Tag Archives: Nike+ Sportwatch GPS

Progression of the Running Watch 2007-2015

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We are all hyper aware of the fact that technology changes so fast that its difficult to keep up or even stay in the game. This has always been an issue for me, particularly with our beloved running watches.  While I WANT the latest & greatest run watch, I don’t want to pay for it.  And I usually don’t need all the bells and whistles that come standard on the high end models.  What to do?

technology

I tend to buy based on price and my budget.  I also try to keep it real.  I’m not going to spend hours looking over the data from my latest run, so it’s not necessary for me to have a watch that records everything from my heart rate to my breathing.  What do I need?  Pace and distance.   Splits.  I like to look at my splits, briefly, like in the car after I finish a run, for maybe 2 seconds.  Never on the computer.  Never.  So I usually keep things simple with my run watches.  Let’s look at the progression of my technology since 2007.  And let’s hope my hubby isn’t reading today cuz I’m also going to tell you what I’ve spent over the years on my quest for the perfect run watch.  Yikes.  Let’s get started before I lose my nerve!

It was in 2007 that I first became interested in actually tracking my runs and knowing my distance/pace while out on the road or trail.  I was training for my first marathon and it wasn’t always convenient to plan my route with the car before I ran.  We weren’t too far out from the release of the very first Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS) running watch that dropped in 2003.  Those initial watches were big and bulky, overhung the wrist of most women, but all the cool kids had one, maybe you did too?  It was a Garmin Forerunner 205.  I never bought one but I think it’s important to drop a pic to remember this oldie but goodie.  I believe the original price of this bad boy was $149 in 2003.  Stock photo.

first garmin watch_03

My very first run watch was the Polar RS200SD with Heart Rate Monitor & an S1 Foot Pod.  No GPS technology on this watch, everything was measured via the foot pod.  And EVERYONE asked me “what that thing was that was on my shoe”.  Everyone.  The watch was small enough that it actually fit my wrist.  While I have a large body, I have a dainty wrist, so this was a good option for me.  It was comfortable.  Normal watch battery so it stayed charged forever.  Foot pod had a AAA battery and would hold a charge for about 20 hours of continuous activity.  I could swim with the watch but it would only record my time.  I never used the heart rate strap and eventually lost it.  The majority of the info the watch recorded was about heart rate.  That’s what Polar does best, heart rate.  I could see my pace, distance and pull up my mile splits via the watch.  However, I if I wanted to transfer the info to the computer & connect with other Polar users, I had to do so via a special microphone that worked sporadically.  It was a pain, so I didn’t upload my data often.  Overall, this was definitely a good device at the time.  It was always ready to run while the runners with the “original” GPS watches were waiting for a signal, which they would promptly lose if we ran in the city or thru the woods.  Original Price:  $220 – with 10% discount at Running For Kicks, my cost was $198 + tax.  Mel D. even set the watch up for me and handed it to me ready to run.  Thanks, Mel.  Stock photo on the left, my package on the right as I was putting it on eBay last year sans HR Chest Strap.

polar  polar w foot pod

From the Polar, I moved to the Nike+ GPS Sportwatch (powered by TomTom) with shoe sensor.  Since I don’t run in Nike shoes, I always had to cut a spot out of the sole of my run shoes (under the insole) for my sensor.  There was a little pouch I could have bought to tie the sensor/pouch to my laces but after years of having a huge Foot Pod on my shoe, I didn’t want to tie the Nike+ Sensor to my laces.  Sensor was optional anyhow, not needed when GPS was available.  The watch was fun.  It popped messages if I didn’t run within a couple days. Always acknowledged new PRs.  Sent me motivational messages.  And the display numbers were HUGE.  I could always see it while I was running, even when I was running really fast.  Cuz I could run fast when I owned this watch.  But it was big, with a long face that overhung my wrist.  The face of the watch was hard and stretched across my entire wrist bone.  It slid around when I was sweaty and I never knew if I wanted to wear it atop or on the inside of my wrist.  It was either too tight or too loose and never just right.  The end of the watch band actually revealed a USB plug and would plug right into the computer.  Super easy charge, manage and upload info.  I liked this watch a lot.  It was $199 from Nike.com.  I had a $50 gift card, so my cost was $149 + tax.  Free shipping.

nike gps     nike gps2 

From the Nike+ GPS Sportwatch, I moved to the Garmin Forerunner 10.  I really wanted a watch for triathlons but was too cheap to spend the $$.  The Forerunner 10 fit my wrist.  Holy Heck, a watch that I could run with that would sit on my wrist and not overhang.  What a concept.  It was comfortable.  Cute, came in multiple fun colors.  Focused on pace, distance & time.  I could pull my history, past workouts and/or mile splits directly from my watch.  I was IN LOVE.  Perfect watch for me.  Not too fancy.  Not too complicated.  But it didn’t link up to GP S satellites very quickly when I was in a new location (or even at a regular hang out) and the battery didn’t last long.  I was starting to run a lot of marathons and my max battery life on the Forerunner 10 was 5 to 5.5 hours.   Sometimes I run marathons slow.  Sometimes I run marathons in the woods.  Sometimes I run longer than a marathon.  My perfect watch slowly became somewhat imperfect for me.  It was easy to use, easy to charge with a USB on the computer/laptop or via the USB charger for the car or wall outlet.  Easy to link up to Garmin Connect.  Great beginner watch.  So great that I bought one for Aby.  All in all, we’ve had 3 of these Forerunner 10s (green, pink & a purple which replaced the pink after repairs from Garmin).  I bought both mine & Aby’s from REI.  I used EBates to get 5% cash back, plus I got 10% back on REI dividends at year end.  EBates referral code HERE if you want to save $$ shopping online but don’t yet have an account. Original price:  $129, my cost $109.65 + tax.  Free Shipping.

Polar-Nike-Garmin   IMG_0510 

I loved the Forerunner 10 so much that I moved over to the Forerunner 15 when it was released.  Longer battery life, plus a few more bells and whistles.  It counted steps and mileage indoors, even when the GPS wasn’t activated.  This came in super handy as I ran lap after lap on the indoor track at the YMCA when the temps and wind-chill plummeted in the winter months.  But it didn’t help me in the TRI world.  The GPS would work on the bike but not for outdoor swimming.  The watch still took a bit to sync up with a satellite & I was still  having issues with running out of battery life while running & biking.  It was advertised to have 8 hours of GPS battery life but I rarely got that.  But the watch looked good.  I love all things aqua so we’ll probably never part with this baby.  Aby is using it now.  Original retail was $169, I got this “New with Tags”, in the box, on eBay for $129, free shipping, no tax. 

IMG_6784 

I still needed a TRI watch, are you beginning to see a theme?  I also was interested in monitoring my heart rate and possibly starting some heart rate based training.  But I didn’t want to wear the chest strap.  Very few watches monitor heart rates off of a sensor in the watch (vs a strap).  Plus if I was going to buy ANOTHER watch, then I wanted to make sure that it would measure my swim distance, if nothing else.  Enter the TomTom  Multi-Sport Cardio.  Wireless heart rate.  Counts swim laps.  Records biking.  But doesn’t do swim/bike/run all at once in a Triathlon mode like most multisport watches.  Battery life is only good for 8-10 hours.  However, this baby must be downloaded frequently because if you are out on a run and it reaches the max amount of data that it can record, it doesn’t overwrite old data/workouts, it just shuts down.  Really.  I mean, REALLY?  It also struggles to link up to a satellite.  It is hard/stiff and big due to HR sensors being in the watch. Overhung my wrist.  Moved around on my wrist and it wasn’t very comfortable.    Lots of bells and whistles with this watch.  It’s cute.  It charges easily, workouts can easily be downloaded but you must stay on top of the downloading to have space to run, bike & swim. Oh, and it does NOT record outdoor swimming, only pool laps.  Good bye, TomTom.  Original price was $249, but TomTom was offering a $40 race rebate after purchase.  My cost:  $209, free shipping, free tax.

tomtom  tomtom2

Last but definitely not least.  The Garmin Forerunner 920XT.  It’s a real TRI watch.  First, the satellite signal is so strong that it will link up as I sit at my desk, here in the house.  It records indoor & outdoor running, indoor & outdoor swimming, indoor & outdoor biking.  It links up to my phone via Bluetooth and I can review my workout via the watch, my phone or Garmin Connect on the computer.  It uploads automatically, wirelessly when I’m within range of my network.  It vibrates and notifies me of text messages, Facebook messages/notifications, Instagram notifications, events, etc. all on my wrist. I’m a little drop jawed over all this.  I never knew that a watch that wasn’t an “i-thing” could so much.  Plus it will seamlessly record all aspects of a triathlon. From swim, T1, bike, T2 & run.  One time.  Lots of splits.  Battery life with GPS is 40 hours.  Yes, 40 hours.  May I never do any activity where I need to record data for 40 hours. Please. And Thank you.  This watch is big but I strap it on my wrist and it doesn’t move.  That’s right, it does not slide around.  I wore it for almost 7 hours of running at the Huff 50K last week and it didn’t bother me in the least.  Its comfortable.  I’ve even been totally geeking out and wearing it during the day while I work.  The face is bigger than I’m used to but it is lighter and thinner than the Forerunner 15.  And smart.  So freaking smart.  I’ll probably never know everything this watch knows but I’m slowly figuring things out.  Thanks to YouTube videos.  So if you need a watch to do it all, including count your steps and your 02 intake (why do we need to know this?!?!) and your movement/non-movement and your sleep pattern, then this is your watch.  I think I’ll just use it the way that I use most fitness watches & let it record my data, which I like to review from my watch screen.  I’m so happy that I can once again see my splits from my watch.  Big win! 

While most will consider it a waste of technology if I choose not to use all those glorious bells & whistles, I do fitness for fun and stress relief.  If I take myself and my numbers too seriously, that’s not fun.  And then it produces stress trying to figure out what my watch wants to tell me.   So there you have it.  I now have a big fancy watch that does big fancy things but I’ll just be reading my text messages on it and recording normal swim, bike, run data.  Smile  This baby has a monster price tag at $449 sans HR Monitor, $499 with HR.  However, I purchased it Thanksgiving week when it was temporarily discounted to $329 (no HR).  Then I used a deal at Running Warehouse where if I purchased a $200 gift card, I got a $50 card for free.  Then I purchased a $50 gift card and got a $10 gift card for free. Complicated, right?  That was $250 spent for $310 worth of merchandise $$, then I tossed in the extra $20 to bring that $310 up to $330.  Free Shipping.  Free Tax.  Plus I had sold the TomTom above so had $100 credit toward my new device.  Bottom line, I only have $170 into this beast.  A couple pics below of my 920 XT compared to the Garmin 15 (which is Aby’s watch now).  

  IMG_9103     IMG_9104 

IMG_9148

If you made it this far, you’ve probably come to the realization that I would have saved $$ from the start had I just bought what I wanted verses hopping around and trying to settle for subpar devices.  Story of my life.  One that hopefully you can learn from cuz it’s too late for me.  I must say that I’m VERY happy I made the upgrade to the Garmin Forerunner 920XT.  I’ll try not to geek out and learn all the things and be THAT crazy TRI person in 2016.  Maybe.  Smile

** Run & TRI Happy, My Friends ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

A Few Lessons….

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Last week, I learned a few new things.  I may be an “old” dog but I’m always up for new tips or lessons!

1)  No matter how new your swim cap may be, always have a spare in your swim bag.  Swim caps rip.  They are not made of a special material which will last forever.   They do not care that you hold a sentimental attachment to them because you just recently finished their event.  Swim caps rip.

swim cap_ripped 2)  While swimming, your sinuses will discharge.  If you want to avoid constantly wiping snot off your face while you swim, maybe use a nasal rinse before getting into the pool  We will all thank you for your extra effort.  nasal saline As an added benefit, this will help with your allergies and flush any germs from your nasal passages that may help you avert the sniffles.

3)  Read reviews of products you own.  No matter how well you think you know your gps watch product, somebody might know something you don’t know.  Last week, I learned that my Nike+ Sportwatch GPS was waterproof up to 50 meters.  Hmmmm, news to me!  This was actually the only complaint I had about my watch, the fact that I couldn’t swim in it.  Well, I was wrong, I CAN swim in it and I did so last week.  Watch still works perfectly!

Watch_water 4)  If you take your bike out and it’s loose, dropping screws and you feel generally unsafe, pack it up and go home.  Things will not end well. 

Me_bike fall 5)  Along the same lines, if your bike isn’t handling well, it drops a water bottle on you because your cage is loose & you just hit a monstrous bump, maybe unclip BOTH feet before rolling down a concrete dip to retrieve the dropped bottle.  Once again, things “may”  not end well.  See above photo.

6)  If you haul your kids out of bed before dawn to go run 1 mile with the F’N Running Club, make sure you don’t look like you are going to run just 1 MILE.  Own that mile in celebration of a new beginning as we kick injury to the curb, albeit very slowly.  🙂  

Me&Michael_Stars & Stripes Yes, I did go to the grocery store like this afterwards!

“Run”Way Fashion:  2011 Chicago Marathon swag shirt, RunningSkirts.com stars & stripes triathlon skirt, Zensah Compression Sleeves in Stars & Stripes.  This is the first time I’ve tried the Zensah brand of compression.  I must admit, my love for the stars & stripes pulled me in and I fell instantly in love with the look and feel.  I wore the compression sleeves for a short run (1.6 miles), a .5 walk/run with the kiddos, play time on the playground and then hit the grocery, so probably for 4 hours total.  Yes, people stared at me in the grocery.  If you don’t want people to stare when you wear workout gear in public, maybe go with something less amazing a bit more traditional.

So far, I really like the sleeves, not too tight, not too hot, not too boring.  Just right.  I’ll definitely be wearing these a lot more as I begin to rebuild my mileage.

Amanda – TooTallFritz ** amanda@tootallfritz.com

No Regrets…

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I live with a “No Regrets” mentality.  I don’t waste time looking back at what has been and lament about things I did wrong or even wish that things were different.  I honestly believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that God plays a huge roll in every aspect of our lives even if we don’t understand why or recognize the work He has done.  No regrets, things are as they should be and it is our job to accept.  No regrets.

So each year, I jam as much as possible into my life because I know that at some point this will all come to an end and all that will be left are the stories.  In fact, I frequently see  a shirt that One More Mile makes that sums it up perfectly.

there will come a day_shirt

In fact, if you know me in real life, you have probably heard me say on occasion, “oh, that’s gonna hurt…. but it will make a good story”. 

Last week should have been my biggest training week for the Chicago Ragnar Relays but life “kinda” got in the way.  Even my running watch noticed.

NikeWatch_Are We Running Later

I may have mentioned it before but if you are going to be a slacker, don’t buy the Nike+ GPS Sportwatch, it totally calls you out.  I’ve only had one other time when I saw a message on my watch and that was when I took some time off at Christmas to try to get the Plantar Fasciitis in check.

Between life, and an attempt to heal my left hip from tripping on a crack in the sidewalk and jamming it up and also NEEDING to heal the aching Plantar Fasciitis, last week was a bit light on workouts.  You’d think I’d feel better and refreshed but I don’t.  I do think we are making progress with the hip but the PF is out of control.  The current method of treatment for the PF is a process of scraping the fascia to break up any scar tissue/residue and hopefully eventually curing the PF to the point where I won’t need the orthotics.   It hurts like hell.  It’s not going well and has inflamed the PF back to it’s original state of pain.  It hurts to walk and run.  It hurts to stand.  It hurts.

I did manage 2 runs this weekend.  A beautiful 10.5 miler on Saturday morning.  The trail is alive and beautiful and makes me happy to be out there moving. 

OPT_5-26-12

It took 5 miles before the hip loosened up and I could actually run faster than a 9:30.  The second half of the run was much better and I was back down into the 8:45 range, not great but I was comfortable for most of it until probably the last mile when the hip really started burning and the PF was getting extremely cranky.

Me_5-26-12

But I was happy to be out!  Then Sunday, I went 7 miles and that wasn’t pretty.  The hip didn’t bother me at all but the PF was very angry from the Saturday run so it was a run/walk fest.  Yesterday I rested.  The PF is even worse today.  Hmmm….how to handle the next month?

So, although I have “no regrets”, I certainly am not excited that the official kickoff to Chicago Marathon training started yesterday.  I can manage the pain with TRI training because the intensity of the run is low; however, I know from experience that the pain just increases and spreads with the high mileage that marathon training requires.  And then I have that little thing called the Ragnar Relay which is in 10 days. and oh yeah, I’m on an ultra team.  Hmmmmm……..

No regrets but things could be looking a little better at this point.  🙂

No complaints but anyone have a cortisone shot in their pocket?  I know that doesn’t fix anything but it sure does make things a lot more bearable.  You wouldn’t tell Alexis L that I got a cortisone shot while she was trying to cure my PF, would you?  Shuuuuussh, cuz I’m seriously thinking about it.

How was  your weekend?  Did you print your training program for the Chicago Marathon?   If not, you need to think about doing that.  If you are in half marathon shape, and are not freaking out about the fact that you have to run a marathon in 18 weeks, you will need to start training the first week of July.  If you are not in half marathon shape, then you need to start training…….. yesterday.

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

On the Road Again….

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I was on the road again this weekend with the kiddos to go see Grandma & Grandpa TooTall and make a visit to a local indoor water park!  I managed to squeeze in a quick 6 miler before the festivities began.  When I’m up at the lake, it’s mostly road running.  I picked a route with a few hills since I was going short.

Then I was barely back in the house and the kids were dressed and ready for their adventure at the water park!  We went to Splash Universe in Shipshewana, IN.  The area is really known for its flea market and Amish shops but in order to accommodate the large number of visitors to Amish Country, the town had to build up a bit with restaurants and hotels.  This is one of the “fun” hotels that has an indoor water park and since it’s about 20 minutes from the lake, we try to go once in the winter so the kids can have some fun in the water and enjoy the 80 degree temps. 

See those slides in the middle?  Michael LOVED those things, probably went down them several hundred times, if not more.  Grammie would stand at the top to help police the little ones from piling down on top of each other and I was at the bottom to move Michael along so he didn’t get crushed by the next one coming down.  And then he would walk back to the top and do that again, and again, and again, and AGAIN.

Then this morning, I needed to go out for a longer run since I didn’t do it yesterday.  I wasn’t feeling it at all.  I really needed to run 12 but I could barely talk myself into leaving the house so I was pretty sure that wouldn’t happen.  Then once I did get out the door, I couldn’t get my Nike+ GPS Sportwatch to link up.  Apparently, it was tired too.  I waited & waited & waited then basically took off running figuring that’s why I had the sensor for moments just like this.  So I ran.

I made it about a mile before ducking into a seasonal campground.  I expected it to be deserted and wanted to see if there were any trails remaining from when we used to snowmobile there during my childhood.   We used to spend a lot of time in this location in the winter months as this was home base for a local snowmobile club that would snowmobile all over the lakes  and then return to this campground to warm up in one of the buildings where they would have coffee, hot chocolate and food.  However, that was when we used to get lots of snow in the winter. I can’t imagine that snowmobile club exists anymore, and I’m quite certain that most of the members of that snowmobile club are long gone like my grandparents.  So today was a trip down memory lane and like all good memories, the current reality never measures up.  I did find one old trail down by the lake but it was very overgrown almost to the point of being impassable.  I didn’t make it far before giving up and turning back. 

After giving up on “trail” running, I just circled the roads in the campground.  Half of the roads were pancake flat and the other half were very hilly.  So it was a good mix and I definitely got in some nice slow miles that were challenging.  I ended up with approximately 10.5 miles today but they were very slow.

So good weekend, lots of fun, a few run miles and lots of drive miles.

What did you do this weekend?

Happy Running,                                                                                                       Amanda – TooTallFritz

Is Winter REALLY Coming?

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I feel as if the entire winter we, here in the midwest, have just been banking our miles, saying our thanks for good weather and waiting.  We know the snow is coming.  We know this means slippery or impassable trails that will slow and/or hamper our runs.  We know that road running is in our VERY near future.  The weather people say that winter is coming tomorrow, in the form of snow.  Supposedly, we will be getting real snow in the form of 1 to 10 inches.  Way to narrow it down, thanks, I’ll just schedule my snow day now NOT.

In preparation for the possible 10 inches of snow, hubby gassed up the snowmobiles and made sure that they would start easily for Ms. TooTall.  My personal preparations were to make sure I got groceries in a good run.  I certainly don’t want to be snowed in wondering when I’ll get to run next, so while all of you were duking it out at Jewel, I hit the trail.  I wanted my first 4 miles to be 8:30-8:45 so needed to get to the trail early to ensure that could happen.  And once again, it was daylight.  This makes me super happy!  I actually grabbed my music today too, which is very unusual for me but I wanted to push and thought it would be a good distraction.  Sorry about the ear buds coming out of my bra.

Then I hit the trail for some fastish miles with photos squeezed in between, and 2 phone calls, and some txt messages.  So my mile splits were all over the place due to the above:  Mile 1:  8:35, Mile 2:  9:19, Mile 3:  9:07, and Mile 4:  8:51.  I know this looks like a pacing fail but the following pics were taken, in addition to the phone calls, etc. 

As you can see the light is diminishing, which means it is almost time to meet my F’N Running Club!  Whooooop!  So I busted it back to Frankfort with my ipod blaring camera tucked away.

We had another AWESOME group show up for a Wednesday night run because they too were afraid of the impending snow storm.  The F’N Running Club Ladies, Top:  Maggie, Dawn, April, Michelle, Kathy, Aurelia, Susan, & Cathie.  Middle:  Kate LF, Megan, Jeni.  Bottom:  Me & Diane.We had one guy tonight, and here is the proof.  Brian F. posed with us in the front and I bet he can’t wait til Brian P. is fixed up and ready to run again. 

In light of recent events, on a different trail far away, we took a few seconds to remind everyone to be safe, be aware of their surroundings, run with a partner, or pepper spray, etc.  My favorite pepper spray comes from personalsavers.com, I like the wrist saver.  I know I have posted about this before but I like it cuz it fits right next to my watch and is very accessible, not tucked away in a pocket somewhere.  Please be AWARE and SAFE!

And then we were off to run.  As you saw, we had a great sized group tonight!  The group ranged from run/walkers at 3 miles to 9:00 min milers at the 4-6 mile mark.  Lots of in between too!  It was so nice seeing so many of our group on the trail, supporting each other.  Lots of fun and we are really becoming more of a team, trying to help and push each other, rather than just a group who shows up to run.  Nice, I’m proud of all of you!

In total, I had 10 miles in 1:32 today.  Good Wednesday Pre-Snow run!

What do you do before a “possible” snow storm? Do you run, get groceries, gas up the snowmobiles, or put the plow on the truck?  For the record, I did stop on the way home to gas up my car, just in case the snow really does come.

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

Favorite Things….

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As all of us are reflecting on our blessings and how thankful we are for our family and friends, it got me thinking about some of the “little” things in my life for which I am thankful. 

 Introducing a few of My Favorite Things

OPI Nail Polish – A girl wants to look good and we can’t afford don’t have time to be dashing over to the nail salon all the time.  Serena Williams Grand Slam+ Red Shatter + Clear Top Coat

Adele – 21 Album – I have been obsessed loving Adele since summer.  It took me a little longer to jump on the train but I am on and currently sitting down for the ride.  LOVE!   Please get me the 19 cd for Christmas, Mick! 

Eve – “My” In Car GPS/Computer – She takes me everywhere, even where I don’t want to go, and more importantly she brings me home.  She also downloads my favorite cds so that I don’t have to carry all of Alan Jackson‘s cds in my car and she makes helps me answer my phone even when I don’t know where it is or can’t reach it.

Stella &  Dot – Snake Orb Pendant Necklace – Quite possibly the only “fashionable” thing that I currently own.  It has been featured in several magazines and my friend Elizabeth B. just became one of the Stella & Dot stylists.  CLICK ON THE LINK and  BUY ONE FROM HER NOW!  As a side note, Michael LOVES this necklace and is constantly grabbing it to kiss the snake and then just keeps hissing at me and the snake.  Absolutely precious but I’m sure my necklace will hit Mick’s Costume Jewelry Repair Shop before the weekend.

The Stella & Dot Renegade Necklace is on my wish list & the current feature in Lucky Magazine:   

 

Fresh somewhat Healthy Foods that are portable and easy to throw in a bag for travel & work cuz I REALLY like to eat!  I prefer greek yogurt, for the added protein benefits; however, it is currently “out of stock” in the TooTall fridge.  The Dannon Oikos Honey is my absolute favorite cuz it tastes like dessert .

Today’s emergency foods:

Carmel Cremes – cuz a girl can only eat so many apples, bananas and yogurt.

These are obviously all non-Running related items.  I talk about the running things that I obsess over love all the time so I feel it would be redundant to add those things back in here when you already know that I love my Nike+ GPS, the CW-X compression tights, the CEP compression calf sleeves, Athleta, Knuckelights & RunningSkirts. 

What are a few of your favorite things?  Tell us!!

Be thankful for EVERYTHING in your life.  All is just as God planned……the good, the bad, and even the really ugly. 

Amanda – TooTallFritz

 

Halloween Hangover

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I must say that I enjoy Halloween but am happy to say good-bye to it for another year.  Each year it is a fight with the kiddos as to how much candy they can stuff into their faces before I notice convince me to let them eat.  And I must say that it is also a struggle for me in an attempt to not stuff my own face limit my consumption.  I think we did pretty well last night with the kiddos not getting too out of control and I had 3 fun size Almond Joys.  Now, we still have a GROCERY BAG of candy left in the house so we will see how it goes from here on out.

Prior to the Trick or Treat extravaganza, I made a last-ditch effort to pad my mileage close out the month properly.  I decided on a Midlothian Reservoir/Yankee Woods run that would be about 6 miles.  The Reservoir, with a connect to Yankee for 1 loop, plus return is slightly under 6  so I parked my car a bit further from the trailhead becasue I’m OCD so that I got in a few extra steps to make it a full 6.  The intent was for a quicker pace, speedy turnover type running without wearing myself out. 

Since these trails are somewhat secluded in parts, I grabbed my Wrist Saver pepper spray and I was off.  If you need a pepper spray, this one is AWESOME.  It velcros onto the wrist and doesn’t move!  I love it and also attach it to the jogging stroller and/or Aby’s bike when we are running/hiking as a family.  The watch is the Nike+ Sportwatch GPS, another great product for a very reasonable price.  I am of the opinion that all technology is somewhat disposable due to the constant updates and changes.  I refuse to pay a lot for something that will be obsolete before the end of the month.  One of my favorite things about the Nike+ watch is that they frequently update it thru the net.  You plug-in for a charge, or to upload a run, and get a message that a new upgrade is available.  I purchased the watch on the pre-order before it even hit the stores so got an “original”.   They have made SEVERAL updates via the net to add features that were requested by consumers.  I really appreciate this rather than them just putting out a newer and better model that turns my original into a dinosaur.

Midlothian Reservoir:

The Midlothian Reservoir section is pretty short, about a mile, then you need to run a path by Central Ave for about a 1/2 mile to get into Yankee.  Once you hit the Yankee sign, one loop is 3 miles and  you can fly right back to the Reservoir to your car!  Yankee  Woods:

6 miles – 52:15 –  several photo stops and a road crossing x2

“Run”way Fashion – Freebie Alert:  RunGirl shirt from Women’s Running Magazine.  Great Magazine!!  And they give a free shirt with a 2 year subscription.  I don’t wear a lot of freebies but this one fits perfectly!

CWX Compression 3/4 tights.  Yep still wearing them and love them EVEN more today but I need more pink shirts!   Frogger –  I looked and they do have 3/4 for men.  You might want to talk to Mel; I picked these up at Running for Kicks.

Cheers & TRY not to eat too much Halloween candy!                                                  Amanda – TooTallFritz