Category Archives: Cross Training

Back in the Pool …

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Yesterday was it.  I had ran out of excuses.   I’m 46 days out from a 70.3 triathlon in Racine, WI and I just HAD to get my ass in the pool.  I didn’t want to do it but those ironmen are mean.  Rough.  They swim with their fists and it’s important to stay as far in front of the next wave as possible!  So I went to the pool.  I wasn’t thrilled but I faked mustered a smile.

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This go round, I decided to swim at Governors State University.  They have a nice 24.99 yard  (odd distance to eliminate it from being legal for competition) lap pool and it’s normally not too busy.  It’s open from 6am – 9pm M-F, and has similar Saturday hours but who the hell wants to do a swim workout on Saturday?  Not me!  Plus, they let me do month to month so when TRI season is over, I don’t have a nasty gym membership requiring me to sell my soul to cancel.  Win, Win.  I also noticed some improvements to the pool area since the last time I used it for TRI training.  Kinda cool and relaxing, if you head to an indoor pool for that.

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Then I got in the water and fought with my goggles for 16 minutes before I was able to get them adjusted properly and actually get to some real swimming.  Then I was almost out of time and needed to pack it up and head home to the family.  In all, I had a craptastic 35 minutes of adjusting my goggles and floundering around swimming for a distance total of 1250 yards ( 0.71 miles).  Impressive, I know.  At this rate, it will take me well over an hour to get thru the 1.2 mile swim in Racine.  That means just about every wave behind me will not only swim over the top of my slow ass but also punch & kick me as they pass me up.  I’m seeing stars already.  I can only hope that the water in Racine is cold.  Super cold.  Let’s slow those crazy people down!  Okay, more importantly a water temp under 78 degrees means it’s wetsuit legal.  Yay, me!  Although I “normally” don’t need a wetsuit for that distance, it’s nice to have because it provides a little added buoyancy, fixes some of the imperfections in my swim, and HELLO, it holds me up when those assholes punch me in the side of the head.   Feel free to read my IM Muncie 70.3 report HERE.

The good news, is that the swim in Racine looks SWEET!  It’s a point to point swim where we hop in the water in one spot, and swim a parallel line with the beach to another location and get out.  No stupid M to swim.  Or V.  Or J.  Or whatever crazy shape that they make to slow us poor sighting swimmers down.  Just two right turns around buoys and straight swimming.  Racine, we may become friends after all.  Looks like I’ll just be able to put my head down and swim, hopefully in someone else’s slip stream!

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Swim #1 down.  Many more to go.  I think I better just leave my swim clothes in my car and go as often as I’m able.  My goal is 2x per week til Racine on July 21st.  We’ll see how that works with the family and job and commute and life dynamic but that’s the plan as of today.

Which part of TRI training is most daunting or inconvenient for you?

** Happy TRIing ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CUTE Summer Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis Support

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Yes, I know it’s currently FREEZING in Chicago but Mother Nature can’t take away the fact that summer is coming!  The warm temps have been playing peekaboo with us for the last month and I have been starting to think about my feet more and more.  While most people equate summer with flip flop season unless they are a marathoner who currently doesn’t have many toenails some of us have foot issues that don’t mesh well with the Reef & Roxie movement.  Therefore, we need to be more concerned about what we slide into this summer!

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I want you to know that just because your feet aren’t perfect, this does NOT mean that you  need to settle for something less than stylish for your summer footwear.  I went thru this last year with my Plantar Fasciitis while shopping at a “specialty” shoe store.  Needless to say, I didn’t care for any of the grandma “retro” styles and the sales lady told me that I was going to have to forget about style and think more about my feet.  WRONG!  Let get real, life is too damn short to walk around in ugly shoes! 

So whether you are running a marathon, sightseeing, or heading the beach, please know that there are shoes available for your feet that fit, help keep your aches & pains in check and LOOK GOOD!  A few of my favorite functional & supportive sandals are below.   I know, you want to thank me.  You’re welcome.  And yes, this list is years in the making.

Birkenstocks –  Not just for hippies anymore!  When I was in college, these things were all the rage but I was less than impressed.  However, they have come a long way in the last 15-20 years!  My favs are the Gizeh style, which comes in 20+ colors ranging from $89.95 to $120.  Before you freak out about those prices, try to remember that you have a foot issue happening and you need to protect your feet.  Support and protection costs $$.  Sorry, it was hard for me too but I don’t like to be in pain sooooo I ponied up the cash for good sandals.  Pool Patent Gizeh’s below for $89.95.

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I have an older model (Papillio Gizehs in black/silver) that I’ve worn now for a couple of years.  They have held up well, look cute and are my go to when I want something a little “nicer”. 

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My everyday flip flop & boating shoe is from Merrill, the old Lilac Thong which is available only at discount retailers now.  Several color choices, comfortable & they offer stability.  I didn’t like the braided piece so I cut mine off.  I have these in black & brown cuz I’m just that exciting.  Currently they retail between $56 & $80.  I paid $80 for mine from Merrill last year.  The current Merrill sandal styles are out now and available HERE.  Much better quality than what you will find in most “flip-flop” styles.image

If flip flops aren’t your thing, or maybe you plan to get a little down & dirty in your summertime footwear, Keen offers several nice options.  The Venice is a great shoe for multi-terrain wear.   It retails at $95 and is good in the water, in the mud or just wearing around town.  They have a lot of underfoot support including arch support, and a metatarsal ridge, which offers support  UNDER  your toes.  Plus they come in a lot of cool colors.  WINNING!  Thanks, Keen!

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If you need something with a little more protection or if you plan to hit the trail hard this summer, then Keen knocked it out of the park with this Arroyo II.  This hybrid waterproof hiking sandal is the best of best, plus you can add your own insole if orthotics rule your world like they do mine.  You won’t find these in a bunch of fancy colors, this shoe is more about function than fashion.  However, if you’ve been on the trail as of late you already know that these are way cuter than those clunky hiking boots!  The Arroyo II is gonna set you back about $100 but they are heavy duty with big lugs and they come ready made to tear up your local trail.

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A few newbies that just found their way to my closet, please don’t tell hubby yet, are the Keen Bali & the Keen Kona Flip.  Both are a little more reasonably pricee at $65 & $50 respectively.  However, don’t let that lesser price tag fool you, these babies still offer lots of protection to the foot, arch and the plantar fascia.  They are adorable and come in a variety of colors, offer good traction for the pool deck, dock or boat.  No worries if your little monsters kiddos are dripping water everywhere, you won’t end up getting wet til they send a giant splash your way you’re ready.

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I hope this helps and gives you some ideas on alternative summer footwear!  Don’t let some nasty bitch sales lady talk you into buying something ugly in the name of foot health!  You have options!

If you’ve also been on the search for years to find summertime footwear that’s GOOD for your feet, please let us know about the good ones!

** Keep Your Feet Healthy, Happy & Look Cute Doing It ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Take a Chance ……

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For most of us, life isn’t easy.  We go thru good times and bad times and in my world, I like to say that life is “cyclical”.  Normally, if I can hang tight thru the bad, the good is right around the corner.  Sometimes.  Not always.  There will be a point in life when we all just need to kinda look around and reevaluate things.  How comfortable am I with what is happening?  Am I happy?  Did I settle for this job, this life, this body because it was “easy”?  Is there anything I can do to improve myself or my situation?  Maybe, just maybe, I should take a chance and make a change? 

Don’t be afraid of the unknown.  Don’t be afraid to roll the die of chance and change the odds if you don’t like the ones that came up the first time.  Take a chance on life.  Take a chance on fitness.  Take a chance on YOU.

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Always remember that we are in control of our life and much of our destiny.  We make choices each and every day that will affect the rest of our lives.  And yes, indecision is a decision.  So don’t be lackadaisical, too carefree or “settle” for something less than you want or deserve.  If we just blow things off and ignore “the” situation, that is in fact surrendering control.  So what have you been ignoring?  Are you pants getting tighter?  Is your fitness off kilter?  Are you daydreaming about something big that you’re too afraid to tackle?  Maybe it’s time to take a chance?  Take a chance on life.  Take a chance on fitness.  Take a chance on YOU.

Change requires courage.  Make the decision to change and repeat after me:  “Failure is not an option”.  Keep rolling those dice until the odds are in your favor.  It won’t be easy but nothing is impossible.  Take a chance.  Roll the dice.  Rewrite your future, today.  As they say, today is the new tomorrow.

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**  Take A Chance on YOU ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

A Family Affair ….

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As a wife and mother who is employed full time with a lengthy commute, exercise is sometimes a luxury rather than a necessity.  I frequently cram it, exercise that is, into the day when it really doesn’t fit.  Like,  I should do that massive pile of laundry BUT I’m going to take Michael and go run with the jog stroller instead.  That  pretty much defines this week.  We crammed a lot into a little time.  Aby’s done with track so it was “make-up” week where we tried to get our life back and still take care of business.

Dentist & Group run.  I’ll spare you the bloody photo of them pulling Aby’s tooth.  However, we followed up the dental visit with a Tuesday run with the F’N Running  Club.  Gotta balance the bad with the good, right?

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“Big People” Appointment & Zoo.  Quality time with the kiddos has been mostly in the car as of late.  One parent present at a time.  Probably won’t win us parent’s of the year but I think they dropped our application years ago, so no worries!  Anyhow, we needed a day off for “big people” stuff and then decided to take the kiddos and hit the zoo for some good ole family fun.  The Dinosaur’s Alive exhibit at Brookfield Zoo was a big hit with us!

Zoo_May 2013    Zoo_May 2013_giraffes     Zoo_May 2013_dino_kids  Zoo_May 2013_dino_color  Zoo_May 2013_dino

Then we hit another FNRC run last night as a family (you can barely see Michael peaking out of the jogger beside Aby in the middle) after I promised Aby ice cream if she could manage to slug a few miles out with Michael and I.

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So we’ve had a busy week but still managed to have some fun.  All my run miles have been slow, back of the pack runs with Michael in the jogger and my shoulders burning because the jogger and I aren’t friends..  I’ve biked on the trainer a few times and tried my best to get the house back in order.  NOW, I’m looking forward to the weekend. 

No family affair this weekend.  I’m heading to Peoria, IL to spend some time with a few of my favorite Team Tough Chik members (Jess, Shannon – The Original Tough Chik, Carmen & Nicki T) as we show Run River City how to put together one TOUGH relay team.  Go Toughies!!!!

If you are headed to Peoria to Run River City, look for our Team Tough Chik relay.  Or the amazing sign that Jess made which I’m sure will pop up around the marathon course. 

Team Tough Chik sign_Jess

** Get Out and Run, With Or Without the Family ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Self Defense Class ……

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After the last lady was attacked on our local trail, I personally asked a local martial arts guru (Dennis Wright Martial Arts) to set up a ladies self defense class.    Yesterday was the day and Aby & I, plus Michael, went out to the event at a local park.  I can’t say anyone besides Michael was excited to go.  Aby had a rough track & field schedule last week and I have been sick since last Tuesday (am still sick, getting an antibiotic today!!).  We were all tired but you can’t bail on an event when you ask someone to put it on for you!

I’m not sure what I expected.  I’m not sure what other events are like.  However, this was a very interactive event with instruction, demonstration and lots of drills.  We hit, we kicked, we kneed, we poked eyes, slapped ears and kicked the “poor” attackers (demonstrators) in the balls more times than they probably want to admit. Photos below from Women of Caliber (not our actual class) & Kravchicks.

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We did two different types of choke hold rolls & learned how to get out of a hold if pinned to the ground by an attacker.  Lots of repetition.  Lots of pounding.  Lots of kicking, kneeing & twisting out of wrist holds.  I’m definitely bruised today on my knees, lower arm & wrists.

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What I learned:  1)  Don’t grab onto Aby cuz she can’t wait to kick you in the balls or pound her knuckles on you.  2)  Kids learn more quickly than adults and aren’t afraid of hurting the demonstrators.  Sorry demonstrators!    3)  These types of classes need to be repeated, multiple times.  There is no way to absorb everything all in one session.  4)  Good time & money investment to take a few classes.   YOU are worth it!!  5)  Always hope that you never have to use self defense but can actually defer a situation by yelling STOP and scaring the crap out of someone who didn’t expect you to be on top of the situation.  6)  Don’t fight, just do what you need to do to put enough distance between you and an attacker to get away. 

Have you taken a self defense class?  How many classes do you think it takes to actually “sink in”? 

** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

How to Recover from a Marathon, The 7 Day Plan

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I’ll preface this post by stating again that I’m not a coach, nor do I pretend to be, and recovery is different for everyone. This is the TTF version.

Immediately following the marathon – Drink a Recovery Drink, Ice, Roll, Compress & Pray

Day 1 – Eat Pizza and Drink Beer (water is good too!)
Day 2 – Light stretching, yoga if you dare. More water.

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Day 3 – Water, Stretching, Light walk with the kiddos, swim if you have access to a pool because it will help with any latent swelling.
Day 4 – Water, Stretching, See your Chiro or go get a massage to milk those muscles and give your body some TLC! You’re probably ready to run by now if you’re not injured but I caution holding off another couple days unless you are Superwoman. If you must, try the elliptical and see how your legs and joints feel after some non-imact type “running”.
Day 5 – Spin! Biking using a stationary bike or just getting out on the road will stretch out your muscles and give your quads a good workout. Don’t be surprised if they are still tired!
Day 6 – Don’t shoot me, Frogger! I would definitely run by Saturday if I hadn’t already and I was feeling good. Keep it short and sweet. Nothing fast. Nothing exciting. Don’t try to keep up with local run club, no matter how tempting.
Day 7 – As The Lord says, it’s a rest day. Particularly after a marathon the previous weekend. Take this time to let your body refresh and heal. Please don’t go into another intense training plan right away. If your mortal, you will need some downtime. That means downtime for the body. And the mind. Rest, Relax, Rehab. It’s important so that your body repairs properly.

Most take the first two weeks after a marathon easy. I know I do. Of course, every BODY is different and you need to do what’s best for you but a couple weeks to a month completely off is going to do more good than harm. Better safe than sorry, right?

Marathon, train, compete in cycles. Every up cycle needs a down swing. For me, I will follow up this marathon cycle with triathlon training. I’ll still be busy but I’ll be focusing more on the swim and bike and less on the run. It will allow my body to heal and hopefully come back to 100% before I try this “thing” called marathon again. But I’ll be out for blood in October at Chicago so watch out. Marathon, you have not beaten me but I respect you and my body enough to take a break and down cycle in order to go after it good in the summer/fall. Watch out.

** Don’t Forget to Recover ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Venus de Miles Ambassador…..

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Last year, I had an amazing time at the Venus de Miles event despite some pretty major bike issues.  Feel free to read about the entire debacle day HERE, where had it not been for SAG support and on course support/riders who helped me, I wouldn’t have finished.  I have nothing but thanks and praise for all the people who provided assistance during the 2012 ride!  Therefore, when I was invited to be an ambassador for the 2013 ride, I accepted without hesitation. 

The 2013 Venus de Miles event for Illinois will take place on July 28, 2013.  It will cruise thru Lake Forest and surrounding burbs, forest preserves and local bike paths.  The ride offers two options, a 25 mile and 61 mile route.  The participants will range from hard core “biker babes” to casual riders.  I can attest to this because I was toward the front when we left Lake Forest until mile 30 when I was out, roadside with tire puncture issues.  After lengthy repairs I returned to the course and was all the way  at the very back with the sweepers.  Riding with the sweepers was a great experience, they were strong riders and would hold up at every rest stop for a lengthy amount time to allow the ladies bringing up the rear to enjoy a leisurely ride as long as they were capable.

Me riding into the finish area after a LONG ass day ride.  I was thrilled to be done!

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Venus de Miles was a great ride but I think the after party took the event to a level like no other offered in the biking community.  The ride was for women, designed by women and the after party definitely focused providing a top of the line experience with gourmet food and feminine fun!  This is the info from the website since it would be impossible to do it justice otherwise:

Post Ride Festival
The fun doesn’t stop when you cross the finish line. Invite your family and friends who couldn’t join in the ride and put your post-ride endorphin high to good use at our celebration at Lake Forest College.

The ride also has a charity component supporting Greenhouse Scholars, “an organization dedicated to helping high-performing, under-resourced students reach their full potential by providing scholarships to attend college and other resources to help them become community leaders.”

So save the date, July 28th, Lake Forest, IL and plan to join me and the other ambassadors to make the 2013 ride the best one yet!  

This is a photo of a few friends from the 2012 ride.  Several of these ladies are also 2013 ambassadors:  Lauren, Erin, Kelly, MacKenna & Me

Venus 2012_Lauren Erin Kelly MacKenna Me

Free race entry “may” follow, so keep an eye out! 

** Ride like a Venus  ** Amanda – TooTallFritz ** 

Be a Badass NOT a Victim …..

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You know me, or maybe people like me who walk around in shirts proclaiming “toughness”.  We may not verbally tell you that we are tough or that we are a badass but our shirts, tights, or maybe even our socks will give you a clue. 

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Photos above:  Kari – Running Ricig in the Relax Reflect Badass Tights, me in the 2012 Team Tough Chik TRI kit, & the Sock It to Me Badass socks.

I’ll let you in on a little secret.  We don’t really consider ourselves to be “that” tough.  We are projecting.  We want you to believe that we are tough, even if we don’t necessarily feel it inside.  Fake it til you make it, right? 

Perception is everything.  How others see us has a lot to do with how we carry ourselves.  What we say.  When we say it.  And what we DON’T say will speak volumes.  In today’s society, there is no place for weak women.  The weak become prey.  There are assholes predators lurking in the bushes, on our local trails, in our supermarket parking lots, everywhere really.  Don’t be scared but think for a minute about what you want to NON-VERBALLY convey to them?  What do you want them to think when they see you? 

Be confident.  Be a badass. 

Bad things happen to good people.  It’s not fair.  It sucks.  Some things are really beyond our control but how we react to a situation can possibly change the outcome. 

Be smart.  Be tough. Be confident.  Be a badass …. even when you don’t feel like one.  

I hope that when you see me in my “This is What Tough Looks Like” shirt, you think to  yourself, “Hmmm, she’s not so tough; I just saw her crying on the trail during her 20 miler last week!  I’m tougher than her!”  I hope that makes YOU feel stronger.  I hope that makes YOU feel like a badass.  I hope that gives YOU a confidence boost.  You are definitely tougher than me.   You are definitely a badass.  Live it.  Own it.  Project it.

Be confident.  Be a badass. 

So as your walking around today, I want you to focus on being confident.  I want you to look people in the eyes when you pass them.  I want you to say hello to perfect strangers.  I want you to look tough and feel like a badass walking thru your everyday life.  This is important, you need to project a confident air, even when you don’t feel it.  So pay attention to yourself because you never know when someone else is watching you and trying to decide 1) if you are paying attention to your surroundings and 2) if you are badass or a victim.  If can’t do it for yourself, do it for your daughters because those little eyes are watching EVERYTHING you do, learning your mannerisms, your strengths, your weaknesses, they are learning how to BE from watching you. 

Be confident.  Be a badass.

Me_BAMR shirt 

Badass Mother Runner shirt

In light of the recent attack of one of my run club members on Old Plank Trail in New Lenox, I want to revisit some previously written safety posts.  Please take a moment to open the links below and go over the runner safety tips.  If you have written a safety post in the past, please link it up in the comments below.  Thank you and please be safe.

Six Degrees of Separation …… Virtual Run For Sherry Arnold – February 12, 2012

Safety 1st, 2nd & 3rd – April 19, 2012 

** Be a Badass NOT a Victim ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Long Weekend ….. Long Miles ….. Long Hike …..

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We packed so much into the weekend that I should probably still be home recovering!  Good Friday started early as I hauled it up and out before the sun came up to go to Waterfall Glen in Darien, IL.  It’s not too far away but not necessarily close enough to hit too frequently.  I host a run there every Good Friday and Black Friday as an excuse to get the various running communities together and also have a few friendly faces with whom I can run the trail.  Beautiful location.  Beautiful Trails.  Beautiful weather.  Perfect 9.5 mile loop that is challenging for most of us, but still doable.

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The temps were good, high 20s when I got there at 6:30 am and near 50 when I left at 10:30.  This was the day of my last 20 miler for this marathon cycle (Lansing Marathon on 4/21/13) and I made almost 18 miles on the rolling hills before I needed to go home to the kiddos (and subsequently finish those last 2 miles on the treadmill later in the day).

The trail was mostly clear of snow and ice despite our erratic weather this year. And we were blessed with sunshine all day long.  Win!

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2013 Waterfall Glen Good Friday Runners:023

We also had a lot of runners who weren’t able to make the 8am start time (and above photo).  I saw many friendlies on the trail early, who came out to run a few miles or even the entire loop before heading off to work.  Great turnout with lots of new (and old) faces.  Thanks for coming, everyone!  I’ll see you on Black Friday, same time, same spot!!

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This is the first nice weekend we have had this year that was remotely warm without rain.  So I took full advantage of it by hitting another “somewhat” local trial on Saturday, not to run, but instead to let the kiddos burn off some steam hike.  Matthiessen Sate Park is in Utica, IL about a mile past a much more popular hiking arena, Starved Rock State Park.  While Starved Rock gets all the hype and is definitely more commercial and user friendly, Matthiessen is a hidden gem.  Less traffic.  Better hiking.  Amazing sites.  Plus the kids like to get dirty so it’s a total WIN for us!  Thanks to Aby’s friend, Kara for making the trip with us and “helping” out with the little man!!

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The best part about Matthiessen, in my opinion, is the waterfalls.   Some are easy to find, some are slightly hidden.  We even caught a few in a semi frozen state!

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The second best thing about Matthiessen, is the stairs.  Lots of stairs, inclines & bridges. 

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I love this place and try to bring the kids a couple times a year.  Depending on the season and the precipitation levels, the water may be free flowing like it was on Saturday or it can be totally dry like it was on our trip last summer.  Although the trails don’t change, the sites area always different.  Fun times.  The kids love it.  I love it.  We get to spend time outside together.  Win!

Did you do or see anything exciting this weekend?

** Run, Walk, Hike, MOVE ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Virtual “Racing”…..

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We definitely live in an “on line” type world where many spend the vast majority of their day interacting with their keyboard instead of real people.  It should be no surprise that we are doing everything “virtually”.    For some, this provides an excuse to hide behind a computer and develop a fantasy life that they are too afraid to actually live.  For others, this has bolstered their confidence, allowed them to make new friends, and ultimately given them the courage to step outside their box and DO THINGS that they never thought possible.  Think for a minute how the internet has affected your life over the last 5 to 10 years? 

 

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The world is literally at our fingertips.  A few keystrokes and we can find out about anything we want to know.  We can find people who share our interests.  We can find people who have done what we have only dreamt of doing ….. until now.  Seeing their adventures and knowing it can be done has given many the courage to TRY.  To get up off the couch, get out of the house and to DO SOMETHING new.

Do Something

For many, the idea of going to the gym, hitting a local group run or interacting with other people in a fitness type atmosphere is super intimidating.  They stress over not being fit enough.  Not being fast enough. Not being healthy enough.  Not being worthy of interacting with other fit people.   They want to be “better” and “more fit” before they start running with the group.  They want to be faster before they sign up for that local 5K.  Everyone fears being left behind.  Being last. 

These fears have bolstered our online community. They have helped birth virtual races and challenges.  A virtual race or challenge can be completed anywhere, anytime and by anyone willing to give it a try.  It allows a person to anonymously join a community of people all doing the same thing.  It allows them to take part in something they may not have had the courage to try if the event where happening “in real life”. 

These virtual challenges are everywhere.  Some cost $$ to join.  Many are free.  Some have online pages, or forums, for daily group support.  Many just require you to cover the distance or activity and record the results.    Some are as simple as doing 50 pushups every day for a month.  Others require one to cover a certain “race” distance.  Some are for charity.  Others offer cash and prizes just for participating.  There is a virtual race or challenge for all levels of fitness and ability.  Run one.  Walk one.  Join one.  In fact, join two! 

I’m currently participating in two virtual challenges.  Not because I wouldn’t be moving or doing something anyhow but because I like trying new things, being focused and meeting other fit people with whom I may not normally interact.  The Spring Bootie Buster Challenge by Amanda at Run To the Finish, forces me to drink my water, eat my fruits & veggies, and workout daily.  It offers an online community where I can talk with other members, be accountable and be encouraged by the progress of others.  I paid to get into the challenge.  I am eligible for weekly prizes NOT for being the best in my category but for recording my points each week.  It’s a 7 week challenge.  It’s about accountability.

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The other virtual challenge in which I am currently participating is the Jelly Bean by Run with Jess.  I like this one because it’s free, it offers multiple events and there are a lot of great prizes available just for participating.  Each year the Jelly Bean Virtual Race becomes my Jelly Bean “Challenge”.  I personally take the challenge to do all the events within the 11 day window.  If all of the events are not for you, that’s okay too, pick one or two that best suits your current fitness level.  The idea is to just move it, at any distance or speed in which you are able.  A virtual race is rarely a “race”, it’s just a way to challenge yourself to complete a certain task.  My Jelly Bean “race results” & a few event photos are below. 

  • 5K – 25:05
  • 10K – 56:03
  • Half Marathon – 2:09:19
  • 21K Bike  – 44:01

Jelly Bean_2013  me_3-23-13_jelly bean  Team Tough Chik 2013 tri kit _on bike

So if your nervous about getting out “in real life” and joining the fit community, take it slow and get comfortable at home by joining a virtual race or challenge.  Get to know us online so that you realize that we aren’t just crazy health nuts but instead, normal people, just like you.  These challenges are created because we understand, we’ve been there, we know how hard it is to get moving and stay moving.  We know that the process is intimidating.  Join us virtually and then when you’re ready, hit the road with us at any pace you are able.  It’s about the journey, not the pace at which you cover the distance.  Get started today!

** Move It, Virtual or Otherwise ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **