Milwaukee Glo Run

Don't let me fool you.  With my 20 days in a row working 10+ hour days and my board exam next week there has been little time for exploring my new city.  No manicures.  Few phone calls.  Feeling overall fairly unsettled.  So Jay and I did make time for The Milwaukee Glo Run on Saturday night. Our homemade chili and DVR of the UM/ND game waited for us at home.

Runners were given neon t-shirts, glow-in-the-dark necklaces and sunglasses and splattered with neon paint.  A DJ, hula-hoops and beach balls made the start of the run feel more like a party than a run.  The run started along Lake Michigan in a field by The Milwaukee Yacht club and after dusk we rank through a path in the woods headed up hill.  There were a few areas set up with strobe lights, black lights and disco balls.  So fun to watch the people in front of you get pumped up while going through those areas.

Such a cool idea, but not the best execution.  There were plenty of walkers, but people didnt really line up according to how fast they wanted to.  The path was super narrow, very dark (I get it, it's a glo-run) and the out-and-back course made passing very difficult and borderline dangerous.    I'm not trying to run like Usain Bolt here, just a jog and not walk.  Next time they should try either a wider path or do a better job lining up based on expected pace.

Overall, though, we had a great time.  I found out running with Jason really pushes me.   I do love glow necklaces!!!  And the fun of a night time half party/half run was just what I needed.

Pretty Muddy Chicago

Last weekend Annie and I drove to the Chicago burbs to participate in the first ever Pretty Muddy Run.  I'd really been looking forward to blowing off some steam by goofing around in the mud and climbing the obstacles, but really didn't know what to expect.

What I found was a path cleared in the midst of a large soybean field, with plenty of obstacles and muddy road blocks throughout the course.  It was a beautiful sunny and cool fall morning, perfect for diving head first into a pile of mud or tackling a great friend in a mud pit!

*photo credit

The run was great for any group of women with all different athletic abilities.  Much different than other mud/obstacle runs, this was a very non-competitive run.  The focus was fun and camaraderie.  Even those expecting a very challenging course couldn't be disappointed watching women of all ages and sizes lending each other a hand over (and under) climbing walls and encouraging each other to finish running the 3.1 miles.

This was my first even as a FitFluential Ambassador.  We'd all contacted each other before with hope to meet up.  I was so excited and inspired by the women I did meet: disneymommi and F7wellness.  Each fantastic in their own way.  I am so happy to be a part of the FitFluential community.

Sound fun?

Find one in your area and use this discount code for $10 off.

Don't forget to bring money for food/drinks- this is not included in your entrance fee.
Discount Code: FitFluentialPM12

Annie and I already have costume ideas for next year, so who wants to join us?

FitFluential LLC compensated me for this Campaign. All opinions are my own.

Crew Member Bluethmann

The next bridesmaid I would like to introduce is Mrs. Jacquie Bluethmann a.k.a. J-fran, Jacks.

Jacquie and I became friends on sorority bid day.  This tall blonde with a contagious laugh would soon become one of my most loyal and loving friend.  During our three years living together in college, I spent as much time in her room as I did in my own.  We explored (read: got into mischief) Europe together the summer after college and then spent our twenties continuing the fun living a block from each other in Chicago, making it easy for endless long walks and hours of immature behavior.

Jacquie is one of the most talented and eloquent people I know.  After graduating from University of Michigan with her degree in Communications, she worked as a writer at the American Osteopathic Association magazine called "The D.O.", which was perfectly timed since I was in D.O. school and received my copy in the mail every month.  Jacquie then moved on to work in communications at major companies like Harley Davidson and Grant Thorton while earning her Masters degree in Integrated Communications at Northwestern University in her "spare time."  After meeting her equally awesome husband Bill, she moved to Michigan and continued her career in P.R. working for the automotive industry as well as the "Pure Michigan" campaign.  If you aren't already jaw-dropped impressed, Jacquie recently took a huge risk and ventured out on her own, forming JGB Communications, LLC offering a variety of writing and P.R. services.  If you met J-fran, you might never know of all these accomplishments, as she is the extremely modest.  She has taught me a think or two about quiet confidence and gracefulness.  She is the most kind and caring person I have ever met.  That old fashioned kind of genuine goodness.  It is overtly apparent to anyone who is close to her and no doubt makes her a one-of-a-kind mother to her two adorable children.  Family is a top priority to Jacks, not only her children and husband but also her sisters, parents and those of us lucky enough to be her best friends.

*this photo has been framed in my room for a decade and has been referred to as "my family photo"

When Jacquie told me she was moving back to Michigan now almost 8 years ago, I was worried.  Our antics, and trust me- this girl has a spark that might surprise you, are reserved to weekend trips.  But in exchange for single-girl silliness, Jacquie showed me that true friends don't need to be in the same city or even talk weekly to know they hold a special place in each others heart.  No matter where life takes us, I know we will always be family.

Ironman Wisconsin

After a busy four days in Chicago with 11 hours of board review each day and fun dinner plans + bachelorette party at night, Sunday afternoon I drove to Madison to cheer on the Ironman Wisconsin athletes- but mostly this girl.

In an event where people often push the limit between sane and insane, pushing your body vs. down right dangerous, nothing made me happier than when she dropped out of this race.  For those who understand the borderline obsession it takes to train for an Ironman, you know dropping out during the second half of the marathon is much harder than walking the remainder of the race to finish.  But it was smart.  And I am so proud that this friend put her safety and health over finishing another Ironman.  Because, after all, this is a hobby, an experience- that doesn't always end as planned.  Plus swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running over a half marathon is pretty bad ass on it's own.

Added bonuses were getting a chance to hang out with friends I don't get to see enough.  Wellfit friends and EGR friends.  All in one place.  What a perfect Sunday afternoon!

And then there was Erik.  Dressed as a creepy clown. Standing in a cornfield, cheering the cyclists as they rode by.  I wish I had seen their faces.

Anyone want to get #PrettyMuddy?

A few years ago, I read about the Men's Health Urbanathlon and have wanted to complete an obstacle run since.  It seems the races are getting more uncomfortable and less fun (I don't really want to crawl into a super narrow tube and then get electric shocks to my head).  More and more friends photos of mud runs are appearing on facebook every day.  Finally, I found the perfect one to try.

Pretty Muddy is an all Womens' 5K race with several obstacles meant to be challenging with a stress on fun.  The event is not timed and is truly meant to be a good time.  Since my triathlon, I've found it hard to motivate to work out.  With my new job and board exam coming up, I've been pretty stressed and could certainly use some fun.

So, I'm registered for the first Pretty Muddy race- Chicago Pretty Muddy on Sept. 15th in the 9:15am heat.  A perfect reason to head back to Chicago for one night (hopefully celebrate some birthdays) and get down and dirty before heading back to Milwaukee for work Sunday morning.

Sound fun?!  Great!  Join me.

I've got a $10 discount code for you when you register enter:

FitFluentialPM12

If you can't make it Sept 15th, other races are:

Columbus, OH**      Sept. 29, 2012**

Richmond, VA          Oct. 20, 2012

Jacksonville, FL        Nov. 3, 2012

Tampa,  FL               Nov. 10, 2012

Miami, FL              Nov. 17, 2012

This is not my first time playing in the mud as an "adult."  I learned some valuable lessons in the 1999 UM homecoming SAE Mudbowl that I'll bring with me on race day.  But this time playing in the mud will be more civilized.

photo credit: www.umvictors.com

***To use this discount code in Columbus you must wear a clean Michigan t-shirt before and after the race, but wear an Ohio State t-shirt while diving into the mud.

FitFluential LLC compensated me for this Campaign. All opinions are my own.