River City Rat Race 10K …. Ft Wayne, IN

Posted on October 27, 2016 by tootallfritz

On Sunday, Aby & I ran the River City Rat Race 10K in Fort Wayne, IN.

They offer both a 10K and 5K. It’s a downtown Ft Wayne race that runs thru the streets, a few neighborhoods, local parks and hits some of the Rivergreenway trails. In fact, Runners World magazine noted this as “One of the most scenic 10Ks” ever ran by writer Hal Higdon. Impressive statement and I was looking forward to the race. Plus, this is the first race that Aby & I have ran together in years. Fun! Let’s get started!

The race started at 2pm on Main Street. Sunny & 70. Amazing October day!! Packet pick up was directly across from the start line. Easy, quick. In and out. There were a couple portable toilets outside but there were also bathrooms inside that were available to us. Win! Race started on time with the boom of a cannon. Away we went down Main Street headed for Columbia Avenue.

Route was crowded in spots. Corrals were well marked but as with most small races, runners just jump in anywhere. Aby & I had planned to stay together and run an easy pace. We had ran 9 miles at sub 10 min pace the day before but still wanted to come to experience the Rat Race, even though neither of us were conditioned to race it. We locked in between 9:10 & 9:20 and just stayed together and enjoyed the run. We were definitely playing it safe but Aby is coming off an injury and well, my back is pretty crabby and I have to stay pretty upright and in control to keep it from hurting when I run. Better safe than sorry, right?

Race Route:

Lakeside Park & the Rose Garden:

Before we knew it we were half way, passing thru the Old Fort and dropping the 5K runners. I really loved how they designed this route with us all running past the 5K finish. This worked out great for parents who wanted to run the 10K but knew their kids could only do the 5K distance. The kids went off the 5K finish & mom/dad went on for an additional 5K. Kinda cool. They also have one price for this race. $30 for both the 5K & 10K. If you choose to downgrade to the 5K due to injury, scheduling, etc., no need to do an official race change. The race officials were specific that you would be timed for the race you ran, and would not need to make an official “race change”. Nice touch. Made it easy for everyone.

Official Race Photos, anyone? Free. Posted to Facebook. Parking was free too, if you’re keeping track. Smile

Off for the final 5K. It was heating up. I know 70 degrees isn’t hot and I wasn’t running hard but it was definitely warmer than I would have liked! I believe there were 3 or 4 water stations and I utilized each one.

Once we headed out of the Old Fort, they turned us onto the St Mary’s River Trail portion of the Rivergreenway. Very scenic. The entire run was scenic. I really enjoyed it.

Then up and out to head back downtown to tour some of the local businesses. Harrison, Berry & Columbia Streets. It was fun running thru this downtown section on a Sunday with everything quiet. I must say last time I was on Columbia Street, I was much younger and it was nighttime. Cool to see it in the light of the day. Calm & peaceful. This was definitely my favorite part. And it was shaded. Lots of room for running too. Bonus!!

On to Headwaters Park. Lawton Park. Then back to the Old Fort for the finish. Upon finishing, there was a big spread of food. Mini sub sandwiches, apples, bananas, granola bars, pretzels & fruit snacks to name a few items. Then awards on site.

I run a lot of marathons now. Not many shorter distance road races. But what I love about these small local races is seeing all the runners I know. Its awesome to see so many runners show up in the middle of a Sunday afternoon for no other reason than to run and socialize. Running is about so much more than the miles. Its about fun and fitness and camaraderie. This race embodies all of that. A great race for the whole family and I loved seeing so many families participate together. I’ll definitely go back for a repeat run.

Great race. Great organization. Great volunteers. Great highlight tour of Ft Wayne. I’d highly recommend this race to others. If you want to go fast though, start toward the front. If you don’t care about pace, then no need to stress about some of the tighter sections of the course. Definitely worth running.

Long Sleeve, performance tech, Brooks race shirt below. Unisex sizing. I love long sleeve tech shirts, hoping it fits okay.

** Run Fort Wayne ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Unrelated side note: My GoMacro giveaway is still going on thru 10/31. Enter HERE to win an assorted tray of GoMacro THRIVE Bars (12 bars – $26.28 value).

Chicago Marathon …. 2016

Posted on October 13, 2016 by tootallfritz

I ran my 5th Chicago Marathon on Sunday! What a beautiful day!! I arrived downtown early because Aby & her friend were volunteering at the 12.5 mile water stop. They had to set up in the dark and wait for the runners to arrive. They had a 6 hour shift, longer than it took most to run the marathon!! Thank you, volunteers!!

After getting the girls off to their volunteer spot, I want and sat for a bit. I was in the second wave this year. Corral J. While the marathon started at 7:30am, I didn’t have to be in my corral until 7:45. I started running at 8:30am. Plenty of time for pics!! I even managed to connect with Diana & Sarah from my local TRI Club! Congrats to Sarah on completing her VERY FIRST marathon!

Finally, we were closing in on the start line. I wasn’t nervous but ready to run. I must say as much as I love Chicago, I really appreciate those races where I can stumble out of my hotel and onto the start line 5, minutes pre-race.

But Chicago and its awesome city keeps calling me back, time and time again. So it was Chicago where I ran my 33rd marathon. I wasn’t sure how it would go. If you have been following along all summer, you know I’ve had a rough TRI season. I’ve stayed after it even though I felt crappy. I kept up the swim, bike, run but if you have done any of those things with me, you know I haven’t been 100%. Not even close. I would struggle getting into and out of my wetsuit. Couldn’t bend over to get it on/off. It took 2 wetsuit strippers at Cedar Point to get me off the ground. If I’m up and moving, I’m ok. If I have to bend, sit or lay down, things don’t go well. So upright and moving forward and everything is okay, right?

I started slow. Most of the spectators by the start had moved on by the time I went thru. There wasn’t one person on the bridge above Columbus after the start. I knew I was running the Chicago Marathon but it was like I had gotten to the line late and was trying to catch up. I knew so many people running, spectating and volunteering. I was watching for all of them but didn’t see many. The miles clipped by slowly. The first half of the marathon is by far the most exciting. The temps were cool. We were downtown. The tall buildings kept many of the streets shaded. Lots of spectators. Columbus Avenue, Grand Avenue, State Street, LaSalle Street. So many people. Then we headed north toward some of my favorite areas. Lincoln Park. Passed the Zoo & the Arboretum. Headed toward Boys Town. I wonder what performance we would see this year. Old Town. Dancing, singing Elvis. Sedgwick, my favorite part of the route. Such an awesome neighborhood. Looks like an amazing place to live.

Wells Street. Headed back downtown. Maybe I’ll get to see the girls at the 12.5 mile water stop?!?! Can’t wait!

Hit a water stop right before 12. Ugh oh, no girls. No way there will be another water stop at 12.5. My gosh, I’m going to miss them too!!!! 20K, not quite half way. Aid station ahead. There they are, cheering, yelling, whooping it up! LOL! Yes! Best part of the run, right there!

On I go. Half way. The course gets congested. So many corrals ahead of me. So many people already starting to suffer. They are slowing down. They went out too fast. I’ve been there. I felt for them but honestly just wanted to keep moving. I’m weaving now. Around the masses who are slowing. I’m not going fast, just need to keep running. The longer I’m out on the course, the tighter my body gets. My back is already starting to tighten and I feel some soreness popping up in my hips and my right glute. Need to keep moving. West Loop. Greek Town. Wish I had some saganaki, like hubby & I used to get at Nick’s Steakhouse. Hmmm… my friend Penny just wrote about Saganaki in her new book Worry Knot. Saganaki. Must get some Saganaki soon. Yum.

Charity Row. Why is RMHC never on Charity Row? They are back preparing the tent for our arrival, that’s why! I love RMHC. United Center. Always so dead around this section. Miles 14 –15 are always boring for me at Chicago. Halsted. Little Italy, where are you? Ashland. UIC. Ahhh, Pilsen, I hear you!! I’m coming!! Best party on the Southside! Everyone is out cheering. Old people. Young people. Kids. Businesses. Lots of food. Orange slices. Beer. Candy. Pretzels. Chips. Thanks, Pilsen, you get better each and every year! On to China Town. Slow this year. Quiet. China Town, what’s up? Mile 22. My hips are tight. I can no longer move laterally amongst the walkers. I’m slowing down. 4 more miles. I can do 4 more miles. More BioFreeze, please!! Sox Park. US Cellular. No idea what they are calling it today. Why do these parks & fields & stadiums keep selling themselves off to the highest bidder. So stupid. Ugh. 35th Street Bridge. Thank you, I’m heading back to the finish now!!! Hello, Michigan Avenue. I’m slow but I’m still moving! Let’s do this!!! Nike Cheer Station. Or it used to be the Nike Cheer Station. Not sure what was happening, or not happening, at mile 24 on Sunday. I think I missed the party. Too slow. Who cares, just finish this thing!!! McCormick Place. I bet I could get a cab there. Is it pathetic to get a cab a mile away from the finish line?!?!? Wow. My back and hips are super stiff. Just keep moving. Just finish. I never knew Michigan Avenue was so freaking long. Oh gosh, there is a bar. They are handing out beer. Please don’t splash beer on me. Gross. Oh jello shots. Yeah, not today, thanks. Look at all that jello on the road. Streets and Sanitation has to hate marathon day. What a freaking mess. Mt Roosevelt. Ahha! I can’t get up this freaking hill. I have to walk. Thank goodness I have my race belt with my bib turned around on my bum. Maybe the photogs won’t be able to identify me walking in those pics. Almost to the top. Start running. You really aren’t going to walk to the finish line, right? No. Move it. 200m to go. Cuz the elites need to know that since they would be blazing the last stretch to try to win the prize $$. The prize $$ is long gone now. Probably already deposited into some Kenyan account. Why do Kenyan’s always win OUR marathon? Oh my gosh, there is the finish. I’m done. Thank you, Lord. Done. #33 done. I couldn’t be more grateful for another successful race. Because every race we finish is cause for celebration.

The Chicago Marathon is a World Major. One of the largest marathons in the world. If you have a chance, run it. Totally worth your time & money. 20 aid stations. Potty stops at each aid station. BioFreeze on the ready. Lots of medial help. More police and volunteers than you can imagine. One of the ONLY days each year that they will shut down the streets for you to run thru 29 different neighborhoods in Chicago. An amazing experience, each and every time. Thanks, for having me again, Chicago.

Swag – Nike shirt & medal. Lots of freebies at the expo though so plan to spend plenty of time hanging out.

The 2017 Chicago Marathon will open their lottery on October 27th. Yeah, just a couple weeks from now. If you want to run the 40th anniversary race, be ready with your credit card soon. Details HERE.

P.S. I had an MRI this week. All my issues from the summer have been due to a ruptured disc in my back. I knew something was up but also didn’t want to wimp out on races that I had already paid to run. Its been a long summer. I did pretty well at Chicago considering and am thankful to be able to keep moving forward. Not sure where treatment will take me but I’m happy to have put Chicago in the done column this weekend. Cheers!

** Run Chicago ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Rock N Roll Chicago Half Marathon – 2016

Posted on July 19, 2016 by tootallfritz

Year after year, I return to the Rock N Roll Chicago Half Marathon. In fact this is my 4th appearance (2012, 2014, 2015 & 2016 – In 2013 I did IM 70.3 Racine which is always the same day). Why have I ran so many times? Don’t I like to experience new events vs repeating the same one over and over? Well, this is a popular race & I always have friends who want to run. My daughter LOVES this race. I LOVE Chicago. And ultimately, I go where my friends & family want to go. And RNR Chicago is where the fun is in July! #RNRCHI So let’s run!

Part of this year’s RNR CHI crew. From Left: Nicki, Me, Julie B, & Aby.

Aby & Nicki ran the 10K. Julie B & I ran the half.

I must say, this was the most fun I’ve had (so far) at RNR CHI. This was a no pressure year. I’m currently focusing on my nutrition & recovery so I can ~~hopefully~~ kill IM 70.3 Steelhead. Therefore, I wasn’t worried about the weather or what was to come, I just settled in with Julie B and ran. The weather was amazing this year. Coolish, high 60s at the start. In the 70s at the finish. Cloud cover. Light breeze. Little did I know that the great weather was due to a storm brewing nearby. Hmmmm…..

Early 6:30am start, cuz its July & we want to beat the heat!! Corral start. Corrals were separated by 2-3 minutes. Course was crowded but I never felt hindered. Once thru the first mile, our corral had already thinned out and we were free to run whatever pace we could manage. Aid stations & porta potties every mile or so. Bands every couple miles. Gels between mile 9 & 10. Cold sponges at mile 11. The half was 100% on the streets of Chicago this year, from start to finish. Nice course. As for the 10K, they started with the half, then split early, within the first 1/4 mile of the race. They turned off the streets and onto the lakefront path at Dusable Harbor, then ran the path to McCormick Place. They finished with the half route for the last 3ish miles. A couple pics from the course.

This race is about fun. I know some feel the need to race every event and that’s great, but that’s not where I am at this point. I’d rather enjoy the run with friends than rush off and try to win. Smile So I’m thankful for my run friends, like Julie B who put up with my non-stop chatter while we run. Fun day in Chicago! And we beat the storm but just barely. We finished and I immediately made a dash for my car. It started raining, just as we hit the parking garage. By the time we were out of the parking garage it was a total downpour. So I missed hooking up with some of my other friends who ran. I missed utilizing the VIP tent for the after party. But ultimately, I go to an event for the running aspect and I loved RNR CHI this year! Thanks Chicago! Thanks Rock N Roll Marathon series!!!

At the finish with Julie B.

Swag. Finishers medal.

If you are interested in running Rock N Roll Chicago next year, they are doing an early bird pre-sale now! The half is only $50, the 10K is $35 & the 5K is $30. You can register here. If you are interested in any of the remaining 2016 Rock N Roll events, feel free to use my discount code (TTF2016) for $15 off any half or full events. I believe its active for every race EXCEPT San Antonio, as of right now. I’ll be running the full in Vegas in November, then San Antonio in December, in case your interested. Smile

** Rock YOUR Run ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Back to Back Marathons, 2 Marathons in 2 Days …. Tips for a Successful Double!

Posted on May 6, 2016 by tootallfritz

I’ve ran two back to back marathons this year. Yes, that’s 2 marathons in 2 days. The first was the Mississippi Blues Marathon & First Light Marathon in January. The second, just last weekend with the Kentucky Derby Marathon and Flying Pig Marathon. Amazing or Stupid? That is the question.

Sometimes, I manage to over commit. Sometimes, its not my fault. The first time I did back to back days of big mileage was in September 2013 when Women’s Rock first came to Chicago. That race was a mess. They ended up changing the date without notifying participants. I was then faced with a 1/2 marathon on Saturday & an organized 20 miler on Sunday. I was vested & had paid lip service to both events. I was hoping I wouldn’t die. I didn’t. And to be honest it was way easier than I had anticipated. As a result, it spurred my confidence that big mileage, on consecutive days, was possible IF I did it correctly. Myself & Nicki at Women’s Rock (Sept 2013).

From that day, I moved onto the Inaugural Dopey Challenge in January 2014. That’s 4 straight days of running. 5K (THUR), 10K (FRI), half marathon (SAT) & full marathon on SUN. I was hoping I wouldn’t die. I didn’t. As a result, it spurred my confidence that big mileage, on consecutive days, was possible IF I did it correctly. My BFF Minnie Mouse & myself at the first ever Disney World 10K. Inaugural Dopey Challenge 2014.

From the Dopey Challenge, I moved into my 4 for 40 challenge for my 40th birthday in April 2014. My challenge. My rules. I wanted to run 4 marathons in 4 weeks for my 40th birthday. It was kinda a big deal (to me) and ended up being one 50K and 3 marathons in 21 days. I was hoping I wouldn’t die. I didn’t. As a result, it spurred my confidence that big mileage, on consecutive days/weeks, was possible IF I did it correctly.

BUT then life happened. I ended moving to Indiana. I gained 26#s, which I’ve been battling since summer 2014. My plantar fasciitis took control of my life as I left my IL home, and with it my amazing chiropractors (Landgrebe Chiro in Tinley Park, IL). Once I was settled in Indiana, I tried to get back on track with healthy eating, fitness & running. I was facing down my first double marathon weekend in January 2015. Same double as this year (Mississippi Blues & First Light) but I didn’t make it to the start line! Why? I, or should I say my new chiros & PTs, couldn’t get my PF under control. By the time January 2015 rolled around, I could barely walk, let alone run 2 marathons in 2 days. I’ve since found an amazing chiropractor at Optimum Performance in Ft Wayne, IN. My PF is gone. I’m totally pain free.

There’s the background on my build up over the last several years. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend running 2 marathons in 2 days but I did have some experience of big mileage on back to back days so it wasn’t an insane jump for me. Or not as insane as some would think. I wasn’t really nervous. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t die. And I didn’t.

If you are considering a back to back, whether it be 2 half marathons or 2 marathons, here are a few tips.

Don’t take yourself too seriously. Have fun with it.
Don’t over train. I was way too serious the first time (when I was in the throws of PF). I had a lot of high mileage days, back to back. High mileage piled atop high mileage. Let’s just say, I didn’t help anyone fix my PF. And I never had the chance to even start the first race, let alone finish the second one.
Recovery is key. Both during training and on race weekend. I roll with “the stick” and on a foam roller. I use a Recovery Drink after big runs/races. I use Nighttime Recovery caplets when my legs feel heavy or sore. I don’t shy away from an ice bath or cold pool. I use compression during and after hard runs/races. And I do try to get extra rest. That means sleep. Yes, sleep. I take rest days after big runs and leading up to race days/weekends. You can’t run a double marathon weekend if you are exhausted, hurt or hungry. Take care of yourself!
Eat real food. Part of fueling up for a double marathon weekend or recovering from one is about what you put in your body. Dieting? Wrong answer. You need to eat. Proteins. Fats (healthy fats). Carbs. Sugars. If you are on a weight loss journey, marathoning is not for you. I spend a lot of time fueling up and then feeding the machine after. As a result, my weight is high but I’m healthy. I can’t focus on losing weight and still make sure I’m fueled up and recovered. True story.
Take care of your feet!! Rotate shoes. Wear good socks. I prefer Injinji socks because they prevent blisters & the loss of toe nails. I also slather on the Aquaphor BEFORE I put on my socks. I use so much Aquaphor that you might think I get it for free. I don’t. But it works and I love it. Injinjis + Aquaphor = SUCCESS!
Fueling. This is tricky! Fueling for one marathon is hard! Now do it correctly and be ready to run again on day 2! I’ve have some stomach issues, in running and real life. I finally went to the doc and got some stronger meds. Imodium was not doing it for me. Enough said. But I’m now able to fuel properly during the first race without losing everything and being sick for hours (or more) afterward. I also make sure to use my salt tabs if its hot and/or humid. Then I go into recovery mode directly after the race (see above) to refuel & feed the machine for day 2.
Fueling for day 2. Plan on having extra fuel. The first time, we were not prepared to deal with the hunger on day 2. We took the normal amount of fuel that we would need for a marathon. We almost starved. We ate food from aid stations that we normally wouldn’t touch. We ate food from bike support people. We would have hurt someone for a cliff bar, and we almost did.
Pick your day 2 destination wisely. We tend to go where our friends go and I suggest you do the same. The more people you know racing, the better. But if you are doing this solo, make sure the 2 races are in close proximity. I’ve heard people flying from one race to another. That’s not my reality. Our first double had a 3.5 hour drive time between races. That was almost too much. This time it was under 2 hours and that was perfect. Remember, you “might” be tired. You don’t want to spend all day recovering in the car.
Forget what PR stands for and take it easy. 2 marathons in 2 days is a lot for a normal person. Run easy on day 1. Walk up the hills. High five the kids. Thank the volunteers. Do NOT run fast.
Prepare for some initial stiffness on day 2. Especially if day one is cold, wet, windy or hilly. The conditions of day one have as much of an effect on your body as what YOU do during that race. Start out slow on day 2, let your body loosen up on its own and you’ll be surprised how good you feel after 3 or 4 miles. But still take it easy on day 2. This is about endurance, not speed. You want to walk away smiling, not limping!
Schedule a massage for 2-3 days post double. You’ll need it & your body deserves it. You have one body. Respect it.
Rest post double. I go into full rest mode. I’m not a “streaker”. It’s not for me or my body. I value my rest days. If I’m feeling sassy or antsy, I’ll swim or bike. But really, it’s Thursday and my plan is to drink wine and watch tv tonight. I have one objective & that’s to be healthy so I can keep running, swimming and biking. As a result, I err on the side of caution and rest an extra day or 2 beyond what most consider normal. But really, what the heck is normal? 2 marathons in 2 days probably is NOT considered normal.
Frame of mind. Lastly, if you think you can do it, then you can. As with everything, be confident. Know you can do it.

Have you ever ran a double half or double marathon weekend? If so, share your tips for success!

** Run Happy AND Healthy ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Kentucky Derby Marathon – 2016

Posted on May 4, 2016 by tootallfritz

I headed to Louisville last weekend to run my 2nd Kentucky Derby Marathon. I love this race and it wasn’t difficult to talk me into a repeat visit. I’m a huge fan of races in small towns where we can park the car at the hotel, then walk to packet pickup, dinner & the race itself. Its good for the runners AND spectators.

The expo is a nice size. Not huge but a decent size compared to some of the smaller ones we have been to as of late. Quite a few vendors to cover whatever you may have forgotten or to grab something special to remember your trip. Packet pickup was quick and painless. The full marathoners walked away with a gender specific tee & a hat for race swag.

Race day was just as painless. The race started on Main Street about a block or two from our hotel. No gear check for us, so we just made our way to the corral and got in line. Race started at 7:30a and we left the hotel at 7:00a. Rain was on the forecast so we grabbed a selfie before we got wet. Smile Me, Katie & Julie M. We tried about 4 selfies. I look equally as goofy in each one. Yes, this is the best one. No, I have no idea what’s going on with my hair.

There are so many things I love about this race and I talked about a lot of them when I ran in 2014. See that post HERE. Race starts on Main Street and you run past all the local businesses, bars, restaurants, the huge YUM Stadium, the Louisville Slugger Museum and so much more. The first miles of the race really showcase a lot of what Louisville has to offer, including the University of Louisville. It weaves in and out of downtown. Constant crowd support. Neighborhood children out to cheer on the runners. Good community support.

But honestly, everyone is just waiting for mile 8 and to enter Churchill Downs. This was definitely a highlight for me last time and I was anxiously awaiting it once again. By the time we got to this point, it was steadily raining on us and had been for a while. So no pics from this round but I have some from 2014!

We run into the entrance of Churchill Downs, thru the area where all the tents are located and I envision various vendors for race weekend, then thru the tunnels, under the track and into the back lots. Pic below from 2014.

Even though it was raining, there were still several horses out practicing when we ran thru. It’s very cool. I’ve always wanted to go to the Derby and this renewed my interest to make that happen. Cool venue and I love running it.

Once we are out of the Downs, around mile 9, the half and full marathons split. Although, I always enjoy the company of the half runners, and find it way easier to keep a slow steady pace when all of them are around, I was ready for a bit of solitude and for the road to open up. The Derby Festival Marathon weekend is best known for it’s “mini” marathon (half marathon to anyone how doesn’t live in Indianapolis IN or Louisville KY). There were 10,434 half marathoners and a mere 1,811 full runners. So the road did in fact open up quite a bit as we said goodbye to the “mini” runners. But we weren’t alone. There were always people around and still a good number of spectators out, even for a rainy day.

Now we were headed for Iroquois Park. This is the hardest part of the race with lots of up & downhill sections but the scenery is spectacular. I must say, I found this section particularly hard last time (2014) but it really wasn’t that bad this year, thanks to all the ridiculously hilly races I’ve managed to run over the last couple years. There were some tough ups but I walked them. And I found a surprising number of downhill sections which I don’t remember from last time! The gentle rain made everything that much more beautiful and the road was wide open so that we could easily run the tangents up and down the hills and around the winding roads. Very nice.

After Iroquois Park, it was all downhill. Like seriously. I think we may have had 1 or 2 inclines after that but it was otherwise flat terrain. We ran past so many amazing churches and historical homes, back thru the University of Louisville campus and we were headed back to the downtown area.

The aid stations were fully stocked and staffed, even with the rain. They offered water, Gatorade & Cliff Shots in several spots. Lots of potties and medical stations, if you needed them. Plus spectators who came out even with the weather. By the time we hit mile 23, it was a full on downpour. I was happy to have a visor and just kept my head down and ran. It was then that the rain finally penetrated my shoes as we could no longer see dips in the pavement but rather just splashed thru. It didn’t dampen anyone spirits but there did seem to be a lot of people cramping and hurting in those last miles and I think it was a lot about the weather and the cool rain on their warm muscles. Julie & I stopped 2-3 times to dig Biofreeze out of our bags for people who needed some assistance. But alas the finish became visible and we put another marathon in the DONE column. We even saw our friend Erica at the finish. She killed her race and beat us by a few minutes (or more). Smile Julie, Random Dude, Erica & me.

The Kentucky Derby Marathon is an awesome race. Great spectator support. Great community support. Great course. Great police/safety. Great aid stations. And its fun without too many crazy hills. Put this one on your list if you haven’t already, it’s worth the trip to Louisville to run the Derby.

The Derby Marathon was the first marathon of the weekend. Yes, the second double marathon weekend of 2016. We finished, showered, and drove to Cincinnati OH for the Flying Pig Marathon. Come back tomorrow for that recap.

** Run the Derby Marathon ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Garmin Marathon, Olathe KS

Posted on April 22, 2016 by tootallfritz

The Garmin Marathon in Kansas is in the DONE column. I’m slowly working my way thru the states. I have an ongoing, long term goal to run a marathon in every state. Slowly cuz well, I have a budget and a family. I have basically given up all other racing, other than marathons (and 70.3 triathlons), in order to put all my $$ toward this goal. As a result, I try to pick marathons in new states whenever possible. I’ve also become a frugal traveler to save money and make the quest a bit more manageable. We pile 3-4 people in the car/hotel room and don’t do much other than eat and run. Kansas was state #19 and Garmin was my 30th marathon. To be honest, this feels more like an adventure than a goal and each new state brings new friends and more stories for my golden years.

Kansas. What do you know about Kansas? I apparently knew nothing. I imagined vast areas of grasslands, farm fields and flat terrain. Like very flat where the wind would blow for days with nothing to stop it. I was wrong. As I was driving thru Missouri bound for the border town of Olathe, KS, all I could see were hills. Lots and lots of rolling hills. I must admit I was slightly distressed. I normally don’t have a predetermined goal time for marathons. I normally just run what we can manage. If we are all having a good day, we run comfortable. If not, we run, walk, jog at whatever pace we can manage. No big deal. We just roll with the punches. But this time, for the first time in a very long time, I had a goal in mind. One which honestly, should have been quite manageable. I was healthy (thanks to Dr. Goins at Optimum Performance in Ft Wayne IN). I was strong. I have shed some of the weight I gained almost 2 years ago with our massive move. Most of all, I was confident that I could hit the numbers. But the numbers would only compute if the terrain were flat. I am a poor hill runner. My body just struggles with the uphill & we have very few inclines in this area on which I can try to improve this weakness. In fact my Saturday run group has gone out of their way all winter to run up each and every incline we could find, sometimes twice. But it wasn’t enough. No PR for me in Kansas. But I tried and I walked away proud, knowing I didn’t give up before we even got started. I rolled with the plan, hit the numbers until I could not physically hit the numbers any more. So there you have it. No PR in Kansas.

The expo was easy and fast. A few cutouts of Wizard of Oz characters (See Tamyra, myself & Cindy with the Wicked Witch below). Several booths but mostly local businesses & events. The Gypsy Runner booth was definitely the busiest booth at the expo. I love her normal stuff but she printed a shirt specific to this Wizard of Oz themed race and it was awesome! The “Don’t Make me Drop a House on You” burnout tank was quite popular and I was lucky to snag one before they sold out. Me, Cindy & Julie in our tanks on race morning. (Available here at GypsyRunner.com).

The race shirt was also very popular. The shirt was gender specific and featured the image of the Wicked Witch with a quote saying “Never Surrender”. So appropriate, although I didn’t know it at the time.

The Embassy Suites was the host hotel and actually connected to the Olathe Convention Center where the expo was located. Super easy expo, hotel stay & race start/finish. In fact we didn’t even move our car to go to dinner but rather walked across the street to a nearby venue. It was a great decision because when we returned, we found that the finish line was already set up. Had to get a pic all together at the finish! Erica, Me, Tamyra, Judy, Elina, Cindy, Julie & Eric. So fun!!

Race morning came and the weather was comfortable, in the mid 50s at the start. Unlike most race mornings, this one was particularly easy because the start was about 50 feet out the front door of the host hotel. Nice. Now, let’s run! Tamyra, Judy, Me, Cindy, Random Dude & Julie waiting for the start.

The start was right on time. The hotel was a top a hill. Shocker. As we crossed the start line, the view was a sea of people and a hill in the distance. Photo credit: Gypsy Runner. She was probably shooting the hill ahead but she caught a glimpse of Judy (center in the black maniac tank/yellow visor), Julie is front right of Judy in the black tank & you can barely see my head in front of & above Judy & Julie’s head, I’m in a black tank too. Love it!

We were hoping to leave the hills behind as we ran away from the hotel but that wasn’t the case. There wasn’t the usual chatter. Some talk, but mostly just running. It was a head down kind of race for me. I tried to not look at the hills, which resulted in my head being low and on the ground in front of me most of the time. I was hoping if I didn’t “see” them, then I wouldn’t really process them. I was also hoping that if I didn’t acknowledge how quickly it was heating up, then that wouldn’t be happening either. I was in denial, right?

The aid stations were well stocked and spaced about 2 miles apart. Lots of water, Gatorade, GU & potties. I also saw several medial tents. The race was very well ran, lots of volunteers, police and even a lady riding a bike dressed as the Wicked Witch. Photo credit: Gypsy Runner.

The first half of the marathon course was on the streets of Olathe. The last half was an out and back on the Mill Creek Trail. Garmin boasted a new course this year due to the start/finish being moved to the hotel & convention center. See map below.

I had high hopes that once we hit the trial, the course would flatten out and cool off as we entered the woods. It didn’t. I was getting pretty close to hitting the wall at this point. I had ignored everything and was able to average between 9:18-9:41 thru the first 14 miles. Then I hit the wall. I wasn’t hurting, just didn’t have that pace left in my legs. I needed to start walking some of the hills. The Mill Creek Trail was pretty. We crossed several bridges & creeks and it was a nice area to run. I would have loved it and ran it frequently if I were a local. Photo credit: Gypsy Runner (pic 1) & Tamyra (pic 2).

The temps heated up to the mid 70s during the race but we did have some cloud cover and a breeze toward the end. Speaking of the end, I was kinda dreading the hill at mile 25. I knew it was coming because we had to run down it around mile 13. But I also knew as soon as I could get myself up that hill, I was in the home stretch. Photo credit: Gypsy Runner

Ah, the finish! Just follow the Yellow Brick Road! I’m on the left. The two other gentlemen, I had met the day before at the original Kansas City Joes while we waited in line for BBQ. They were on pace to pass me up before the finish but then took pity on me and ran me in since they were “in no hurry”. LOL! Photo credit: SeeKCRun who in conjunction with the Garmin Marathon allowed free photo downloads! Nice touch!

I was shooting for a 4:10. Ran a 4:33. I’m not sad. I did what I could. I didn’t give up until I didn’t have a choice. And I know that 4:10 will soon be mine. I’ll just have to wait til fall for it because the Garmin Marathon was my last chance for now.

Elevation chart showed 940 feet of climb. 930 of decent. Not crazy climbing for some but a lot for this Midwesterner.

Very cool medal. It’s huge and I love the Wicked Witch theme. There were 588 marathoners who earned this medal!

2037 half marathoners earned a Glenda, the Good Witch medal. 653 runners earned the Hot Air Balloon 10K medal. Overall, the Garmin Marathon did a great job. Stayed on theme. Great support and even a great course. There was an after party with free beer and several booths, lots of massage & chiro people to help stretch out the runners. And the best part, upon completion, I walked straight into the hotel for a hot shower and my recovery drink. Nice!

That’s a wrap for Kansas! Next up is a double marathon weekend with the Kentucky Derby Marathon on 4/30, then the Flying Pig Marathon on 5/1. THEN I move into a fun filled summer of Triathlon. I can’t wait!

Happy Running, whether its up hill or down, just keep smiling!

Amanda – TooTallFritz

Feeling Flat ….. How Stress Effects the Body

Posted on February 18, 2016 by tootallfritz

There are so many ups and downs of a typical training cycle. Two weeks ago, I was flying high, hitting my numbers and ran the “easiest” 20 miler I’ve ever run. This week, I’m quite literally sinking in the pool. My butt is dragging.

I swam this morning and should currently be on the treadmill knocking out my tempo run. But I’m stalling. Trying to figure out if I should run or not. Of course, I’m going to run but should I try for the tempo pace? That is the question. I’m tired and well, I have an angry hamstring that popped up out of nowhere. Sad smile

To be honest, I expected to be fresh this week. I had 3 forced rest days (SAT, SUN & MON) because the little guy was in the hospital with pneumonia. He is doing much better now. Still weak but improving every day. His biggest complaint at this point is that his back hurts (from the hospital bed, or maybe the pneumonia?) and that he can’t run as fast as he used to before he got sick. Give it some time, Buddy. Just a little time. As for myself, I’m guessing that hanging out with the little guy in the hospital and being stressed/worried about him was probably more daunting on my mind and body than I realized. I’m back on schedule & trying to follow my plan. I expected to knock out one more killer week before pulling back next week to recharge for the Rock N Roll New Orleans Marathon on 2/28. But alas, I’m just tired. And my back hurts too! And one of my hamstrings is on strike. So I’m just slogging thru the week. Not pushing at all. I’m trying to focus on getting some extra rest, making sure I get extra nutrients, and hoping that I’ll bounce back next week while I’m “tapering” for RNRNOLA.

It’s important to realize that events in our lives effect our bodies. A stress reaction is real. Stress takes a toll on the mind and body. You might feel fatigued, get sick, have stomach issues or stress eat (that’s me!). Long term stress can do some serious damage if we are unable to manage it properly. Please see the awesome graphic below from Life Advantage. Go HERE to see the full article on how stress can effect the body.

Bottom line, give yourself a break when your body is rebelling. Look at what’s happened in life for the last couple weeks if something “new” has popped up. Don’t stress about not feeling great. Just focus on what you can do to improve the situation. Sleep and making sure you get lots of fruits & veggies to up the nutrients in your body is so important. Drink lots of water to flush all the toxins. Avoid caffeine & alcohol. Exercise. Don’t push hard on the workouts but get the blood flowing and you’ll be back to normal before you know it.

** Cheers – Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Small Gains = Big Motivation

Posted on February 2, 2016 by tootallfritz

Training thru the winter is very different for me than training in the spring, summer & fall. In the winter, I try to hone in on what isn’t right and fix my imbalances or bring back some training that got lost in the shuffle of the warmer months. I don’t spend so much time “free running” where I run the dog on the trails, just to spend time outside. Winter is different. It’s more focused. I try to get the most of our my workouts and keep them as efficient as possible. This year I have big goals and well, there isn’t much time for lollygagging, even if it is the middle of winter.

That’s what I want, to be better than I was yesterday. Better than last year. Better than I’ve been since I moved. I’ve finally checked my excuses at the door. Put my emotions on ice about the IL house and all the drama that surrounded that ordeal and the money lost. I’m ready to roll. I’m ready to work on me. I’m ready to get the most out of my workouts and see where it takes me. As a result, I’m already seeing small gains and that’s motivating me to stick with it and keep pushing.

One of the best things I’ve done so far this year is become more consistent. Over the last couple years, I’ve ran so many marathons that I was never actually training, just ramping up for one, then trying to recover on the fly for the next one. While this is fun and keeps things interesting, it also required that I kept things pretty low key. I never really pushed the pace on any of my runs. I was always in maintenance mode. I was trying to keep my body in check so I didn’t implode.

Last year, in the midst of my “marathon madness”, I tossed in a 70.3 triathlon to try to get my pre-move mojo back. I was instantly reminded why I love the triathlon so much. Its fun and requires more focus than just running. Last summer was disastrous for many reasons but I somehow ~~stumbled~~ made it to the start line, even with subpar TRI fitness. I started. I finished. And I loved every minute of it. So this year, I’m tossing in more triathlons and that requires consistency and commitment.

January was all about 1) hammering out a plan and sticking to it; and, 2) Getting my butt out of bed & into the pool when it opened. The first couple weeks were kinda messed up with the double marathon weekend Jan 9 &10th but I still managed to run 142 miles. That consists of one speed run, one tempo run, the WED night “fun run” at the Y & the Saturday long run at the Y. While, I’m still not hitting my speed & tempo numbers, I’m getting closer. My confidence is growing and I think I’m very close to being able to do the workouts, which I already softened up a bit for fear that my fitness wasn’t exactly where I had initially predicted. Smile It took a little bit to clear the fatigue from my legs and start hitting the numbers. I finally had a good session this morning after a hard look at recovery last week. Yay!!

I also added the bike back in this month. I bit the bullet and bought a new trainer since I lost mine in the flood last summer. Now I have a “smart trainer” and well, it’s way smarter than me and apparently also thinks my fitness is better than my reality. I managed 78 miles on the bike this month, which is low but getting the trainer dialed in was a bit of an issue. Plus so far, I’ve only been riding 2 days a week. I’m planning to add in a 3rd day of riding this week.

And the swim. Last but not least. I hate getting in the water. I don’t even swim for fun anymore. Plus we currently only have one pool at the Y and its used for training, lap swimming & therapy. Therapy takes precedence over everything else so the water is way too warm, usually between 82 & 84 degrees. Not ideal for a triathlete who has to swim in open water but that’s what I currently have available. I’m checking my excuses at the door. I’ve been showing up. I put in 5 swim sessions in January and I’m already noticing a slight improvement in my time per 100yds. Goal in this off season is 2 swims per week. I’ll get them all in this month!

All of these slow but small gains in January have motivated me to keep up the work, stay committed & do even better in February. I’m being consistent. Not moving around workouts. Not making excuses.

Monday – Off
Tuesday – Swim & Speed Run
Wednesday – Bike & Fun Run
Thursday – Swim & Tempo Run
Friday – Bike (skipped in January in lieu of a rest day)
Saturday – Long Run
Sunday – Long Bike

So far, so good. I’m committed to smashing my marathon PR at the Garmin Marathon & chasing my TRI goals this year. January down. Let’s see what February brings.

** Keep Chasing YOUR Goals ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

First Light Marathon Race Review – 2016

Posted on January 13, 2016 by tootallfritz

Day 2 of the Back2Back Challenge was the First Light Marathon in Mobile, AL. I had heard of Mobile although I didn’t really know where it was located on the map. Turns out we had a 3.25 hour drive southeast from Jackson MS to Mobile AL. Not too bad. Then we drove into the charming town of Mobile. What a nice surprise.

The expo was in the Mobile Government Center, maybe 2 blocks from our hotel and the Start/Finish area. It was a small expo, even smaller than MS Blues. But there were a few local running & TRI stores that set up booths. One had clothing 75% off and I snagged a cute Nike tank for $8.95!! Everyone was super friendly. We were presented with long sleeve gender specific tech tees, plus our Back2Back Marathon Participant Award which was hand crafted by a member of L’Arche Mobile, a community of people serving those with intellectual disabilities in the area. I was very touched by this. I can’t imagine how long it took to make all of these canvases. I later found out that our finisher medals were also created by the members of L’Arche, some of whom were at the finish line to greet us. Smile See my Back2Back partipant award below. Each award was unique and hand crafted by a different member of L’Arche. Lucy took the time to make this one for me, her story is below. Thank you, Lucy!

We were in and out of the expo in a flash, then off to dinner. Mobile is the type of town that I love. We parked at the hotel, walked to the expo, then walked to dinner on Dauphin Street. We never traveled more than a 3-4 block radius from the hotel but had everything we needed. This would be a good race to go to and stay for an extra day or two. Plenty to do on Dauphin Street with shopping, eating and drinking establishments lining the way.

Race Morning. We waited in the lobby of our hotel til 5 minutes before gun time, then we walked out the front door onto the start line. Yes, it was that easy. The town was in Mardi Gras mode. Mobile claims to be the birthplace of America’s Mardi Gras and the town and our hotel were decorated and ready for the upcoming season (which begins on Feb 9, 2016). On race morning we posed by the Mardi Gras “ladies” and tree in our hotel. Me, Julie, Laura & Judy.

The race started on time with very little fanfare. Very small race and it seemed that the majority of people on the start line were Marathon Maniacs who had come from MS Blues the day before, in hopes of conquering the Back2Back Challenge. In total, there were 376 marathon finishers and 743 half marathon finishers. There was no “crunch” at the start like the day previous. Everyone seemed to be laughing and in good spirits even though the temps were cool for the area (low 40s). Most of the crowd was stiff and sore from the day before so everyone started slow and with some sort of hobble in their step. It was all very relaxed and a fun atmosphere. To be honest, I really didn’t expect much from a race this small. But I was quickly surprised. The course started with a tour thru the Historic Garden District where we saw home after amazing home with Historic Landmark placards. Many decorated full scale for the upcoming Mardi Gras season. It was beautiful and put a smile on my face from the very first mile. The rest of the course did not disappoint either. It was flat (thank you, First Light) til mile 9, then we had a few rolling hills and a gradual beastly incline going up into the University of South Alabama campus. The campus was quiet as the students were still on break but it was beautiful and I loved running thru campus. Plus, I’m happy to report that we did not see any alligators OR snakes.

From the University, we moved on to the Botanical Gardens and then Spring Hill College. A couple Spring Hill campus photos below:

The course also had a lot of bike support. The bike riders where constantly riding around us, talking to us, checking on us and offering support. One bike support person even offered us a Cliff Bar when we were feeling particularly famished. It’s REALLY hard to anticipate how many calories your body will need on Day 2 of a 2 day marathon challenge. I was hungry. Julie was hungry. We kept eating. And we were still hungry. The aid stations here were different than most. Normally the race officials can tell you exactly what will be on course and where you can find it. Not at First Light. The aid stations were all sponsored by different people, companies, and/or running clubs. So they got to pick what they served at the aid stations. Although there was not one gel on course, we received oranges, bananas, donuts, pretzels, potato chips, candy, pickle juice, chicken broth and I was even offered at shot of Corona, which I politely declined. It was a great experience. The aid stations were all well staffed and everyone thanked us for running.

In all, this is definitely one of my favorite marathons so far & this was #28 (State #17) in case anyone besides myself (and Julie) are counting. I’d highly recommend it to anyone. It’s scenic. Fun. Relaxed. And lacks the hype and hoopla that so many races put forth. The race fee is low. I paid $52.15 with service fee to register in April for the January event. They offer a gender specific tee, chip timing & a unique hand crafted finisher’s medal. If you decide to try the Back2Back Challenge, you can hop a bus from Jackson to Mobile and First Light takes care of all the Back2Back awards/swag. Swag below, plus a close up of the handcrafted finisher medal & a couple pics of the Back2Back medal which was a spinner. Different on both sides.

Back2Back Medal:

A note on the Back2Back Challenge. I know its not for everyone. I certainly wouldn’t recommend 2 marathons in 2 days in 2 different states to many but I had a lot of fun. We took it super slow (5:09 on day 1 & 5:06 on day 2). We walked, sang, laughed & joked our way thru the miles. I must say it was easier than I anticipated. I was fatigued but nothing that was insurmountable. If you have gone for a shake out run, or a “recovery” run, the day after a long run or marathon, then you know that the first few miles you might be tight but for the most part everything loosens up and those little aches and pains work themselves out. The hills in Jackson and the slant of the road in both towns did provide me with some aches that I normally do not get. But thanks to my Injinji socks, I didn’t get any blisters until day 2 and then I only had 2 tiny blisters when I finished First Light. Not bad for 52.40+ miles in 29 hours. Smile

If you need a winter marathon, or one in Alabama, put First Light on your list. It’s not fancy but they give you everything you need and more, plus rice & beans, pasta salad, cookies, hot chocolate & beer at the finish. All which can be enjoyed while listening to a local band. Great experience. I’d got back and do it all again if the schedule allowed.

** Run First Light ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

2016 Goals …. On Paper

Posted on December 30, 2015 by tootallfritz

I haven’t written about my goals for years. Not because I don’t have a clear set of goals going into each new year but because I’ve been doing this for a long time and redundancy is B.O.R.I.N.G. Plus my training is non-traditional, and my volume is sometimes ridiculous. I don’t want anyone to think they should follow my lead. I finally found a great chiropractor in Ft Wayne who has made a lot of money off of me this year because of my volume & race schedule. He keeps me running even when he thinks I should go sit on the couch. Together we have learned how to juggle races/ mileage & springboard from one set of goals to the next by sacrificing speed. That’s right. If my goal is volume, I sacrifice speed. I can’t have my cake and eat it too. I gotta pick. So let’s see how I will choose to lay out 2016.

The year 2016 will be broken up into 3 seasons. 1) Spring Marathon Season, 2) Triathlon Season and 3) Fall Marathon Season.

My goal race for the spring marathon season is the Garmin Marathon in Olathe, KS on April 16th. Please someone tell me that Olathe is flat and fast. Please. I’ve plugged the numbers into the FIRST Run Less Run Faster iOS app and if I can hang onto my treadmill this winter, I’m going to run 4:15 or faster on the streets of Olathe, in a sparkle skirt of my choosing, possibly dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Outfit to be determined. Goal time, established. 4:15 or bust.

My goal race for triathlon season will be the 70.3 at Rev3 Cedar Point on September 11th. Although, I applied for the Rev3 team/ambassadorship, I was NOT selected. No, I’m not mad. I apply for a lot of things and get rejected but that doesn’t stop me from going after my goals. I still plan to go to Cedar Point and annihilate the swim, bike & run and go under 6 hours for the first time ever. Now this is the main goal of the entire year, my “A” goal, if you will. I want to break 6 hours at the half iron distance and this is as much of a dream as it is a goal. I have a lot of work to do if I even have a chance.

My goal race for the fall marathon season is the inaugural Fort4Fitness Marathon on October 1st. This will be about fun and running with my friends and run club members. My goal here is not about speed but to get as many people as possible to the start line for the 2016 Fort4Fitness races. Marathon or not. It’s a party for the running community in the Ft Wayne, IN area and I’m excited to be part of it. I plan to run, walk, stroll and talk to everyone I see! I was there for the inaugural running the the Fort4Fitness Half Marathon in 2008 and I plan to be there for the inaugural running of the their first full marathon in 2016. Super exciting!

So what do I need to do to meet these goals? I need to stay focused on my healthy eating & get off the last 10-13 lbs that I packed on during the move to Indiana. I’m focused on this. Working on it daily. It will be gone before I hit the Kansas border in April.

In order to meet my “big hairy” goal for the triathlon, I need to become a better, more aggressive, faster, stronger swimmer. The term “just keep swimming” will eventually be replaced with something more aggressive and focused toward pushing the pace. I’ve never worked on my swimming, just basically showed up and swam. This will change. But first I have to get reacquainted with the water. I tore my rotator cuff in August after IM 70.3 Steelhead (race report HERE) and just went back to the pool today, for the first time. It wasn’t bad for a starter swim. I made it a mile in 45 minutes. But I need to slash this time by a lot to help achieve my goal.

I also think that strength work is integral to my performance related goals. I’m dedicating Tuesday & Thursday (before dawn) to my swimming & strength work. I thought I had my strength all figured out but the CrossFit Endurance class has been dropped. So I’m back on my own. But I can do this!!

We’ll start with these goals and build, adjust accordingly.

** Time to Get to Work ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

TooTallFritz

Running Toward: Health, Wellness & PEACE …………………………………….. Running From: Insanity, Screaming Children, Housework & a Big Ass

Tag Archives: Running

River City Rat Race 10K …. Ft Wayne, IN

Chicago Marathon …. 2016

Rock N Roll Chicago Half Marathon – 2016

Back to Back Marathons, 2 Marathons in 2 Days …. Tips for a Successful Double!

Kentucky Derby Marathon – 2016

Garmin Marathon, Olathe KS

Feeling Flat ….. How Stress Effects the Body

Small Gains = Big Motivation

First Light Marathon Race Review – 2016

2016 Goals …. On Paper

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