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.