October 21, 2009 - We live a life that requires risk to be enjoyed fully.
Yo run gang,
By now, most of you have heard that 3 half marathon runners died at the Detroit Free Press Race last Sunday, 2 at around mile 12 and one at just after finishing the 13.1 mile run. My heart goes out to the families who are no doubt looking for answers that might help them accept their loss. I have attempted to read all the information available on this tragedy so that I might learn something that I could share with you, something that could have prevented these deaths or prevent future tragedies. I have found nothing.
At the time of the deaths it was sunny and in the high 30s, low 40s, what most runners would consider an ideal day for a distance run. All three runners, men, ages 26, 36 and 65 appear to have been well trained and healthy. The initial autopsy findings found no immediate cause of death. Toxicology and other tests will take weeks to be finalized but again the autopsy uncovered no obvious reasons for the deaths. Medical attention was immediate and even the use of defibrillators had no effect. It all seems so wrong on a day that seemed so right in the City of Detroit.
Race day from a participants perspective: My wife Kathy and I ran well and enjoyed every minute of the half marathon, from the pre race excitement to the music and dancing at the post race party, heading home tired and fulfilled, totally unaware of the sad events that had taken place on this glorious fall day.
We live a life that requires risk to be enjoyed fully; we must weight the risks and benefits in every choice we make. As I look out my window, the sky is blue, the sun is shining and my choice is to keep working or go out for a run. Ive made my choice; Ill see you on the road.
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, looking for answers
October 14, 2009 - Detroit Free Press race weekend is upon us!
Yo run gang,
Detroit Free Press race weekend is upon us! Running Fit will have a big booth with great deals down at the Cobo Hall Expo on Friday and Saturday, come on down and say hi and shop! Even if you are not running, visiting the expo or watching the marathon on Sunday can be inspirational. Sorry, no post race party at Bookies, the start and finish moved and Bookies closed ... We may be at the Anchor Bar, but that plan might change. Well have the post race party location posted at our expo booth, another reason to stop by!
As the weather turns dark and cold, running partners and planed group runs help get me out the door, along with a headlamp or the way cool Go-Motion chest mounted lamps. For those of you in Ann Arbor, there is a womens only 6 AM, Thursday morning run from the new Running Fit headquarters at 5700 Jackson rd. 1-4 easy miles. Headquarters also has a 6:30 PM Thursday night run where all are welcome! Join me on the trails! Meet me at Island Lake Rec. 5:30 PM on Wednesdays. Meet at Spring Mill Pond (Not the trailhead parking area!) park all the way in at the end of the parking lot. 5 9 miles. Click on "Group Runs" for a list of the weekly runs from all of our stores. Well keep each other going!
For those of you running the long races, its time for carbo loading and the TV taper, bring it on!
Run and rule the night,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, making run plans!
October 7, 2009 - I reluctantly pulled on my stuff and headed out.
Yo run gang,
I planned on a midday run but as I looked out my office window at the grey, windy, cold rainy day, I was loosing interest but knowing it would be my only chance to run, I reluctantly pulled on my stuff and headed out. What a waste of negative thoughts and negative energy, a minute into my run I was warm, breathing in the fall smells and loving this rainy adventure. You would think Id know better after all these years but tricking myself out the door seems to remain a constant in this running life, go figure.
This was my first run from Running Fits new Ann Arbor headquarters at 5700 Jackson Rd and where to run was the question. I decided to start with a loop around our neighboring business, Lowes, it looked like it must be a mile around. Just up the Lowes driveway, I noticed a trail heading into a bit of woods on the left and veered on in. I figured the trail would only go a short ways in this built up commercial area but it ended up being over a mile of natural beauty, butt kicking hills and I even scared up a buck. I did some repeats of the trail and ran a few short side trails, getting in 6 great miles, all in my new back yard, all on a day I could have blew off!
Road trip! Im headed north to Travers City for this weekend for the Vasa Trail Run, do something spontaneous and join me! 5K, 10K, 25k of fall beauty. I got a room at the very classy Bayshore Resort for $148. All the information is at www.runvasa.com. Im hoping this run will make next weeks Free Press course seem easy!
Get out and run,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner still playing tricks
ANN ARBOR, Mich. The New Balance Girls on the Run 5k, scheduled for November 15 at 10 a.m., is the culmination of Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigans 10-week season. More than 300 girls aged 8-13 will celebrate their girl power by running 3.1 miles together with their parents, teachers and community members on the campus of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. The run is open to the public and everyone is welcome to participate.
Date: Sunday, November 15, 2009
Registration: http://www.girlsontherunsemi.org/events/GOTR-events.php
Race Fees:
$15 until Friday, November 13, 2009
$20 race day
FREE for Girls on the Run Fall Participants
Event Schedule:
8 a.m.- race day registration
9:45 a.m. - race day registration closes
10 a.m. - 5K run start time
11 a.m. Kids 100M Dash - free event for children 7 & under
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. - post race celebration
Location: The Ellen Thompson Women's Health Center, located in the Specialty Centers Area on the campus of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital 5320 Elliot Dr., Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Proceeds: All proceeds from this event benefit Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan
September 30, 2009 - I'm a sucker for information!
Yo run gang,
Like most of us, Im a sucker for information that supports the things I do in life. For example, after reading some article on a study that extols the benefits of drinking red wine, Im quick to repeat this information like its the gospel. When it comes to positive info on running, Im like a fuller brush Christian, knocking on doors and spreading the word! This week I heard a news blurb about a study showing that joints get creaky in old age because the synovial fluid dries up over time, and that by being a runner, you lessen this loss, the body compensates by increasing the fluid. It stated that on average, a 50 year old runner has the fluid levels of a sedentary 38 year old. Dont ya just love this stuff? It gets me out the door!
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/phys-ed-can-running-actually-help-your-knees/?apage=4
Please join me and be one of the 12,000 runners at the Big House Big Heart Run this Sunday! Enter at www.bighousebigheart.com! Well party together on the field of the UM Big House when we finish!
Run well, be well,
Randy Step, and obsessed runner with the knees of a much younger man!
Run 'n' Grill in the 'ville...with Brooks!
Why eat and run when you can run and eat AND try out some cool new shoes! Come on out to the Northville Running Fit this Thursday night @ 6:30pm for our weekly Run 'n' Grill! That's right - we cook for you while you're out running and it's FREE! This week Brooks will be joining us, and bringing out some shoes for y'all to take for a test run!
What's the catch??? There isn't one except no run, no eat! That's right ya gotta earn those calories! The group heads out around 6:30pm (which, for some reason beyond explanation, is actually around 6:40pm here in Northville). Mileage for the run varies (between 4 and around 8 miles) and paces vary.
So show up and RUN and EAT with Brooks and the crew at the Northville Running Fit this Thursday night! We'll leave the grill on for ya!
September 23, 2009 - The rest of the world looks through sadly through the glass.
Yo run gang,
I just returned from a weekend in Atlanta, Georgia where it rained non stop, so, needless to say, each days run was in the rain and I loved it! Pounding into a hard rain adds adventure and a sense of combat with the elements. Once finished, a run in the rain gives back a sense of satisfaction much bigger than the sum of its parts. Yes, only a run in the rain but a run that requires you to open the door and go for it while the rest of the world looks through sadly through the glass.
This weekend marks 3 weeks out from Detroit Free Press Marathon and Half Marathon. Many of you have a very long run on the schedule. If your run goes good, it will give you confidence, if your run goes bad, just be glad you got the bad run out of the way before the race! One last plug for the Running Fit training run on Hines Dr. 8 AM start from Nankin Mills on Saturday. Run up to 20 traffic free miles. Enter at Runningfit.com (Click here for the exact web page) or pay a couple bucks more and just show up to run. The run is sponsored by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and their Team In Training program. Go Team!
For those of you who need to release your inner hippie, join me this weekend at Run Woodstock. 3 days of peace, love, running and a badly needed escape from reality. Even if you can only come out for a few hours, the music and miles will free your soul. Check out the fun at www.runwoodstock.com
If thats not enough Running Fit run plugs for you, The Big House Big Heart 5K and 10K are a week from Sunday on Oct. 4th. This is a must do run to give back run with the greatest finish line ever! Be there! www.bighousebigheart.com
Run near the edge,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, with heavy wet shoes.
September 16, 2009 - Running in all 4 seasons rocks!
Yo run gang,
I guess were heading into phase 2 of fall, since we seemed to have skipped summer. No complaints, the weather has been great for the active outdoor lifestyle (RUNNING!). Yes, I like extremes but not to worry, those days will come. Its time to fire up the headlamp and get out the reflective gear. When you have the right stuff, running in all 4 seasons rocks!
Its been a busy year here at the Fit. We moved our Novi store, our West Bloomfield store and this week, we moved the Ann Arbor world headquarters from its hidden industrial park location to 5700 Jackson Ave. just west of the Zeeb Rd. exit, across from Meijers. We bought an old church and recycled it into our new digs. Our builder begged us to tear it down and build new explaining the price would not be much different but it didnt seem right to put this 5,700 sq. ft. structure in a land fill. We did a major remodel and its beautiful. Now my builder keeps showing it off and agrees we made the right move. Ha. Were open but its a move in mess just now, well invite you all to a grand opening run soon!
With fall come the races. We added a 10K to the Big House Big Heart run in Ann Arbor. This is our monster of a charity event and its looking like we could have 12 to 14,000 runners toeing the line on Sunday October 4th! Finishing on the 50 yard line at the U of M big house is an awesome experience. A must on your fall race calendar. For those of you running Freep half or full marathon, this is the perfect event to sharpen your taper. Enter at www.bighousebigheart.com.
One more week to let my hair grow out! Check out www.runwoodstock.com. Come on out for music, the miles and to check out the Running Fit Micro Bus!
Peace, love and running,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, getting high on fall mileage
September 9, 2009 - I hit what seemed like a barrier in progress.
Yo run gang,
Ive been running 5-7 days a week for 30 something years, pretty much major injury free (not pain free). That is to say, Ive not had a pain that required surgery or major medical intervention. Ive missed plenty of days of running due to some ache or pain but no injury that has caused any permanent damage (as far as I know). I truly believe running is a safe and positive life long activity. All my running pain has come from stupidity (Some of it well call lack of knowledge) and bullheadedness in training.
I can remember the first few months when I started running and how I hit what seemed like a barrier in progress. I could never run more than 25 miles per week without being sidelined with some new pain. About a year into my running I remember 40 miles per week seemed to be the maximum mileage I could not get passed without some new pain. A couple years later I was struggling with getting past 85 miles per week when it finally sunk in. Running was not the problem; it was how I put in the miles. I had finally realized I had learned how to run 25 then 40 then 85 miles per week with the body I had. I had learned what workouts I could or could not get away with. I learned when to run hard and when to take a day off. I learned to run 85 miles per week pain free and needed more information to get past this new plateau. The answer was my running form. A shorter stride with a quick cadence, more forward lean and not allowing my heel to strike the ground first, more, flat quick foot contact with the ground. This eliminated shock, overpronation and much of the motion of the knee. Do I still run into pain? Sure, but most often it comes from non running related stuff that effects my running, like being a weekend warrior in some other sport like volley ball, snow boarding, wake boarding or moving big stuff around in my garage And yes, stupidity and bull headedness in my running!
So, when injured, dont blame running or the running shoe companies, instead, look back at what you did to cause the pain, take time off to calm it down, and learn.
Run smart,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, always learning
September 2, 2009 - Some of my running partners are embarrassed to run with me!
Yo run gang,
As a running store guy, I get to play with lots of cool new stuff and even more stuff that ends up being a waste of my time and a huge disappointment. Here are a couple gems from the rock pile.
- Im currently running with compression knee high socks and have also tried compression calf sleeves. Some of my running partners are embarrassed to run with me and say they look silly Just like when we first started wearing running tights ... now we all wear them! I believe compression is here to stay. We have a bunch of brands, stop in a check em out. Novi manager Rachel calls compression her cheating run clothing. The claims of compression: medically developed and scientifically proven to increase muscle response and performance and help blood return to the heart, I believe it And Im NOT cheating!
- My other new toys are Gomotion body mounted lighting. Im a night running junky, not to mention, the days are getting shorter and it will soon seem like its dark all the time. On my night trail runs I used to wear a headlamp on my head and one around my chest, I also carried a flash light. The Gomotion lights are chest mounted, very stable and now I only need one light and the night is mine!
Along with fun products come fun events! Only a week left until the Red Carpet Run, enter at www.redcarpetrun.com, my tux is ready! Theres less than a month before Run Woodstock, enter at www.runwoodstock.com.
Run like you mean it,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who loves toys
August 26, 2009 - Some things in life are too cool to miss!
Yo run gang,
Are you taking your running to seriously, are you following a schedule that runs your life? This is a common feeling, especially when training for a marathon. Yes, when training for a long term goal it takes dedication and running must move up on the list of priorities but some things in life are too cool to miss! It helps me to remember training is more art than science and that if you look at 10 different training schedules you will see huge differences. All the schedules can get you to the goal, so the moral of the story is you can adjust the plan! You can split long runs into two runs on the same day, you can skip a long run to run a race, you can run extra miles one week and less the next, you can taper for a marathon 4 weeks, 3 weeks, 2 weeks or one week, got the picture? Lighten up, live it up, say yes to invitations to do cool stuff with friends, and adjust!
All that said, some of the very coolest stuff that comes up has running involved! Come join me at the Red Carpet Run at the new Running Fit West Bloomfield (The corner of Maple and Orchard Lake by Plum Market) in two weeks, Wednesday Night, September 9th. Grab an old suit or sexy dress and join us on the Red Carpet! Well run 5k and laugh and look at each other then finish and party back on the red carpet! If 5k does not fit your schedule, well run it twice or Ill change your schedule! You get a cool tux t-shirt, a Red Carpet Run champagne finishers glass, a chance to win big bling diamond age group awards and Puma will be giving away swag! Check out the fun website, www.redcarpetrun.com! OK, I really want you there to prove I have friends! Enter the discount code Obsessed and get in for $19! Offer good for 7 days so pass the word (Code good until 9PM on 9/2).
For those of you running a full or half marathon this fall, here are some good long opportunities (That you can adjust your schedule to fit in!).
The Running Fit training run with marked miles, aid stations and usually 400 or so runners, is the perfect marathon simulation. September 25th, Hines park, 3 weeks out from Detroit Freep Weekend: Click here for the information.
Runwoodstock.com This weekend of runs, also 3 weeks out from the Freep Weekend, is another way you can put in a high mileage weekend. Run the Hippy Half Marathon in the morning and the Trippin 10K that night! What an unforgettable way to get in 20 miles! For those of you training for a half marathon, or just want to see how many miles you can run in a day, run the Flower Power 5 Mile in the AM and Trippin 10K that night. Far out man!
The Labor Day 30K in Milford, Saturday September 5th. Lets see thats 18.6 miles. For those of you in Marathon mode, that should fit the schedule perfect! For more information go to www.laborday30k.com or call (248) 685-7580
Keep the runnin fun,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner not obsessing about the run schedule!
Running Fit has been supporting Girls on the Run for many years in S.E. Michigan and the Novi chapter is in need of volunteer coaches.
This fall Novi Parks is seeking about 12 Coaches for this great program that encourages positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development in girls grades 3-6 while training for a 5K Race. Practices take place after school for an hour and a half, two days a week for ten weeks. A onetime training session is provided for coaches, and a supplies box is provided for each program site. The program concludes with a 5k race on Sunday, November 22, 2009.
Coaches do not have to be runners themselves, just dedicated to encouraging the girls and working with them. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Girls on the Run coach, please contact Susan Stevens at 248.347.0419 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
August 19, 2009 - Hows that for putting lipstick on a pig!
Yo run gang,
After a gap in the run schedule, from injury or just life getting in the way, getting back the fitness lost is hard work. The up side is that a short run is a tough workout, just think of the time you saved! When Im in shape, I have to run for an hour or more just to get the same beat up feeling I get in 15 minutes coming back. Being out of shape or just starting a run program is an efficient use of time. Hows that for putting lipstick on a pig!
I smell it in the air, cross country season is upon us. If you never have, go check out a local high school or college cross country meet. Run around the course and find the best route to follow the race. How can you beat it, a spectator sport that allows you to get your run in while watching! A tip: Follow the teams coach, around the course; they often know the best route to see the action.
Run or start to run again, Randy Step, an obsessed runner coming back from a bit of calf pain, done with my run with time left for a bike ride.
For those of you with kids on a team, we cross country nights are happening now at Running Fit! Come any date at any time between 4 and 9 PM.
Monday August 17th in West Bloomfield, Wednesday August 19th in Northville, Tuesday August 25th in Novi and on Thursday August 27th in Ann Arbor, this may be at our new warehouse store on Jackson, call 734-929-9022 before you head out.
