Coach Jen B

The past few days I've been reflecting on 2012. I've had many PR's . Gasping Gobbler 5k - 21:24  January Thaw 4.5 Miler - 33:52 Tufts 10k - 46:39 Race The Runways 1/2 Marathon 1:44:04 MDI Marathon 4:00:27 rocking the start at MDI - another marathon in the rain! I also ran my first 200 mile relay race with team Need for Speed at Reach the Beach: MA last May.  I see myself doing another relay sometime, just not right now.   Not only was a part of a fantastic team, I came out of it with some great friendships. I decided to try out trail running.  I realized that I have no sense of direction and that I have to really pay attention to the trail markers.  But after a few races, I think I'm liking it and will do more next year! I've continued to run with the rail trail chicks - and continue to find them to be the most enjoyable runs of my week.   Well - next to being able to run with my husband.  I've been lov...

Why do holiday breaks go by so fast?  I cannot believe it's Thursday already.    1.  On Monday, I got a great package in the mail.  Inside that package were two Handfuls!  1 purple Handful bra and 1 purple Handful tank.  The more I wear Handful , the more I am in love with the company and their product.   I now need to buy more tanks - one in each color.  I am addicted.  The feel of the tank is amazingly silky smooth.  I was cuddling with Izzy Monday night and she couldn't get enough of the smoothness and kept rubbing the bottom part of the tank.   2.  Today we had another snow storm.   I know I posted the other day about running in the snow, but I'm also not afraid to admit sometimes it's not the greatest idea to run in the snow.  Today was one of those days.  The wind was absolutely brutal.  I started out the day thinking I was going to tough it out and run outside, but in the f...

It was Christmas Eve, 12 years ago and I said yes.  Actually, at first, I said no, but within moments that no turned to yes. Let's rewind,  Jill, Wade, Ward, and I used to live together in a cute house in Days Ferry.  An adorable community in Woolwich, Maine.   I had just gotten back to our house, when I saw Ward, Jill and Wade getting in the car and driving off.  I tried to catch them, but I was too late.  Anyway, I called Ward and some not so pleasant words were exchanged.  I wasn't happy. The three of them were on their way to Freeport to do some shopping before our dinner with Ward and Wade's parents.  Needless to say, I showed up to dinner with Ward and Wade's parents, alone.  Jill, Wade, and Ward showed up a little later.  When they arrived at the restaurant, the three of them just stared at Ward's cell phone.  A little odd, but oh well.  I was still mad. Then the phone rang.  And all three of them jumped up. ...

I cannot believe Christmas is here already!  I've really enjoy the past few weeks with the kids and doing some Christmas activities in our area. LL Bean has been the major source of our holiday fun.  This store really puts on quite a holiday event.  They started with the events in mid-Novemer and are still going strong.  I've taken the kids down several times to different events. Carriage Rides  Ben and Bill, two beautiful horses, and their owners are one of the main shows at LL Bean.  They are offering carriage rides around Freeport.  It's just a quick little ride around the block but it's still quite a bit of fun!  Izzy is still in love with them.  When we went down to LL Bean yesterday, we say Ben and Bill heading off for another carriage ride and she shouted out "hi Ben and Bill!  I love you!"   The Sparkle Parade I wasn't sure this one was going to happen.  It was a very dreary, rainy night, ...

One of the reasons why I became a teacher was for days like Monday - Snow Days!  Not really, but they are an added perk. Having Monday off was perfect.  It gave me an extra day to be with the kids and hold them closer, because I wasn't quite ready to send them off to their destinations yet after the devastating events at Sandy Hook. It also gave me another time to run with the husband, in the snow.  I really do love running in the snow.  Especially a fresh new snow.  You know the kind of snow I'm talking about.  It's still white and fluffy.  But there are a few challenges that come with running in the snow. What do I wear on my feet?   Shoes of course!  But not any old shoes.  I suggest wearing a pair of shoes with some traction.  My Mizuno Wave Rider 15s were fabulous last winter.  Currently, the only shoe I have with some decent traction are my Saucony Kinvara 3's.  They don't have tons but it was better than ...

This past Sunday, Jill, Stacy and I met up for a chilly run.  The thermometer read 9F just as I was heading out the door.  It's getting colder! We met up on our beloved rail trail.  I'm not sure how much longer we'll be able to run on it because as the snow starts to pile up, the rail trail just gets far too icy to deal with.  Ice and running do not mix. While we were very happy to run together (while we were missing Carrie who is swamped in renovating her new house - hurry up, Carrie!), the mood was on the sad side.  We spoke about the Sandy Hook events and how it affected us and our fears.  All three of us are teachers and have young children.  Our hearts go out to the families. I ran 11 miles will Jill and Stacy and then went back out for 2 more miles to total 13 for the day.  On the way back from the last 2 miles I kept hearing the cracking of the ice from the river.  I think that sound made me feel even colder.  Soon the...

Of course you are.  We all are, in our own way.   But today is the day I announce the lucky winners of my Sprigs Earbags giveaway.   Congratulations winners!   Email me at runningwiththegirls@gmail.com by Sunday night with your Earbags choice, size, email address, and mailing address.   Didn't win?   No worries.  I still have a fabulous discount code for you to use.   Using the code RWTGEarbags, you'll be able to enjoy 10% off orders up to $29.99 and 20% off orders above).  This code will expire on 12/31/12.  I used it to order some texting gloves .  I cannot wait until they get here! Not only are they going to be incredible for running with the my iPhone, they are going to be even better in my classroom this winter.  I've found that when I'm writing reports/grading/lesson planning my fingers are FREEZING... now I'm going to be warm and styling when I working.  

People who really know me know that I am not a reader.   It takes quite a bit for a book to grab my attention and I have the attention and interest level of a junior high student.   I’ve had plenty of books suggested to me.   If I get a few pages into the book and I’m not feeling it, the book makes it way to the “maybe someday, yeah right, pile”.   Dallas & Melissa Hartwig’s It Starts With Food came my way a couple of weeks ago and it’s definitely held my attention for the past couple of weeks and hasn’t made it’s way to “that” pile.   Now, I haven’t been reading a whole lot lately because I’m just exhausted at night (when I would read) and I’m crashing harder and earlier than normal.   But when I do get the chance to read, I am liking what I’m reading.   What really caught my eye was what was written on the inside of the book jacket “Since 2009, their underground Whole30 program has quietly led tens of thous...

My inlaws recently moved in with us, while their house is being built.  While it's been quite a change for everyone involved, there's definitely been one incredibly huge benefit.  They are more than willing to watch the kids so Ward and I can run together.  Something we don't get a lot of time to do.  Usually the only times we can run together take place in the warmer months when Tucker can ride along with his bike and Izzy can travel in her jogger.  With the kids spending some time with their grandparents, it's allowing time for Ward and I to run together.  This week I was able to run with Ward three times!  Monday night was an unexpected run.  I had already gotten in a speedy 5 miles just after school and was tired already as it was.  But when Ward came home and suggested I run with him, it took me all of two seconds to say "okay".  It was dark and spooky on my road, but I felt completely safe with Ward.   Then Wednesday I...

It's never too late to recap, right?  I've been meaning to recap this week for days now.  I've even had the post written up in my head, but then when I finally find time to sit down at my computer, I completely forget.  Perhaps I've been far too busy doing Christmas shopping on the computer instead of blog writing. Running mileage for November: 136. at least I'm up 20 miles from October.  Right?   Biking mileage:  0.  Hmmm...I think it's because Ward banished my bike to the hallway.  It's boring to be out there.   Races run:   1.  I ran the Gasping Gobbler Thanksgiving Day, with a 5k PR time of 21:24 .   Total Mileage for the year:   1476.57 miles.  Ward's at 1542.  Ugh!  He's kicking my butt this year! Now - here are my goals from my October Recap.  Let's see how I'm doing with them..... Speed work - I really want to run a sub 4 hour marathon - so speed work it is....

With winter coming up quickly, focusing on staying healthy is very important to me.  It seems like everyone is sneezing or coughing.  As much as I'd love to just put a big bubble around myself and my family, I know that's a bit extreme and freakish.    Instead, I try to focus on the following tips to stay healthy.  Of course, it's not 100% fool proof and I've been known to get sick, but I'd like to think these little hints help me stay mostly healthy throughout the cold/flu season! Keep Active.   Schedule in at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.  Keep the blood flowing and endorphins going.  Once you stop, it's harder to get back into it.  I keep a schedule to keep myself motivated.  I have found that without a schedule, I flounder and give up more easily.  I also try to remember to rest of my rest days.  Some days 30 minutes of physical activity means stretching.  And stop making excuses! "I don't have tim...

With winter knocking on our door, keeping active and staying warm might become a challenge.  What I have for you, is a chance to make your outdoor activities a bit more comfortable and warmer.  That's right.  I have a giveaway for you today. Last week I posted about my lovely experience with Sprigs.  As you can see, they are great for any type of outdoor activity - running, walking, playing in the yard.  Just imagine the endless possibilities as winter rolls along and the snow starts flying - skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, more running, ice skating.  The possibilities are endless. There are many fabulous things about the Earbags: - They are small and convenient!  Just grab them on your way out and either put them on or tuck them into a pocket.  They don't have the bulk other ear protectors/warmer come with. - They come in many colors an options - fleece, cable knit, sport mesh, animal print, snowflake print, and even with an earbud...

The temps are dropping like crazy and we're getting all sorts of lovely Maine winter weather. In only two days, our weather changed from frigid and windy to snowy then to freezing rain.  Lovely. Yesterday morning, I went out for a run with the husband and brother-in-law.  I also need to mention that it was 16F.  Brrr. We ran 5 miles and it was a lot of fun.  Finally I'm able to at least keep up with those fast and speedy BQers for their slow pace with a comfortable middle pace for me.  They were both definitely hoping for me to be slower because they kept telling me to slow down. Then last night, I thought I'd look ahead to this morning's weather. Ugh.  We already had a light snowy coat outside...then add freezing rain on top of it = ice rink.  Not fun.  I quickly started tweeting Maine Mom on the Run about the weather.  I finally convinced her to be a wimp with me and run at the gym on the treadmills with me.  Then I...