Obsessed Runner Blog

2013-03-06 - Work?

Yo run gang,
March 6, 2013

Some days I take myself out for a run; other days, the run seems to be in charge and chooses my path, even my path in life.

Today I write this from a remote house on the bank of the Withlacoochee river in Florida's Green Swamp.
I'm dressed to run and am about to head out to work. Work? I am armed with a hydration belt, GPS and marking flags. Today's job: to mark 15 miles or so of a wild wilderness course for this Saturday's Dances With Dirt trail running event. As they say ... Somebody has to do it! No doubt, running has shaped my life and taken me on this career path. Yes, it's a blessed life and I thank my running obsession for taking me here.

This will be a weekend with very little sleep and the responsibility of the event will weigh heavily on me and the other dedicated members of the Dirt Crew until the hundreds of adventure seeking runners come back from the swamp, safe, physically beat to a pulp and proud of their accomplishments.

Follow your path, follow the run,

Randy Step, an obsessed runner headed out with hopes of spotting a few feral hogs, 'gators and armadillos on my way to work!

PS: Running Fit Novi and New Balance are hosting a Saturday morning breakfast run!
Join us for a fun group run starting from the Novi Running Fit store located in the Novi Town Center. New Balance 890 (neutral) and 870 (light stability) test shoes will be available to demo. Route will consist of an out and back route (up to 10 miles) along the I-275 metro trail. Water will be available at the halfway point. Breakfast will be served after the run courtesy of New Balance. Store opens at 7:30, run leaves the store at 8:00 AM. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 248-347-4949 to let us know you'll be there!
  

November 26, 2008 - The worse the weather, the more valuable the run.

Yo Run Gang,

Bring it on, the worse the weather, the more valuable the run, both physically and mentally. There is something about a cold morning run in horrid conditions in the dark that gives a feeling of power, what I call a Rambo Run. Its like you have something over everyone else. These runs can make us feel like superheroes, something a run on a beautiful day just cant match. Get out there and feel the power!

Traction time is coming. There is no reason to worry about slipping and taking a fall on the winter run. Putting on Yak Tracks adds to the feeling of invincibility on the winter morning run, there is something about running on crap footing with reckless abandon that fires up the soul!

A time of thanks. Especially during the holidays, I think of our American soldiers on the other side of the world away from family and friends putting it all on the line for us and I stand in awe. Thank a vet.

At a recent convention of all the running stores in North America, Running Fit was awarded the Ubuntu award for being the most charitable Running Store in the world, our industries highest honor. Yikes! The truth is, this award was won by our customers and staff who made such giving possible. With the increasing difficulties in our economy, charity will become even more important in the year ahead but will also be more difficult. Again, we thank you.

Get out and run!
Randy Step

Running Fit, an Ann Arbor, Michigan based company wins international humanitarian award!

Running Fit is the 2008 winner of the Ubuntu Award, a special honor to recognize the leading running specialty store for outstanding community service and involvement.

"The word 'Ubuntu' has no literal translation in English, but in essence it means humanism, a shared world view or vision of humanity," said Russell Clark, C.E.O. of Balega, sponsor of this award. "It's about the principle of caring for each other, and a spirit of mutual support. A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, generous, hospitable, caring and compassionate. More broadly it is the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity."

Click here to read the rest of the article

2012-07-18 - Busy, busy...

Yo run gang,

A busy running life here at Running Fit, with the Sold Out Pterodactyl Triathlon tonight and our mega Art Fair Sale at the downtown Ann Arbor store starting today. Northville Running Fit will be moving next door to the vacant Golfsmith store space, soon to be our biggest store that will also include "The Running Institute", a physical therapy and training facility to help get you back on the road when setbacks hit! Truly a one stop runners shop! 

 
Enjoy every healthy day,

Randy Step, an obsessed runner keeping it short and sweet today so you can "Get out and run!"

PS: This Sunday, July 21st, consider the Road Runner Classic 8K (5 miles) and 1 mile, Maybury State Park, Northville, a fun course with a mix of road and trail. The race benefits the friends of Maybury State Park. Enter at  northvilleroadrunners.org.

PS: For some serious trail fun August 4th, put "The Legend Trail Run" on your calendar. 5 miles, 10 miles and 13.1 miles of single-track, Sleepy Hollow State Park, just north of Lansing, about and hour and a half from Metro Detroit. Enter at
runlegend.com

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