#guestpost Really Horribly Terrible Marathon-Training Advice from Jack Sh*t

You say you're going on Hiatus  because you need a little blogging break and don't know what to write about, and a blogger you greatly admire comments, "Maybe write about bloggers you admire.  *hint hint*".  You find this really funny and reply back, "Or maybe get one of those bloggers I admire to write a guest post? *hint hint*"

Wouldn't you know it, a really awesome guest post showed up!  I had the pleasure of meeting Jack Sh*t way back at FitBloggin11.  He's just as funny in real life as he is on his blog and the fact he took the time to write a guest post for my readers here (when I wasn't expecting one) shows what a stand-up guy he is.  Since it's Thursday and I usually post something thankful, I think this really fits because I'm thankful to know bloggers like Jack.

Without further ado I give you...

Really Horribly Terrible Marathon-Training Advice

A Guest Post by Jack Sh*t

• If you’re planning to run a marathon right after going to the restroom, make sure you don’t have toilet paper stuck in the back of your pants. A 26.2-mile stream of toiler paper is extremely wasteful!

• If you put a treadmill in the back of a pick-up truck and have someone drive you around while you run on it, it feels just like you’re running outside. Try it yourself if you don’t believe me!

• It’s important not to get dehydrated on long runs, so consider wearing a hydration pack or carrying a bucket of water balloons.

• Running’s easier if you’re as light as possible so before you head out, send me all the cash out of your wallet.

• Find what motivates YOU to run; for me, it’s when somebody says “I think the security guard saw you shove that down your pants.”

• Spend at least one day per week practicing carbo-loading.

• If you’re a barefoot runner, refrain from training in a field of broken glass and rusty nails.

• You shouldn’t run if it’s rainy, or looks like rain, or if there’s a chance of rain, or if it’s too sunny, too cloudy or too plain-looking.

Remember:  it’s all about putting one foot in front of the other (never – and I mean never – put one foot in front of the same foot!).

Jack Sh*t is a blogger that blogs his blog at Bloggityblog.blog, where he goes on and on and on about weight loss and explores the lighter side of lightening up. A Google search of the term “Jack Sh*t: America’s Greatest Hero” produces zero results.

Thank you, Jack!  You really put a smile on my face this week :)

 

Flashback Friday: #Fitbloggin Edition

This weekend, many of my bestest twitter/blog (and IRL) friends are descending on Baltimore for Fitbloggin '12. I'm so heartbroken I couldn't go this year. I had the best time EVER at Fitbloggin '11, as these flashback pictures show.






I miss these girls so much! Have a great time, ladies! Someone get pics of Thea at Zumba, m'kay?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thankful Thursday: Friends!

It just occurred to me that I forgot to write my Thankful Thursday post this morning.  I had a good excuse, though.  I was busy wrapping up work so I could hit the road.  (I'm actually posting this from my laptop as I use M's mobile wifi hotspot - so I'm also thankful for freaking cool tech gadgets!)

This weekend I'm thankful that because of a totally random happenstance that was a band competition and a conference, I get to see Kirsten and meet Ali on Friday!

I'm incredibly thankful for my friends.  They make me laugh.  They keep me sane.  I couldn't "BE" without them.

So, ladies, I'm bringing the margaritas!  Kirsten, make sure to fill up the ice bucket :)

Fitness Friday: An App for That?

Accountability

Motivation

Companionship

Three concepts/words that would help so many of us in our fitness journeys.

This week I got to run with a good friend as part of a group run.  It made me realize how much I miss running with someone.  How it makes the time go faster and how that person can help push you and encourage you to kick it up a notch.  

The problem is finding people in my area with similar fitness goals (and in the case of running, similar abilities).  Sure, we have running groups around here, group exercise classes at the Y, I'm on Daily Mile ... But how do you really connect and find people to help keep you accountable?  How do you do it?

I wish there was an app for that.

Thankful Thursday: Buds, Brews, & Booze

This week I've been enjoying the occasional adult beverage after work. (It's been a long, stressful week my friends.) I even got to enjoy a brew with a good friend after a nice walk to the brewpub on Saturday.




I am most thankful for my buds, but the brews & booze have been appreciated this week too!

A FitBloggin '11 Top 11

The top 11 things I learned at FitBloggin' 11 in Baltimore, Maryland

(yes, that totally rhymed but I'm leaving it).

Enjoy

11.  Stay real and true to yourself. 

When I bought my domain name, I had the hardest time deciding on a name.  I had lots of suggestions, but ended up going with the name I proudly wear today.  My goal in life.

Live Life to the Fullest.  Laugh Often.  Run Free. And Just Breathe

10.  Zumba can be fun.

I can honestly say I had a great time during the Zumba class.  And who wouldn't have fun with Thea Zumba-ing (yes, it's a verb) next to you!

9.  I need to communicate with my readers (That's YOU!)

Katy Widrick and Jess Milcetich said in their "Branding Basics: How to Be a Social Media Susperstar" presentation how important is to show readers that I'm listening.  I've always just used the standard Blogger comments, but my biggest complaint was the inability to respond to your comments.  I now have Intense Debate and CommentLuv.  So, please use it and I'll talk back to you!  (It is a work in progress and may not be working at 100%, but it'll get there.)

Update: the comments are not showing up, but I'm getting them in my email - I'm working to fix the problem but any suggestions would be appreciated.

8.  Size doesn't matter - at least in regards to my camera

According to Jim Doran, I need to work more on "The Art of Seeing" vs the "Act of Taking a Picture".  I can stop obsessing about using my little iPhone and Canon Power Shot cameras for my blog photos.  Sure, a big girl camera would be nice, but unless I'm printing poster sized images, it just isn't necessary.  The rule of thirds, angles, lighting, practice taking pictures, and good editing software are more important.  Plus, I can take a pretty decent photo with my iPhone when I want to.



Pretty fish at the National Aquarium

7.  Going to FitBloggin' doesn't mean you have to eat roots and berries (unless you want to). 

The food from sponsors Attune Foods (yummy cereal with lots of fresh fruit), Egg-Land's Best eggs (the best hard boiled eggs I've ever had - and I don't even LIKE eggs), LaraBars, Nature's Greens, popchips, the list goes on and on.  I wish I'd taken pictures of the food!

6.  FitBloggin is the only place you can put a couple hundred women and a few men (Woot! to the Men of FitBloggin) in a conference center and everyone interacts like old friends.

The blogging community really is a community of friends.  I don't remember which session it was, but someone (maybe Katy?-sorry I don't remember) talked about how we shouldn't be in competition with each other, but should help each other learn and grow as writers and bloggers.  I loved this.



photo credit: carriedphotography

5.  I need to be more consistent in my blogging.

This goes back to Katy and Jess's presentation.  I plan to start more of a consistent schedule for my blog.  Sure, I usually do the posts for the Shrinking Jeans challenges on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (and I wouldn't have even BEEN at FitBloggin' if it weren't for one of their contests so I owe The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans BIG TIME - THANK YOU!!!), but I need to add some other regular posts.  I've been posting my 365 photo posts randomly throughout the weekend, but from now on they will always be posted on Mondays. 

I would LOVE suggestions from you for some other regular-type posts.  Please-leave me some ideas in the comments and I'll see what I can do!

4.  Jack Sh*t, Charlie, and Sue are just as funny in real life (if not funnier) than they are on their blogs. 

Plus, that Jack Sh*t fellow is a real dream-boat (someone "anonymous" said that on one of my previous posts).

3.  You will leave with no shortage of swag if you go to FitBloggin'.

Seriously, next year I am packing an entire separate suitcase, just to bring home the swag.  The New Balance shoes and capris were awesome and all this other stuff was just icing on the cake I mean hummus for my carrots!  This isn't even all of it.  Most of the food-stuffs were consumed in an effort to close my suitcase.

2.  Running with friends while wearing a tutu freaking ROCKS!  I'm a total tutu convert.

Christy, Kirsten, ChristieO, Lisa, Me, Thea

1.  Plane tickets $, Hotel Room $$, Cocktails $$$, A weekend with Friends: Priceless



JenInRL



 Lisa

ChristieO & April

Roo

Me & Kirsten - on the shuttle ride to the airport - so sad to say goodbye

After the recaps have all been read, new blogs have been added to Google Reader, and the session notes have been reviewed, in the end there are some memories of FitBloggin that will forever stay in my heart.  I thank The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans,  Roni and the organizers of FitBloggin for not only helping me become a better writer/blogger, but for the memories I will cherish for a lifetime. 

I went to a little conference last weekend to learn about blogging and run a 5k, but I gained so much more than a little knowledge and a workout.

Until next year, FitBloggin'!