Chris The Wheeler

Chris the Wheeler · Dec 21, 2007

Why do you run? Run?
<ul><li>Running is for bipeds. Now, every real athlete knows that a road race is done in a racing chair. Why do I do that? Well, these days it’s mostly just social reasons. I started because after years of playing teams sports, I got tired of always having to depend on everyone else to do their job. On and off the court. I played wheelchair basketball, skied and did some sailing. A friend suggested road racing. So, I gave it a shot. After doing my first race I was hooked. Here’s the full story of that race: <a href="http://chris-allaboutme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://chris-allaboutme.blogspot.com/</a> . I usually pick by race by the post race activities. If there’s no beer or party after, I probably won’t be there.</li>
<li>The independence of it. I love jumping into my racing chair and just taking off. No specific route or distance in mind. I once took off with a bottle of water and a couple of oranges. I was gone most of the day. At the end of the day I checked my distance, I had done about 25 miles. And I never left the city limits! Probably one of the best days I ever had.</li>
</ul>What is your greatest accomplishment?
<ul><li>Getting to marry the most wonderful person in the world.</li>
<li>Coaching a Special Olympics Floorhockey team to an undefeated season and straight through the state championship in the 80’s.</li>
<li>The Las Vegas Marathon 1998 with a 2nd place finish in 2:15. The week after I won the Mardi Gras Marathon (3 hours) and played a week of basketball in a Tournament in Virginia Beach.</li>
<li>Being a Foster Dad to Little Miss. It was only a short 3 months but it really challenged me in way that I did not expect.</li>
</ul>What is your motto:
<ul><li>Put up or shut up</li>
<li>Life’s too short, don’t sweat it.</li>
</ul>Theme song?
<ul><li>Come Monday. Cause it will be alright.</li>
</ul>How do you deal with bad runs?
<ul><li>There are no bad runs. You either have it that day or you don’t. It is what it is. But seriously. We do this stuff for fun. Most of us aren’t trying to get into the Olympics or making a living doing this stuff. So, why worry about it being a bad run?</li>
</ul>Do you reward yourself for good runs? How?
<ul><li>If there are no bad runs, can there be good runs? But a cold beer with friends after a long tough hot race is always a good thing.</li>
</ul>Who do you admire most?
<ul><li>People that can and do enjoy the academic lifestyle. I was never a happy camper when I had to sit in a classroom environment. I’ll always joke about people spend lots of time in school, getting their mulitple degrees and such. At the same time I admire that they can do it. It’s just not me. I prefer to learn by doing. I've always believed that you learn more out in the real world than you can from a book or classroom.</li>
<li>George Patton. I would have loved to meet him.</li>
<li>The Founding Fathers. They Gambled everything, includung their lives, for this great country.</li>
</ul>What do wish you had learned younger?
<ul><li>Academic discipline. How to enjoy the academic life. I don’t blame anyone, but myself. The opportunities were right there in front of me. Private school, good teachers and all the tutors possible. I just never caught on to the whole book and classroom educations system. In all honestly, I was lazy.</li>
</ul>What is the greatest advice you have ever received?
<ul><li>“Find a way to get it done.” Being born a gimp, it would have been real easy to have everything always done for me. Well, my old man was having nothing to do with that. I had chores and responsibilities. Just like my other siblings. Being disabled was no excuse.</li>
<li>Not sure who said it to me but I remember being told that I was only as good as the people I associated with.</li>
</ul>What do you wish you could do but can't?
<ul><li>Join the military or do a physical labor job like construction.</li>
</ul>How would your friends describe your personality?
<ul><li>Pain in the ass.</li>
<li>Control freak.</li>
<li>All around good guy.</li>
<li>Someone you can always depend on.</li>
<li>Impatient.</li>
</ul>What do you wear road racing? Favorite outfit?
<ul><li>On race day, usually a club singlet.</li>
<li>When doing road work, any old t-shirt. I don’t believe in pissing away money on technical clothing. I’m not trying to get into the Olympics or make a living doing this. So, the .12 of a second saved because the sweat was ‘wicked” off isn’t worth the $30 to $50 for the specialized shirt or shorts.</li>
</ul>What has been your favorite race? I’ve got a few.
<ul><li>The Cape Cod Irish Pub 5.25 miles.</li>
<li>Doyle’s 5 miler.</li>
<li>Khoury’s Summer Steamer</li>
<li>Harpoon Brewery 5 Miler.</li>
<li>Jim Kane Sugarbowl 5 Miler</li>
<li>POW/MIA 10k Race for Freedom</li>
<li>I’m sure that there a few others that I just can’t think of right now. But any race that I can gather with my friends at the post race and enjoy a chilled adult beverage, It’s a good race.</li>
</ul>Do you have a goal race right now?
<ul><li>Half Ironman. I haven’t picked one yet. I guess it’s just the next thing to do. I’ve done all the race distances. Marathons, Half Marathons, 10k, 5 milers, etc, etc…. I was starting to get bored with the distances. I did my first Tri last May. It was only a sprint, but I was hooked. My race report can be read at <a href="http://chris-allaboutme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://chris-allaboutme.blogspot.com/</a> .</li>
</ul>What makes you happy?
<ul><li>My independence.</li>
<li>There are many things. I’m really easy to please. But people doing what they said they are going to do, really pleases me.</li>
</ul>Tell us one interesting thing about you that you haven't said (at least not often) on this forum in the past.
<ul><li>Chicks dig me... How could they not?<img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"></li>
<li>I rarely wear underwear…. No wait, you knew that. I think.</li>
<li>I have my down days about being a gimp. Usually they come on days when I run into something physical that I just can’t do without assistance. Or, I have to deal with people that don’t take advantage of their physical abilities. I get a little depressed and even upset about it. It kinda pisses me off.</li>
</ul>Tell us one interesting thing about another user of this forum that has not been posted (at least not often) on this forum in the past (make sure the other person will not object to posting the info!).
<ul><li>I really don’t know many in the PRT that well yet. So, I’m going take a pass on this one.</li>
</ul>

solitude · Dec 21, 2007

Chris, nice to get to know you a little more. I can't believe you had Little Miss for 3 months! That was quick! Are you going to do it again?

seattlegirl · Dec 21, 2007

AAAHH!! I did not know about the underwear. 
Nice to know a little more about you, Chris. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

Chris the Wheeler · Dec 21, 2007

Yes. we are. We go back onto the call list after the holidays. 
BTW. I just realize I posted this as November. Not December.

RaisingArizonainNH · Dec 21, 2007

Um, ditto on that ( trying to eliminate image .... :uhoh2<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> 
Seriously Nice getting to know you better Chris!

Voodoojunkie · Dec 21, 2007

Dear Chris the Wheeler, 
Excellent POTD! <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> I read it all, I promise. I must say that I like how you don't take yourself too seriously. And sometimes when I'm running and crying about the pain or whatnot, I remind myself that I should be happy that I can do this and not take it for granted and should be taking advantage of it.

sophielarue · Dec 21, 2007

I like your attitude, Chris!

hahaoya · Dec 21, 2007

You may think you're just one of the guys, Chris, but to me you're pretty darn incredible. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> 
And it's good to find out that you have bad days just like the rest of us because for years I figured you were superhuman. I've admired you for some time... 
Thank you for you...

wyrillco · Dec 21, 2007

Hey Chris, thanks for sharing! 
Don't say "just a sprint tri." 
Dude, you did a triathlon. It involved getting your ass out there to do three sports, back to back. That's big!!

Chris the Wheeler · Dec 21, 2007

Awww, shucks!<img alt="blush.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/blush.gif">

JackDuggan · Dec 21, 2007

great POTD, Chris 
thank you much for posting this. I really enjoyed reading it 
now this sounds like a fun race: The Cape Cod Irish Pub 5.25 miles. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

Chelle · Dec 21, 2007

Thanks for sharing about you. I love your response to the bad runs question - Yeah, I'm guilty of taking myself way too seriously. Awesome post.

Chris the Wheeler · Dec 21, 2007

If it stops being fun. Stop doing it. 
Thanks

ToddEP · Dec 21, 2007

Thanks for letting us all know what a pain in the ass you really are. 
I keed, I keed! 
I miss hearing about little Miss. Any chance of another foster kid(s) coming along soon? 
Keep up the good work; woodwork and fostering!

Xavier Dan Q · Dec 21, 2007

Nice POTD Chris! 
I like your motto....Life's too short, don't sweat it

Chris the Wheeler · Dec 21, 2007

We go back onto the call list after the holidays. We didn't want to get into the middle of a drama filled situation during Christmas. My family is enough drama.<img alt="cool.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/cool.gif">

Notey · Dec 21, 2007

thanks for sharing Chris. Great post.

ToddEP · Dec 21, 2007

Well I am sure you know you are doing a great thing, but it never hurts to have all of us tell it to you over and over again. My hat is off to you for opening your home and heart to these kids. <img alt="icon_salut.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_salut.gif">

Chris the Wheeler · Dec 21, 2007

So get ye self down to Cape Cod the first Saturday in August and join us for the race. It's a great time. Plus everyone comes back to the Pub that evening for some more activities. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

bard73 · Dec 21, 2007

Thanks for your post, Chris. I love seeing wheelchair athletes at races. My grandfather was paraplegic due to an accident in his late 20's. He died when I was little, and one of the few memories I have of him is going for rides up and down the hallway in his chair with him. We thought it was the greatest fun in the world. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

Chris The Wheeler

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