RF Events - Obsessed Runner Blog

March 9, 2011 - Mellowin' out...

Running is simple ... why can't life be? I know, why is this coming from a guy who lives by "Everything to excess and busy people do everything and the rest do ... What?" Yes, it's out of character but...

I'm writing today from the Caribbean island of Dominica; that should help explain things. I'm staying with my family in a cabin with no electricity, an invigorating cold shower and more natural beauty than I can describe. Each day starts with a long mountain run, a jump in the ocean followed by a breakfast consisting of local fruit and honey on some killer biscuit from a tin shack bakery. After a nap and a long swim I fall asleep reading a book in the shade. Dinner in the local village is always a new kind of fish with several unfamiliar starchy vegetables served on a plywood table.

The moral of the story? Jump out of the rut, whatever it takes, and spend some quality down time ... So we can return fit and ready to crank!

Peace out,

Randy Step, an obsessed runner who is feeling as mellow as jello.

2011-09-21 - Be Safe!

A young runner on the Chelsea Cross Country Team was hit by a car in the dark AM hours and is in critical condition. As we head into these short days, most of us will be running our miles in the dark. Be smart, where a reflective vest, head lamp and perhaps a red flashing strobe if you must run on the roads. I must admit, running in the dark is pretty cool, I get some weird smug sense of satisfaction pounding out the miles as much of the world goes into a couch potato kind of hibernation. I wear a 4 LED Princeton Tech Head lamp and carry a small LED flashlight to make my own daylight (Shameless Plug: Of course all this safety stuff is available at Running Fit!) Don't let darkness or weather stop your scheduled daily run, plenty of other stuff will do that enough!

There is so much cool stuff coming up ... And let's not miss any of it, starting with the October 1st Vasa 5K, 10K & 25K trail run in Traverse City (runvasa.com) where I plan to run the 25K as my last long run before the Free Press Marathon. The Big House Big Heart 5K & 10K - finishing on the 50 yard line of Michigan Stadium - on October 9th will be the perfect sharpening run. Bighousebigheart.com.

And to celebrate the end of the fall race season we can run the most beautiful, fun, scary and wild 5 and 10K ever at Wiard's Orchard October 22, see runscreamrun.com ! Live it up!

The last plug: You will all need to escape winter and Running Fit is planning a week on the beach in Punta Cana January 15 - 22, save the date, only 80 air seats available, more details to follow in a separate email, keep your eyes peeled!

We can rest when they throw the dirt on,

Randy Step, an obsessed runner till the end.

PS: Please Like United Bank & Trust and get a chance to win a Nike GPS Sports Watch! Please! They are great sponsors of The Big House, Big Heart and we want to wow them with Running Fit support! See the Product of the Week for a link to United Bank & Trust's Facebook page.

PS: Running Fit Novi is throwing a party for the BROOKS PURE minimalist shoes!

Friday September 30th 11pm-1am. Be the first ones on your block to own a pair of the Brooks Pure shoes. Join us for a run at midnight, food, music, giveaways, movie and special discounts on apparel and shoes! Please RSVP to

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PS: Self Defense Classes

Lee Shaykhet, former Russian special forces trainer, is offering a 90 minute class that will give you a lifelong feeling of personal security for about the price of a good massage. This fun, effective session will leave you with moves that will instantly become second nature to you!

Running Fit: 5700 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor

Class dates: 6:30 PM September 26 (Limit 15 people per class) $69

Online Self Defense registration - click here - More Info: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PS: Volunteers Needed!

On top of all the "thanks" and "you rock" you will get throughout the day, you also get an awesome volunteer shirt, a $30 coupon toward any Running Fit event (includes race shirt) and a great feeling for giving back to your sport!