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.

Giving Up

Well, I never managed to lose the last 10 pounds that I wanted to. Between that and my recent disappointing performance in the Cap 10K, I’ve officially decided to just give it all up.

I realized that the fitness craze is just that - a crazy idea. A fad, a flash in the pan. I know that the rest of America is Obese, and you know something? They seem to do alright with it. I’m going to resurrect my Starbucks habit, quit reading nutrition labels, and start hitting Krispy Kreme on a regular basis again.

I figure that my food bills will go up a bit, but the money I save by cancelling my gym membership, selling our bikes, not going to RunTex and not entering any more races will balance it out. Indeed, a lot of foods will be cheaper as I will start visiting places like GattiTown more often and staying away from “healthy” expensive places like West Lynn Cafe. Ever notice how healthy always costs more? Screw that, say I.

Sloth and gluttony rule!

Miles run: 0
Calories burned: 0
Calories consumed: 3000+ / day

Popularity: 2%

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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Activity

5 total comments, leave your comment.
  1. Al
    Apr 1st 2004
    10:28 AM

    Say it ain’t so!

  2. Sean
    Apr 1st 2004
    10:58 AM

    Echo: Say it ain’t so!

    Success can be measured in so many ways other than dropping times or weight. Consider the sense of satisfaction when you simply do something you didn’t think you could do before–whether it’s climbing stairs or a mountain, it’s all the same.

    I feel better for every time I run. Even if I didn’t run as fast as I wanted to, just getting out there made me feel better. On any given day, it could be just leaving stress behind or having some time alone.

    Just find a way that fitness fits comfortably into your life–where it isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition.

    Enough preaching. Krispy Kremes rock, too!

  3. amy
    Apr 1st 2004
    11:04 AM

    And a Happy April Fools Day to you too!

  4. Sean
    Apr 1st 2004
    11:05 AM

    As soon as I posted my comment, it all dawned on me!

    LOL

  5. Good try, Richard! But your site speaks for itself!


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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