2016-03-16 - Running is too brutal for the X-Games

When it comes to extreme sports, running is right up there. We get out the door on our own without fanfare or encouragement, day after day in any and all conditions, from scorching days to sub-zero blasts. There are no easy miles, every one is hard work, our runs do not include rest breaks, our hearts pound on from the beginning to the end. Our sport is their sport's punishment, what they consider brutal is all that we do. We speak with our feet, our numbers don't lie, no judge is needed, there are no points for style.

You are the toughest athletes in the world,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who needs no cheering crowd, it's just the way we live, and live we do. Dig it!

PS: For 29 years we've been putting on a brutal run on a 13.1 and 5 mile loop of wickedly hilly, rough single track trail around Hell, Michigan. Join us for the 30th running on April 23- 24. No cheering crowds, just wind in the trees. More at http://trailmarathon.com/

PS: "Trails in motion", the international trail running film festival will inspire and motivate you to run wild. Join us Saturday afternoon, April 23rd in Dexter, MI for this unforgettable experience. https://runningfitevents.redpodium.com/trails-in-motion-film-festival

2016-03-09 - Running gets no respect

Rodney Dangerfield would say, running gets no respect. Just try to find anything about running in the sports section of the paper, even a marathon world record won't make the evening news. I am sure I'll be frustrated again this summer as major networks covering the summer Olympics will focus more on diving and gymnastics than distance running, dang. In an attempt to curb this injustice, RF Events is bringing "Trails in Motion", the world's trail running film festival, to Dexter, Michigan on Saturday April 23rd! A chance to celebrate our sport with like-minded people, away from the typical race-day environment, and in doing so leave with a true sense of inspiration, excitement and motivation to get out there! In 2015, the festival tour reached 14,000 trail running enthusiasts at 167 screenings across 26 countries including South Africa, Mexico, Japan and New Zealand, needless to say, we are excited to bring it to Michigan! Ticket info here!

Run, watch movies, run more,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who can't wait!

PS: Trails in Motion, the world's trail running festival, is a fitting addition to  the 30th annual Running Fit Trail race weekend. For those running the half, the 2:30 PM festival start will give you time to get to Dexter for lunch before heading to the theater, or dinner after. For those running Sunday, it's the perfect way to spend some motivational pre-race time off your feet.  If you can, make it a trail running weekend. See http://trailmarathon.com/

2016-03-02 - Enter, train, race

I have a habit of repeating the important stuff. The most motivational weapon in my get-out-the-door arsenal is my commitment to run a future event. Once I sign on the line and send in my cash, the race looms over me like a persistent coach. It gets me out there on sunny clear days but also on snowy dark nights. That said, knowing I'm part of the team at RF Events, I am sure you are expecting a shameless plug about what event to enter... so I won't disappoint you and neither will our events. I was talking to a friend who moved to south Florida where he has entered several races that were poorly produced, expensive and disappointing on many levels. His greatest compliment was that we ruined his experience by setting the bar so high at our events. The Martian Invasion of Races is 5 weeks away, with 5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon, a great pre-race expo and a silly theme to add to the energy and fun make it a great choice for the first time runner or marathon maniac.

Enter, train, race,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner with 3 paid entries that are getting me out the door this winter!

PS: Looking for more fun beyond Martian? Join us on the first stop of The Thirsty 3 Series, the Hightail to Ale 5K on Friday Night, May 6th! A fun 5K along the Detroit riverfront. a rockin' post race party and BEER!

2016-02-24 - Thumb your nose at the weather

Thumb your nose at the weather and celebrate being alive. Bundle up, get out there and laugh, sing and run, if only for a short one. For those of us training for an early half or full marathon like Martian or Boston, the long run this week will be ... Memorable! The truth is, we've been blessed with a great running winter so far, we were due for a reality check.

Run and make memories,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who loves extremes.

PS: The Crew here at RF Events had a feel good day as we gave out $10,000 in checks to local Dexter Charities from the Holiday Hustle 5K proceeds. We also sent a check from the Super 5K proceeds to the Novi Youth Council for $1,800 for their Addicted to movies/games not drugs program. If you are considering a St. Patrick's Day run, 100% of the proceeds of the Ann Arbor Shamrocks and Shenanigans run goes to Mott Children's Hospital's Save a Heart program, last year we gave over $30,000! Enter at runshamrocks.com

PS: Do something fun and spontaneous, join this obsessed runner in Florida next month for a flat, easy, trail run in the sun. Just do it! danceswithdirt.com

2016-02-17 - Bully-free zone

Baby Goat here, the Head Goat's youngest 'kid' and admitted "not that obsessed runner". Growing up with a guy like the goat leading the tribe could be a little intimidating, so while he's away trotting along the beaches of Mexico, I thought I would sneak in and give you my take on tricking yourself out the door.

Lately on my runs I've been bullying myself. I go faster than I want to, push when something feels wrong, and it has been making it harder to get out the door each day! Getting out the door is hard enough so I am putting in the work this week to STOP bullying myself. I'm not bullying myself into somebody else's pace when I don't feel it, I'm not pushing my heart rate up where it doesn't need to be... if something doesn't feel right, if I can't breathe... I'm taking a walk break! Heck, at least I got out there.
 
The Baby Goat, who thinks getting out the door is hard enough and is making the daily run a BULLY FREE ZONE (and gives you permission to as well!)

PS: BEER! Do I have your attention? Join us Friday night May 6th for a party on the Detroit riverfront (oh, and a 5K run). The Hightail to Ale 5K is back and you don't want to miss it!

PS: It is still winter, the season of FUN! Join me on March 13th for the Shamrocks and Shenanigans 5K, 1K and Kids' Dash! A silly St. Patrick's day jog through Ann Arbor, get out your green and be a part of the fun. This race benefits Save A Heart, an organization that raises funds to benefit patients and their families who come to the Michigan Congenital Heart Center at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

2016-02-10 - Run, share and motivate others!

I admit, I spend a bit of time each day on Facebook runner lists I've joined. I enjoy rave run posts that get me excited to get out and run new, wild places. I search out posts that give first-hand accounts of event experiences, yes, for the review value but more for when the writer captures the essence of each step of their personal journey, this can be powerful. That said, I can't help but cringe when a person new to running asks a question on these forums, the answers seem to come mostly from other new runners who are quick to share what is often horrible advice. Yikes! Got a question, look to coaches and long-time healthy, happy runners. Personal message someone with a great track record and love for the sport, they will feel appreciated and will feel proud to be part of your success.

Run, share, motivate,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... Who posts on Facebook, tracks his run on Strava and tweets at events. Yikes!   

PS: It is still winter, the season of FUN! Join us on March 13th for the Shamrocks and Shenanigans 5K, 1K and Kids' Dash! A silly St. Patrick's day jog through Ann Arbor, get out your green and be a part of the fun. This race benefits Save A Heart, an organization that raises funds to benefit patients and their families who come to the Michigan Congenital Heart Center at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

2016-02-03 - The Obsessed Runner gives you his blessing, ha!

I consider December and January the low key running recovery months of the year, a time not to race seriously and to enjoy the easy running load. With the first mild winter in 4 years it's been hard not to get excited about getting back to our fitness level a bit sooner than planned ... So be it, let's up the ante, permission is granted, let's "Kick Off" the season now and ramp up the mileage! The past 3 winters made it hard to be ready for early events like the April 9th "The Martian Invasion of Races", but not this year! Again, you have my blessing (Remember I'm an admitted obsessed runner so take this with a grain of salt) If you were considering running 5K, I say go for 10K, if you were thinking 10K, go half marathon, thinking half, think full! See http://martianraces.com/, sign up ... And say Yikes!

Everything to excess ... Even moderation!

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, who is breaking out of hibernation early!

PS: The Super 5K, this Super Bowl Sunday morning in Novi, is looking to have the best weather in its history ... perhaps warm enough that nobody will drop their Super 5K pint glass due to numb fingers - in fact, we will all be counting on it! The creative crew at RF Events is offering a challenge, if they don't hear one glass shatter inside Novi High School, everyone entered into the Super 5K will get a $3 off code to any of our events next year... So drop your glass outside! NOT! My guess, the odds no one drops a glass are about the same as the Lions being in the Super Bowl next year. Join us and see! It's not too late to enter the fun, see http://runsuperbowl.com/

2015-01-27 - If it's not fun, don't do it!

Whenever we find ourselves stressing over some aspect of our running we should see this as an immediate red flag. We run to put fun and playtime back into this often stressful, adult life. When it comes to your running, as my friend John A. says, "if it's not fun, don't do it!" You set the rules, you can break and change the rules ... And should, whenever you want for whatever reason, or no reason! Unlike so many aspects of life, you totally control the power of playtime! Skip a run, OK, run twice in a day, what the heck. When you don't run what you perceived as your goal time at an event, take proud ownership of the time you did run. Never apologize for your run to anyone, especially yourself! Run good, run bad (No such thing), and finish with a well-deserved smile.

Run + Run = Fun,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... Who was stressing today because of a calf pain that tells me to take a day off. Stressing? RED FLAG! Take a deep breath and think ... Hey, I can take a nap in place of my run, or perhaps I'll go to happy hour!

PS: HUDDLE UP AND HELP OUT! Join us Sunday morning, February 7th at the Super 5K on the volunteer crew and receive a $30 credit toward a future RF Events' event!

PS: Calling all leprechauns! Join us for a fun and festive jog (with a cause!) around Ann Arbor on March 13, 2016 at the Shamrocks and Shenanigans 5K, 1K and Kids' Dash! Shamrocks and Shenanigans is a fundraiser for "Save A Heart" benefiting UM Congenital Heart Center at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

2016-01-20 - Winter runs turn lies into truths

I admit, I used to whine a lot about cold winter runs until I switched to lying and saying, "I love winter". I found what they say is true, if you tell a lie long enough, you start to believe it yourself. Try these lines: I love the feel of the crunch of a new snow under my feet, the invigorating feel of a blast of cold crisp winter air, the smug feeling of satisfaction I get from dressing well and taking command of my environment ... The impressive pile of fitness laundry I produce, proving I'm a serious athlete! Yes, perhaps a stretch but lies only work when there is a bit of truth to them. Whining will get you nowhere, lying will get you out the door and when you finish, amazingly, your lies will become the truth!

Lie, run, believe,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner and alchemist

PS: HUT, HUT, GET IN THE GAME AND HELP OUT! Join us Sunday morning, February 7th at the Super 5K on the volunteer crew!

PS: It is still the month of resolutions! Resolve to join us on Planet Earth April 9th for the Martian Invasion of Races. There is nothing like a beautiful spring jog dressed as your favorite extraterrestrial being. No excuses... there is a distance for everybody!

2016-01-13 - Is running a shelfish endeavor?

Running is a valuable and important use of our time, physically and mentally, it's OK to make it a priority. For whatever it's worth, you have my blessing, ha!

How to make your run a priority? Stop the habit of running when you have time (no one has time). Plan the time you run. For the workouts to get done, they need to be scheduled. Put your daily run in your appointment calendar and give it the same priority as any other scheduled meeting. When a friend invites you to dinner at 7 PM on a night you have scheduled a 6:30 PM run, explain that you have a late appointment but you can make it at 8 PM or perhaps another night. You don't need to lie, but perhaps don't tell the whole truth, the value of your run can be hard to explain. Selfish? No, being depressed, having a heart attack or stroke and needing someone to feed you due to your lifestyle would be selfish, not a run that gives back so much for the time invested! Sorry, my job is to Keep You Motivated! Yikes!

Run when it's time,

Randy Step, an obsessed runner, who is thinking of getting a job as a shock jock!

PS: While you're scheduling your runs, be sure to throw some races on the calendar to keep you motivated throughout the year! You won't want to miss the Super 5K on February 7th, 2016. Earn your spot on the couch before the big game. Still need more fun after that? The martians are invading Dearborn on April 9th in 2016, a distance for the whole family from 5K to full marathon, visit www.martianmarathon.com.

PS: Not often in life are we given the chance to be heroic, join us as we run in honor of fallen First Responders at the Heroes on Hines 5K and Half marathon, registration is now open for this October 1st event!