THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 23, 1994 TAG: 9409220174
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
RICHARD GREENLEE spent an entire day on Labor Day weekend on the run.
When he finished, he had logged 102 miles - without leaving the building. In the long run, Greenlee wasn't jogging in vain or for vanity's sake. The mega-marathon man used his strong legs to benefit those who can't use their own. His 24-hour effort raised $240 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Greenlee stepped on a treadmill at Gold's Gym at 4 p.m., Sunday. Except for bathroom breaks and quick snacks, he didn't step off the machine until 4 p.m., Monday - a whole day of constant activity, enough to make almost anyone feel like a world-class couch potato.
``After six hours, I felt unstoppable,'' Greenlee said. ``During the last two hours, I could feel my strength start to go. I just grabbed the bars on the treadmill and held on.''
Greenlee consumed a Carbo-Force drink every two hours; and a Hi-Carb drink every hour.
``People didn't believe I could do what I did,'' said Greenlee, 35, an operations manager for a Chesapeake pump company.
Eight years ago, Greenlee himself couldn't have imagined it either.
``I weighed about 300 pounds,'' said the 5-foot-9 fitness devotee. ``I had a 44-inch waist. I couldn't tie my shoes. I took high-blood pressure medicine every day.''
Today, he weighs 175 pounds. His pants measure 32 inches around the middle of his well-toned body. When he wears loafers now, it's by choice, not necessity.
Greenlee trains 4 1/2 hours a day. That regimen includes a visit to Gold's and a run.
He has run 5-and 10-kilometer races frequently since taking up the sport in 1986, and added a marathon to his race schedule this year.
``I ran my first at the Shamrock this year,'' he said.
Gold's Gym opened in January and Greenlee joined immediately.
Connie Phillips, owner of the gym, members of her staff and disbelieving onlookers remained at the gym during Greenlee's run.
``There were about 100 or so in the daytime. That dwindled to 50, then maybe 25 late at night, or early in the morning,'' Payne said.
She and the others kept Greenlee supplied with water, oranges and yogurt in addition to his carbohydrate drinks.
``We contributed enrollment fees to the MDA fund and people also paid for chances to guess how many miles Richard would run,'' said Payne.
The winner received a free year's membership to the gym.
``All I do when I'm not at work is run and eat well. I'm not on medicine now. Don't take any drugs, except vitamins,'' said Greenlee.
What did Greenlee do once he completed his 102-mile jaunt?
``Sleep,'' he said. ``I'm recuperating from the normal muscle soreness. I'll probably take a week or two off from running.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by PETER D. SUNDBERG
Richard Greenlee, who has lost 125 pounds during an eight-year
physical fitness kick, trains 4 1/2 hours a day. Small signs at
Gold's Gym indicated Greenlee's progress in the 24-hour treadmill
effort for MDA.
by CNB