March 3, 2009 - You are a Running Rock Star!
Yo Run Gang,
This is an excerpt from an email I received last week:
I am a 47 y.o. female fitness buff who likes to take on challenges (esp. as I mature). Last fall I did the Detroit Marathon: interesting experience, but I'm not a long-distance runner, so one is enough. I prefer the woods and running on the earth And Randy, just an aside: from your emails you would classify me a "wuss," but for almost everyone I know I'm obsessed! It's all relative to one's perspective!
Less than 1/10 of one percent of the population can finish a marathon so yes, she is obsessed (Ok to use passionate here if that helps you), she IS a distance runner, and she is not a wuss!
That said, I can relate to her email and Im sure you can too. As a running store owner Im surrounded by athletes that are faster, do harder workouts and run more mileage than I ever have. As silly as it may sound, I still find myself feeling a bit embarrassed when asked what kind of mileage Im running or what kind of time I hope to run in my spring marathon, with my mileage and times sounding wimpy to me. On the other hand I cringe when I hear someone say, Im not really a runner, I only run 3 or 4 miles 3 or 4 times a week knowing that they certainly are runners and that consistently running 10 miles per week or more is a serious commitment to the sport.
Our perception really is our reality, but its a reality we can change by changing our perception, so lets! Please slap me the next time I get embarrassed when talking about my running; Ill do the same for you!
You are a running rock star!
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, no two ways about it
September 29, 2010 - Dress for Success
Yo run gang,
The changing of the seasons adds some excitement to our simple sport. On the warm days, dressing to run is mindless, just wear as little as possible, but when the temp drops, some thought is necessary to enjoy the run. I move to a long sleeve wicking base layer as we go into the 50's, as it dips to the mid 40's to 30's, on come the gloves, hat, tights and perhaps a vest or jacket depending on the wind. For the snow I wear Yak Tracks for traction and start to layer up. The time to prepare is now so the transition to winter will not keep you from getting in your run but will add to your running adventure! The latest high tech fashions are now flowing onto the racks at Running Fit and we are ready to get you suited up for success!
The Bighouse Bigheart 5K and 10K race is Sunday and it looks like a perfect base-layer long sleeve sunny day in the 50's! I'm looking forward to running into the stadium and hope to see you there! Enter at Bighousebigheart.com . Next weekend is the Vasa 5K, 10K and 25K Trail Run in Traverse City, a fall color tour road trip and natural beauty run! Enter at runvasa.com
Shameless Plug: For those not headed north to Vasa: John Farah, a friend, marathon runner and loyal Running Fit customer's son has produced a movie here in Michigan called "Answer this!" Support our local economy and join me on the Red Carpet at Friday Oct. 8th . If you want, meet us at Ann Arbor Downtown Running Fit at 6:30 PM and walk up the street to hangout on the red carpet and meet the producer, writer and stars, Showtime is 7:30pm, you will not be disappointed! The story, shot in Ann Arbor, is about a group of frustrated academics who finally get a shot at beer, women and nerdy redemption when they enter the most important contest of their lives... the First Annual Ann Arbor Trivia Tournament. ANSWER THIS! is an authentic Michigan story about a grad student finally coming of age - when he's 30. Advance tickets available here and www.answerthismovie.com .
Run warm,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner