2023.11.30 - Off Season Running

The long fall races are over and the last bit of pushing it ends with the Turkey Trots, then I go into what I call the off season. Your off season may fall differently but I believe the body needs a break from the schedule at some point. This break can be planned, or if injury sidelines you, your off season starts then. No, we don’t stop running but we can back off on our intensity, long runs, and total mileage. Off season during the holidays and the first in your face days of winter seems to fit most schedules. It’s a time to get out there for short sweet runs, just to stay consistent and not totally loose our base. Yes, off season does end, and eventually we have to do some hard work to build back up, but the body will be more receptive at that point. Seriously, the obsessed runner gets a bit wimpy for a month or two each year. I do take advantage of breaks in weather to sneak in longer runs, runs where the pace is easy, and my starving obsession is fed a bit. Enjoy a wimpy run today … or tomorrow! Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner whose mantra is, I love long dark windy winter days with poor footing. And I keep up with this mantra until I start to believe it. Ha.

2023.11.22 - Run, fail, run

My friend Jeff trained for years and failed 11 times before finishing a 100 mile trail race. Diana Nyad trained all her life and put together a team and the financial backing 4 times, to attempt a record 100 mile swim from Cuba to Florida, finally making it at age 64. These efforts remind me of the Thomas Edison quote: I have not failed, I’ve just found 1,000 ways it won’t work, or Chumbawamba: I get knocked down But I get up again You're never going to keep me down. There are no givens in this life, and, as runners, we are reminded of this constantly as we fail our way to personal glory, even as we fail! As the cold, blustery, grey days of November try to block our progress, we will keep up the good fight. Bo Schembechler said: Those who stay, will be champions. I say, not always. The truth is, we may fail epically until the end, but our valiant effort, and our difficult and incredible journey is the real story, living life in full color and in your face. I’m proud of you and you should be proud also. Dig it!

Savor the pain, it may be all today’s run leaves us,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed, persistent runner, getting back up again, and again ...