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.

Knee status

Well, I just got back from the doctor’s office. I actually saw Dr. Hutchens since my regular doc, Dr. McCarty, is off with the UT athletics baseball team. The verdict? I have sprained my MCL, the ligament running along the inside of my leg. I also probably dislocated my kneecap but it popped right back into place (that’s the cause of a lot of the swelling). XRays showed a bone fragment inside my right knee, but it looks old.

I have some light exercises to do for the next week, and a follow-up scheduled for next Monday at 8:15am. Until then, I’m mostly going to be working on range of motion exercises. Ah, well. If all goes well, I can be riding a bike starting next week, and running again (significantly) in a month or so. This has obvious consequences for my fall marathon training, and I’ll make the determination in a few weeks as to whether or not I’m still going to try it.

Sigh.

Full race report will be written, but not right now. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t pretty disappointed at this point, especially since it was really looking like I could have (relatively speaking) kicked ass in NYC. But time will tell, and these things can happen, I guess.

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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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Activity

14 total comments, leave your comment.
  1. amy
    Jun 21st 2004
    10:10 AM

    oh, i’m sorry! sending all the good vibes i can muster your way… hang in there.

  2. I know it’s frustrating, but you’d be surprised how quickly you can spring back if you follow the doctor’s orders. Hang in there and take a wait and see attitude.

    Good luck!

  3. Well wishes headed your way! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for NYC!

  4. Deene
    Jun 21st 2004
    12:35 PM

    I’m sorry about your knee. Good thoughts.

  5. Richard, I’m so sorry to read this! I wish you a speedy recovery.

    About your training, I agree with Marshall’s comment above. NYC is still months away, and biking (can you use an elliptical?) will help you keep up your cardiovascular fitness.

  6. Rebecca
    Jun 21st 2004
    2:02 PM

    I’m sorry to hear about your injury, Richard. I hope your recovery is speedy for your sake as well as for mine. I think I was kind of living vicariously through your workouts…

    And I agree with everyone else, NYC could certainly stay on your agenda if you play your cards right.

  7. I can’t add anything else but my hopes for a speedy recovery, Richard. Thinking about you.

  8. Oh $#!%!!

    That is a total bummer Richard. I hope you heal quickly. Keep positive and hang in there!

  9. Oh major crap-o-rama, dude. Here’s to a speedy recovery!

  10. Alex
    Jun 21st 2004
    10:20 PM

    Hey Richard, get well soon. See you back at the morning workouts when you heal up!

  11. I am so sorry to hear this! Don’t lose heart, do what you can now and take each day at a time. Heal quickly and well!

  12. That’s really tough. I hope you recover soon.

  13. I’m sorry to hear about the knee…I hope it doesn’t affect your marathon training. But if it does, there’s always spring. Or next fall.

    Keep your spirits up…we’re rooting for you!

    I still look forward to a full race report on UA, too!

  14. :-) Thanks for all of the kind comments and, as promised, one race report has been delivered.


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Famous Marathon Times

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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