Obsessed Runner Blog
2013-08-21 - Run Safe
Every action we take is about risk and reward. An active lifestyle comes with risk, but offers great rewards. That said, a sedentary life is also risky, especially when you take into account medical issues that come up from lack of activity and psychological issues like lack of self esteem or depression, as for rewards? I often say jokingly, "run fast and take chances." The context for this line always has to do with distance and speed and not personal safety, an example is pushing oneself to the limit in a race or running faster or farther than you think you can.
Compared to most sports, running is a safe choice but we all need to keep safety in mind. When we head out the door a lot of things that can happen to us, by running smart we can avoid most but never all of them. Wear bright clothing and always run against traffic. If running at night, light yourself up with strobe lights, a reflective vest and a head lamp. Never trust a car, bike or pedestrian and expect the unexpected, look both ways and be aware. Look for safe routes and only wear ear buds in area closed to traffic of any kind. Have great respect for the weather and adjust your run route, clothing and hydration accordingly, especially in extreme heat.
Get out and run safe!
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who has enjoyed more than 50,000 accident free running miles together with my wife Kathy.
P.S. My wife Kathy was hit by a car while riding her bike on what would seem a pretty safe 25 MPH road in the park last week by a car full of teenage kids that turned right into her, not allowing even a second to react. Amazingly, after flying 35', she sustained no major or life threatening injuries and is on the mend and will be back out there soon. Blogging a bit on safety is all my mind will allow this week, take care.
P.S. The rumors are true, a new Running Fit will be opening at the end of the week in the Arbor Hills shopping center on Washtenaw at Platt Road across from Whole Foods in Ann Arbor. This weekend will be a "soft" grand opening. More info to come next week as we plan for a full blown grand opening party ... and Run!
2013-08-14 - Every Step Matters
While out on a run I would often find myself thinking of the run as a training run and my thoughts would be directed to an upcoming event, even an event that is months away. Long term goals add to the richness of this running life but I realized I needed to remind myself to not lose sight of the moment.
Over the past year, I’ve made it a point to ask myself what I would notice on my run if I knew this run would be my last. This thought has become a habit, like starting my watch, and I believe it has added a richness to my daily life and especially to my daily run. The sun on my face, the air going over my skin, my breathing, the feel of the earth under foot and how my body reacts and flows are some common thoughts.
I observe every little thing from architecture to landscape. I always notice the look of the sky, and the weather, the elements have become an important part of the experience to be savored no matter what the conditions, days I would have looked at as miserable now add spice and texture to my run. Once I’ve captured the moment, my mind will drift off to another place, but in what seems to be in a better context to where I’m at, right now.
Run in the moment,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who is looking forward to … right now.
2013-08-08 - Savor the Pain
There are two very different schools of thought out there when it comes to pain, there is the "all pain is bad" gang, the sedentary folks, and the "pain is only bad when I don't have control over it" group, the physically active crowd. We know that pain is not the opposite of Joy because we actively pursue joyful activities, like running a race and accepting the pain as part of what it takes to be fulfilled. The opposite of joy is lack of feeling.
We savor the pain from a hard event, we worked hard to get that totally spent, beat up feeling. The pain reminds us that we deserve some downtime, some well earned rest and relaxation. Unnecessary downtime, like anything in life we don't earn, gives us little satisfaction. I'm sure the sedentary folks get bored with laying around while we see the chance to chill as a precious gift, a bit of a reward that refreshes us so that soon we can leap up and go at it again!
Let's get out there and earn it,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who loves to wake up with the soreness that reminds me I'm alive and living life to the max.
P.S. Run Woodstock = Run, chill to the music, walk, chill with some yoga, run, chill ... Dig it! September 6-8. Runwoodstock.com
P.S. Running Fit sells a compression/icing product for post-workout pain called 110%, what an appropriate name!