Coach Jen B

Friday is HERE!  One day closer to my big 39 and gulp, my last year in this age group.  I better make the best of it!    This week has flown right by.  Just like that.  I'm okay with that.  That means getting closer to spring faster...and then summer.  Of course this week we only had school 4 days.  Monday and Tuesday --- snowday Wednesday, then Thursday and Friday.  A week broken up like that is absolutely perfect.   What do I have to HIGH FIVE for today?   STRENGTH I'm focused and more determined than ever to build my strength.  Nightly strength sessions are paying off and I'm feeling stronger and happier.   HEALTH Tucker has been healing SO well.  He's starting to rebuild his cardio fitness.  It's taking time, but he's been amazing.  I'm so proud of him!   ALTRA FAMILY! I'm definitely getting my family to LOVE Altra's just as much as I do. ...

What gets you moving?  Does the drive to workout pull you out of bed in the morning?  Do you have someone that motivates you?  For me, I'm driven to lead a healthy lifestyle for my family. My mini-me sporting her Spandits and doing wall sits with me Nothing makes me happier than seeing my kids be active and being active with them.   getting Tucker to work on his cardio after recovering from his surgeries I will admit. There are days, when rest is just necessary.  Sometimes that turns into a two or three days.  It's okay.  I tell myself that it's completely okay and it's just my body telling me I need rest.    family strength training session Then there are days, when I really just don't want to work out and it's hard to get out there.  I find this especially true after a race, where I just need time off.      I feel that I am most focused on my workouts when I specific goal...

Why do vacation weeks fly by so fast?  Seriously!  A regular work week tends to drag on and on sometimes.  But a week off is gone in no time!   Rocking the newest Tumbledown (fleece lined) hat .      Use SPANDITSLOVE for 10% off (and say Jen B sent you).   Kinda like the snow this winter.  We get a storm.  Then the next day it's 50F and we have this remaining.  I'm seriously not upset by the lack of snow.   I would prefer for us to have green grass and flowers.... but I won't complain.   So what have we been up to this week?  Rest.  Every single day during the school week, we're on the go for one thing or another.  Dance.  Gym. Meetings.  Soccer.  So I make it a priority to rest during break.  We definitely need it.   RUNNING!   And by rest, I mean running.  You get my logic.  Right?  No time like the present for an interval session on my fa...

I've been hesitant to put this in writing.  It seems like so many of my running friends started off 2016 with their race plans and calendars for the year, while we entered 2016 nervous as heck facing several surgeries for our son. Now that things seem to be progressing in terms of recovery, I think I'm ready to start to put together plans for 2016.   February MidWinter Classic.     I had registered for MidWinter Classic back in November.  This is usually my only race in February, but it's a great one to keep in there!   March Cabin Fever 15k Dash For Dyslexia. I've never done a 15k before.  So, it's an automatic PR, right?   The course is local.  Challenging.   But local.  There will be nothing easy about this race.  But it will be a great challenge.   What's even better is Terry will be hosting her monthly Yoga for Runners Workshop after the race. Talk about perfect timing!   ...

There was a time when I toughed it out and would run outside all winter long, no matter what the weather was like.  Ice pellets in the eyes, slippery conditions, icicles growing on my eyelashes... I've done my time outside and in the dark and I've seriously come to love treadmill running.   Now, I get it.  Treadmill running takes a certain amount of training.  At first I hated it.  I couldn't wait to finish a mile on that thing.  But over time I've come figure out a few tricks of the trade to get me through and actually enjoy running on the treadmill.   Escape the elements!   Now, you do feel quite badass when you finish a run in the driving rain, or a blizzard, or in the pitch dark.  But let's be honest, I don't find it fun to run in the dark or with ice pellets hitting my eyes.  I do like running in the rain....but I'm a little picky about what kind of rain.  A cold, bone chilling rain? No thank you. ...

If you couldn't tell by now, I'm not a person who dwells on the negative.  What's the point?  I just don't get it.    There is so much to be grateful for. Tucker is healthy.  He's making a full recovery from the surgeries and his skin graft has taken quite well.  We still have appointments, but we're feeling rather good about not having to put him through any more surgeries.   no big surgery reveals.... he's still healing!    Isabella is 7!  She's a sweet and caring young lady, who loves to dance and create art.   I've been married to my best friend for nearly 15 years.     Everyday is a great day to share the celebration of life and celebrate #WelcomeToWinning with a floral arrangement.  Check out some of the great discounts ProFlowers has here .   disclosure:  I was sent a bouquet of flowers as part of this campaign.  I was not required to provide a ...

Someone once told me when you are reading the labels of your food, you should be able to actually read and know what each of the items are in the ingredient list.   With Larabar , I know exactly what the ingredients are because they keep it simple and use Real Food . source Thank goodness for Larabar and all of the delicious choices they make!  Now, I've tried most of the Larabar original bars, the Uber bars and Renola.  I had no idea about the Alt Protein bars and need to get on that pronto! source Check out Larabar's Product lineup: Larabar Flavors * Apple Pie * Banana Bread  * Blueberry Muffin * Carrot Cake  * Cappuccino  * Cashew Cookie * Cherry Pie * Chocolate Chip Brownie * Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte  * Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough * Chocolate Coconut Chew * Coconut Chocolate Chip * Coconut Cream Pie * Gingerbread * Key Lime Pie * Lemon Bar * Pineapple Upside Down * Peanut Butter and Jelly  * Peanu...