2016-11-24 - Run short... but run

randy freepThese are the times that try runner's souls, the long, dark, cold, busy, days of the holiday season. A time full of excuses, a time when just getting out the door for a run requires super human strength. This is a time to make a personal commitment to consistency. Perhaps a self-promise to get out the door no less than 3 days a week for no less than 3 miles, or any bare minimum numbers that give you some sense of fulfillment. Forget training schedules and the high mileage weeks of the past, pick numbers that won't scare you off from the daily run. Perhaps a new mantra, short runs, that get done, rule!

Hang tough and get out the door,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who will be rooting for you ... And me!

PS: The next couple months are a time to enjoy a few silly, fun races just to see the other runners who are managing some consistency so you know you are not alone! Perhaps I'll see you at the Holiday Hustle 5K December 10th, http://runholiday5k.com/. The Bigfoot Snowshoe 5K & 10K January 21st http://runsnow.com/ or the Super 5K, Sunday February 5th, http://runsuperbowl.com/  by then it will be time to fire up the mileage for spring ... So enjoy the break!

2016-11-17 - Run and give thanks

randy freepWe are blessed to be runners and this glorious November weather is just another reason for us to give thanks. I'm a huge fan of Thanksgiving day, a time to count our many blessings, a day to run, then get together with friends and family, a time to use the words "thank you" a lot. Not all our days will be diamonds and we will all face dark days, this is the season that reminds us to find ways to bring some light to the darkness others are facing today.

Run and give thanks,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who is blessed.

PS: Yes, Thanksgiving Day is a week off but by next Wednesday we will be in full Holiday mode and ignoring email!

PS: The Ann Arbor Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day will be donating at least $5,000 to the Chad Tough Foundation,  if you click here and watch the video, warning, it won't be without tears. http://www.chadtough.org/  Join us Thanks Giving morning as we sweat, smile and give thanks together as a running community and yes, earn our spot on the couch and show off our fun Turkey finisher's medals. Enter at http://theturkeytrot.com/  Your entry will add a couple more bucks to our donation. Please consider making an additional donation if you can.

PS: Speaking of giving back, registration is now open for the Shamrocks and Shenanigans 5K and 1K on March 12, 2017! A fun run around downtown Ann Arbor with GREAT swag to support an AWESOME cause. Shamrocks and Shenanigans benefits Save A Heart, an organization that raises funds to benefit patients and their families at the Michigan Congenital Heart Center at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Check it out: http://runshamrocks.com!