Category Archives: Cross Training

Middle of the Road….. & Quick Giveaway

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The great thing about living in the middle of nowhere country is that at 4am, traffic is non-existent and it’s just me and the coyotes open road.  Since I am bouncing back from the torn tendon in my foot, I am slightly cautious about footing.  This morning, I took the flattest/smoothest section and ran down the middle of the road with my Knuckle Lights shining a bright path in the darkness.  Here is the road I ran this morning but in the light, at 5:45 am.  Still not “too” busy.Country RoadsI know all of you have been battling the heat and humidity for marathon training while I have been rehabbing my injury.  Inside.  In an air conditioned, zero humidity environment.  Today was my first hot run and let’s just say, I need to adjust quickly.  It was 83 degrees at 4:30 am with a feels like temp of 87.  It was not only warm but very humid as the rainstorms were still miles away.  I only ran 2 miles, at a very relaxed 9:19 pace but it was stifling.

Aby, my soon to be 11 year old, has been running in the heat all summer.  She has raced several 5Ks, is running 2x a week at Cross Country Camp and basically suffering thru the miserable heat & humidity just like all of you. Courthouse Classic Aby2_2012 She may be young but has figured out a few great ways to stay cool while running.

1)  She freezes her water bottles and takes them to Cross Country Camp frozen so that they will still be cold when she needs them.  In fact, we just picked up this Nathan Thermal QuickShot Handheld for her at the Sports Authority booth of the Rock N Roll expo.  We paid $11 but Running Warehouse looks about the cheapest online for $16.95.  I hope she’ll let me borrow this sometime.

image

2)  She also found a 180s Quantum Cooling headband ($15 online, $12 expo) that is activated by sweat and/or water to continuously cool her head.  It also has a slot for ponytails, which made her squeal with delight.

Cooling Headband

3) She has also stolen borrowed my new Mission Athletecare EnduraCool Towel.  The towel that Mission just sent me last week.  The towel that I only have used one time.  The towel that stayed cool for hours, even hanging on the chair to dry.  The towel that I should have had on my run this morning.  The towel that is hidden away in her Cross Country bag.  I’m going to get this one back unlike my gps watch which she has commandeered.  Is it over-the-top to give a gps watch as a birthday present to an 11 year old?

               EnduraCool            EnduraCool_me

I hope all of you have also figured out a few unconventional ways to keep cool during these sweltering summer runs!    In case you haven’t I’m going to do a fast giveaway to get one EnduraCool Towel into somebody’s hands in time for this weekend’s long run.  So if you want an EnduraCool Towel, then put on your creative hat!  This needs to stay PG because I’m going to let Aby pick the winner at 8pm tonight (winner to be announced tomorrow morning).   

Please make a suggestion for Aby (age 11 – 6th grade) of a crazy/funny way to stay cool this summer.  Ideas can relate to being “on the run”, cooling off post run, or dealing with the heat in “real life”.  In order to respect the laws of creativity, it does not have to be something which is actually feasible or even something which we could implement.  We just want to make her giggle.  Think/Create an idea & comment below!  Good luck!

Info on EnduraCool Towel from Mission’s Website:

Mission’s™ Enduracool™ is made from a proprietary performance fabric that instantly cools when wet with water or sweat, wrung out and snapped in the air to activate the sustained cooling properties. Use during or after competition to provide sustained cooling on your neck, head or other hot zones.

How It Works: A revolution in cooling, this performance fabric absorbs and retains sweat and water, circulating the molecules while regulating the rate of evaporation to ensure an instant cooling effect against the skin for hours, without feeling wet.

Towel Dimensions: 12.25″ x 33″

image

 

** Stay Cool ** Amanda – TooTallFritz ** amanda@tootallfritz.com

Getting Back in the Groove….

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Theory states that it takes 21 days to create a good habit.  So if you are just starting a workout or running routine, know that it won’t be easy but it does become more manageable if you stick with it. 

good-habits addictive

Those of us who have been on the fitness train for a while know that the smallest things can cause a bump in our routine and attempt to derail our fitness.    Therefore, we have to be extra vigilant when our routine hits a snag.  Vacations are one of those things which are bittersweet for me.  I love to go, get away and have fun but I miss my fitness routine and my bed and my fresh food and my dogs.  Since my return on Saturday afternoon, I have been hitting it really somewhat hard to attempt to get back into my routine mentally.

Saturday afternoon – 40 miles on the bike (trainer), 50 pushups, rehab exercises & barefoot strides.

Sunday – Felt ridiculously guilty but between unpacking for 4, laundry, grocery store, party food prep, outdoor work, playing with the kids & the FNRC Splash N Dash, I didn’t workout.  I wasn’t happy about it but some days are just not long enough.

Monday – 30 minute swim in the cool waters of a local indoor pool.  I had the entire pool to myself and it was the best swim I’ve had in a while, mostly due to those cool water temps.  Plus I tried a new pair of goggles that worked out really well, the TYR Velocity Metallized goggles.  They were cheap ($15.95), and I had an email special/promo code, thru TriSports.  I was super pleased.  They fit well and I liked being able to use the slide at the side to tighten them up for a quick adjustment in the water!goggles_trisports One I got home from the swim, I did 100 push ups, rehab exercises & barefoot strides in the yard.

Tuesday – 16 miles on bike (trainer), 50 push ups & rehab exercises

The bottom line is that life will occasionally get in the way of your workouts.  Vacations come/go, kids get sick, parents need help, the J.O.B. gets crazy.  This is normal, take a deep breath and accept it.  Just don’t let the “little things” become an excuse to derail YOUR fitness.

** Keep YOUR Fitness Train Rolling! ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Landscape Cross Training!

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No, I’m not out of town.  No I’m not injured so badly that I can’t run or bike.  No I’m not working late even though I should.  What I AM doing is working on my annual Landscape Cross Training which occurs in a mad rush the week prior to Memorial Day weekend.  Tonight will be the third night in a row of Landscape Cross Training.

Fortunately, the weeds and giant thistles have been pulled prior to them going to seed.  Yay!  🙂

         Pulling Weeds   thistle_big ones

I have repurposed an old, torn pool cover for ground cover in an attempt to keep SOME thistles from popping through my mulch!

Pool Cover

I have purchased some new shrubs in an attempt to retake the thistle thriving territory.

peonies

weigela wine & roses

I have spread mulch, more mulch and then yep, I have more to spread.

mulch

I’m still not done but it’s Wednesday and I will trade in some cross training for running with the F’N Runners!  Then I’ll go home and hopefully finish planting & mulching…..so I can  start work on the pool.

Green-Above-Ground-Swimming-Pool 

Which may or may not have some living creatures.

frog swimming

So we can have a pool party!

pool-party

Any landscape cross training for you this week?  Any green swimming pools that you are trying to bring back to life for the holiday weekend? 

** Happy Landscaping ** Amanda – TooTallFritz ** amanda@tootallfritz.com

Hard to Rest…..

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Yesterday might possibly have been the nicest day of the year, so far, but alas I had a rest day planned because I felt like I needed it.  I also wasn’t feeling my best but when I got off work and saw the sun shining and the mild temps, of course, I wanted to run.  I debated running vs. not running the entire commute home.  I knew my feet needed to rest.  The Plantar Fasciitis is hopefully almost gone and I do not want to do ANYTHING to aggravate the situation so that was basically the deciding factor to continue as planned with a short cross training session on the bike trainer rather than going for a run.

I may have mentioned a billion times before that riding on the trainer is like running on the treadmill. It is harder because it is boring but the good thing about riding in my dining room on the trainer is that I can blast my iPod.  So the times goes pretty quickly for these short workouts since I can listen to my favorite songs, very loudly.  Another bonus is that I am getting acclimated to the warmer temps for 13.1 Miami Beach in 16 days!!!!! a bit before spring/summer arrives.  I also enjoy not having to layer up for the outdoor temps.  Yesterday I wore one of my favorite items of SWAG, the Sunburst Half Marathon shirt from 2011.  This was one of the A4 shirts I received last year and I really like the brand, especially in the women specific sizing.  It’s soft, cute and I could wear it every day. 

So all in all, it was a short but sweet workout.  I calculate my trainer miles at 15 mph.  I  figure I ride slower inside than out so this is a fair estimate.  Yes, I would have rather been running but focusing on recovery and injury prevention is MORE important than logging a few extra miles and ending up with 8 months of injuries from being stupid not listening to my body. I want to be healthy this year so I can walk without pain be my best.  I will listen to my body and rest when necessary, regardless of the weather, or an invitation to run with a friend or an extra time slot without the little man.

Rest is just as important as the mileage.  I encourage you to also remember to rest when you need it. 

What is your favorite thing to do on a rest day?  Do you cross train or take the day completely off?  Or do you leave it to your body to decide?

Happy Running!                                                                                                           Amanda – TooTallFritz

SWAG vs the Cool Clothes…..

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I was preparing for a bike session last night in my dining room gym and was looking thru my closet for something to wear.  Now I know my hubby is laughing over this because my closet is full and I want to move him out of the second master closet and put his clothes in the spare room would like more space.  I am pretty set up at this point and don’t really “need” much so am able to pick and choose the new “cool” clothes that I want to buy.  Since I don’t have a “need” for workout attire I can occasionally grab a few things off internet sales which I normally wouldn’t buy due to their original price tag but once they hit the sale rack it’s fair game!  Like I’m waiting for this new piece from Athleta to hit the sale rack….and since it’s new, it will be a long wait.  This limeish, bright green is my absolute favorite color and I love the fit of their Accelerate Tee. 

So last night as I was browsing my closet, I was noticing the race shirts that I  have kept vs. my “cool” clothes.  I normally wear race shirts for lounging, sleeping and my dining room gym workouts.  It is highly unlikely you will see me on the trail with a race shirt.  Why?  Usually race shirts don’t fit me well.  Most of the time I won’t even keep them.  I may let them lounge in my closet for a couple of months or even a year but then they get donated.  Or Aby takes them for bedtime attire.  Or if you have run with me for a long time, I have probably showed up for a run with a bag of cast-a-ways that I offer up to whoever wants them. 

I do keep a very select few pieces of SWAG (stuff we all get) and if it’s hanging in my closet AND it gets wear time then that makes it a really great piece of SWAG.  The race shirts in my closet include those I receive from the Shamrock Shuffle, not because it’s my favorite race of the year but because they give Nike Tech shirts that are gender specific.  I also keep the Chicago Marathon shirts for the same reason.  I just pulled the tags of my 2011 Chicago Marathon shirt last night.  I love this shirt.  I haven’t worn it before now because I didn’t want it to get toddler funk on it for various reasons but it’s a cool shirt in the way it looks and it also has a good fit. 

In fact, I love this shirt so much that I bought a skirt to match it from RunningSkirts.com.  So there is a possibility you might see this one on the trail.

I have also kept one Southwest Bank 1/2 Marathon shirt that was a women’s specific Mizuno shirt.  I keep a handful of long sleeve tech shirts.  I love the new A-4 brand women’s shirts that I have just started to see come thru some low-budget races.   These A-4 shirts feel like butter and just are prefect for running when I am lucky enough to get a gender specific shirt.  I also have kept my Hot Chocolate windbreaker and have used it multiple times.  Other than those items, not much stays in the closet and if it does, then I normally wear it around the house or for cross training workouts.  I just feel awkward wearing race shirts, like it bragging.  And I like to encourage newbies to be out there on the trail WITH me, not behind me.  No need to kill their confidence by showing up in a 70.3 or marathon shirt.  If they want to talk about my races, great, I’m happy to oblige but I don’t want to intimidate them into not coming back because they think I’m more experienced or stronger or bragging about what has been.  So know that if you see me in a race shirt that I REALLY love that shirt or it would have never hit the trail with me. 

How do you feel about race SWAG?  Do you wear it proudly, donate it, keep it but push it to the back of the closet or just use it for pajamas? 

SWAG Patrol,                                                                                                                  Amanda – TooTallFritz

MomZilla…..

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You know how some days are just better than others?  Well, yesterday wasn’t one of the “good” ones.  I was emotionally off my rocker distressed.  For over a week, we have had a screaming toddler. 

Now our toddler ALWAYS screams, so what makes this so over the top?  Well, he has been screaming non-stop for a week, plus won’t sleep unless pressed up against me.  I move, he wakes up.  He even screamed over the weekend when Grammie was in town and that is really bad because usually everything is all about “Grammie”.  He even screamed when she was holding him.  So as a loving and caring Mom, I tried to be rational.  I tried to justify the screaming in that he might possibly be getting sick.  Or he may be getting new teeth.  Or maybe he is tired.  Who the hell really knows but yesterday I reached my breaking point.  And wow, did I break.  I snapped in two, over and over again. 

I was a MOMZILLA, or so I thought.  However, that term has already been appropriated in the Urban Dictionary, look HERE if you want to know the real definition of Momzilla.  So since I can’t use the word “momzilla”, let me just say that I was a Crazy Ass Bitch  crabby and screaming at everyone.  I had a lot of issues going on too….long day working/commuting. 

Okay, that’s not my desk but you have seen my desk already: 

Commuting was back to reality too with EVERYONE back to work after the holidays.

Then my friend is in town so I am particularly edgy.

All I want is chocolate, a good workout and some quiet-time.  But I was out of chocolate frosting. 

And the screaming toddler really got in the way of the good workout although I did give it an honest effort.

And then after, okay during, the half assed workout, I just couldn’t take it anymore.  I freaked out screamed and probably would have quit, if that had been an option.

I am hoping this Amanda comes back soon.  She is nice to people and enjoys spending time with her screaming children.

How do you deal with stressors, particularly when it’s that time of the month?  “Normally”, I do better but apparently I’m not feeling very normal.  Sigh…..

Stressed Out Mommy,                                                                                                Amanda – TooTallFritz

 

How Far Would You Go To Make It Happen?

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I always give props to EVERYONE who makes it a priority to come out and run with the F’N Running Club on a Wednesday night.  I mean, it’s a “school” night, it’s not easy.  I know that it doesn’t fit into everyone’s schedule and am just pleased that people show up.  However, I really have to give it to my friend Kristina who drove all the way from St. John, IN to Frankfort (45 minutes in good traffic) to run with us F’N Runners tonight .  I would like to give Kristina the non-existent “Traveler” award for traveling the farthest, so far, to come run with us.  Thank you, Kristina!  Are you planning to take Kristina’s award from her?  We meet on WEDs at 5pm and usually early SAT and/or SUN morn!  Join us!

We had a great group tonight.  Some of our main players are injured or out-of-town but we had some new faces to replace them for today.  Dark Photo alert….sorry!    Top:  Maggie, Kristina, Michelle, Susan, Kathy, Jeni, Laura.  Bottom:  Kate & Diane

Before these lovely ladies arrived, I was able to squeak in a few miles in the DAYLIGHT.  That’s right, the Winter Solstice passed and Mother Nature is taking us back to Spring, one day at a time! 

Many of us like Old Plank Trail because it is close to home pretty flat.  Here is our only hill, which is an overpass for Rt 45.  It may not be much but still seems daunting when the legs are tired.

I know everything is dead and boring right now but it still looks beautiful to me!  Didn’t make it far before the sun was setting and I had to head back to meet up with those F’N Runners!

The goal for me tonight was to put in some easy, slow miles.  I have had a rough summer/fall and start to winter.  Some fitness has been lost but I am actually pain-free.  I am sore this week, which is unusual but good, right?  I have been busy this week focusing on both running and cross training.  Tomorrow is going to be a rest day cuz my legs feel like bricks, then FRI cross training/weights.  I know I will get stronger and really want to focus on that.  I am so tentatively happy to not be hurting that I’m just really scared the pain will return if I am not careful enjoying being out and on the run again.  So one day at a time, if the pain returns then I will have to pull back again.  I am just enjoying the soreness now and hoping it’s a sign of strength to come!

3 miles taking pics solo, 4 miles with the club & Kristina, 1 extra mile with my girlz Susan & Maggie, multiple stops, no watch pauses – Total = 8.03 miles -1:22:48.

Thanks to you F’N Runners for another great Wednesday Night Run.  Thanks again, Kristina for making the drive!

Happy Running,                                                                                                        Amanda -TooTallFritz

Back to Reality…..

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Although today I am confronted by going back to work reality, yesterday was a busy and productive day on the home front as we tried to squeeze in as much as possible on our last day off.  I was fortunate that Hubby took one for the team watched the kiddos so I was able to meet up early, but not too early, with the F’N Running Club for a Monday morning run.  This was a total luxury for me because I am usually sitting on my ass at my desk early each Monday.  The Monday morning New Year Crew:  Julie, Joe, Jeni, Susan & Jennifer E.I want to give a huge shout out to all of these runners, as well as sending them a great big THANK YOU for getting up and out of their cozy beds to come for a run.  I laid in bed all night listening to the 50 mph winds and rain/sleet pelting the windows.  When I got up it was snowing, we had freezing temps and MORE wind, so I was surprised that anyone besides Susan show up.  Thanks, you crazy F’N Runners!  I would have never been able to do it without you yesterday and had already copped out of my Jan 1 run due to wind/cold so I really needed this!

The temps were around 20 degrees in the early morn but felt much colder due to the wind.  However, being on the trail, the trees provided us with a lot of wind cover and it really wasn’t bad after that first mile.  It was snowing pretty good at times too but there wasn’t any accumulation, the trail was in good condition with good footing.  Not too slippery.  

  Julie & Susan looking strong as they are approaching the turnaround: 

Joe, Julie & Me at the turnaround.

The group ran between 3 and 7 miles at a leisurely pace.  A few stops for road crossings and turnaround/meet-ups.  I never stop my watch cuz I will forget to restart it so I had 7.01 miles in 1:10:48.  Great run!

After my car defrosted from the snow and ice which had accumulated during our run, I returned home and hubby and I set up my dining workout room again.  The workout equipment had been evicted to the basement while trying to fruitlessly sell the house, then to make room for Tacky Christmas.  I am back in business now! 

I even managed to squeeze in some bike miles and a short weight workout during Michael’s nap! 

So the NEW year is going strong for me so far.   I am trying to refocus on fresh foods and veggies to lose those extra 5 lbs, core/weight work, and more cross training.  I am sore today so something must be working. 

Are you off to a good start this year?  Are you doing anything different or just refocusing on some good habits which may have fallen to the way side over the holidays?

Think and BE Healthy this year!

Amanda – TooTallFritz

2012….The Mystery of What Will Be…..

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This is the first day of 2012 and we are looking at a fresh start with a  whole new year in front of us.  What will you bring to Ms. TooTall and the family, 2012?  This is the time in which many are making New Year’s Resolutions; however, I am not really a fan of a “resolution” per say .  I think that many treat resolutions like rules with the “they are made to be broken” type attitude.  So in absence of a New Year’s Resolution, each year I attempt to develop some sort of challenge for myself and as many people as I can suck into the insane plan.  As with all good plans/challenges, it needs to most importantly bring about a good story in the process!  I really believe that over half of the endeavors in which I have sucked my sister into  completed were for the sole sake of having a good story.

Thru the years, we have developed some REALLY good stories.  Still one of my favorites was the 2005 Rim to Rim hike thru the Grand Canyon with (Me), Sara (my sis), Lisa E., Lisa’s Cousin Cindy & Lisa’s mom:

That adventure was my foray back to fitness.  It was a long road cuz I had 10+ years of excess eating/drinking to redirect but I not only hauled my ass person from the North Rim, to Phantom Ranch on the Colorado River but then up the South Kaibab Trail for a finish on the South Rim.  Good times.  Good memories.  And it was a heck of a workout!  This adventure was a catalyst to my current state of fitness.  More importantly, it gave me the confidence to also try other things that prior to that point, I would have NEVER though possible.

LOTS OF RUNNING

Me & Abby S. during the Inaugural 2008 Fort 4 Fitness Half Marathon:LOTS OF FAST RACINGLOTS OF TRIATHLON

I’m unzipping the black wetsuit in the middle.

MUD & OBSTACLES

 CROSS TRAINING & SWEAT

LOTS OF NEW FRIENDS

So after so much fun and sweat it is hard to create a budget friendly challenge for the new year.  Last year I challenged myself to run 1000 miles.  I made it despite fighting injuries from March thru year-end.  This year I wanted something new and fresh and along came….So the big adventure for Ms. TooTall for 2012 will be participating in a chicks only, 6 person, ultra relay team for the Madison to Chicago Ragnar Relay Series. 33 miles over the course of 2 days/nights in early June.  This is gonna be insane fun and should provide us with a GREAT story!

I will also be running the 2012 Chicago Marathon and delving back into Triathlon after a long bike hiatus from Mr. Michael’s birth/toddler years.   The goal is a 1000 running miles and 1000 bike miles.  This will be TOUGH for me but I joined Team Tough Chik for 2012 so hopefully that will provide extra support that I need to make this happen!  If you are interested in being on Team Tough Chik for 2012, click HERE.  The deadline for joining the team has been extended until Jan 7.  See a few of my fellow Tough Chiks below.

What do you have planned for 2012?  Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?

Once Again…..Happy New Year!                                                                                Amanda – TooTallFritz

StairMaster….BABY!

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We all know that I am super tentative about my foot right now even though it currently doesn’t hurt but I  still needed a workout since I have eaten everything in sight for 2+ weeks so I decided on a little cross training last night.  My absolute favorite machine is the StairMaster.  I like the old school ones like Lisa E. and I busted ass on used in the Hanover gym for years while I was in college.  On February 1, 2005, I purchased one of those old school StairMaster 4000PT‘s from globalfitness.com to get rid of 10 plus years of excessive eating and drinking lose some weight.  At the time, going to the gym was OUT.  Aby was a little over 3 at the time, I was working/commuting, etc. and time was tight.  I also, didn’t have the $$ for gym quality equipment but couldn’t live without this model so I purchased a refurbished one.  It has worked out really well for me and I would not hesitate to go with a refurbished product again.  It even broke once, within the first year, and they came out and replaced the motherboard…..over a $1000 between the service call and the replacement “part” and I didn’t have to pay a dime.  Yes, I’m a fan.    In fact, if I ever took the plunge on a dreadmill, I would go back to globalfitness for a refurbished gym model.  I made the mistake of purchasing an elliptical machine at a “big box store” in 2006 and that thing is a piece of shit lacking a lot in the quality department.  Lesson learned.

Okay, let’s do it….Aby try to grab a photo, okay? 

Just the beginning…..

Fast Feet!

My view, yes, the dining room is my gym, and the Christmas Room. 

My bike and the elliptical will come back to the dining room gym as soon as Christmas is over.  We attempted to sell the house last year because we can’t afford it wanted to change school districts; therefore, everything we loved personal was banished to the basement or barn.  Thank goodness, my StairMaster wouldn’t fit thru any of the doors during Operation Banishment.

If you like to sweat, the StairMaster is the machine for you!  I normally don’t sweat unless I’m vacuuming running hard or it’s super hot out (and I’m running) but this machine brings the sweat immediately!

I always recommend the StairMaster to anyone who wants to lose weight.  It’s not fun but you will sweat out all the alcohol chocolate you ate/drank over the last month in just one session.  So if you want to lose weight, put down the HO-HO’s NOW  jump on the StairMaster and make it a happen, then go back and do it again tomorrow, and the next day and you will lose that ass weight.  If you need a kickstart, you can also try the AdvoCare Trim line to help boost your metabolism and give you more energy to hit the daily workouts.  But you still have to workout.  If you see an ad or hear somebody tell you that you will lose weight without working out they are lying you aren’t getting the full story.  You must sweat to lose.  Promise.  Been There, Done That.

Thirty minutes of sweat and I’m done.  I didn’t have any much time tonight but squeezed in a short one.  It was 4.xx miles.  Not exactly sure how far because Michael kept saying, “Mommy, what you doing?   Mommy, what you doing?  Mommy on StairMatter?  Mommy all done?  Mommy, what you doing?”  It broke my concentration even though I was really trying to remember the mileage so that I could post it on DailyMile.

So I got in a workout, I made something happen.  May not be much of a workout to most of you but I was moving.

“Run”way Fashion:  I was totally rocking the SkirtSports.com sale rack.  The Signature Tee was on sale a month or so ago for $12 and I snapped one up, then had RaceExpressions add the TooTallFritz logo front/back.  Love this shirt, it’s my second one, is super soft and just a perfect shirt for workouts and life.  I think it runs big, that being said, it’s a regular shirt size.  If you buy a M at Kohl’s, then get an M here.  I have to size up for Nike some big name running brands.  This shirt is now on sale with the 12 Days of Skirtmas Sale for $15.  Signature Tee

I also picked up a pair of the Under the Skirt Leggings thru the 12 Days of Skirtmas Sale!  Normally $55 they are currently on sale for $27.50.  I’ve been wanting these for a long time and I was not disappointed.  They are soft, smooth and perfect.  Flare at foot/ankle, pocket on each side.  LOVE.  Super stylish! Under Skirt Leggings

There has been a lot of talk lately about bloggers making $$ on product reviews.  Just an FYI….all of the products that I have reviewed to date are those which I have purchased with my own $$.  I have not received any free items, nor do I profit if you purchase any of the things I “love”.  I review the products because I do spend a lot of $$ on fitness/running gear/clothes/shoes and I personally enjoy hearing what other think about things before I spend my hard-earned $$.  I try to help you out with the same.  If I am ever fortunate enough to receive anything FREE with the obligatory review to follow, I will be sure to mention it at the time.  However, it’s not an issue at this point.  But by all means, if you want to send me something to review, I’m more than happy to do it!

How are you doing with the extra holiday treats?  Do you work in an office where all of the goodies which you deny yourself throughout the year show up on your desk or in the kitchen between Dec 10th & 24th?  I’m struggling!  Can’t seem to control the junk food intake which I am normally so good at ignoring!  UGH!

Happy Eating Holidays!                                                                                                Amanda – TooTallFritz