There are certain things that everyone boy that grows up in Charleston does throughout their formative years. From pluff mud fights to flounder giggin’ at nights, one of those is catching some waves on Folly. I never knew if Charlie would be able to experience that. His body just limits him so much. Even when we run, I strap him in good and he’s super secure so putting him on a board riding a wave was a bit scary. But hey, worst case scenario he gets a little wetter than planned. Now, we did also have a 5k race this day that benefited the Carolina Children’s Charity and we had to be there as our Racers for Pacers group and number of people we know were going to be there. Plus, the Charity has actually helped provide some seating and equipment or Charlie at times so we wanted to show our support. They are awesome! We ran that in 25:49 and were excited because our half marathon training has been paying off. It was great to see it under 26 minutes even with a few hills. After chatting for a few minutes, we made a bee-line for the beach.
Wheels to Surf is a group that coordinates events like this and they hooked up with Ocean Cure to bring in all the volunteers to give people with all disabilities and all ages and chance to surf. Witnessing people sitting, laying, and some even being helped to their feet while riding the waves was something to see. So many volunteers and so many smiles. Best of all, there wasn’t any sadness or people giving those “ohhhh, I feel so bad for you” faces. Honestly, I could punch people that look at Charlie that way. He doesn’t need your pity. But anyway… the Wheels to Surf event was an amazing experience. We’re already figuring out how to travel to the next closest one and maybe even getting a board for Charlie.
Here is the video we shot with the GoPro of his time in the water. Please enjoy and share if you like!
Next week, its the IOP Connector 10K and in a few weeks the 7 Bridges Marathon/4 Bridges Half in Chattanooga!!!
Wow! I didn’t realize how long it has been since I last posted on the blog. The last bit of January and first of February was a blur, but it was great for things to be a little slow (for a family life and our running life). We recharged ourselves, set our schedules, and just really spent some downtime with each other. Then, we decided that we had to get moving again. We needed controlled chaos in our lives because why not!
There were two races in March that we had on our schedule to run. The first was the Catch the Leprechaun 5k in Mt. Pleasant which was with our group, Racers for Pacers. The second was on our 50 Halfs 50 States schedule for the half marathon at the Wrightsville Beach Marathon Madness. So, we trained…a little. Man, I remember when I was really training for the NYC Marathon through the summer of 2013. I logged so many miles. Spent so much time on the pavement. I had a plan. Well, training with a special needs child in a wheelchair jogger while still trying to give Mommy a break from the 10 month old can be challenging. With school, illnesses, therapy appointments, work, and on and on and on; honestly, if we get a 45-60 minute run once during the week in and then a longer run on the weekend we feel quite accomplished. At least daylights savings time came and gave us a little more sunshine in the afternoons! But to makes things ever more exciting. In late February/early March we’ve started the process of buying land, selling our house, and finding a rental so that we can build a home that is perfect for our family. Its crazy and hectic but when a door is opening you have to step through. Its cool though because I feed off of this stuff. If I don’t have my hands full then I’m not doing enough at the moment. Now, my wife. Not so much. But, she is the rock of our family. The chief organizer and whip cracker. So far so good. We’re soon to close on the land and our house had a contract on it in 6 days for 99% of asking price. We’ve even found a potential rental that has a ramp leading into the house. I mean, how many houses have ramps. So many things falling into place that we just feel so grateful and between the little arguments of what stays and what goes in the packing game, we almost have to hold back our emotions because of good God had been to us.
OK. Ok. Back to running…
For the Leprechaun, a race that actually benefits a local charter school for children with special needs, it is always at a perfect time in Charleston. The Thursday before St. Patty’s day when the weather here is just starting to get nice and a good rust shaker for the upcoming bigger races. The 5k draws a good crowd mix of serious runners and just those wanting to get out and walk and then pound green beer afterwards. Its fun. Its not too serious and I was looking forward to it because even though I’ve run this race before this would be my first time with Charlie. A good number of the kids from our Racers for Pacers group was there as well so watch the video below to check it out!
It was a little tough navigating the crowd but we still had a decent time so I felt good where we were at heading to Wrightsville Beach in two weeks. About the time of the Leprechaun, I had the Wrightsville trip all planned out and we were ready to go. Mommy and little sister were both coming this time and so were Uncle Drew and Aunt Ashlyn. We had a fun time planned out from the drive up, which was only about 3 1/2 hours, a ferry ride over to the islands, and dinner at a few good spots before and after the race.
Its only the 6th year of this race but holy crap have they got this thing down pat! So organized and professional. So much local support from the local government to the people living in the area. And its not just a Half. They have a 1 mile, 5k, and 10k on Saturday evening. Then on Sunday morning they have the Half, Full, and Relay Marathons. It really is madness. Unfortunately, it didn’t dawn on me that it all corresponds to the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament going on. I completely ignored the fact that every college in the big dance had a flag flying and that they had a section in the tent set up with 5 or 6 huge flat screens showing games on Saturday afternoon! I’m quite upset that I didn’t get a picture of me and Charlie next to the Wofford Terrier flag hanging somewhere in there, but I was oblivious because I get in race mode and get tunnel vision real quick.
I get nervous before athletic competitions. Even when I know I’m prepared. Always have. Always will. But just like in my playing days as soon as that first pitch was thrown, it all just flows and you go. It was like that the whole trip up. Dinner the night before, hardly sleeping, wake up at 5am, checking the jogger and our gear, getting dropped off at the start line, stretching, inching towards the start in a mass of people. Then, I hear a ping or a buzz and natural instinct takes over. I can even see and feel Charlie squirm and smile as we begin to move and peace flows over me. Just run. Don’t stop. Be your son’s hero. Be his best friend. Be an example. Do something great. Make memories for 10 lifetimes. Give more than you’ve ever received.
The weather was perfect. Upper 40’s to low 50’s and cloudy. Despite starting at around 6:40 am, running east as the sun comes up over the Atlantic makes that early alarm worth it and the race was really all together great. We completely recommend it to anyone wanting to run any race distance at all!
We finished in 2:03 and as you’ll see at the end of the video below, we even got to witness a proposal directly behind us!
I just wanted to write a little something since I’m back home now, wife and kids have settled back in to routine and I’ve got a day of work under my belt. This won’t be much but I will write a much more extensive post about our trip and the whole Key West Half Marathon experience complete with video from the GoPro and all!
If you ever get a chance to run this race, do it. Just because it’s Key West. Just because it’s an awesome place to visit. And take a few days to stay AFTER the race do you can really enjoy everything. The race was good. It had it scenic parts and for someone who had never been there before it was really cool, but it was a little disorganized, a little crowded, and a simple out and back.
Still, awesome race destination and experience. Charlie really enjoyed it. I enjoyed it despite it being tough with warmer temps, and I know my wife enjoyed herself down here as well!
One of my favorite things about the GoPro camera is the time lapse mode because I can go back through and see the individual photos that it took and not just continual video. Sometimes there are things that you watch on video or see live that you just don’t appreciate until you see at still photo of it. Even the unedited shot above at Hampton Park with its blurriness is still a decent shot without even trying. Also, ignore that Charlie is missing his right shoe. When he gets excited, he kicks his legs up and out and that right shoe always flips off as it catches the edge of the chair.
But enough about photography and missing shoes. This is a blog to update how we’re doing on our quest for 50 half marathons in 50 states! So, well, as far as planning our next races and spreading the word a bit here and there things are great. As far as actually training, running, physically preparing for the race in Key West, well lets just not talk about that. I suppose I’ll have about as many miles logged for this one as I did getting ready for Kiawah and we knocked that one out with a 2 hour time and felt good doing it. But here is the problem in Key West. Its going to be 70 degrees at 7 am when the race starts. Its never going to get above 75 that day either and in everyone’s mind that seems like amazing weather. Thats everyone’s mind except for the runner. Cool is good. Not warm, and definitely not hot! It was 35 at the start of Kiawah and probably 45 at the finish so that was a little cold to start but the upper 40s and 50s are ideal for distance running. So with the “wonderful” weather down there this weekend, I’m already hydrating. And forget the bananas and oranges they hand out at about mile 10, I’m stuffing some in Charlie’s book bag for much sooner mid-race treat. Either way, the race will be finished and all will have a good time, especially Charlie. He is going to love this and really enjoy the warmer weather.
And that is why our training has been lacking. Since new year’s day, our household has pretty much been sick in some form or fashion. All four of us touched by something at some point. Even Gretta the Labradoodle didn’t seem quite well one day. We even had to take Charlie to MUSC emergency one evening to make sure he didn’t have the flu. So that was a fun night. Then Mama laid the law down and no children were allowed in the cold and Daddy wasn’t allow to get any quick runs in because two sick kids require two parents to play man to man defense. But, I think after this past weekend, we turned the corner. Hopefully a few short runs in here at home with Charlie in the chair and then we’re headed south come Thursday evening!
We’re driving mostly because the flight times to Miami or Key West just really didn’t work out well with what we wanted to do. Also, We’ve never driven the Oversees Highway through the Keys. That should be amazing. Splitting up the drive with a couple hours Thursday, some more on Friday, then by Saturday morning we’re driving into Key West and just chilling until race time the next morning. We’ll take our time and enjoy ourselves with some good seafood in Stuart, FL. We’ll check out the killer whale and dolphin shows at the Miami Seaquarium and really just enjoy time as a family. I really look forward to my wife and I having time along with Charlie. I think he’s felt a little neglected since Emma was born 8 months ago. Its understandable so this a great time for us to just have some fun!
Oh, update on next race after Key West. We’re keeping it in the Carolinas and heading to Wrightsville Beach in March. A less than 4 hour drive to knock our #3 of 50 states!
Be Sure To Click the Small Setting Gear to Watch Video in 1080p. So much BETTER!
The video at the top came from Santa. I’m usually guilty of always wanting gadgets, but I tried to be wise with GoPros as I never really had a need for one, but what a great way to document our running adventures over the next few years now! And I’m sure we’ll find some other cool things to capture along the way from going fishing to swimming in the pool! I’ll just keep playing with the camera to get it in the right spot with the best angles and quality.
Now, as far as races are concerned. Key West is officially happening! January 18, 2015 at 7 am we’ll be taking off! We’ve have some donations come in the last two weeks, but none of that is going towards our travel budget as we have pledged to match all donations leading up to Key West and give to Racers for Pacers and Let’s Cure CP. That’s cool though because I figured the first couple of races would come completely out of pocket before everyone really believes that we’re doing this and gets behind us strong. The best part of this race travel wise is that it is on MLK Jr. weekend which means Charlie has Friday and Monday off from school. Now mom won’t be so upset with missing days in the classroom. Haha!
We got about three weeks to go before we leave and besides the usual training, I’ll probably be spending any extra time I have planning out the trip. I think we’ll leave Friday morning, stop and stay somewhere east coast of Florida then come into Key West Saturday and chill until the race on Sunday morning. Since we were late on getting in on this race, we booked a little hotel about 20 miles up the Keys but thats no biggie as I was planning on parking near the Start/Finish area anyway to get Charlie ready to roll.
Anyway, I’m kind of rambling because thats how my head is right now thinking about this trip. All I know we’re going to have a ton of fun!
Its pretty cool to put some designs together to show people. I think we got a cool little logo here. It’ll should get people to ask questions at least. Who is Charlie? Why is he running? What’s your website again? And I’m not a sticker on the car kind of guy but a lot of people are and I think the red logo with website beneath it will look good on a clear sticker on the back of a car window.
So, people who donate $5 a month get the sticker and people who give $15 per month get the t-shirt. Those who donate $25 per month get both. Unless they’re a business, then I’m thinking some sort of banner or plaque (whatever suits their office decor best)
So, we’ve got some people working on these already so we can start sending them out!
When first thinking of a second group to donate funds raised by running our 50 half marathons in 50 states, I thought that giving to a local group in each city we run a race in would be cool. You know, spread the love around. I did have apprehensions though as it would probably soon add up to be tough keeping so many different places and people organized. This isn’t my day job. Obviously Racers for Pacers was our go to non-profit to give to as they got us started running together, but I wasn’t sure of the other(s).
Then, my wife sent me an email about a group in Atlanta that raises money for cerebral palsy research and just donated $100,000 dollars to a hospital in Houston starting trials on hip bone marrow stem cell therapy. We have checked into things like this already and actually have Charlie’s little sisters cord blood banked at Duke University where this group has actually donated as well! Hopefully the trials there will show hope for sibling stem cells to help with CP. Too bad we didn’t bank Charlie’s cord blood as research has already shown health improvement with that but we never knew we would maybe need it some day.
So, this group’s name is Let’s Cure CP and can be found on the web at www.curecp.com
I just wanted to put this out there as they are an awesome non-profit doing great work. Charlie and I will be proud to donate a portion of our funds to Let’s Cure CP as we run 50 halfs in 50 states!
I’m seriously serious about this. After Charlie’s performance at Kiawah last Saturday, it confirmed what I’m been cooking up over the last month in my head. We need to do this. We need to slowly but surely visit each state in America and run a half marathon there. Along the way, we’ll raise some money for the organization that got us started running together (Racers for Pacers) and hopefully some other national organizations that help benefit those with cerebral palsy.
So, I put together a website that serves a base for our future journeys and can allow people to help support us. Because that is the major thing. Support. Particularly financial support for the travel and registration in races. We can make a trip to Georgia or North Carolina for the weekend with somewhat of ease, but if we want to go to Key West next month or way down the road for some West Coast races we’re going to need a little help with that. But the point of Charlie and I running together is not simply to have people foot our travel bills. Its to give back to organization who have helped us so far and to raise awareness for those with cerebral palsy. Donation will only help pay a portion of the travel costs. Here’s how I’m thinking the breakdown of donations will go to start:
Travel/Registration Expenses: 50%
Racers for Pacers: 25%
Cerebral Palsy Foundation (other): 25%
Now, of course, if we gain enough support, I’d be happy to adjust those numbers to give the charity organizations MUCH more that 25%. Buy anyway, I’m excited about it. I know Charlie loves races and he loves traveling. It might take 10 years for us to complete but we’re going to just keep plugging along we get there. That’s what Charlie does each day. He plugs along and fights each day. He works hard at everything he does at school, at home, at church. I can do the same.
There are good and bad sides to running a course that you’ve never set foot on before. The unfamiliarity of it allow you to just keep your body moving and your mind doesn’t really work against you thinking about that next mile marker or landmark. You can just sit back and enjoy the surroundings, and in the case of Kiawah, it is beautiful. On the other hand, running a distance of a half or full marathon, once your get up over ten miles, it really really seems that those last few miles have been measured incorrectly – and not to your benefit. Particularly Mile 12 at Kiawah when your on a winding undulating cart path.
But, enough about that. I’m was just beaming after Charlie and I finished our longest distance together.
The days leading up, I had quite a few apprehensions and was overall nervous. How would my legs hold up? How was he going to do sitting in the same position for that length of time? But, as all races go, when the gun goes off all of that goes away and you just run. Plus, we were prepared. I’m not an accessorized runner as a lot of people you see out there so I pretty much laced ’em up and go. Charlie has a few more supplies including emergency supplies and meds in case his tone get real bad or he does something like pull his g-tube out (ballon still inflated!). So like I said, I was beaming because he rocked this thing. He laughed and hollered and giggled and smiled the entire 2 hours. I lost count of the number of fellow runners that smiled as we passed them, laughed with him, cheered him on, wanted to talk to him or were encouraged as we trudged on. So it hit me. What he and I do is not just with Racers for Pacers and bringing greater awareness and acceptance for disabled children in physical competition. We bring something to everyone.
Encouragement.
Hope.
Joy.
Laughter.
Love.
This is not some self-absorbed moment. None of this was made known to me until we ran a race of this distance and the reactions and comments and looks that people around us had. With the amount of media coverage that Dick and Rick Hoyt have had in there decades of running together, you would think that more people would have seen disabled runners being pushed in races of this distance. But maybe it isn’t so common. Maybe we need to keep going with this.
Back to the race though. If I hadn’t of had gloves on since if was quite brisk out, I would have actually got some good pictures on this beautiful course. The oaks lining the streets and the gorgeous houses gave you plenty to look out until you head out across a marshy expanse and the mixture of blues and green and orange blended perfect as the morning sun hit and you really just wanted to stop and take it all in. The crowds were surprising good too despite the private island only busing people in to certain areas to cheer on runners. People really came out to support and a lot of the people who live there or were vacationing were set up on their porches or sidewalks. It is no wonder why this gets consistently voted the #1 half-marathon/marathon in South Carolina.
I did “borrow” two pics off Instagram that I found over the weekend that show how nice the course was. You can see their photo credit with their username above the shot.
What an absolutely fun run! The Cooper River Bridge Run is exciting and beautiful. The NYC Marathon is mind blowing. But this little 5k is the definition of a party race. The atmosphere, the time of year, great organizers, and the costumes all make this a must for anyone in Charleston in early December from now on.
I mean, anywhere that Cousin Eddie shows up to run should definitely make your bucket list.
We had the biggest group of Racers for Pacers at one race and it was definitely nice to see everyone together at the beginning. And the beginning of the racer was the only place we all were together at all. Sean, who heads things up for us and I tried to sneak up to the front of the mob because we knew the first couple quick turns of the race were going to glob things up. The first mile felt like it took forever and we definitely ran further than a mile due to all the bobbin’ and weavin’ through the crowd and up on sidewalks. It had to have been over 9 minutes, but we made up for it on the last portion of the race down Murray Blvd. While everyone crammed into one lane between the median and the Ashley River, we just ran on the other side of the road. Smooth sailing until nice Mr. Policeman point to fall in line with the throngs. After that it was just around the tip of the Battery and up East Bay until the finish line. Still haven’t seen the official results but it doesn’t matter because it just doesn’t matter in a race like this. Next up, 13.1 on Kiawah!
Any donations to Racers for Pacers are always appreciated. https://www.crowdrise.com/racers/fundraiser/djrhodes
There are certain things that everyone boy that grows up in Charleston does throughout their formative years. From pluff mud fights to flounder giggin’ at nights, one of those is catching some waves on Folly. I never knew if Charlie would be able to experience that. His body just limits him so much. Even when we run, I strap him in good and he’s super secure so putting him on a board riding a wave was a bit scary. But hey, worst case scenario he gets a little wetter than planned. Now, we did also have a 5k race this day that benefited the Carolina Children’s Charity and we had to be there as our Racers for Pacers group and number of people we know were going to be there. Plus, the Charity has actually helped provide some seating and equipment or Charlie at times so we wanted to show our support. They are awesome! We ran that in 25:49 and were excited because our half marathon training has been paying off. It was great to see it under 26 minutes even with a few hills. After chatting for a few minutes, we made a bee-line for the beach.
Even Gretta the Labradoodle didn’t seem quite well one day. We even had to take Charlie to MUSC emergency one evening to make sure he didn’t have the flu. So that was a fun night. Then Mama laid the law down and no children were allowed in the cold and Daddy wasn’t allow to get any quick runs in because two sick kids require two parents to play man to man defense. But, I think after this past weekend, we turned the corner. Hopefully a few short runs in here at home with Charlie in the chair and then we’re headed south come Thursday evening!
Running With Charlie Boy 
