A Special Thanks....

[dragitoff]

I know so many of us on these boards come here for encouragement, information, support, and answers. I was one of those people. I have a passion for Disney and have found a passion for running over the past 3+ years as I have transformed my body (down over 70lbs. to date), gone further than I ever thought humanly possible, and actually completed my first marathon and multiple half marathons when I thought at the beginning, if I could just run down my driveway without dying I'd be in good shape.

Last year I met someone on this board that has really helped me out more than they imagine. Their timely advice and suggestions as well as tips have helped me PR every race I've run this year, finish distance races without walking, stay injury free, be better prepared come race day, and enjoy running once again. I'm not alone though. This person helps so many on the board. He is a fountain of knowledge that never runs dry. He offers his time willingly and happily despite the fact that he too, has a life off these boards.

I just wanted to give a very special thank you to Coach Charles (cewait). I know I'm not alone in saying the confidence I get from our discussions goes so much further than you'll ever know. Last year when I decided to abandon Run/Walk/Run because of injuries and lack of progress, you showed me a smart way to do it healthy and still get faster. One year later, I'm about to run my second full at a pace that was my 5k pace last year! You have always been supportive and listened to every message I've sent about every detail of my runs/races and given me great and useful feedback. I would not be the runner today if it wasn't for you. Yes, I had to go out there and put forth the effort, but you were there with me pushing me and giving me the confidence I needed.

As I said to you in a PM late last week, people tease me about my "imaginary coach" since I don't train with you on a track where I can see you, but I feel I get the same "training" as I would otherwise. This was long I know, but I wanted to thank you and it deserved so much more than a simple sentence or even this long-winded thing can possibly convey. Thank you so much Coach Charles!

 

[Sleepy425]

I am just a month in to my running adventure and am very new to this board, but I couldn't agree more. I have really enjoyed reading the advice he gives, there is so much info I never knew I never knew!

 

[CantWaitToGoAgain]

Here here!! Thanks Coach for all your writings, knowledge and advice!
Sincerely,
Denise

 

[sunnygal041]

Agreed!! I'm over 50 and coach helped me through PHM in 2013. Since then, I have done DL 1/2, TOT, W&D, and looking forward to SC full, Minnie 10K, Donald 1/2 and GSC. I will never forget his words of wisdom: relentless pursuit of forward momentum! Thx coach!!

Cindy

 

[Diskidatheart]

I couldn't agree more! I always look forward to reading Coach's advice and encouragement on these boards. Thanks for all the past advice and look forward to all your encouraging words as we get closer to Marathon race weekend (I'll be needing lots of encouraging words to get me through Dopey).

 

[cewait]

Gawrsh, thanks for the shout out.

This is truly a labor of love. I started running late in life, basically as a means to clear a bucket list line item. What I found was that there was little to nothing out there that helped the newer runner or athlete. Sure Galloway had his book and there were the long-standing tried and true general running books but none of them really helped answer simple questions. Like many, I was intimidated by those in the running community.

I ended up hooking up with a training program called USAFit and learned a lot there. Though, really what I learned was that no one had a good answer for things they had not experienced personally or through a close friend. Basically the coaches were folks who had survived 2-3 training seasons and could talk while running.

I started looking further and deeper for information. I went through the Spinning Program and become a master in that program, earned 3 certifications through NASM and also became a certified coach under USATF and USA Triathlon. I had several local runners, cyclists and triathlete under my wing as well as quite a few on line athletes. The crux of my personal training programs focused on metabolic based training. Simply, by base lining and monitoring cardio ability, one can push an athlete to newer and higher levels – training smart.

Wrapping this up, I was promoted at my ‘real’ job and had to make a decision. I was making enough as a coach that I thought I could make a go at it, but the real job’s raise and new bonus pool made the decision tough. I loved the coaching side of life but I had to drop the coaching gig.

Again I do this out a love for the running community, to bring as many newbies to the finish line as possible and to help folks out when things are not really going well. I firmly believe that we are all an experiment of one and that advice and opinion must reflect that. You will also see my advice getting less conservative the closer we get to a race – basically trying to get folks to the start and let the day bring out the human spirit. I hope folks get a little out of what I do. There is a lot of great advice on this forum, I only complement that advice.

Thanks

 

[kappyfamily]

Gawrsh, thanks for the shout out. This is truly a labor of love. I started running late in life, basically as a means to clear a bucket list line item. What I found was that there was little to nothing out there that helped the newer runner or athlete. Sure Galloway had his book and there were the long-standing tried and true general running books but none of them really helped answer simple questions. Like many, I was intimidated by those in the running community. I ended up hooking up with a training program called USAFit and learned a lot there. Though, really what I learned was that no one had a good answer for things they had not experienced personally or through a close friend. Basically the coaches were folks who had survived 2-3 training seasons and could talk while running. I started looking further and deeper for information. I went through the Spinning Program and become a master in that program, earned 3 certifications through NASM and also became a certified coach under USATF and USA Triathlon. I had several local runners, cyclists and triathlete under my wing as well as quite a few on line athletes. The crux of my personal training programs focused on metabolic based training. Simply, by base lining and monitoring cardio ability, one can push an athlete to newer and higher levels – training smart. Wrapping this up, I was promoted at my ‘real’ job and had to make a decision. I was making enough as a coach that I thought I could make a go at it, but the real job’s raise and new bonus pool made the decision tough. I loved the coaching side of life but I had to drop the coaching gig. Again I do this out a love for the running community, to bring as many newbies to the finish line as possible and to help folks out when things are not really going well. I firmly believe that we are all an experiment of one and that advice and opinion must reflect that. You will also see my advice getting less conservative the closer we get to a race – basically trying to get folks to the start and let the day bring out the human spirit. I hope folks get a little out of what I do. There is a lot of great advice on this forum, I only complement that advice. Thanks

You have helped me countless times over the past 2 years. Everytime I read something by you it makes me .....want to run! Many thanks coach!

 

[dreams91]

I couldn't agree more with this! Thanks coach.

 

[dreams91]

I couldn't agree more. Thanks coach.