Running from shadows

 
KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ When will winter end? I need answers. Or at least something to take my mind off the idea that snow and ice are still around. So I went underground this weekend to look for clues. There, in the industrialized caverns of Kansas City, I found 3,250 runners in T-shirts and shorts in mid-summer form. This was the Groundhog 10K with proceeds going to a children's learning center. Although I had planned to race the more popular 5K, I slept in a bit and made it in time for the 10K. This race I ran into Jimmy, Aileen, Laura, Ashley and a host of other Kansas City running friends. After following Aileen in the first mile to a 5:56, I decided to back off a little before running even splits the last four miles. In the first race of the year, I finished 96th of the 787 runners. My time was 43:44, a little above 7 minute pace. I had to be pleased with the time this early in the year. When I emerged from the caves to a 50-degree day, I saw my shadow. What does this mean? When will Kansas City's winter end?

So good

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. _ A fall trip home to Michigan would not be complete without fresh Michigan apple cider. It's my favorite drink of all time. Sorry Slurpee Gods.

Eternal Bliss

MUSKEGON, Mich. _ It isn't often when I can look around the room and realize that I'm a part of something great. But with my friends from my working era at The State News, this has become a common occurrence. I used to believe our work putting out the paper each day and that magic feeling it gave us is what made us great. But this weekend as 25 of us gathered from a dozen states, I realized it is much more. Each one of us is so diverse, so deep and so inspiring. To be part of a community is such an amazing feeling. This weekend I headed to Muskegon for the great Donica wedding. Don and Jessica, two college friends, flew in from Florida to tie the knot. The weekend ended up being one of the most memorable times I've had.

Wichita Marathon

WICHITA, Kan. _ Saturday I took another 26.2-mile trot. My fourth. While I had lofty time goals for the race, I fell short. My knee became sore at 15 mile and once I fell off pace, the race was pretty much over. But I still hung in there and finished in 4:03. Next up, the Gobbler Grind half marathon in Overland Park. Blas finished his first marathon and after his pain went away, he said he'd try it again, someday. For more pictures: http://msu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2363312&l=7a147&id=2311281

On the last leg

KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ In just days I'll be taking part in the Wichita Marathon. This journey to again race the 26.2-mile distance started last October when I moved to the island of Oahu. There I met an amazing group of marathon maniacs. While their savage behavior and craving for up to 10 marathons a year didn't rub off immediately, I knew I wanted to race the distance once again. When I moved to Kansas City, I found more running groups with runners who had their hopes set on the marathon.

My first three marathons didn't go as I had hoped. In each I fell apart in the ladder stages of the race and my time suffered. After the 2004 Chicago Marathon, I stepped back and just ran shorter races.

For the past year, I've maintained 30-50 mile weeks. I improved my diet. I lifted more weights than I ever have. And I maintained interval training and ran the long runs.

And so the goal: to run 3:25, nearly 20 minutes faster than my PR of 3:42.

Island jumping

Here are some photos from Hawaii:

Na Pali Coast in Kauai: http://msu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2277567&l=d8f77&id=2311281

Volcanoes National Park on Big Island: http://msu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2277565&l=f779a&id=2311281

Akaka Falls on Big Island: http://msu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2277564&l=47b3f&id=2311281

More Oahu: http://msu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2277563&l=a2bfd&id=2311281

Haleakala on Maui: http://msu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2267853&l=256a8&id=2311281

My House:
http://msu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2267866&l=ebba2&id=2311281

Mokuluka Islands:
http://msu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2269700&l=65541&id=2311281

First couple weeks in Hawaii:
http://msu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2165222&l=bc572&id=2311281

I just called to say....

 
Susie! Answer!

The fork in our road

 
The trail

The crew

 
This is us before the hike.

Haleakala National Park

 

This weekend I joined Renee and Sean in Maui to hike and camp at Haleakala National Park. We cruised up the volcano crater, nearly 10,000 feet above sea level with our packs strapped to back. At the summit, where the thick clouds lingered around the crater, we could see for miles. Barren volcanic dust, lush green valleys, the bluest of skies and desert tundra - all in the same place. Horay bats kept us awake at night. We hiked for seven miles on Saturday, camped and then continued up the mountain. After our nearly 3,000-foot climb, we headed to the beach.

Where am I?

 

If you have failed in your attempt to contact me, don't worry. My phone has been turned off/not working. This is due to the unfriendly fellows who shattered my car window, stole my wallet and cell phone. I'll be back soon. Until then I can be contacted at charlton.brian@gmail.com

My daring rope swing jump

It goes by quick so watch closely. I swing over the slippery rocks, and into the freezing mountain water. What a rush!

Check out Web album from hike

 

Peekabo! I put up a Web album after I hiked, along with Randy and Kiff, the Jackass Ginger trail. This short valley loop wandered through the thick Nuuanu forest and eventually passed one of the coolest swimholes on Oahu: Jackass Ginger. We passed stands of swamp mahogany, bamboo, and guava and later climbed the beautiful Nuuanu Trail. At the waterfall, we dared to swing from the rope, over the slippery rocks (I know cause I fell) and into the freezing cold mountain water. So CLICK HERE

My work uniform

 

On a reporting trip to Kauai to cover the fallout of a tour helicopter crash, I stopped at a scenic point overlooking the rush green mountains and Hawaiian fishing pools. This island is one of the most beautiful spots on earth. The white sandy shores, majestic waterfalls, endless mountains and low-key lifestyle made for a long day of work.

Kona sunset

 

From the shores of Kona, the sun dips into the ocean each night. Pure beauty.

My AFI quest: 16. All About Eve

My latest quest is to watch all of the movies ranked by AFI's top 100 list. The greatest American films are on that list and my goal is to view as many as possible before June. My roommate has a collection of thousands of DVDs, so this is my chance.

This weekend I saw All About Eve, a 1950 drama staring Anne Baxter as Eve and Bette Davis as Margo Channing. Davis is one of the biggest female stars of all time and she was powerful here. This movie, while terribly slow at parts, had amazing writing. "Bill Sampson: We have to go to City Hall for the marriage license and blood test.
Margo Channing: I'd marry you if it turned out you had no blood at all."

This was my 20th movie from the list. Others include: 2. Casablanca; 6. Wizard of Oz; 7. The Graduate; 9. Schindler's List; 10. Singin' in the Rain; 11. It's a Wonderful Life; 12. Sunset Boulevard; 14. Some Like it Hot; 15. Star Wars; 20. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; 25. E.T.; 29. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; 49. Snow White; 58. Fantasia; 60. Raiders of the Lost Ark; 71. Forrest Gump; 76. City Lights; 77. American Graffiti; 84. Fargo; 95. Pulp Fiction.

Pearl Harbor 10K

I've spent most of this tropical winter trying to get back in shape here in Honolulu. I've decided to share my weekly racing adventures as I compete in the local road race scene. On Saturday, I woke at 6 a.m to drive to Pearl Harbor to compete in my second 10K in two weeks. The visitor center at Pearl Harbor was quiet when I got there with only a few runners milling around. I would soon find out that the race was one of the least organized events I've ever participated in. Examples: No mile markers, fewer than 100 people, different starts for some runners and T-shirts from the concession stand. The course was brutal. It ran through a grassy area, over the hilly bridge and onto the Ford Island where we ran along long, unshaded runways. I could feel the sun melting me. But I still got a sense of pride as I ran on the same ground where American soldiers were once attacked. I finished the race in a slow 44:37, 7:12 pace. Next week: A 5K on the other side of the island.

Links to some of my stories:

VP Dick Cheney thanks Michigan military

Yzerman retires, but will stay involved

Domino's Pizza Expands locally, globally

GM and Delphi cutbacks leave Flint very depressing

Summer fairs get biodiesel

Mich. Teen Said Hiding After Mideast Trip

Officials expand efforts to curb gun violence in Detroit

The next chapter

 

The next chapter of my life has started. So I bought a brand new 2006 Toyota Corolla Sport. My diploma is on my wall, my new job starts soon and I'm ready for the post-college world. 

Goodbye old friend

Well, it's over. After seven years, my first true love and I must take different paths. I'm proud to say we never gave up on each other. We refused to quit. I couldn't move on and she wouldn't give in. She stuck with me through the years. She met tons of my friends from cross country runners to State Newsers at Michigan State. We traveled together all over the country. We lived in different cities. We survived in rain, snow and terrible conditions. No matter what was going on in my life, she was always there. She was the rock in my world. She seemed to calm me as she belted Bob Seger hits when I felt lonely and she would jam to the hardest rock tunes during my "rebellious years." I'm sorry about that one time I hit her in anger after I found out I needed surgery on my knee. I thought it might have ended years ago. She had bumps and bruises and some scratches along the way. There were tear-filled conversations and injuries maybe too expensive to pay. But we stuck it out, for that I'm proud. Now we're faced with saying goodbye. My first love, a 1991 red Ford Probe two-door, hatchback car. While driving home during a Slurpee run, an old man pulled in front of me. I had no time to react. I slammed on the brakes and served to the right, but I couldn't save her. She of course saved me. I hit the other car straight on, she absorbed the impact. Besides soreness, I'm okay. But she's not. She still drives, but her hood, front end and lights are beyond repair. And with tears, I must say goodbye to the one object that has lasted with me through the years. Regrets? I should have cleaned her more, given her more oil and waxed her body with more pride. I wish I had the money to rebuild you. It was only fitting that my Slurpee flew out of it's cup and onto her floor. I must have drank thousands of them while in her. And so on mile 114,076 I say goodbye. So long my old friend. Now we have to give up. We must find new paths. I'm sorry.