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.

Lower Body Workout

It felt really good to get back into the gym after yesterday’s race. I did a pretty light workout, starting with a three sets of abs going back and forth between the captain’s chair (10 reps) and the resistance curls (60 lbs, 20 reps) with no break. I was feeling those last few curls as well.

My main goal was to work my primary leg muscles, and I did so. I started with single leg hamstring curls (3 sets of 20 at 30 lbs), then calf raises (3 sets of 20 each with toes in, straight, and out at 45 lbs), single leg shin curls (3 sets of 25 at 20 lbs) and some light leg presses (3 sets of 15 at 90 lbs). Somewhere in there I added some light bicep curls - 40 lbs (both hands) - just to keep things interesting.

As a bonus I bumped into Gilbert doing much the same workout. It turns out that he’s going to be leading some Gold’s classes in running form as well, which is always good to see, so more people may be exposed to his teaching (and he can presumably make a bit of extra cash, which never hurts).

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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. So how are the abs feeling today? That’s a pretty heavy workout. I need to get back to the weights. I also need to set something up at home in case I can’t get to the gym.

  2. classes in running form??? I have never head of such a thing! Have you taken them before? Did you learn anything you can share with the RBF?

  3. Actually, most of what he teaches is good form. Get the form nailed, and the speed will just happen - without injuries either. Its a little hard to think about, but it makes a huge difference.

    Oh, and the abs? They were fine. They’re gently turning back into jelly since I’ve been a lazy guy ever since and haven’t done another crunch all week.


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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