RandyStep.com - Obsessed Runner

2018-06-06 - You are not a running god

randy bridges

When we are upping our weekly mileage, which happens a lot this time of year, it's hard to not get excited to move the fitness level up a notch, doing too much, too soon. We are flirting with the edge whenever we move up the miles from a base amount our body has adapted to. So, when you are feeling like a running god and your body seems to be able to handle all you are throwing at it. It's time to take the day off or put in an easy run, dang.

A day off can save you a month off,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who hates being mortal.

PS - Join me for the Obsessed Runner Live podcast, or at least watch them sometime! The next episode will be live next Tuesday, June 12 at 3PM. One of my favorite topics: "keeping a diverse fitness portfolio." It's only my 3rd episode... and I promise to get better at it! Check out 1 & 2 here!

PS - Give back to the running community! We have some amazing upcoming volunteer opportunities. Throw on a pair of shades and join us at the Liberty Festival 5K and 10K on June 16th, get your ROAR ready and hop on the volunteerasaurus crew for the T-Rex Tri Series all summer long, or become a member of the BREW CREW at the Oberun 5K on July 20th!

2018-05-31 - Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

randy bridges 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world's population.) In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%. One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a U-Washington study. Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy, short-term memory, trouble with basic math and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45% and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Yes, you can drink too much water so throw in some juices or something with electrolytes to keep your ticker balanced.

Drink, run, repeat...

Randy Step, and admitted obsessed runner who is getting a lot of use out of hydration carriers this past week.

P.S. - Once you're properly hydrated you'll want to celebrate with a BEER! Join us Friday night, July 20, 2018 in Ypsilanti, MI for the OBERUN 5K, a fun 5K run/walk celebrating a summer fave at the finish - Bell's Oberon! This midsummer night beer lover's dream is over 78% full... don't miss out,register now!

P.S. - WHAT'S THIS?! THE OBERUN HAS ADDED A SECOND EVENT? Join us for the Inaugural Oberun 5K INDIANAPOLIS on August 4, 2018 in Indianapolis, IN. Welcome to the family, Oberun 5K Indianapolis! REGISTER NOW!

2018-05-23 - The run will always take you back

swamp run Baby Goat jumping in here today to get your butt out the door!

There will ALWAYS be an excuse to not get out the door. For me, the last few months brought strep throat, a couple minor injuries, and long weeks at work. My training suffered, and after a few weeks of 'slump'... the excuse turned to FEAR! I was afraid when I finally put the shoes back on and got out there the run wouldn't take me back. I eventually sucked it up, laced up, grabbed some girlfriends and got out there. Not only did the run take me back, but it gifted me with a rave run. They haven't all been that great, but I'm back out the door and the fear is gone!

Don't be afraid that the run wont be there for you,

Anna Przybylski, and admittedly not quite as obsessed runner, glad to have my daily run back.

P.S. - A great way to get the daily run in is by adding some FUN! Join us Friday night, July 20, 2018 in Ypsilanti, MI for the OBERUN 5K, a fun 5K run/walk celebrating a summer fave at the finish - Bell's Oberon! This midsummer night beer lover's dream is over 75% full... don't miss out, register now!

PS: Sip, sip, HOORAY! Running Between the Vines is just around the corner. We can't wait for this gorgeous vineyard run and post race wine tasting bash! Join us August 18th, 2018 in Jackson, MI for 5K, 5 Miles or a Half Marathon! Want to run the 5K AND 5 Mile? The Cellar Slam is for you. See you in Jackson, CHEERS!

2018-05-18 - Streaking can help get your butt out the door

randy bridges Not necessarily your bare butt, because I'm talking about streaks of consistency. Examples would be, not running less than 15 miles per week, not running less than three days in a week or not missing more than three days in a row. These are just examples, the number of days miles etc., needs to be numbers that relate to you specifically, numbers that will motivate you. Once you've gone 10 weeks in a row without missing at least three days of running it becomes strong motivation for you to get out that third day when it comes to the end of the week. The same holds for any other streak you have going and are aware of. Read over your running log, and see what kind of streak you might have going already that you are not aware of. If you fail on your streak, whatever the number, is is a personal record. Time to start a new streak and beat it!

It's time to make streaking popular again,

Randy Step, and admitted obsessed runner, and a streaker from way back!

2018-05-10 - No longer running

randy bridges This midweek email goes out to 97,000 people each week and around 15,000 open it (Thanks for not spamming me out). I always look at the comments on the opt outs. The number one reason, "I get too many emails." Once in a while I get one that breaks my heart, "I no longer run." What makes it worse is that I can't even respond, dang. I worry about the reasons, could it be that the emails make them feel guilty or lazy? Did they suffer an injury that will keep them from ever running again? This is a complicated world with real life and death situations that can force running to take a back seat. That said, the run is always there to come back to, it is a patient sport that will wait until the day we return. These weekly emails will also be there, perhaps to help kick start the long lost run ... As long as you don't opt out!

Enjoy every running day possible,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner was blessed today by a rave morning run and that I know there is no guarantees about what tomorrow might bring.

P.S. - Check out the Obsessed Runner Live! We'll be coming at you LIVE weekly to answer questions and get your butt out the door.

2018-05-02 - What's today's excuse?

randy oberun After the brutality of an endless winter we hardly need a motivational push out the door to get in the run. The reality is that we will quickly forget the cold and start blaming the heat, our busy lives or whatever excuse we need to knock back the priority of our daily run. Our health is everything and the run is a big part of it, not just the run itself but the healthy changes in lifestyle we make due to our commitment. We all know how easy it is to lose focus when we are not facing a health crisis, then, one day, we wake to see a person in the mirror we never thought we'd be, or worse, wake up to one of the many diseases caused by poor choices. Yikes!

Hang tough and get your butt out the door,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner with as many excuses as can be imagined, continually digging myself back to the surface to fight the good fight.

P.S. - Join us for a road trip south to Nashville, IN to get back to our roots for DANCES WITH DIRT. Hit the trails for 10K, 13.1M, 26.2M, 50K, 50 Miles or grab some friends and create a 5 person 100K relay team. DWD Gnaw Bone is on a NEW WEEKEND for 2018- See you May 19, 2018. Expect a day that will leave you knowing you are alive, awake and living life in full color!

2018-04-25 - Time, distance, speed and ego

randy freep Time distance and speed are the essence of our sport but they can also be a distraction, especially if we worry about how we look on Strava or other social running applications. I had a glorious run today on some very gnarly trails with wicked hills and breathtaking vistas. A 5.3 mile run through ruts and roots at a pace perhaps 2 and a half minutes per mile slower than if I ran down a road. A soul cleansing, totally fulfilling rave run... That looks lacking on the Garmin from a time, distance and speed aspect.

Don't let ego get in the way from a butt kicking run,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, who kissed up to my ego by using, 700' of climb in 5 miles in the Strava subject line, ha!

P.S. - WINE, VINES and (fingers crossed!) SUNSHINE! Do I have your attention?
Join us as we hit the rolling back roads in Jackson, MI on August 18, 2018 for Running Between the Vines. This high class 5K, 5 Mile and Half Marathon will take you to a finish in the vineyards that includes music, cheese and chocolate paired perfectly with... WINE!

P.S. - Catch our new weekly podcast, Obsessed Runner Live! We'll be coming at you live once a week to answer questions and get your butt out the door. Check out our quick intro video and watch for more LIVE excitement coming soon.

2018-04-08 - Proud to be an American Runner

randy boston I stand in awe of all of you Martian and Boston finishers who thumbed their noses at the miserable conditions and prevailed! I am humbled by the amazing volunteers who suffered greatly for hours on end to make these achievements possible. Seeing American Desi Linden win Boston brought a tear to my eye. After taking 2nd or 3rd at so many major marathons, Des's never give up attitude was finally rewarded. Des now calls Michigan home and yes, trains in this crap, just like us! Another ray of sunshine was having the American women taking 7 of the top 10 places at Boston and the American men with 6 of the top 10. My faith in America is restored!

When you awake to that dusting of snow tomorrow, think of Des, get out that door and get it done! (Even if you used that trick already)

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who was shocked to see the sun today. Of course it came out after my run.... Dang. Hang tough, our reward will come and will be all the more sweet!

2018-04-11 - Rain makes us powerful

randy freep Not all days are created equal. Often, days slip by and are forgotten. Then, there are those pearls, days etched into our memory for us to savor for a lifetime. Event days can often fit this bill, perhaps adding to our meaning of life. For those of you running the Martian Invasion of Races this weekend, or Boston on Monday, based on the weather forecast, it won't be a boring day that is soon forgotten. Crossing a finish line in adverse conditions can be powerful and at the very least memorable! When we race, we plan, we train, we make goals. On race day we live life in full color: we find out who we are and who we might be. These are days of self-discovery, valuable days indeed.

Savor every minute, especially when the clock is running,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who will be there to cheer you on at Martian and to be motivated by your heroic fight. Live it up!

P.S. - BEER! Do I have your attention? Join us on Friday night, May 11, 2018 in Detroit, MI for the Hightail to Ale 5K, a keg party with a 5K warmup! What better way to celebrate being a running warrior all winter than with a PARTY... and BEER!

P.S. - WINE! Are you sensing a theme here? Join us as we hit the rolling back roads in Jackson, MI on August 18, 2018 for Running Between the Vines. This high class 5K, 5 Mile and Half Marathon will take you to a finish in the vineyards that includes, music, cheese and chocolate paired perfectly with... WINE!

2018-04-04 - Running is an extreme sport

randy freep Yesterday, as I headed onto the trails in a freezing drizzle, after making a decision to run hard and short to stay warm rather than the longer miles I planned on getting in, I was again struck by how hard our sport really is. We are not the proverbial average Americans, we are tough as nails dedicated athletes. Sure, we do it at different levels of discipline, but even getting out 3 days a week for a few miles is hard work. Running is as extreme as sports gets. We continue to fight the good fight because we know that at the end of every run, we are glad we did it and it is always worth it. Our extreme sport gives us back far more than we put into it, every time. Our run not only improves our mental and physical health, but prepares us to take on the adversities of a complicated world. Bring it on!

Run into this crap head on,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who is proud of all of you!