Between Spotify, Pandora, and iHeart radio, people had access to countless amounts of music. A lot of that music you don't hear on the radio, but that style of music music was what I was always playing. It was hard to take a request from someone when I had never even heard of the band or artist. I always made it a point to try to keep current with the tunes by listening to the local top 40 stations, or even by checking the billboard charts. I would even make a note or two of the songs I didn't have so that I could check them out later and maybe add them to my catalog. But, it was still a new game and I just didn't want to keep up with it anymore. I was no longer having fun as a DJ. My band came along at just the right time though. (Rock on brothers and sisters!)

I look at running as no different for me. Again, it's something I really grew to love and enjoy. It never really feels like work at all. I began to meet a lot of great people and connect with so many in a number of different ways. I've been able to both learn from and even encourage other runners to just keep going and give it their all. I do all of this while smiling, and I'm smiling because I'm having fun.

I even wondered if I was going to be able to still have fun when I decided to give pacing a shot this year. I knew there was a a greater responsibility that came along with pacing, but I couldn't let that change who I was or what I could do. It hasn't. In fact, I think it's made me even more aware of not only how much fun I'm having but how much fun everyone else is having, too. Do we have an end goal in mind? Sure we do, and we're all talking, joking, and laughing for miles at a time. Running may be healthy, but we all know that laughter is truly the best medicine.

It's also no different for me when it comes to having my picture taken while I'm out on the run. If I see you, I'm going to make a face. To quote Bill Murray in Stripes, "that's the fact, Jack!" It's as simple as that. I might be the self proclaimed Running Jedi, but I'm also a certified goofball. Sure, there are some pictures out there with my wonderful smile, but if I see you with a camera, you know what's coming next. You know it. I know it. We all know it!

So, whatever you do and where ever you are going, I beg of you: do not ever stop having fun! I turned 45 years old in February and even moved up an age group, but those were the only things that had changed. I'm still running. I'm still smiling. I'm still having a good time. I don't care how many muscles it takes a person to frown. The biggest muscle we have is our hearts, and it's our hearts that keep us going.

With that, keep on running Pittsburgh. If you happen to be with me, let's make sure we have some fun.

Sinceriously,

Chuck Hull
The Running Jedi

There is still time to sign up for the Pittsburgh Marathon. Use this code to get $10 off as long as you register by March 31st: HULLDSGPM18

There is also time to donate to the Mario Lemieux Foundation as well! $3010 raised to date. Can we hit $3500? Click to donate!

https://www.crowdrise.com/mariolemieuxpitt2018/fundraiser/chuckhull