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.

So - how are you doing?

I hope that you’re doing well. Me, I’m not so hot right now.

Yesterday afternoon I started feeling a little queasy; I figured it was something I ate and didn’t really worry about it. Then I started getting a headache and feeling a little dizzy.

Hmm.

Now this morning I’m running a temperature. I’m hoping that its not the flu that’s going around, but I’m not completely optimistic. If it is, I’m thankful that it waited until today, skipping the marathon and a big presentation I had to make yesterday. I’ve heard that this isn’t completely unusual - we do so much to boost our overall health and defer illness in the two weeks leading up to a marathon, then exhaust ourselves. So getting sick afterwards isn’t a huge surprise. It still sucks, though.

The good news is that I did a couple of miles of walking on Monday, and about the same yesterday. Monday was amusingly slow, I kept missing lights timed for a “normal” pedestrian pace. Yesterday was pretty good other than slowing down for stairs. My blisters are well on their way to disappearing, and none of them popped or otherwise became an issue.

I’m going to do my first post-race run tomorrow if I feel good, this weekend if I don’t. For right now, I’m probably going to heavily self-medicate myself and go back to bed.

Popularity: 3%

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

Sponsors

  • Amazon - Books, gear, and more
  • Dreamhost - Cheap reliable hosting
  • iTRAIN - Downloadable MP3 workouts
  • Shoes.com - Good prices on athletic shoes, gear
        NEW! Use code GIVE10OFF for a 10% discount!

Activity

10 total comments, leave your comment.
  1. hang in there richard! hydrate and rest, you’ll be good as new in no time.

  2. Sorry to hear you’re feeling a little ucky. It sounds a bit like recovery breakdown stuff, and that means you’ll probably bounce back quicker.

    I hope you’re better soon.

    –Chris…

  3. Amen to that. Going downstairs was a real pain Monday and yesterday. Today I’m feeling pretty good, but I have had the exact same concern that I might get sick after the past few weeks of so diligently avoiding sick co-workers. A little Murphy’s law mixed in there too, eh?

    I hadn’t mentioned my race to most of my co-workers, but finally yesterday had to say something to a few of them since we were walking to a meeting together and I had to finally say, “look, my legs don’t work so great today, go on without me.”

    This is supposed to be a rest week, so, uh, why aren’t you resting? What’s this talk about running?

  4. Sounds like the flu gods are after you now. I hope it’s quick and painless. Enjoy the rest!

  5. Uh oh. Drink your water, take your vitamins, get lots of sleep. I hope you get over this quick, Richard.

  6. Rick
    Feb 16th 2005
    9:44 AM

    I’ve got a case of the Barry Whites - mild sore throat leading to deep voice.

    Congrats on your finish on Sunday. Another PR! Keep up the good work!

  7. Pretty common. Take care Mr. S.

  8. BD
    Feb 16th 2005
    8:41 PM

    Bummer. Just went through something similar myself. I hope you get well quickly!!! I prescribe lots of sleep and fluids.

  9. Glad to hear the blisters are better and you’ve been able to get out and walk. That sucks that you might have the flu, though, hope you feel better soon!

  10. Meghan
    Feb 17th 2005
    8:37 PM

    Oops, sounds like you’re body is in need of rest. I hope you’re feeling better soon (both from the marathon and this flue bug thing)!

    Take care,
    Meghan


Leave a Reply


Search

Search the archives by entering keywords or topic strings.

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