2015-09-02 - Smile, Laugh, Run

We run to give ourselves the personal time we all need. We run to unplug, reboot and erase some of the built up stress of life, getting it back to a manageable level. We run to nurture ourselves. So, how is it that at times we find ourselves stressing over aspects of our running? Things like our pace, missing a workout on our schedule for a good reason or no good reason, or disappointment at not running a goal time.
 
Perhaps when we find ourselves stressing over the run it might help to remember the reasons we run. The run is what we do for enjoyment and when this is not the case let's try to take our minds back to a time that getting out for a run once a week was a joy, when we were proud of ourselves for running any distance at any pace. The only thing to take seriously about the run is the fun, we can let the rest go!
 
Smile, laugh, run,
 
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who wastes a lot of time reminding myself to enjoy this amazing running life. Gheesh!
 
PS: That said, It's time to get back to the land and set your soul free! The healing weekend of Run Woodstock is just over a week away, dig? Music, yoga, hikes and running... 5k to 100 freakin' miles! Join us at Runwoodstock.com.

2015-08-26 - Come play!

Yesterday, as I dug out my tux to prepare for Friday night's Red Carpet 5K Run and party on Belle Isle, I had to smile thinking how lucky we are to be in a sport that is not just physically and psychologically heathy but is just so dang fun. If you ever wanted to trick a sedentary friend into coming to an event, this is a great one. We expect plenty of walkers. For those of us training for long fall races, this non serious kind of run is a refreshing break from the schedule and will not mess up the weekend long run. Enter at redcarpetrun.com. Online registration is open until Friday at NOON! late entry is also available Friday at the race. Two weeks later, we get to set our souls free at Run Woodstock, dig it! Got to love this running gig.
 
Running = Playtime!
 
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who just loves to put on play clothes and head outside!

PS: We are all in need of the healing powers of Run Woodstock, a weekend escape from reality. Run or walk the trails from 5K to 100 freakin' miles, dig it! Great music, nature and beautiful people. Camp out on the land and let your soul free with walk in camping ... Or just come for a day, the important thing is to take the time to nurture yourself, do this  today, enter at runwoodstock.com.

2015-08-19 - Dog Days

Just when the schedule is calling for more miles the dog days seem to want to put a bite in our motivation. If I made the running rules I would have all miles count double from now until the end of August. That said, we all have the ability to make our own rules when it comes to the stuff we do for fun in life, ha!
 
Head for the shade, head for the trails. Hydrate but also pour a bit of water on your skin, drinking does little to bring down the body temp, external cooling WORKS. Bring ice along and put under your hat, better yet, near your groin, YIKES!
 
Run smart, run cool,
 
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who ran 3 on Monday, 5 yesterday ... so a total of 16 for the week!

PS: I love runs that make us smile, join me on the Red Carpet for a HOT 5K Summer night party in the "D". redcarpetrun.com.

PS: We are all in need of the healing powers of Run Woodstock, a weekend escape from reality. Run or walk the trails from 5K to 100 freakin' miles, dig it! Great music, nature and beautiful people. Camp out on the land and let your soul free with walk in camping ... Or just come for a day, the important thing is to take the time to nurture yourself, do this  today, enter at runwoodstock.com.

2015-08-12 - Sweet spot

It's bad enough that half the time I have to talk myself into the daily run and getting my butt out the door, only to find that my body rejects the idea of a run even more than me. Luckily, after a mile or two of burps, farts, gas pains, dead legs and a racing heart-beat, the body finally grooves into the idea and smooths out like a fine tuned Indy car, vroom! At this point my attitude does a 180 and the magic of the daily run is on. Gheesh, you would think we could skip the drama and get right into the sweet spot, but I guess this will never happen.
 
The run is always worth it,
 
Randy Step: an admitted obsessed runner who often starts downbeat but always finishes rockin'!

PS: I love runs that make us smile, join me on the Red Carpet for 5K Summer night party in the "D". redcarpetrun.com

2015-08-05 - Special days, special runs

It's a busy and amazing life where the days can zoom by and the memories blur together. That said, there are special days and events that are incredibly vivid and stay with us forever... the precious pearls. The running year and many of our daily runs give us constant satisfaction but like all in life, there are running days that are etched into memory for all of time. Each year, the Dances With Dirt Relay in Hell, MI fits this bill for many of us. The energy and carnival atmosphere at the race start and the early exchange points are some of the most amazing moments I've experienced in running ... And this comes from a guy who lives the sport and its' events!

Yes, the Hell relay sells out each year with the same 5 person teams and getting in seems impossible ... BUT! I just was notified by the park that they will allow us another 10 teams this year. If you've ever wanted in here is your chance. Grab 4 friends and click this link to grab a spot!

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who can't wait to get to HELL, MI.

PS: We are all in need of the healing powers of Run Woodstock, a weekend escape from reality. Run or walk the trails from 5K to 100 freakin' miles, dig it! Great music, nature and beautiful people. Camp out on the land and let your soul free with walk in camping ... Or just come for a day, the important thing is to take the time to nurture yourself, do this  today, enter at runwoodstock.com.

2015-07-29 - Success & Happiness

We rely on our bodies to pursue our sport; to the runner, the body and mind are one. I believe this gives us a huge advantage over the sedentary Americans, those who take the body for granted, ignoring diet and health in pursuit of what? Success and happiness? All the intelligence and wealth in the world cannot give us what running has. Take a look at the physical condition of leaders of industry, Washington politicians and corporate ladder climbers, many seem to have sacrificed their bodies to that success. The moral of the story, a degree from Harvard, Yale, UM or State and all the ambition in the world, without the understanding of a decent 10K personal best (Or at least a passion for some sport) won't get them what we've got!

Live, love, learn, earn, run,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who feels running has given me ... everything.

PS: I love runs that make us smile, join me on the Red Carpet for 5K Summer night party in the "D". This discount code, "GLASSOFBUBBLY" will get you 10% off if you enter before August 5! redcarpetrun.com

PS: It's a perfect time to mark  Feb. 13 - 20 on the calendar and join the Dirt Crew for our annual winter run trip to the sun. We have 80 direct flight seats out of Lansing to take us to the "Now Jade" resort in the Mayan Rivera, a safe, fun place to run and sun. All non-running friends and family will love this all inclusive getaway and you'll be back from the morning run before they know you were gone. RSVP now!

2015-07-22 - Midweek Run Mail, Randy Step's Motivational Note

Yo Run Gang, with so much going on at Running Fit, the emails pile up, just a reminder, my Midweek Run Mail comes every Wednesday at 6:30 PM, just sayin', don't delete!

Why is it that after decades of racing, like many of you, I still have a hard time with the taper. It's so hard to grasp the idea that easy days and days off this week will allow me to take advantage of my fitness level this weekend, not take away from it. Dang, of course the weather out there today rocks for running... Go run for you, and for me!

Train, rest, race,

Randy Step, an obsessed runner looking forward to getting my butt kicked Saturday. Perhaps this link will motivate you to greatness! https://vimeo.com/104349402

PS: August fun! Starting August 1st with The Legend 5 Mile and Half Marathon trail run at Sleepy Hollow State Park, a mellow trail just about an hour and a half from the Detroit Metro area. Finish with a splash in the lake and a nap on the beach. It's worth the trip for the Half Marathon medal alone, check it out here!

PS: It's a perfect time to mark  Feb. 13 - 20 on the calendar and join the Dirt Crew for our annual  winter run trip to the sun. We have 80 direct flight seats out of Lansing to take us to the "Now Jade" resort in the Mayan Rivera, a safe, fun place to run and sun. All non-running friends and family will love this all inclusive getaway and you'll be back from the morning run before they know you were gone. RSVP now!

2015-07-15 - Fun stuff to share

Lots of run stuff to share today, as for motivating you out the door, we have a couple glorious days on tap to do that, just get out and run, the only problem you should have is not being able to turn back!

With weekend temps predicted in the 90's, it's a perfect time to mark  Feb. 13 - 20 on the calendar and join the Dirt Crew for our annual winter run trip to the sun. We have 80 direct flight seats out of Lansing to take us to the "Now Jade" resort in the Mayan Riviera, a safe, fun place to run and sun. All non-running friends and family will love this all inclusive getaway and you'll be back from the morning run before they know you were gone. Interested? Throw your name in HERE and we will send you an RSVP link when it is available!

August fun! Starting August 1st with The Legend 5 Mile and Half Marathon trail run at Sleepy Hollow State Park, a mellow trail just about an hour and a half from the Detroit Metro area. Finish with a splash in the lake and a nap on the beach. It's worth the trip for the Half Marathon medal alone, check it out here!

There is still some room to enter the Running Between The Vines Half Marathon on August 15, a classy affair with fun food and wine pairings at the Sandhill Crane Vineyards, just 20 minutes west of Ann Arbor. A challenging, hilly, country dirt road run through a tunnel of trees, a rave run indeed. You will find me at the red wine tent!

Fun, Fun, Fun, it's at the Red Carpet Run! Friday night August 28th. A dress up, nonsense, Champagne party with a 5K. Pack a cooler and join us for a hot night summer party on Belle Isle in the "D". Enter HERE. This is the only time I wear my tux!

We are all in need of the healing powers of Run Woodstock, a weekend escape from reality. Run or walk the trails from 5K to 100 freakin' miles, dig it! Great music, nature and beautiful people. Camp out on the land and let your soul free with walk in camping ... Or just come for a day, the important thing is to take the time to nurture yourself, do this  today, enter at runwoodstock.com

Peace out,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who can't wait to release my inner hippie, dig?

2015-07-08 - Run, sweat, smile

I recently finished a summer trail run where I dealt with heat, humidity, sweat, bugs, dust, long hard climbs, mud, overgrown thorny areas, bad footing, chafe, and fatigue ... But also encountered deer, woodchucks, rabbits a symphony of beautiful bird songs, a stretch of cool, shady, pine needle carpeted trail, wonderfully long, effortless, downhill stretches, several river and lake vistas from the ridges, wildflower meadows and a feeling of total fulfillment as I  splashed into the cool waters of a crystal clear lake for my finish line. As usual, when all that is encountered on the run is added up, the sum total is clearly in the positive column!

May you finish every run in the black,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner that understands that every run gives a guaranteed positive return on investment of our time and hard work, like money in the bank!

PS: BOO! Registration is NOW OPEN for the Run, Scream, Run 5K, 10K and 1 Mile! Enter if you dare and join us October 10, 2015 for a SPOOKTACULAR good time! runscreamrun.com
 
PS: Thinking about joining us at Run Woodstock but want to preview the course? Join us for a Woodstock training run! Two chances to check it out, July 18 and August 29th. More info HERE!

2015-07-01 - Challenge and surprise yourself

The goal of my weekly rant is to get us motivated and out the door, not often talking specifically about my running but of all of the aspects of the sport we share. That said, this is one of those not often times ... In 3 weeks, I'll be running the Speedgoat 50K in Utah, one of the most difficult 31 mile races in the country with over 11,000 ft. of climb. The cool part, my family is also running! My wife Dr. Kathy who is always fit, tough as nails and always humble about it, my son Trevor who has been getting in long, steep, high altitude runs, in conjunction with Running Fit business meetings in Colorado with the "Running Specialty Group", and my daughter Anna, who just cruised through the Dances With Dirt, Gnaw Bone 50K and got in her last long training run at the Charlevoix Marathon last weekend. The truth is, I'll be behind my family if I finish at all due to a shin injury earlier this year but will be thrilled to just start, heck, I have 3 other horses in the race to cheer on!

Test your limits and amaze yourself,

Randy Step, a runner who is blessed, and yes, obsessed.

PS: Join us for a spontaneous trip to the breathtaking bluffs of Devil's Lake, Wisconsin for Dances With Dirt on July 11th! 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, 50K and 50 Mile distances available! Don't want to get (as much) dirt in your shorts, you can always join us on the DIRT CREW! We love our volunteers. Check out all the info HERE!