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.

For every bad spin class…

For every bad spin class, there is a great spin class. Its Friday, its 5pm, and that means that its time for Jenn’s downtown EOW class. And she’s back! Everything I hated about the substitute on Tuesday was perfect today. A great mix of non-stop music, easy to understand directions, and a mercilessly sadistic taskmaster. Yes! We did intervals, basically four sets of a seated flat, a standing run, a seated climb, a standing climb, and a seated sprint. Increasing resistance all the way through, naturally. I love this class.

Now its back to work. Man cannot live by spin alone, unfortunately. And tomorrow morning I’m doing, what, about twelve miles? I’ll make them fairly easy, may do three laps of my neighborhood course for about 13 total, but with two aid-station stops back at the house. Mmm…. running….

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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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3 total comments, leave your comment.
  1. I always see those folks in there, riding their bikes in the dark and wonder what its like. Now you say there is pain and work involved? See, that just upped my level of intimidation. No spin for Jon. :)

  2. 13 miles…wow! Good Luck. Let us know how it goes.

  3. These spin classes you talk about are calling my name. I tried to get into one of the classes last week during my free time but it was full. I’ll have to get there early so I can try it out. You make sound so painfully good.


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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