Monthly Archives: January 2015

Yurbuds Leap Wireless Earphones for Women–Product Review

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I’ve had the Leap Wireless for Women earphones since Christmas.  They are an amazing product from Yurbuds.  I’ve worn them a lot.  Like more than a lot.  For the first time ever, I’m free of the dreaded “cord”.  I enjoy listening to music during workouts but have always had a big issue being tethered to my music source.  This has resulted in my NOT using music on the majority of my workouts.  All that has changed.

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Since my Plantar Fasciitis has been so bad this winter, I’ve done more and more workouts inside.  In fact, I’ve ran a “few” miles on the indoor track at the YMCA of DeKalb.  I can’t chance being outside and slipping or falling on the endless sheets of black ice that we’ve had so far this winter.  So I’m inside, running around a track that requires 9 laps for each mile.  I don’t necessarily mind the circles knowing that I have a safe environment for running but what I do mind is being strangled by my earphone cord.  All of my running clothes have one pocket, always in the pants.  It’s a zipper pocket on my waistband located in the small of my back.  I would zip my phone into that pocket and try to deal with my earphone cord being wrapped around my body.  It was driving me CRAZY.  So I tried to plug my earphones in from behind so that my cord was down my back.  Yeah, that didn’t work.  THEN I tried running with my phone in my hand like I see so many amazingly coordinated women do and I about lost my phone down on the basketball courts because I was sweaty and my butterfingers couldn’t hold onto it! 

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Now I’m running, lifting, riding on the trainer, and swinging my kettle bell to the sky & back all while jamming to my favorite tunes.  The Yurbuds Leap Wireless earphones have helped me get my grove back and start to tackle workouts that I haven’t attempted in a long time.  I’m back to CrossFit workouts.  And I’m lifting real weights.  In the gym.  With the boys.  All while pretending I’m the only one around by focusing on my music and my workout NOT the cord and definitely not the sweaty boys that spend more time looking at their phones than they do lifting those giant weights!  I even managed a workout at home this morning since it was too icy to go out!

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After a quick WOD this morning, I jumped on the trainer to ride.  I normally ride while watching Michael’s favorite children’s programming (Barney the Dinosaur or Paw Patrol) but today I was in my own little world with my Leap Wireless for Women earphones.  Yay!  I’ve never been able to have music while I ride for lack of a place to put my phone to stream the music!  Problem solved!

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Okay, I love them, right?  Now for some of the more technical details, regarding the Leap Wireless for Women earphones:

  • Ergonomically designed for comfort
  • Twistlock Technology
  • Smaller in ear design/fit for women with multiple size ear pieces
  • 6 hour battery life
  • Easy Bluetooth connectivity
  • Ability to change songs, adjust volume or answer phone calls with the touch of a button
  • I also like that while the sound quality is good, my Yurbuds (wired or wireless) NEVER drown out the sound around me.  I like to hear my music but I need to be aware of my surroundings.  I don’t know if this is a plus or minus for others but it’s the primary reason why I don’t use some of the high quality earphones in my collection.  Really big deal for me.

The cost of the Leap Wireless for Women earphones is $99.99.  You can buy them a number of places or just grab yours from Yurbuds dot com.  I hope they are a game changer for you as much as they have been for me.  They have given me the confidence to focus on me and MY workout.  For that I’m grateful.  I hope they serve up some magic for you as well.  Smile

** Untether From YOUR Earphone Wire! ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Getting Back to CrossFit and Making It Happen for 2015

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I took about 9 months off strength and CrossFit workouts.  Some women could have had a baby in that time, me, I just couldn’t manage to fit it into my schedule.  Initially when hubby moved to Indiana ahead of the family, I tried to do CrossFit at home.  I called them my “home grown” CrossFit workouts.  I had a 36# Kettle Bell and a few other pieces of strength equipment. I tried to make it work.  But let me say, with kids and dogs to trip over, moving thru one of these home grown workouts was difficult at best.  Plus I was either making the workouts too easy or too hard.  It was a giant flop.  Fast Forward 9 months and I’m trying to get myself back together.  I’m focusing on strength once again.  I’m knocking off the weight I gained last year due to stress and the move.  I’m eating right.  I’m drinking water.  I’m trying to avoiding alcohol.  As they say, muscles are made in the kitchen, not the gym.  But we all know they go hand in hand.

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So muscles are made in the kitchen, not the gym.  And we can’t “outrun” a bad diet, right?  Right! But for those of us who have been “on the run” for a long time, running just isn’t enough.  The body settles into a holding pattern and running becomes normal.  What to do?  Something different!  Use different muscle groups, add in speed workouts to your routine, spin, swim, CrossFit or circuit train.  We can’t do the same thing we’ve always done and expect different results than what we’ve previously recorded.  You want to change something?  You want to run faster?  You want your pants to fit better?  What are you going to change to make it happen?

Make it happen_dale adams

So basically 2014 was a year that I just “let things happen”.  And I didn’t like the results.  Yes, I had a stellar year and ran a lot of races but I gained 23 lbs, if I’m being totally honest, and well, what the hell is left now but honesty?  So in 2015 I’m going to make things happen, not LET them happen.  I encourage you to join me in this journey.  Know that things don’t happen immediately but start thinking about what you want, no what you NEED to change.  Now make an action plan and follow thru with it.  Make it happen. 

For me, I have to get my foot and body in a healthy spot.  I’m working on that and have a plan of action and for the first time in a very long time, I actually confident that I’m going to be healthy sooner rather than later.  Secondly, I’m going all Food Nazi, and yes, I can say Nazi cuz I’m like 100% German.  I’m currently doing the  AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge and I’m KILLING IT.  Third, I’m moving back to high intensity workouts like CrossFit.  However, this time, I don’t have a “box” and a CrossFit coach (miss you Jared!) but a normal gym where I’m making it happen each and every day. 

My high intensity CrossFit workouts for the week occurred at the YMCA of DeKalb.  Normal gym, right?  Let’s look at what I did.  

1)  5 Rounds: 15 – Knees to Chest (or abs if you are me!); 15 – Squats w/ weight bar only (33#s); 30 – Double Arm Battalion Rope Waves; 15 – KB Swings (20#s); 15 – Bicep Pulls (each arm – 17.5 #s).  Time – 25 minutes

2)  5 rounds: 15 Knees to Chest; 8 thrusters – 33# bar only; 20 – side to sides w/ 12# ball; 15 – 20# KB Swings; 30 Double Arm Battalion Ropes Waves.  Time:  24:44

3)  5 Rounds: 20 – Medicine Ball (12#s) Bounces off angled trampoline; 20 – Ab Baskets (12# ball); 20 – Side to Sides (12# ball); 10 – Hand Release Push-Ups; 15 – Squats w/ 25# Kettle Bell; 30 – Double Arm Battalion Rope Waves.  Time:  24:55

I will say that the Y purchased a Synrgy 360 and this piece of equipment has been integral in my workouts.  If you have one at your gym, don’t be scared, try it out.  It’s fun and very useful!!

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Synergy 360_1  Synergy 360_2 

Get after it and try something new.  Get that metabolism blazing and confuse those muscles.  Move it and Make It Happen!

** Make It Happen ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Winner–Reebok Spartan Race & Discount Code

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It’s Friday!  What’s better than getting ready for all those awesome weekend workouts?  Winning a FREE race entry to any Spartan Race of your choosing!  Let’s give these winter workouts  a purpose and sign up for something fun & challenging!

Conquer Your Obstacles

Without further ado, the random number generator selected #3. 

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#3 is Joe Beier!  Congrats Joe!  Email me at amanda@tootallfritz.com to get your free race entry!

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I know a lot of new people came forward for this giveaway.  I do quite a few fun things that result in distributing free fitness items and race entries.  I’d love for you to win something, so please follow along on a regular basis by clicking the “follow” button or by adding your email address to the box on the right side of the screen.  You can follow via Facebook HERE, Twitter HERE, or Instagram HERE.   It will be worth it; I promise!

You may not have won the free entry but I’m sure you are ready to take the plunge, commit and register for a Spartan Race now, right?  We have a 10% off code which is good for any Spartan Race in the country.  Go HERE to pick your race and use the code:  SPARTANBLOGGER to get 10% off the event of your choosing!  

Have a great weekend!  Come back on Monday for the workout shout on my Facebook page HERE and let me know how you totally KILLED your workouts! 

** I’m Rooting For YOU!  AROO!! ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Reebok Spartan Race GIVEAWAY & Discount Code

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Each year the Obstacle Course Race (OCR) events become more popular and more diverse.  I’m happy to admit that there are “adventure” type races for all ability levels.  My girlfriend’s mom has even done one and she is in her late 60s!  I love that fitness is finally saturating our communities! 

The Reebok Spartan Race is one such OCR and it delivers an amazing experience each and every time, in locations all across the US.

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According to the Spartan Media Team, here is a little bit about the series:

Spartan Race™

World’s Best Obstacle Race. Period.

Born in the scenic hills of Vermont, Spartan Race was created to bring the excitement of obstacle racing to spectators and athletes alike. That means you.

Spartan Race is a true adventure that anyone can do, and everyone should try. With course lengths of 3+miles (Sprint), 8+miles, (Super) and 12+miles (Beast) each course is filled with mud, water, and signature obstacles designed to help you discover your inner Spartan. Athletes of all fitness levels will enjoy participating in a Spartan Race and the feeling of accomplishment that comes at the finish line.

 

As OCRs diversify, the Spartan Race now offers events for kids and teams!  They are also one of the few OCRs which boost venues in various locations throughout the US.  This makes it so much easier for YOU to convince your friends to join you in an epic SPARTAN journey!  Who’s going to be a Spartan in 2015? 

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The addition of races of varied difficulty have made this series one for the beginner as well as the serious athlete.  Go have fun with your friends or qualify for one of the elite heats and try for the win!  Regardless of your skill level, there is an event for you.  It will be challenging but also FUN!

Conquer Your Obstacles

Who wants to race a Reebok Spartan event for FREE?  This giveaway is good for any Spartan Race in the United States.    If you are in the Midwest, the upcoming races are listed below. 

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In order to be entered in the drawing for a free entry, please comment below and tell us if you have ever participated in an OCR event and if so, which one?  I will select one winner via a random number generator on Friday, January 23, 2015.  Giveaway starts NOW!!! 

If you would like to register now, we have a 10% off code which is good for any Spartan Race.  Go HERE to pick your race and use the code:  SPARTANBLOGGER to get 10% off the event of your choosing!

Good luck!

** Run, Race and Conquer YOUR Obstacles ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

2015 …. What’s THE Plan?

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Most of you wrote down your 2015 resolution, or  “goal list”, before the fireworks even went off. 

2015

Not me.  No list. 

2014 was a BIG year for me. 

  • 3 – 50K Ultra
  • 8 – Marathons
  • 5 – Half Marathons
  • 1 – 10K
  • 1 – 8K
  • 1 – 4 Miler
  • 2 – 5Ks

I started the year with a bang and completed the inaugural Dopey Challenge at Disney World in January 2014.

Dopey  Minnie Mouse & Me

I ran races with friends that were hard.  Like really hard.

Little Rock Cancelled  LR Medals

I ran roads.  Trails.  And everything in between.

Julie - Dances W Dirt

I completed 4 marathons in 4 weeks (21 days actually, but who’s counting?) to celebrate my 40th Birthday.  The 4 for 40 quest was a success and my kiddos were right there cheering me along the way, which made it even better.

KY Derby_kids     Illinois Marathon  

My family moved from Illinois to Indiana.  A 200 mile journey that took months.

I laughed a lot.  I cried a lot.  I made a lot of memories.  2014 may be gone but the good memories will not be forgotten.

As for 2015, I’m currently resting.  As we know, running is cyclical.  You  either build rest into your routine OR the Injury Devil will creep in and force the issue.   Normally I build in my rest period, and I had a couple rest periods in 2014,  but overall it’s “possible” that I ran one to many races.  Winking smile  So now I’m in rest mode which is totally boring.

I do have a couple races on the calendar and I promised Aby that she could run her first half marathon when she turned 13.  Her 13th birthday was last August, so her first half will be this summer prior to the start of her high school Cross County season.   My races are below.  I may not be racing a whole lot this year, so be sure to say HEY if you see me!

So my 2015 plan is to have less of a plan than I did in 2014.  I have a few personal goals to which I’m committed.  I have a few family goals to which I’m committed.  And most importantly I want to see Aby reach her goal of conquering her first half marathon.  The rest will unravel with time.

** Happy 2015 – Make the MOST of Your Year ** Amanda – TooTallFritz