Saint Joseph, MI …..

Posted on May 29, 2013 by tootallfritz

Sometimes life gets so busy that we stop having fun. Stop enjoying the gifts that we have been given. Stop appreciating life. It’s times like those when I am tired, fed up and just exhausted, that I need to leave. Take time out. Go off and have some fun, adult style. Yep, that means I leave those kiddos at home. They will survive one day or one weekend, or even a week without ~~you~~ me and we’ll all be happier when upon our return.

This weekend was one of those “mommy timeouts”. I left the kiddos home and hubby and I just went. We weren’t responsible. We drank in excess. We ate food that wasn’t healthy. We, okay …. probably just me, were loud. We just had fun and didn’t really care who knew it. Carefree. Careless. Maybe even a little crazy.

I’m not really sure the sleepy little beach town of Saint Joseph, MI was ready for us as we rolled into town on Sunday but really, it’s almost summer so we tried to break them in right! Normally when we go to Saint Joseph, we spend most of our time on, or in, the water. However, this time the weather was cool so our friends took us in their boat to town, tied it to the wall and we walked around for a bit.

Pretty town, nice riverfront area with walking/running paths, nice views of the water!

Lots of shopping!! Sometimes, little touristy towns like this price a family girl like myself out of the shopping. However, I was super happy to find a couple cool things that I liked and which I could also afford. First find, was this cute necklace for a boutique type store. Price tag with tax: $39 Second find was a local winery, White Pine Winery, which had a store front and offered wine tastings! Cost per bottle with tax was about $26 for the Merlot. Reasonable!! Plus wine tastings are always fun!!

If the beach is your thing, St Joseph has long stretches of beautiful beaches. The most popular is Silver Beach which is accessible from town.

Saint Joseph, MI is a 1.5-2 hour drive from the Chicago area. Close enough to pick up and go but far enough that it feels like vacation. If you can’t leave the kids at home, no worries, there is plenty for them too from swimming, parks & fountains to the Chocolate Café by South Bend Chocolate Company to the Curious Kid’s Museum! Check out the St Joe Today website for all the latest info on the upcoming events, festivals and activities. And if you like wine, make sure to check out the White Pine Winery and go like their Facebook page HERE for all the latest info on wine tastings and special blends.

** Take Time Out and Enjoy Life ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CUTE Summer Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis Support

Posted on May 24, 2013 by tootallfritz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learn to Love the Rain …

Posted on May 22, 2013 by tootallfritz

I’ve always been one of those people who love the rain. It started in high school when I was a high jumper and everyone just HATED the rain. As a high jumper, if it’s raining, you are not only going to get wet but rather SOAKED because each time you hit the mat after a jump, the water sprays up on landing and then you sink into whatever is left. Not ideal but kinda cool, right? And then when I figured out how much other jumpers despised the rain, it made me giddy. Their bad attitude fed my fire and I always excelled in the rain. Good times, photo below from my freshman year, spring of 1989.

Not much has changed since then ~~other than the 13 lbs I gained and the fact that I couldn’t jump that high if someone paid me~~, I still giggle inappropriately when people are pissed off, and I still love the rain.

Today, however, I look at the rain a little differently. It’s calming. Cool. Refreshing. Restorative. I see the rain for what it is for the environment, washing away all the dust, dirt, grime and helping nature clean up our mess. It’s the nourishment for the trees and flowers that are in full bloom. We need the rain.

On the weekends, a rainy day is a good excuse to stay inside, sleep in and restore the body and the soul. It gives us a break to spend time with the family catching up, hanging out and just being together. It slows the world down, if only for a bit, as everyone takes time to refresh and restore themselves, just as Mother Nature intended for the outside world.

Rain is a good thing. If you haven’t taken a minute to go out and run in the rain, try it. Everything is different. Quiet. Glistening. Refreshed. Restored.

Take a hint from Mother Nature, follow her lead. Just as our outside world needs to take a break from the chaos, so does our body and soul. Don’t be afraid to just chill on a rainy day and soak up your surrounds. Allow yourself to feel the calm. Allow yourself to refresh. Allow yourself to restore and replenish. Allow yourself to repair. We need the rain.

** Learn to Love the Rain ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Take a Chance ……

Posted on May 21, 2013 by tootallfritz

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

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

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

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

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

Run River City Marathon Relay

Posted on May 20, 2013 by tootallfritz

This year Peoria brought us their first annual Run River City marathon weekend. The fun filled weekend offered a marathon, 4 person marathon relay, 25K, 5K and kids marathon. While I normally don’t like to travel for races ~~because it’s a PITA for my family~~, Peoria is the hometown of my friend & fellow Team Tough Chik teammate Run With Jess, so it was quickly decided that a trip to Peoria was in order.

Almost instantaneously, we decided that our event of choice was the marathon relay. We had one goal: To Have Fun. Since we were looking for fun, plus both Jess and I were already members of a 200+ all ladies team, we started looking to fill the remaining two relay spots with Team Tough Chik members. I mean, the uniform is already in place why not utilize our team members, right? In under 24 hours, Carmen of She Runs Everywhere and Shannon, the “Original” Tough Chik (and creator of the Tough Chik clothing line and Team Tough Chik) were on board for the first ever Team Tough Chik marathon relay. Pre-race photo: Me, Carmen, Jess & Shannon.

We rolled into the River City in waves, grabbed our packets at an outdoor “expo”, which very small, and then quickly checked out the swag. The swag bag included a gender specific new balance shirt, bib and a few advertisements. No worries on my end, we paid $35 each for the relay. I come to run, not go home with a bunch of stuff ~~that I’ll never use~~.

Then a bit of sightseeing! I love a small town where you can walk around and check things out! Riverfront Park & one of the many bridges connecting Peoria to the “real world”.

But really, we came to run and were super excited to get started on Sunday morning. The event kicked off with a super elite field of wheel chair racers at 6:55 am, quickly followed by the marathon, relayers and 25K runners.

Temps were warm and humid at the start with a little cloud cover but the sun quickly burnt off the clouds and took the times all the way up to 89 degrees by the finish.

Leg one kicked off at the start by Katie, who was a last minute sub for Carmen due to injury. The girl smoked those first 6 miles and hauled axx into the first exchange to handoff to me.

I was off for 7 miles of fun. Initially thru the flats of the riverfront area of Peoria, then quickly up and out of town via a monstrous hill on Main Street. Although I’m a notoriously poor uphill runner, I did keep moving. Other runners gave into walking/clawing their way up and then the stronger hill runners passed me up as if I were standing still. Here I am still looking fresh as I get ready to tackle “the hill” and you may also notice that my pink FlipBelt came in super handy once again as I stuffed the blue relay baton thru it to free up my hands!

The 7 miles didn’t exactly fly by ~~as I had expected~~ because the heat soaked to my being quickly around mile 3. I could feel my fingers swelling and my face start tingling. I was finding it super hard to acclimate to the first hot race of the year so I just tried to focus on moving forward and being thankful that I was relaying rather than running the 25K or marathon. I heard lots of complaints while I ran about the lack of mile maker, clocks, bathrooms, and runners wanting the water stops to be more frequent due to the heat. Each water station was placed anywhere from 0.5 to 2 miles apart. They seemed random and it was difficult to anticipate their locations. The website listed them here:

NUTRITION

Water stops will be at miles 2, 4, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 8, 10, 11, 12.5, 14.5, 1.5, 16, 18, 18.5, 20, 21, 22.5, 24.5, 25, 25.75

Honey Stinger gels will be at miles 11 and 21

Gatorade will be at miles 4, 6, 8, 12.5, 16, 18.5, 22.5

I must say that I was super happy to see Shannon awaiting my arrival at the second exchange! I was totally melted by this point and she looked fresh, happy and ready to run her 5.5 miles of hills.

Shannon’s California conditioning was exactly what we needed for the toughest leg of the event. She was used to the weather and the hills and BOOM, smashed her leg. Thanks, Shannon!!! Before we knew it, she was coming in to hand off to Jess who totally rocked the last 7.7 miles all the way back DOWN to the riverfront. Yes, I’m totally jealous of that big downhill she got to run!

Team Tough Chik running to the finish!!

So much fun. Sub 4 hour finish (3 hours 56 minutes). We placed 4th out of the 50 “all women” relay teams and 22nd of out of all 123 relay teams. And in case you were wondering, “This is What Tough Looks Like”:

Great time. I’d definitely do another marathon relay. Thanks to Jess for busting her butt trying to figure out the mangled course directions for driving to the relay exchanges. Thanks to Dave, Jess’ hubby, for helping us on course, doing some of the driving, and taking all of these amazing photos. Thanks to Carmen for being such a good sport, despite her injury, hanging with us during the race and finding us a last minute replacement! Lastly, thanks to Shannon, the “Original” Tough Chik for ~~making us cool running clothes~~ coming all the way from California to run with us. Much love to all of you!

Overall I loved Run River City and recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap, scenic, tough, hilly marathon. Good bang for the buck. And if you’re in it for the bling, well you won’t be disappointed!

**Run River City ** Amanda – TooTallFritz ** amanda@tootallfritz.com **

A Family Affair ….

Posted on May 17, 2013 by tootallfritz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Motivation or Lack Thereof….

Posted on May 14, 2013 by tootallfritz

Despite the fact that “spring has sprung”, I’ve certainly had very low motivation since the Lansing Marathon. The marathon didn’t go as I had hoped and it left me feeling empty, tired and “slightly” hopeless. And then I got sick immediately thereafter. Yes, I’m finally feeling better but I’m not as strong. I’m not fast. I not motivated. I’m not feeling at all like myself.

What to do? Look at more springtime photos?

Jenny G came late to the party and sent me some lovely photos from Lake Katherine that she snapped over the weekend.

And Keith G, ran one of my favorite trails, Waterfall Glen in Darien, IL over the weekend. Yay for more beautiful photos!!

I have been running. And biking. Nothing too crazy. A few miles here and there. I did a 20 mile “long bike” on Saturday on the trainer, then took it outside on Mother’s Day for a 10 mile “long run” last Sunday. So I’m moving. Just not focused on time or pace or racing.

Know that’s it’s okay if you aren’t feeling the need to just “kill” every run. Sometimes your body and mind need a break. They will let you know when they do and it’s always wise to listen. So as of right now, I’m “just” running. At whatever pace I can manage. I’m just soaking up the sunshine and enjoying how lush our local trails have become with a little bit of rain and heat.

** Just Keep Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Spring Has Sprung, Virtually & In Real Life

Posted on May 10, 2013 by tootallfritz

I’m so enchanted with the sights and smells of springtime that I was really interested to see what YOU were discovering in YOUR neighborhood! So yesterday, I threw down a quick challenge on my Facebook page asking readers to send me a springtime photo from their run/walk/bike adventures.

Deb M sent me a couple cool photos from her morning run at McCarthy Park in Tinley Park, IL!

Kelly The Culinarian took a stroll with her pooch, Napoleon at Centennial Park in Addison, IL.

Keith G was running between the raindrops at Brookfield Woods, in Brookfield, IL when he spotted a beautiful flowering tree.

Kelly over at Running Kellometers is taking it easy while nurturing the development of Baby #1; however, she didn’t have to put much effort into capturing an amazing spring photo. This magnolia tree is just outside her front door. Yes, I’m jealous. I think this is my favorite flowering tree.

Christina P, outside of Indy, has been enjoying some time with her favorite 4 legged BFF. This little one doesn’t look like it will be moving up to the long run anytime too soon but it will definitely take first place for being such a cutie pie!!

What spring means to me depends on the day. I’m a springtime “baby” so love spring by default. For me and my little ones, each year we look forward to baby birds, flowering trees and well manicured lawns.

I also look forward to my lunchtime runs thru the city of Chicago and on the lakefront path. It’s all good when I’m running with the wind ~~but it wasn’t so funny on the way back~~! My favorite days aren’t necessarily the sunny, warm ones but I have a particular love for the foggy, gloomy, rainy days like today. Mom, was it raining the day I was born? The gloom brings me cool running temps and fast feet. That I LOVE!

So spring has definitely sprung in the Midwest and everyone I know is loving it! Get out there and enjoy the fresh crisp mornings before things turn hot and humid.

** Spring Has Sprung & I’m Loving It ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Spring Brings MORE Runners!!!

Posted on May 9, 2013 by tootallfritz

We are starting to have a few nice days here and there in the Midwest. It seems like winter really doesn’t want to say good bye but alas it is inevitable. The trees and flowers are blooming and I’m actually considering some outdoor gardening. Maybe. Or maybe not. But I have been enjoying the flowering trees both in my yard and trailside.

I’m also enjoying all the activity on our local trails. The same trails that were somewhat deserted all winter long due to snow, ice and overall treacherous conditions. The same trails that if I ran at an “off” time, I could run for miles one end without seeing a single soul. Now the trails are bustling with activity. Walkers. Runners. Bikers. 4 legged friends, both domestic and otherwise.

The size of our group runs are increasing at a very fast rate too. During the winter season, it would be the same reliable few, each and every week, but now we have new faces at every run! Wednesday night runners below!!

We have so many new faces that I think I’ll buy name tags for next week’s run!! I was at the trail 2 hours last night and I only managed 5.71 miles but I got to socialize with lots of new and old friends. Next week, I’ll be more prepared so that I can get my miles in and still enjoy the company those on the trail. Maybe. Or maybe not.

Are you noticing new people out on your local trails? If you’re still running solo, and would like to change that, put a sign up at your local gym, school and/or park and start your own running club!! YOU can do it!!! You’re not the only one out there running the trails, no matter how desolate things seemed thru the winter. Spring has sprung and people are itching to get out and run! Take advantage of the situation and make new run friends!!

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

Zooma Half Marathon Challenge

Posted on May 8, 2013 by tootallfritz

I’m currently in a bit of a rut. Truth be told, it’s total chaos in my world. I thought things would slow down once I entered taper mode for the Lansing Marathon but apparently that was just the gateway to TOTAL & ABSOLUTE chaos.

I had to slow down the running for taper mode, then I ran the marathon, then immediately got sick before I was even able to recover. So while I was trying to facilitate marathon recovery and fight off the respiratory crud of the century, I was also attempting to manage ~~Aby’s track~~ the family schedule, plus working/commuting/traveling to track meets, attempting to keep the house from being condemned, all while tossing in just enough laundry to keep Michael from going to school “nakie”. I’m on week 6 of not much running and way too much chaos. Not sure how you mom’s do it who have a lot of kids in a lot of different activities. I’m barely managing with a 3 year old ~~maniac~~ and an 11 year old “Sporty Spice”.

With all the chaos going on in my life, it’s certainly easy to sympathize with the struggles that women go thru on a daily basis training for a half marathon. Maybe you’ve trained for a half before, maybe you haven’t. Maybe you need some assistance to prepare for Zooma Chicago on August 10th, maybe you don’t. Maybe you like free stuff, maybe you don’t. If you need or even would like some assistance in preparing for this amazing race, then take a minute to check this out …… Zooma is offering a Half Marathon Challenge and there are currently only 8 ladies who have applied for the 5 spots.

What is the Half Marathon Challenge all about? It provides you with coaching, support, a 12 week training program, a FREE entry to the Zooma Half Marathon in Chicago, a training shirt, and free Muscle Milk Light for recovering.

What does the Half Marathon Challenge require from you? It requires that you are able/willing to train for the half in Chicago, that you are willing/able to talk with and be interviewed by both Zooma Chicago Ambassadors (ME, ME, ME!!!) & Zooma Nation staff, that you check-in weekly with your mentors and Zooma staff and that you attend 4 events between May and August. Not too crazy, huh?

ONE lucky winner will get all of the Half Challenge perks above PLUS be selected as the Muscle Milk Light Athlete to receive additional free gear, hotel accommodations on race weekend at the luxurious host hotel, The Langham Chicago, plus get a free spa treatment on race weekend!

Let me just add that I’ve already booked my room at The Langham Chicago and if you can get a room for free, let’s just say that you “might” want to jump on that ~~because luxurious hotels in the CHI don’t come cheap~~.

So we currently have 8 applicants for the 5 spots Zooma is looking to fill (4 Half Marathon Challengers, 1 Muscle Milk Light Athlete). This is an amazing package and if I weren’t already an ambassador, I would apply myself but ~~they won’t let me~~ I can’t. So I recommend you apply so you can win free entry to the race, free training and possibly even a free hotel package!

Don’t wait, the application deadline is May 10th & winners will be announced on the 15th (next Wednesday).

To apply, email HMChallenge@zoomarun.com with the following info:

Full Name, address, phone number, blog/website if applicable, and a paragraph detailing your current running status, your running history (including any PR’s, etc), your running history and why you think you should be selected for this program. Good luck, ladies!

If you don’t want to apply but still want to run, please feel free to register for the half or 10K HERE and use the 10% discount code: CHIAMB6

This is going to be a great race with a great goodie bag and a great atmosphere for an entire weekend of fun. The only thing that could possibly be better would be to get it all for free, so apply for the Half Challenge!!

** Good luck, all ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

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