2014-01-15 - Run, or we'll know
If you miss a day of running, nobody knows, if you miss two days, YOU know, if you miss 3 in a row, everybody knows! The reality is that everyone could care less about our running and they actually don't know ... but in the mind of a runner, it seems like it! That said, I'm sure glad I got out the door today or everyone would know!
We have such a simple sport that requires so little equipment that I get ridiculously excited about any product that actually adds to my running experience. Winter running opens up a few more opportunities to have this happen. One silly little product this year that fit this bill was the Nathan Light Spur, a goofy little $20 LED strobe light that locks on to the heel of your running shoes. It's ridiculously bright and for sure adds to my safety but what I really like is being able to spot my wife when we run in the dark when our pace varies, or when we run with a group, we can always find each other.
Another find are my Brooks Ghost waterproof, Gore-Tex running shoes. I have always found it amazing that we basically run in the same shoes and socks when it's 100 degrees out or 5 below. I struggle with cold feet and these shoes do keep them dry and help tremendously in the winter. Bring on the icy cold puddles! Yikes!
Run, or we'll know!
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... Who admitted that I just took off 2 days in a row, yikes!
2014-01-08 - Run, read, rest
Yikes, mother nature sure knows how to give us a challenge! Getting out there on one subzero day was an adventure but even this obsessed runner blew off going out there two days in a row. My partner Steve came in from his -15 degree run and said it was not bad. His quote, "There is no bad running weather just bad dressing for it." Well put!
I consider December and January as the off season, a time to get out there and stay consistent but nothing hard or long. With the bit of extra time we gain I find it a great time to get in some running reading. I'm currently reading "14 Minutes" by Alberto Salazar, one of America's greatest runners. Not that we can hope to run like Alberto but his insight into the sport can help us on our journey. Local Ann Arbor runner John Farah's gook, "Let's Pick it up a Bit" gives great insight into training to run well but also is an interesting memoir of an interesting man. Books like Jeff Galloway's "Marathon, You Can do it!" will leave you excited about giving the 26.2 mile event a try, lets you know that you really can do this! Then, there is the very dark running novel, "On the lips of Children" by Mark Matthews, for those of us who crave the spooky stuff. All available at Running Fit of course!
Run, rest, read and stay warm,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner that hopes to read myself into shape!
2014-01-01 - Be A Better You
I’ve had some success over the years with New Year’s resolutions. I’m sure we can all think of 50 bad behaviors we’d like to change but I find if you get it down to one or two that seem like they have realistic possibilities for success we have a good shot at tweaking this life for the better. Let’s make a commitment to ourselves and have the courage to start. Yes, we can change.
A big one for me was giving up my daily Pepsi or Coke, I’ve been soft drink free for 9 years. One of this year’s resolutions is to strictly keep my fitness log. I know that when I do log my miles of running, biking and swimming, it gives me tremendous motivation and keeps me honest with myself. My other commitment is to a minimum of two yoga sessions per week, I’m hoping for 3 sessions but I know how hard it is for me to schedule the time for non-aerobic activities. I’m also shooting for not having more than 2 drinks on school nights … but I know this one will be difficult when out with good friends. The trick is to have the courage to start and getting the streak going, the longer the streak, the more it will drive us to success.
I’d love for you to share your one most realistic resolution with me, I’ll post a link to the list in a future midweek, perhaps we can motivate each other to greatness. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject: "resolution". (Please, just a one liner)
Be a better you,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner and a work in progress.
2013-12-25 - Dashing through the snow
Oh, the weather outside is frightful ... but you might as well trick the family out for a walk around the block! Bundle them up and the gang will be laughing all the way! Be the catalyst for fresh air, fit, fun, be subtle at first, then talk the adventure up like it's Shackelton's expediton to the south pole and worth braking away from the PS4!
We live in a winter wonderland, why not start a Christmas day, Pure Michigan tradition that includes going toe to toe and getting slapped around by mother nature ... and when you dash back inside, the fire will be so much more delightful!
Run, run, Rudolf,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who's always thinking of ways to get people to ... Ho, Ho, Go!
2013-12-18 - Run Local
I find some magic in buying Michigan products and the whole, do, shop, eat and give back local trend. Yes, when we help the local economy we do help ourselves but it's much more than that, I find it adds to the quality of life and makes me feel rooted. I love farm to table trend in restaurants letting me know about local ingredients used, it absolutely adds to my dining experience.
That said, when the Running Fit event department team came up with the idea of a run/walk series that would promote and support Michigan products I was excited. When I found out it would center around Michigan craft beers, wines and hard cider I was ecstatic!
Mark your calendars for "The Thirsty 3", the not so serious Michigan run series that starts with the "Hightail to Ale 5K" Friday night from Atwater Brewery in Detroit on May 2nd followed by "Running Between The Vines" Half Marathon and 5K at Sandhill Crane Vineyard August 16th, 20 miles west of Ann Arbor and finishes with "The Scrumpy Skedaddle 5K & 10K", October 5th, from the home of J.K.'s Scrumpy Organic Hard Cider in Flushing, MI. Post-race parties will include pairings of local fun drinks, fun food and great live local entertainment! Registration will open at 2PM, Thursday, December 19. Visit the websites listed above for more information and registration!
Live it up locally,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed local runner who is Pure Michigan Proud! I love this place!
PS: HAPPY HOUR! Does the Thirsty 3 sound like your kind of series? If you enter the entire series at once, SAVE $10 off your registration with the online code HAPPYHOUR. This discount will run from Thursday, December 19th at 2PM until Friday, December 20th at 9PM. Make sure to share with your friends because it's no fun running or drinking alone! Registration will open HERE at 2PM Dec. 19.
2013-12-11 - Jiggle the fat
'Tis the season when the daily run is getting attacked from all sides, endless parties and treats, finding time to shop, bad footing, wind, cold and short dark days. Yikes! This is no time for running heroics that may be doomed to failure, it's time to hunker down and just commit to the basics. Promise yourself to just get out the door for a minimum of days for a minimum of miles, something realistic, just enough to take in some fresh air and jiggle the fat. We can come back in January without too much erosion of our base, ready to ramp up to greatness!
Speaking of short days, this is the time to be safe and be seen. While you're out shopping at Running Fit this weekend, buying your friends and family gifts that will change their lives, check out the sale on reflective vests, jackets, headlamps and strobe lights that will let you own the night!
Run off what you can, we'll burn the rest in January,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, getting in the minimum December miles to keep the wiggle to a jiggle!
PS: What the heck, you need to get in your run and finish your holiday shopping (at Running Fit!) anyway so why not join us for some silly, sweaty fun!
THE FREE FIT 5K! 6:00PM Wednesday Dec. 18, Washtenaw County Farm Park, just across the street from the new Running Fit Arbor Hills. Shirts for the first 100 to RSVP! Expect a not so serious trail run in the dark. Bring head lamps, flashlights and holiday flashy stuff to light the night! Fit 5K mug awards 100% deep in all age groups, finish your year with a win! RSVP HERE!
2013-12-04 - Searching out the new stuff
Short and sweet this week, our buyers are in Austin Texas for a couple of days for the running store convention, where Running Fit was inducted into the Running Retail Hall of Fame! We will be back next week to tell you about the upcoming new products.
The important things to remember: this weekend is our customer appreciation sale with deals up to 50% off everything in the store Friday, Saturday and Sunday, put it on your calendar! Also the holiday hustle 5 K is in Dexter on Saturday afternoon, don't miss this wonderful family event, go to runholiday5K.com.
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, hanging out with lots of runners in Austin this week.
PS. Yoga for runners is back! Join us at Running Fit Northville on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Join us THIS Thursday 12/5 for a FREE promotional class! More Info
PS. Join us at Running Fit Novi in the Novi Town Center on Saturday 12/7 for a Group Run followed by Breakfast presented by Gore-Tex! Routes of 3, 6, and 10 miles will be marked. You will have the option to test wear the Brooks Ghost GTX, Brooks Adrenaline GTX, and Saucony Ride GTX. There will also be Polar heart rate monitors availalbe for demo. Doors open at 7:30am, run starts at 8am. RSVP here; let us know you'll be there.
2013-11-27 - Today you are perfect
"Listen to your body," a common expression that makes some sense. I say jokingly, listen to your body, except when you are in a race! The realty is that when you push to your limits, you and your body become enemies, one fighting to keep the hammer down and one fighting to get you to stop. The trick is to discern what is truly dangerous behavior and what is just the pain of fatigue that you can push through; hence, time to ignore the body.
When the balance of pain and effort get us to the finish line with a new personal record and a great sense of fulfillment it is important to savor the moment, to reflect on all you did to arrive at this point. Think about days you got in the miles when the last thing you wanted to do was get up and run. This run was your best, don't allow negative thoughts to spoil the moment, thoughts like what you could have done better in training, or runs that you missed. Today, you are perfect, the numbers prove this out.
A good effort can brighten our lives and carry us forward for a while. There are times I think back to a great run, reliving the feeling years later and finding I can still take pride and pleasure from them. Life will throw darks days our way, some that will be overwhelming, but by savoring the good days, the memories will be a part of our arsenal of thoughts that can pull us through.
Savor every healthy run,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, who is enjoying a nice stretch of wonderful healthy runs, that I am stashing away in memory.
PS. Make Running Fit an official Black Friday stop! Buy any combination of jacket and pant, and receive the item of lesser value for 50% off! Select shoes 25% off. Happy Thanksgiving!
PS. Join us at Running Fit Novi in the Novi Town Center on Saturday 12/7 for a Group Run followed by Breakfast presented by Gore-Tex! Routes of 3, 6, and 10 miles will be marked. You will have the option to test wear the Brooks Ghost GTX, Brooks Adrenaline GTX, and Saucony Ride GTX. There will also be Polar heart rate monitors availalbe for demo. Doors open at 7:30am, run starts at 8am. RSVP here; let us know you'll be there
PS. Later in the same day (Saturday 12/7,) join us at the Holiday Hustle 5K in Dexter. Run - or Volunteer - and enjoy the December night air, BURN A FEW HOLIDAY CALORIES and give back to others. Get there between 3 & 4pm and visit Santa at the Gazebo in Monument Park; you can ask him for a nice PR for Christmas.
2013-11-20 - Run, because you can
Run, because you can - Novenber 20, 2013
I am a fan of the line: "this is not a dress rehearsal." Every day is precious and what really makes this true is that this very day might be our last. Yes, we may be training for a goal event, saving money for some future purchase or working on some elaborate long term project ... But this stuff all depends on what tomorrow brings. We know that it's important that we take time each day and live in the moment, it takes effort, but the effort is always rewarded.
Our run fits this live in the moment requirement pretty well. That said, no matter how passionate we are about our daily run, it still takes an effort to leave all those projects behind and get ourselves out the door each day. When we finish our run, we realize how important the run was to our lives and we are always happy we ran. So why in the heck don't we have that same feeling and realization as we contemplate getting out for our run? We do get out the door and we do run ... but not often is it easy. This continues to baffle me, but it is what it is.
Get out and run,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... who still needs a reminder of why.
2013-11-13 - You are a Runner!
On Sunday I spent a couple hours shopping at Running Fit. It's a busy life and even though I'm surrounded by the store most days, the time it takes to browse, shop and relax needs to be put on the schedule to get to it. As I listened to the banter on the floor between the customers and staff I heard some wonderful accounts by new runners describing the feelings experienced when they realize that they really, are a runner! A common theme: "I worked up to running a mile and it was no fun and a lot of work, I finally ran 2 miles without walking and collapsed thinking my goal of running a 5K would never happen. I've kept at it and yesterday I actually ran 4 miles! Now running a mile no longer scares me, it's nothing! I am so excited to line up for the 5K and I deserve good shoes!" The moral of the story, if you need inspiration, just hang out in a running store and listen!
Back to shopping ... My Smartwool socks have treated me well but a few holey pairs need to go, I grab 4 new pairs of the same style and color as before, why mess with success. And although I think of myself as being a bit of shoe hound, the reality is that my current stash does not include a pair with under 150 miles on them, I guess it's a good sign ... I grab a pair of Brooks Cascadias for the trails and a pair of my current go to road shoe: the Mizuno Elixir ... that I find has changed names and lost some weight, it's now the Wave Sayonara. Actually, I kind of like when a shoe I like has an update, it makes me feel adventurous and not the creature of habit, that in reality, I may be. Lastly, I grab a 30 split Timex watch ... to replace the 2nd one I've lost this year. I leave the store excited, inspired and ... ready to run ... but first I needed to find my car keys ...
You'll never forget the moment you realize, you are a runner!
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... who remembers my first 2 mile run and the feeling of excitement for the sport, one that continues to grow after all these years.
