2016-04-20 - May you find a route that becomes an old friend
30 years ago my friend Jeff Gaft introduced me to Pinckney Recreation Area's Potawatomi Trail, a hilly monster that goes past a dozen lakes in a Pure Michigan wonderland, a trail that to this day continues to beat me up and keep me honest. I find it helps to have a running loop to call your own, a route special to you, a place to run home to. When I run Poto, it brings on a flood of memories. At times I'll remember exactly what I was thinking at the exact same points on the trail, perhaps on a similar day 10 years earlier. These thoughts will often intertwine with whatever my current day's thoughts or worries are and help to ground me and give me answers.
May you find a route that becomes an old friend,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who will be celebrating my 30th year with my old friend Poto this weekend.
PS: Join me with over a thousand of my running friends this weekend on Poto for 5, 13.1, 26.2 or 31 miles of new memories. http://trailmarathon.com/
PS: This is also the weekend of the International Trails In Motion Running Film festival. These 7 short films add up to 2 incredibly motivational and breathtaking hours. Join me Saturday afternoon in Dexter. https://runningfitevents.redpodium.com/trails-in-motion-film-festival After the films, I will head for a beer at the Null Tap House, join me! http://www.nulltaphouse.com/nl/index
2016-04-14 - Obsessed running loser
I usually get out for a run before attempting to write an inspirational midweek runmail but due to an ugly, medial collateral ligament, I'm composing this at a time when I'm not able to put in miles. I admit it's hard not to feel like a loser and a charleton while writing as the obsessed runner but not to worry, I'll recover and I do have a diversified portfolio to keep up the endorphins and reduce my losses as I've suggested to all of you in past midweeks. I ride a bike, put in laps in the pool and get my yoga buzz on. Perhaps this week's message will be a good reminder for all of us to do our core work and to up the spring miles with a bit of caution. Let this also be a sympathetic message for those of you on the sidelines, you are not alone! That said, for you healthy people, do not use this message as any kind of lame excuse for not getting your butt out the door, putting in the hard work and lining up to test yourself at the weekend races!