Category Archives: Cycling

Winner–ShowerPill Wipes!

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I’ve been a busy bee so am just now pulling winners to the ShowerPill giveaway!

I drew 2 winners via a random # generator.  Winners are #8 & #14.

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#8 is Whitney from Racing The States!

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#14 is Lisa (verdon1124)

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Congrats, ladies!!  Please email (amanda@tootallfritz.com) your mailing address so we can get the ShowerPill wipes sent out to you!

For everyone else, we can order ShowerPills for ourselves OR maybe our favorite runner using the 10% off Discount Code:  runner10.  Order HERE.

Happy Holidays – Amanda – TooTallFritz

Shower Pill Giveaway & Discount Code

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We are at that time of year where everyone is looking gifts.  Do you need a gift for a special runner friend? Being Santa is fun but only when you get to give something that someone actually wants without spending a fortune.  Enter one of my favorite items for running, triathlon and being active.  ShowerPill.

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ShowerPill has fast become the number one body wipe on the market for active people.  Toss out the baby wipes unless you have a baby to clean up and grab a Shower Pill! 

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Seriously, I don’t leave home with out my ShowerPill wipes.  I have some in my purse.  I have some in my car.  I have some in my gym bag.  If you travel with me to events, you know that we run and then immediately go home to the family.  More often than not, that means no shower.  After 2-8 hours of fun, strenuous running or TRIing, nobody wants to get in the car without a shower.  I’ve used ShowerPill wipes on so many occasions but here are a few standard uses:

  • In my car after a TRI while changing;
  • In a parking garage, standing behind my car, while changing;
  • In a port-o-potty while changing after a hard race;
  • In the bathroom at my office after a lunch run;
  • In the gym cuz I didn’t have time to shower before running off to an appointment;
  • After workouts before getting in my car to drive the short distance home because I couldn’t stand the smell of myself;
  • In an airport after long hours of air travel and airport time.

ShowerPill wipes are not only for freshening up but also a way to kill bacteria on your body.  You will be clean.  Smell good.  And kill germs.

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ShowerPill is an antibacterial wipe for your body.  It is like wiping down with soap and water which leaves skin feeling clean, fresh and moisturized.
One ShowerPill sport wipe cleans your entire body.  It will save you time, decrease the chance of skin infections and keep you fresh & clean when a “traditional shower” is not possible.
-Extra thick like a washcloth
-Kills 99.99% of germs including Staph
-Aloe Vera & Vitamin E
-Quick dry solution, no sticky residue
-Light fresh scent
-Hypoallergenic & Gentle on Sensitive Skin
-Paraben & Alcohol FREE

 

ShowerPill has generously agreed to give a box of ShowerPill wipes ($9.99 value) to TWO winners!  If you would like to win a box of ShowerPill wipes, please make a comment below and tell us what you do now to freshen up when a shower isn’t an option?   Giveaway starts now and goes until Tuesday, December 16, 2014, 11am at which time two winners will be selected via a random number generator.

If you want ShowerPill wipes NOW for one of your favorite runners, please order HERE, use the 10% off Discount Code:  runner10.

Previous Review of ShowerPill wipes HERE. 

Amanda – TooTallFritz

Why I Won’t Stop Running ….

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Since I moved to Indiana, I’ve had a lot of foot pain.  I took most of the spring/summer off running.  Actually I was running, but very little.  Sporadically, if you will.  Sometimes not at all.  Hubby had moved to Indiana before the kids and I.  Therefore, I was alone with the kids & pets.  I was trying to find a house in the new area.  I was traveling back and forth every weekend (400 miles round trip) on the frustrating great house hunt.  I was trying to keep the kids from killing each other fighting.  I was chauffeuring them to every doctor/dentist appointment that they needed before they transferred to a new school.  I was also trying to pack up a house.  Train a new puppy.  Plus I was working full time with a nasty commute each day.  Life got in the way of workouts.  It happens.  But one thing was constant, my foot pain.  Thank you Plantar Fasciitis. 

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Once I returned to the run, the foot pain went from discomfort to full blown pain.  Every step hurt.  A lot.  So I decided to try to find someone to help me.  When I was in IL, Dr. Alexis kept me up and running.  She was a Chiropractor but more than a “bone cracker”.  Her family practice focuses on the health of the family.  She has a lot of skills and treatment methods that a normal Chiropractor doesn’t.  Big shoes to fill.  Plus she was a runner.  And never complained about my running, at least to me.  Yeah, REALLY big shoes to fill.

After asking every fitness person I knew, wasn’t a big list in my new town, I was directed to my first Physical Therapist.  He didn’t like runners.  Not sure he even liked me.  He hurt me badly.  He made my PF worse.  Then I saw another PT.  He was a Cross County Coach.  So he liked runners, right?   Maybe.  He was all business.  Not sure what he liked.  Very firm as to what I could and couldn’t do.  I actually took 2 weeks off cuz he scared me.  Then I moved on again because well, I wasn’t getting better.

What did the 2 PTs have in common?  They focused specifically on my calves and soleus. Both did Graston.  The first guy would make me cry because he scraped my calves so hard.  The second guy was more gentle but still, it was the same.  Scraping, scraping, scarping my calves and soleus.  And a shit-ton of stretching exercises.  Nobody touched my feet.  They both thought my PF problems were centered on the tight calves and soleus.  Both of which were marbled/bumped up like a “gravel road”.  I didn’t get better.  I spent a lot of $$.  I stopped going to PT and I’m not sure I’ll ever go to another PT, short of being forced.

Now I’ve found a Chiropractor, 7 minutes from my house.  A family practice guy.  Big on rehab.  Diet.  Exercise.  With a bag of tricks.  So guess what, someone finally cares about my feet again.  He says they are the “worst” he has ever seen in his practice.  Must not see many distance runners, huh?  Lots of Graston. Lots of Rapid Release Technology (description below). 

RRT relies upon the science of resonance.  Like the piano note vibrating the corresponding guitar string across the room, the target absorbs vibrational energy and oscillates.  Same principle as the opera singer who can vibrate a crystal glass across the room until it breaks.  RRT operates at a frequency over 3 times faster than the fastest competition.  Notice the symmetry of high speed compression waves through healthy tissue.  Now notice the lack of waves when RRT is put over chronic fibrous tissue.  The energy is absorbed by the denser tissue and it begins to vibrate. 

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Lots of talk about what I should do besides running.  He used to run but has done extensive research and has basically bagged running for other things.  Good for him.  Not good for me.  So this week, after suggesting for the 2nd time that I take 6 months off, he basically said, “why do you have to run”?  Good question.  My quick answer was very basic:  Cuz I might kill someone otherwise.  It keeps me in check mentally and regulates my mood.  Some people take Prozac, I run. 

Long answer is a bit more complicated.  I run because I can.  Because I like it.  Because it gives me a big bang for my buck, exercise wise.  Because there aren’t any CrossFit gyms close to me.  Because it gets me out of the house, or allows me to zone out on the treadmill for hours at a time watching crap on Netflix that I can’t let my kids watch.  Because it makes me feel good.  Because it helps me realize that life really isn’t so bad after a long ass run.  Because it drives me to challenge myself and consider goals which I never thought possible.  Because it enables me to see things that I would never see from my couch.  Because it forces me to be social at times when I don’t feel like talking because I’m emotionally overwhelmed.  Because it allows me to be social while doing something healthy.  Because it helps me not take myself too seriously and sometimes allows me to wear silly outfits.  Because I can control it. 

I run when I want.  Where I want.  And the only thing that stops, or slows me down, is the family schedule.  It gets me out of bed in the morning and energizes me throughout the day.  If I take a weekend day off the run, what happens?  I sleep in but am always still tired.  I get up grumpy cuz I never feel refreshed.  Then I get a cup of coffee and sit in the recliner or on the couch and veg out on Facebook or TV.  I’m not motivated to do anything.  I don’t want to do anything.  Different story after I spend a couple hours running.  I’m motivated to LIVE life.  That’s why I won’t stop running.  Maybe tomorrow or the next day will be different and I will no longer have the desire to run.  But as for today, I want to run.  Nothing is broken.  Nothing is torn.  Let’s just fix this and then maybe we can be friends.  I mean, I’ll waive to you as I’m running laps at the Y and you’re below with your buddies beating the crap out of each other playing basketball.  Winking smile

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Related post.  It’s an oldie but goodie:  I Am A Runner.

Run happy, if that’s your thing.  If you like football or basketball, find a league.  If you like to lift weights or CrossFit, awesome, go kill it.  Cycling?  I’ll see you on the road come spring!  There are so many different activities, go find one that you love!

Amanda – TooTallFritz

WINNER of the SOL REPUBLIC Punk Wireless Speaker …..

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Lots of excitement about the SOL REPUBLIC Punk Wireless Speaker!  Glad everyone thinks this thing is as cool as me and my family! 

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The Punk Wireless Speaker retails for $69.99 at Best Buy HERE and SOL REPUBLIC HERE.  However, one lucky reader will receive it for FREE.  The random number generator selected #8.

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#8 is Melissa Madorma!

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Melissa, please email me your address so that you can get ahold of this Punk Wireless Speaker ASAP!  Congrats!

If you, like me, can’t get enough SOL REPUBLIC, follow them on social media for the most up to date news on their amazing products. 

I hope your holidays are amazing, filled with love, joy and lots of music!

Amanda  – TooTallFritz

SOL REPUBLIC Punk Wireless Speaker Review & Giveaway …..

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I’m not exactly sure where the year has gone but like it or not, the holidays are upon us.  I’ve slowly started to Christmas shop and Michael already found everything I had hidden for him specifically because I need to budget for it this year in a different way than ever before.  So start slow and space it out, right? 

Even though I’m on a budget, I still like to give killer gifts!  Therefore, I wanted to talk about the SOL REPUBLIC Punk Wireless Speaker NOW before I get lost in the holiday shuffle! 

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SOL REPUBLIC is known for delivering amazing sound in everything they produce.  I have multiple SOL REPUBLIC items and love each and every one of them.  Definitely my favorite retailer for sound.   However, the Punk Wireless Speaker is a bit different than their other products because this speaker was built to go wherever you go. 

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It’s small.  Like fits in the palm of my hand small.  My wallet is larger than this speaker!  It easily fits in my purse, gym bag and the pocket of my vest. 

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It has a mounting thread on the bottom of the speaker to mount to your bike.

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It was built to take a hit and keep on blasting those tunes. 

Beware of PUNK. Smaller, tougher and louder than you would expect. Play it everywhere and take it anywhere. PUNK is fearless. Not afraid of water, dirt, or getting kicked around and gutsy enough to play music loud. If you won’t break the rules, PUNK will.

So parents, if your kids (or you) want a wireless speaker that can roll down the stairs, get wet, dirty and keep on playing, this might be for you.  I specifically wanted this speaker for my sun room which has a hot tub.  I know you are all thinking, “hot tub, that’s so cool”, well it’s not cool, it’s hot!  It gets hot and steamy in there, like a sauna.  It’s not a great place for a fancy sound system!  The wireless range on the Punk Wireless Speaker is 60+ feet.  I set up a play list on my phone, start the speaker, leave my phone high and dry in the house and take this little guy out in the “sauna like” sun room with me.  Sound quality is excellent.  It plays LOUD.  And the battery life lasts for around 8 hours.  I’ve used the Punk every single day since it’s arrived, in and out of the sun room.  Smile    Love this thing!

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One last thing, that’s important if you are as UN tech savvy as me, is that the Bluetooth hooks up easily.  I don’t mess too much with technology.  In fact, when iPods were “wired” and I had to plug into the computer, it was a train wreck, my iPod was never updated and at this point I don’t even have a computer with an active iTunes account.  Bluetooth was invented for people like me.  It’s easy.  I can quickly/easily pair my iPhone with any SOL REPUBLIC wireless speaker.  I just go into my settings, click on Bluetooth and my phone searches for the speaker (which needs to be on).  The Punk speaker pops up and I select it.  After that initial pairing it hooks up automatically.  So easy!  IMG_5682

The Punk Wireless Speaker retails for $69.99 at Best Buy HERE and SOL REPUBLIC HERE but we have one to giveaway FREE to a lucky reader!!  In order to be eligible to win, please comment below and tell us what you plan to do with the Punk Wireless Speaker if you win!  Are you keeping it or giving it to a lucky someone as a gift?!?!?  Tell us!!  Giveaway starts NOW and ends next Friday, November 21st at 9am.  Good luck!

Watch SOL REPUBLIC on the social media channels below for the most up to date news on their amazing products. 

I seriously hope you rock out at every holiday gathering you attend.  Music makes the soul happy, take the PUNK and go get those parties started or if you aren’t into parties, you can just listen to it while you work, like I do.

** The Punk Goes Where You Go ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

I’m In Trouble….

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I’m pretty sure my new PT thinks I’m crazy doesn’t like me. Today marked the 4th session (week) with him and let’s just say it didn’t go well. Like he made me cry and I wanted to punch him in the face.

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The good news is that another PT, who happens to be an old friend of mine who I didn’t’ know worked there or I’d be going to her instead handed me a box of tissues. And then I was too upset, in pain actually, to punch anything.

The “run” down. New PT isn’t a runner. I’d even extrapolate that statement to hypothesize that he doesn’t even like runners. Maybe he knows my hubby? Last week he emphasized that I MUST cross train, even though I’ve been pretty focused on building miles. So I cross trained. Only ran 27 miles all week. Biked 25 miles. Took a spin class. Swam 1500 yds in the pool.

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I even took a damn sunrise yoga class at 5:15 this morn. That didn’t go well either. Runners doing yoga could be a comedy skit. You can ask Aby, she went too! What a joke but yes, we are going back. I think. Okay, Aby says “we” are going back.

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So, I cross trained. And I’m not any better this week, than last week. In fact, I’m worse with a plethora of new aches & pains to add to the list. My feet hurt. And they are swollen. And I’d probably take a cortisone shot from a homeless man if it was offered up to me! Kidding. Kinda. And now, I’m in trouble from Mr. PT. He thinks I run too much, or more specifically that I built up too quickly. Which I did. But please just fix me. Complain to the other PTs after I leave. Please. Thank you.

** Runner at Heart – Regardless of How My Feet Feel ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Ryders Eyewear – Via Photochromic Review

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As most of you know, my eyes are super sensitive.  I wear sunglasses, or use a visor, or BOTH, almost all the time.  It’s not that I’m trying to be cool but to protect my eyes.  Ryders Eyewear recently released a new model and sent me some to check out.  Here are the new Ryders Via Photochromic sport sunglasses.

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This is the white/yellow combo.  The lenses are tinted but not too dark so if you are running the woods, like I am usually doing, then you can still see!  Plus the photochromic lenses lighten and darken with the change of natural light so you aren’t looking thru dark black lenses in low light.

I’ve tested these babies several times.  I like that they are white and match everything.  However, if white isn’t for you, they have several other options too! 

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Yes, color & style matter to almost everyone.  They are stylish!  I also like that they aren’t too tight on my face so that when I’m all sweaty, they aren’t sticking to me.  I also love how the photochromic works automatically and I never even notice that the lenses are changing tint.  You can see in the photo below how much darker the lenses are than above …. pretty cool! 

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They are just perfect for running/riding thru the woods on my local trails!  I don’t miss a thing and that’s super important because I want to see all the amazing view that the trails have to offer! 

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One thing that I was concerned about initially was the nose pads stick out a bit and aren’t the ones that are flush with the glasses.  I take my glasses on and off quite a bit for pictures and when I’m talking with people.  I just like to look people in the eyes so feel awkward talking up close with someone THRU a pair of sunglasses.  Just me, I know.  So I was concerned that the nose pads would get stuck in my hair, but they don’t. 

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As always, Ryders Eyewear has delivered another pair of top notch glasses.  I use Ryders exclusively for running and biking.   They are comfortable.  Fit my face.  Don’t bounce or fog.  Scratch resistant.  Shatter proof cuz yeah, I’ve been known to crash a time or two.  Plus they offer my eyes UV Protection!  Great glasses and I’m happy to add the Via Photochromic to my collection.  Thanks, Ryders!   Feel free to purchase yours HERE!  $89 for the photochromic & $49 if you don’t need the tint to change. 

** Run & Bike with Ryders Eyewear** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

SOL REPUBLIC Relay Headphones Review & Giveaway

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What the hottest or maybe the “coolest” thing on the market that Mom wants for Mother’s Day?  The SOL REPUBLIC Relay Headphones!   Why, the Relay Headphones?   They are cool and come in amazing colors, have great sound and they make the life of mom’s like me easier.  And as a mom, any little thing that makes life easier is a REALLY big win!

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So let’s forget the cool factor for a minute and talk about how they make my life easier.   As you know I’m not a “techie”.  I don’t know much about technology and you won’t catch me doing a review of a fancy running watch cuz well, I don’t have time to stress over which button to push!  I like things simple. And everything that I own that’s branded SOL REPULBLIC is always that, simple but with amazing quality.    If you’re a mom or a busy person, you know simplicity is key. 

So how many of you mom’s actually run with your phone in your hand because you can’t stress about missing calls or text messages while you are mid-workout?  Are you always afraid Little Jimmy will jump off the roof and break a leg while you are out running?  Is your Princess Ariel always stressed over reaching you while you are at the gym or on the trail because maybe she forgot her track bag or her lunch or her brain at home on the kitchen table?  Is hubby freaked out every time you walk out the door cuz he is home alone with the kids?  Is your boss frequently mad at you cuz you “took lunch” and hit the Lakefront Trail for a midday run and heaven forbid he needs his iPhone password RIGHT NOW?  Yeah?  Well, I might know how you feel so let me help.  I understand that you really don’t want to be bothered while you are running but realistically as wives, mom’s and bad ass business execs, it’s super hard to unplug and leave anything behind for too long.  So run long, but use these amazing SOL REPUBLIC Relay Headphones to stay connected. 

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These in-ear headphones are comfortable with soft, flexible ear pieces which come in 4 different sizes for the perfect in-ear fit.  They have a volume control on the cord so there is no digging for the phone to adjust volume every time the wind blows you want to blast your favorite song.  It also stops your music and pings you when a text message arrives.  And my very favorite thing?  That same volume button on the cord allows you to pick up a phone call.  Yes, you can pick up your phone call with one push of a button and zero fear of it going to voicemail before you are able to dig your phone out of your belt.  This is a really big deal to me.  Really big deal. 

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I tested these out during the Derby Festival Marathon in Louisville a couple weeks ago.  The kids were in a hotel room waiting for me to finish running.  I needed to be connected and available to help them and also be able to threaten keep Mr. Michael in line.   Plus there were times when I needed a few tunes to keep me moving.  These worked great, plus they are sweat/water resistant!!!  The kids called me 2 times and Aby probably texted me 10x.  I was able to respond immediately, each and every time.  I’m wearing them in this picture below. I wore them for about 20 miles of the race and they didn’t bother me at all.  Big win!!

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The SOL REPUBLIC Relay Headphones are in my purse and one of my new “must have” running and travel items.  Great item and I’m happy to have found them!

Now, would YOU like to have a pair of Relay Headphones ($79 value) for yourself?  If so, comment below and tell me what brand headphones you use as your “go to” for running and exercising!    For a second entry to the giveaway, follow and “like” SOL REPUBLIC on Facebook HERE and let me know in the comments below that you in fact “liked” them.  If you don’t comment below, you can’t win, so go comment NOW! 

Giveaway starts now and one winner will be drawn via a random number generator on Monday, May 5th at 9am.  Good luck, all!

If you need these now and can’t wait for the win, or if you need a cool gift for mom/dad for Mother’s/Father’s Day, then feel free to purchase a pair of these amazing headphones HERE! 

** Be Connected When You Run ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

PR, PB, PW, PDR ….

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Hung up on the numbers, are we?  It seems like we can’t even talk about running much anymore without people asking about the numbers.  What was the time?  Was it a Personal Record (or Personal Best)?  Heaven forbid it might have been a Personal Worst!  Or was that a Personal Distance Record?   No, No, and No.  Once we reach a certain point in our running, or if we run a lot, or if we’ve done this for years, then honestly, there won’t be a “record” at every race.  In fact, I go YEARS without achieving new records of pace, time or distance.  And normally when I toe the start line, it has nothing to do with the clock and everything to do with the experience and the people around me.

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I measure my success in other ways that may be a bit less “traditional”.  My LIFE GOAL is to stay active.  I want to move.  I want to keep moving NO.MATTER.WHAT.  Regardless of pace.  I want to move.  When I’m fast.  Or slow.  Or tired.  Or overweight.  Or overwhelmed. Or depressed.   I need to keep moving because it makes me feel better in all aspects of my life, especially when things aren’t going great “in the real world”.  So, yes, sometimes I do record a personal best but that might be a PB in the amount of drive and personal determination that it took to conquer an event and make it all the way to the finish line.  Sometimes a magnanimous amount of effort goes into something and that effort won’t always be appropriately reflected in the number that stares back at us on the clock.  I encourage you to let go of the number on occasion and just revel in the accomplishment.  And realize that your personal best TODAY may not be the same as yesterday and it certainly won’t be the same as tomorrow.  Give what you have to give today.  Then dig a little deeper.  And be proud.  NO.MATTER.WHAT.

Be your personal best

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As runners, we are at the point of the year where many of our friends are “running off” to Boston.  Our fast friends are heading east to run one of the oldest and most prestigious marathons in history.  It’s one race which many of us may never run because we may never qualify.  It’s hard not to compare ourselves to others at a time like this.  It’s hard not to wonder how they can do it when maybe we can not.  But comparing ourselves to others, particularly our fast friends, will only bring us down.

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Be proud of your accomplishments, no matter how big or how small.  Be happy for others who have met their goals but also know that all of your goals are also within reach.  Acknowledge that we all live different lives.  We all have different ability levels.  We all have different body types.  We all have different genes ….. some of which are speedy genes and some of which are more relaxed and laid back.  Smile  Focus on experience.  Focus on a goal that will make you happy.  Focus on something that is achievable with hard work.  Know that a distance goal for one is absolutely unrealistic for another.  Know that a time goal for one is out of reach {or even way to easy} for a friend.  Praise others for their accomplishments and don’t forget to be proud of where you are in your journey, no matter where you are headed or how far you have left to travel.  PRs, PBs, PWs, PDRs ….. are all that …. PERSONAL.  We strive for different goals for different reasons because we are all different people.  Our reasoning is personal to each and everyone of us.  Don’t let the accomplishments of another mar your PERSONAL goals and achievements.  Keep pushing toward your dream(s)!

** Put your PERSONAL BEST Forward, Each & Every Day …. Regardless of What the Results Yield ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Related Articles:

How to Manage the “Big” Goal or Race

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I know a lot of people who are staring down really big goals and really big races.  Runs that are longer than anything they have ever done.  Multisport events which just seem to keep getting longer and longer.  Some are nonchalant about the approach of their big day while others are scared shitless. 

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A way to manage the “big” day or even the “big” training plan is to break it down into manageable sections (see my Baby Steps post). Just like we don’t stress about what we actually owe on our homes {with interest}, we don’t look at 13.1, 26.2, 31, 50, 62, 70.3, 100 or 140.6 as a whole.  That would just be scary.  And overwhelming.  Let’s just take it one day at a time.  One mile at a time.  One section at a time.  For example, I’m running a 50K this weekend.  It super scary for me if I think about the fact that I’m going to be running 31 miles especially with so few March miles under my belt.  So I don’t think about it.  I just focus on the fact that I’ll be covering 3 loops with my friends.  I’ve even started using the hashtag  #JustThreeLoops, not only for myself but for my friends who may be a little overwhelmed with what we are about to accomplish. 

When I’m using a big training plan, I don’t look at the entirety of the plan but rather just one week at a time.  Sometimes just one workout at a time if the long run scares me.  I don’t want to spend all week worrying about the 16 miles I have to run on SAT.  So I don’t.  I know that I need to run long on SAT, I’ll just peak at it toward the end of the week so that I can carve out enough time and set up a plan and a possible run partner. Why be all stressed about what is to come?  I think we have enough to stress about in our lives.  Remember, running is fun.  It’s supposed to help us focus and eliminate stress.  If you’re a mom, this is probably the only social time that you will have all week so think about how lucky you are to be able to get out of the house even if you did have to sneak out when the little “angels” were sleeping to spend time with your friends.

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When the day finally does arrive for that long run or ride, break it down into manageable chucks.  A 16 mile run is an 8 mile out and back.  Run the first 8 miles enjoying the trail and the surroundings.  When the turnaround arrives, stop, stretch, send praise to God for your health, strength and not only the ability but the DESIRE to run.  Then plug into some music and cruise that last 8 miles back to your car.   Same with race day, start the race without music and just absorb everything and be thankful. Break the race down into small chunks.  It’s 5 miles until I see my BFF who is working aid station X.  It’s 3 more miles until we run down my favorite street of the entire marathon course.  It’s 4 miles until I see the the  Yankee Runners; I hope they are handing out ice this year!  It’s 2 miles until Pilsen and that’s always fun, plus has some shaded areas!   I may have broken a marathon like Chicago down into 10+ chunks.  I just run from one thing to the next. I do what I have to do to keep moving!   If it’s a race I’m not familiar with, then sometimes I break the race down by water stations.  I just need to run to the next water station, then I can get water and walk thru if I’m not feeling good.  Or I’m going to run until I see the next lady in a sparkle skirt and then I’ll take a short walk break.  Use your imagination.  Keep your brain actively engaged and focused so that you don’t get overwhelmed.

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Most importantly, be confident.  Know that you trained for the big day or maybe you are in the process of training.  If you put in the work, you will be physically ready for the task at hand.  Training plans are popular for a reason and that’s because they work.  Believe it.  Know it.  You are ready.  Know that you are strong enough, tough enough, and trained enough to handle whatever the day brings you. 

strong enough

Need a bit more work on the confidence part?  Yeah, me too!  Here are some related posts below to help bolster you for your next big run or race or even in the game of life. 

  • Strong Enough – Are you or a friend struggling with confidence?  This is more life related than running but focuses on the helping others, not judging and remembering that nobody is perfect but we need to own that fact that each and every one of us is ENOUGH.
  • Be a Badass, Not a Victim – Has a safety theme but more importantly drives home the point that confidence is key in every aspect of life.  It can change your life and you may never even know it.
  • Invest in Yourself – This is all about the things you can do to be  more confident.  It’s focused on loving yourself, just the way you are now!  It’s focused on fostering positive relationships and habits which make YOU feel good about YOU.

Now go chase down your dreams, no matter how big or small.  Be strong.  Be confident.  Break your “big” thing down into manageable chunks so that you can methodically check it off in segments.  You can do it.  I know you can.  You know you can.  And just remember that when it gets ugly, cuz that will undoubtedly happen, sometimes the best thing you can do it put your head down, pull your hat a little lower over your eyes, and just keep moving.  Eat up the pavement with your eyes and just stop worrying about everything other than the very next step. 

** Manage  Your Goals, One Step At A Time ** Amanda – TooTallFritz