7-22-09 - A chance to get in more running, reading and writing.
Yo run gang,
I'm headed off on vacation, a chance to get in more running, reading and writing. I leave you with some summer reading, a past account of my solo Alaska marathon that may inspire you to new goals and adventure. I hope to come back with a head full of fresh motivational thoughts to share with you down the road ahead.
Get out for a run,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner ... on holiday!
Going Solo - An Alaska Running Adventure
Life is not meant to be lived in moderation. With a middle of the road life comes a middle of the road existence. Stress is in the eyes of the stressed. What could be more stressful than to look back at the years and wonder ... what could I have done? Peace comes to those that already know that answer; they've done it! I believe life is meant to be lived out toward the edge. The proverbial edge is a personal point that is arrived at by means of your comfort zone. For some it might be an hour hike alone on trails in a state park, for others it might be a solo climb of a 20,000+ ft. peak in the Himalayans.
Without goals, my life seems to wander aimlessly. To stay fit and focused I need to be training for something. To keep my interest these goals must be out near the edge. Once the goal is set, all in life seems to fall in place. I eat, sleep, work, train and seem to be more organized when focused on a long-term goal.
December 16, 2009 - This run was worth the cost!
Yo run gang,
The holiday screws are tightening, with gifts to buy, parties, dinners and visitors in addition to the normal job and family requirements. Getting in the daily run feels like lying, cheating and stealing, that is, until you get out the door! Once into the rhythm of the run, breathing in the cold fresh air and breaking into an honest sweat with your senses alive and the smoke clearing from your mind, finally comes the realization that this run was worth the cost!
My wife and I cheated the weather last weekend and went south for a quick holiday visit to my folks and in-laws in Florida and to sneak into the Green Swamp for some warm weather mileage and to tweak the Dances With Dirt course for the February 13th race. Throw in a midwinter break and join the Dirt Crew for a trail half marathon, marathon, relay or ultra in the sun, you will be deserving! Give a present to yourself today, go to www.danceswithdirt.com and commit. Flights to Tampa are a deal and the new Hampton Inn in Dade city is great.
Eat, drink, run and be merry, in any order necessary it to get it done,
Randy Step, and obsessed runner, breaking all the rules of time management