Coach Jen B

It is THE winter road race in Maine.  I've looked forward to this race every year since I started running it.   The MidWinter Classic is a 10 mile race in Cape Elizabeth held on Super Bowl Sunday and it just seems normal to get up and run 10 or more miles, swing by Trader Joes and buy all of the food for the game, then come home and eat/drink and watch some football.   It's just what we do!   photo credit: Maine Running Photos  This year was absolutely no exception.    I didn't know what to think of what my race would be like going into this year's MidWinter Classic.   My mileage was WAY down.  I was down and out from a back strain which sidelined me for over a week.   To add to it, I've be sick several times since the start of 2018.  Ugh.   It wasn't looking good for this years race.    But I was registered and I was going to run, so I just ran.     photo credit: Allyn Genest If you liv...

I'm not a winter person.  I've never learned how to ski, ice skate or snowboard.   They never appealed to me.  BUT the one thing I DO love about winter is snowshoeing.     Add snowshoeing and running together and I'm in love!  For me, snowshoe running is a fun way to break up the year of running.   Last year I completed the Bradbury Snowshoe Series and had an absolute blast.   Signing up for the series this year was an absolute no brainer.   I'm pumped I got in.  While it's no surprise, I don't really enjoy running outside in the winter.  I DO love to strap on my snowshoes and go for a run in those.    trail cam caught my leg!  ;)  A couple of weeks ago the 1st race of the season took place at Bradbury.   This one was the Squall, which is the 3 miler.   I'm not very good at memorizing races on trails.  All of the twists and turns just blur together to me.   Thankfully I'm not goin...

Oh jeez!  I am SO late on this one.  This past weekend I ran the Bradbury Blizzard and was so excited to tell you all about it, but then I realized I hadn't done my Whiteout Recap!  I can't recap race #3 of a series if I hadn't done #2!    So here you go!   The Bradbury Whiteout was nearly a month ago.  (oops!)    Maine had gotten hit rather hard with some snow in the week leading up to the Bradbury Whiteout Snowshoe Race.  Which made me super happy!  I know, I know.  I really do not like snow.  I hate driving in it.  I don't like running in it.  But I LOVE snowshoeing in it.  Then add in running in snowshoes and it was incredible!    he looks SOOOO happy The Bradbury Whiteout was a 4 mile race with a lot of single track and some of the course on some snowmobile trails.  The first Bradbury race I went to, I went alone.  But then I convinced Ward to come with me to the Wh...

I enjoy local races.  I really do.  But for some reason, I had the hardest time going to this 5k.   It's only 3.1 miles.  Seriously!  I just ran a marathon.  I should be excited about shorter distance.  I should!  But the thought of a 5k scares the crap out of me.   Especially this one, I haven't run it for 4 years since I earned myself a massive a PR there.  I needed to run this 5k to get over my fear of 5ks.   I wasn't going to go.  I had about 20 excuses why I shouldn't.  But Coach Amy put it on my plan. So I went.   I changed my outfit about 10 times Thursday morning and then second guessed my choice about 50 times, so I packed a bag with options.  For a 5k!   I'm losing it.  I really am.   It was about 27 degrees when I left the house, and I'm not a huge fan of running in the cold.  But I need to get over that!  But then I met up with the fabulous KVC running group. ...

Whenever we leave the state, crossing the Piscataqua Bridge and seeing this sign always makes me smile.   Maine.  The Way Life Should Be. I've been hearing this for almost as long as I can remember.  Way before my parents moved us to Maine in 1990, they brought us up to Maine to vacation.  Every summer we spent a week in Maine.   My parents moved us to Maine in 1990 and it was definitely one of the best decisions ever.  I've been living her for over 26 years now, and I am quite proud to call the State of Maine my home.  And I'm even happier that Ward and I are raising our children here.   When I think about what I love most about Maine, I think about the natural beauty of our state.  You do not have to drive far to be able to see and experience the views Maine has to offer.   We have water.  Lots of fresh, clean, water.    We have beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and many p...

Summers just seem to fly by so fast!  Jeez.  It seems like yesterday I was heading out to my car anticipating what this summer would be about.  I knew it would have a lot of running and had hopes of lots of beach time. Like all summers, time got away from us.  Track took over our lives for a majority of it.   But we still managed to have a great summer.  Lots of swimming, camping, and letting my kids just be kids.  It was perfect!    And just like normal, the last week of summer comes and I feel like I need to provide my kids with a fun activity each day - so we did.   There was one rule though.  I had to keep it low key because Tucker had a cyst removed last week and had doctor's orders to not overdo it.   Monday was all about the mini golf and ice cream.   Low key.  Fun.  Lots of laughs.  Completely perfect.   And of course jump trampoline jumping! Because...