Coach Jen B

I finally did it and I'm nervous as heck.  Every little ache or pain is going to send me into a tizzy.  And believe me, that's easy.  I finally registered for my spring marathon - Maine Coast Marathon .  I talked about it, created my plan, but didn't truly commit until last week when I finally officially registered.     I will not be doing the 39.3 Challenge.  While it sounds enticing, to me it sounds like paying for another injury.  I'd like to get through this marathon without injury as I have some pretty big plans for the rest of 2015.   Last Sunday was the official kick off for training - with a 12 miler with Carrie, my fellow Mainer Team Spandits training partner.  We even did something that doesn't happen a lot in December - we ran on the Kennebec River Rail Trail!  Usually by now I've sworn off the rail trail as it's not maintained very well during the winter and it is plowed, then the melting/reicing actio...

It would be an understatement to say we are a busy family.  This year seems to be a new level of crazy - basketball for both children, dance for Izzy, marathon training, track practices, and many more work commitments. I am always thankful for a healthy snack I can toss in my bag for those times we are constantly on the go, so I know I have something healthy for myself and the kids. What's equally nice is having an assortment of snacks the kids can grab from on the way out of the door in the morning for their snacks at school!   Special K has recently released a new line of snack bars -  Special K Chewy Snack Bars - made in four delicious flavors: Berry Medley, Blueberry Bliss, Salted Caramel Chocolate, and Salted Pretzel Chocolate.  Each snack bar only contains 100 calories and each box of 6 bars costs $2.69.    In our house, the Salted Pretzel Chocolate was the first to disappear.  Next in line was the Salted Caram...

I am quite thankful the school district I work for has two full weeks of school off.  It's just enough time to regroup and come back ready to kick off 2015.  Christmas is nearly here and I am just about ready.  The last couple of weeks have been nuts and I really was feeling quite overwhelmed - forgetting appointments/work shifts at the gym.  I don't forget things like that.  So for me to forget commitments definitely tells me that I need to scale back.  And that's what I'll be doing these two weeks....scaling back and enjoying time with the kids.  No commitments. Now that I am finally feeling somewhat sane again, let me share with you a sweet and simple drink I've enjoyed the past couple of weeks.  I'm not a fan of drinking my calories.  Never have been.  I'm also not a soda fan.  But since Zevia has entered my life (and why can't it enter my local grocery store? please!!!) - I've been so happy.  Zevia has zero calor...

How's the week going for you so far?  We're closing in on Christmas and things couldn't be any crazier!  I don't know how people with more than 2 children handle things, because I'm barely staying afloat right now.  I've feeling incredibly overwhelmed with the list of things that need to get done and our commitments.  I keep reminding myself....just 2 more days of work and we're home-free.  I think I can.  I think I can.   if I can do this in the wet snow, on a rock wall - I can survive the rest of the week! Today, I had a little bit of a break because about 10am, my classroom phone rang...and it was the middle school nurse.  I had a very sick son sitting in her office.  Sadly, I was in the middle of a class.  However, as luck has it, my assistant principal was walking past my room at that exact time.  She said she would take care of me and notified the office so they could find coverage for me.  I am incredi...

There is no surprise we need to keep our bodies well hydrated.  I find as the air gets drier with winter air, I feel like I need to hydrate more often.   1.  Carry water with you.   When I go to school, I have a water bottle with me that I fill several times a day.   Going to dinner at my in-laws?  I bring my water bottle.  Heading to the grocery store?  I bring my water bottle with me.  Target?  Yes, water  bottle.  Playdate?  For sure.  Going to the gym?  Well, that's a no brainer!   Most of the time I have a water bottle with me, but when I have Phenoh 7.4 in my refrigerator, I bring that with me to the gym instead!  2.  Start your day off with water.   Yes.  Before coffee.  You know you want that coffee or tea, but quench your thirst with water first.  You can thank me now.   yes...I wake up so early it's still dark!   3. ...

Another snow storm (yes, 4th since the start of November!) and it isn't even "officially" winter yet! Tucker's basketball game has been cancelled this morning, so I'm actually enjoying a quiet morning, sitting by the wood stove, drinking some coffee, after actually sleeping in.  It feels rather weird...but incredibly nice. I will run today.  But later.  This relaxing time is so nice!  While I sit here, in my cute Pure Simple tights I received from JD Sports, a pretty cool UK Company , I think to myself..... why can't I have a job where I can just wear running clothes all of the time?  I come home from school and change as quickly as possible into running clothes.  When Ward and I go shopping, he says "no running clothes!  try for some regular clothing for once!"   I don't know about you, but I absolutely love the feel of running clothing.  It is so comfortable and I don't feel constricted like when I wear jeans.  My calves and thighs...

Hello December 1st!  Here in Maine, it feels and look like winter is in full swing.   Looks like it should a Christmas photo?  Nope.  This would be a Thanksgiving morning photo!  Craziness.   On Saturday, I met up with Carrie and Leslie for a 12 mile run.  It was a very chilly run - started out in the upper teens and was mid 20's by the end of the run.    photo courtesy of Leslie! I'm rather thankful it was sunny and there was very little wind, which made the weather conditions much more bearable.  However, the company was fantastic!  Looks like Carrie and I love Spandits?  Right?  Well, we do.   You should buy some today.   ( Cyber Monday - in stock items at Spandits are 25% off!!! )  -- tell the ladies that Jen (and Carrie) sent you.   photos from Leslie and Jen  Then Sunday, the temperature was warmer, but it was overcast and raining in the morning.  I st...

I find I have to say this to myself over and over again.   Relax.   As the holidays are in full swing - scheduling gets packed.   Kid's holiday activities, concerts, work gatherings, family gatherings.  Making sure I have time to do all of those things, get my work out in and take care of myself can sometimes be a little dicey.  I tend to carry my stress in my neck and back.  The foam roller doesn't really do the job for those areas.   I was super lucky to have a Theracane sent to me to review.  At first, I wasn't so sure about this little device.  My initial thought -- "How in the world is that going to help my achy muscles?"   You know what?  It is a little miracle worker.  For $35 (on sale through the end of Monday 12/1 @ $29.95) - it does the job, and then some.  It's actually a handheld, self massager that helps to work out the knots in your back, shoulders, neck, gluteus, legs, feet....

I love to sweat.  I know, you are not surprised.  But you know what I love even more?  I nice hot shower after a super chilly fall/winter run.  Standing in that hot shower, warming up is a great feeling.  But even more so when I'm standing on something rather than an icky shower floor.   In the Boudreau household, we love wooden products.  My husband is a very talented craftsman, who is constantly renovating our home.  For us, the Bamboo Deluxe Shower Floor was the perfect accessory for our bathroom.   We have a small, "master" bathroom with a shower stall.  Not super luxurious at all.  And the shower floor is less than desirable.  I do not like the texture of the shower floor.  But the feel of a bamboo floor is so nice on the feet.   And it looks great too!  And with the great sales going on right now with ToiletTree on Amazon, you can buy a Bamboo Deluxe Shower Floor for you or ...

Here we are!  The last Monday on November.  Where in the world has the time gone?  Life gets crazy and then all of a sudden I'm thinking "wow, Thanksgiving is THIS Thursday!" There are a few great things about that: 1.  I work 2 days this week.   2.  I will take photos at the Gasping Gobbler Thursday morning for Maine Running Photos.  3.  I get a lot more time to RUN on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday....  Yippee!!!   4.  Thanksgiving is always tasty and fun!   Welcome to running with a hat, jacket and gloves every single time.  Well, when I run outside.   My eye is on the prize - Maine Coast Marathon.   If you are planning on that race - my good running friend, Carrie has a code to save you some $$$.   My plan: 1.  Strength train 3x a week  (so far so good!) 2.  Keep my running base solid (averaging 40 miles/week right now)...