2014-02-05 - Permission to Slog

I'm giving everyone permission to get out the door for 5 minutes, stumble around, and call it a great achievement!  Your reward will await you!

Actually, with every run, no matter how short, far, fast or slow, our efforts are rewarded with a peaceful inner feeling, increased fitness and afterglow of personal satisfaction. Never do we feel like we wasted our time, even with a 5 minute slog in the slop! ... I do admit that the laundry we pile up this time of year, especially for a short run, sucks.

The feelings we experience after our daily runs are cool, the feelings we get after a race we plan for, train for and meet our goals at are the pearls of life, the ones that get etched in our memories, stand test of time and become a part of who we are. That 5 minute slog becomes a valuable piece of the whole.

Keep the faith,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who accepts turning into a slogger and jogger when the conditions warrant ... and some other days when my conditions warrant.

PS. Going, going, gone! Join us this coming weekend, February 7,8, and 9 for the Winter's Best deals on apparel and accessories! Save 20-50% off all of our favorite winter apparel pieces.

2014-01-29 - When you need just a little more

On the way into work on southbound US-23 I passed a McDonald's billboard with the slogan: "When you need just a little more", referring to adding a couple $1 menu burgers to an already oversized meal. I also passed Taco Bell who advertises: "4th meal, late night food".  On the way home on northbound US-23 I passed a billboard for smart liposuction, ironically, just about across from the McDonald's billboard. I'm guessing the price of adding a few $1 menu items would pale in comparison to the price of "Smartlipo!"

For those of us working to live a healthy, active life we find this all disgusting but perhaps ... A motivational reminder that there is hope for us to escape the unhealthy messages that surround us. How many of you read "When you need just a little more", thought of getting in a couple extra miles! I bet I'm not alone.

Fight the good fight, bundle up, and get out there!

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who understands that if I add an additional 370 calorie Bean Burrito off the "Value menu", I get to run an extra 4 miles!

PS: Just a reminder that Running Fit is open! Yep, running and retail are suffering from a brutal winter. This Fri - Sun. we are out to pay the rent and salaries by raising some cash. The deal, $25 off a ton of current model shoes! We call it the no wimp sale, to reward you for getting out to shop ... and RUN!

PS: Join the fun people at the Super 5K on Sunday morning! You'll get a medal, a pint glass and a Super 5K beanie cap to wear to the Super Bowl party, not only showing you deserve your spot on the couch but you will setting an example and motivating others to join you in your active fun lifestyle, register now! Injured? Just want to help out? Come join us at the Super 5K, Volunteer here!

2014-01-22 - Sign Up and Run

All we need is to squeak through January with some minimum amount of running and we'll be ready to start what I call "the running season" next month. We have one last shot at a winter race where fun is the goal and time and place take a back seat. Join me Sunday, February 2 and take on the Super 5K in Novi before watching the Broncos take on the Sea Hawks. Like a Turkey Trot, The Super Bowl 5K is a big party run before a day of tailgate food and a well deserved spot on the couch. The 5K finisher's pint glass can be put immediately to use! We have a big heated indoor space to stay warm before and to hustle into after. Invite your non-wimp friends and enter at runsuperbowl.com. Did I mention an amazing finisher's medal? Don't want to run? We are still looking for volunteers! HUT, HUT, VOLUNTEER!

Planning out your event year will keep you motivated and on track. Entering an event and signing on the bottom line is a contract to yourself, you are committing to train and will be ready when race day arrives. Notice how I repeat the important stuff! And yes, I suggest the events put on by Running Fit because the passion our crew has for running is directed into every detail of what we do. We understand your commitment to training and that you have put your trust in us by putting down your, hard to come by, discretionary dollars, to enter our events and shop in our stores and we aim to deliver. See runningfit.com/calendar.

Commit, train, and succeed,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... Who admits to just squeaking by with the minimal mileage I need to get to February!

PS: There is a distance for everyone at The Martian Invasion of races lands in Dearborn, MI on April 14th, offering 5K, 10K, 13.1 and 26.2 and a great expo, it's the perfect target for all of us!  Commit now at martianmarathon.com!

PS: Join us Tuesday January 28 at Running Fit Northille for a Lecture series from Extreme Ultramarathoner Dr. Taner Damci as he shares his experiences racing around the globe. RSVP here

2014-01-15 - Run, or we'll know

If you miss a day of running, nobody knows, if you miss two days, YOU know, if you miss 3 in a row, everybody knows! The reality is that everyone could care less about our running and they actually don't know ... but in the mind of a runner, it seems like it! That said, I'm sure glad I got out the door today or everyone would know!

We have such a simple sport that requires so little equipment that I get ridiculously excited about any product that actually adds to my running experience. Winter running opens up a few more opportunities to have this happen. One silly little product this year that fit this bill was the Nathan Light Spur, a goofy little $20 LED strobe light that locks on to the heel of your running shoes. It's ridiculously bright and for sure adds to my safety but what I really like is being able to spot my wife when we run in the dark when our pace varies, or when we run with a group, we can always find each other.

Another find are my Brooks Ghost waterproof, Gore-Tex running shoes. I have always found it amazing that we basically run in the same shoes and socks when it's 100 degrees out or 5 below. I struggle with cold feet and these shoes do keep them dry and help tremendously in the winter. Bring on the icy cold puddles! Yikes!

Run, or we'll know!

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... Who admitted that I just took off 2 days in a row, yikes!

2014-01-08 - Run, read, rest

Yikes, mother nature sure knows how to give us a challenge! Getting out there on one subzero day was an adventure but even this obsessed runner blew off going out there two days in a row. My partner Steve came in from his -15 degree run and said it was not bad. His quote, "There is no bad running weather just bad dressing for it." Well put!

I consider December and January as the off season, a time to get out there and stay consistent but nothing hard or long. With the bit of extra time we gain I find it a great time to get in some running reading. I'm currently reading "14 Minutes" by Alberto Salazar, one of America's greatest runners. Not that we can hope to run like Alberto but his insight into the sport can help us on our journey. Local Ann Arbor runner John Farah's gook, "Let's Pick it up a Bit" gives great insight into training to run well but also is an interesting memoir  of an interesting man. Books like Jeff Galloway's "Marathon, You Can do it!" will leave you excited about giving the 26.2 mile event a try, lets you know that you really can do this! Then, there is the very dark running novel, "On the lips of Children" by Mark Matthews, for those of us who crave the spooky stuff. All available at Running Fit of course!

Run, rest, read and stay warm,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner that hopes to read myself into shape!

2014-01-01 - Be A Better You

I’ve had some success over the years with New Year’s resolutions. I’m sure we can all think of 50 bad behaviors we’d like to change but I find if you get it down to one or two that seem like they have realistic possibilities for success we have a good shot at tweaking this life for the better. Let’s make a commitment to ourselves and have the courage to start. Yes, we can change.

A big one for me was giving up my daily Pepsi or Coke, I’ve been soft drink free for 9 years. One of this year’s resolutions is to strictly keep my fitness log. I know that when I do log my miles of running, biking and swimming, it gives me tremendous motivation and keeps me honest with myself. My other commitment is to a minimum of two yoga sessions per week, I’m hoping for 3 sessions but I know how hard it is for me to schedule the time for non-aerobic activities. I’m also shooting for not having more than 2 drinks on school nights … but I know this one will be difficult when out with good friends. The trick is to have the courage to start and getting the streak going, the longer the streak, the more it will drive us to success.

I’d love for you to share your one most realistic resolution with me, I’ll post a link to the list in a future midweek, perhaps 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)

Be a better you,

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

2013-12-25 - Dashing through the snow

Oh, the weather outside is frightful ... but you might as well trick the family out for a walk around the block! Bundle them up and the gang will be laughing all the way! Be the catalyst for fresh air, fit, fun, be subtle at first, then talk the adventure up like it's Shackelton's expediton to the south pole and worth braking away from the PS4!

We live in a winter wonderland, why not start a Christmas day, Pure Michigan tradition that includes going toe to toe and getting slapped around by mother nature ... and when you dash back inside, the fire will be so much more delightful!

Run, run, Rudolf,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who's always thinking of ways to get people to ... Ho, Ho, Go!

2013-12-18 - Run Local

I find some magic in buying Michigan products and the whole, do, shop, eat and give back local trend. Yes, when we help the local economy we do help ourselves but it's much more than that, I find it adds to the quality of life and makes me feel rooted. I love farm to table trend in restaurants letting me know about local ingredients used, it absolutely adds to my dining experience.

That said, when the Running Fit event department team came up with the idea of a run/walk series that would promote and support Michigan products I was excited. When I found out it would center around Michigan craft beers, wines and hard cider I was ecstatic!

Mark your calendars for "The Thirsty 3", the not so serious Michigan run series that starts with the "Hightail to Ale 5K" Friday night from Atwater Brewery in Detroit on May 2nd followed by "Running Between The Vines" Half Marathon and 5K at Sandhill Crane Vineyard August 16th, 20 miles west of Ann Arbor and finishes with "The Scrumpy Skedaddle 5K & 10K", October 5th,  from the home of J.K.'s Scrumpy Organic Hard Cider in Flushing, MI. Post-race parties will include pairings of local fun drinks, fun food and great live local entertainment! Registration will open at 2PM, Thursday, December 19. Visit the websites listed above for more information and registration!

Live it up locally,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed local runner who is Pure Michigan Proud! I love this place!

PS: HAPPY HOUR! Does the Thirsty 3 sound like your kind of series? If you enter the entire series at once, SAVE $10 off your registration with the online code HAPPYHOUR. This discount will run from Thursday, December 19th at 2PM until Friday, December 20th at 9PM. Make sure to share with your friends because it's no fun running or drinking alone! Registration will open HERE at 2PM Dec. 19.

2013-12-11 - Jiggle the fat

'Tis the season when the daily run is getting attacked from all sides, endless parties and treats, finding time to shop, bad footing, wind, cold and short dark days. Yikes! This is no time for running heroics that may be doomed to failure, it's time to hunker down and just commit to the basics. Promise yourself to just get out the door for a minimum of days for a minimum of miles, something realistic, just enough to take in some fresh air and jiggle the fat. We can come back in January without too much erosion of our base, ready to ramp up to greatness!

Speaking of short days, this is the time to be safe and be seen. While you're out shopping at Running Fit this weekend, buying your friends and family gifts that will change their lives, check out the sale on reflective vests, jackets, headlamps and strobe lights that will let you own the night!

Run off what you can, we'll burn the rest in January,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, getting in the minimum December miles to keep the wiggle to a jiggle!

PS: What the heck, you need to get in your run and finish your holiday shopping (at Running Fit!) anyway so why not join us for some silly, sweaty fun!

THE FREE FIT 5K! 6:00PM Wednesday Dec. 18, Washtenaw County Farm Park, just across the street from the new Running Fit Arbor Hills. Shirts for the first 100 to RSVP! Expect a not so serious trail run in the dark. Bring head lamps, flashlights and holiday flashy stuff to light the night! Fit 5K mug awards 100% deep in all age groups, finish your year with a win! RSVP HERE!

2013-12-04 - Searching out the new stuff

Short and sweet this week, our buyers are in Austin Texas for a couple of days for the running store convention, where Running Fit was inducted into the Running Retail Hall of Fame! We will be back next week to tell you about the upcoming new products.

The important things to remember: this weekend is our customer appreciation sale with deals up to 50% off everything in the store Friday, Saturday and Sunday, put it on your calendar! Also the holiday hustle 5 K is in Dexter on Saturday afternoon, don't miss this wonderful family event, go to runholiday5K.com.

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, hanging out with lots of runners in Austin this week.

PS. Yoga for runners is back! Join us at Running Fit Northville on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Join us THIS Thursday 12/5 for a FREE promotional class!   More Info

PS. Join us at Running Fit Novi in the Novi Town Center on Saturday 12/7 for a Group Run followed by Breakfast presented by Gore-Tex! Routes of 3, 6, and 10 miles will be marked. You will have the option to test wear the Brooks Ghost GTX, Brooks Adrenaline GTX, and Saucony Ride GTX. There will also be Polar heart rate monitors availalbe for demo. Doors open at 7:30am, run starts at 8am. RSVP here; let us know you'll be there.