Coach Jen B

The weather in Maine has not been "normal" at all.  For instance, in the past week we had our 2nd snow storm of the season.  But then we've ended the month with 50 degree days!  It's crazy that I went out to recess duty today without a jacket - on the last day of November.  That just doesn't happen in Maine. Anyway, looking back at the month, I am surprised with my mileage. 107.25 miles!!!!   Last November, I logged 84 miles.  I'm liking the progress I've made in the past year. Last night Ward was telling me that I have surpassed what he thought I was capable with running.   He's so sweet.  Of course, it all stemmed from a disagreement about me and chopping wood.  I told him I couldn't do it.  I have tried, and I just cannot figure it out.  He reminded me that I used to say that about running.  Jeez.  It looks like I have a new challenge: to figure out how to chop wood.  Ugh! While I'm looking at my No...

Can you say I.C.Y.?  The foot of snow we got on Wednesday was enough, but we’ve have some pretty nice 50 degree days, which = melting.   Not bad, but then the temps have been dropping down in the 20’s at night, which = freezing.   Put that together and we get one icy, crazy 10 mile run this morning.   Running on ice changes my entire form and throws me off – especially for the first few runs.   The girls and I had some great spots and a clear path on the rail trail and then some parts that were so bad we just “skated” through them, bracing ourselves to not fall.   By mile 9, I looked at Jill and said “my ass hurts”.   I came home, showered, took some ibuprophen and pulled on my Aspaeris compression shorts.   They are definitely what my glutes and hamstrings need after this morning’s challenge of a run. After the run, I went in the woods with the kids and my brother-in-law to cut down a Christmas Tree.    You see, we are lucky lik...

I was just tagged the other day by Lauren from the blog formerly known as The Running Cook.  She has renamed her site to Sweat Junkie .  Love it.   Thank you, Lauren!!!    The "rules": 1. Thank the giver 2. Share 7 random things about yourself  3. Tag 15 people Okay, here it goes - 7 Random Facts 1.     I have asthma.  For some reason, it’s basically non-existent right now.  It basically disappeared after Izzy was born, so it could have been the chemistry changes my body went through being pregnant to her (lots of things changed with my body after her birth) or I my lungs are just much stronger.  Hmm… 2.     In high school, I was on the track team, but I did not run.  I actually hated running then.  I was a thrower.  Not a very good one, but it was fun.   3.     I am in love with the Twilight Series.  I actually read the entire series while I was pre...

Well, that's what I'm calling it anyway.  The original plan (before the 2nd holiday snow storm came to Maine) was for all 8 of us to meet on the rail trail and go out for our 1st Family 5K.  The boys were going to ride their bikes, the girls were going in the joggers and we were just going to run.   BUT, we were smothered with at least 10 inches of snow yesterday and it's not melting anytime soon.  Let's just say that bike riding and joggers are kind of out of the question right now. snow, already?  seriously?  ugh.   SO....change of plans.   We decided we would go out for our runs in two different groups:  1st Ward & Wade went out for their run, while Jill & I had kid duty.  Wade was the definite winner in the guy run as he made a mad dash through the snow to get to the door first. The 1st 5k of the run was dedicated to Daily Vitamin F's Virtual Thanksgiving 5k!  Thank you, Kiley, for putting this race on.  ...

Today was supposed to be a 1/2 day of conferences.  Note: yesterday was a 1/2 student day with conferences then going from 1pm to 8pm last night - making for a super long day, especially when I get to school at 7am (2 hours prior to the start of school).    BUT, we're getting a snow storm right now.  Yep - our 2nd one for this season and it isn't even December yet.  I am really hoping that having the Halloween storm and now the Thanksgiving storm, mother nature can say she's done with storms.  But I completely fear that it's going to be one hell of a winter.  Grrrr.  OR is this the season where we'll only have holiday storms.  I can handle that!   yes - it's still dark - I have a very hard time going back to bed after that 5 am text comes in Anyway, back to the storm.  I got my text this morning telling me that BSD was closed this morning.  Yay!  BUT, do I have to make up this day in June?  Really?  It's a ...

I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by Liz at My Memories asking me if I’d review her digital scrapbooking software and host a giveaway.  I was quite intrigued by this because I had heard of digital scrapbooking, but didn’t really know what it was.  I’ve been a traditional scrapbook kind of person.  Tucker has a pretty comprehensive scrapbook and I started Izzy’s, but honestly I haven’t touched either one of them in the past 2 years.  Maybe My Memories is exactly what I needed.  My Memories Suite is the #1 rated scrapbooking software out there.  Not only do you create a digital scrapbook, but you can also: “ My Memories Suite will help you build beautiful pages from scratch or make a page using one of the many professionally-designed scrapbook templates provided within the scrapbook software.  A large collection of papers and embellishments are available at your fingertips to help you make each page uniquely on your own.  Drop in your pict...

Last week 2 older women said to our group of awesome lady runners, "When you're 67, only one of you will be running".  Seriously?  I don't get why they thought they had share this.  I think this will just make us work harder to prove them absolutely wrong.   When we saw them today I totally wanted to push them off the path.  Does that make me a bad person?   Anyway, onto some better news.   The awesome ladies at Tough Chik have come up with something absolutely outstanding – Team Tough Chik!   This team is for every woman who wants to race in any capacity – from mud runs to Ironmans, to 5ks to Century fun rides.   I already know of some awesome ladies in my area who have signed up – Carrie @ Maine Mom on the Run  Michelle @ Average Girl Doing Average Things I know they are bloggers, but you don't have to be a blogger to join.  If you choose to join, go here to sign up, then check out the Team Tough Chik packages .  ...

Amanda’s Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge 2011 starts today!   Have you signed up?   I don’t think it’s too late so you should head on over to Run To The Finish and do it.   Amanda has the challenge broken down into three levels: Builders – for people just starting out and getting in the habit of working out, training for their 1 st 5k, or someone who is mostly doing yoga and weights.   Doers– for those people who have been committed to training plan, maybe those training for their 1 st half marathon or first sprint tri or working on increasing mileage. Advanced – for those who are training for a half ironman, ironman, have several marathons under your belt, those who are active in some form every day.   I put myself in the “Doers” category because I am following a plan for the Midwinter Classic.   I am active nearly everyday, but I am definitely not training for an ironman or my umpteenth marathon, so I thought “Doer” better describes me. ...

Yesterday the kids and I got outside for some fun.  It was pretty windy and cold, but it was still incredible to get out.  After the playground fun, we went downtown to Water Street Café.  Izzy and I shared a delicious cracked pepper, tomato, avocado sprinach wrap and beer cheddar soup.  Yum!  I am a person who needs to set goals for myself.  I have also found that if I am not registered for races, I feel “lost” in my runs.  Since the marathon, I haven’t really been following any type of plan other than the one called recovery.  I’m pretty sure I’m recovered – since it HAS been 6 weeks!  Before I go and devise a plan, I need to set some goals.   Once I have the goals squared away, then I can focus on what’s important to me with a plan.    Goal 1: Increase my speed – which leads to goals 2 & 3. Goal 2:  Finish the Midwinter Classic 10-miler in February in 1:20; which = 8:00 pace Goal 3:  Finish the...

Yesterday morning, I ran in shorts and came home dripping in sweat and this morning, I had to run in full length tights and a winter-weight shirt & barely warmed up before I got home.   Brr….Also, yesterday on my run, I heard too many gunshots.   I know I live in the woods.  I know it’s hunting season.   And I know I need to adjust or get over it, but it’s still unnerving to be out there running and hearing gunshots.   If it bothers me so much, I should just drive to the rail trail and run, right?   That is one solution, OR I could just go to Reny’s and buy these for my runs: I'm sexy and I know it. Yep, that is what I was sporting on this morning’s run.   Sexy, huh?    By the way, I saw 3 men in hunting gear walking down the road today with their big guns.   Awesome.   Tomorrow’s run is on the rail trail for sure with the girls.   Last night I made some yummy semi-homemade Apple Danish...