Mind Over Matter …..

Posted on November 6, 2013 by tootallfritz

At this point, I definitely consider myself an endurance athlete. I’m a runner. I’m a triathlete. I’m an endurance athlete. I run for fun. I run to de-stress. I run to be alone. It’s no longer about fitness for me but rather something I need to do in order to be a healthy, happy person both physically and mentally.

Goals, tough races and new distances no longer scare me. I’ve run enough miles in this body to know that I can do anything. At anytime. If I really want to do it. And I’m not going to say that I always want to finish what I start but I can persevere over horrible conditions, and fatigue, and pain, and heat, and metal games. As a result, life no longer scares me either. I know that I can conquer anything. I can persevere over horrible conditions, and fatigue, and pain, and the heat of life, and mental games. I know that no matter how hard I am “punched”, I will still get back up to “fight the fight”, whatever the situation. It really is mind over matter.

Ever wonder if sometimes we maybe “think too much”? I’ve noticed that when I stew over things too much then I really can make a mountain out of a mole hill. I’ve also noticed that so many of the things that were so upsetting BEFORE I laced up my run shoes, are just no big deal once I’m a mile or two into a run. Or maybe those “things” are just more manageable afterwards? Who really knows ~~or cares~~ why running, or hard workouts, help us me cope better with life, but they do. Maybe it’s the rush of endorphins. Maybe it’s the quiet solitude. Maybe it’s the fact that most of the blood in our body is rushing to ~~our~~ my muscles and it gives ~~our~~ my brain a bit of a reprieve. Whatever the reason, ~~we all~~ I know that it just quiets the soul and takes the “bite” out of life.

I’ve learned a lot from running. I’ve learned even more from pushing past my comfort zone and tackling new distances that are not only hard but seem “almost” impossible. Oh wait, nothing is impossible when I acknowledge that it’s mind over matter. If I’m healthy, and strong, and ready, then I can do anything. I will persevere over horrible conditions, and fatigue, and pain, and the heat of the battle, and the mental games. It’s just mind over matter.

** Mind Over Matter ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

2013 Hot Chocolate 5K Race Review–Chicago Edition

Posted on November 4, 2013 by tootallfritz

I must say that after last year’s Hot Chocolate 5K/15K debacle at packet pickup and then a very unorganized, overcrowded race, I did not plan to go back this year. I have a little bit of history with this race. In 2011, it was great. I ran a fast 15K thru the streets of Chicago and was super happy with both the race itself and the Ghirardelli’s Chocolate sponsorship, which brought us handfuls of amazing chocolate. Then in 2012, Ghirardelli’s noticeably dropped from the sponsor list and things changed. The first thing is that there was a lot less chocolate to be had. The second, packet pick-up was moved from Union Station to a heated tent in the Soldiers Field parking lot. Downfall, not many people could fit in the tent and organizers were very unprepared for the crowds. Result, hundreds of people standing out in the cold for hours on end “waiting” to pick up their packets. Race day didn’t improve much. The course was super crowded and management was not properly prepared to keep the runners flowing thru the start. Therefore, the start was extremely backed up and I witnessed a lot of unhappy people. It was even “rumored” that some of the runners ~~like myself~~ may have ran more than one time due to the fact that our friends were stuck in the start corrals for hours awaiting their own race. It was total mess. One which I was not prepared to repeat for 2013.

Then Miss Abygayl heard thru the grapevine that the Hot Chocolate was back in town.

And she wanted to run. Really badly. And she begged ~~and begged and begged~~ until I gave in and said we would run. I mean, if the girl wants to run, who am I to say no. #RunNerdInTheMaking

I registered us without any expectations. However, I happily noticed that packet pickup was moved to McCormick place and turned into a 3 day extravaganza. After the Race of the Dead 5K on Saturday, Nicki & I took the kids over to packet pick up and went very smoothly AND it was fun!

Ronald McDonald made an appearance for RMHC! There were some chocolate squares handed out, mini Hot Chocolate samples, marshmallows & chocolate fondue. Bounce houses & games for the kids. SMOOTH & EFFICIENT packet pick-up with hoodie exchange for different sizes.

Plus a few vendors for us to do some shopping! At this point, most of you know that I run a lot of races. So I normally don’t shop at the expo unless it a big one like the Shamrock Shuffle or the Chicago Marathon. The only race gear that I’ve ever purchased is Chicago Marathon gear. However, I was very surprised that the Hot Chocolate race had lots of chocolate themed gear at a very reasonable price. For example, the long sleeve tech shirts were $24.99. I would normally pay $45 to $65 for a LS tech shirt. Full zip jackets were around $45. Then tees for the kids. Aby even found a pair of pajama pants that she “had to have”. So everyone came home with something “chocolaty”. Michael and I now have shirts that say, “chocolate made me do it”. Fuzzy photo alert, see our new gear below but don’t blow this one up or it will hurt your eyes. Smile

The swag was really great this year too. They went to a half zip tech hoodie with embroidery and a back zippered pocket to up the quality factor. Nice piece of gear that I actually will probably wear. Aby is modeling hers below. Plus a drawstring backpack too.

Race day moved much more smoothly too ~~despite a massive back-up on the Dan Ryan which caused most of us to be late~~. Aby and I ran from the car to the bathrooms {no lines, thank you!!!!} to the start. We slipped into the first wave right as they were closing the gates. Then we jogged to A corral and got in without much time to waste.

The start was right on time at 7am and we all moved up quickly in an organized fashion. Since we were already in A corral, we didn’t push to the front assuming that everyone in our corral would be running “faster”. Not necessarily the case. We were sandwiched in and obviously a lot of the 15K runners were being conservative at the start. We didn’t have enough time to be conservative so did quite a bit of weaving in that first mile to try to get thru traffic and also find our own rhythm. It was much different, and even more difficult than the day before; however, because we were weaving together and trying to stay together so I was constantly watching our positions and trying to find a hole big enough for two or a spot where we could split around one solo person. Very interesting trying to run a faster pace with a buddy. Plus, it was supposed to be fun so we ran a comfortably hard pace ~~when we were able~~ but stayed very controlled and managed to stay together at the same time. Of course, Aby was very disappointed with my slow crawl up “Mount Roosevelt” as well as the fact that I lost my finish kick years ago; however, she was kind enough to stay with me to til the very end. We finished a few seconds over 24 minutes. Decent run considering the crowds.

The course this year was much better too. Nice street route for the entire 5K. The 15K was mostly on the streets til the end when they were rerouted onto the lakefront path. Good run. I wish there was a way to space things out a bit more but it’s hard to get 20,000+ people thru the start. Fun time and well, for this race, most of us really just came for the chocolate. At least we did! Everyone received a finishers mug with hot chocolate, a banana, rice crispy treat, marshmallow, wafers & a bag of mini pretzels. Fun and delicious! Tip, take a gallon zip lock to the race to pack up the finishers mug when you leave cuz it’s chocolaty & messy!!

According to Aby, we WILL be running the Hot Chocolate race again in 2014 so maybe I’ll see you there!

** We Run For Chocolate ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Uno 5K Carrera de los Muertos Race Review

Posted on November 2, 2013 by tootallfritz

I run a lot of races each year and while I enjoy them all to a certain degree, only a few hold a special spot on my heart and demand a repeat. I must say that the “Race of the
Dead” which is officially called the Uno 5K Carrera de los Muertos is one which I have been anticipating for well over a year. And it did not disappoint.

This is a themed race for a local community to celebrate the passing of loved ones. There was an alter, or memorial site, to honor those who passed, plus lots of costumes, painted faces, etc. to make it a full celebration rather than just a memorial atmosphere. So much fun! Seriously.

I’ve heard from previous year’s participants that both the shirts and the age group awards are “one of a kind” and to be honest, I didn’t sign up for a shirt. I really wanted a hand painted/crafted skull that the local art department creates for each year’s age group awards. After looking at the past results, I knew that it would be “almost” impossible to win one but that didn’t stop me from trying. At some point, EVERYONE will have a perfect race. Who knows, today could be that day?

Swag on the left, including an amazing gender specific tech shirt which is super cool, bonus in that it actually fits! The back of the shirt and the 2013 age group awards are on the right.

I knew I needed to be in the 21s, probably a 21:30 finish {at the slowest} to even have a shot at the third place award in my division (35-39 women). Well, the third place lady in my AG took it with a 21:30 but that wasn’t me! I was almost 2 minutes behind her and that put me in 6th place. 🙂

No worries, I’m not upset. I’m not injured. I did start a bit too far back, even with the chip timing. I found my pace group sign and stood there awaiting the start, thinking that the people in front of me would run faster than me. They did not. It was a community/neighborhood event and well, the community started in front of me without concern about pace, or time. It surprised me a bit and I did my best to be polite as I attempted to squeeze thru every crack I could find; however, I never really got in a rhythm due the crowds. It thinned out at the half way point but I failed to rally back and increase my pace. I actually slowed down ~~much to my dismay~~ in that third mile.

Regardless, the entire race was awesome. Lots of on course entertainment. And I do mean a lot. I was focused on getting thru the crowds but the entertainment and cheering crowds were constantly garnering my attention and that’s super cool. Lots of costumed runners, which I absolutely LOVE. Lots of community spirit. One aid station at the half way point. Lots of potties at the start/finish area. Massive block party style “after party” with a band, food from community vendors and a few other vendors on site. Really good time. Really fun atmosphere. Great event for the entire family. I can’t wait to go back next year and try to put myself in a better position to snag an AG award!! A few photos of the after party below.

My girl, Nicki, & I after the race (on the left). We tried to dress for the race theme in our Spandits “Skull” pants & she added a few “day of the dead” tats for decoration! And our “babies” (on the right) went to ~~see all the costumes~~ be our support crew.

Great day. Perfect race weather. Amazing neighborhood race. I hope to be able to go back next year because it’s honestly one of the most fun non Shamrock Shuffle, non Chicago Marathon races I’ve ran in our area. I’d highly recommend your giving it a try in 2014!

** Run Fast & Have Fun ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CrossFit Day 33 & 34

Posted on November 1, 2013 by tootallfritz

Great week at CrossFit! It amazes me that even though I keep going, there are still new things to learn. Exciting workouts to try. And it always amazes me that I can walk away from a “workout” after 22 minutes of going hard and feel sore for days. 22 minutes. Some workouts are even shorter! Super cool in my opinion.

CrossFit Day 33

15 Wall Climbs – Whoever created these ~~bitches~~ backwards, inverted wall climbs was one sick puppy. I mean really, who just stares a wall and thinks this stuff up? And yeah, you feel all cool and strong until about the 3rd one then it’s like, please shoot me so that I don’t have to do anymore!!!!

Tabatas – 20 seconds “on” for the movement, 10 seconds rest = 1 set. Repeat x8, then rotate to the next station.

Box Jumps – 18” box
Push-Ups
Kettlebell Swings – 35#
Wall balls – 10#
Ab Baskets – 10# ball – By the time I got here, it was hard to even hold the ball up on my legs. Or maybe it was hard to hold my legs up to balance the ball? I don’t even know, I was totally dazed & confused from exhaustion.

CrossFit Day 34 – I’m going to name this WOD “Pure Torture”

7 Rounds

10 Burpees WITH a plate jump – Cuz burpees just aren’t hard enough but now we have to try to jump on a plate after each one ~~without breaking an ankle or collapsing~~. #WTF Try not to focus too much on my ~~crappy~~ form but here are a few photos below. First a nice demo from the chick in red. Except we didn’t jump “up” but forward onto a 45# plate. Fun.