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.

Lunch Run

There are days when, despite the world being stacked against you when it comes to time, equipment, weather, or whatever, that its possible to have a truly wondeful run. Days when you float over the ground effortlessly, smiling and feeling that mystical “runner’s high” kicking in.

Then there are days like today, when despite the beautiful weather - I hate to admit this - it was just a run. That’s right - nothing special about it, I just put on my shoes, ran seven miles in about an hour, and got back to work. I didn’t even remember to make a note about it until just now.

Still, that’s a lot better than having one of the other runs. This wasn’t bad. It was really quite pleasant. Just … uneventful.

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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

8 total comments, leave your comment.
  1. susan
    Dec 29th 2004
    3:17 PM

    You may be in a funk, but then again, there’s something cool about running a quick, easy 7 miles, isn’t there?

  2. I haven’t run in just over a week!!! So I envy your run not matter how uneventful it was…and your weather I envy you weather as too.

  3. 7 miles during lunch! I bow to you — pushing it I can get 4 in during the day. Even then, it takes a good half-hour *after* the shower to get cooled down and feeling normal again. Wow.

  4. And remember, it’a a whole lot better than no run at all!

  5. I think some days you just have to put in the mileage. Some of the less exciting parts of the training, I guess. Hope the next run is a little more interesting.

  6. Happy New Year! Many wishes for a blessed, healthy, and successful 2005!

    Aloha,
    Michelle

  7. Mia
    Jan 1st 2005
    11:07 AM

    Happy new year Richard! You are such a star, even on the days *you* don’t feel it, *I* do. Here’s to many miles and much happiness in 2005. xoxo Mia

  8. Runs are often like lottery tickets. Sometimes you win the *big one*, some suck, and sometimes you just win another ticket. Runs are actually way better than lotteries, because by getting out there you’ve gained something already.


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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