Obsessed Runner Blog
November 11, 2009 - My partner Steve and I are in Austin, Texas.
Yo run gang,
My partner Steve and I are in Austin, Texas today at The Running Event, the convention for running specialty stores. A convention unlike any other. Picture a convention that includes daily runs and a Shoe and sock bar, a place where you can stop in anytime and grab any shoe and socks by any manufacturer and go out and run in them. This morning we raced 5K, the field included several Olympians and a whos who of sponsored athletes and running celebrities, perhaps one of the fastest races in the country on a Wednesday morning! Yes our jobs can be a lot of fun and yes, were lucky to live and love what we do. That said, our goal here is to return to Michigan with the latest and greatest running products and information to share with you and make your running life the best it can be. Tonight we are off to the awards banquet where last year we won the Umbuntu Award, an award many of you have seen as it toured the stores. We were just informed that we were again voted one of the top 50 running stores in the US (Out of around 500 stores). I think they told us just in case we decided to skip the dinner and go out for a run Would we do that?
Our lifestyle and these awards would not be available without you, our loyal customers and friends. A following note from the shoe donation program, Soles 4 Souls about last Fridays visit to our Ann Arbor Store, is a perfect example of how cool you, the runners in Michigan, all are!
Thank you so much for allowing us to visit your store and your continued support of Soles4Souls! Hope you enjoyed Allan and Sylvania they loved you all! See report below!
Hello: Michigan runners are great! We were swamped with people bringing shoes while we were at Running Fit. Everyone was super friendly and so enthusiastic about S4S. So many said I checked you out on the web before bringing these shoes. So evidently the web site is doing a good job conveying our message. We collected about 350 pairs of shoes. A steady stream of customers to a fairly small store. They just kept on coming! The Running Fit staff was so professional and willing to help us in any way. Theyve donated thousands of shoes in the past and hope to continue. A great group of people. Wish every retailer could be like this. Silvana
Run forever,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who ran 5K in a cowboy hat today, because I did not want to look like a tourist!
May 4, 2011 - Make a new plan!
Yo run gang,
News stories of civil war, natural disasters and political conflict seem to compete with the mental energy needed to get through the normal day to day difficulties of life (bills, family issues, health ...) It's more essential than ever that we shut it all down, lace em up, and blast out the door into the natural world. Our daily run allows us to refresh our brain and body like a much needed shower, ready to take on the world again.
Planning running events and setting goals for our future gives us focus and the additional motivation needed to break free from life's traps and gives us the confidence to make the daily run a priority. Take the time to make plans and set these goals ... do it now! A place to start, click here.
Run wild,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner who just finished a noon run wondering why the day that seemed so overwhelming this morning seems like a cake walk this afternoon.
PS. Volunteers Needed for Dances With Dirt Gnaw Bone!
May 14 - Nashville, IN
Come help us control the madness in beautiful Brown County State Park. We can always use more volunteers on race day but you can come on down for the week with us!
Click here for more info & to fill our our online volunteer form or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
On top of all the "thanks" and "you rock" you will get throughout the day, you also get an awesome volunteer shirt, a $30 coupon toward any Running Fit event, including race shirt, and a great feeling for giving back to your sport! And food: we put on a rockin' barbecue at Mike's Dance Barn.
PS. Live Like Andi
May 14 - Novi, MI
Another great, charitable race is coming up on May 14 on the streets of Novi, MI, The Live Like Andi 10 Mile (Yes, a fast, road, 10 mile!), 10K and 5K. Entries are a bit down, please help out this great race and great cause and enter today at
October 14, 2009 - Detroit Free Press race weekend is upon us!
Yo run gang,
Detroit Free Press race weekend is upon us! Running Fit will have a big booth with great deals down at the Cobo Hall Expo on Friday and Saturday, come on down and say hi and shop! Even if you are not running, visiting the expo or watching the marathon on Sunday can be inspirational. Sorry, no post race party at Bookies, the start and finish moved and Bookies closed ... We may be at the Anchor Bar, but that plan might change. Well have the post race party location posted at our expo booth, another reason to stop by!
As the weather turns dark and cold, running partners and planed group runs help get me out the door, along with a headlamp or the way cool Go-Motion chest mounted lamps. For those of you in Ann Arbor, there is a womens only 6 AM, Thursday morning run from the new Running Fit headquarters at 5700 Jackson rd. 1-4 easy miles. Headquarters also has a 6:30 PM Thursday night run where all are welcome! Join me on the trails! Meet me at Island Lake Rec. 5:30 PM on Wednesdays. Meet at Spring Mill Pond (Not the trailhead parking area!) park all the way in at the end of the parking lot. 5 9 miles. Click on "Group Runs" for a list of the weekly runs from all of our stores. Well keep each other going!
For those of you running the long races, its time for carbo loading and the TV taper, bring it on!
Run and rule the night,
Randy Step, an obsessed runner, making run plans!