Obsessed Runner Blog
June 23, 2010 - Comin' Back!
Yo Run Gang,
My friend Karen trained diligently all winter to run a 50K mountain race. A week out from the event a rock shot out from her lawnmower, shattering her tibia.
Life is not fair and as athletes we are reminded of this often. There are no givens, in training, racing or life. When aiming at a long term goal we put a lot of life's eggs in one basket, a risk-reward scenario. The risks are high, a lot can happen during several months of training, especially as race week draws near when our bodies are on the edge, ready for injury or sickness.
We can hope for the best, but need to have a plan for the worst. By reminding ourselves that there is perhaps an 80% chance of making it to the starting line we might train a bit smarter, taking days off when a pain comes up or we are feeling run down. We might be more flexible with our plans, keeping family and friends intact. The worst case scenario plan? Be ready to switch gears 180 degrees when tragedy hits, putting all our effort in a new direction, making a plan for recovery and getting just as focused on the next big comeback as we did for original plan.
Dang, why is it that the hardest things in life to do are the right things?
Run smart,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, inching my way back from injury ... while wanting to run back!
7-22-09 - A chance to get in more running, reading and writing.
Yo run gang,
I'm headed off on vacation, a chance to get in more running, reading and writing. I leave you with some summer reading, a past account of my solo Alaska marathon that may inspire you to new goals and adventure. I hope to come back with a head full of fresh motivational thoughts to share with you down the road ahead.
Get out for a run,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner ... on holiday!
Going Solo - An Alaska Running Adventure
Life is not meant to be lived in moderation. With a middle of the road life comes a middle of the road existence. Stress is in the eyes of the stressed. What could be more stressful than to look back at the years and wonder ... what could I have done? Peace comes to those that already know that answer; they've done it! I believe life is meant to be lived out toward the edge. The proverbial edge is a personal point that is arrived at by means of your comfort zone. For some it might be an hour hike alone on trails in a state park, for others it might be a solo climb of a 20,000+ ft. peak in the Himalayans.
Without goals, my life seems to wander aimlessly. To stay fit and focused I need to be training for something. To keep my interest these goals must be out near the edge. Once the goal is set, all in life seems to fall in place. I eat, sleep, work, train and seem to be more organized when focused on a long-term goal.
December 16, 2009 - This run was worth the cost!
Yo run gang,
The holiday screws are tightening, with gifts to buy, parties, dinners and visitors in addition to the normal job and family requirements. Getting in the daily run feels like lying, cheating and stealing, that is, until you get out the door! Once into the rhythm of the run, breathing in the cold fresh air and breaking into an honest sweat with your senses alive and the smoke clearing from your mind, finally comes the realization that this run was worth the cost!
My wife and I cheated the weather last weekend and went south for a quick holiday visit to my folks and in-laws in Florida and to sneak into the Green Swamp for some warm weather mileage and to tweak the Dances With Dirt course for the February 13th race. Throw in a midwinter break and join the Dirt Crew for a trail half marathon, marathon, relay or ultra in the sun, you will be deserving! Give a present to yourself today, go to www.danceswithdirt.com and commit. Flights to Tampa are a deal and the new Hampton Inn in Dade city is great.
Eat, drink, run and be merry, in any order necessary it to get it done,
Randy Step, and obsessed runner, breaking all the rules of time management