Tag Archives: long run

Florida vs Georgia

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Happy Sunday, beloved readers.  I woke up with the sound of our neighborhood roosters’ cackles and memories from the previous day’s spur of the moment events.

I decided to try and knockout a 4 or 5 mile run, but once I found my rhythm on the treadmill, I decided to keep going until I hit 8.  I’m not going to tell you what film I was watching on my iPad, but let’s just say that it was magical.  ::wink::

I see what you did there.

Anyways, while I was running, Dear Hubby received a text message from a friend who invited us to the George vs. Florida game for some tailgating and whatnot.  Even though I really don’t have any affiliation with either team, we decided to go because A.) we love football  B.) the college football atmosphere is totally intoxicating  C.) we can appreciate a legitimate rivalry – Michigan vs Michigan State is our lifeblood.

We chose to represent the Gators because we’re in Florida, and our ride to the game is a FL grad…when in Rome, ya know?

 

I’ll always be a Spartan, so it felt a little odd to declare myself a Gator, despite how much I enjoy wearing this shade of blue.

Dear Hubby and I are definitely not strangers to the tailgating experience, but these Georgia and Florida fans really know how to go all out in ways that we’re simply not used to.  I had no idea the variety of blue/orange and red/black combinations in apparel, or in some cases a lack there of, existed!

We saw a little bit of everything:

Apparently, it’s a “Southern Thing” for the females to dress up in their finest red and black cocktail dresses.  And the men wear khakis that have their mascots embroidered all over them.  But no matter how outlandish or creative people were with their team’s colors, the most hideous and mind-boggling outfit was worn by this well-meaning lady:

Hand-painted, multicolored cats is just a fashion DON’T

 

It was fun to be witness, but I’m still satisfied with my jeans and t-shirt look.

 

But no matter what you wore or who you cheered for, it seemed like EVERYONE was having a good time supporting their team.

 

As part of our tailgating, someone made Florida Gators pasta salad.

 

With our tummies and eyes full, it was off to the stadium for the gridiron game time.

 

 

The final score was Florida 9, Georgia 17.   Even though “our team” lost, it was a great experience, being on the inside of one of the NCAA’s greatest rivalries.

 

 

 

I Learned It From a Book

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Good morning and what a happy Sunday it is!

I got in my 8 mile run yesterday and it felt pretty good.  I only had two issues:  1.)  My tummy felt a little barfy even though I had waited almost two hours between eating and hitting the treadmill, and 2.) When I hit the 60:00 mark of my run, the treadmill shut down!  WAIT!  I’m not ready to get off this bus yet!  I was so close!!!

 

My last one minute and twelve seconds, part of the last mile that needs my focus the most to complete, were spent trying to jump start the treadmill.  Good to know for when I’m at my 13 and 14 mile days and have to watch for that TWICE!

I also went to the local library with Dear Hubby, and we are official members of the Pablo Creek/Jacksonville Public Library system!  We both were on a mission:  European History books for DH, and general meandering in the wonderland of books for me!  I didn’t have a real purpose, but found myself in the nonfiction section.  Because we’re OH SO CLOSE to being in the home ownership bubble (day dreaming of owning the roof that is over my head) I found three books that I thought would help prepare me when/should that day happen anytime soon.

 

I am really hoping that these books will help at least take some of the headache out of cleaning.

A look inside:

I am definitely a visual learner, so I greatly appreciated the express housekeeping book’s approach to teaching techniques for cleaning and organizing.

Watching Matt Bomer do ANYTHING would make me love the chore to death!

“What are your qualifications for this job?”

 

True story.

 

 

Opening Ceremony, New Headphones and an Early Visitor

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Good morning and welcome to the weekend, Fancy Oatmeal readers!

I was really dragging when I first woke up this morning because Dear Hubby and I watched the Olympics opening ceremony last night and once I’m up past a certain time of the night, I have a hard time falling asleep.  I know, I know.  I really need to put my college partying ways to bed now that I’m 30.

But what got my heart going this morning was our very first visitor to our apartment: a frog.  Ummm yea.  As I was opening up my laptop, I noticed a little something on the carpet next to my foot.  As I zoomed in, I noticed it was a teeny frog!!!!

 

Obviously I borrowed this photo because A.) I keep my nails better manicured than that, and B.) I was too busy trying to follow the little hopper down the hallway with an empty Solo cup and napkin to bother grabbing a photo, but don’t think I didn’t mentally plot out how to make it happen.  I managed to scoop him up and release him back in to the wild.  Worked better than a cup of coffee to shake the sleep cobwebs off!

Back to the Olympics!

Top Moments of the Opening Ceremony:

Creating the most chills:

Most Adorable:

Best Good vs Evil Moment:

Moment I felt most connected to the Olympics:

Moment that brought the most joy to my heart:

Thank you, Buzzfeed.com.

I can’t tell you how thankful I was that Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira were running color commentary during the ceremony; God bless Danny Boyle and his interpretation of how to kickstart the Olympics, but I couldn’t have made the connection between teenagers texting and setting a new world record for the high jump.  Oh well, that’s what happens when you’ve got the brain of a peanut and get your news from Perez Hilton.

I’m surprised I wasn’t a bit more tired out last night after completing my long run of the week, 7 miles.  It felt really really great to get my mileage up past 5.  That hasn’t happened in quite some time.

The time seemed to fly by, and it was a great opportunity to test drive my new tune band iPhone strap and JayBird Freedom Bluetooth headphones.

There’s nothing more exciting than when this moment happens:

Nothing like a little splash of Master Chef to add to your Awesome Afternoon cocktail!

My hat’s off to the Design and Packaging Dept over at JayBird because I thought the presentation of the headphones, all the way down to the instruction manual, was totally pimp.

After I carefully disassembled the fierce packaging, I read through the instruction manual to make sure that I wouldn’t destroy my new headphones because they are so much more sophisticated than I am.  I chose the proper size Secure Fit Ear Cushions and added them to the buds.

I decided to add the additional safety straps because I know myself well enough to know that I could still manage to rip these babies out of my ears in a freak sweat-swiping incident.  (That last photo is all, “Why so serious??!!??”)

Anyways, I also used a new iPhone arm strap because my old one was too sweat-logged to be able to continue on.  I’m not that bright, so I never really washed it that well after runs, mostly because I was too tired, so it smelled like cabbage soup and funk.  Out with the old, in with the new!

If nothing else is gained from this blog post, you’ll know that living in FL = “Contagion” style freckle breakouts for Amanda.   Sheesh!

My Overall Impressions of JayBirds:

Pre-Run:

  • Obviously I’m in love with the look of the headphones.
  • VERY easy to assemble and figure out how to connect to iPhone via Bluetooth
  • Audio for Dummies approach to volume, changing tracks, and taking phone calls
  • Snug, comfortable fit in the ears

Post-Run:

  • Very comfortable; didn’t feel tight or itchy throughout entire run
  • Sense of freedom not having to worry about wires
  • Superb sound; music was just as clear as wired headphones
  • No skipping, music or myself
  • Easily adjusted volume and tracks while running
  • BONUS: When I decided to cut off the music and just read, the background noise was reduced.  This allowed me to stay in my own little running bubble, but still stay present enough to know if someone was yelling/horns honking (found this out on my walk home)

Overall, this was one of the best purchases I have made in the name of running or technology.  They’re definitely more expensive than running out to Walmart and buying a pair of traditional/wired headphones.  However, if you’re looking for comfort, ease of use, quality audio, and product that is guaranteed to be sweat proof, invest in a pair of JayBird Freedom Bluetooth Headphones.

PS – Any swag that JayBird wants to send this way, I’ll be sure to mention your generosity and pimptitude on my wildly successful blog.  *WINK, WINK*