Coach Jen B

I've been avoiding this post for quite some time, because once I put it out there, I'm kind of stuck with it.  I've been obsessing about it for months now and I am ready to say I am committed.  Yes, I am committing to a marathon training plan. The big reveal... Yes, I have decided to go with the Hanson Marathon plan.  Thankfully my friend, Seth, helped me out with this plan.  I've been observing stalking Ward, Wade, and Joe's Boston Training.   They are doing a modified version of the plan and it's pretty intense.  When I say intense - I mean, each week there are 8, 10, or 12 mile midweek speed runs.  I am lucky to find time to get in an 8 mile run midweek - but now I'm signing up for a 12 mile speed workout?  Oh jeez!  I must be crazy. To be honest, I've already gone off plan.   Ooops!    Monday was the official "kick off" for 16 weeks prior to Sugarloaf .  And the plan I chose is 16 weeks.  However,...

I'm not a milk drinker at all.  I've never been one. Nearly 3 years ago, Izzy was diagnosed as lactose intolerant and I made the switch to Silk.  I didn't even know it existed until then and now I'm never going back to regular milk.  Now, I'm not saying there isn't regular (cow) milk in the house - there is.  I just don't drink it and neither does Izzy. We prefer Silk.    I like that Silk comes sweetened and unsweetened.  I also like how versatile it is.  I use it with my granola, in my coffee, and add it to recipes.   Silk has a variety of delicious recipes you can find on their facebook page.   One breakfast favorite in our house is pancakes.  They are incredibly easy to make and it's easy to change up the ingredients if you are low on something or want to use something up.  Pancakes are a big hit with the family as well.  They want to eat them morning, noon, and night, so I can never go wrong with...

I was recently contacted by the folks at FitKit to review a line of their vitamin packages.   I was intrigued by their product because I do believe taking supplements is beneficial for me and being the healthiest I can be. When I accepted the review, I was directed to go to the FitKit site to complete the quiz - which is an interactive quiz that focuses on your fitness levels, nutrition levels and lifestyle. Some of the questions are like this -  After I completed my simple, 17 question quiz -  I was given results.   And a the reasons why!   I must admit, I do like it when a company takes into account current fitness and nutrition levels and personalizes a vitamin supplement for you AND tells you why.  That's excellent customer service. My FitKit arrived in no time and I started taking it immediately.  I have to admit, I have been feeling pretty good since I started taking it.  I feel like my energy levels are h...

I cannot believe time has flown by this fast.   My baby is 4 today!   Happy Birthday to my little sweetie.  

Yesterday, the girls and I headed out for our long run from my house.  Weather.com was calling for snow/rain showers and near freezing temps, so I was a bit surprised when it was sunny and warm enough to run without gloves on as we stepped outside. We have the Cape Elizabeth Midwinter Classic 10 miler coming up in a couple of weeks and that course is a bit hilly, so we thought our run today should be hillier than we've been doing.  So, hills by my house it was.  Sadly, Carrie couldn't make it, but our friend Karen came up to join us. Then about 4.5 miles into our run, I happened to look behind us and saw two familiar people running up behind us.  I think they thought they were going to sneak up on us, but they did not. Our girls run party was crashed by the husbands - mine and Jill's. really - we are happy here.... the sun was in Jill's eyes and I tried taking this picture a few times A beautiful day. + Running with my girls.   + Running...

The other day I ran down to the school's fitness room, just 4 doors from my classroom, to get in a quick run afterschool.   Minutes into my run, I get a text from my best friend, Stacy, who was running on the treadmill at her school - less then 30 miles away. So, of course, I had to send her a picture of me running.   I think it's definitely normal.  Don't you?  

I am loving Tina Reale's Best Body Bootcamp .  The first two weeks have flown by and I'm definitely feeling stronger.   Here's my week recap:   Monday: 5 miles - treadmill Tuesday: Workout A + Circuit Interval  Wednesday: 7 miles - progression run, treadmill Thursday: 8 miles, treadmill + Workout A + Interval Workout B Friday : Workout C + Circuit Interval Saturday :   4.5 miles, treadmill Sunday : 12.3 miles, outside Total Mileage - 37 miles (for #TeamEscapades #ChillyChallenge) I'm finding lately I am heading for the treadmill for running.  I'm not about to run outside in the dark.  No way.  I'm a chicken.  And when it comes down to it, it's incredibly convenient for me to walk down 4 days at school and hop onto a treadmill at school.  On a good day, I can crank out 7 miles before having to head home to be there for the boys to get off the bus.  Yes, I'm missing my outside running, but I'm r...

It is my pleasure to introduce you to my friend Louise.  While we haven't met in person yet, I still consider her a friend.  We've had many great conversations on facebook, emails, and in texts.  Someday (soon, I hope!) we'll meet!  She blogs over at Runners Ramblings .  I encourage you to visit her blog and show her some love.  This woman is an inspiration. Jen has graciously asked me to do a guest post here on  Running With The Girls, and I was happy to oblige. After careful thought I  decided to write what I am passionate about!  Running Shoes! :) Shoes. Everyone needs them. Everyone wears them. Some of us are totally  addicted to them. I, on the other hand, only have an addiction for the  running kind. (Though if you ask my husband, his reply will differ from mine!)  This started a year ago, January 2012, when I was researching  running shoes. I wanted to do lots of reading to find out what would work  best for...

Monday was the kick off for Tina Reale's Best Body Bootcamp .  Honestly, I was a little nervous about how it would actually impact my running.   I'm in the midst of base building and getting ready to begin marathon training - so my time is already pretty packed. As it turns out, Tina's circuit's are very time friendly. Before I started, I needed to do my initial fitness test : Wall sit:  1:07 Push-ups:  16  (what I could complete in 1 minute) Plank:  0:57 Burpees:  17 (what I could complete in 1 minute) Cardio:  1 mile in 7:50 on the treadmill I see room for LOTS of improvement here.  This is an 8 week bootcamp with a fitness test at week 4 and at week 8.  I cannot wait to see how things improve! after 6 miles with the guys yesterday morning Here's my week:   Monday - workout A, full body circuit, 3 rounds (45 minutes) +10 minutes on bike Tuesday - 7 miles, treadmill Wednesday - workout B, core circuit, 3 r...

On Monday morning, Gary Allen was taken to the top of Cadillac Mountain in Bar Harbor, Maine by snowmobile.  He then set out on a 700 mile running journey in snowshoes.  Of course, after he was off the mountain, he did change into his Nike's.  His destination - Washington DC, with hopes of arriving in time for the inauguration.   This man is the definition of inspiration.   You can watch a news clip here . Gary Allen at the top of Cadillac Mountain - source He is doing this to raise money for three great causes - Wounded Warriors, American Cancer Society and Sandy Hook Elementary.   If you'd like to donate to any of these causes, please visit his Maine2DC site.   Kevin, Sarah, and Gary in Freeport, Maine - photo courtesy of Chuck Maletich Gary has had some excellent running partners along the way - Joan Benoit Samuelson joined him the other day, my friend Sarah has joined him a couple of times, even my dad joined him.   Pho...

Just after Christmas, I received a box of packed full of goodies from FRS .   Of course, whenever I receive goodies in the mail, I usually have to fend off the kids and husband.  But this time, I had a hard time keeping them away.   And you can see why!  Check out the selection they sent me!  Energy, Protein, and Healthy Slim.  So many choices.  I didn't know where to begin.   FRS Protein I decided that my first taste of FRS was going to be the Blackberry Acai Healthy Protein drink.  I had just come back from a 10 mile run and was quite excited to try it out.   I really enjoyed this one.  The flavor was rich and it had a thicker consistency.  The only downside is that I had to share with Izzy.  I guess it's really not a downside.  She loved it and so did I.   I was a nice wife and let Ward take the Orange Cream Protein drink with him to work, just as long as he reported back to ...

For me, 2013 is about making changes to my eating habits and choosing healthier meals.   Diet-to-Go arrived at my door just in time to help me kick off my year with a strong start.   First impressions go a long way with me, and I was impressed from the start.  They arrived in a large cooler packed with ice packs and were still quite cold when I got home and found them.  I received 9 meals, 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners.  All of them looked amazing and I couldn't wait to dig into them.  I was also impressed with the labeling on each of the packages and the breakdown of the ingredients and nutritional values.  I was quite pleased that the foods were real foods.   I lack variety and creativity when it comes to breakfast.  Most of the time it's eggs or granola and yogurt.  I want quick and convenient and mostly healthy.   Honestly, I've been getting quite tired of those choices.  To say I was excited for Di...