Picked Last In Gym - The Misadventures of Chuck: February 2017

Just when I think I couldn't be any crazier, I get crazier. I've not even run the marathon yet this year and I'm already looking ahead to the next challenge. I did the unthinkable. I've just made this year's Pittsburgh Marathon a training run.

Wait a minute. Let's think about that. 26.2 miles is training? Are you kidding me? Nope. I'm not. I signed up for the Hell Hath No Hurry trail run again this year, but instead of the 50k option like I ran last year, I signed up for the 50 mile option. This is not a type, nor did I do that by accident by confusing "k" with "m." I did this on purpose. Heck, I did this for a purpose: this one is for my parents.

Come August 8th, this year will mark my parents 50th wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe that they have been together that long, but they have. It's not always been smooth sailing, but what relationship doesn't have it's speed bumps here or there? Not matter what they may have struggled with, they are still together, every day, by each other's sides. They are my heroes.

I've love to introduce them a little bit to you. First, let's go with my dad.

My dad is Charles Andrew Hull. He was a Navy man so you can see why I joined. He also worked for P & LE Rail Road for a time. He was attending the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics when he suffered a stroke at the age of 44, the same age I turned today. It was a struggle and a big life changing event, but it's been something that he was able to overcome. It's been 26 years since that has happened, and I've seen him grow stronger each and every day since then. At the time it happened, I was only 18, and getting ready to graduate high school. I'll be honest that I didn't know how to handle it. My dad had almost died, and I really didn't know or understand the severity of his situation. I kind of just shrugged it off, figuring he was fine, and only visited him in the hospital once. He was there for about 2 or 3 weeks. I was his oldest son, and kind of a jerk. But, I was scared. My dad wasn't supposed to be there. He was Batman to me. He was a Jedi. He could do anything and I just couldn't handle seeing him so vulnerable. I don't know what I would have done without him if he hadn't survived that stroke. But, what I do know is what I've done with him because that stroke didn't take him away from me, or my family. I continued to learn from him (and still do.) I am able to still talk to him every day. I was able to help him celebrate his 70th birthday just a few weeks ago. My dad once said to me that it seemed everytime he was at the top of the ladder ready to climb out of that hole, something seemed to kick him back down into it. That's never stopped him though. He just gets right back up, dusts himself off, and climbs right back up that ladder. After all he's been through, he's still a Jedi Batman, and he's still my dad, and the best man I know.

Father's Day Dinner.

An oldie: My sister Jodi, me, my sister Jamie, and my dad.

Like father like son.

My mom is Ruth Ann Hull. She was attending college at the same time my dad was at P.I.A. She started school attending CCAC and continued her education and graduated from Kent State University. Right before graduation, she had a minor accident in the kitchen where she had broken her leg. That didn't matter, because a simple broken leg was not going to keep her from getting her diploma. My mom now has a career as a Physical Therapy Assistant. You'd think as a runner having a mom who is a P.T.A. would benefit me a lot but she one time said to me "my boss says stretching doesn't really do much but if you do stretch, do it after you run and not before it." I'm pretty bad at both. My mom has a great sense of humor, but don't let her fool you. She gets a good zinger in here or there and her mind can be as twisted as mine. Sure, she's my mom and I really shouldn't crack the jokes that I do when I'm hanging out with her, but every now and again she comes out at you like a ninja with a "that's what she said." It can be disturbing, but it's absolutely great! She loves to collect things such as salt and pepper shakers, and other little trinkets and nick-knacks (and then see how much she can sell them for on E-bay, even though she doesn't.) She absolutely loves being a grandma, but she'll still tell you she's 39 when her birthday draws near in July. My mom isn't Batman, but she sure as hell is Wonder Woman.

My mom looking stunning on 7th Ave. in Coraopolis in the 70s.

My mom and Santa

My parents have raised 5 children, and each of us have grown up and moved out. Because of that, they get to do the sort of things you would hope any parent will do when they finally get their freedom. They get to travel and do the sorts of things together that they deserve. Every year, my parents are able to attend a Naval Reunion for the Aircraft Carrier that my dad served on. (He was a DJ on board that ship. My dad and I have so many similarities as you can see.) They've gone to St. Louis, San Francisco, Denver, parts of Alabama and Florida, pretty much everywhere. They recently went to Atlantic City where they gave para sailing a shot. When I looked at the pictures of them doing that, the pictures speak volumes of the love that they have shared for 50 years, as well as how strong they are together no matter what obstacle had come their way.

If my parents can survive every challenge that 50 years of marriage can throw their way, I can survive every challenge that 50 miles of trail running can throw my way. They've made it this far, and I'll make it that far. It seems like this race is a a ways off, but January flew by and it's already February 1st. Before you know it, June 24th, 2017 will be here, and I'll be there bright and early for a 6:00 A.M. start. This one is for you mom and dad. I love you both. (Well, duh!)

Sinceriously,

Chuck Hull.....the Running Jedi

#50milesfor50years, #HHNH #runpgh #lovetorun

PS - I've added some random pictures below of my folks. Some they probably don't even know I took, scanned, and put back before they knew I had them.

PPS - In lieu of Happy Birthday wishes: DONATE to some GREAT CAUSES!

#teamlemieux for #therunningjedi

https://www.crowdrise.com/MarioLemieuxPitt2017/fundraiser/chuckhull

$2501 is the goal to raffle off a signed Mario Lemieux jersey, $701 raised to date. Almost there!

#PawsOverPittsburgh #furbabbies

https://www.crowdrise.com/AnimalRescueLeaguePitt2017/fundraiser/kimberlyjurica

Goal of $350, $210 raised to day. Almost There! Signed Pens memorabilia raffled to one lucky person that donates!