Obsessed Runner Blog
March 3, 2010 - Training is aimed at the ultimate goal!
Yo run gang,
In winter I train hard and focus my running on one key spring event, I run several spring races but the training is aimed at the ultimate goal. After that race, I become a triathlete until mid August, at which time I revert back to a runner with my sights set on a fall goal. Sounds pretty well rounded for an obsessed runner, eh? The truth is, you cant have hard days without easy days and you cant have a peak season without an off season. Yes its hard to switch gears but the end result is rewarding, and dare I say it, the triathlon is pretty darn cool. Does this all sound like a nice intro to a shameless plug?
On Saturday March 20th, we are having a triathlon season kick off day of fun at the Running Fit 5700 Jackson Rd. Headquarters in Ann Arbor. No charge! We will have multisport vendors on hand showing off the latest and greatest gear. Frazz cartoonist Jeff Mallett signing his book, Trizophrenia, wet suit demos in our Endless Pool, an 8:30 AM bike ride, a 10:00 AM run, with vendor and tri club booths opening at 11:00 AM. We will have a panel discussion about the sport at 11:30 AM and one of the wildest transition clinics you will ever see as 3 pro level men and 3 pro level women triathletes jump out of the endless pool in full wetsuits at the same time, race through transition, mounting and racing a 100 bike ride into transition followed by 100 run. This will be quite the learning experience, followed by a Q&A. Booths and demos will be open until 2:00 PM but you can stay and shop as long as you want! Expect discounts and swag give-a-ways all day. We will send out an email with more specifics but I wanted to let you know to save the date.
Swim, Bike and Run, Run, Run,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner with a sub 12 hour Ironman Triathlon time at Kona
February 23, 2011 - Spring Hopes Eternal
Life is tough, even when things seem to be going well. Stress from day to day life can lead to midlife crisis, depression and even suicide, Yikes! What's the answer? I don't know for sure but I'd bet something as simple as a bucket list could get you out of the rut. What to put in there? My vote is for a half marathon, marathon, triathlon, ultra marathon (What did you expect?) Worse case scenario, you will get a clean T-shirts to wear after you finish each of them! Where to start? Go to runningfit.com and click on marathon training on the left hand links. I think you will find it entertaining, if not, maybe you should buy a Harley, learn to pole dance or jump out of a plane!
First sign of spring? I have not seen a bluebird yet but some colorful new shorts and short sleeve tops are starting to bloom on the walls at Running Fit! Feeling blue, shopping for spring is an effective way to fight SAD!
Jump the rut,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, afraid but excited by what's next on my bucket list!
January 13, 2010 - I sure like it better when I get to talk smack!
Yo run gang,
I sure like it better when I get to talk smack, like Im an indestructible running machine Then there are days like today, where I do the toughest thing there is in running, I do something smart but embarrassing, I cut the run short because of some darn pain behind my knee, perhaps a bit of the old I.T. Band. Worse yet, Im running with a couple other runners who I talked into running a snowy trail in the dark and I leave them to return to my car, pack some snow on the leg, and head home. We all need to be put in our place, and the body has a way of doing better than anyone can. Ice and a few easy days and Ill be back out on the trail. This would not have been the case in the early run years; I would have hammered myself into a month off.
This is a good lead in to the product of the week; Ive decided its the KT tape. Just about any pain you are dealing with will respond to a good tape job. The KT tape comes with links to videos on how to tape just about any pain you have. On days you dont run, use the time to learn to run smarter and patch yourself up!
Randy Step, an obsessed runner on the mend