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.

Cleared to Run

I just got back from the doctor, and its official - I’m fully cleared to run. Cool! My kneecaps are still not tracking perfectly, so I need to work on my strength exercises more dilligently. Also, I still won’t be doing my quad extensions until my right leg feels 100% (it doesn’t quite, yet).

Currently, I’m trying to take it fairly easy. I didn’t run this weekend, but we did go on some longish (90 minute) trail walks with da pups. My right knee got a little sore below the kneecap when I was climbing hills, but the doc said that this was because of the tracking issue and should go away as it gets up to strength. It does mean that I need to be careful with any kind of long runs.

AustinFIT starts up at the end of the month with a 2-mile welcome/pacing run. I just need to make sure that I’m healthy enough to jump back into the swing of things without hurting myself again. That, and do more single legged squats during the day.

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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

10 total comments, leave your comment.
  1. Karen
    Aug 16th 2004
    10:39 AM

    Congrats! I bet it feels really good to have the “A,OK” from the doctor. It’s also a good plan to take it easy and work back into things. Good luck.

  2. Great news, Richard!

  3. That’s great!! Do be careful though - my orthoped cleared me to run long before I felt physically ready. Not to say that you aren’t, just be mindful of your bod (which I know you totally know all ready). So congrats :)

  4. Oh, I’m certainly not 100%. I need to do strengthening exercises (on both quads actually - not the major ones, but one of the minor groups on my “good” leg) for my kneecaps. I also have some other continuing issues. Then again, my goal is going to be to run 5 miles - with walking breaks - by EOW. That’s accelerating a little fast, but not too bad. And if it doesn’t feel naturally easy … I won’t do it.

    I am annoyed that its now too late for a run in the park - too many overhanging trees make it dangerous in the dark. But I’ll do another hour’s vigorous walk tonight, and a 6K run tomorrow morning.

  5. Congrats! I’m glad your doctor gave you the okay! ~ I hate it when it gets too dark. I’m dreading the time when we have change the clocks back. I suppose we’ll have to become early morning runners. :)

  6. I actually usually run in the mornings at least three times a week - my speedwork on Tuesday and Thursday (currently on injury-related hiatus) and my long runs on the weekend. I’d like to get that up to do more, or at least do gym workouts M/W/F reliably, but I am not a morning person either.

    Worse, my wife isn’t. I don’t mind converting, but it is nice to periodically see your spouse, especially when I often have to work pretty damn late into the evening…

  7. Alex
    Aug 16th 2004
    11:39 PM

    So, yeah, of course what I hear there is that you ought to show up for circuits in the morning. No sense delaying the inevitable, I always say. Cheers!

  8. Heh - unfortunately, I can’t yet comfortably do the required distance (generally 6-8 total miles). That, and its the middle of a cycle… those 400m repeats did look like fun though.

  9. Good news! First then the 2 miler, then a ten miler on the weekend ;) Ok, maybe a little slower. Welcome back to the land of the running!

  10. That’s excellent news! Glad to have you back in the game! Slow and steady. Slow and steady.


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