2011-07-20 - "Like what?" you ask?
Often, the most exciting things we can do in this life come with a bit of risk and danger ... like going for a run on a 95 degree day with high humidity! Run smart, run short, run hydrated but don't miss the chance to experience the exhilarating feeling of accomplishment you'll get from just getting out the door. Bring it on!
If you have never been to the Running Fit World Headquarters at 5700 Jackson Rd. in Ann Arbor, it's time you came to visit and be sure to ask one of us to show you around, we love to show off all that is going on. Like what you ask?
HQ has a great retail running shop, our flag ship store, with quality running products and services you expect from Running Fit. The staff at HQ includes our footwear and apparel buyers, accounting, I.T. and inventory control staff (All passionate runners!). HQ also houses our creative event staff (passionate runners too!) that produces 23 events including 3 triathlons, the Martian Invasion of Races, the 4 state extreme trail series Dances With Dirt, Run Woodstock... It's a three ring circus atmosphere with a warehouse full of race equipment that would rival any parade company! Across the hall from events, you might be lucky enough to run into Christi the Swimmer working with clients in our pool studio, equipped with 2 state of the art Endless Pool trainers, you've got to see them in action, better yet, book some pool time with coach Christi!
Big HQ news to share! On June 28, Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists opened the doors to their new clinic inside the Running Fit World Headquarters! This physical therapy clinic includes the specialized services of "The Running Institute" to provide both rehabilitation and performance enhancement to runners. Besides physical therapy, services include video running analysis and coaching for running form or improved performance. The team includes Pete Kitto, PT - a physical therapist who has worked the USA Olympic Trials and World Championships, Ron Warhurst - the former University of Michigan Track coach who has trained Olympic medalists and the last American man and woman to win the Boston Marathon and Earl Wenk, ATC, CSCS - an athletic trainer and conditioning specialist to Olympic and NCAA athletes.
Just last week I ran into 2 Olympians in the hallway at HQ, Canada's Kevin Sullivan and New Zealand's Nick Willis, a silver medalist in the 1500 looking for gold in London in 2012. Like I said, you have to visit Running Fit HQ!
More amazing stuff, The Running Institute has one of the only publicly-accessible Alter-G Treadmills in Michigan. You have seen elite marathoners on it in Runner's World, now you have the opportunity to see what it is like to run at 50% of your body weight. Imagine being able to run pain-free as you rehabilitate an injury? Keeping you on-target for your fall marathon or half-marathon. Check out all they offer at runinstitute.com .
Sorry, I'm long winded today but there is so much to share throughout the company ...
Like our amazing Art Fair sidewalk sale this Wednesday through Saturday at Running Fit downtown Ann Arbor on the corner of 4th and Liberty.
Enjoy this busy running life,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who invites you to live the dream, we can rest when they throw the dirt on.
PS: The Legend!
On Saturday August 6th, join me us on the shaded trails at the Legend 5 mile, 10 mile and Half Marathon. (RunLegend.com )
PS: More trail!
The 5 Mile Road Runner Classic at Maybury State Park this weekend, July 23, offering a bit of on and off pavement running. (http://www.active.com/running/northville-mi/northville-road-runner-classic-2011)
PS: Come One Come All to see the Brooks Run Happy Cavalcade of Curiosities!
Brooks is bringing a double decker bus full of curiosities, prizes, give-a-ways and sales to the Northville Running Fit on July 24th from 1 - 5 pm. Sign up for a free 15 minute gait analysis by calling the store at 248-380-3338! Get great deals on Brooks clothing and shoes! Have a chance to win some awesome Brooks prizes! Eat free popcorn! Play fun games and see the Brooks show!
Preview the Cavalcade by coming to Northville Running Fit group run on July 21st at 6:30 pm and take the Ghost 4 test drive! Get a inside view of the upcoming sales!
More Info, click here!
PS: Volunteers Needed: The Legend! - Saturday August 6
Sleepy Hollow State Park, Lansing, MI
We need volunteers to staff the aid stations and the finish line during the race.
Click here for more information on the Running Fit volunteer program and the online registration link for The Legend or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
On top of all the "thanks" and "you rock" you will get throughout the day, you also get an awesome volunteer shirt, a $30 coupon toward any Running Fit event ( includes race shirt) and a great feeling for giving back to your sport!
2011-07-13 - Did I mention: You Rock?
Yo run gang
Knowing that less than 1% of the population can run 2 miles is a darn good reason to feel good about your level of fitness. You rock! Unfortunately, most of us compare our running to the to the top 1%, the elite runners, instead of the slackers, diminishing our amazing personal achievements. Did I mention: you rock!
That said, I invite you to join me in the Righteous Woodstock Weekend Challenge on the weekend after Labor Day. My dream is to have the entire running community come together for a weekend that celebrates peace, music and RUNNING! The challenge is to set your soul and inner hippie free with a festival of music and running! On Friday, we'll run an evening 5K, with headlamps on! A 5 mile race on Saturday morning (Or longer if you like), a 5K evening run and a 5 mile run to finish the weekend up on Sunday morning. You'll get a cool hippy trinket award just for doing it all but even if you can't swing the entire weekend, join us for any of the runs. We'll throw in some optional yoga and a hippie hike to Hell to round out the days.
Invite your non-running family and friends, they won't even miss you as you head off for the runs as they lay back and enjoy the classic rock. Camp, commute, hotel it or whatever but ... Be there man! Commit now at runwoodstock.com and save a few bucks over late registration.
Peace Out,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner and a dreamer like you, but we're not the only ones, maybe someday they'll all join us, and the world will run as one ...
PS: Put Sunday July 24th on your calendar!
The Brooks Run Happy Cavalcade of Curiosities Tour Comes to Northville Running Fit - 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
More Info
2011-07-06 - Our Daily Run
Some days are diamonds, some days are stone. (We miss you John Denver.)
As I've said many times, enjoy every healthy running day. The reason for this of course is that we are not as bullet proof as we'd like to be and that we are only as strong as the weakest link. What seems like the stupidest little issue, be it a pain, head cold, stomach issue or whatever, can derail our carefully designed training plan and crush the dream of an upcoming race ... Or the most valuable thing of all, our daily run. Dang!
Run smart and smile,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who takes nothing for granted.
2011-06-29 - Fast Road, Tough Trails, What could be better?
At some point in our adult lives we realize we can't do everything, dang. The world is too vast to visit every city, to climb every mountain ... And to run every race. Once we come to grips with this we become more selective, not wanting to waste a race experience on a poorly put on event or one that is not our style.
For me bigger is not always better, last year I ran the San Antonio Rock and Roll event and found that yes, 25,000 people can be wrong, a sterile expo, a city course with lots of bad pavement, too many turns and the list goes on. That said, much of it is personal preference. I believe a road course should be fast and accurate, offering a chance for a personal record, OK, some hills, turns and chuck holes but mostly good fast roads, leave "tough" to the trail races where personal achievement has little to do with time and more to do with adventure and accomplishment.
Based on the number of participants, I guess the Muddy, Warrior, Buddy, obstacle course kind of events that are popping up are fun for someone ... but there is too little running for my likes. Most of the web sites for this type of event pride themselves in only having a mile or so of real running, a lot more crawling and climbing. Even with similar stupid spots in Dances With Dirt, the event is still 90% great trail running. But again, it's personal preference.
Here comes that shameless plug you should now be expecting ... Check out the Running Fit event calendar, our goal is to create a fun, well managed, well balanced year of running events, from old school 5K's on the road to weekend long running festivals. Yep, we've done the work for you!
Love this running life and live it up,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who loves events that make runners sweat, work ... and smile
2011-06-22 - Time to Train!
Thinking fall marathon or half marathon? If you seriously want this to happen, this is the week to commit! (My Marathon Justification speech might help!)
We are 15 to 17 weeks out from most of the fall races. If your current long run is at least 6 miles, the marathon is within reach, you can all be ready for a fall half. The best way to stay motivated is to enter NOW, then tell everyone that you are doing it, Yikes!
Check out the Training Guide and Half & Marathon Training Schedules. (On the schedule, just count the weeks back from your target event and jump on.)
Hot tip, sign up with Running Fit's 501 Marathon and Half Marathon Training Group and increase your chances of marathon success dramatically!
Note: The training manual refers to the full marathon but it all applies to the half too.
Note: We are 11 weeks out from the Run Woodstock Half Marathon & Marathon, the weekend after Labor Day, consider a run on the trails, it's good for your rock and roll soul!
You can do this,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, who has already signed up for a full fall marathon!
2011--6-15 - Work hard to feel bad!
The weekly long run is always an adventure, never knowing how we'll feel in the late miles, the valuable miles! All the running before the fatigue hits are necessary but the miles that start to hurt are what we came for, the good stuff! These painful miles are where the body learns to store more glycogen and better utilize oxygen, the training effects we're looking for. Savor the pain, and get excited when it hits, you worked hard to feel this bad, the rewards will come!
The passion for running that is shared by the crew at Running Fit shows in everything they do, from the products and services they provide in the stores to the incredible events they produce. Memorable events that let us put our hard work and training to the test. A new one to put on your calendar is the "RUN SCREAM RUN!" 5K and 10K on Saturday morning, October 22nd. Racing in costume while being chased by a demon with a chainsaw may get you a new PR! Wiard's Orchard in Ypsilanti, voted as the number one horror attraction, will be the ideal setting for this event! Costume divisions and Zombie divisions (Costume not required but you will placed in the uninfected division, being chased down by the infected Zombies! Super discounts to Wiard's attractions for all participants. See runscreamrun.com and wiards.com.
Run, scream, finish, smile,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner looking for company to join in his misery ... and ultimately, success!
2011-06-08 - Hot, hot, hot!
Yo run gang,
Much of what is fun in life is fast or dangerous, like running in the heat! Sure it can kill you, like so many things that we do for enjoyment; the alternative is to do nothing! Respect the heat, carry fluid, hydrate, run short, run easy, and run a course you can bail out on quickly.
An example of this would be running smaller loops from where you start. The upside is you get a great workout in a short time and each hot run gets you more adapted to the heat, making you one tough cookie! Another great thing, a well hydrated body runs smooth in the heat, all the aches and pains seem to disappear and chance of injury goes way down because your muscles and tendons are warm and pliable. Jump in a lake or run a cold hose over your head when you finish, you will feel fully alive and firing on all cylinders while the rest of the air conditioned world lives on in a comatose state of boredom!
Run smart, as usual,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who loves extremes out near the crumbling edge where life is in full color and not wasted!
PS: News from Up North
Starting Tuesday June 14th 6:30pm, Running Fit Traverse City Stores will be hosting track workouts at TC Central HS. Track workouts will be organized by local fast guy (and coach) Eric Houghton. The very next night the TC Track Club starts its summer series Wednesday: June 15th 6:30pm at TC Central HS. For more info on the TC Track Club series go to www.tctrackclub.com
2011-06-01 - Negative Splits
Most world records in distance events are set by running the second half of the race faster than the first; this is known as negative splits. Knowing this is not enough to make us change our ways, the majority of us do not plan on picking it up in the later miles, perhaps we can't mentally handle this concept.
A common plan is to go out a bit quicker because we are most likely going to slow down later, putting money in the bank ... so to speak. The truth is, with this strategy there is always a run on the bank late in the race that robs us of every second we've saved ... and then some. Any miles we put in early at a pace faster than we hope to average for the event are a mistake, even though the pace may seem easy, the damage is being done. Don't you just hate this kind of logic? Dang.
Our next race strategy? To feel as good as we can as long
as we can, as opposed to feeling as bad as we can as quick as can, shortening the painful part of the race and running a faster time! What a novel idea!
Run smart,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, who at times, still finds myself running like a Freshman.
May 25, 2011 - Running Burn Out
Yo run gang,
Actual Reader Question: "I'm feeling burned out by the daily running grind, any suggestions?"
My witty response: NO WAY! How can anyone burn out on running? Time to shake things up!
Plan tomorrow's run for the lunch hour or the evening if you normally run in the morning.
Run in the woods if you normally run on the road. Better yet, go run a trail or road late at night with a headlamp!
Start and finish your run at a lake and dive in ... preferably naked! Yikes!
Try some GU, new shoes, new route, new run partner or run with a group... Like at one of the weekly runs from the Running Fit stores! (Running Fit Group Runs)
Put a beer out a mile from home, knowing you get a beer for the cool down mile may fire you up!
Run a race. Don't even make plans, don't train, just find one on line (runmichigan.com) and go!
Get someone to drop you off a long way from home with no way to get back but to run!
Drive to a spot some evening then run home. In the morning, run back and get your car.
Got the idea?
I'm off to run the Bayshore Half in TC this weekend and the Virginia Wine Country half next weekend, join half2run.com and join the challenge!
Run wild,
Randy Step, an admitted, lifelong obsessed runner with no burnout in sight!
PS. A great cause: The Scleroderma 5 K Run 2 Mile Walk
Sunday June 26, 8:00 AM - Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak, MI
Join us at the World-Class Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak. The cool thing: your entrance fee for the 5K race and 2 mile walk includes an ALL DAY admission pass into the Detroit Zoo (a value of $11for adults, $9 for seniors and $7 for children) All of the proceeds will benefit the Scleroderma Foundation. The 5K run winds through beautiful Hunting Woods neighborhoods with the finish line in the Detroit Zoo. The 2 mile walk is through the Zoo.
More Info & Registration: http://www.scleroderma.org/chapter/michigan/2011walks.shtm
PS. Volunteers Needed for Flirt With Dirt!
Saturday June 11 - Novi, MI
Come join us in Novi, the land of malls and mansions....Can you believe they have 6 miles of gnarly single-track dirt trails? That's where you'll find the cool people on June 11 ... Not down the street at 12 Oaks Mall!
Click here for more info & to fill our our online volunteer form or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
On top of all the "thanks" and "you rock" you will get throughout the day, you also get an awesome volunteer shirt, a $30 coupon toward any Running Fit event, including race shirt, and a great feeling for giving back to your sport!
May 18, 2011 - The magic is out there!
Yo run gang,
Even for passionate runners, there are plenty of days we just don't feel like getting out there for the run but once out the door, breaking a sweat and rolling along, we wonder why would ever skip this high point in our day. Go figure... Don't think about it, just get out the door, you will always be happy you did...
That said, we all have runs that just plain go bad, be it dead legs, intestinal distress, fatigue or shortness of breath, for whatever reason, it happens. We might walk, cut it short or just bail out. The worst part about the bad run is the gun shy feeling we have as we prepare to head out for the next run. Again the answer is to get back on the horse, you know the magic is out there but you won't experience it if you sit on your butt. Once again the answer is to get out the door, the magic will come and it will all be worth it.
Nothing says summer like Running and... Road Trip! Picking and planning for an out of town event is the spice of this running life.
Pack up the Gu and Garmin and join us July 9th at Dances With Dirt Devil's Lake, Wisconsin. Our events department at Running Fit loves to hit the road, so the idea of putting on Dances With Dirt, our premier trail run and a series held once each season of the year in different states is the perfect solution. The Green Swamp (Florida) in winter, Gnaw Bone (Indiana) in spring, Devil's Lake (Wisconsin) in summer, Hell (Michigan) in fall. Join us July 9th at Devil's Head Resort, enjoy the unbelievable natural beauty of its Glacial Bluffs and get in a trail run anywhere from 10K to 50 miles! Cheese curds and brats at the finish, of course! Visit danceswithdirt.com and run wild with us!
Live the dream,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who just had a bad run and needs to read what I just wrote then I'll pack for the trip!
PS. Volunteers Needed for Flirt With Dirt!
Saturday June 11 - Novi, MI
Come join us in Novi, the land of malls and mansions....Can you believe they have 6 miles of gnarly single-track dirt trails? That's where you'll find the cool people on June 11 ... Not down the street at 12 Oaks Mall!
Click here for more info & to fill our our online volunteer form or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
On top of all the "thanks" and "you rock" you will get throughout the day, you also get an awesome volunteer shirt, a $30 coupon toward any Running Fit event, including race shirt, and a great feeling for giving back to your sport!
