It happens every year. I need a little motivation to start the new year. I’m not into New Year’s resolutions. They’re too easy to break and no matter what happens it seems you just set yourself up for failure if you’re unable to meet your own expectations. So, I’ve started a new tradition…buy new running shoes. There’s nothing like the smell, feel and unscarred sole of new shoes. They just scream “run in me.”

For the couple of years I was a minimalist. I ran in my Vibram Five Fingers and then into three pairs of Nike Free’s. Through the mileage in those shoes (or lack of), I have taught myself to run correctly and avoid the dreaded “heel strike.” Correcting my stride has paid off in spades and now I’m looking for a more cushioned ride. I’ve been having issues with my arches which in turn made running less enjoyable. The solution? The Saucony Triumph 9.

My sons and I went to visit my go to running store – the Red Rock Running Company. This was the first running store I bought my first “official” running shoes from and I won’t by a shoe anywhere else. No matter who is working at the store, their knowledge and love for running always put me in the right shoe at the right price. I also love the fact that they encourage you to take the shoes on a test drive. With a large parking lot and alley that runs behind the store, you’re allowed to head out the door and actually run in the shoes before making a decision.

I brought my current two pairs of running shoes for analysis and spent the first ten minutes retelling my running history, issues I was having and where I wanted to be. Not having any preconceived notions of what I wanted, I was brought three options – to start. It was sort of like the story of the three little bears. The first model has way too tight. I like my shoes to have a roomy toebox. The second pair was alright but it just didn’t feel quite right. The last pair was juuuuuusssssst right. I found my perfect match in the Saucony Triumph 9. While it’s a little more shoe than I’ve been accustomed to, the heal drop is only 8 mm and it has more cushioned feel underfoot. It’s also very light, weighing in just under 11 ounces. When you’re as big as me, every ounce counts.

While I may be departing my minimalist ways, these running shoes are what I need for the next chapter of my running career. Following my first training run in them, I can’t be happier with my purchase and I’m already looking forward to my second pair that are ironically the same colors as ORB. I guess it was destiny.

RMFR

ORB is excited to announce that the first “official” Team ORB rocked the shirts and the Women Run the Cities 10 mile and 5K today in the Twin Cities. Congratulations ladies and we’re proud of you!!!

RMFR

ORB will be sponsoring (I’m using this term lightly) it’s first runners at the Women Run the Cities 10K. As a part of that, I will be printing up the first batch of ORB RMFR shirts. I need to order a minimum number of shirts so I will have extra to officially to sell in the coming weeks. If you’re interested, just let me know. I will set up a new page on the website for ordering soon.

The shirts will be gray Sport-Tek running tees with 2-color printing on both sides. I plan on doing other colors (orange, white, black) as well as long sleeves in the future. The cost of the shirts will be $25 and that will include any shipping costs. I’m not doing this to make any money. I just want to keep the Runner’s Gang Sign movement going strong.

RMFR

I’m very excited to announce a new Lobe at OneRunnersBrain. Tara Maras has gratefully accepted my invitation to write and share her running experiences here at ORB. Besides being a running fanatic (after recently joining our ranks) she is also a gifted writer and I’m sure many of you will welcome her perspective on running. I look forward not only to her insights (and rants) but her poetic verse that will no doubt put my dribble to shame. Please join me in welcoming Tara into our obsessive universe where the roads rule and sweat reigns supreme!!! (that kind of sounds like Iron Chef – the Japanese version)

RMFR

Believe it or not, ORB is officially 1 year old. Time has gone by so fast that it’s actually 1 week and 1 year!!! Who would have thought that 1) I would have found time to keep providing content to this website (181 posts) and 2) have enough things to write about!!!

What originally started as a place to write down the many random thoughts that passed thru my brain while running has now taken on many forms:

• Spirituality – After reading “Running the Spiritual Path” by Roger D. Joslin, I committed my time running to giving that time back to God. What better way to spend hours of solitude than sharing that time praying and meditating?
• Runner Safety – Finding myself running early in the mornings, I saw many runner’s in danger on our roadways. It has been a goal of mine to share what I’ve learned and read so that many more runner’s will be more visible while running. It went so far as Troy’s post on “Dexting” getting him interviewed in Runner’s World for Liz Robbins’ article Collision Course.
• Encouraging Others towards Fitness – With the creation of the Fargo Fitness Challenge, I’ve now embarked on another passion, encouraging others to take up running. I know what running has done for my health and if I can get one person off the coach and back into fitness, I’ll consider this one a success.

I would personally like to thank the nearly 3,500 people who have come to this site from over 50 countries and every U.S. state. To the many friends that I have met here, I’m glad that this site has been a conduit for some really great stories and friendships that span the globe.

Who knows what the future holds but if it’s anything like the last year, it’s anybody’s guess!!!

RMFR (also another thing that came about over the last year and my proudest accomplishment)

I’ve been meaning to buy this movie forever now but I just saw a link from Runner’s World that it’s now being show on Hulu (with limited commercial interruptions). I haven’t watched it yet (I’m off to Team Selvig Bowling) but plan to watch it later today. Please feel free to watch it here on ORB or click here to view it in HD/full screen on Hulu. Enjoy!!!

I was contacted by the Fresh Air Fund to pass on some information to ORB readers. If you are searching for another race this year, check this out. Registration is now closed for the NYC Half Marathon and this could be your opportunity to still gain entry AND run for a good cause.

The Fresh Air Fund is looking for runners and sponsors to join their Fresh Air Fund-Racers Team for the NYC Half-Marathon on August 16th. This is a great way to participate in NYC’s premier summer road race while helping Fresh Air Fund children.

Last summer’s NYC Half-Marathon was a huge success and the Fresh Air Fund-Racers raised more than $125,000. They are also still in need of Friendly Town Hosts for next month. Host families open their hearts and homes to a NYC child who would not otherwise have the opportunity to escape the hot, crowded city streets.

To register with the Fresh Air Fund-Racers Team, CLICK HERE. If you have additional questions or are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Kate at runners@freshair.org or call (800) 367-0003 ext. 8890.

Recently we have been receiving numerous requests. Kudos to those of you who, through our web links, have found our emails. Nobody should have to do that much research to get in contact with us so we’ve made it a little easier. Please note there is now a “Contact Us” page on the navigation. That’s your direct contact with the Lobes of ORB. If you have things you’d like us to touch on, races/organizations to promote or products you’d like reviewed, contact us and we’d be happy to look into them.

Just over three years ago in the sweltering heat (115+ degrees) of Las Vegas, Nevada, one man set out on a journey from a downtown office location to the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa located in the outskirts of town. While this man ventured out on his own two feet to pound the pavement for the next 5+ miles, members and guests of the American Media Corporation traveled to the same resort in air conditioned luxury cars and plush leather bucket seats. Among many of the guests traveling the lazy man’s way was this writer…Troy Schrenk. Yep, that was me. That is, until I saw the Man, the Running Man that is, appear before me and all of the other guests just moments after arriving by car.

At first I thought it was a mirage of a man. I asked myself, “How could anyone possibly run in heat like this?” Sure enough, the Running Man was REAL…not a mirage. Who was this guy? His name and reputation was best known in hockey circles.  To me he was known as “E”, the bruising, bashing hockey star that could body check you into to tomorrow if you weren’t careful.  Little did I know that “E”, the former hockey star from North Dakota had become a “runner”. “E” a runner? How could that be? Well, it only took one look to know that this bruising body checker had truly become a refined athlete who could withstand the unbearable L.V. summer heat and had carved his body into a lean, mean running machine!

What an inspiration…I was in awe of the transformation that had taken place over the course of one year as “E” (Eric Selvig) had taken up running to transform his life (literally): physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It was in that moment, seeing him appear like a mirage in the Las Vegas desert that I too wanted and needed to transform my life.

So, it was then that my running journey began. I was inspired! That was the first step and nearly three years later my personal transformation through running is ongoing, ever changing and constantly evolving. Just as I was inspired, it is my hope that others will be inspired, motivated, and encouraged as a result of our writings, experiences and thoughts. I am thrilled to be a part of the ORB team and look forward to running with each of you.

RITN, Schritter

When ORB started, I was running it alone – I am alone no longer. Troy Schrenk, one of my running comrades and an inspiration for ORB has joined me on this narrative journey. Troy brings another competitive level to this running blog. A couple of years ago, I gave him a push in the right direction and he’s taken it to the Nth level. For those of you “Boston Qualifier” types, Troy’s your guy. He’ll share his serious mileage and insight as well as off-the-wall brain type stuff ORB is noted for.