Running Towards Fitness

Personal Awareness
The ancient Greeks used to believe that a healthy mind and a healthy body not only went together, but were both critical for happiness and a successful life. They were also intertwined, meaning that a weakness in either area would affect the other. When I started this transformation I was overweight and full of excuses. And by overweight I don't mean just a few pounds - I weighed over 70 pounds more than I do now. I finally took my life into my own hands and started exercising. At the time, I had no idea where it would lead - to a stronger body, a happier, more nimble mind, and a chest full of race medals. Healthy mind, healthy body, indeed! It hasn't been easy, or without issues, but I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.

Upper Body I

Boy, I feel weak. This was the second weak chest workout in a row. And it was hurried, so I didn’t to any tricep at the end of it.

Started out with two 9 minute miles on the treadmill, then headed over to the weights:

Bench press: 2 sets, 35 lbs (115 lbs total) (-5 from last week)
Incline press: 2 sets, 25 lbs (95 lbs total)
Dumbell press: 2 sets, 40 lbs (80 lbs total) (+10 from last week)
Inline dumbell press: 2 sets, 35 lbs (70 lbs total)
Seated flies: 2 sets, 80 lbs

What that doesn’t show you is that I needed some serious assists on my 3rd set of bench - alright, not too serious, but I still needed them. Incline as well. I was just not feeling strong today. The dumbell press, on the other hand, felt good. I started with 35s, and did fifteen easily on the first set, then moved to the 40s - needed a little balance help, but managed the lifts. On the incline dumbells, I only did 8 for my last set, then cratered.

Medial shoulder raise: 3 sets, 15 lbs (30 lbs total)
Hammer Strength shoulder press: 2 sets, 60 lbs
Dumbell shoulder press: 2 sets, 25 lbs (50 lbs total)
Anterior shoulder raise: 2 sets, 17.5 lbs (35 lbs total)

Same as last week. No news, nothing to see here. On a positive note, I really like the definition I’m gaining in my shoulders…

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About

I'm Richard Stanford, a fit, happy runner. Of course, that wasn't always the case. Dip into the archives to follow my progress from couch potato to sub-four hour marathoner.

I also like to cook, write, code, and play with power tools...

Personal Records

DistanceRaceTimePace
Marathon2006 Freescale3:54:078:56
20 Miles2006 RunTex3:00:089:00
30K2005 RunTex2:42:448:45
Half M2006 3M1:42:577:51
20K2005 Decker1:40:428:06
10 Miles2005 Pervasive1:20:138:01
10K2005 Dublin Dr Pepper48:437:51
5 Miles2005 Turkey Trot37:017:24
5K2005 Margarita Run22:327:15
4K2006 Fila Relays17:247:15
1 Mile2006 Congress Ave6:236:23

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Famous Marathon Times

RunnerTimePace
Al Gore4:58:2511:23
Oprah4:29:3010:17
P. Diddy4:14:549:43
Will Ferrell3:56:129:01
George W. Bush3:44:528:35
John Edwards3:30:188:01
Carrie Sapp3:29:067:59
Boston Qualifier3:10:597:17
Lance Armstrong2:59:366:51
Gilbert Tuhabonye2:23:075:28
Paula Radcliffe2:15:255:10
Paul Tegat2:04:554:46

People I Train With

Alex - Addicted to Exercise
Carrie - Tri to be Funny
Erine - Thousand Miles
Frank - Running Blog
Gilbert - Gilbert's Gazelles
Jay - Leotian Blog
Mike - BROTH