Coach Jen B

We lost my mother to lung cancer nearly 8 years ago.  My mom was my person.  The one I could be 100% real with.  The one I came home to in college when I had pneumonia.  The one I called first when we found out we were pregnant with Tucker.  Losing her was like losing a huge part of me.   a car parked near where we parked.....loved the writing! When I first heard of Tri for a Cure , I initially thought it was a fundraiser for breast cancer because just about everything is in pink.  But that is not the case.  Not that breast cancer isn't high up on my list of cancers to ban, it has and still is affecting some people very special to me.  What I'm saying is that I really wanted to find a race that fundraisers for all cancers - and I found it with Tri for a Cure.    I have been wanting to do a tri.  I've been saying this for the past couple of years.  It always makes it on my bucket list and always gets crossed off.  The only problem --- I don'

Last spring, at Sugarloaf Marathon, I noticed that all of the women who were cruising through the marathon were incredibly buff.  Yeah, I was checking them out.   It's hard to not notice. One of my goals in this marathon training cycle was to build up my upper body strength.  I admit, I don't have the upper body strength I thought I did.   When the opportunity arose to try out the Work Horse , I had to try it out.  I've never been able to do a pull up.  Ever.  I've thought about getting a pull up bar to install in a doorway, but Ward adamantly said no.  And rightfully so.  I wouldn't want to install a pull up bar in any of our custom (he's a cabinet maker) doorways.     The Work Horse was created by Dr. Len Lopez with over 17 years experience as a Chiropractic Sports Physician, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Applied Kinesiologist.  He has trained world champion runners, sprinters, elite triathletes,  and m

Let's talk about heat training!  This summer has been full of it.  It's taken me a while to get used to it, but I think I'm getting it and starting to push myself a little harder when it gets more and more humid!   Earlier in the day - I was at our summer track meet.  So hot!  But this time I was much much better at keeping hydrated!   Last Thursday was race #2 for the Bond Brook Race series.  It was quite hot and humid.  I passed quite a few on the trail with them commenting on how much more humid it was this week and I agreed, full heartedly.   just a little mile warm up I asked Tucker to take some pics of me with his phone.....the sweet kiddo was in the woods and snapped this one and then a few at the finish.  Such a great photographer!   Actually, this is a photo from the first race - but I wore the same exact outfit (minus the headband - which I really should have brought!!!).    I just want you to see the steep mountain we had to

I've been thinking about this summer and our weather and I cannot complain.  We've had some gorgeous days.  Some quite humid.  Some scorchers.  But rain here and there to water the garden and cool things down.  Overall it's been pretty good!  While training for a marathon, I have to run when I can run.  Sometimes it's not the best time to run, but I do it.  Just hoping that on October 5, it will be nice and cool and that all of this hard work will pay off. When it comes to choosing what to wear when I run in this heat, just about everything gets a gross funk after some of the sweat sessions.  I came across an opportunity to try out a new brand of clothing that does not stink, curiosity got the best of me and I had to try it out.  Have you ever heard of Tasc Performance?   I tried out the Streak Racer and Endurance Sport Bra and they've become my go to marathon training top combo.   They feel fantastic.   They don't ride up. Eve

Happy Track Tuesday!  This morning I laced up my Skecher Go Run 3's, dropped Tucker off at Wilderness Survival Camp and brought Izzy to the track with me.  This is a setback week but still had a little speed work mixed in there.  Hot?  Oh yes.   But with my favorite Stable 26 socks and Go Run 3's, my feet were happy. Before and during my run, I made sure to hydrate with the Lemon Lime-Ade CLIF Shot .  I was already a fan of Shot Bloks, so I was pretty confident I was going to like the Lemon Lime-Ade electrolyte drink mix.  And I was right.  Delicious.  Light, refreshing.  It definitely helped me pull through during a hot workout!   The mix itself is made from 90% organic ingredients and is packed with sodium and other electrolytes to aid in absorption and retention.   This packet did the trick.     When I came home from my workout, I needed to refuel.  So I chose to try a CLIF Shot Protein Recovery Drink - Chocolate flavored mixed with almond milk.  

Hello everyone and Happy Friday!   On tap for today is a 16 mile progressive run.  I'll be going out later on today, waiting for cooler weather and for Ward to get home from work!!!  I have a crazy busy weekend which is why I'm pushing the 16 miler up to today.  Wish me luck!  I don't really do well with long mileage later on in the day.   To get me ready for tonight, I'll be using some of my favorites.   Spandits.   That's a no brainer!  No chaffage.  Bright, fun patterns.  Lightweight and smooth material so when I'm dripping wet from the crazy humidity, my shorts won't be dripping wet as well.   Socks.   Stable 26 has become a staple in my running sock collection.  I've had very good luck wearing them and plan on wearing them for quite some time.   They are thin enough so my feet do not overheat, stretchy so my toes do not feel cramped, and have the padding on the heels so my shoes do not slip.  Even in shoes that typically di

I was just nominated by Diana at Hiit Mom as a Very Inspiring Blogger!  Thank you, Diana!  Have you been to Diana's blog?  I love the layout and she is so sweet!   Here are the rules for how The Very Inspiring Blogger works:   - Link the person you nominated you (done!)  - Share 7 facts about yourself 1.  I am a worrier.  I worry about things I cannot control.  I hate this about myself.  For instance, with the new experience of coaching track - I am constantly worried about what the other coaches think of me and my inexperience.  Am I messing up too much?  So much to learn!     2.  I am taking the plunge and teaching full on regular education High School Math this year.  No longer will I be a Special Educator.  While I'm super excited by this career move, I am a little nervous, as I've never taught an honors level class before!  Again, I am very excited by this new role.  3.  I've been talking about getting that 26.2 tattoo, but haven't

Looking for a little motivation to get moving?  Love apps?  Motivating others? Earning rewards?   Then you should really check out EveryMove .  As a FitApproach Ambassador, I was able to review the EveryMove app recently.   EveryMove connects with other apps and devices, for example:   or you can manually add your information.   You get the choice.  I have the following apps linked to mine:   For each activity you log, you earn points.  This is just a sampling of the activities you can choose from.  There are many more!  Then the points start stacking up:   Points?  Points toward some pretty cool rewards.  Some companies listed in the rewards section even sponsors charity donations on your behalf.  I like that!   I just wish I'd earn something really for free.  I guess I need to get to a higher level?   I am really liking the ease of EveryMove.  It's not some fitness app that consumes your day.  It automatically takes

I might be obsessed with my iPhone.  I really love it.  I'm an Apple girl and the phone just ties it all together.   When I run, I have my phone with me.  For safety.  For selfies and other photo ops.  And for GPS.  And now, I get to use it as a heart rate monitor and stride monitor. My mileage is creeping up there again with marathon training and I want to make sure I'm running efficiently.   When the TICKR Run first showed up, I had an iPhone 4.  Sadly, my phone was not new enough to work with the TICKR.  I was able to download the app on Ward's iPad mini and use it while cycling.   But I really wanted to try it out for running.   There was no way I was going to go for a run with the iPad, so I sadly put the TICKR aside until I recently upgraded to the 5c.  Now I get to use the smoothness and stride features!!! Using the TICKR Run with your phone is incredibly easy.  Just download the app, connect your sensor (the heart rate monitor), and then record