2015-01-21 - State of the Running Union

2015-01-14 - The winter run is a gift

There is much to say about the uptick in self-esteem we get from putting in a snow covered run at freezing temps. Yes, it's never easy getting out the door but nothing good is easy. Over dress, run smaller loops from your bail out point to be safe, this will also allow you to throw off layers as you warm up, wear traction control like Yak Tracks, reflective gear if it's dark or you go in and out of darkness. Throw in some trail running for additional creds to yourself! As Running Fit Manager Steve Angerman says, there are no bad run days, just improper dressing for them.

Get out and take command of your environment!

Randy Step, and admitted obsessed runner who enjoyed a killer, 5 degree, 5 mile, hilly trail run with fellow RF Event staff member Iron Mandy.

P.S. Have you heard? Registration is now open for the most Jurassic midweek sprint triathlon series around, the T-Rex Tri Series! Join us June 17, July 15 and August 12 for a jaunt on the wild side!

P.S. Back by popular demand, Yoga for Runners with Kristina! Starting Tomorrow January 15th. This is a 6 class series with a focus on poses that will help you run more efficiently and stay injury free. Two weeks will be spent on each topic: Core, Power, Recovery.

P.S. Train With Us! Running Fit 501 and Bayshore Half Marathon and Marathon Training classes are starting soon. Kickoff/informational meetings on 1/10 at 8:30 am for Ann Arbor, 1/21 at 6:00pm in Northville, and 1/25 at 3:30 pm in  Get the details here

2015-01-07 - "Stick" with the program

When Caesar created the Julian calendar, he thought it would be appropriate for January, Janus' namesake month, to be the doorway to a new year.. As for New Year's resolutions, January was just a bad choice, perhaps if Julius lived in Michigan, the year would start in spring, it would just makes sense. We could work to change this but I'm guessing it would be more difficult than getting people to call the half marathon a Pikermi...

That said, it's time to plan the year, ease into training and get on a roll. I stress "ease into training" because too much too soon is the norm for fitness resolutions, leading to pain and failure. A rule of thumb: Don't increase any activity more than 10% per week, example, run 10 miles one week and up it to 11 the next.  (Side note: The 'rule of thumb' means upping your running more than 10% will inflict as much pain as if you were beating yourself with a stick larger than the width of your thumb)

Run smart, run forever,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... with a bit of foot pain from running 6 days in a row, yes, I write this stuff to myself.

P.S. Train With Us! Running Fit 501 and Bayshore Half Marathon and Marathon Training classes are starting soon. Kickoff/informational meetings on 1/10 at 8:30 am for Ann Arbor, 1/21 at 6:00pm in Northville, and 1/25 at 3:30 pm in  Get the details here.

P.S. Yoga For Runners with Kristina is back. This is a 6 class series with a focus on poses that will help you run more efficiently and stay injury free. Two weeks will be spent on each topic: Core, Power, Recovery.

PS: 2015 New Year's resolution list is linked here for all the world to see ... To guilt us to success!

2014-12-31 - A work in progress

I'm a fan of New Year's resolutions, regardless of the stories of failure, sometimes just a week or two into January. Change does not come easily but does not come at all without effort. We can all come up with a list of bad habits, poor health and diet choices to resolve to work on ... And then there're those darn virtues that will make us a better person ...

Discipline enables a person to achieve the goal of running a 26.2-mile race or running 20 miles a week ...
Kindness towards someone who is having a bad day can make him or her smile and build rapport.
Creativity can result in an idea that changes how people relate to one another such as social media.
Trust in a relationship fosters dependability and intimacy, creating valuable, meaningful relationships.
Gratitude in a job loss can shift our focus from feeling low to how we can have a new, more fulfilling career.
Service to others can change lives, better neighborhoods and create stronger nations.

Let's make a commitment to ourselves and have the courage to start. Yes, we might fail but yes, we might change.

I'd love for you to share your one most realistic resolution with me, perhaps just writing it down and knowing someone else will read your resolution will add the motivation needed to make you a success. I'll post a link to the list in a future midweek of your resolutions and we can motivate each other to greatness. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject: "resolution". (Please, just a one liner)

Just do it,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner and a work in progress.

2014-12-24 - Run, recharge, share

The holidays are a time to get together with family and friends, to share and give of yourself. That said, don't forget to put aside one hour of each day that is for you, for your health and well being, an hour where you are not responsible for anyone else, not work, family or friends but for your own mental and physical needs. Playtime! A time to fire up the senses, recharge the batteries and escape the digital 24/7, 365 rat race. Selfish? Not at all. Without taking this hour you will be as useless as a dead cell phone or a car out of gas on the shoulder of the road. Time to yourself will fill you with energy, creativity, contentment and joy, enough so that you'll have plenty to share!

Escape and enjoy the holidays,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, who heads out each day for a run, often, near empty, with little left to give, and returns with from the run with energy to share.

PS: Registration for Run Woodstock is now OPEN! Join us September 11, 12 and 13 for 3 days of peace, music and running.

PS: On January 1, 2015 Running Fit is inviting our friends to start their new year with a day of healthy activities. Click for the details!

2014-12-17 - Peter Pan had it right

We joke about the child inside us that appears in our actions from time to time. I believe the reality is that as a child we learn what our most important needs are and that they don't change as we age. This would include the fact that playtime is the most important, joyful and learning time of our day, a time for fitness and self-discovery. Somehow, as we grow and face new responsibilities as adults, society makes "play" out to be a guilty pleasure and not the essential part of the day that in reality, it is.

Put on your play clothes and get out the door!

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who's newest toy is my Garmin Forerunner 15!

2014-12-10 - Jiggle the fat

With very little daylight and busy days, December is the ideal month to rest up and lick our wounds so we'll be ready to slowly ramp up our running after the holidays and be rock stars by spring! That said to keep our sanity and hang on to a bit of fitness, we do need to get out the door a few days a week, nothing hard or long, just to break a sweat and jiggle the fat.

I do love to jump into a couple fun winter events, not to run hard but just to enjoy the crisp winter air and excitement of the big fun events, to dress silly and just have fun. This weekend is the Holiday Hustle 5k in Dexter, a fun, family, evening event ... with plenty of warm pubs near the finish line. Enter at runholiday5k.com or at late registration. Kick off the running year on February 1st at the Super 5K, Sunday morning before the big game. Take your finisher's pint glass and wear your medal to show you've earned your spot on the couch! Did I mention junk food at the finish line? Enter today at runsuperbowl.com. To sweeten the deal, from now until 7PM on Thursday, December 18 you can save $5 on your entry by sharing your entry on Facebook AND be entered for a chance to win your registration money back! All you've got to do is click the "Share on Facebook and save $5" button on the registration page!

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, even when I'm resting up!

PS: More holiday deals at Running Fit! Buy 3 Feetures socks get 1 free now through Jan 31, 2015. Buy 1 Balega sock get one at 50% Off Now through December 18.

PS: Registration is now open for the thirst quenching THIRSTY 3 Series! Check it out HERE, cheers!

2014-12-04 - 3 Mile runs rock!

Yes, I'm returning to an old theme of mine, but due to the holiday season when time available to us to run is scarce, it's more relevant than ever. To some people a 3 mile run doesn't seem worth the effort. Is it worth the effort to dress, run and shower all for around a half hour of running? My answer is, "You bet!" The three mile run is highly underrated. Three miles offers a microcosm of all that I love about the sport. For me, mentally, it is easy to get out the door knowing I only have 3 miles to run. I take the first mile easy, break a good sweat, then stop to stretch a bit. The next mile I run at a good hard effort, about 5K pace. The final mile is an easy cool down. I run home, shoulders relaxed and at a comfortable pace. I have finished a run and feel fresh, awake, and alive. Like a day off only better, I haven't had to put a zero in my log! Tired of taking days off? Go 3!

Get 'R done,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, that admits there are a bunch of 3 mile runs in my log!

P.S. Join us for a FUN 3(.1) mile run before the big game on Sunday morning, February 1, 2015! The Super 5K will earn you your spot on the couch as well as a custom medal, technical training beanie and finisher's pint glass! Hut, hut, register!

P.S. Join us at Running Fit Ann Arbor on Jackson Rd. all winter long on Thursday Nights from 6:00 pm to 8pm for Trainer Rides. Bring your bike, trainer, and a towel for beneath your bike and we'll have an Apple TV hooked up with Netflix, snacks and drinks. Cheers! Call Trevor at 734-436-2381 with questions.

2014-11-26 - Running and giving thanks

Thanks to your dedication to fitness and support of what we do. We get to work in an environment that we are passionate about. The fitness community is not only a healthy active one, but it is also a generous and caring one that enriches all of our lives. Be seen and be safe out there during this holiday weekend as you take to the roads and trails while burning off those well-earned calories.

We give you thanks,

The crew here at Running Fit and RF Events

P.S. While you're in the holiday spirit, sign up to join us on December 13, 2014 at the Holiday Hustle 5K and 1 Mile in Dexter, MI. HO, HO, GO!

2014-11-19 - Running and ranting

The purpose of my weekly rant is primarily to motivate us all to get out the door, a reminder of what is so precious about the daily run. Hopefully, something in today's email does that for us.

The weather sucks, perhaps knowing you will be running in the sun for a week February 6 - 13th from a 5 Star all inclusive with a bunch of fun people will help you get out the door this winter so you can be ready. Even your non-running friends and family will love this trip! Deadline for sign up is December 3rd. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions or if you need me to talk you into this. Check it out!

You're a runner? Don't you worry that you are ruining your knees? I hate continuously hearing this same dumb comment from the lazy cynics that don't want to hear that Running is actually is good for our joints. Have them Google "running is good for your knees" and read the plethora of data out there!

I've been asked by several of you why RF Events uses the term half marathon if I consider it such a dumb term. We use it because it is so widely used ... even if it is stupid and wrong, it's like calling a 5K a Half 10K. There is a grass roots movement sweeping the world to change the name to "Pikermi", a town in Greece half way between Sparta and Marathon! We hope to see you this spring at the Martian Pikermi on April 18th or the Running Fit Trail Pikermi on April 25th! For a list of lots of great Pikermi choices go to our event calendar!

Run with attitude,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner whose knees are better now than 30 years ago!

PS - Running Fit has a great Holiday promo starting tomorrow November 20 through December 1. Make any purchase of $100-$199 and receive a $20 gift card or any purchase of $199 or more for a $40 gift card. Gift cards are valid from December 2- February 28, 2015. Gift cards are valid in any Running Fit store and online at boulderrunningcompany.com See store for details!

PS - Take care of your body... a Yoga workout is  a great way to keep your body healthy and strong.  New session starts December 8. Join us!