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.

Good news

I just got back from seeing Dr. McCarty. I have about as mild a case of tendonitis as its possible to get. It wasn’t tender when she pushed on it at any point, or when she moved my foot around. My calves are very tight on that leg, the more so because I haven’t done any jog/stretch sessions since the injury. They’re tight enough that its helping to keep my achillies in pain though.

Her recipie? Cross train on the elliptical today and tomorrow. Stretch out my calves - just to the point of stretching - a lot. Add a small heel insert into my left shoe, or both shoes if I prefer. Advil as needed, but no regular course of it. Ice after exertion. The usual stuff, I guess.

If I feel good, I can run the Turkey Trot as long as I’m very careful on the hills and use a toe-strike - then she cautioned me about slipping when toe-running uphill on wet ground. My sixteen mile run on Saturday should be fine, but the eight on Sunday should probably become a rest day. Next week, things should be back to normal.

I’m glad that I went to see her, and I’m glad that it was a “wasted” visit (although its always fun to talk racing with her, and she did notice that I’d lost weight (and they didn’t weigh me today so I know it wasn’t from that)). Keep your fingers crossed for me!

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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

7 total comments, leave your comment.
  1. jeff
    Nov 23rd 2004
    11:50 AM

    that is good news! it’s such a bummer to hear about people suffering from injuries. glad you caught it early and are going to make a point of addressing it.

  2. Great, Richard. You know, I think my ankle thing is tendonitis. I’ve been icing it in the evenings, taking Motrin, and taking small steps. It’s all helping. The trainer in the gym suggested ankle exercises, too. Good luck with it!

  3. Best of luck, dude. It sounds like several of the old Sock Monkeys are going to be at the Turkey Trot, so that would be a good time to show up healthy!

  4. Mia
    Nov 24th 2004
    8:54 AM

    Good news! I thought I had it. It turns out I’m probably just a hypochondriac who doesn’t stretch enough and occassionally runs too hard for the meager reserves I’ve managed to build up. Eh, what can you do? Just rest though, because aggravating it into something that forces you off running does not sound fun. Good luck with it!

  5. Glad its nothing too harsh. Although, I am puzzled. If you are having achilles/calf trouble, won’t running on your toes put more stress on them?

  6. Mark
    Nov 24th 2004
    10:08 AM

    Good news Richard and good luck!

    You gotta like when someone notices something like weight loss. :)

  7. Thanks, folks. Jon - actually, not in my case. Keeping my heels down on an uphill will give my calves and hamstrings more of a stretch, and that’s what’s aggrevating it right now. So by toe-running a little more the muscles will do more work, but it should be easier. In theory.


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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