Obsessed Runner Blog
January 7, 2009 - Still in love and obsessed my wife, family and running.
Yo Run Gang,
30 years ago I snuck out for a 10 mile run with a beautiful young woman; we were sneaking because her mother considered seeing the groom on the morning of the wedding bad luck. Now with 2 wonderful grown children and 30 years of wonderful memories, we continue to run long together and I believe its possible that this magic can go on for another 30 years. The email that follows adds to my hope and gets me all choked up
Just want you to know I had a blast at the Holiday Hustle since I was the only one in my age group, got a first and a beautiful ornament. I'm new at all this stuff, so thought I had to walk 5 miles, not 3.1. My running son-in law from Crown Point, Indiana told me that distance would be a piece of cake for me. He also helped calm my nerves (by phone) making sure I had the chip in the shoe correctly, etc., etc. When I called him after the race to tell him I was first, he jumped instantly to the Internet to get my times, etc, etc. I told him----"They won't have that this soon", but he was on the site before I finished my protest and there was my name: Rita Rotramel, 79 years old, FIRST! He was more excited than I was, although I was pretty excited too. He has great plans for me next year when I'm 80. I love the shirt and your fun messages. - Regards, Non wimp walker, Rita - Ho Ho Goooooooo
Im reminded how events change people into athletes, at any age! Need a new challenge to rekindle the flame? Join me for a road trip to Traverse City on January 24th weekend for the Bigfoot 5 & 10K Snowshoe Race. Snowshoe running is just running, no learning curve. Well be slow and stumble around a lot but well be laughing, sweating and loving it. You can even rent snowshoes, enter at www.runsnow.com (Shameless Plug: Snowshoes will be on sale at Running Fit, Traverse City, where packet pickup is held!). I went on priceline.com and there are a ton of cheap hotels this time of year. Ill see you at the most beautiful race start setting you will ever experience, Timber Ridge Lodge!
Randy Step,
Still in love and obsessed with his wife, family and running
December 9, 2009 - Forget long or fast, think, just get it in!
Yo run gang,
Tonight, snowy gusty winds cracking in the trees, pinning your clothes to the body and taking our breath away what I call a Rambo Run. As Ive said, December is no time to take your running seriously, just get out the door and keep some consistency. Forget long or fast, think, just get it in and take pride in the fact that you are not a wimp!
Early winter is also a time to play in the snow for a bit of cross training. Snowshoes and cross country skis are a staple of most runners garages. The Bigfoot snowshoe race is January 23, a fun winter road trip to the north, go to www.runsnow.com. The week before that on January 16, is the Frosty Freestyle Cross Country Ski Race. Southeast Michigans biggest, best, and only cross country ski race! The 15K and 5K Frosty will be held at Huron Meadows Metropark just south of Brighton, MI. www.NordicSkiRacer.com/frosty
I know December is busy but at 6:30 PM next Monday, December 14th, you are all invited to a Boston Marathon Training Orientation meeting. No charge and open to anyone. For those of you headed to Boston, this will be a place to hook up with a like minded, like paced, training group to get you through winter. For those of you who just dream of running Boston some day, it will be a motivational evening of good stories and great information. Ill be there telling the kind of Boston stories you would expect from this obsessed runner and perhaps a few bad jokes. Come dressed to stretch and lay around on the floor, maybe Ill bring a beer or two. The meeting will be at our Ann Arbor Headquarters store, 5700 Jackson Rd, just off the I-94 Zeeb Rd. Exit
I write a few times a year for the Outdoor Athlete Magazine, its a free to pick up publication you can get at any Running Fit and pretty much any bike shop or run shop in Michigan. In the current issue I address barefoot running. If you can put up with my midweek writing, you might find it interesting.
Just get out the door,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner hoping to catch a 50 MPH downwind gust on the run tonight!
April 27, 2011 - Avoid depression, go for a swim!
Yo run gang,
I've mentioned before that a diversified fitness portfolio insures you won't go into depression when a running injury strikes. I think Triathlon is the perfect sport to add to the mix, giving you 2 additional aerobic options to get your HDL/Endorphins fix! I've shared my system with you before, splitting my year up so during winter I target and train for the spring running races before become an obsessed triathlete for the summer. I switch my focus back to running in mid August and aim seriously for long fall race. I throw in some biking and swimming all year to keep the portfolio current, all in all, a mix I've enjoyed, not to mention, Triathlon has the coolest toys!
From triathlon, I've found I like to run my long runs and races in Tri-Shorts; I never chafe and love the support. I run my half marathons in Zoot shoes, a light fast brand I would not have
come across as a runner. Other Tri focused brands I love are 2XU and Blue 70. Running Fit's headquarters for Triathlonbrands and information are Running Fit Novi and Ann Arbor West. When visiting the Jackson Road Ann Arbor store, ask to see our swim studio with 2 endless pools where our coach Christy the Swimmer turns floundering swimmers into fast fish!
Swim, Bike, RUN!
Randy, the obsessed runner ... From August 22 to May 29th! Check out the blogs at rfmultisport.com!
PS: Hoping to improve your Running this summer?
Look no further than Running Form Improvement Training with Running Fit. In one session we will start to change the way you think about running forever. Improve your performance and get more out of your running and training experience. Reduce injuries as you develop and understand the importance of form and balance. Go to www.runningfit.com/runningform for details and class schedules. Class sizes are limited so sign up today!
PS: For Women Only 5K, 29th Running!
Sunday, May 15th at 10:30 AM, on the grounds of St. Joesph Health Center in Ypsilanti at 10:30 AM. This race has a tradition of celebration of women in sport, with a fast two loop course, great for spectators or PR's. We will be featuring beautiful New Balance Tech Shirts and cool champagne glass age group awards. The race will benefit Susan G. Komen Foundation and Girls on the Run, two charities committed to bettering the lives of women in our community. You can also enter as team with mother/daughter, sister/sister and grandmother/granddaughter teams. Walkers are welcome on any team, and you can combine walkers and runners on one team.
More online at http://www.aatrackclub.org/2011-05-15/for-women-only-5k/10/ or email rThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions or would like a paper entry form.
Men! Email Rachel to volunteer!
PS. Live Like Andi - May 14 Another great, charitable race is coming up on May 14 on the streets of Novi, MI, The Live Like Andi 10 Mile (Yes, a fast, road, 10 mile!), 10K and 5K. Entries are a bit down, please help out this great race and great cause and enter today at