One of the most inspirational people I have encountered since I started this blog and have met more people in the running and multisport community through social media has been Richard Blalock. His blog, “It Is A Good Day To Run” documents his journey through foot amputation and is a must-read for anyone who runs. I asked Richard if he would do some Q&A for us and below are the responses.
When I think about some of the issues that any runner faces and the pain we go through as we train and race, I think of what Richard is doing and it makes me feel that there is simply nothing that any of us can’t do with a dose of inner strength and a desire to be the best we can be. I want Richard’s answers to paint the picture here, and obviously his blog gives the full story, so please read on…
Hi Richard! Can you give us an outline of your history as a runner?
My favorite story is my mom said I ran before I walked….more like stumbling forward while trying to walk. I have been a runner all my life, in our old home 8mm movies I was almost always running. After the school bus ran over my right foot around 1963, I recovered and could run again. I developed hammer toes from the accident that did not touch the ground when I ran/walked and some other deformities; surgery was discussed but since it stopped being painful life went on.
I ran track in high school and started to make some progress at the end of my junior year when I wrecked my left ankle in a student-faculty basketball game. I was definitely a late bloomer, ran my best race just before I left for college (3 mi x/c in 15:12) and had some good personal runs but did not compete for many years.
I ran for myself, still did impromptu speed work and started doing a few local races in the late 70s. My orthopaedic doc told me to quit running around 1979 for an unrelated issue which I did for a while, then saw another doc who said he didn’t see why I couldn’t try it. Been running ever since until my right foot/ankle started rebelling around 2002 and I had to stop in 2007.
Your journey is fantastically documented in full on your blog. What are the highlights?
I see myself in a before and after light. The runner who had two anatomical feet and now still has two good feet, although one is carbon fiber. I always thought I appreciated running, that is, I did not take it for granted. I loved it unconditionally. When I became an amputee runner I entered a new realm of running, it is so much more than I could have imagined.
And the low points? How did you push on past them?
Physically, having to deal with a prosthesis can be aggravating at times. I had a lot of blistering when I first started that would cost me training time. I’ve had several issues that my prosthetist Larry Wiley and I have tackled to do with swelling when the liner pinches the skin or the residual limb changes shape and the socket no longer fits. The thing is, it is ill-advised to push through some of these problems because it will set you back. So I get frustrated when my prosthesis is holding me back because of some small issue.
Mentally I don’t have anything related to depression…I did have a short period where I think I had some delayed traumatic stress, I felt deeply emotional at times. But altogether not in a bad way…hard to explain. If you’ve ever tried to bring up thoughts and mental pictures to psych yourself up for a race you have a good idea of what I was feeling for days on end.
What’s your big goal for the future? Why did you choose this one?
I have two in mind.
First is the Charleston Marathon on Jan. 15, 2011. This will be the inaugural event race and the timing is perfect for where I am in my return to running. I am also running to fund raise for FOP (Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva ) research in honor of my friend Ashely Kurpiel, who is living with this disease with courage and good cheer. An amazing young woman.
Second is the Boston Marathon in 2012 if all goes well.
I do not think the marathon is my best event but I do love it. In between marathons I will race all sorts of distances. As I think of it, I have a third goal in mind, to run as fast in a 5k as I did the years leading up to my surgery. So a 22:00 5k would be wonderful and realistic. I think without the painful foot I have a good chance to do this, maybe even a little faster. Fall 2011 would be the timeframe for that.
How is your training structured?
Right now I am transitioning from base training to dedicated marathon training. Currently I am running nearly 50 miles a week. I’ll typically run intervals on the track early in the week, a midweek tempo run, and a longer run on the weekend, with easy runs on other days. I may or may not take a day off depending on if I am building miles or looking to do a race.
What’s your favourite session?
I think it would be the tempo run. I don’t get into the type distress you have in a race, yet I feel it is enough in speed that it gives a lot of satisfaction. That said, I did a 16 x 400 session last week at 5k pace that was rewarding.
And the one you just dread? Why?
There is one that fits this question and the prior one: 800m repeats. Doing these especially at speeds required for 5k training is very tough. Yet I know when I am hitting on all cylinders and the reps are even in time that my fitness is high. It is sort of like bearing down when you run up a steep hill, you think of the hill as a worthy adversary, a being, and you are in mortal combat with him. When you reach the top you feel a sort of primal satisfaction.
One thing that does bother me and which I need to work on is running fast downhill. Without a lower right leg, my breaking power is diminished maybe 25%. It is much more easy to lose control and also overtax the quads.
Describe your kit ‘essentials’. Which bits would you try and save from a fire? 
Aside from Jennifer and the pets there is probably nothing that can’t be replaced. I have some old running memorabilia like the hand-held stopwatch I used in high school for timing – no laps saved except in my noggin. It brings back a flood of memories just listening to the tock tock tock sound. I’d definitely try to make the effort to get my blade because I have spent a lot of time getting it adjusted and tuned for my gait. I could use a new treadmill so we’ll let this one burn to a crisp.
What’s the best tip you would give to anyone thinking of becoming a runner or just getting started?
Everyone is different, so one person may have it very easy to get started and the other bloke will find it horrible. If you haven’t been active it is going to take time but guess what? The human body is as close to a miracle machine as you will find on this planet. Almost anyone can do this. There is a man with terminal cancer here still doing triathlons while using a walker with wheels. You cannot possibly have an excuse after seeing this. Get a beginner’s plan and stick with it. You can do this, don’t worry about anyone else. You will do this.
Thanks Richard! Best of luck with your training and we’ll all be following your progress towards Boston…
