Coach Jen B

Ward warned me.  He said "it's a beautiful day, are you sure you want to do a speed run on the Rail Trail?"  I assured him that it was the "best" idea.   I wanted to go to the rail trail mostly because the majority of the trail is flat.  Yes, there are some "bumps", I definitely wouldn't call them hills especially after some of the road races I've done this year!   I haven't put a lot of speed work into my running, so today was the day. My goal was to get a baseline - 2 miles of speed and the rest (whatever it turned out to be) was to be recovery.  The McMillan Running Calculator says I needed to do my tempo run with a pace between 7:40 - 7:56.  Hmm....good goal for me, I think.   Before I started running, I decided I was going to stop and reset my Garmin between each "set" so I would know exactly what my pace was for each segment.   Here's what I did: 0.5 mile warm up - 4:09 (pace - 8:18) 1 mile speed - 7:00 0.75 mil...

I've been thinking that my routine was missing something.  I just wasn't sure what.  I know that cross-training is important for runners mostly because the constant pounding on the road just wreaks havoc on the body.  To help out with the aches and pains from regular running, and because of an IT band injury last August, I see a chiropractor on a monthly basis.  I look forward to the adjustments and feel incredible after each appointment.  But I know I needed something else.  Biking?  When it gets warmer and when I actually get the tire fixed on my bike, I'll consider doing more.  But the locking bike shoes/pedals that Ward insisted I get for my bike really freak me out.  I've fallen off that bike more times than I care to admit right now.  Perhaps I'll be a better biker this season.  I sure hope so.   Then last night I received an email from Terry, one of the founders of Yoga to Run .  She and her friend, Jen, are starti...

I've been a big time slacker this week.  I had so many plans - like painting, cleaning up the garden, catching up on paperwork, blogging, run, and hang out with the kids and friends.  Well, I ran and did get some hanging out with the kids and friends in.  I guess that will have to be good enough because break is over.  The good news is that there are 38 more school days left. I hope everyone had a fantastic easter.  I hosted a brunch here for my little foursome, aunt & uncle, and Ward's parents.  Before brunch, I did manage to get in a quick 3.5 miler.  I needed that run. I love brunch so it's always a fun cooking experience.  I completely forgot to take pictures but today's menu included: - ham - hashbrowns (unfortunately I broke my food processor by shredding the potatoes in it today, oops!) - frittatas - 3 types: cheese, spinach, and sausage - pumpkin scones - blueberry scones - strawberry/rhubarb pie & my aunt brought up a ...

Well, spring break week is almost over and we finally had a nice day.  I started off my day with an early 10 mile run with the girls along the Rail Trail .   While I love running the Rail Trail, I also enjoy the convenience of parking in the Hannaford parking lot which means pre-run pee breaks and post-run grocery shopping.  Nothing like doing the grocery shopping after running 10 miles.  Not only do I look awesome (not really) and smell incredible (not-so-much), I'm absolutely starving and want to buy everything.  The only way for me to avoid caving in to my hunger, I bring my list and make sure to follow it. Some of the items on the list were for dinner tonight -- Fish Tacos.  Tonight was the first time I ever attempted to make them and I must say they were delicious.   Recipe: 1 lb Haddock (cut into smaller pieces) 1/2 cup flour 4 eggs 1 cup panko baking dish/pan coated with spray Toppings: broccoli slaw diced tomato salsa (tonight I used pine...

          I’m not going to lie.   One of the reasons why I’m a teacher is the vacation time.   With any luck, April break has beautiful weather and makes me long for summer.   I started off my vacation with a much needed 8 mile run on the rail trail.   It was gorgeous weather.   Saturday morning I met the girls on the rail trail for a 9 mile run.   While it was a bit chilly in the beginning, it was still a great run!   After the Race the Runways ½ at the beginning of April, we’ve dropped our mileage back to allow for some injury healing and we’re going to increase our long runs again in prepping for the next ½ at the end of June.   The beauty of the half marathon at the end of June is that it is going to be held on the rail trail, the exact location of most of our long runs.   After the run yesterday, Ward and I took the kids to Bailey & Orrs Island with his mother and grandmother.   While it was qu...

Awesome give away!   Check out this blog for details!  She's giving away a used Garmin 305, spibelt, and a super cute t-shirt.   Good luck!

What a week it's been!  And it's only Tuesday.  I still have to get through Wednesday, a very long Thursday (1/2 student day then conferences until 7 - ugh), and Friday (a very early Friday - with a 7 am meeting) and then conferences until 10).   But, then it's vacation. I don't know about all of you, but my head was absolutely overloaded today.  It was filled with this jumbled mess of - IEPs I need to write, IEPs I need to score, other student issues, conferences, bills, and what to do about the chickens!  How did I deal with it?  I went for a run. Let me tell you, that run was the best idea I had all day.  I came back in a better mood, more focused, and almost have action plans for everything that was clouding my head. Plus, I got to run in a t-shirt and shorts.  THAT by itself makes me so happy.  Oh, and that there are 40 more school days left til summer.  Oh thank goodness!