February Virtual Coffee Date

February 7, 2025 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 12 Comments

Happy first Friday in February! I’m joining several other bloggers today for a virtual coffee date, which is fun. If you know me, you know I don’t actually drink a lot of coffee in real life, or caffeine. But if you care to join me over a decaf latte, here’s what I’d share over coffee:

Note – there are some affiliate links below, so if you decide to buy my exercise bike, thanks in advance 🙂 But I really do love all these!

I’m over winter … but surviving! Okay, I hate to start with a grumble, but if we were actually meeting for coffee, I’m sure you’d say the same! We’ve had SO MUCH wintery weather this year, and many schools were closed near me yesterday for ice! Can’t it just be spring? Here is how I’m surviving this winter:

My treadmill – I’m LIVING on it.
My Merach exercise bike. I admit it’s no Peloton, but as someone who mostly works out on a treadmill or outside, it’s been nice to have an affordable bike for me to use as cross training when it’s too cold, icy, or my legs are sore.
Yaktracks. I bought these new ones a few weeks ago for running, and they seem to work well! I don’t love running on snow often because it impacts my gait, but if there’s a little snow and not much ice, these have been lifesavers.

What I’m reading lately. I am still in the middle of Onyx Storm and just got to some serious action and can’t put it down! I don’t want to finish it because I’ve heard it just ends (ugh!) and it will be some time before the author writes the next in the series. So I’m taking my time. I did just finish two good reads that I’d recommend:

If you like historical fiction with a little spice: The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr was enjoyable. It was like Evelyn Hugo meets World War II Nazi drama.
If you like sci-fi that takes place in modern times on Earth: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green was so good. I loved the way it was written and that it wasn’t too far out. We read it for book club and I’ve already read the second book because I couldn’t wait to hear what happened next!

What I’m excited for this weekend. Our weekends have been crazy lately – we typically have 2 basketball games, a soccer game, 1-2 futsal games, piano lessons and ice skating … and all that’s for the kids! Well, this weekend I’m taking time for ME and going to the Cleveland Marathon Kickoff Run! It is thanks to arranging for childcare, having my husband carry the load, and having FW get rides from other parents … but I’m going to make it happen and go run with the group on Saturday morning.

photo from last year’s kickoff run

As a reminder, I’m a Cleveland Marathon Ambassador, which means I also have discounted race admission should you want to sign up – you can use SAVE20MELCARN for 20% off your race entry into ANY of the races (including 5K, 10K, kids run!).

Thanks for joining me for my Ultimate Coffee Date!

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Ultimate-Coffee-Date-1.jpg Ultimate Coffee Date is hosted by Coco and Deborah

Questions for you:

If you have crazy weekends, how do you fit in time for you?
Are you over winter yet, too?

Five Friday Fitness-Related Favorites

March 15, 2024March 13, 2024 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 6 Comments

Happy Friday! I’m joining the Fit Friday Five linkup today to share Five Fitness-related Favorites. Say that five times fast amiright?

Now that my leg is nearly recovered, I’m feeling like I am finally getting back in the groove of my fitness routine. I’m back to running (somewhat) regularly, doing cross training, planking daily (up to 2:30!) and fitting in push ups and other exercises. So here are five things that I’m loving lately, related to fitness:

Note – there are some affiliate links below, but I really do love all these!

A good pair of shoe inserts. These are my go-to orthotic inserts for my running shoes. They are (relatively) cheap (compared to prescription ones) and they last me a while. Each time I buy a new pair of running shoes, I remove the inserts that come with them and add these instead. They’re so easy to use and keep me feeling supported when running!

From their website (but I’ve also bought at Amazon and from Fleet Feet)

PowerStep Pinnacle Insoles | Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Relief Orthotic

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My massage gun. I was gifted with the Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun and it has become part of my routine. I use it weekly on my legs and lower back to help loosen up sore areas or places that I’m tight at. It comes with different tips, and you’re able to use it as a hot OR cold massager, which I LOVE. I’m always cold in the winter and love the heat option. I haven’t used it in the summer, but I know the cold will be lovely in summertime. It also comes with a carrying case, which makes it easy for when I bring it from the basement (where I work out) to other areas of the house. Note — if you want to try out this massage gun for yourself, here is a 10% off discount code: PRC2PRO10. I don’t personally benefit from this code, but you do get a good deal, thanks to the Bob and Brad team.

carrying

A variety of core workouts. I have been trying to do a plank every day, and am doing 2-2:30 minutes ata time most days, which is great for me! I also like to switch it up and try different online core workouts. One of my favorite fitness influencers who has a variety of core workouts that I’m loving these days is Pamela Reif. She has a ton of pilates, yoga, aerobics and core/ab workouts, which I have been trying out. And best of all – they’re all free and online for anyone!

My running vest. In Cleveland, it’s the season of in between weather. And on those days where it’s not quite cold enough for a jacket, but it’s too cold for just a shirt (or when I just want some extra pockets), I THRIVE in my running vest. I had a Nike one for years, which I have loved, but as it got older and more worn, I was looking for a new option. I found this affordable one (more affordable than some major running brands) on Amazon which has been perfect for me! In the winter I was wearing it over my running layers for extra heat. This week, one morning it was in the 40s and I wore shorts, a long sleeve and this vest. It’s perfect if you’re looking for something with pockets, that’s affordable and less frills.

(Yes, the brand name is “Little Donkey,” which is hilarious)

I’m wearing it in this photo – I brought it to Thanksgiving for their turkey trot!

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Local raw honey. What does honey have to do with fitness you ask? Plenty! Well for me, at least. I LOVE honey for my fuel for long runs. I have honey packets for carrying with me during long runs. And because I’ve been fighting a cold, I’ve been having a teaspoon (err..or a few teaspoons) of the raw honey that we bought at Pancake Town a few times a day – before my run, and later in the day as well. It not only gives me energy, but I truly believe in its healing powers. Oh and it tastes delicous!

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Shoe inserts, a massage gun, online core workouts, my running vest and raw honey – those are what’s keeping me fitness-happy lately. What about you?

Fit Five Friday is hosted by My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher

Questions for you:

Do you like honey? I admit I’m kind of a honey fanatic.
Do you wear a running vest often?

Friday Favorites and a Virtual Coffee Date

March 1, 2024March 1, 2024 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 14 Comments

Happy first day of March! I’m joining several other bloggers today for a virtual coffee date, which is fun. I can’t remember the last time I did an actual real-life coffee date with someone (it’s been some time), so it’s fun to share with you instead some things I’ve been enjoying lately.

Over coffee, I would tell you that these are five things I’ve been grateful for lately:

Note – there are some affiliate links below, so if you decide to buy my bike, thanks in advance 🙂 But I really do love all these!

This tea. Okay, I don’t actually drink caffeine regularly, so if we were having a coffee date, I’d probably be sipping on some delicious tea – Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice. And this tea has been giving me life lately. If I do need a little jolt of energy, this is what I’m brewing these days. If you like cinnamon, I highly recommend it!

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My exercise bike. I have been getting over a running injury (ugh!) and I’ve been so grateful to have my Merach exercise bike to get me through the past few weeks. It has kept me sane when I can’t run, and also given me a way to sweat and work some new muscles that I don’t focus on when running. It’s no Peloton, but I does it’s purpose and is a great bike for when cycling is your cross-training and not your primary workout. Oh, and it’s a great tool to have when your toddler is waking up at 6 am on weekends and wants to watch Daniel Tiger …

This nail polish. I go through phases with my nails, but I have always loved a good painted nail. This Esse Gel Couture is a polish I use at home (thanks to my friend Emily for introducing me to it!) and it lasts longer than my traditional home “manicure.” I’ve done my nails on a Friday or Saturday and gone to work most of the following week with it still looking good, and that says something! Best of all – it’s regular nail polish. No need for any UV light or do anything special to take it off. I use regular polish remover with acetone and a cotton ball and it comes right off. I have this bright red color and the below pink, which is an amazing nude color.

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What I’m reading lately. After reading Killers of the Flower Moon, I wanted to find an easy, short book and this was everything I was looking for. Sourdough was a light, fast read. It wasn’t my favorite book of the year but it was quick and easy. It also made me think about getting into the sourdough baking cult (yes, I know I’m 4 years too late).

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Morning walks. As the weather starts to get warmer, I’m so glad to be able to get in a short morning walk with GM after the big kids go to school. The bus picks them up around 7:15, and if I’m working from home, I have a 45 minutes or so to kill before starting my day. While it was chilly some mornings this week, we had some beautiful 50-60 degree days with a gorgeous sunrise and I was able to get GM out for a few miles. These walks have also been key to my sanity while I’m not running – getting in any movement has been a blessing!

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