Yo run gang,

Ego can sure get us into trouble in this running world, especially when a pain comes up during a race or training run with friends, it takes great humility to just stop, walk home and get out the ice. Running into increasing pain is always a mistake, surely making the recovery and our time away from running longer ... but that darn ego ... Run smart and remember, I'm proud of you for your DNF (Did nothing foolish!)

That said, I have been dealing with a calf strain for a while and have taken time off from the run, I've gotten in lots of biking and some swimming. Last Sunday, I entered an Olympic distance triathlon in Triathlon in Traverse City, knowing that my calf might not be ready to run. After a good swim (for me) and a decent bike split, I headed out on the 10K run, my sport, the fun part, where I get to pass lots of great biker/swimmer types. NOT. The calf was bad from step one so did I the smart thing, the hardest thing ... I walked it in. It was humbling to cheer on each passing athlete but all in all, it was a wonderful day and memorable event.

Run smart, run forever,

--Randy Step, an obsessed runner on the mend.

P.S. May I suggest the perfect fall race schedule? Join for a healing, rocking running weekend, September 7, 8, at Run Woodstock (runwoodstock.com) I'll be walking a few events ... dang. On October 6th we'll run in costume though the haunted grounds of Wiard's Orchard, home of Michigan's number one haunted theme park! Fun stuff! Enter at runscreamrun.com. October 14th consider a fall color Pure Michigan road trip to the 1st ever, Lighthouse Half Marathon in Traverse City ... it gets no better! Enter at lighthousehalf.com