Coach Jen B

With two parents who are runners and are super picky about what we put on our feet, you better believe we are pickier when it comes to what we put on our kids' growing feet.  Which makes our kids quite lucky.   I think so, anyway.   I have two mini-me runners on my hands and I need them to have great shoes on their feet. Which brings me to the Reebok Zig Big N Fast EX .   As a parent, I really like the ZigTech features, which does provide energy the entire length of the shoe - from heal to toe, as well as: * SUPERSIZED ZIGTECH MIDSOLE - engineered for maximum cushioning in the heel and as well as providing responsive acceleration in the forefoot * TPU PROPULSION PLATE - which channels energy at impact for lightweight, accelerated mid foot transition * NANOBREEZE - a lightweight mesh upper which provides superior breathability and comfort Given the support, protection and cushioning in the design of the newest Reebok Zig Big N Fast EX , I know I fe...

disclosure:  The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Reebok.   Last weekend the kids and I made a trip to Massachusetts.  Our first stop was at Ward's aunt and uncles house, where we had the chance to hang out with some family.  We don't see them enough and anytime we get to see them is always a bonus!   silly face poses are always more fun! Then we headed off to Reebok HQ for a fun filled day for the BOKS Kids Active Kids Day.   This was actually the 3rd Annual Active Kids Day event.  It was designed to bring together communities, schools, and families to get active.   And the entire event was free.    BOKS Kids (Build Our Kids Success)  is a before-school program developed by a group of moms to provide elementary school children opportunities for physical activity.  It gives kids the chance jump start their brains to better equip them for a day of learning.  As a teacher, I'v...

Disclosure: I received the apparel and shoes mentioned below from Reebok through a campaign with FitFluential.   Whether it's your first 10k or 20th 10k, there is some training to do to get ready for 6.2 miles!  I still remember taking that leap from the 5k to the 10k.  I thought I would never make it for 6.2 miles.  Times have changed!  I've done a run/walk 10k, casual/fun 10k, and had several great racing PR 10ks.  Each one brings on a new challenge and new goal.  For me, it's not always about reaching that beloved PR.  As I am preparing for the Tufts 10K next Monday, where I will line up with over 6,000 women at the Boston Commons, I have some suggestions for those of you who may be taking on their first 10k. Goal Setting What's your goal for this race?  First time?  Completion?  PR?  Run with friends?  Know what your goal is going into training.  It helps in preparing a training plan.   If you are t...

This question was shouted at me the other day by some smoker down the road, while I crossed the road to get away from his gross second-hand smoke.   While he snickered at me. When I told Ward about it, he said I was being overly sensitive and the guy is just jealous.  Uh.  I disagree.  I am pretty harsh when it comes to smokers.  I used to be a smoker.  I was one of them. Shameful I know!  Now the smell makes me want to throw up.  I also harbor resentment for smoking in general because my mom was a smoker and she died from lung cancer just a little less than 7 years ago.  Obviously I have issues. Anyway, this guy's question got me thinking.  What AM I training for right now?  The answer is - life. I'm training to be the happiest and fittest I can be - while making the best of every moment I can with my family and friends.   When it comes to running - my race schedule is rather short.  For now.   On October 14t...

CLOSED How does this sound?  Mud, fire, water, barbed wire all rolled into one hardcore obstacle race? The Spartan Race has a level for everyone.   Spartan Sprint for beginners (me!) Super Spartan for the intermediate Spartan Beast for the advanced Death Race for the extremist  Spartan races are taking place all over the country.   Want to see if there is one near you ?   I've been eying up the Fenway Spartan Race on 11/16 .  I'm kind of curious how the ballpark will be transformed into a Spartan course.    This also means that in addition to all of the marathon and ultra marathon training I'm doing over the next few months, I need to focus on strength training.   Reebok Spartan has offered one of my readers the chance to win a free entry to a race of your choice .  All you need to do is comment below with why you want to enter .  I will choose a winner on Monday, 5/27 and will annou...

But not from teaching.  I only have about 30 or so more years to go until I can do that! I'm talking about 5ks.  My first recorded 5k was over five years ago at Unity College and my finishing time was 31:08.  And last Thursday I ran my last (yeah right) 5k at the Gasping Gobbler with an official finishing time of 21:24.  That's right.  In 5.5 years, I've taken nearly 10 minutes off my 5k time.  It's hard to believe where I started and where I am now.  To be honest, I've made so much progress in the five years, it's hard for me to see that there is any more progress to make. Can I really ask for more?  Last week I finally made the decision that I was going to run the Gasping Gobbler on Thanksgiving morning.  This was the first Thanksgiving in a very long time that I wasn't hosting Thanksgiving Dinner at my house which meant I could actually run a race in the morning before heading off to my in-laws house for the day's festivities. ...

On Monday I had the pleasure of being part of Team Reebok at the Tufts 10K in Boston.   Team Reebok And I had the opportunity to meet up with some fellow FitFluential gals.   Katie , Dani , Robin , Amy and myself I went into this race with some very loose expectations.   I really just wanted to have a fun run and hopefully finish in about 49 minutes.    I was not looking for a PR at all.   I wasn’t sure what to expect.   I had no idea what the course was like and I do not have a whole lot of experience running in a larger race.   I’ve only done Beach to Beacon twice and it is quite difficult dodging fellow racers and trying to find my pace.   Plus, my main focus right now is MDI.   Around 11:15 runners were called to start lining up.   So, I kissed Ward and the kids, they wished me luck and I headed off to the 8 minute pace group.   It was crazy just hanging out there for such a lo...