Obsessed Runner Blog
October 29, 2008 - November, the start of the stress free running season!
Yo Run Gang,
Ahhh November, the start of the stress free running season! Sure, the weather sucks, but who cares. The racing season is behind us and for the most part, there are no scheduled miles to worry about. A time for short runs, days off, and perhaps a long run if you feel like it every other week or so But not too long.
Running is that sweet spot of our day, its what we do to escape work, worries and stress. So, when I say stress free running its a bit of an oxymoron, but not all things are black and white. To follow a running schedule and prepare for an event takes dedication and commitment, with that comes a certain kind of stress, not a serious stress like the things you have little control over but you get the idea. From now until the end of January, lighten up and enjoy!
The serious events are over but the fun family running events fit in well with the holiday schedule. If you havent already, I suggest starting some holiday running traditions to get the family out together and share some fun miles. It starts with the Detroit Turkey Trot. Its worth a trip to the big city for this Parade of an event, and yes, there is even a parade!
Get out and run!
Randy Step
May 13, 2009 - May I share some taper tips, starting with, enjoy it!
Yo Run Gang,
With the Traverse City, Bayshore Marathon a week away many of you are like me, into the taper. For those of you newer to distance racing, we taper our training miles the days (weeks) just before the event. A time to lick the high mileage training wounds, resting up and storing the muscle glycogen needed to get us to the finish line. During the taper we find ourselves with extra time on our hands, time to worry about our training, our race, and what we eat.
May I share some taper tips, starting with, enjoy it! You worked hard to get here, use the extra time to read a motivational book, watch a motivational movie, get a massage, take a nap ... I guess you could be responsible and catch up on work you got behind on during training dang.
A good rule of thumb is to cut your weekly mileage in half the final two weeks. Example, from 40 to 20 to a race week total of 10 miles, I go to every other day running the final week, nothing long. As you drop your mileage, up the tempo. Short fast runs will make marathon pace feel slow and easy. Bring on the taper!
For those of you who like shopping a sale, this weekend at our warehouse headquarters in west Ann Arbor, its Crazy Larrys Running Garage/Tent Sale where Larrys blowing out all kinds of cool and strange, running stuff. (For example, I spotted a Hal Higdon Running Book from 1980) All 7 stores have sent stuff they needed moved and Larry who works in the warehouse (And has to deal with all of it) says it has to go or hell quit .Hmmm. Closeout shoes from 35% 75% off, winter stuff from 50% to 75% off, even the current inventory will be at least 10% off. See the times and dates below.
After my spring marathon, I go into triathlon mode for the summer. This year, give a Tri a try; check out this perfect low key, and fun, Wednesday night triathlon series at www.runtrextri.com.
Run smart,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner about to put his feet up
2013-02-27 - Don't let your head get in the way
February 27, 2013
As winter pounds on, motivation takes a beating and I turn to my mental bag of tricks. I start by reminding myself that motivation is a feeling and feelings are a choice. I can look out at the snow and gray sky, mope around, complain and be miserable! Or, I can choose to get excited about the great challenge ahead and how I will conquer it!
If this method is failing me and my mind seems to be made up that it wants to do anything but run, I stop thinking and just head out and run. I show my mind that not running is not an option; sometimes I give myself a firm talking-to: "Hey head, get with the program or be miserable, it's up to you, I'm running! I've decided that feeling bad, run-down and unmotivated is a plus!"
How's it a plus? Once this run is finished I will have a much greater feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment than an easy run on a nice day. To heck with those wimpy runs, bring it on!
Don't let your head get in the way, just get out and run!
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner .. and a bit of a head case.
PS: One last motivational tip: Always have some Chocolate Milk in the fridge ... that you can only drink after running! I find when I'm arguing with myself, this will seal the deal!