June 2, 2010 - Birthday
Yo Run Gang,
Birthdays are a celebration of life so why let age get in the way? After one hits adulthood the actual age of a person is not very relevant, actually, even keeping track of your age can be detrimental, you are either too young or too old, by just mentioning your age you open yourself up to age discrimination either way. Better to be judged by your accomplishments along the way.
This may not be a popular thought, but I believe age groups in running need re-thinking. I often get an age group medal that I would not have if I was in the next older age group where people ran faster than I did. This happens more often in the younger age groups ... so why should a younger age group winner get an award for running a time slower than an older runner? Should you get an award just because no fast people your age show up? Wouldn't it be better if the awards were given to the top so many % or runners, just based on time? Better yet, if you want to keep age groups, throw out any times of all runners who ran slower than anyone older than themselves, then calculate the awards. This would encourage us all to train that much harder. Just some birthday thoughts ... on my birthday!
This weekend brings us a Michigan classic, the race from Dexter to Ann Arbor. Point to point races seem to make more sense than running like heck, only to end up where you started! The race is sold out but it's fun to go to Ann Arbor anyway to enjoy this great city, the race weekend party atmosphere only adds to the fun, besides, you can take advantage of the race weekend sale at Running Fit (Sorry for the shameless plug!)
Run forever,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, of an irrelevant age!
May 26, 2010 - Minimalism!
Yo run gang,
While playing (running) in the woods this morning, I was again reminded that running really is play time, an escape from the so called "important" activities of this adult life. Running gives us time to be ageless, a time to put our mind, body and soul into an activity with little practical value ... NOT! The late runner philosopher Dr. George Sheehan once said, "running is like religion and play, it resembles art and music, filling an area of life with great importance ... perhaps one of our most important functions, helping us discover and form the self, a place of self discovery"... Running really does ROCK!
Minimalist running is all the craze and the Vibram 5 Toe shoes are leading the retail end of the charge, basically a rubber glove of a shoe, allowing one to run barefoot with some protection of the foot. We don't suggest you go out and start putting in your miles in 5 Toes but to slowly work your way up as the foot strengthens. Running in 5 Toes will help teach your body proper form and will increase foot strength, a worthwhile addition to the runner's arsenal, not to mention, they are just plain fun to kick around in!
Do I dare include a link to a banned Nike ad for minimalist shoes and "Natural" training, we're talking about the "Bare" basics here ... What the heck, (youtube.com/watch?v=m474JNTLKnQ ) If you find this fun, join us at runwoodstock.com .
Get out and play,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who's idol is Peter Pan!
May 19, 2010 - Help me with my bike, please
Yo run gang,
Enjoy every healthy running day. I recently took a fall and need some run time off, luckily, I can bike and swim with the injury, and I'm a triathlete for the summer ... Or else I might have had to been put on suicide prevention watch! Seriously, it's good to have options, like a diversified investment strategy, but I can't wait to get back to running, the "Blue Chip" of all fitness activities!
Some days you need to blow your own horn. If you are fans of Running Fit, please take a sec to vote us #1! Go to www.competitor.com/50Best and tell them why we are the best. Last year, Competitor received more than 12,000 nominations, which play a critical role in determining the selection of the 50 Best, (We made that list!) with the Naperville Running Company honored as the 2009 Store of the Year. We'd love to be in their shoes! (Their shoes? That sounds wrong for some reason!)
Forbes Magazine prints a list of Rip-Offs, yesterday's was the curved soled shoes that supposedly work your butt... but mostly affect the foot and ankle. I hate gimmicky crap. http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/109576/10-ways-youre-getting-ripped-off
Check out our product of the week, I promise it will be worth your while to make a trip to Running Fit H.Q. for deals as we do our spring cleaning!
Run every day you can,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner ... hauling a bike around.
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, and extreme athlete, just like you!
May 12, 2010 - Run Like an Animal!
Yo run gang,
Running gets us down to bedrock. Each run requires basic physical and mental strength just to head out the door. Some days, our body lets us know it really doesn't want to do this, much like dragging an unwilling dog on leash with his paws kicking and dragging. Ahh, but on those days when our bodies are jumping and barking at the door, ready to go ... We marvel at the "X" Games and sports that are called "Extreme", when in reality, there is no more extreme sport than distance running, one that has us heading out, day after day to do battle and keep the edge, heading out regardless of how we feel or what the conditions, knowing that nothing good comes easy and what we will get for our hard work and extreme behavior is good, very good. When race day dawns, hang on to that leash tight and be ready to keep up with a happy, well trained body, pulling us forward to personal greatness. Now, give yourself a pat on the head!
Run like an animal,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, and extreme athlete, just like you!
May 5, 2010 - Snorkle?
Yo run gang,
As an obsessed runner, my goal is to run for a lifetime. For that to happen, I believe the body needs core strength, recovery and seasonal changes in training, dang, don't you just hate that? Like so many things in life, the sacrifices needed to accomplish long term goals are worth it.
My system the last few years is to become a triathlete for summer, training starts after my spring marathon and goes through August, then back to fall marathon training! Well, Boston is over and I'm at it. I find the convenience of jumping in a lake to get in my swim beats going to a pool, besides, the open water experience helps in the event. The water temp is only 60 or so now but with the right stuff, the temp matters little. (Do you feel a shameless plug coming on?) My Zoot Fusion full wetsuit fits and works great. We tested several and it's one we stock at Running Fit, $300 makes it a reasonably priced. I wear an insulated swim cap, swim gloves and swim socks made by "Blue Seventy", I also like their open water swim goggles. Swim accessories are at our 5700 Jackson Rd. store in Ann Arbor, in Novi, and online at runningfit.com. Did I mention my swim snorkel?
Swim, Bike, RUN!
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, who is having fun playing with his new multisport toys!
April 28, 2010 - Philip Legat at Running Fit!
Yo run gang,
It's a combination of things that get us out the door and running each day, one that fires me up big time are stories of inspiration. It's a gift to encounter bigger than life people living and performing on the edge, way beyond my comfort zone, I believe it helps inch my edge a bit farther out, make the power of inspiration part of your training! May I invite you to a night of inspiration!
After being stuck in a Nairobi airport for 2 days while volcanic ash caused 16,000 flight cancellations across Europe, Kenyan runner Philip Lagat finally arrived in Iowa for the 101st edition of the Drake Relays after 20 hrs of constant travel.
This was on April 24th, 2010, (yes, 3 days ago). Philip lined up next to the great Bernard Lagat (no relation) who is the 2008 Olympic Champion in the 1500m and has run the 2nd fastest time ever for this distance. This race was Phillip's second mile race in his life on a track. Philip finished the race in 3rd position with a scintillating time of 3:57.55, just behind Bernard Lagat, who was beaten by yet another Kenyan wonder runner named Boaz Lalang. This performance demonstrates that Philip is one of the greats with a talent level that ranges between the 800m to the 1/2 marathon, and what we are offering is a chance to hear his story first hand.
Come and join us at Running Fit's Ann Arbor store headquarters at 5700 Jackson road, Ann Arbor, at 7 PM, Thursday, May 6, 2010. Hear his story, get his autograph, and meet a Kenyan runner who has travelled thousands of miles to make a better life for himself and his family. A donation of a couple bucks to Phillip is appreciated to help with his journey.
Run inspired,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who stands in awe, then heads out the door to do homage.
April 21, 2010 - Boston Survivor!
Yo run gang,
Its been many years since I last ran the Boston Marathon and I swore Id never go back. From what I remember it was a race put on by an unresponsive old boys kind of club and had a crowded disorganized start at noon on a rainy cold Monday. I ran my worst marathon time ever thinking back, Im sure my poor time and the rain contributed heavily to my bad memories. Last year, my son ran a Boston qualifying marathon time and this past Monday, my wife, my son and myself ran the Boston Marathon. Kathy and Trevor ran stellar marathons and the event organization was incredible. I was dreading a start with 26,000,000 people on a road that I remembered was crowded with 4,000. What I experienced was great fast start and a fun and exciting flawless event that ranks at the top of my race experiences and I ran poorly! The moral of the story, old dogs can learn new tricks and every race deserves a second chance. I encourage everyone to put running Boston on the bucket list. The people of Boston are incredible, they love the marathon and love the runners and add much to this must do event!
We all love the solitude of the daily run and the mental and psychological benefits, but toeing the line in a spring race gives our training additional purpose and meaning. Here are few fun upcoming races to consider, great choices to P.R., or to race for your first time ever at the distance.
Saturday May 1st in Novi - Live Like Andi - 10 Mile, 10K, 5K and Fashion Walk! Enter at www.livelikeandi.org/run-2010.html Saturday May 15th - Heart and Sole 5K, 10K and 2 mile Walk or Run in Chelsea, enter at www.chelseaheartandsole.org
For a trail run consider: Saturday June 12th Flirt With Dirt 5K and 10K, gnarly single track trails in Novi. Enter quick at runflirt.com, this race fills early
To really beat yourself to a pulp, and to get in a fun road trip, check out Danceswithdirt.com, May 15th in Gnaw Bone, Indiana or July 10th at Devils lake, Wisconsin. Run, run, race, Randy Step an obsessed runner who just might run Boston again next year!
April 14, 2010 Feelin' Good & Headed to Boston
Yo run gang,
As we increase our weekly mileage, we drag ourselves out the door day after day, often dreading the longer runs. When we finally get to the plateau, the new higher mileage level, it usually comes with a break through run, a run that has us heading happily out the door to run a distance that just a few months ago, we would have been dreading. You cant beat the feeling of fitness, we work hard to get it, when it comes, enjoy the spring in your step and dont forget to hang around the plateau a while to enjoy it, better yet, stay there the rest of your life!
The Running Fit Trail Marathon and Half Marathon on April 25th are sold out but you can still enter the Road Ends 5 Mile Trail Run on April 24th . Better yet, everyone should volunteer to work an event each year and why not enjoy a day in the woods! We are looking for volunteers for both Saturday and Sunday, volunteers get a $30 voucher to use for a future Running Fit race entry along with race swag! Enter the 5 Mile or sign up as a volunteer at trailmarathon.com.
Winter gear on the cheap, crazy like a fox sale and all that. Get over to Running Fit this weekend and snag whats left of winter at 50% off and some close out shoe deals that will make you squeal or not. See details below.
Congrats to all of you that are headed to Boston this weekend, it takes a serious commitment to the sport to be able to toe the Bean Town line let alone train for a marathon this early in the season. You rock!
Run wild!
Randy Step an obsessed runner, packing for Boston!
April 7, 2010 - Randy's on Mars!
Randys on Mars helping the Martians prepare for the Martian Invasion of Races so were running one of his past columns.
Yo run gang,
I love the peaceful solitude of a training run alone, my time to sort out the tangled world. I also like to run with friends, some for the conversation where pace and distance matter little and some for the motivation where pace and distance are maxed and challenged. Last but not least, I love to line up on race day and find out where I stand, mostly to compete with myself but yes, to see how my time compare to others and To duke it out!
Running is a personal sport; nobody else cares about our race times, our weekly mileage or our running pace. That said, nothing about lining up for a race should make us feel nervous or self conscious but for many of us, no matter how many times we toe the line, those feeling creep in. Once the race has started and we settle in, the jitters fade and the fun begins. I can understand how entering an event for the first time can be perceived as an almost insurmountable challenge for the beginning runner. We have all faced that hurtle. Those of us who finally leave our comfort zone and take the plunge find that the fears or preconceived ideas of racing were silly, holding us back from the full enjoyment of the sport. I once received this email that expresses it well.
For me as a beginning runner (and mature runner-51 years old). I also want to tell you how much I enjoyed the Meteor 5K. I walked a bit more than I wanted to but still got a lot of running in- I saw a few people doing what I was doing- that was very motivating too!! I am so glad these runs are open to everyone, runners and walkers no matter what level you are at
Spread the word! Share the gift of running and racing with friends, perhaps put them on our email list or just forward it on. For a good first time race, I suggest The Fit 5K, Wednesday evening April 28, 2010, perhaps the most low key event in the state, a great first race, a fun midweek diversion for us all! Enter at www.runfit5k.com.
Now, how about getting over that first time Triathlon hurdle? Yikes! No Yikes about it, dont become a dinosaur, check out the T-Rex Triathlon Sprint Series. The first event of the season is the Triceratops Tri, Wednesday June 23, 2010, another midweek, low key, fun event! Dust off the Schwinn Varsity and join us at www.runtrextri.com.
Get out and race! Randy Step an obsessed runner (And closet Triathlete) still spreading the word.
March 31, 2010 - Ignore the weather...
Yo run gang,
I say all the time, ignore the weather, run at the time you planned, plenty of things will get in the way of your run, never let weather be one of them. So, I see the afternoon will be warm and sunny and decide to skip a cold morning run, hoping to sneak out later and later ends up with no sneak time! Ignore the weather, get out and run!
Proper running form can keep you injury free and may let you run in more fun shoes! If you strike your heel when you run, you are stopping your forward motion, causing undue impact and contributing to overpronation. By running with good posture, forward lean and a short stride length, you will strike midfoot and run in what is called a neutral position. This will allow a runner who traditionally needed a stability to shoe to run in neutral shoes, usually lighter more flexible and fun shoes to run in. There are lots of links out there that will help you with your form, links like http://www.runningplanet.com/training/running-form.html. The book Chi Running is another place to learn. Get new form, get new shoes!
Run right,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, who will run at his planned time, if the weather is perfect or not!
