Monthly Archives: May 2014

Where In the World Is TTF?

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I know many of you have been wondering what I have been up to as of late.  I’ve been pretty silent on the blog & in real life.  Well, it’s the hour of change for the TooTallFritz family. 

Focus of Change

And basically Socrates got it right in the above quote.  I’ve been very focused on building our new life and what it to come for our family; as well as trying to make this transition as easy as possible for the kiddos.   

We have been very fortunate that hubby was offered, and has accepted, a job near my hometown of Ft Wayne, Indiana.  We are very fortunate to have the support of family and friends in the crazy time of transition.  We are very fortunate that hubby was brave enough to accept this new challenge which will move him way out of his comfort zone of suburbia Illinois to the farm fields of Indiana.  We are fortunate that hubby loves me so much is humble enough to live with his Mother-In-Law in this time of transition.  We are fortunate that Mom loves me so much is generous enough to offer Hubby a place to live as we search for a house and begin the process of moving the entire family to a new area.  I am fortunate to have a Hubby and Mother who are both polite, kind and willing to do whatever is necessary to help the family.  Thanks to both of you!!

I've learned_fortunate

This transition is not going to be easy with 2 kids, 3 dogs, 1 bitch ass cat, and a 160 miles separating the family each and every week until we fully transition to Indiana.  However, I’m a firm believer that when opportunity arises you take note and accept  it, while simultaneously bowing your heard to give thanks. 

Opportunity

While we are excited about the upcoming changes in our lives, we are also scared.   We are scared that we won’t find a house because the housing market is on fire in the Fort Wayne area.  We are scared I won’t find a good job since I’m giving up a really great one with a lot of flexibility.  We are scared that we won’t get into a good school district.  We are scared that Aby will forever be angry about  leaving her friends.  We are scared that Dad will actually take Michael hunting with him.  We are scared of the unknown.

change is scary

But my life motto is No Regrets.  So let’s do this!!

Regret Nothing_Whooha Gear

** No Regrets ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Chicago Spring Half Marathon Race Review

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I can’t say that the Chicago Spring Half Marathon was even on my radar until a free code for the race started circling on social media.  I looked up the race and proceeded to register assuming the free code would NOT work.  But it did work and all of a sudden I was registered for a half marathon on the Lakefront Path in Chicago. 

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That short window where they offered the race for free resulted in a sell out for this race for the first time in it’s history.  While I got in for free with a lot of other people, I had other friends who didn’t get thru during the “free” window and they in turn paid to register in order to join the fun for the day.  It was a brilliant PR move and to be honest, had I not had the free code, I wouldn’t have registered.  I’ve ran several races on the Lakefront Path now and well, they are generally over crowded and not too much fun.  This race, as well as 13.1 Chicago, seem to be the exception to that rule.  Both races have an elaborate corral system, stager the start between corrals and manage to keep the traffic on the path controlled and enjoyable. 

And the views are pretty cool too. 

Chicago Spring half_views

Chicago Spring half_views2

Chicago Spring half_views3

The race also offered potties, aid stations and medical support every 1.5 miles or so.  There were 2 fueling stations offering energy gels.  I also saw at least two Race Guards running the race and offering support to runners.   I saw a lot of my friends thanks to the out and back course.  Yes, I may have ran the Chicago Lakefront Path a billion times but the views and seeing my friends race never gets old.   Xaarlin was also out there taking photos with her Super Pooch.  Thanks, girlie!!  And my apologies for spotting your pup before I even saw you. Smile

Chicago Spring Half_me running

The race was a simple out and back.  About a 10K out and then back with a little zigzagging thru a parking area to get back to The Park at Lakeshore East where a buffet breakfast awaited our finish!  Nice!

Chicago Spring Half_breakfast

It was a great day to be out and run in Chicago.  It was a great race.  It was very well organized and I really appreciated being able to grab breakfast without having to wait in a long line.  Everything about this race was smooth and easy, and I for one appreciate that.  We even got a cool shirt  and cool medal (photo of the medal courtesy of Nicole F because I have a mushy brain and forgot to take one).

Chicago Spring Half_shirt  Chicago Spring Half_medal

Lastly, another great thing about this race is that it also offers a 10K so that you friends, who don’t dig the half marathon, can also run!  Thanks for going Nicki!!

Chicago Spring Half_me& nicki

** Happy Running & Racing ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Winner – Fellow Flowers Mother’s Day Giveaway

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So much well deserved love for the Fellow Flowers giveaway!!  We have one Mother’s Day package up for grabs. 

Fellow Flowers_MomsDay

The Random Number Generator selected #10:

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#10 is Maggie Wolff – Congrats, Maggie!!  Please email me when you have a chance so we can hook you up with your prize!!

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As for the rest of us, we can go shopping HERE and maybe pick up a belated Mother’s Day gift for ourselves!   And remember, we love all the Moms …. StepMoms, FurMoms, Foster Moms, GrandMoms and those who are longing to be a Mom.   You are all worthy of the title regardless of your current status.  Love you all!

** Happy Mother’s Day ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Fellow Flowers Mother Day Giveaway

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So many amazing companies out there!  Today I want to talk about one which I have yet to share publicly.  Fellow Flowers.  If you don’t recognize the name, you may recognize the flowers! 

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The running and racing scene is now flooded by ladies sporting colorful flowers clipped into ponytails, onto visors or headbands and ultimately showing support for each other.  Each flower color represents something unique and is a statement on it’s own.  Women everywhere have fallen in love the the Fellow Flowers message of friendship, passion and enjoying the journey regardless of where it may lead.  The flowers unite friends and strangers a like.   The message keeps the community constantly “blooming”. 

BELIEVE.  ACHIEVE.  BLOOM.  ENDURE.

Take a minute to go to the Fellow Flowers website HERE and look around.  Read.  I bet you find something to fill your tank with happiness and make you smile.  There’s a lot to see.  Stories to read.  Mission statements.  But I’d like to talk about the flowers themselves because that’s how it all began.  Each flower is a different color and delivers its own message.  Maybe it’s your message.  Maybe it’s mine.  Everyone has a story and the purpose of the flowers is to represent YOUR message, no matter what it may be.  My current favorite is a newbie.  Turquoise. 

Believe. To look within, to overcome. Loving myself enough. I have the will, the determination and the courage to defy the odds…and inspire. My challenges have made me a fighter – a survivor. They will not define me or confine me. I will run my own race. Different, beautiful and all my own. I believe in me and my potential. And I’m going to succeed because I’m brave enough to think I can.

Turquoise FF_Believe in Me  Turquoise FF_jpg

The flowers all have a beautiful, yet powerful message.  I know you will find one that calls to you.  We are lucky today because Fellow Flowers has offered YOU a Mother’s Day giveaway!!  One lucky winner will receive the package below with a tee, note cards, stickers & a flower of your choice:

Fellow Flowers_MomsDay

I love this tee.  “Going for a Run isn’t Mommy Being Selfish.  It’s Mommy Being Awesome.”  

It’s hard being a mom.  It’s hard stepping away from a new baby or even a rowdy crew and taking time for yourself without feeling guilty.   But trust me, Mom and baby BOTH need some alone time.  It’s the natural process of things.  Trust Dad or Grandma to keep baby safe.  Leave the guilt at home and go for a  run with girlfriends.  A short run with friends will bring Mom home smiling, destressed and so much happier overall.  A happy Mom is a better, more attentive Mom and Wife.  And that really makes Mom AWESOME.    Go be AWESOME!!

How to win this amazing giveaway?  I want you to tell us which flower you would pick, which one calls to you and tells your story!  Go pick your flower HERE and comment below to tell us which one you like best.  If you would like a second entry, go like the Fellow Flowers Facebook page HERE.   And for a third entry, probably a freebie for most of you, go like the TooTallFritz Facebook page HERE.    Three chances to win, just make sure you tell me which of the three you did (hopefully all three!) so that I can get you entered correctly. 

One winner will be selected via a Random Number Generator on Monday, May 12th at 9am.  Giveaway starts NOW!  Good luck!

** Never Be Afraid to Share YOUR Story ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

SOL REPUBLIC Relay Headphones WINNER

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Lots of interest in the SOL REPUBLIC giveaway for the Relay Headphones!!  

Relay Headphones _2

I certainly understand because these things are AWESOME!  So who is our lucky winner??    The Random Number Generator selected:

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#41

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Colleen Boudreau, you are the winner!   Please email me ASAP (amanda@tootallfritz.com) to claim your Relay Headphones ($79 value)!   As for the rest of us, we can go shopping for these headphones at Verizon Wireless HERE or on the SOL REPUBLIC website.  If you are having trouble figuring out what to get Mom for Mother’s Day, here is your solution.  Perfect gift for those “on the go” Mom’s & Dad’s!!

** Stay Connected While You Run or Exercise ** Amanda – TooTallFritz