Runnerdude's Runner of the Week: Stan

This week's featured runner hails from my hometown of Greensboro, NC. I've known Stan for about 12 years and we have kids about the same age. Several years ago I ran with Stan a time or two, but at the time, running didn't seem to be his thing. Fast forward to 2009...I bumped into Stan while working the NC Marathon expo last May. Wow! What a transformation! Stan was never overweight, but he had definitely lost weight since that last time I had seen him and he looked like a runner! He and his daughter had signed up to run the GO FAR (Go Out For A Run)5K that was being held in conjuction with the marathon. GO FAR is a nonprofit organization that gets kids trained for their first 5K. Running is definitely Stan's thing now. Check out his story.

Featured Runner: Stan Park

RD: So Stan, I know you’ve lived in Greensboro, NC for quite a while, but where did you grow up?

Stan: Grew up in Lincolnton, NC and have resided in Greensboro since graduating college in Chapel Hill for last 21 years.

RD: Share a little about yourself. What do you do for a living? Hobbies?
Stan: I will have been married to the same woman for 20 years in May. We met in college (UNC) and are blessed to have 2 daughters—a freshman in high school and a 6th grader. I am a partner in insurance firm—Craft Insurance Center. I run our Employee Benefits department—we help employers manage their health care cost. It has been an interesting time with health reform. I am involved at our church—Westover. Member of Nat Greene Kiwanis (of Neal Leeper fame) past board chair of the Enrichment Fund for Guilford County schools, board member of Reading Connections (adult literacy) and also Spears YMCA and board member of the Better Business Bureau. Like to read, garden and workout.

RD: Man, Stan, you’re a busy guy! How long have you been running?
Stan: Off and on for a while—ran track in high school—but that isn't saying much. Ran some 10K's about 18 years ago. Really serious in the last 20 months.

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RD: What got you back into running more seriously?

Stan: Need for physical fitness. This last venture into running is a result of realizing my children needed more physical activity—after about 9 months of realizing telling them to exercise was not real effective, I made the conscious decision to change my behavior (without any fanfare) and model healthy lifestyle. 40 lbs and 20 months later—not only am I in great shape, but my oldest is on the high school cross country team and forbids soft drinks in her teenage body, my wife has completely changed our diet and is a regular at Y (and has done some mild trail running) and my youngest is committed to swimming and running along with a great diet for an 11 year old. So I think my main "thing that got me into running" was my family.

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RD: Being a model for your kids and family is awesome man. Besides seeing how your running as benefited your family, what do you enjoy most about running?
Stan: It is peaceful—I enjoy the sense of accomplishment, the redemptive feeling of fatigue, the mental challenge that surpasses most any other experience we can have.
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RD: You mentioned your 40-lb weight loss. That’s awesome. I used to be “the fat kid” till I lost 40-lbs in high school. So, I can relate to how good that weight loss feels. Eating right is a big part of training. What are your favorite training foods?

Stan: I like a bowl of Kashi cereal before I run. Best post-run snack is my own creation. Grabe some oatmeal (liberal amount), add Skippy natural peanut butter, some raisins and chocolate soy milk, and then mix it all up—partake in the great flavors!

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RD: Are you a lone runner or do you run with some buddies? What do you like about each?

Stan: Mostly I have been a lone runner. It suits my time schedule best and I like focusing on my running and not letting my competitive instinct overtake all runs. I recently started running with a local running group called the BlueLiners (named after the blue line on the pavement where we start our long runs; also happens to be the color of the line that marks the Olympic Marathon course)—it has been surprisingly great. Good conversation and some dependability in knowing others are wanting to run on these really cold mornings. It also helps with pace—good to talk with those who are into the sport. Most of my friends just don't quite get it.

RD: I’ve been attacked by Canadian Geese in flight, had to jump over a copperhead snake, been stung in the mouth by a bee and crossed paths with a rabid coyote on my various running adventures. What's the funniest or oddest thing that's happened to you while on a run?

Stan: Usually jumping deer during dark evening runs always puts a jolt into me. It wasn't funny but before the Fun Fourth run, I ate my bowl of Kashi (as usual) and I thought the milk smelled bad, but I was more focused on the race (it was my first since my return to running). I started feeling a little odd at the very end of the race—turns out the milk was really spoiled. The next 24 hours were awful, but I finished the race.

RD: What's your biggest running accomplishment? Why?

Stan: Mainly sticking with it. I completed a short triathlon in August and placed 2nd or 3rd in my age category—it was a good feeling. Mainly though the change in my overall health and my family’s positive response to it has been the most rewarding accomplishment related to my return to running.

RD: Do you have a favorite brand of running shoe? Which model? Why?

Stan: I am still working this out. The folks at our local running store (Off’n Running Sports) have been very helpful. I’m currently breaking in a pair of Asics—previously wore Saucony—think I like the Asics better.

RD: What's your favorite race distance(s)? Do you have a favorite race you run each year?

Stan: Not sure yet—but I really enjoy trail running. Did the Triple Lakes Half Trail Run in October. I think I enjoy it because it reminds me of my childhood running through the woods. I like the mental aspect of being aware of every step and being in the woods is awesome. Yeah I think trail running is probably my favorite.

RD: If you were speaking to a group of non-runners or runner wannabes and trying to encourage them to run, what would you say?

Stan: First, you can do it and you won't regret it. Start slow—maybe even on a bike or elliptical (I like the elliptical a lot.) Getting your weight in check before subjecting your body to the rigors of running might be helpful. I have said to many who have asked me about my avid running, “You have to look at a commitment in totality. Then you have to basically look at each day and determine when am I going to work this in.” Our lives are too hectic to be stuck on a regimented plan. If you focus on a regimented time to work out and that time passes, then you miss the workout. It’s better to be focused on the dedication to working out and find the time each day, no matter if it’s the same time every day or not. You have to be flexible with your workout schedules, but inflexible with the desire and commitment.

RD: Open Mike: Share anything you‘d like about your running experiences, past accomplishments, goals, dreams….anything you haven’t previously shared.

Stan: Not sucking up—but I read RunnerDude’s Blog practically every day. It has been a nice connection to the running community and is one of the top valuable tools on the Internet. I think it is a great space for new and experienced runners—I appreciate your dedication. Goals—finish my first marathon in March—Tobacco Road Marathon in Cary, NC.

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Thanks for the interview Stan! It's awesome knowing that RunnerDude's Blog has been so helpful! I hope it has for other runners as well! See ya at the BlueLine!

How Running Changed My Life: Noah's Story

The following is the awesome story of Noah's amazing transformation from overweight, sedentary dad to marathon-running; boot-camp workout member; and flag football, soccer and T-ball coach. Oh yeah, did I mention he also lost 60 lbs in 5 months! Here's Noah's story in his own words.

Six years ago when my wife was pregnant it was one of the happiest times of my life, it was also the time of my life that I gained the most weight. During that time I ballooned to 255 pounds (at 5’ 6” that is a lot of weight to carry around).

When my son turned two I decided to try to get back in shape. I tried working out, but I found that all I was doing was exercising to eat. I dropped a few pounds, but most of it came right back.

Two years ago at 235 pounds and 36 years old (and after running the Cooper River Bridge 10k in 1 hour and 17 minutes) I made the choice to eat right and start seriously running.

I am now working out with the a boot camp group three days per week and I run on my own three days per week (I only take a day off because everyone tells me I have too). In February of 2008, I had dropped my weight to 164 pounds (it is July 2009 and I still weigh the same). My Body Fat went from 31.2% to 13.9%; my triglycerides went from 235 to 34; and my waist shrunk from 46” to 31” - my waist is smaller now than when I was in high school!

So with all this in mind, I ran my first marathon on Saturday, February 14, 2009 in Myrtle Beach , South Carolina , and finished! It was an amazing experience. I trained for this race for several months, Jen (my wife) and Peyton (my five year old son) helping me on all of my long runs (14, 16, 18 and 20 mile runs) and supporting me throughout my training. What a great team!

The start was a little chilly at fifty degrees. Jen and Peyton woke up with me at 4:30am (they had been such troopers putting up with my need to sign up for so many races over the past two years). They drove me to the starting line where I waited with six thousand other runners and walkers. I found a nice warm spot with about twenty other runners next to a generator until the start of the race. At this point I was feeling nervous, but really happy. I talked to this guy who was running his ninety-ninth marathon. When I told him that this was my first marathon he acted more impressed than I did when he told me how many he had run. What a crazy bunch of people I have joined...

Miles one through five were perfect, not too fast and not too slow. Miles six through ten felt great - I was a little ahead of my pace. I was thinking to myself that this is a piece of cake! Miles eleven through thirteen were wonderful. Mile thirteen was a little hard as the runners of the Half Marathon approached their finish line (this is a little daunting when you know you have another half to go). Fourteen and Fifteen seemed fine and I was now counting down the miles (only eleven miles to go!).

At mile sixteen the first sign of trouble hit; my left calf started to cramp. I kept thinking, "This is not happening.” I slowed a little and the cramp seemed to go away. Just then I hit mile seventeen. I could see Jen and Peyton standing in front of our hotel waiving and smiling. What an incredible feeling that was. I was filled with so much joy. Jen came out and gave me a quick hug and kiss. Peyton watched me with big bright eyes and it made me feel like a hero! This was the best.

Miles eighteen through twenty were getting hard. I felt great from seeing Jen and Peyton, but I was worried about the cramps. I drank and ate everything I could throughout the race, but it was not enough. At mile twenty-one my legs cramped up again. This was the worst pain I had ever felt. It felt like marbles were rolling around in my calves. I slowed down and I tried to change strides, but nothing seemed to help. As I came to mile twenty-two I was thinking "Why did I do this? What is wrong with me? What made me think I could do a marathon?" It was at this point that I felt that I could go no further; I wanted to quit. I saw the first aid station and as I passed it, another runner asked me if I need to go back to get checked out. I made the decision to go on. I knew that if I stopped I would never be able to continue running (this is how I have felt for the past few years as I dropped a over ninety pounds – if I stopped, I would never be able to get going again).

Miles twenty-two through twenty-four are a blur. I know that I was thinking about Jen and Peyton waiting for me at the finish line. I was thinking about all the work I had put in for this race and the support Jen had given me while I went running for hours at a time. Then I saw it - the marker for mile twenty-five. At this point I knew I could finish the race. Time did not matter anymore; it was all about finishing the race.Mile twenty-six flew by until I saw the final shoot for the last two tenths of a mile. I had no idea I would be so emotional about finishing this race. Then I heard my name over the loud speaker and at the same time I saw Jen and Peyton waiting for me at the finish line. Jen had tears in her eyes and that sent me off the deep end. This was, at once, one of the most incredible and most painful moments of my life.

Finishing the race in four hours and twenty-seven minutes was not the goal I had originally set. But the feeling of accomplishment, pride and joy of finishing the race was better than anything I could have ever imagined.

That race was a few months ago and my decision to make this commitment was over two years ago. My whole family is healthier. The last time we ordered pizza was for the Super Bowl (this is a big improvement from when the pizza guys new us all by name). I am now able to coach my son’s sports teams (so far it has been flag football, soccer and now T-ball). We are taking a family vacation to DC in October for the Marine Corps Marathon. I am running the marathon, my wife is running the 10k and my son is running the 1 mile kids run!—Noah from SC.

What an awesome story. I know Noah's family and friends are so proud of his transformation. The best thing out of all of this is that now he'll be able to coach his son's teams for many more years to come. Maybe even the grandkids! Be sure to check out Noah's blog—Moore On Running.