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.

Forgive me

Forgive me RBF, for it has been eight days since my last run. During that time there were at least a few occasions when I could have ran, and at least one where I really meant to (on Sunday, visiting my wife’s family) but I ate too much guacamole before lunch.

Hmm.

But I ran today. I went over to a co-worker’s neighborhood like I hope to do every Wednesday evening and ran hills. Good hills too, with nary a flat stretch of ground to be seen. We did a few slow miles together (11:25, 10:31, 10:30, 11:10) and stopped - I drank some PowerAde and said goodbye, then headed out for more a bit faster (9:09, 8:54, 8:48, 8:36). I could have gone faster, sure, but I wasn’t taking it easy either. This is really good training for me right now, I just need more of it.

And more training I shall get! I’ve got a 10K race on Sunday, and starting next week I’m back with the Gazelles doing tempo runs on Monday, speed/strength on Tuesday and Thursday, and a long run every Saturday. This should be the prodding I need to get my lazy arse out there and start getting back into the swing of things.

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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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11 total comments, leave your comment.
  1. Mark
    Mar 30th 2005
    10:53 PM

    How many RBF members have to forgive you before you are considered forgiven by the RBF?

    Vote #1 for being forgiven has been cast. ;)

  2. I will vote #2, but next time easy on the guacamole.

  3. Vote #3 - you have been forgiven by this flock member.

  4. BD1
    Mar 31st 2005
    1:36 PM

    Vote #4.

    Have a great 10k on Sunday!!!

  5. awww…the prodigal runner has come home! slay the fatted powerade bottle and everyone can celebrate with gallons of sports drink!

  6. No worries, for all have slacked and fallen short of the glory of Higdon, or Pre, or whomever your running hero is…

  7. Next time you fall short of your run you need this gift I got for xmas. Its a block, you put it on the floor and run around it 4 times. Then you can say you ran around the block 4 times…lol. Let he who is without runless days cast the first stone. Forgive by the Pink Lady. :-)

  8. LouBob
    Apr 1st 2005
    11:47 AM

    Not to worry about falling shorts as long as you pull ‘em back up!

  9. tracy
    Apr 1st 2005
    12:34 PM

    Hey - maybe we’ll cross paths at the 10k. I’m looking forward to it. I should have run more post-Half, but I too have fallen behind a bit….

    let us know if you’re doing Vinny’s again, yah?

  10. Here’s another vote for forgiveness. It’s been two weeks since I ran - but I have an excuse…

  11. You are forgiven. Eight days is nothing compared to me—I took the whole winter off. :) Good Luck on race day! You will do great!


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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