So Much Pink [And Altra Shoe Review]

Happy Tuesday-after-Marathon Monday, and in this case, a.k.a. Happy Earth Day!

I'm on Spring Break from school this week.  HALLELUJAH!  Yesterday was my planned "Do Nothing" day.  Ever have one of these?  Anyway, while I was doing nothing, I got to watch the Boston Marathon.

Ohhhhhhhhhh, man!  I'll tell you what...five years ago, I would've laughed to high Heaven if you had told me I'd sit down to watch a MARATHON on TV.  *le head shake*  No way, wasn't interested.  It's amazing how running changes so many aspects of your life, even if one of those changes means sitting on your butt for a few hours to watch a major racing event.  :P  But I feel like I will redeem myself today.  I've already had a beautiful run in the sun, and will get some housework and errands done.  Plus, Harry and I are heading out for our first bike ride of the year this afternoon!

I feel like pink is coming into everything I carry or wear, and not just running or training gear.  Have I done this on purpose, or on accident?  Obviously I don't have a problem with pink; it's just astounding how much pink I own.  Harry got me the Saucony jacket for my birthday, and Apera was awesome enough to send me the Performance Duffel not too long ago.  It's still my favorite thing to carry.

I'm even wearing a pink hoodie as I type this.  And I just looked down and realized that the mani I got yesterday included pink nail polish.  IT'S TAKING OVER!

While I was watching the Boston Marathon yesterday (GO MEB!), I saw the Altra Running commercial!

This got me super excited, considering Altra Running just recently sent me some new kicks, the Intuition 1.5.  Of course, they're pink!  I love the "Zero Drop™", as well as the wide toebox in these shoes.  I have put about 15 miles on them; this distance is a good indicator of how well a shoe will work for your foot and gait.  These are totally aces on my feet, and make my stride feel effortless and very natural.

From Altra Running:

"Designed specifically for women, The Intuition™ 1.5 isn’t just another shrink it and pink it shoe. From the amount of cushioning to shape of the shoe, this shoe is 100% female-specific. Plus, with the Zero Drop™ platform and innovative foot-shaped design this shoe delivers many of the benefits of barefoot running with the comfort, cushioning and support that distance runners love. Follow your intuition and experience the world’s first fully cushioned, foot-shaped, Zero Drop™ running shoe. "

When I feel like there's some wonkiness in an area of my foot, I can shift my footfall a bit and it's comforted and taken care of...like a shoe hug.

But seriously. So much pink.  #sweatpink

Disclaimer:  Altra provided me with shoes through ZOOMA ambassadorship.  I was not pressured to write a positive review and all opinions expressed in today’s post are mine alone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What are you doing today to help give this home of ours some lovin'? 

Is there a color that seems to accidentally take over your wardrobe?

What was the last yummy thing you had that you haven't had in a really long time?
-Mine was root beer!  I had one the other night...mmmmmm!

Chasing My Shadow [And Running for Others]

Last night, Harry and I met up with his Aunt and Uncle after their run by the park near where we live.   What's better than a beer and mac n' cheese wedges (with applesauce!) on a Thursday evening?

Nothing.  That's what.

We ended up going to Sutherland's Food & Spirits for some grub and giggles.  It really helped that it was perfect walking weather (though Harry wanted to drive, since he was brave and ran a day after our monster speedwork session Wednesday evening).

Mmm...mac n'cheese wedges...these are the best and I actually had a hankerin' for 'em.  That applesauce is an absolute must for dunking!  I know it sounds odd; Harry and I were super weirded out by it the first time we tried it, but it's delicious.

Kim reminds me so very much of my Aunt Jeannie Weenie.  She's just fun and spunky and a real hoot and a holler.  She's very caring and has one of the biggest hearts I've ever known. 

Kim is training with Team Challenge for her third half marathon.  Here is a part of her write-up on her donation page:

"Thank you for supporting me in my personal challenge to complete the 13.1 Chicago Half Marathon, while raising money and awareness for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCFA)!  Through Team Challenge, I have committed to raising $1,900 to help the estimated 1.5 million Americans living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Although I've committed to $1,900 my goal is to exceed that and raise $3,000! I know with all the resources I have, we can do this!  A minimum of 82 cents per dollar raised by CCFA goes directly to research and patient support.  Your tax-deductible contribution will go toward curing Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, and improving the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.

Each day is gift from God, and each day brings challenges to many of us.  Most of us that are healthy, may take leading a normal, healthy life for granted and then there are the 1.5 million people that are diagnosed with Crohn’s and Colitis and only dream to live a normal “healthy” life. Of course then there are my family members that have been affected and honestly, its then that it becomes personal. So today I am taking this opportunity to make a difference and challenging myself to raise $3,000 by running 13.1 miles on their behalf. 

On June 7th I will be running for Donna Bynes!  Most of you know the struggles that Donna has been through and for those of you that do not –Donna was diagnosed with Crohn’s at a very young age, and last summer she was diagnosed with colon cancer, just shortly after giving birth to their son. She is now in the final stages of kicking cancer in the ass, completing her second round of chemo and doing great.  I will gain my strength and endurance from her along with the support of my friends and family."

I've provided the link to her donation page above AND HERE.  :D  Every little bit helps, y'all!

After some frosty beverages and noms, Harry and I walked home and I immediately hit the hay.  I had to get up extra early this morning to run before work.

I'm usually up and at 'em after a cup of coffee first thing in the morning (4:30am, mind you).  If I'm truly desperate and need to wake up more, I have to rely on a dance/sing party in the Jeep on the way out to the trails/work.  Sometimes you have to go with the basics for that...cut to me, this morning:

It's easier than one would think to dance in the driver's seat.  Plus, that song is just so snappy!

I managed to get to work, throw my stuff in the locker room (yup, I'm lucky to have a shower at work, and a ~10-mile loop nearby) and get out the door when I needed to, and felt pretty good about it.  The dance party worked.  It was about 35*F (I still love running in the cold) and the sun was already up.  This is one thing I look forward to that comes along with Spring, 'cause sometimes it's scary running in the dark.

My Go-Go Gadget Legs were still so worn out from the speedwork a couple of days ago.  My quads and hamstrings were tight, but once I started running it all loosened up a bit.  I kept an easy pace over the hills and rollers, and just enjoyed chasing my shadow until it was time to turn around and head back to the school.  A couple of the teachers were already there, so I got to chit-chat a bit with them while stretching.

After showering, working a bit on pressing Special Olympics matters, and planning for lessons next week, it was time for lunch.  I ate potentially the most offensive meal of my life.  Allow me to highlight the offensive ingredients:  this salad had Romaine lettuce, hummus, guacamole, quinoa tabbouleh, and brown rice and quinoa with garlic.  I felt horrible for anyone I came within 20 feet of.

Friday = swim day for my Adaptive P.E. classes.  This is our tiny pool at the REC on campus.  I'm not sure, but I think it's like 15 yards.  *le headtilt*  I get in for about two hours with the kids.  It's pretty awesome.

And swimming, no matter if I just got in the water and played around or if I did a structured workout, will always and forever make me ravenous as all getout.  I searched through the kitchen cabinets at school for a snack and came across some jumbo 'mallows.  Time to play "Fluffy Bunny"!

Things are starting to get really busy here on this bloggie of mine!  I have several things coming up, including a giveaway pretty soon.  I also have some brand new footwear from Altra Running to test out next week.  I can't wait!

Also, THIS.  I'm doing my first color run 5K (because why not just have fun, for crying out loud?), Run or Dye!  Check out the discount code BLOGCHICAGO for $10.00 off registration, y'all!  It will be located at Toyota Park on May 24th, 2014.

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Have you ever done a color run?  Which one?

Does swimming make you hungry?

I'm still hungry.

What's your favorite cause or charity to run for, donate, or support?

Oh Heavens [And March Challenge Updates]

Y'all.  Seriously.  I went to bed last night knowing that there'd be snow on the ground this morning, but this was ridiculous.  They said that we were expecting four to eight inches of snow, after we've seen temps in the 40s and 50s the past few days.  In other words, the sidewalks were clear, there were puddles of melted snow and slush, and my spirits were sky high.  Psh.

I woke up this morning to this:

 WHAT.

I acted quickly.  These past few months of my first winter in Chicago have been a crash course in snow and ice maintenance and safety, to say the least.  I knew what I needed to do this morning, and that was get my booty to the gym out near where I work and get on the treadmill.  First thing's first:  Get all of the fresh white stuff off my Jeep.  Pronto.

It took about fifteen minutes. I also knew that I'd need this for a good portion of the 45-minute commute.

The highways weren't really all that bad, but the roads were.  I got to the gym and quickly hopped on the tready for an easy threesie (#FFMarchMiles!).  It was flippin' hot in the gym, compared to the sweet 20s that it was outside.  Blurgh.  I sometimes feel like it's "artificial" sweat or something when I'm indoors.  Isn't that strange?

The drive to work included the 4WD.  FOR SURE.  Cars were sliding all over the road, slamming on their brakes, and just driving irrationally.  *le sigh*  At least it's pretty!

It's so pretty.  ^_^

Work, work, work, and I was STARVING after my last P.E. class.  Luckily, one of the paraprofessionals at my school stocked the "staff pantry" with some goodies.  Thanks, Barry!

Yeah, my hands are really, really, really dry.  Add the cold weather to the fact that I wash my hands every fifteen seconds, and you've got some cracked skin.  :(

After a doctor's appointment and some grocery shopping, my guy made us some dinner that I basically inhaled was super filling...spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread!  We're about to sit down to watch something on the tube, but I wanted to post a couple of pictures from challenges from today real quick.

From #ZoomaPhotoADay, day 12 is "Hydrate".  I drink about 192 oz. of water every single day, and yeah, I pee a lot.  I've been carrying around a nerdy water bottle since 2007 (right around the time I quit smoking cigarettes).  I get teased a lot, but I gotta take it, since I really do ask for it.  I take it into restaurants, I ask airline stewards to refill it, and carry it with me every which place I go.  Derp.

For the #SweatHappyWithYoga Challenge, I rocked a tree pose this evening.  Harry was nice enough to take the picture for me, then use his fancy iPhone5s free photo software to mess with it a bit.  Behold.

Yeah, that's what I wear to work.  Hah.  Y'all have a beautiful evening!  I'll be hitting up the B-I-B-L-E (that's the book for me!) here in a bit before I go to bed for my 3030 Challenge.  Answer some questions if you're bored.  :D

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Do you need a snack in the afternoon?  SHARE!


Do you have any races or events coming up?  What about travel plans?


Do you have plans for Pi (3.14) day?

I Smile, I Wave, I Thank [And the Art of Anticipation]

No, not that.

That's more like it.

When I see another runner, especially out in the icy snow and cold, I smile and wave.  In Texas, I rarely encountered runners that acknowledged a wave or smile, which I don't mind.  In Chicago, though, it seems like runners really feel each other.  I came across five or six runners this morning, all smiles and waving.  One even cheered me on with an "ALLRIGHT!  WOOOO!" as we passed each other.  WOOOO!

It wasn't particularly cold this morning; though it wasn't warm by any stretch of the imagination.  Harry mentioned that it was "bad cold", the kind of cold that seems more cold than it should.  Meh.  What do I know?  I only went 10 miles, and he did 14.  It was BREEZY, so breezy that my brand new ponytail (my hair was so long, I usually sported a messy bun) whipped around like nobody's business.  It was different.

I love snow, but seriously, I'm ready to see some color other than gray!

Around mile 7.  RUNGRY.  FOR THAT.

As you can see, the sidewalks weren't exactly clear yet.  Although, the weather is warming up, leaving huge slush puddles.  I thanked every single person I saw clearing their sidewalks.  They deserve a pat on the back for, what I consider, trying to keep *ME* from falling down on my butt.  People were out and about today, too...people who would stare me dead in the eyes and walk on the cleared part of the sidewalk in their waterproof boots and make me run on the icy, unstable parts of the sidewalk.  To quote Harry (in jest, of course), "Why is life so hard?!".  Running in this city has taught me about the art of anticipation regarding other humans and their paths.

Do you call out to people when you're about to pass them, just to give them a heads up?  I do, but it only seems to cause drama.  I have to rely on my super agility to spring to the other side of where I called because 98% of people I pass think "On your left" means "I want you to move to the left so I can pass you on the right."  No clue why, but that's okay!  It's only less okay when the place I'm bouncing to is icy and slick, which causes me to use my backup super agility.  Boing, boing, boing...  I try very hard not to get frustrated.  It's not like everyone has to get out of my way, and I certainly don't want to scare people by alerting them that I'm trying to run around them.  I just don't want to fall.  Ever.

So a little over 10 miles at a very easy 9:44 pace over the ice, snow, and slush, and around a whole bunch of people.  :)  Those miles go toward my FitFluential #FFMarchMiles.

These challenges are really going well!  Today's #SweatHappyWithYoga was this:

 And ZOOMA + Altra Running's ZOOMAPhotoADay was "Shadow".  Last year, Harry visited me for my birthday when I still lived in San Antonio.  It was his first trip to Texas, so I had to show him my hometown of Austin!  I took him to the house I grew up in, which backs up to the Greenbelt, where Barton Creek runs.  I showed him the creek I used to go to all of the time, to do my homework, to go read, to just listen to music.  It was my hangout.  He adored it, and had the brilliant idea of taking this photo.

So an oldie, but a goodie.  :)

We just inhaled enjoyed some ice cream and are spending the rest of our Saturday evening watching "Lost".  I got him hooked on this show!  <3

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Do you have a peaceful Sunday lined up, or do you have chores and errands?


Do you alert people you're attempting to pass on trails or sidewalks when riding your bike or running?  What's the most productive way you can do this?


Are you looking forward to the new week?  FRESH START!  

Blog Update [And March Challenges]

Look around!  I messed with some fonts and margins, played with graphics, and did a teensy-weensy bit of HTML work, and made this here blog a little prettier.  Oh, and what's that in the address bar?  LOOK.

That's right!  Drop the (blogspot) out of the addy from now on, y'all.  Update your readers, please!  <3

March is looking to be a pretty CHALLENGING.  I'm already participating in THREE challenges!

Joyce Meyer presented the 3030 Challenge to promote more meditation and Bible study time.  On March 1st, everyone involved in the challenge will pick up their Bibles for thirty minutes every day, for the next thirty days.  I have completely lost track of my quiet time with God, and this challenge called out to me personally.  I'm excited to have that time to myself again.  Here's the wonderful Joyce Meyer herself in a promo for the challenge.

Next, I'm up for the ZOOMA Photo-A-Day challenge!  It's pretty simple.  You post a picture to your Instagram or Facebook that the daily entry signifies for you.  Be sure to tag #Zoomaphotoaday!  Each week, a winner will be selected and they receive a free pair of Altra running shoes. Check out the site for the rules and details about affiliates.

And finally, the #SweatHappyWithYoga March challenge!  I told you about this one in my last post, where the ladies will present a Yoga pose for the day on Instagram, and you demonstrate the pose and post your own photo!  Follow the link in the photo for more information.

On top of all of this, I'm getting eye surgery (AGAIN...ugh!) on March 20th.  *le sigh, le sigh, leeeeeeeee sigh* I hope my eyeballs get fixed this time, for sure.  More details to come about that later.  ;)

C'mon, March 1st!  I'm ready for you!