Category Archives: Running

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

Matteson Dash Into The New Year 5K (New Years Eve 2011)

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New Year’s Eve 2011 began this morning by meeting a group of gal pals and participating in a local 5K.  The event was appropriately named “Dash Into The New Year” and was in Matteson, IL.    Meet Kristina, Kate S., Maggie – Run for Pi, Kate LF., Kelly – Running (Kell)ometers, Me, & Kim.Although it was a cool day to most people, it wasn’t bad when you were running, low 30s with a few ice patches on the ground.  The course was flat except for one overpass that consisted of a decent incline/decline that we were fortunate enough to run twice.

We all know that I haven’t run in almost two weeks and I have been bitching concerned since I was noticing daily the snap leave my legs.  Like, I mean climbing the stairs has been a chore.  So basically, I was awake all night and scared shitless at race time.  Kim and I trying to stretch and calm my nerves. 

I did try to run a little, less than a mile, before race time just to make sure I was loose and kinda ready.  I knew this was going to hurt and I was right.  I took off too fast like normal, but my first mile time was buried around 7:15….yeah, not good when that’s max effort.  It just slid down into a total comma from there.  Hi Maggie, Bye Maggie.  Hi Kelly, Bye Kelly.  Hi Kate S., Bye Kate S….OMG are we almost done?  At the point when I normally tire, I just keep telling myself to PUSH-PUSH-PUSH.  There was no pushing today, it was all about hanging on and keeping my legs moving, no push, no snap……just hang on, pretty please?  I will tell you that I thought the course was pretty good.  I didn’t mind the overpass (x2), I like a course with character, but it was just cruel that they pulled us almost all the way back to the start/finish then made us take an extra little loop to finish off before we crossed the finish line.  Great race but I was “cranky” by then and not amused by the short detour.  But it was super short and quick as far as detours are concerned.

Great music before and after the race, indoor area to stretch and wait for race time, adequate snacks, water & Gatorade but I didn’t see any on course support/water stations.  This isn’t a problem for me but I know some people like water, even during a short race.  There were lots of Matteson police to help with road closures and directions.  Good race.  I’d run it again.

I know that Maggie – Run for Pi, PR’d today.  YAY, Maggie!  Not sure how the other F’N Runners did compared to their norm but they all looked good.  However, those youngin’s stacked the Women’s 20-29 age group so deep that only Kelly – Running (Kell)ometers was able to take home an award.  Here is Kelly accepting a 2nd Place award, she was 1 second in front of Maggie – Run for Pi.  Yikes!

The age groups were deep, 10 years, and two awards were given.  Tough!  My age group was soft today so I got lucky.  I also took a 2nd but in Women’s 30-39 with a 24:30 (unofficial…no chip timing).  Me & Kelly – Running (Kell)ometers with our 2nd place medals.  Whew, I’m looking “soft” and dissheveled….that’s how I felt today too.

And lastly, myself and my girlz, Kristina & Kim.  We were just missing Nicki T. today or we would have all been present.  Kristina and Kim both had a great race, so proud of them for coming out in the cold to run and meet some of the F’N Runners!

All in all, I’m happy.  I knew I wasn’t going to be fast today but it could have been worse.  It felt worse.  The good news is that my feet don’t hurt. I have some tightness in my hips and glutes but my feet DO NOT HURT.  So I’m taking this as a positive.  I did a total of 5.3 miles today with warm up and cool down and MY FEET DON’T HURT.  So we will see what tomorrow bring.  I’m hoping to go out for a bit tomorrow and run very slowly.  It’s a nice way to start the new year if you can manage it.

Next up, the Midwinters Cruise 5K in Park Forest, IL on January 15th.  This event is hosted by the Park Forest Running and Pancake Club.  Super friendly group!  Come.  Run.  Eat Pancakes.  Yum!!  Where is your next race?

Happy New Year,                                                                                                    Amanda – TooTallFritz

The 8th Day of NO RUNNING…..

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The 8th day of NO RUNNING leaves me feeling pain-free but frustrated sluggish and fatigued.  Yeah, I know, not exactly how one would expect to feel after “rest” but this is exactly what happens.  The fitness leaves faster than it comes.  I have done a few push ups, stretches, etc. but nothing to keep the snap in my legs.  Plus the staycation has brought lots of bad for the body good food and alcohol so I am up 5 lbs.  Yikes….can’t wait to race on Saturday in Matteson and Dash into the New Year….somebody is going to have to pull me!  Kate, Kelly, Maggie…..HELP!

Yesterday’s main project was to get hubby a new toolbox for work.  The way most of us think of a “toolbox” would probably mislead one into believing this project should be easy but when looking for a toolbox as tall as Ms. TooTall…it’s not so simple.  We ended up with some massive thing similar to this I think.

Then the rest of the day we spent eating and drinking.  Great for somebody who wants to run fast in 2 days…..oh well, family first, right?  Like the stand up quarter trick?  Yep, I have skilliz.

Then we came home to watch a movie so momma could put on her slippers.

Low key day….we are starting to go crazy without the kiddos to chase around.  We have only been without the kids since Monday afternoon and it seems like forever.  What to do today….. nothing, go get the kids, go downtown, Merrillville IN?  Hmmmmmm…..  What would you want to do without the kiddos?

Cheers,                                                                                                                        Amanda – TooTallFritz

On My 7th Day of No Running…..

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On my 7th day of NO RUNNING my truelove continues to distract me!  This running hiatus came at an odd time as Hubby and I are also enjoying a mini “stay”cation without the kiddos.  So we have been running around like fools in an attempt to distract me from thinking about running have fun and enjoy ourselves and not worrying about whether Michael is climbing my sister’s curtains and jumping from the top of her stairs do a few things that we normally can’t fit into our busy kid friendly schedules.  On Day 1 of staycation, we went shopping, plus had dinner & drinks.  I know this sounds totally lame isn’t exciting to most of you but shopping with the kiddos is a chore and not fun.  Plus, we bought lots of fun things for ME!  Yay! 

And there is not even one remotely running related item in that loot pile.  I know most people had running things on their Christmas List but running for me is different. I’ve been doing it for a long time so I don’t really have a wishlist.  I buy a few pieces of clothing each year to add to my collection but already have all the big items.  So I did get a few pair of compression socks for Christmas but basically have what I need otherwise.

Day 2 of staycation was blinging it up,  wearing some of my new loot and hitting the local NON-Smoking casinos.  Illinois is non-smoking so better and easier to stay local so as not to have to deal with the nasty smoke from the Indiana & Michigan casinos.Hollywood Casino (formally Empress) had a beautiful tree!

We were also able to bring home some $$ between Harrahs & Hollywood!  Love it when I have black chips in my possession.  I never spend them, just hoard hold onto them so I feel special.  I had used most of the green by this point and was heading to cash out so we could move on for more fun.

Do you ever opt for a local “stay”cation over the big price tag of airfare/hotel in a new and different city?  We seem to take this option a lot now with the dogs kiddos.  First, we have 3 dogs that don’t like to be boarded so we end up begging a friend to stay at the house when we are out-of-town to “dog-sit” which is a PITA.  Secondly, we never have much time.  Why waste a ton of  $$ to go somewhere for 3 days?  Thirdly, we live in a great area in that there is a bunch of things to do in the CHI.  Fourth, Mom couldn’t get anymore time off work this year so we couldn’t ask her to come and watch the kids/dogs here I like to sleep in my own bed.  So vacation or staycation?

Cheers!                                                                                                                            Amanda – TooTallFritz

Run with Me Later?

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Yesterday when I came home from Christmas with the Fritz Clan, my Nike+ GPS Sportwatch was jealous had apparently not received the memo that I need to am taking some time off running. 

Makes a girl feel guilty!  If you don’t run much and are just into “toys”, I wouldn’t recommend the Nike+ GPS cuz you just might throw it out the window.  If you don’t run within 3 or 4 days the damn thing starts goading encouraging you to get your ass out the door.

Christmas with the Fritz Clan was awesome.  As soon as we finished with Christmas Morning here, we headed to Grandma’s for more fun.  To Grandmother’s house we go…….Lots of food….like every baked cookie/candy you can imagine.  YUMMY!  And more presents.  Aby & Mick.  

The Fritz Brothers…..Jim & Dad.

The Grandkids:  Aby, Michael & LexiMick helping Michael with presents.

I hope all of you had a great Christmas holiday and are looking forward to the New Year!  Hope to see all of you at the Dash into the New Year in Matteson on NYE morning….including a new friend, Rose, who I met at the Cheesecake Factory yesterday!  Rose, I’ll be looking for YOU!

Cheers and Many Blessings to all of you!                                                                      Amanda – TooTallFritz

Winter Solstice 2011

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Winter Solstice begins tonight at 11:30 pm.  So what did we do to celebrate?  We ran.  What is my favorite way to celebrate any occasion?  Running and drinking.  I ran with the F’N Running Club then they went to the bar and drank.  At least it was 50/50 success ratio for me and the “celebration”.

Tonight/Tomorrow marks the climb up OUT OF THE DARKNESS toward daylight and spring.  The shortest day of 2011 will soon be in the done column and I’m happy about it.  Although it has yet to get cold and nasty in the CHI, and we have not had any snow, the darkness just lingers.  In fact, according to the numbers we currently have 6 hours and 6 minutes LESS daylight than during the Summer Solstice in June.  It certainly is nice to think about June right now but the current reality is darkness.  Most of us get up, go to work and come home in darkness.  Unless you are retired, or a SAHM with an awesome friend/family member to help out with the kiddos, most of your runs have been in the dark.  I hope you broke down and bought the KnuckleLights or goaded someone into buying them for you for Christmas!

Most of the F’N Running Club does have KnuckleLights, head-lamps, flashers/blinkers, etc. now for safety so we were back at it tonight for our usual Wednesday Night Run.  We tried to make it a Christmas Run but not everyone had festive attire.  That’s okay, 8 people showed up to run in the dark……  Me, Susan, Jeni, Brian P., Kathy, Vera & Maggie. 

I picked up those festive socks for $5 at Target. Lots of different styles!

Brian F., Jeni, Susan, Brian P., Kathy, & Vera

The group ran between 3 and 5 miles and then headed to the bar at varying paces.  We really enjoyed our visitor from Boston, Vera, who is a long time friend of Maggie‘s.  Had to get a pic of them together.  Those long-lasting friendships tear me up really rock!  Love the hat too, Vera!

4.0 miles – 34:51 for  me, no stops other than for traffic at road crossings.  This will be my last run until the NYE 5K in Matteson.  I have decided that it’s in my best interest to give my right foot a rest.  Although the orthotics and cortisone shot have done wonders in eliminating the heel pain, I have noticed now that the heel pain is gone I also have some other issues.  The outer bone on my right foot is shooting pain when I walk or run.  Although it probably didn’t help that I fell down the stairs with Michael in the dark on FRI this is a set back, I need some time off to evaluate if this is just an aggravation in conjunction with Plantar Fasciitis or if it is something independent.  So, no running til NYE, then we will see how the foot fairs after a fast 5K…..at least I hope it’s kinda fast.

Think happy thoughts for me and my bum foot!  I shall return.  Big things for 2012 and I want to be healthy.

Cheers!                                                                                                                             Amanda – TooTallFritz

All Dressed Up…..

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On Monday nights, the local running store, Running For Kicks sponsors a fun run out of the store front in Palos at 6pm.  For over three years, I have wanted to participate in one of these runs; however, my schedule sucks timing is wrong for me as the store is about half way between work and home.  If I stop at the store it is usually an hour before the run or a half hour after.  Today, I saw that they were doing a Christmas Fun Run and I attempted wanted to fit it in so that I could dust off my red Team Sparkle Skirt.  I honestly thought I could make it…until I hit Christmas rush-hour traffic.  Here is a photo of the RFK Christmas Group Run…..stolen photo alert….RFK facebook page. 

Great looking group.  Do you see anyone missing?  Right, I didn’t make the start.  I was probably 8 to 10 minutes late but as all of you know, that’s a good mile shy of the pack.  So I was all dressed up with nowhere to go…..red-team-sparkle-sketch.jpg

However, I came to run and I was going to run.  I run solo all the time but don’t drive 45 minutes each way to do it.  Mel D. pointed me in the right direction and off I ran into the darkness with my KnuckleLights.  I must say Mel’s directions had a little to be desired were vague seeing as I had neither been to a previous RFK group run nor ran in Palos ever before other than on race courses that RFK has sponsored….and my race motto is merely to follow the people in front of me.  I never stress about looking at a map, etc.  However, today I was running blind and trying to make the best of it.  Thank goodness for the CountryGirl sense of direction.   I did manage to catch a group of walkers and they gave me some very valuable instructions.  Then I somehow stumbled onto a group of runners.  But other than the few people I saw, I just tried to enjoy the neighborhood lights and the mild temps.  It was a really beautiful night….and HELLO…..I was wearing a RED SPARKLE SKIRT.  Here are a few homes that really caught my eye so glad they didn’t call the cops on me for photographing their homes.

I am happy that I was able to get out and grab some road time. I just ran a couple of loops multiple times, then when the homeowners started peeking out their windows, I would move onto another loop til I got in enough miles, then I headed back to the store.  In all, it was 6.56 miles in 1 hr 4 min.  Not lightning pace, but I did take some photos, plus had some directional issues, and I always am extra cautious in the dark.  So it was a good run for me.

An added bonus, I saw Judy & Kate when I got back to the store.  Then I begged got a few photos.  Gail & I: 

Gail was rockin’ some AWESOME socks.  Not sure which were hers but I was jealous!  Note:  photo stolen from the RFK facebook page!

Mel D. & myself – Lots of respect for this man, he helps a lot of people and genuinely cares about me you and my your running and foot pain.  Thanks, Mel!

I strongly encourage you to head over to RFK for one of their fun runs; but leave the house early so you don’t miss the start they are loads of fun with people you know and love, plus they will probably even feed you.  Sorry, I didn’t get to see more of you tonight.  I honestly tried, just don’t have enough minutes in the day.

Try to find the silver lining in any situation.  Some people have real problems so I need to remind myself don’t sweat the small stuff.  There will be other days, other runs and more life to live.  Try to do the best with what you have for today!  What is your best advice for handling the day-to-day disappointments mishaps?

Amanda – TooTallFritz                                                                                 amanda@tootallfritz.com

Trail Woes….

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Today was an adventure for the F’N Running Club in that we tried a trail that most of us had not used previously.  We went over into the middle of nowhere New Lenox to the Hadley Valley Forest Preserve.  This trail has a single loop of 2.47 miles and then an out and back which is 4.58 miles round trip.  So most runners did the loop, then the out and back for a total of approximately 7.05 miles.  Then a few of us who didn’t want to go home needed more miles ran an extra loop plus a few circles in the parking  lot for an even 10 miles.   Here is our group from this morning:  Jeni, Brian, Don, Suzanne, Susan, Nicole, Joe, Amy & Kate

Every time I get to a run and there are lots of people, it just makes me giddy, so THANK YOU to everyone who came out.  I know you didn’t come for me but it still makes me happy to feel like I’m part of something.

The Hadley Valley Forest Preserve Trail didn’t workout so well for Ms. TooTall.  First, if you pull up the page, the photo you see is of a nice man sitting on a horse. 

Although the trail was wide and good for group running, it was obviously primarily used for equestrian purposes and there were lots of big divots and ruts in the trail.  One of the ladies who uses the trail on a more frequent basis said that they grade it but that is probably “in season”.  December really isn’t in season for anything other than Santa so this was a bit of an issue.  Also, my lack of miles this week and possibly the StairMaster left my legs feeling heavy and useless.   So it was a bit of a rough go and I struggled from mile 6 on thru 10.  I totally fell off pace around mile 7 and just tried to keep my 10 milers in sight….which wasn’t easy.

Thankfully, it wasn’t too cold or windy either because this trail is within an open grassy plain and there wasn’t any trees that would have provided a wind or sun break for weather purposes.  All in all, it was a good run with GOOD FRIENDS, so a great day.  Love you F’N Runners, thank  you for making me feel welcome each time I come out.

Hadley Valley Forest Preserve, I won’t be seeing you again for a long time.  Your divots and ruts were hard on my recovering plantar fasciitis feet body and the pain came early.  So thanks but no thanks, lots of other places to run that make 10 miles a bit more fun!

10.03 miles – 1:37:50 – big stop half way and a couple photo stops but my phone was giving me an attitude struggling with the cold.

Happy Running,                                                                                                               Amanda – TooTallFritz                                                                           amanda@tootallfritz.com

Run Envy……

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I am absolutely GREEN with envy knowing that I am not out enjoying the first run in the snow with the F’N Running Club.  Ugh!  Happens to all of us Mom’s, right?  We sacrifice what we want in order to make the family work…..or be available so Daddy can pull some OT on a Saturday.  This is why I don’t see many of you on Saturday mornings, cuz 99% of the time Daddy is working so we can make the house payment.  Obviously, him working is slightly more important than my running but it doesn’t make it any easier on Ms. TooTall!  So in an attempt to not feel sorry for myself too bad about sitting inside, I dug up a photo of one of my favorite snow runs. 

This photo is several years old…….a grassy trail that is part of the Hickory Creek Extension off of Old Plank.  I would have never ran a grassy trail had it not been frozen and snow-covered.  It was taken on Jan 13, 2009 and one of my last Saturday runs before the doc cut me off from running since I was actually preggo with Mr. Michael.  Hubby wasn’t working this day because business was slow and they were down to 4 days a week which allowed us plenty of extra time for baby making.  I showed up for a group run and I was the ONLY one who didn’t wimp out had gotten “up and out”.  Since I was there, I ran anyhow.  So glad that I did, this was a perfect day and it is a great memory.  I really do enjoy the snow.

Today is not even close to being the same.  We only have a slight dusting thus far but the snow continues to fall magically.  It would be nice to get a little accumulation so we the kids can go out and play.  Here are a few photos from the yard.  Lots of zoom action on this photo, the girls were all the way in the back of the yard, by the field….the tree line is a creek.

Across the road looking toward a different field.

If you were fortunate enough to get out this morning and happened to grab a pic of the snow dusted trails, send it to me or post it on the TooTallFritz facebook page!  What are your favorite running conditions?    Do you find the beauty in all the seasons or are you just a fair weather runner?  Tell me!

Cheers,                                                                                                                             Amanda – TooTallFritz                                                                               amanda@tootallfritz.com