Yo run gang,

The fall race season is upon us! Yikes! Many of you will be lining up in Chicago this weekend or in Detroit or Grand Rapids in just a couple weeks. No matter what the outcome, remember, it is a gift just to make it to the starting line, enjoy the adventure (From the Latin, adventura, where the outcome is uncertain. The spice of life!)

An under-trained runner with a positive attitude will beat a trained runner with doubts every time. Just relax, run smart and enjoy the sights, sounds and ... Pain! You work hard to feel this bad, savor it, as the rest of the world lives in a couch potato haze you are fully alive and diggin' it!

In all distance events, 9 out of 10 world records are set when running negative splits, a faster second half. A difficult concept to get your head around in a long race: the idea that you will pick it up.  Going out too fast is the number one mistake, every minute you are ahead of schedule is a potential to walk 10 minutes at the end; it is not money in the bank. Don't do it!

For those who heed my words, I'm proud of you already!

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who loves the long run, an event that continues to offer self discovery, keeping the fire lit.