2018-08-15 - Constant forward movement
I attended my first NASCAR race and watched from the pits, it reminded me of the transition area of a triathlon where every second counts ... And is counted. When you get your overall time in triathlon, it gives you, swim time, T1 time, transition one, that is the time it took you to get out of the water and bike out of transition. Then bike time, then T2, the time it takes from when you get off the bike to the time you run out of transition, finally, your run time and overall time. It can be humbling to see how our transition times compare but also motivational, inspiring us to practice transition and to get better. In running, like these other events, every second counts. My mantra in events, especially long events, is to have "constant forward movement." As runners, it can be helpful to practice eating and drinking on the run. Might I suggest opening a sport gel or bar while running during training and most importantly, grabbing a cup of water. It's not uncommon to go through an aid station and having a runner come to a complete stop in front of you to drink a cup of water as you have to dodge around them. I suggest you practice grabbing the cup on the go, crushing the cup closed so there is no air left so you can put it to your lips and suck it down. I know most of us are mid packers and are not on the hunt for the win or even an age group award but our overall time, our personal records, are important to us, every second counts. These are the numbers that get us out the door and motivate us to be better at our sport.
May your forward movement be constant,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who won't be able to go through an aid-station or transition without thinking of the pits at NASCAR.
PS: The 6th episode of the Obsessed Runner Live is in the can! Hopefully these 6 minute clips will help you get your butt out the door! Heck, you can watch all 6 in about 30 minutes. Please share if you enjoy them. Thanks!
2018-08-08 - Don't let the good economy keep you from running!
It's a busy life and there are a million things competing with our time. An interesting statistic - when the economy is good and people have extra cash, they buy new toys like boats, motorcycles, large flat screen TVs, vacation homes, all kinds of stuff that cuts into the precious time we have for our health. Our bodies can easily get put on the back burner as we get distracted by stuff ... Stuff that gets old quickly but even then can continue to get in the way of the daily run. Consider this a heads up, a reminder of how easy it is too lose the things that are precious.
Keep your run, your sanity and your fitness first,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, watching out for my run ... And yours!
Run, then reward yourself,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, chocholic and wine snob... cheers!
PS: WE WANT YOU ON THE UNCORKED CREW! Join us between the vines on Saturday, August 18, 2018 in Jackson, MI at Sandhill Crane Vineyards for a volunteer experience like no other! Volunteers receive a sweet Uncorked Crew shirt, a $30 coupon towards a future RF Event and a ticket to the post race wine pairing party! Give back and be a part of a great event!
PS: Run and raise a glass with us one final time in 2018 at the Scrumpy Skedaddle 5K and 10K! This fall run through the orchards on Sunday, October 7, 2018 at Almar Orchards in Flushing, MI with hard or soft cider, all you can eat pancakes, live music and more is sure to become an annual tradition! Custom shirts to all entrants and sweet bottle opener finisher medals make this a can't miss event.