Obsessed Runner Blog
2012-10-31 - Every moment
Yo run gang,
This is my attempt to explain what I am learning and observing from my friend Amy's road to recovery after she was struck by a truck while out training. Grief sucks ... and worse yet, slows our path to acceptance and the reality that only learning, then moving and looking forward, matter.
All setbacks vary in severity and the road back to the front of the pack can be a long one but it's what we do, what we've trained to do and what makes this competitive life precious, perhaps it's the essence of our life. The goal is always clear, to get back to the starting line, and share what we've learned to help others get to get to the starting line. Every moment of this life is precious ... even the moment we are struck by a truck that breaks half the bones in our body and puts us in a coma.
Live, love, learn and run again,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, running with a smile and a drying tear.
P.S. Amy has survived several reconstructive surgeries, is healing well and is out of the life threatening aspects of the crash. Amy's brain trauma was severe but she makes progress forward every day and continues to impress the crew working with her in the rehabilitation unit. It may take months or years but I know that Amy will be back on the run again.
2012-08-08 - Proud
Yo run gang,
Why do we take our bodies to the limit, to the point that we insult our senses, even to a state of panic? I bet just asking ourselves these questions is cathartic, I'm sure that as we contemplate why, a plethora of responses shakes loose and start to flow ... Passion! Obsession! Nirvana! The chance to feel complete, living life in full color and on the crumbling edge ... Knowing that even a crash won't shake the fulfillment of the moment that we have created for ourselves. Amen.
I ran into my American hero last week, Bob Ranta, pounding out the miles at Island Lake Recreation Area, 80 years young, a great dad, husband, Ironman triathlete and for as long as I've known him, a sober alcoholic, a man who traded up in the obsession game! Bob worked into his 70's so he could afford the toys of his trade, running shoes, fast bikes, wetsuits and race entry fees. God blessed you Bob!
Go USA!
Randy Step, an unashamed, obsessed, American runner, proud to the point of tears of every athlete in London!
PS: Run Woodstock is just a month away, please don't miss this chance to trip to a bygone age of peace, love, music and sweat! Enjoy classic rock, running and healing. Walk, run, rock ... rest! At Run Woodstock you can find whatever your body and mind needs, commit now at runwoodstock.com. Be it your first 5k, or for you fall marathon maniacs looking for the perfect long mileage weekend, Run Woodstock is the answer. Peace out.
April 13, 2011 - Log it!
Yo run gang,
Perhaps the most motivational tool in the, "get your butt out the door arsenal" is keeping a running log with daily, weekly and monthly mileage totals. For those of you who keep a log, you know how motivating the weekly mileage total can be. Also keep track of your streaks and personal records or "P.R.'s", in runner's lingo. Examples of P.R.'s would be: the fastest time you ran around the 2 mile loop from your house or in a 5K race, the most days you ran in a row (a streak), the most miles you ran in a week, month or year or the longest run you ever ran. Imagine that one day as you read over your log you realize that it has been 10 weeks since you ran less than 3 days in a week, or less than 8 miles in a week. Imagine that it is a rainy Sunday and you have only run 2 times this week for a total of 6 miles. It's late, cold and you are considering blowing the day off ... but the log will haunt you, knowing you only need 2 miles to keep your streaks alive! You will run the two miles and record the new P.R., 11 weeks of your streaks! Without the log, would you have ran?
Run it and write it down!
Randy Step, the obsessed runner, with a pile of log books to prove it!
PS: For Women Only 5K, 29th Running!
Sunday, May 15th at 10:30 AM, on the grounds of St. Joesph Health Center in Ypsilanti at 10:30 AM. This race has a tradition of celebration of women in sport, with a fast two loop course, great for spectators or PR's. We will be featuring beautiful New Balance Tech Shirts and cool champagne glass age group awards. The race will benefit Susan G. Komen Foundation and Girls on the Run, two charities committed to bettering the lives of women in our community. You can also enter as team with mother/daughter, sister/sister and grandmother/granddaughter teams. Walkers are welcome on any team, and you can combine walkers and runners on one team.
More online at http://www.aatrackclub.org/2011-05-15/for-women-only-5k/10/ or email rThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions or would like a paper entry form.
Men! Email Rachel to volunteer!
PS: Live Like Andi 10M, 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk, 4th Annual!
The 4th Annual Live Like Andi Run/Walk is just around the corner. Come on out and run a 10 miler, 10K or 5K or come on out and walk the 5K. It's all for a great cause. All of the proceeds (100%) goes to adenoid cystic carcinoma research, patients and their families. This worthwhile and fun event is May 14th at Catholic Central HS in Novi. Go to www.livelikeandi.orgfor more info.