Coach Jen B

The B.A.A. Half has been on my radar for few years.   I decided earlier this year that this year was going to be the year of the half marathon. So I put my name in the lottery.  I had planned on mastering the half this year, so why not run a race I've been wanting to do?   Just before I found out I was running the B.A.A. Half, I had applied to be a Maine Marathon ambassador.   I honestly didn't think I had a chance at getting that cool opportunity.  Little did I know that one day I would find out I was doing the B.A.A. Half and shortly after that I would find out I was an ambassador for the Maine Marathon.     I probably should have looked at the dates for each of them, but really, would I have changed my mind?  Absolutely NOT!    So, now I was running two half marathons in back-to-back weekends!    This weekend we decided to not drag the kids all over the place for another weekend, which meant this was just a ...

There are runs where everything clicks and all is perfect.  Either you crush you run and hit all of the paces you aimed at.  Or the weather is simply perfect, and you don't care about your pace, and just take in the fresh air and gorgeous views.    Then there are some runs when everything goes wrong.  Your breathing is off, or the weather is absolute crap.  Or you set out to hit specific paces and come no where near them!     post half marathon, easy run, smiles in my new awesome race shirt Learning to embrace each run for what they are, and accept that even though that run sucked the big one, you had the opportunity to run.  Not everyone has that chance.  Not everyone has the ability to lace up their shoes and get out the door.   selfies mid race with Allyn! When I think about the Maine Marathon course, a feeling of "home" comes to mind.  This course is where it all began.  Well, at least my lov...

As I neared 40, I began noticing changes in my body.  I was gaining weight regardless of my meal choices.  It was frustrating.  I began to dread turning 40.  Never mind the eye creases that were beginning to appear as well.  But that's another story!   I was super concerned about my metabolism.   What on earth was wrong with me?  I've heard some women say "my metabolism crapped out at 40".  Ugh! NO!    When I spoke with my doctor about it, she just said watch what you eat and exercise.  Gee, thanks, doc.  I already do that!    When I had the chance to try out an EverlyWell Metabolism test, I definitely raised my hand.     The test itself arrived super quickly to my house.  I read the directions and I was supposed to do the test first thing in the morning after only being awake for a short amount of time, and only after drinking water.    This par...

I received two items of clothing from prAna to review.   All opinions expressed are my own.   Goodbye summer.  Hello Fall!  A gorgeous beautiful time of year.  The trees begin to change.  Nights are cooler.   I freaking love fall.    I'm back to school.  Structured days.  Crazy busy.  Teaching all day, coaching in the afternoon.  Then getting my kids to where they need to be - soccer games, soccer practices, dance.   But I absolutely love it.   In addition to the gorgeous clothing, prAna makes, they focus on making sustainable clothing.   prAna makes clothing that is Fair Trade and uses recyclable materials and hemp.  Doesn't that make you feel good?  I know it makes me feel good about choosing prAna!  Penelope Pullover I've always loved the name Penelope.  It's a beautiful name that sounds inviting.  The Penelope Pullover is def...

How is it even possible that August is more than halfway through?  Where did summer go?  We've been busy finishing up summer track, starting preseason for soccer and cross country, school shopping.   I'm positive I am no where near ready for the start of school.  But that's fine with me.  I have plenty of time for that.    This month PopSugar really put out an amazing Must Have Box.  But of course they did!  It's their 5th birthday!  Happy Birthday, PopSugar!   When I opened up the box and saw those words, I thought about many people in my life that  I am grateful for.  First of all, my parents.  My mom and dad have been my rocks.  My dad continues to be my rock and I'm going to be forever grateful for him.  My mom, while she is no longer with us, I know she is still with me everyday and I feel that presence.  She continues to be my sounding ground.  And yes, I have daily conversati...

I was absolutely positive that coaching would not interfere with my blog.   Wow! I was wrong.   I still blogged.  In my head.  I wrote amazing posts.  But by the time I got home, made dinner, got in my own run, and prepped for the next day......  yeah, I didn't want to open up the computer again.  All of those posts.... gone.  Because, I'm old and can't remember shit!   Gotta love it when my Spandits match the school athletic cart!  Don't get me wrong.  I seriously LOVED coaching track this spring.  It was my first year as head coach and it was a blast.  A steep learning curve and still loads more to learn.  But it was fun.    He has work to do (get lower to the hurdle) but he made lots of progress this year too!  It makes the summer track program I started 4 years ago even more meaningful.   I have a newfound love for summer track.  A program I was starting to r...