Interested or Committed?

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As the new year fast approaches, I have been hearing lots of chatter amongst runners about what 2012 will bring.  There is a lot of peer pressure encouragement of some to make this the year to attempt the marathon distance.  So, in case this is YOU and you are feeling the pressure, let’s just break it down a bit so you can decide if you want to commit.  There is a big difference between loving to run and committing to a marathon.  I certainly don’t want anyone to lose the love for running because of peer pressure committing to a marathon.  

  • Most Training plans are 18 weeks
  • If you are “thinking” of running the 2012 Chicago Marathon on October 7, 2012, training will start the week of June 4th.
  • 18 weeks is a LONG time to train, if you keep a 10 mile base, you can jump into the beginner plan at week 5 and make it a 13 week training plan, thus commencing the week of July 2nd.
  • You CANNOT skip the long runs.
  • You will be tired and hungry.
  • Your social life will suffer from lack of alcohol early bedtimes.
  • You will be proud each week as your mileage increases.
  • You will be in disbelief that although you crawled to your car barely made it back last week that you managed another mile or 2 “this” week.
  • You will learn to love ice baths.
  • You will get acquainted with Toe Protectors.
  • You will learn about nutrition and what your body needs to recover.
  • You WILL be able to run 26.2 on October 7th even though you will never have covered that distance previous to that day.
  • You may cry, hyperventilate, vomit, crap your pants have to make a pit stop, get chub rub, lose a toe nail or three …..but you will never be prouder than crossing the finish line.
  • You will swear that you will NEVER run another marathon.
  • You will be on the start line with all your friends on October 6, 2013. 
 
Here is the Hal Higdon Beginner Marathon training plan.  I don’t know many people who would need to start at this point, but it’s an option.    Check out Hal Higdon’s site  HERE to browse his other options, or just show up and run what I run and you’ll get there. 
 
Week
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun

1

Rest

3 m run

3 m run

3 m run

Rest

6

cross

2

Rest

3 m run

3 m run

3 m run

Rest

7

cross

3

Rest

3 m run

4 m run

3 m run

Rest

5

cross

4

Rest

3 m run

4 m run

3 m run

Rest

9

cross

5

Rest

3 m run

5 m run

3 m run

Rest

10

cross

6

Rest

3 m run

5 m run

3 m run

Rest

7

cross

7

Rest

3 m run

6 m run

3 m run

Rest

12

cross

8

Rest

3 m run

6 m run

3 m run

Rest

Rest

 Half Marathon

9

Rest

3 m run

7 m run

4 m run

Rest

10

cross

10

Rest

3 m run

7 m run

4 m run

Rest

15

cross

11

Rest

4 m run

8 m run

4 m run

Rest

16

cross

12

Rest

4 m run

8 m run

5 m run

Rest

12

cross

13

Rest

4 m run

9 m run

5 m run

Rest

18

cross

14

Rest

5 m run

9 m run

5 m run

Rest

14

cross

15

Rest

5 m run

10 m run

5 m run

Rest

20

cross

16

Rest

5 m run

8 m run

4 m run

Rest

12

cross

17

Rest

4 m run

6 m run

3 m run

Rest

8

cross

18

Rest

3 m run

4 m run

2 m run

Rest

Rest

 Marathon

I personally adapt a version of his advanced plan and then fit in what I can.  I would be running more than this on the weekends but never rarely fit in all the miles during the week.  I also am a big proponent of rest days.  After I run a 20 miler, I will rest, not run a 3 mile recovery run on Sunday or Monday.   This may be why I will never BQ but my body needs that.  I do it for fitness and to push my limits.  This means that some days I walk cuz I feel like it need it.  I will probably walk some during the marathon, especially if it’s hot.  My personal goal is to cross the finish line. I know others have more concrete goals and that is okay but this is an excruciating difficult distance for me so an accomplishment in itself.  I know it’s much easier for some than others and I hope it’s easy for you.

Look thru the training plan here, browse the net a bit, and then make your own decision as to whether you want to commit.  As with anything, if you want it, you and only you have to MAKE IT HAPPEN.    I’ve made my decision, how about you?

Happy Running,                                                                                                                  Amanda – TooTallFritz

Lunch Break….on the Lakefront

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I love the option of hitting the lakefront path for a good run at “lunch” when I can cut the ties to my desk get out.  I  normally don’t leave for lunch so this is quite a treat when I make it happen.  I must say, there are many days that I just carry my clothes back and forth to work because I can’t MAKE IT HAPPEN so today is an awesome day!  Quick obligatory “blogger bathroom photo”. 

Then I literally hit the street running before my boss saw me leave so I didn’t change my mind.  The worst part of running in the city is getting the gps to find a signal having the patience to weave thru the pedestrians, and wait out red lights/street crossings, while heading to the lakefront.  Upon arriving at the lakefront, its smooth sailing.  Allow a brief shout out to the Chicago Parks Department for their fastidious upkeep of the Lakefront Path.  Once I hit the Lakefront path today, I was met by these babies: 

The Chicago geese are probably the most aggressive visitors you will encounter on the lakefront path; however, I have never actually seen them chase anyone.  I just have horrible flashbacks of the Bixler Lake geese, which chased us during the summers of EN CC practice so the sight of any geese while running makes me scream and run like a little girl tense with anxiety. 

If you have extra $$ and a big ass boat, you might have spent some Chicago summers here at the Columbia Yacht Club.

Great view of Navy Pier: 

Ohio Street Beach….wow, Lake Michigan is angry.  Is the snow finally coming?

In the summer you will see Chicago Lifeguards watching this strip between Ohio Street Beach and Oak Street Beach.  You will also see swim lanes for open water swimmers and triathletes who are grabbing a lunchtime swim in the lake or trying out a rented wetsuit.

Running north along the lakefront can be cold and windy as there is no protection from the wind and elements.  On a bad day, I would say run south toward McCormick or try the Riverwalk Path.  However, today was perfect at 33 degrees with a nice wind coming off the lake.  Ear band and gloves required but I was dressed for it so really enjoyed being out there!  As always, when I rounded the curve to Oak Street Beach I got a blast of wind and the waves were really splashing and leaving shit debris pretty far up on the trail. 

Memorial Day thru Labor Day, Chicago has a temporary outdoor, limited fare cafe with alcohol drinks here at Oak Street Beach.  It’s nice to sit on the beach and have a pricey lunch with cocktails. If you are shopping the Magnificent Mile, you can walk right across Michigan Avenue, after shopping Prada on Oak Street, and hit the beach for some R&R.  In this photo you can see the winter remnants of the outdoor cafe.  It’s a much different site “in season” and I encourage you to come and check it out when it gets warm!

Hey strange dude, randomly walking the lake front path without much apparent purpose……would you be so kind as to take a photo of me before the waves suck me out to the bottom of the lake?

On days like this when I am crunched for time, I run 6 miles.  The North Avenue sign is my 3 mile turn around. 

It’s just close enough to North Beach to make you want to run an extra mile or two or 10 .

But alas, I need to run back to work, so flipped and headed back toward the city.

Another great run in the CHI.  It was slow, 1:02 for 6.13 miles but that included 28 multiple photo stops, and major road crossings getting to and from the lake front path and some lollygagging.

Dress appropriately and get out there for a run!   You will be happy once you get your ass out the door.

“Run”way Fashion:  Athleta Headwinds Jacket (mine is the 2010 model), Athleta Base Miles Headband, & Manzella Sprint Glove Liners.

Manzella Sprint Glove Liners - Women's

Happy Running,                                                                                                            Amanda – TooTallFritz

My Feet Hurt………Plantar Fasciitis – Part II

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At this point in my life, I don’t get to watch many movies.   Since we have a screaming busy toddler running the house, it’s difficult to do anything that involves sitting and quiet.  However, I frequently find myself going back to an “old” movie, Forrest Gump (1994) for quotes that fit quite nicely into my life.  The quote that has been the forefront of my reality for longer than I’d like to admit is…… “My Feet Hurt”.  I can clearly see the scene with Forest sitting on the bench, waiting for the bus, and talking to the nurse telling her that “those must be comfortable shoes”…..and her quite simple reply being “my feet hurt”.  Simple.  True.  Powerful. Forrest Gump Quotes

Forrest Gump: Those must be comfortable shoes, I bet you could walk all day in shoes like those and not feel a thing.
Nurse at Park Bench: My feet hurt.
Forrest Gump: My momma always said you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes, where they go, where they’ve been. I’ve worn lots of shoes, I bet if I think about it real hard I can remember my first pair of shoes.

If you have looked at my shoes over the last 6 months, you might think that I only own one pair.   Running shoes.  I have been switching my trainers with an identical pair of retired running shoes and I wear them from the time I get up until bed.  I have been fighting Plantar Fasciitis for quite some time and  previously posted on it HERE.  The fight has been tough because I don’t want to stop running lose fitness.  I have cut back on my mileage by quite a bit, running only about 20 miles a week since crawling to the finish of the Chicago Marathon in October.  I have even had further complications with Mr. Michael life and therefore had to cut back to a mere two or three runs a week.  I can’t seem to get him to sleep without his feet propped up on my throat or his head on my heart my presence.  Since I am now limited to such a few number of runs, I have been trying to keep each of those around the 10 mile mark so that I can at least hit 20 miles per week.  This new strategy has really inflamed the Plantar Fasciitis which had been starting to settle down a bit after the lab created these orthotics for me: 

I received them the first week of November and have been wearing them daily.  I am hoping the lab billed the insurance 2x or these babies are $600 each according the EOB from BCBS.   I haven’t paid a dime to the foot surgeon yet so that $$ reality is still looming.  I think he is waiting for me to jump up and down and say I feel great in order to send the shocker bill.  Unfortunately, that isn’t the case.  The left foot is good!  I really don’t have any further complaints there; however, I feel like I have an ICE PICK running thru my right heel and well, that would be a MAJOR complaint.  I’m limping, half walking on my toes, half floating……..I know you are trying to envision all of this but it’s really not as romantic as it sounds.  Quite awkward really.  And the hubby foot surgeon can’t really relate to running, or why I want to run and run long for basically no reason since I’m not currently training for anything.  Back to Forest Gump as my words would never be as eloquent……

[reporters ask Forrest his reasons for running all this time]
Forrest Gump: [voice over] They just couldn’t believe that somebody would do all that running for no reason.
Reporter: Why are you doing this?
Forrest Gump: I just felt like running.
Forrest Gump Quotes

And that’s exactly it.  I just FEEL like running………maybe because it is quiet, maybe because it allows me to feel at peace for a short time, maybe because it makes me feel like I am doing something good for myself, maybe because I can do it alone without any interruptions since I don’t even get to sleep or go to the bathroom shower alone. I don’t want to stop running and I certainly don’t want to have to rebuild my fitness from a prolonged break.  I have dug my way back from non-fitness land enough times to know that it sucks hurts.  Please, can we just fix this soon so that I can wear some pretty non-running shoes, run pain-free, walk pain-free in the days after a run and just feel good again?  I try not to be frustrated ,or bitch complain, but on days like today when friends are ALREADY talking about the 2012 Chicago Marathon, it makes me wanna cry. I struggled running 12 miles on Saturday and have basically been crippled/limping since I finished that run.  I can’t even contemplate more than that right now.  I think I’ll go back and reread the Baby Steps post and hopefully remember to think about today and not get overwhelmed by what the future may or may not bring.

Next week is a recheck to evaluate the “progress” I have made with the orthotics.  I think I am going to request the cortisone shot and take a week, or so, off to try to get this under control.  It hurts…..and that is an understatement. 

How do you handle injuries?  Do you bounce back fast of find yourself riding that injury train for a LONG time, like me. 

Happy, PAIN-FREE running!                                                                                           Amanda – TooTallFritz

Not Sprinters Anymore….

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Memories are fun, and provide good entertainment, but sometimes they are a bit far from the current reality.  Today I met up with a girl from high school with whom I ran track and in those days we were sprinters.  Now we are moms.  We only sprint after our children in an attempt to keep them alive safe or to get the trash out as the garbage truck is driving up the road.  Meet Adella B…….Adella hauled her ass out of bed came to meet me this morning to run a few laps at the Parkview YMCA in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  This Y has an awesome outdoor trail which is 1.65 miles in length so it’s an easy place to meet people cuz they can run however far they want, then just drop off and hit their car when they have had enough of my talking running.

I would hazard a guess that Adella ran further today than ever before in her entire life.  She made it a full 7 miles and I must say that is super impressive for a lady who has a 1 year old baby and has just re-entered the running world.  Let’s just hope that she doesn’t delete me as a facebook friend isn’t too sore tomorrow.  And a HUGE shout out to Mr. B. for watching the kiddos so Adella could get out of the house and hit the trail with me!  Thank  you, Thank you, Thank YOU!

A few sites along the way:

Adella was very accommodating with “please stop for photo” requests.   In fact, I dare say she welcomed the breaks.  

It was a beautiful day with perfect 40 degree temps.  I had a great run with a friend from long ago, who I would never have had the opportunity to reconnect with had facebook not come into both of our lives.  I know a lot of people who have a bad attitude say negative things about social networking but it has been a real positive influence on my life and that of so many I know.  I have met so many new people and reconnected with old friends.  And  let me just say that time changes everything.  In high school, I may not have been part of the cool crowd, or the ball player crowd, or whatever crowd but now that we are OLD more mature, those things just don’t matter.  We are all just people now.  I now talk with people on a daily basis who I may have sat next to in class but never really got to know because of petty differences or peer group stratification…..It’s good to be more mature.

Thanks for coming out today, Adella!  It was a great time!  And thanks to all of you who I now consider to be friends who I may not have spent a lot of time getting to know in school!

Run with Adella:  7.02 miles – 1:22, lots of photo stops and a nice leisurely conversational pace.  Run solo – 5.24 miles – 49:15, a couple of photo stop but basically I had to pack it up and head back home to the bathroom kiddos.  So today brought me a Saturday total of 12.26 miles.  Good day….and there was snow on the ground, which we have not yet seen in Illinois.  

Happy Running!                                                                                                                   Amanda – TooTallFritz

Starving Artists…..

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I currently know a few people who have been blessed with various artistic talents which I would like to showcase.  This post is dedicated to those artists who have websites and “wares” for sale plus small/local/home based businesses.  I hope that you see something you like on one of their websites and possibly give one of these special and unique gifts to a loved one for Christmas!

Sasha at Metamorphisis Creations has an etsy  store, where she posts some of her overflow work but her specialty certainly is custom work and she has a lot of product that isn’t listed.  Here are a few pieces which I have purchased from her over the last year. 

Click HERE for Sasha’s Etsy Store or email her at metamorphosis7@hotmail.com to have her make something custom for you!

Another very talented artist is Devonee at Designs by Devonee.  It would be hard to pin down a specialty for Devonee.  She paints which is hard of me to comprehend since I can’t draw a stick figure, and sews, and is just ultimately very creative and talented.  Here are a few of my favorite things from her.  A sock elephant:

But there are many more sock animal creations too……lots of monkeys!!   

Here is a painted wine bottle. 

Devonee also paints wine glasses, ornaments, fences, key cabinets, record art, etc.  You name it, she can paint it.  Please click HERE to check out her etsy store or email her at dnlabriola@gmail.com for some custom work of your own!  Need a mural for a bedroom wall?  Call Devonee!

Karen at KLB Photography is another amazing artist who uses various cameras for her creative works.  She takes amazing photos that look vibrant and beautiful.  I hope to eventually have some of her art on my walls.  A couple of my favorites:

Please check out Karen’s website HEREor email her at klbimages@gmail.com.

Heather is a Good Buy Diva and has a facebook page where you can purchase insanely good deals on designer brand items. She was smart creative enough to realize that all of us don’t have the time or energy to shop for bargains although we still want to look hot good for a low price.  So go check out Good Buy Diva and save some $$ on cool stuff OR talk to Heather at goodbuydiva@live.com and she can find a good deal on what YOU want!  I like these!

  

Elizabeth is a stylist for a very hot product right now…..Stella & Dot.  This is a somewhat new and hot fashion jewelry company.  She has a “real” job and does this on the side so call or email her at elizabethberger08@gmail.com to set up a Trunk Show or please feel free to click HERE to do some shopping on her website.  I think you already know that one of my favorite things is currently the Stella & Dot Snake Orb necklace:

 And the item on my “wish list” is the Renegade Necklace:

 

Katia is a Willow House consultant and has lots of great products for your home as well as a new jewelry line!  Katia’s favorite product is the Hyacinth Mixing Bowls which are very versatile and stylish: 

I personally like to cook and cook BIG cuz I am a pig love to eat.  So one of my favorite item is the large Southern Sipper Serving Bowl which is see thru so my beautiful creations can be visually appreciated: 

Click HERE to shop Katia’s Willow House store or email her at eckosha@aol.com to set up your own home show or talk to her about the products/business opportunity! 

My friend Nicki is a Shaklee consultant and although that conflicts with my AdvoCare roots there are some great products which I love from Shaklee.  My favorite products are the Get Clean Germ Off Wipes and the Get Clean Basic H(2)R Organic Cleaning Concentrate:

Click HERE to go shopping with Nicki!  Or email her at ms-nicki@sbcglobal.net for some personal assistance with products or how to make some extra cash as a Shaklee rep!

And last but not least, I can’t spotlight home businesses without including AdvoCare.  As many of you know, I have been an AdvoCare distributor for years and I really love the products.  They work for me and I love that there is a great amount of R&D that goes into each and every product so that they are the best by the time they reach consumers.  I have already listed my favorite products under the AdvoCare page on the TooTall blog but a new product that I love is the AdvoCare Oasis.   This product helps to combat stress and I might have a “little” of that.  The product tastes good and comes in small packets that you can throw in your bag or purse…..control stress while traveling.  I also always start the new year with an Herbal Cleanse to refresh my body and start everything anew.  I use the Herbal  Cleanse minimum of 2x a year, usually January & July. 

So if you are interested in health & wellness products, energy, weight loss, sports performance or skin care, please visit my microsite HERE or feel free to contact me at amanda@tootallfritz.com .  If you don’t want to talk to me, then feel free to call on my friend Lisa HERE.

I hope this gives you some new and fresh ideas for Christmas!  I know how hard it is to shop for the loved ones so hopefully one of my friends can help find something to suit your needs!

Amanda – TooTallFritz

10 mile Wednesday…..

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I have been really struggling getting miles in since my little man is attached to my hip really loves his momma.  So as of late, Wednesday night has become “Run Night” with Susan D. and whoever else is willing to brave the elements and/or can get out of work at a decent time.  This week, I not only managed to get out of work on time but a few minutes early and was able to grab a few miles in the fading daylight before the girls arrived.

I didn’t have as much time as I wanted to get in a leisurely 4 miles, plus photos, so I pushed a little harder than I would have liked in order to get back by 5pm.  Here are a few photos that I managed to grab in the fading daylight. 

I know everyone likes a nice sunset complete with power lines.

This is why a run…..quiet, peaceful and revitalizing.  The beauty around me when I am able to get to the trail is sometimes overwhelming.

The sunset was almost complete and the light was so low, it was difficult to get this last shot but after a couple tries I got lucky.  Now time to book it back to Frankfort to meet the ladies! 

Susan D. was waiting when I returned at 4:59 and it was pitch black.

We grabbed our knuckle lights/arm bands and awaited the arrival of Suzanne then literally dashed off into the darkness for the fastest nighttime run in which I have ever participated.  The ladies dragged me pushed my limits today between the darkness, the previous 4 miles ran and my overall state of health.  By the time we finished, I wanted to give my running shoes to the nearest homeless person take a long hot bath and curl up with my Weimaraner but alas I had to re-enter mommy-land reality.

Reality hit hard too as soon as I walked thru the door.  Michael screamed with delight and the screaming didn’t stop until well after when bedtime “should” have occurred.  Here is a quick glance into my reality…..no time for changing clothes or showering, which is why women’s running clothes are now somewhat fashionable cuz we LIVE in them.

That’s Michael, yes he is screaming, yes he is a blur……he doesn’t stop moving, not even when he sleeps.  Don’t turn your back, he will climb onto the counter and go straight for the knife rack.  Don’t use the oven because he will open it when you turn around to grab a plate.  Don’t go to the bathroom cuz he will pull a chair over to the sink and start spraying down the walls, kitchen, hall, and living room.  Don’t…..just DON’T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF OF HIM for a second or be prepared for the consequences.

The numbers:   4.03 miles in 37:15 minutes (9:13 pace) solo, multiple photo stops but pretty much kept moving because I didn’t have a lot of time.  6.13 miles with Suzanne & Susan, 57:28 minutes (9:21) pace, one decent stop at the turnaround to shed jackets, etc.    A total for me of 10.16 miles/1:34.43 and an average pace of 9:19.   I like to run 10 miles right at 1:30 so I know I’m not myself cuz this pace kicked my ass was a killer…..like I’m still wearing my compression calf sleeves today!  However, I really can’t complain for a Wednesday night.  Thanks, ladies! 

We did stop for one photo of Suzanne and I in the dark after the run.  The bathrooms were locked so we didn’t get any disgusting bathroom shots in good lightening….Yes, I look like a giant standing next to Suzanne!

It was about 40 degrees when I started running at 4:22pm, and it was 33 when I got back into my car at 6:15pm.  Not a huge drop but I could certainly tell the difference.  Gloves were a necessity last night.  The difference between 30 and 40 makes a big difference to your hands. 

How do you squeeze in weekly mileage?  Do you hit the gym, brave the elements or save the running for the weekends?

Happy Running,                                                                                                                 Amanda – TooTallFritz                                                                            amanda@tootallfritz.com

Cars, Cars, and MORE Cars…..

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What do you get at the Infiniti Service Department for $700?  Not much, about a 1/4 of a break job (front/resurface only), an oil change and a new REALLY important belt  that apparently makes the car go and would be a problem if it actually broke half way into Indiana with a load of kiddos in the car.  Oh, and a car wash plus interior cleaning……so maybe it was worth it? 

I won’t even bother pretending to be green or economical when it comes to cars.  I’m a car snob enthusiast and won’t drive one that won’t get up and move or at least look good trying.  I came by it honest since Mom and Dad always had something cool in the “drive”.  Their current toys are FOR SALE.   1984 Hurst Oldsmobile 442:

1976 Chevy Corvette:

When I got out of college, I didn’t go look for a job, I bought this: 

Lots of fun in that red camaro, probably too much fun.  So glad I bought it and beat the shit out of it.  Some dude that my FIL (father-in-law) knows is still driving this car around in CA somewhere.  Wish I were in CA driving this car. 

After college, I wasn’t looking for a hubby, just some dude who would wrench on my car so I didn’t get my hands dirty.  Enter dude Mick:   

So last night I assigned put him on a mission to find photos of “some” of our old cars.  We have been married since August 1999 and he estimated 25 cars that we have owned since then.  That is an average of purchasing 2.5 cars a year.  Not green.  Not economical.  Not smart.  Some were for fun:

That silver vette didn’t last long.  I stole it from some old people for cheap, then it had electical issues and I realized that although it sounded good and was fun, it sat really low, was uncomforable to drive and it was hard to see anything in traffic.  And since I was so low and visibility was poor, it never really got driven to it’s full potential.

Lots of history for the Carey men with this black vette.  Mick had it as a teen, then my FIL had it, then it was sold, then the FIL bought it back many years later, then he gave it back to Mick and it’s currently for sale for too much $$ out in cyberland.  The car looks awesome in the photo because some magazine was shooting it.  Really, it was more “normal” looking on a day to day basis.  I loved driving this car short distances when I could pry it away from hubby cuz it had “some” specialty parts for racing and really just scared the shit out of people when you started it up.  Plus, being a chick, dudes really were shocked when I got out of it.  And I love a good shock factor.

This Seabring (stock photo cuz we didn’t keep it long) was a POS crappy car, poor sound, crappy ride, the only positive was when the top was down and then EVERYONE bitched hated riding in it cuz of the wind tunnel.  Even the dog hated the convertible, so out the door it went cuz it wasn’t worth hearing them bitch the overall general crappiness.

Some for racing/hobby/keeping the hubby happy:

The white camaro is the current “project” car…..I think…… he can’t make up his mind.  He might want an old 70’s vette to build or he might keep this…..makes my head spin, and I really dislike the 3rd Gen body style for the camaro, I’m rooting for him to build a vette. 

Some shared with Father Carey:

Some which hit car magazines and made hubby infamous with other gearheads car dudes:

Some zippy daily drivers….supercharged Grand Prix GTP……. “family car”:

I really liked this car.  It came to me as I was giving up the red camaro after Aby was born  and hauling her in and out of that car, with only 2 doors, no interior room, and lots of driving a stick shift with a screaming baby in the car.  This car was a compromise, family car space plus engine power for momma.  It had a nice rumble too, plus a great Bose sound system to drown out screaming babies, moon roof, heating seats.  LOVE.  Pontiac really knew how to do it right. 

Grand Prix GXP (300+ HP V-8)….”family car”: 

I loved the silver GTP above so much that hubby found this one for me.  This was a newer & improved model and was a really awesome car.  First, it was black, need I say more?  Second, although this model didn’t have a supercharger, which I was slightly leary about, it had lots of power and an even better rumble than the GTP.  LOVED this car and it was a REAL struggle to get rid of it and move into a new market once Pontiac stopped production.  I still miss this car and if they made it again, I would go back.  Lots of options, looked good, had nice interior space and it really slid through downtown traffic, plus was awesome on the tollways and interstates heading to/from my parents.  Did I mention that I really LOVED this car?

Some utilitarian for towing, hauling the family plus the kitchen sink:

Some just cuz the price was right:

1962 Oldsmobile Cutlass F85 – currently FOR SALE please come get it out of our barn!

Some which were worth less than my road/TRI bikes: 

Up until just recently, each and every vehicle we purchased was american made.  But things change.  And the lines have been muddled.  It appears that nobody knows what it means to be “American Made” anymore.  The “American” cars are now made overseas and the foreign cars are made and assembled in the US.  Sigh…..hard to know what is what anymore.  So for the first time, we have a round of “foreigners” in our garage.  .   

These foreigners don’t rumble, they purr.  They are just sleek, smooth and I guess probably designed for a more “mature” consumer.  We have been promised that they will  last “forever” and I can drive them into the ground if we maintain them.  We’ll  see, I put 30K+ miles on the Infiniti this year……and the goal is to keep it til Aby gets her license in 6 more years.  Not sure if this is a blessing or a punishment.  Hubby’s Nissan Maxima:

“Stock” Photo of Infiniti G35X cuz it’s too hard to go out to the garage to snap a photo.

I like the Infiniti.  It gets up and moves and is very sleek, has good sound, moon roof, heated seats, and gps/computer.  Nice to drive.  However, it is somewhat uncomfortable to ride passenger, has little interior space in the back seat Aby hates it, little trunk room and is a gas hog.  Hubby wanted me to get the M series for space reasons but it just didn’t move as well.  I drove a lot of cars to decide on the Infiniti and I do like, it just not sure I will stay with the Infiniti line after this car gets passed on to Miss Aby. 

This is a decent compilation of our vehicles past and present.   Cars are a bit of a passion for us.  Mick likes the fast/hobby/race cars but will settle for a normal or even shitty daily driver.  Me, I like a fast daily driver that can accomodate the family to some degree.  I am over the sports car thing, don’t like how low they are to the ground, or the poor visibility but you won’t catch me in a minivan or SUV anytime soon either.   I know, not green, not practical, not smart but it’s part of who we are as imperfect people.

What do you drive?  Is it smart and practical or excessive and possibly more than what you really need?  

Happy Driving!                                                                                                                           Amanda – TooTallFritz

Fritz Clan……

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We did a whirlwind Thanksgiving with the Fritz Clan on Saturday.  Drove there and back (6+ hours) without even screaming at each other in the same day.  Since mom did the cooking, I was able to coerce encourage a very few photos out of the bunch in between trying to keep Mr. Michael alive & randomly offering my assistance.   Sara, Mom & Me: 

Everyone thinks Sara & I are twins.  We, of course, don’t see it.  She is 2.5 years my junior, is obviously much shorter and better proportioned, plus she has straight hair you might have been able to see that yourself if she had washed it but alas arrived with 2 hours of sleep coming off a FL vacay/birthday/anniversary trip verses my curly hair.  But we both got the Fritz huge, crazy, crooked nose! 

Here is a “stock” photo of us when we were all looking our best at Sara & David’s 2008 wedding celebration – Mom, Sara & Me: 

This is Papa, PawPaw, Grampy Fritz……has a million better non-grandchildren friendly nick names too but let’s leave it at that.  Michael & Dad: 

Michael is obsessed with Grampy, follows him around constantly, sits on his lap watching boring fishing/hunting shows, wants to ride with him in his little fishing boat, wants to rake leaves with him, swim with him, clean fish with him……..do everything except what Grandpa really wants, which is to take a nap.  Grandpa works 3rd shift so we really turn his world upside down when we are visiting.  But he doesn’t mind. 

Another stock family photo from Sara’s Wedding (I’m the one on the far left in case you still think Sara & I look like twins I know it would have helped if she had stayed in her wedding dress all night) 

And the Fritz Clan wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t attempt to rope in the kiddos and Uncle Jim (Dad’s brother).  Of course, I couldn’t manage to pull off a photo of these elusives at Thanksgiving but I’ll dust off another stock photo from Halloween 2011:  “Angelic” Alexis (Sara & David’s daughter), Aby, Sara (wrestling Michael into the photo) & Uncle Jim (Dad’s brother).I am going to make it a mission at Christmas to get both a Carey and Fritz family photo…..with everyone looking at the camera at the same time, in the same room, possibly even by the Christmas Tree!   Wish me luck!

Do you ever manage to get your entire family in one photo?  Do you find yourself running around crazy during the holiday prep to only realize after everyone has left that you didn’t take one photo the entire day?  See Misfit Thanksgiving here for the Carey family/friend photos or lack thereof.

Cheers,                                                                                                                         Amanda – TooTallFritz

Gone Shopping……

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It’s Cyber Monday and I have “Gone Shopping”.  I’ll be out for the remainder of the day.  So far I have taken advantage of sales for myself from the following retailers:

Athleta – 30% off using the coupon code:  HUGECYBER

SkirtSports – savings on selected merchandise, click here to view.

RunningSkirts – pretty much everything is on sale and I have been waiting to try their compression socks and a “few” other things.  REALLY hoping Mom still need Christmas presents for me.

I didn’t buy this but if you need a running watch – Amazon has the Garmin 405 for $139!

Walmart also has the Garmin 405 for $139, which is a really good deal!

I hope that you too have a Mom who needs Christmas gift “ideas”!

Happy Shopping!                                                                                                                      Amanda – TooTallFritz.com

Drizzly Sunday Run

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I managed to sneak out of the house this morning although nobody was really happy about it to meet up with the Frankfort Running Club.  I knew that I wanted to run at least 8 and it had been pouring rain + high winds during the night; however, we experienced a bit of a break this morning.  For me, it’s just best to get a run out of the way before the excuses start to accumulate early.   

I was very pleased to pull in and see lots of warm bodies people to keep me company.  Meet the Frankfort Running Club – Sunday Crew.   From left to right:  Susan, Dave, Diane, Angela, Don, Brian, Kate, Suzanne, Kelly, & Nicole.

We got lucky again with the weather, another 40 degree day.  We had a little drizzle too but certainly nothing like I would normally expect for November, just enough to screw up blur the photos.

We ran Old Plank Trail heading west.

The group members for today averaged between 6 and 8 miles at varying paces.  A very reasonable group for all types of runners.  I would strongly encourage even newer runners to have the guts give it a shot with this group because they are very diverse, not too INTENSE low key and really friendly.   Susan & Don here as they bailed called it at the six mile mark:

The seven mile group coming back at me with a quick bluring pace, plus the drizzle was starting to get serious at this point, run fast and get back to your cars!After this group passed me, I took a few more photos finished up.  I ran 8.06 miles in 1:19.18 with loads of stops for photos, road crossings and time to chat with those at the front and the back.  I never stop my watch while we are out there because I am too blonde would forget to restart it.  So  once we leave the initial parking lot, I just let it roll, the time isn’t too important to me anyhow.  I’m mostly out there for the experience. 

Great day.  Great run. 

“Run”way Fashion:  It was all about Athleta today unless we count my Hot Chocolate windbreaker.  Ironically, Athleta is also having a sale.  If you log onto their website and shop, use the HUGECYBER coupon code for 30% off thru Cyber Monday.  Today I was wearing the Hopkinton Top & the Reflective Workout Tight.

 

Happy Running,                                                                                                               Amanda – TooTallFritz