FitBloggin: Part II
Saturday
I had to wake up at the crack of dawn for the New Balance 5k run/1k walk. Actually, it wasn’t even dawn, yet! The alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. and after a rough night of sleep ( the husband and daughters were restless), I was worried about being able to run the 5K. But, I got myself geared up and headed to the meet-up area inside the hotel.
For being so early, there was a lively bunch!
Heather of Skinny Sushi, Mary of A Merry Life and AJ of AJ Loves To Lose…
Skinny Sushi, Sue (aka Mrs. Fatass) of Did I Just Eat That Out Loud, Julie of Chubby Mommy Running Club, Fitarella and Steve of 265 and Falling…
We got a little pep talk from the New Balance reps…
Then, we went outside to begin the run. It was supposed to be a “fun run” which meant no time chip or award-type fanfare. I was glad for that because we all know that doing a race is not my thing 
Thankfully, I had a partner for the run! Mel of A Box of Chocolates and I had talked previously on Twitter about running slogging together. I found her right before we started and we took off together. Mel and I run at the same pace, so it worked out great!
I fought a little with some side stitches, but my legs felt surprisingly good, so I just worked through it. The beautiful sunrise and view of the waterfront kept me going…
Mel and I kept a nice steady pace the whole time. We made it to the end with some “whoooooo hooooooos”! I was so proud of us for doing it! Yay, Mel!!!!
I got a quick shower and went to breakfast sponsored by Quaker. It was an oatmeal bar, which normally isn’t my favorite, but I was too starving to care!
I dished up some oatmeal and topped it with brown sugar, dried cranberries and nuts…
I poured a big cup of Starbucks coffee…completely necessary…
and had a fresh orange …
The sessions started right after breakfast. Every minute was accounted for and there was so much that I wanted to learn. And people I wanted to see!
I got to meet Jen of A Prior Fat Girl (so gorgeous, inside and out)…
and Jen of Watch My Butt Shrink and Rebecca of Journey Beyond Survival ( I love these ladies; they are so very cool)…
Thanks for teaching me how to use my camera, Jen 
After a couple of informative sessions, we had a break for lunch. There was a wonderful spread of salads, sandwiches, veggies and soup. More plentiful vegetarian options were available for this meal, so I loaded up!
I chose the grilled veggies, a veggie sandwich on rosemary focaccia and mushroom soup…
I chatted over lunch with more great bloggers : Gail of Shrinking Sisters and Danielle of Danielle Abroad. Such interesting ladies!
More sessions followed after lunch. I found the sessions regarding SEO and earning money with blogging to be really informative. Honestly, there is a lot to digest! I think it’s interesting that many bloggers are able to earn some money with blogging. Blogging for a living was never my initial intention when starting my blog. I feel so passionately about what I do and it does take up quite a bit of my time, so I think it would be nice to see a “hobby” turn into a “business”! Food for thought
My afternoon snack was a sample from Twin Cakes Bakery. I got to try a couple of flatbreads from their Pure2Raw line…
Hmmm…I wasn’t a fan of these. The taste was a little odd and a bit overpowering 
After the final session and entertaining keynote speech by Dave Grotto, I decided to debrief by meeting up with the husband and daughters for dinner. I missed out on the closing reception sponsored by Jell-O and was sad that I didn’t get to say good-bye to everyone, but I was thrilled to hang out with the husband and daughters! We grabbed a quick bite to eat (yeah, it was their choice – go figure)…
then went to catch Alice In Wonderland at the Imax. That was one. creepy. movie :/ Although, Helen Bonham Carter was fantastic as the Red Queen!
Sunday
We all got a much better night sleep. We woke up refreshed and hungry!
We walked to Panera Bread for breakfast. I decided on the Strawberry Granola Parfait…
Love that they put the nutritional info right on it…
Maple Butter Pecan Granola…uh, yes please!
We ate al fresco, then soaked in our last views of the waterfront…
Good-bye, Baltimore! Hope to see you again, next year 
Have a great day, everyone!
Questions? Email me! aloserforlife@gmail.com
41 comments
Sooo beautiful. You are just as gorgeous in person might I add. I can’t wait for next year either. It was really a haven. So happy to meet you.
Marisa Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 7:29 am
Loved meeting you, too!
Your pics are great! Will you send me the ones with me in them?
I am SO excited for next year!
Marisa Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 7:30 am
Sent
Great recap! Your pictures came out great, and I LOVED hanging out with you!
Can you send me the pics of me and you? I’d love to use them for my recap post…
Marisa Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 7:30 am
Loved hanging with you, Jenn!
Looks like lots of fun was had!!
I officiallyREALLY want to go next year!!
AWWWEEESOOOME! What a treat to meet the women and men behind the blogs…live and in person! It sounds like it was a great event.
Great recap! I really wish I could have gone… I would have loved to meet everyone… And I’m glad that you were able to include the family in the weekend!
Have a great week!
What a fun weekend!! I sure hope I can go next year.
Beautiful scenery. Love it.
Glad you had a wonderful time.
Can I tell you how cool it was to meet you? IT WAS SO COOL!!!!
I skipped the oatmeal bar and went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast
I needed a little more than oatmeal after that run 
Great pics, btw! Can’t wait until next year
I am so going next year. These recaps make me so jealous!
I love part 1 and 2! Thanks for the great re-cap! I really wished I was there
I sulked a little, I can not lie. lol Glad you had fun!
Thanks for the recap. I feel like I was there!
What beautiful pics of the city! I’ve never been there!
What a fantastic weekend! It makes me want to be a blogger too!
How did you feel during your run? I like chipped runs but that’s because I’m competitive with myself! But a fun run sounds, well…fun!
Pomtini??? I want one!
Marisa Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 7:32 am
I was surprised at how good I felt despite my lack of sleep and proper food the night before! I could’ve run longer!
yay for the run! i am so jealous of all these fun recaps!
boo hoo! looking at all of these pictures is making me miss everybody even more. I really love you guys! and I can’t believe I had to go all the way to Baltimore to meet the woman (that’s YOU) who shops at the same Trader Joe’s as me. geesh!
Marisa Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 7:32 am
I know, that is so wrong!
Marisa, sounds like a blast. Pictures are fab and you look Great!
sounds like it was a great time and so jealous you got some goodies from Pure2Raw! I’ll have to plan better next year so I can attend
Great recap and what a fun event! It must have been nice to put “faces” to the blogs you read! And glad you thought my brother was funny!
Glad I got to meet you! I love your photos (I had every intention of taking photos and then my wireless mouse died and I took batteries from my camera to use in my mouse). Seeing your photos also reminds me that I was so appreciative of the truly good food they served us!
Sounds like you had a great time …. and now I want some maple butter pecan granola!
Great meeting you!!!!!
Awesome recap!! I felt like I was there…next year I will be!
So FUN! You just got to meet so many cool people – jealous! Great job at sticking to your no meat for lent!
The event looks so amazing and how much fun to see all those fellow bloggers!
I have a blogger award for you, stop by my blog and check it out.
Wow! Sounds like a fabulous time!! Love all the pics!!!
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fabulous pics! I wish I could have gone!! I love seeing so many food bloggers all together EATING
Wow, such beautiful pictures! It must have been a wonderful experience to meet so many other bloggers.
What a great recap!! So glad you got to meet so many bloggers – I love a bloggie meet up!
What a great recap post! You got some great pix. I’m bummed that I missed out on some pix. Must get better at keeping the camera handy. I’m so glad that we got to run together. We did it!! Next stop…Philly 1/2 marathon. We can do it!!
Marisa Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 7:33 am
I think we are crazy!!
YES!!
*fist pumps*
I see the back of my head!!
LOVE the post. and am still lamenting my lack of picture taking…
I was born in Baltimore but haven’t been there since then! You are so beautiful and I’m so jealous you got to meet all those great people and they got to meet you!
Congrats on the run!
looks like a great time!
Looks like you all had a great weekend – good going on the run.
Your oatmeal looks like a heart
Marisa Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 7:34 am
Haha! Just noticed that
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