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.

New Toys

After my run yesterday, I stopped in to find a new light shoe. The new Landreths still hadn’t arrived, but I need something other than my single pair of Nimbus’ to do faster runs in. Its more to have something to rotate them out with than a desire for a “quick” shoe. I ended up trying on several, but the ones that felt the best were a pair of Saucony Tangents in a truly obnoxious lime green; the picture really doesn’t do it justice. They look fun, and fit like a glove. Who knows, maybe they’ll even help me to knock those pesky two minutes off my 5K pace come Thursday.

On Sunday, I went back to Jack and Adam’s and picked up a bike I’ve been looking at for a test ride. Its a Felt F60, and I absolutely love it. If you’re in the Austin area and need a bike, you owe it to yourself to check these guys out. The service I have received has been amazing, especially for someone like me who knows next to nothing about road racing. Adam listened to me, measured me up before making a single recommendation, and worked with me to get me into what I think will be a really good match. I called him this evening, after they were closed unforunately, to let him know that I loved it; I’ll be going back tomorrow to settle everything up.

Too cool.

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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

6 total comments, leave your comment.
  1. MandM
    Aug 1st 2005
    1:11 AM

    Richard,

    Catching up on your blog. Sounds like your fall marathon training is going really well. That’s so exciting! A 30 speed Ultegra on the new bike, I’m so jealous!

  2. Here’s to wearing out the new pair

  3. Thanks. I feel a little guilty about the bike actually - its my first roadie - but work is going pretty well and its been a long time since I’ve given myself a treat like this. Besides, I got a really good deal.

  4. ooohh shiny new toys! nice!!

  5. amy
    Aug 1st 2005
    5:26 PM

    why is it that the ugliest shoes always end up being the ‘perfect’ ones? happens to me every single time i go to get new shoes.

    and a road bike! yay!

  6. I just saw your comment on Jon’s blog about the Saucony Tangents. Mine aren’t lime green, they’re pink (perfect for me) and I just got them on Monday. I did my first 12k in them tonight and while I’m not as fast as yourself, I could definitely feel the improvement. They are so light and my feet love em.

    Enjoy your new toys.


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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