Obsessed Runner Blog

2023.12.20 - Road Trip Running

During road trips it’s nice to get out of the car, stretch, and run somewhere fun and new, then climb back in the car rejuvenated and get back to it. Start by asking Siri or Alexa for directions, then check the map over to see what parks or places along the way look like good spots to break up the drive and add some adventure. For example, on a recent Chicago trip, we stopped to run some great trails at Ft. Custer in Battle Creek, perfectly breaking the drive in half! Another recent trip heading home from Philly, we decided to check out the iconic Lincoln Highway, and a remote Pennsylvania State Park with a 5 mile loop trail around a mountain lake. Just a couple miles after the stop we came across, first the debris field, then the National Monument in remembrance of the heroic actions from 9/11’s flight 93. This was not on our radar at all, and without choosing this run, we would have missed this incredible tribute.

Keep running, keep exploring,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, who seems to change clothes more in my car than in my house!

 

2023.12.14 - Run away from this complicated life

I was just looking at the Runner’s World website and its endless articles on shoe technology, training plans, and blah, blah, blah. Life is complicated enough; I believe running should not be. Why does a run reduce anger and stress? Why does it lower our blood pressure, raise our self-esteem, and give us so many physical and mental benefits? Why does all this good stuff happen because of the run, no matter if the run was easy, or painfully difficult? Let’s just accept … that running works wonders, and not overthink it. Better to just head out the door, pound out some honest miles, and accept the gift.

Take your troubles out on the roads and trails, and leave em’ there!

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who is feeling grateful that running found me.

2023.11.30 - Off Season Running

The long fall races are over and the last bit of pushing it ends with the Turkey Trots, then I go into what I call the off season. Your off season may fall differently but I believe the body needs a break from the schedule at some point. This break can be planned, or if injury sidelines you, your off season starts then. No, we don’t stop running but we can back off on our intensity, long runs, and total mileage. Off season during the holidays and the first in your face days of winter seems to fit most schedules. It’s a time to get out there for short sweet runs, just to stay consistent and not totally loose our base. Yes, off season does end, and eventually we have to do some hard work to build back up, but the body will be more receptive at that point. Seriously, the obsessed runner gets a bit wimpy for a month or two each year. I do take advantage of breaks in weather to sneak in longer runs, runs where the pace is easy, and my starving obsession is fed a bit. Enjoy a wimpy run today … or tomorrow! Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner whose mantra is, I love long dark windy winter days with poor footing. And I keep up with this mantra until I start to believe it. Ha.
  1. 2023.11.22 - Run, fail, run
  2. 2023.11.09 - Running alone
  3. 2023.11.02 - You trained for this
  4. 2023.10.25 - Ready to Run

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