Monthly Archives: December 2013

Inspire, Be Inspired, Meet Tonia

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Everyone comes to the TTF website/blog for a reason.  Many of you are friends, family or running associates.  Some of you are Team Tough Chik members or fellow Fit Approach Sweat Pink Ambassadors. A lot of you are trying to figure out how to get extra entries to win the AWESOME Tough Chik fleece hoodie that we are giving away on Monday HERE.  Some are looking for a bit of inspiration. 

inspire

Regardless of the reason as to why you have visited today, I think it’s important for all of us to remember how things used to be for EACH.AND.EVERY.ONE.OF.US.  If all your friends are marathon runners, it may seem “normal” but know that only 0.5% of the US population has EVER ran a marathon, that’s less than 1%.  So your friends, no matter how cool, are not the norm in the US.  Not even close.

Do you remember how hard it was when we started working out and focusing on a fit lifestyle?  Or how hard it was to come back from that crazy injury?  Or how hard it was to come back after the last baby?   If you are JUST STARTING to focus {or refocus} on your own fitness then I want you to know that you aren’t alone.  There are lots of people doing the same exact thing, right this very moment.  If you haven’t yet taken the plunge to begin your own fit journey, then do it now.  It’s not to late to start today, no matter how poor your fitness or how many kids you have or how busy you may be, it’s not too late.  However, tomorrow is a different story.  We will never know what tomorrow may bring.  There are no guarantees.  No promises of tomorrow.  Start today.  Or restart, if you must, but do something, anything, NOW.

Please meet my friend Tonia and BE INSPIRED.  Last year in October, we had our {cough} 20 year high school reunion.  See photo below.  Tonia is on the end in the blue shirt.  Hi, Tonia!!!

20th Reunion

We talked.  She was nice, pleasant but very quiet. Some people just aren’t big talkers, right?  Well, it was more than that. Read Tonia’s story below in her own words,written December 1st, 2013.

I didn’t like to have my picture taken at all when I was that “big”. I seriously considered not going to our 20 year class reunion because of my weight.  Then when I saw pics posted on Facebook of our whole class, I felt so embarrassed of how big I had gotten.  I had been depressed in 2009 while I was laid off from work for 9.5 months.  I finally got to be way beyond what was even acceptable to me.  I had to do something about my weight.  I was concerned about becoming diabetic or afraid something else bad would happen like stroke or a heart attack.  I was worried.  So on June 22, 2013, I started my first AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge.  I lost 13 lbs and 18 inches in that first 24 days.  I was excited to see what it was doing for me.  I felt more energetic and my clothes were fitting better.  As the weeks went on, I stuck to the clean eating and even started running.  I started with the Couch to 5K app on my phone. Shin splints stopped me after about 3 weeks.  I was still walking some and bought compression socks to help with the shin pain.  A week before my first 5k I got my very first pair of Brooks running shoes at Three Rivers Running Company in Fort Wayne, IN.  It made a huge difference in how my legs felt while running.  I’ve lost a total of 50 lbs in 5 months. I’m still on the journey of losing weight.  To be honest, I’d like to lose 50 more!  I want to show my kids that when you want something bad enough, anything is possible.  My son is now showing some interest in running. He’s only 9, but he goes with me when I’m only running a mile or so.  I love it because he assumes the title as my trainer and says little things like “keep up the pace” or “keep running, you can do it”.  My daughter likes the lifestyle change too.  She loves the healthy foods in the fridge.  She’s always eating all of my fruits and veggies.  Lol!  She also loves tilapia and turkey burgers.  I don’t have to worry about anyone eating all of my plain no fat Greek yogurt though!   Please see my before & after pic below.  The “before” was in March 2013 and the “after” was the morning of my very first 5k, November 23, 2013.

Tonia

Thank you, Tonia, for sharing your story!  We are all so proud that you were strong enough to step outside of your comfort zone to do something for yourself and your family.  AMAZING progress; keep it up!!  Please keep us posted as to how things go in the future; we are all rooting for you!! 

As for the rest of you, Inspire & Be Inspired!!

aim to high & miss or low and achieve

** Inspire & Be Inspired ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CrossFit Day 41, 42 & 43

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Tripling up on the CrossFit workout report since last week was a short week and I’m so slammed between work and life.

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving we had a fabulous workout.  Apparently “someone” thought we should hit it hard “in case” we overindulged during the holiday. 

Day 41 – Strict Press 7×3 (10 #s on each side w/ a 33# bar = 53# press)

Simple move, press from shoulders straight up in the air til arms are extended.  Might be tough if you have weak spaghetti arms like me cuz there is  no “hop” or leg help.  Yikes, this is all arms, baby.  All arms.  Cool diagram below from sliveryearsfitness.com.

strict press_silveryearsfitness

Step down:  10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1

  • Wall Balls – 10#
  • Hand Release Push-ups
  • Ab Baskets – 10# ball
  • 110 single jump ropes

Not sure on the official name of this workout but I call it step downs for lack of a better word.  First round, do 10 reps of each and end with 110 single jump ropes.  Second round, do 9 reps of everything and then end with 110 single jump ropes.  And so on, and so forth ….  FUN but I was dying on the last couple rounds with the 110 single jump ropes!

Day 42  – Tuesday – Karen WOD – OMGosh “Karen” you are a real bitch tough chick.  150 Wall Balls for time.  10# ball for me.  We did increments of 15 so that helped but by round 3, I was wondering if I would survive.  I did survive.  I mean, HELL YEAH, of course I survived and I loved it!!  It took me 8 minutes and 18 seconds though and then I proceeded to go lay on the floor and cry.  Here is my girl, Michelle CRUSHING her workout!!

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We got to follow that up with 7×5 Front Squats (10#s on each side & a 33# bar) just to make sure our quads and hammies were totally trashed when we left.  Mine were for sure.

Day 43 – Today – Still sore from WOD Karen.  25 Pull-ups – 2 bands assisted me and it was still hard today.  Stupid spaghetti arms.

Tabatas – 8 consecutive rounds at each rotation before moving onto the next.  20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest.  Repeat x8.

  • Rowing
  • Hand Release Push-ups
  • Kettlebell Swings – 26# – Wow, that kettlebell was HEAVY today!
  • Sit-ups
  • Rope Slams – SO.MUCH.FUN.  We did single rope slams, see first photo from phillymag.com, but the more recognizable version is the double rope slam as pictured by muscleropes.com. 

ropeslams_phillmag  ropeslams_muscleropes

Great group of workouts!  Thanks, CrossFit New Lenox for continuing to push me!

** Stronger Me = Faster Me ** Amanda – TooTallFritz.com **

Tough Chik Fleece Sweatshirt Review & Giveaway

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One of my favorite retailers, Tough Chik, has brought out a few new things for the holiday season.  If you live in a climate with seasonal changes, you may be struggling to adjust to the colder temps like myself.  I’ve been cold a lot.  I’ve been shivering a lot.  And I struggle finding warmer clothing items which are cute, warm and snuggly!  I’m very picky about sweaters and sweatshirts.  If I’m cold enough to put one on then I want it to look AND feel good.  The softer the better.  Enter the Tough Chik fleece, hooded sweatshirt.  Retail $40.

ToughChik_fleece

This fleece arrived in the mail this weekend and I had to pry it out of Aby’s hands haven’t taken it off since.  It’s a nice aqua color which is girly but not too over the top.  I like that.  The back has the phrase that Tough Chik coined, “THIS IS WHAT TOUGH LOOKS LIKE”, which is one of my favorite things about Tough Chik!!  The outside is normal sweatshirt material and the inside is a butter soft fleece.  I LOVE that!  I mean, I REALLY love that.  Nothing makes me feel better than slipping on something that is warm and snuggly.  Mr. Michael and I are big “snugglers” and we like to be warm.  Obviously we can’t sit and snuggle in the rocker 24/7, much to our dismay, so it’s nice to have a sweatshirt which makes me feel happy and warm!  Yes, it really is  possible to have clothing which makes you FEEL happy.  Smile

This fleece is unisex sizing, so runs big.  Normally for unisex sizing, I go down one size and end up with an item that is too big, so if you like a form fitted piece then I really recommend going down 2 sizes.  If you like a baggier fit so that you can layer underneath, then go down 1 size from what you would normally order in a ladies item.  For example, I’m a large in Nike clothing but would order a small in this for a “fitted” look or  a medium for a baggier look where I could layer up underneath.  Hope that helps.  I know fitting is hard for us ladies and I want you to look and feel good about your clothes!!!

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I really love this piece and if I didn’t already I own it, I’d beg mom to buy it for me add it to my Christmas list.  In fact, I loved it so much that I’ve already ordered 2 more for Christmas gifts {please don’t tell Aby!}.

Tough Chik has generously agreed to give one of you this amazing fleece for FREE!  If you would like to win a special Christmas present directly from the Original Tough Chik herself, please comment below and tell us if you own an item of clothing that makes you FEEL happy {and I really hope that you do!}   You will be eligible for a second entry into the giveaway if you go “like” the Tough Chik Facebook page HERE.  And you can get a third entry if you share this giveaway via any social media outlet of your choosing.  Just let me know what you did in the comments section below so that I can get you registered with the appropriate number of entries!  Three total entries possible per person.  Giveaway starts NOW and runs til Monday, December 9th at 9am.  Winner will be selected via a random number generator and announced on Monday.  GOOD LUCK!!

If you can’t wait to win, feel free to go shopping NOW.  Tough Chik is offering free shipping until tonight (Wednesday, December 4th) at midnight with the code:  TOUGHCHIKTUESDAY.

For all things Tough Chik, please follow on Twitter HERE and on Instagram HERE.

I wish you a warm and cozy holiday season! ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Black Friday at Waterfall Glen {2013}

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In the spirit of holiday traditions, each year I host a run at Waterfall Glen in Darien, IL on the morning of Black Friday and Good Friday.  The run is scheduled at 8am and EVERYONE in the local running community is invited, and encouraged to bring friends.  Each year the run gets a little bigger.  The 2013 Black Friday Run brought us almost 40 runners despite the very cold temps and a “bit” of a wind-chill. 

2013 Black Friday Runners:

Waterfall Glen__group_Black FRI_2013 

I arrived a little early for some photos a few extra miles and also met a few members of a local run club, Run to Eat.  It was super fun running with them and meeting a few new people!!

The Waterfall Glen trail is a 9.5 mile loop and “most” of the time, it’s well marked.  There are a few spots that could possibly be confusing but if you run the wrong way, you will quickly end up at a parking lot or a road where the trail will end.  For the most part, I just run counterclockwise in a loop fashion.  It’s pretty easy to follow, and most intersections have an obvious direction.

Waterfall Glen_map

I love the scenery.  Thru the trees.  Up and down.

Waterfall Glen_Black FRI_2013-3  

I love the serenity, especially on days where everything is frozen.

Waterfall Glen_Black FRI_2013-2

I love the trail.  The wildlife.  The varying terrain.  I also love that the trail is usually smooth and trail shoes aren’t needed although I did wear mine to try to break them in a bit more for Huff.  I love that there are people who are brave enough to come run with me!

Waterfall Glen_Black FRI_2013  Waterfall Glen_Black FRI_2013-me

This is one of those trails that I wish were just a little bit closer to my house.  I only go twice a year now but if it were closer, I would be out there all the time.  It’s the perfect length for me.  I love a good 10 mile run!  And I KNOW those hills will  make me strong eventually!  Great trail.  Great location off of I-55 & Cass Avenue.  Multiple parking options.  A couple port-o-potties, usually near parking.  Well kept trail.  If you are running long, take your own fluids.  Dress for the elements because there are wooded areas as well as long open stretches where you will be more exposed to whatever Mother Nature is delivering.  Smile

** See You on the Trails ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Running For Kicks 4 Mile Turkey Trot – 2013

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I love the holidays.  I love spending time with my family.  I love getting in an extra run here or there when I can.  I love that running has not only become a regular part of my life but one on which I now center a few holiday traditions.  Thanksgiving is one such holiday.  I run the Running For Kicks 4 mile Turkey Trot every year not only because it has become one of my “traditions” but also as a way to gauge my fitness level on an annual basis.  The race is always post Chicago Marathon season, in a relatively low mileage month, on the same course year after year, and at time when my fitness is decent.  Plus the weather is pretty steady usually ranging from 20-30 degrees.  All of the above factors produce decent conditions for a realistic comparison on an annual basis.  So let’s get to Turkey Trotting!!

flattenturkey2011

This year was a normal year.  I was healthy.  Conditioned.  Ready.  Going in I felt fit, somewhat fast and was ready to see what I could do.  My only concern was that I had registered Aby and in my head, I was tossing around the idea of running with her.  The course is HARD.  Lots of rolling hills.  Aby is good on hills but a Thanksgiving race puts her out of her season and not anywhere near peak conditioning.  It’s the end of running season for her and the start of volleyball.   Last year since I was just coming off an injury, I ran with her and she wasn’t necessarily grateful.  We normally do not race together but rather “run our own race”.  Since that time, we made another attempt to “race together” and while it went much better, the fact of the matter is that we are different runners, have different strengths {and weakness} and to be honest, it doesn’t do either of us any good to make the effort to race together.  We don’t “need” each other and in reality we hold one another back at various points, resulting in neither of us having our best race.  So, I decided to let it fly off the start line and she would either follow, or not.  Pre-race photo while we shivered waited.  Me & Aby on the left.  F’N Runners on the Right:  Pam, Brian, Aby, Me & Nicki.

RFK Turkey Trot_2013 me & aby  RFK Turkey Trot_2013 group

So I let it fly.  This race is different than most.  Since it’s so hilly, I have to focus on really running the straights/flats & downhill’s as fast as possible because I’m a crappy poor uphill runner.  I once described this race as a 4 mile fartlek session.  It’s a constant variation of pace due to my uphill running weakness.  So I run fast when I can, like off the start line.  My only indication of how the race goes is the finish time cuz let’s just say that running it never feels great and pace is sporadic.  Here is my “history” with this race.  I started running it in 2007 after a much more “relaxed” Turkey Trot in 2006.  I wanted more structure.  More challenge.  I found it.  And I keep coming back year after year.

  • 2007 – 34:21 – I was a bit in shock over the hills.  Hardest road race to date.
  • 2008 – 32:33
  • 2009 – Mr. Michael arrived
  • 2010 – 31:53 – Under 8 min/mi average – HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!
  • 2011 – 31:55 – Consistent, Plantar Fasciitis was at it’s height & I was preparing for time off running so happy with the result.
  • 2012 – 34:29 – Recovering from torn tendon in June 2012 (damn PF!!), only been back to running for a couple months, decided to run with Aby “for fun”.

  • 2013- 31:02  – Proof that fewer miles, the addition of CrossFit & regular Chiro sessions with Dr. Alexis has been a winning combination for me!

Great day that brought us an amazing run with a local food bank as the choice charity.  Great swag, several store coupons, plus lots of free stuff, mainly socks, which was pitched into the crowd while we awaited awards.  Plus, they raffled off 7-10 pair of shoes at the end of the event.  Aby happened to win a pair of the FREE shoes but in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we are sending them to a young lady who happens to need a pair.

RFK Turkey Trot_2013 swag

Aby improved a lot this year too.  Last year she ran a 34:25.  This year a 33:14.  Her time was good enough for third in her age group!   Yay, Aby!!  Love to see the progress!!  I have high hopes that this will become one of her cherished Thanksgiving Day traditions too.  See you next year, in Palos Hills on Thanksgiving Day! 

** Who Runs to Eat? ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **