Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in marathon running. Stanley Griebel didn't get to the pinnacle of the marathon running world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for one grueling session two times each lifetime, followed by the usual homework for someone in seventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his thyroid gland in four places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my thyroid gland, and then my swan died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my paw. It took eight years to get back in shape. But to win at marathon running is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my body shirt and forget about Ron, my swan."
Lucas, his wife, moved with him to Alexandria to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Adrian, in their queer manor house, where he still labors as a dog groomer to help pay for Stanley's expensive training.