2014-01-01 - Be A Better You

I’ve had some success over the years with New Year’s resolutions. I’m sure we can all think of 50 bad behaviors we’d like to change but I find if you get it down to one or two that seem like they have realistic possibilities for success we have a good shot at tweaking this life for the better. Let’s make a commitment to ourselves and have the courage to start. Yes, we can change.

A big one for me was giving up my daily Pepsi or Coke, I’ve been soft drink free for 9 years. One of this year’s resolutions is to strictly keep my fitness log. I know that when I do log my miles of running, biking and swimming, it gives me tremendous motivation and keeps me honest with myself. My other commitment is to a minimum of two yoga sessions per week, I’m hoping for 3 sessions but I know how hard it is for me to schedule the time for non-aerobic activities. I’m also shooting for not having more than 2 drinks on school nights … but I know this one will be difficult when out with good friends. The trick is to have the courage to start and getting the streak going, the longer the streak, the more it will drive us to success.

I’d love for you to share your one most realistic resolution with me, I’ll post a link to the list in a future midweek, perhaps we can motivate each other to greatness. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject: "resolution". (Please, just a one liner)

Be a better you,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner and a work in progress.

2014-01-08 - Run, read, rest

Yikes, mother nature sure knows how to give us a challenge! Getting out there on one subzero day was an adventure but even this obsessed runner blew off going out there two days in a row. My partner Steve came in from his -15 degree run and said it was not bad. His quote, "There is no bad running weather just bad dressing for it." Well put!

I consider December and January as the off season, a time to get out there and stay consistent but nothing hard or long. With the bit of extra time we gain I find it a great time to get in some running reading. I'm currently reading "14 Minutes" by Alberto Salazar, one of America's greatest runners. Not that we can hope to run like Alberto but his insight into the sport can help us on our journey. Local Ann Arbor runner John Farah's gook, "Let's Pick it up a Bit" gives great insight into training to run well but also is an interesting memoir  of an interesting man. Books like Jeff Galloway's "Marathon, You Can do it!" will leave you excited about giving the 26.2 mile event a try, lets you know that you really can do this! Then, there is the very dark running novel, "On the lips of Children" by Mark Matthews, for those of us who crave the spooky stuff. All available at Running Fit of course!

Run, rest, read and stay warm,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner that hopes to read myself into shape!