Obsessed Runner Blog
2012-03-28 - Diamond Days
Yo run gang,
As runners we learn the body is as strong as it is fragile, it can be trained and conditioned to run 26 miles and it can shrivel up and die from an invisible germ or cancer. The body is complicated, life is complicated ... Enjoy every healthy day and never take it for granted. Get out and run and enjoy, knowing how good it was and how good it can be will give us the strength to crawl and fight our way back when the dark days hit.
20 years ago, just after setting P.R's for just about every running and triathlon distance, my aortic heart valve stuck open, sending me into congestive heart failure. The valve was damaged by an infection I fought in childhood, damage that was unknown to me
until it failed. I had major reconstructive heart surgery, including some human transplant tissue, followed by some serious down time but eventually worked my way back to marathon shape. From the dark days I gained a greater appreciation of the diamond days ... like today! It's time to shut this computer down and head to the woods to hammer!
Do what you can do,
--Randy Step, an obsessed runner or obsessed rehab, PT, kind of patient, depending on what life decides to throw at me on any given day.
Martian Marathon - April 14 - Volunteer Now!
PS: We're looking for part time help at our west Bloomfield store.
E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your resume.
2012-09-19 - Run Safely!
Yo run gang,
As I write this today one of Michigan's premier athletes, Amy Gluck, is fighting for her life in intensive care after being struck by a truck while training. We can only hope her incredible fitness level will help her win this race. Amy is a 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 USAT All-American Triathlete and was training for the Ironman World Championships in Kona next month. Keep Amy in your thoughts and prayers .... And be careful out there.
As the days shorten many of us will be training in the dark. Always wear a reflective vest, carry a light, wear a headlamp, run against traffic, or better yet, run where there is no traffic whenever possible. All the flashing lights in the world won't help you if a careless, distracted driver is veering out of their lane and coming your way. I love the beauty and powerful feeling of running into the sunrise or sunset. I love running on a star filled night with a crunch of snow underfoot, I love it all but I also respect and accept the risks that can't be avoided as we head off into adventure.
Get out and run ... smart,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... looking forward to the day I see Amy out training again.
July 16, 2008 - What's your time?
Yo Run Gang,
What is your 10K time? What is your marathon time? You would think these are simple straight forward questions Not! When asked such a question a runner will do some mental gymnastics to come up with an answer. Do you give your personal record time from 12 years ago, do you give the time you hope to run next, the time you ran last, a ball park time of about what you can run now? (always erring on the fast side of course) Worse yet, do you answer with an explanation that includes your entire running career including your P.R, your almost times, if my training goes the way I hope time, or based on how much Im improving right now time
The hard truth is that you are the runner you are today and the time you actually ran at a recent race is what matters. Damn.
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who has not set a P.R. in many years but is quick to talk about his old race times!