Yo Run Gang,

On Friday, I had a bad long run experience, not unlike hitting the wall. I finished the last miles at a snails pace, hoping a car would hit me and put me out of my misery. After a run like this, I find myself afraid to head out the door, nervous about the outcome, even with a day off in between. After a bad run, we question why, over trained, under trained, diet, stress, depression, bad karma, or perhaps the wrong combination of things. Most often a bad run is a learning experience but sometimes, not, its just a bad run. No matter, shake it off, get back on that horse and ride!

Honest, this is not just a shameless plug! I got a new pair of running shoes today and cant wait to get them out on the road. Not only do I like trying on a bunch of shoes and talking to the staff about my shoe options but along with new running shoes come a slew of positive thoughts, feelings and motivation. Fresh shoes, fresh legs, new goals, new run plans, race plans and thoughts of roads and trails I can wait to travel. New running shoes, an investment with immediate and immeasurable returns, even while still in the box!

Trail race weekend! There is still room to enter the Road Ends 5 Mile Trail run on Saturday but Sundays Running Fit Trail Full & Half Marathons are sold out! Enter the 5 mile at www.trailmarathon.com. We are still looking for a few volunteers for Sunday. Not only will you get a voucher for a free race (You can even use it to run for free Saturday!), but you will get an invitation to the Dash & Burn volunteer party and will be giving back to the sport we love. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and say, count me in for a day in the woods!

The Umbuntu award is now on display in West Bloomfield, next week Novi!

Dont think, just get out and run,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner with clean shoes about to get dirty