Obsessed Runner Blog
January 19, 2011 - Do the Work
The recent Movie covering the 12 person, 198 mile Hood to Coast Relay, followed a team of non-runners who entered the event with almost no training. Each person ran (covered) about 18 miles by running (walking) 3 legs of about 6 miles each. They finished the event amazed and fulfilled by their accomplishment.
Ive often said you can put in the miles and do all the work before race day so that you can enjoy and savor the event, or you can enter the event under-trained and do all the work during the event. Both methods will give you a sense of satisfaction and personal fulfillment. (With the first, a much slower finish time than you were capable of and a miserable recovery period.)
The message here is that attempting something way out of your comfort zone and perhaps seemingly impossible, is often worth the risk. As the late running philosopher Dr. George Sheehan said, in a distance event we get down to bedrock, we find strength and courage we never knew we had, we give witness to a person we have never been before. In the race, we discover and form the self, perhaps our most important function, it is an adventure in self discovery! Whatever you are considering, take the leap, just do it!
Live the adventure,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who realizes my perceived limits are most likely too conservative, yikes!
PS: Thinking Triathlon? Winter, the perfect time to visit the 80 degree water or Running Fits Endless Pools and grab a lesson or just come swim in these amazing pools! Our Coach, Multiple Big Ten Swimming Champion, Olympic Trials Finalist (7th), NCAA Finalist, All-American, bla, bla, OK, we get it, she is the real deal! But the fact is, we dont care that she can swim fast, were excited to have her on the team because we know her true gift is her ability to make us swim fast! In 30 minutes, Christi can analyze your stroke and give you tips that will instantly make you a better swimmer at whatever level you are at now! http://www.ChristiSwims.com/about.html Dont miss weekly Triathlon updates at rfmultisport.com
PS: Self Defense class has 1 more class! Running Fit: 5700 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor
Class date: 6:30 PM January 26th (Limit 15 people per class) $69
Online registration, click here . More info: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
2013-01-30 - Sanity Maintenance
January 30, 2013
Winter is a time to make sure we just get out the door consistantly, the runs don't have to be hard or long, just basic maintenance for the body and our sanity. Any winter racing should be fun, social events.
Winter races are an opportunity to see that we are not the only one out there putting in the winter miles. SuperBowl Sunday is the perfect day for such nonsense. Join me at the Super 5K this Sunday, February 3rd in Novi. A run that gives you a finisher's pint glass to show you've earned your spot on the couch during the big game! Runsuperbowl.com
Winter is a time to learn a bit about our sport, write a training plan for ourselves and set some goals. Is this your year to set your goal to do a half marathon, marathon or triathlon? Daunting goals, but not when you have a plan in place and set yourself up for success. For some winter run reading, I've written a training plan that will get you there, the information is aimed at the marathon and half marathon but even if you are building up for your first 5 or 10K, the basics are similar. Training
I joke that I am an obsessed runner and closet triathlete. Yes, my passion is the run, it's simplicity and get down to bedrock basics fulfill me like nothing else. The triathlon is a fun and challenging cross training diversion for me. Triathlon training helps my overall fitness level and makes me appreciate running all the more. Not to mention, there are tons of cool toys and fashion forward apparel in the triathlon world! If you have not already given Tri a try, perhaps this is the year to dive in. Running Fit has a few triathlon related clinics and classes coming up, the first is half-day clinic on February 23, an intense and fun hands on day of learning. April 7th is our Triathlon expo and season kick off at Ann Arbor West, no charge but limited to the first 200 that RSVP. Check out the training tabs at runningfit.com for more coaching, training and events.
Run, study, plan, run,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... that digs triathlon brands like Zoot, 2XU and Blue Seventy!
P.S. Sale, Sale, Sale this weekend! Winter is not over but the big price tags on winter run gear are! All stores 20-50% off all winter apparel. 30% Off winter hats and gloves. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Watch your inbox for more details.
April 21, 2010 - Boston Survivor!
Yo run gang,
Its been many years since I last ran the Boston Marathon and I swore Id never go back. From what I remember it was a race put on by an unresponsive old boys kind of club and had a crowded disorganized start at noon on a rainy cold Monday. I ran my worst marathon time ever thinking back, Im sure my poor time and the rain contributed heavily to my bad memories. Last year, my son ran a Boston qualifying marathon time and this past Monday, my wife, my son and myself ran the Boston Marathon. Kathy and Trevor ran stellar marathons and the event organization was incredible. I was dreading a start with 26,000,000 people on a road that I remembered was crowded with 4,000. What I experienced was great fast start and a fun and exciting flawless event that ranks at the top of my race experiences and I ran poorly! The moral of the story, old dogs can learn new tricks and every race deserves a second chance. I encourage everyone to put running Boston on the bucket list. The people of Boston are incredible, they love the marathon and love the runners and add much to this must do event!
We all love the solitude of the daily run and the mental and psychological benefits, but toeing the line in a spring race gives our training additional purpose and meaning. Here are few fun upcoming races to consider, great choices to P.R., or to race for your first time ever at the distance.
Saturday May 1st in Novi - Live Like Andi - 10 Mile, 10K, 5K and Fashion Walk! Enter at www.livelikeandi.org/run-2010.html Saturday May 15th - Heart and Sole 5K, 10K and 2 mile Walk or Run in Chelsea, enter at www.chelseaheartandsole.org
For a trail run consider: Saturday June 12th Flirt With Dirt 5K and 10K, gnarly single track trails in Novi. Enter quick at runflirt.com, this race fills early
To really beat yourself to a pulp, and to get in a fun road trip, check out Danceswithdirt.com, May 15th in Gnaw Bone, Indiana or July 10th at Devils lake, Wisconsin. Run, run, race, Randy Step an obsessed runner who just might run Boston again next year!