Coach Jen B

Today was a day when I wished I knew how to ice skate because I could have definitely put some on and let Pepper pull me on the Rail Trail.  We had a very light snow action going on when I got out for my run, which isn't so bad, but there was a sheet of ice under it that I did not (could not) see!  Thankfully I had on my yak trax and they provided me with some traction.  I was still sliding all over the place which made for an interesting run.  I got in 6 miles today and it was a hard workout! I've been meaning to share this video with everyone.  My dad and Barb were able to make it to the January Thaw Race last weekend. It's always great to have a cheering squad at a race, with cowbells.   Especially if the only people there cheering on runners are there for me!  1st they stand in the rain for 4+ hours cheering me on for the Maine Marathon, next they stand in the bitter cold for the January Thaw.  Now that's just love, don't you think? ...

l to r - Jen, Jill, Carrie, Kim, Stacy & Jess I talk about these fine ladies enough, so I thought I would feature them so my readers can get to know my girls a little better.  If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be out there on those freezing mornings taking on the long runs.  Jess w/ her adorable kiddos First up is Jess.  If you’ve been following for a while, you know that Jess and I trained for and ran the Maine Marathon together.   She has two adorable kids and a runner husband as well.  Actually, Joe, runs with Ward and my brother-in-law, Wade.  LL Bean 10K - July 2011 Name: Jessica Who/what inspires you to run? My husband, Joe LL Bean 10k - July 2011 What is your best training tip?   Listen to your body. Know when to take a break. Rail Trail 1/2 Marathon - June 2011 What is your favorite post run indulgence? Coffee by the wood stove 2012 Race Plans: Trail running and maybe a second marathon ...

I've been loving the virtual runs in the blog world lately.   I mean, I run every single day (well, in January anyway for the streak) so why not sign up for a virtual run with a chance to win some excellent prizes?  Right?   But then this virtual run came to my attention.   register here A little history, Heather, has three beautiful girls.  Her youngest, 5 year old Gabby, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia last January.  Heather has organized an incredible virtual run where you choose your running distance and donate to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.   I am completely 100% on board with this one because I hate cancer with a passion.   Heather, you are one incredible mom.  I hope you raise lots of $$ for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation!

The 2 Zipfizz Winners are: Guess it paid to be one of the early entries on this one!  Congratulations Jill & Holly.  Didn't win?  There is still time to enter my WrightSocks giveaway which ends Saturday 1/21. 

Winter running definitely has it's challenges.  For me, winter weather can range from 40F with the sun shining to -20F, blizzard-like conditions.  Anything really goes for winter in Maine.   yes - VERY blurry, but the best one I could manage - it was not 11:21, I cannot for the life of me set the time, and it was 54.9 degrees in the kitchen brrrrr and do you see that negative sign?   Yesterday's long run with the girls had it's challenges.  It was -12F when I left my house.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) the car I chose to take doesn't have a temp gauge, but Jill's does.  When we met at the Rail Trail at 7AM, she said her car was reading -4F.  I'm going to go with her temperature reading.  Thankfully, there was very little wind.  You never know what you're going to get when running along the river.  Even in the summer, you can get some brutal winds coming from the river.   To be honest, I was very tempted by Jill's sug...

Socks are very important to a runner.   If they rub you the wrong way, it will make for a very uncomfortable run.  Bunching up, toes too cold, too hot, rubbing - all things that can go wrong with a sock.  I'm sure there are some other scenarios I've left out. Thanks to Tom and Kim at WrightSock , I had the chance to try some of their socks out.  Since I wear a size 9 and my size is borderline between a medium and a large, Tom thought it was best for me to try out   both the medium socks and the large socks. I was sent the Running II Double Layer Socks and the Merino TRL Double Layer Socks to try out.  I've never tried out double layer socks before.  Sometimes I have worn two pairs of socks in the winter, but there has been a lot of rubbing which has led to some unpleasant blisters.  Yuck. First up, Running II sock, retail price $12.00. I tried out the medium and large in the quarter sock.   I wore the mediums for my 12 miler wit...

Today, Carrie and I ran the January Thaw 4.5 mile race.  At the start of the race it was 20 degrees F (but the windchill brought it to about 6 degrees). There were approximately 31 runners who braved the cold and icy conditions to get out and run this challenging loop.  Registration took place in the Belgrade Elementary cafeteria and that is where everyone hung out before the race.  Carrie and I did get outside and did a 1/2 mile warmup, but quickly returned to cafeteria to stay warm. I got the chance to meet Harold, another Maine blogger at the race as well.  Read his post about today's race.  This man an inspiration to me, he was told he was never going to run again, but look, here he is.  And today was his re-entry to the racing world.  He hasn't run a race since 1986!                                               ...