#TOLT - More Inspo, Please.

Sometimes in training, in life, in anything that is worth something to you, you need a swift kick in the rear-end.  Sometimes, that fire is in you, but something slows you down.

I'm starting off my TOLT randomness with a video from my favorite athlete on the planet, Lolo.

1.  "If you fought through one thing, you have the strength and courage to fight again."

For the first time since 2005 I will not be able to return home for Drake Relays. This competition has had everyone from Jesse Owens to Micheal Johnson compete there. I was born in Des Moines, Iowa. I actually lived 10mins away from the Track growing up. In Elementary School I went to Drake relays for the first time. It was my first taste of a Track and Field meet. At the time I didn't know I would ever become an Olympic Track and Field athlete. I only knew that I wanted more. Drake Relays will always be special to me for inspiring my dream of running. Every person who attends Drake Relays knows it is one of the best Track & Field Competitions in America. I hope to see you guys next year. Have a funnel cake for me please.
Posted by Lolo Jones on Windsday, April 22, 2015

2.  I had a wonderful swim yesterday morning.  I'm finally in the mood to start working on distance. 3 x 400s (that will eventually become 4 x 500s).  I can't wait.:)

3.  One word:  KICKBALL.

4.  I had had a two-day brain pain.  I think it's the humidity...?  I got home and just went straight to bed.  I felt bad, since I was supposed to hit up track with the /R/iver /R/unners, but knew that it'd just get worse if I didn't rest.

I'm happy to say that it's gone now.:)

5.  Because we need a puppy video here.  Right.  Here.

6.  Some Earth love info from The North Face!  

And more about the #ClothesTheLoop program.  Get in on it this week, guys!



7.  And speaking of which, how did you celebrate Earth Day?

Source

8.  MORE INSPO.  Read the most inspiring Boston race recap from an elite HERE.

9.  MORE inspo, you say?!

Raise your hand (lol I'm such a teacher) if this applies to you, and it involves running, Yoga, something active and wonderful.

10.  And one more for the road.

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Show me some inspo!

Tell me -- how's training going?

Big plans for the weekend?

I Eat All Day Long.

I can't tell if The North Face sent me a couple of cold weather things at the first of Spring because they KNOW how Chicago weather can be.  Either way, I enjoyed covering up in the threads.

The North Face Dynamix Hoodie -- I loved what I called "the kangaroo pouch".  I threw my phone and keys in here, and plenty of other stuff could've fit.

Gorgeous sunrise!

I can't with the self-timer.:\

BUT I KEEP TRYING!:)

I finally, finally, finally got a hold of some budget cash and finally, finally, finally got some pinnies.  I was so excited to see them in use for the first time that I decided to document it.  The fifth graders were pretty happy, too.

And onto my meals throughout the day -- #WIAW

Hotel breaky (I didn't take a picture of my eggs and toast and banana yesterday, but you have to know that this muffin was the BEST I've ever had!).

The usual morning snack ("second breakfast"?).

The usual lunch.

("Second lunch?")

("Pre-dinner"?)  I seriously can't stop grazing, and I want to keep fueling throughout the day.

Dinner last night:  Chicken enchiladas with Spanish rice!  <3

And a brew from Jester King (in my home country!)

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Do you have a few big meals throughout the day, or do you graze?

Selfies:  Pro or just can't?

TOP THREE FAVE MOVIES (that you can think of right this minute)?

Do you have a favorite brewery or brew you like to enjoy on a random Tuesday (or whenever)?

Some Marvelous News on Monday

So many Marvelous things, so little time.  This past weekend was full of so many marvelous things that I have to include a thousand pictures.  Shockingly, I didn't take pictures of everything I ate -- You're welcome.:)


First off, I am S-T-O-K-E-D to have a new Ambassadorship with The North Face Locals!

Some lovely things came in the mail the other day.  I was so excited, and above all, very lucky.

 I couldn't wait to try everything out.

And to go test some of the items out on the run.

A swim Friday afternoon = SPRINT SUCCESS.  I haven't (MADE) time for swimming nearly as much as I need to.

Since I am completely and utterly ravenous 99.568% of the time after I swim, I took along a snack for post-workout.  This hit the spot until Harry treated me to some BBQ for dinner.

 And a couple of brews.:)

Saturday's long run -- 12 miles.  It was my Mom's birthday (yaaaaaaaaay, Momma!), so I called her during my run.  She was doing her morning walk, so it worked out well, both of us huffin' and puffin'.  I liked talking to her so much, I called my Daddio immediately after I hung up with her just to chit-chat.

Some hang-time, some errands, and we met up with Adam and Terri for a Saturday afternoon bike ride.

It felt freaking awesome to get out

Sunday morning = DONUTS MORNING.  Glazed and Infused donuts at our local coffee shop, Portage Grounds.

Glazed and Infused makes some messed up stuff -- Blackberry cheesecake, peanut butter chocolate, my old-fashioned with sprinkles, and THAT'S A FRITTER if I've ever seen one!

After some down/digestion time, Harry and I set out to give the North Face Ultra Trail's a trial run.  I'm not the biggest trail runner, not extremely technical trails anyway, but I definitely loved trotting around in these.  I will do a full review on them very soon, with a longer run --

...

...Since this is what we found after about 400 feet of trail.

We took off toward the other way.

And we got randomly interrupted by a Sophia FaceTime call, where she showed us her homemade braces...?....?....?....

And then we found the end of this part of the trail, as well.  #TrailFail

We got in exactly one whopping mile!  I was really excited to try out these shoes, and they were awesome for the short amount of time I was in them.  First impression:  I couldn't feel any of the rocks or mud through which I was running.  

As for our trails in Chicago, well, I think we're pretty flooded for a while.  I gotta find something that doesn't run along a river, heh.

The rest of our Sunday was low-key, just waiting for rainstorms to roll through.  I also got something brand new that I can show you in a couple of days!:) 

This weekend is the Carmel (Half) Marathon!  I am feeling SUPER marvelous about that!

*BRAIN HUG*

This!

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Trail running:  Do you do it?

Donuts:  Do you love them?

Marvelous:  Do you feel it today?!

Any races this past weekend?  TELL ME ABOUT IT!