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.

Gym Shoes

What kind of shoes do you wear to the gym? Probably just old running shoes, right? If not, then I’d like to know, because that’s what I wear and they’re not ideal, especially for the elliptical trainer. I’ve found that my toes become pretty “hot” and a little sore doing it for extended amounts of time, and I know that I’ve seen advice against using running shoes for some exercises, such as jumping rope, because they have very little forefoot padding. That’s a good thing for running, because you get most of your power transfer from there, but not such a good thing if you just have extended weight pressure instead.

Either that, or my elliptical form may just be crap…

Popularity: 4%

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

6 total comments, leave your comment.
  1. Yes, that’s what I use my old Brooks Adrenaline’s are for. Then they turn into lawn shoes. Then beach shoes. Then dump shoes.

  2. I wear cross trainers whatever they are?
    But the irony is, the most exercise I do is lugging the stage equipment about; as for running forget it.

  3. susan
    Dec 3rd 2004
    3:40 PM

    I always wear my running shoes because, in the warm weather, I run to and from the gym. I guess in the winter, it’s just a habit. Warm toes…I’d love to hear what’s causing that!

  4. Alex
    Dec 3rd 2004
    6:01 PM

    I wear old running shoes if my warm-up is only going to be a couple laps, but if I’m running for a reasonable amount of time then I’ll just wear my current ones. I used to wear cross-trainers, but once I got serious about the running to warm up, I switched to my running shoes. I have not tried the elliptical trainer, so I don’t know how that works out.

  5. Meghan
    Dec 4th 2004
    9:36 AM

    Hi Richard,

    Still planning on racing Decker? I will be there if you’d like to meet up. Shoot me an email if you’d like to. I’m taking off midafternoon today (Saturday). Otherwise, perhaps I’ll run into you there!

    Meghan

  6. I tried the elliptical for the first time yesterday wearing my regular running shoes. My feet kept slipping and I did wonder about wearing different shoes.


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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