Obsessed Runner Blog
2012-11-07 - Ah, Youth.
Randy gets a week off as his partner Steve shares some running thoughts...
As most parents I have been to my fair share of band concerts, science fairs, and athletic events over the years. Available to congratulate or console as needed. It is part of the parenting package, one of the rewarding parts.But this fall I have discovered a more selfish agenda in being a "cross country dad". While I have certainly enjoyed witnessing my son race and compete for his high school cross country team, I have also found this experience to be immensely inspirational. From the warm-up jogs around the course to dry heaves in the chute I am inspired. I am not talking about reliving any glory days like a Springsteen song or being born again. More and more I just had a desire to feel what they were feeling. So I took an inventory of my own dedication and appreciation of this sport of running. I really didn't change the quantity or quality all that much, just dialed it up a notch and got a new vantage point. I like to think my running is now like my TV, in HD. I became more consistent, more connected, more inspired.
And as I got more self indulged in my training, this carried over to other areas of my life. Suddenly I was not just inspired to go for a run, but to go chase a dream, to take a risk, to feel desire, to get out of my comfort zone. I was inspired to look at how I could be a better husband, neighbor, co-worker. All this from witnessing a bunch of teenagers laying it all on the line, totally exposed, grinding out five kilometers. Selfish me. Thanks kids.
--Steve Angerman, a lifelong passionate runner.
PS: Help inspire the youth of America to this running life and perhaps find some inspiration yourself. Check these out: Martian Kid's Marathon Girls on the Run
February 11, 2009 - I got new running shoes today!
Yo Run Gang,
Ahhhh, running in shorts! Yesterday gave me a bad case of spring fever, somehow I better get back in the winter mind set before Michigan slaps me silly Is it really only February?
I got new running shoes today! You may be thinking, big deal; the guy owns a running store for gosh sakes. True, but I always put in 300 miles in the shoes I run in before I ditch them, so as I close in on the magic 300 number I start getting excited and into shoe shopping mode. A simple pleasure in our simple sport and new shoes always help get me out the door. Hmmm I guess that means you should buy new shoes when the weather gets bad!
I just came across my misplaced DVD movie Without Limits (On the life of Steve Prefontane), my favorite running movie of all times. Now, I get to plan a winter movie night, curl up in a blanket and enjoy, another of those simple pleasures! If you have not seen it, or have not seen it in a while, get out and rent it (Find it) this weekend! A Warner Brothers film.
I just heard the weather, wind gust up to 50 mph how can I put a positive spin on that I think Ill head downwind and for a PR!
Run like the wind,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, about to get my new shoes wet and dirty, yeah!
2012-07-04 - Careful out there; there's more than the heat
Yo run gang,
There are risks and benefits that come with the adventure of our active lifestyles, we experience euphoric highs when we reach our goals due to our commitment and the lowest of lows when our hard work fails us, feelings those living in a couch potato haze will never know ... We wouldn't want it any other way. Adventure, from the Latin "adventura", when the outcome is uncertain, is the at the root of our passion and keeps the fire lit.
We take risks when we head out to train, some we can control by being aware of the world around us and others that we can't. Wearing reflective clothing, running against traffic, not wearing headphones, heading to a traffic free shaded trail or park can reduces the risks but are not always options to get the run done. For us multisport athletes the risks increase on the bike and swimming in open water, again we control what we can but we can't control others. The cold, hard reality of the risks hit last week when we lost a good friend and supporter of all we do at Running Fit. Mary Burrows of Dexter was struck by a car and killed on a training ride. We will miss you Mary.
As you head out to train ... Please be careful out there,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who hopes Mary's death will remind us all to run as smart as we can.
PS: If you love Running Fit, please let the world know by going to this link! http://running.competitor.com/50-best-running-stores. Thank you!