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.

Short run and some news

Well, we did four hilly miles today, in the rain. Not a bad rain, it was annoying before I got changed but refreshing as we ran; Alex joined Bryan and I today and we got some good conversation in as we stretched out our legs. Again, the course is hilly but the pace is relaxing, so its a nice way to relax at the end of a long day.

This will be the last time that I get to do this course for three weeks. No, I didn’t hurt anything, but I’m going to be doing some traveling: early Sunday morning I fly out of Austin on my way to Dresden for two weeks.

Anyone out there in Dresden? Wanna run?

This is the first time I’ve ever been to Germany, and I’m really looking forward to the experience. It should be a blast. Hard work, of course, but I’m sure I’ll manage to squeeze in a few miles - and a few beers - along the way. If that wasn’t enough, I’m flying from Dresden back home to England to visit family, some of whom I haven’t even seen in over twenty years. Even better, we wrangled it so that my wife can join me out there.

So. That’s what I’ll be up to over the next three weeks. I hope to be able to share some really interesting runs, maybe even get some pictures out… but we’ll see.

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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

7 total comments, leave your comment.
  1. Mark
    Apr 20th 2005
    10:58 PM

    Too cool Richard! You should leave a comment in Oliver’s blog. He was going to shut it down but I wonder if you could connect with him at least to see if he lives anywhere near Dresdin?

    I may have his email address around here too. I’ll look.

    Oh, Oliver from Yet Another Running Blog - YARB for short.

  2. Enjoy your trip! Sounds fun.

  3. Hmmmm. The company I used to work for has offices in Dresden….. hmmmm….

  4. jeff
    Apr 22nd 2005
    10:57 AM

    wow, that trip sounds like fun! here are a couple useful phrases:

    “ich mochte ein glass katze, bitte”

    usefull if you enjoy feline beverages.

    “mochten sie mien wasserbuffel gekaufen?”

    use this only if you truly have a waterbuffalo to sell.

    be safe and post often!

  5. Lara
    Apr 23rd 2005
    10:09 AM

    Wow! Have a great adventure!!

  6. Heh - thanks for the tips.

  7. Jack
    Apr 29th 2005
    12:26 AM

    Hey Richard I would love to run with ya, but I live on the wrong side of Germany (Karlsruhe). I was in Dresden 6 or 7 years ago with my wife. She was a distant cousin that invited for a weekend. Lot of running opportunities, beautiful area. Enjoy your stay.


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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