Coach Jen B

This post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Mizuno. All opinions are my own. Winter is here in full force and in Maine, winter temperatures are going to be here for quite awhile!   I'm loving that Mizuno has the ThermoBreath line to keep you warm on those winter and cold weather runs!   It's no secret.  I'm not a fan of super cold winter runs.  Frozen eye lashes and icy roads are not fun for me.  But I won't argue ever that running in the fresh air is good for the soul.  And I'm going to be toasty warm in my newest Mizuno ThermoBreath top and gloves.    I'm loving the longer length of the top.  I seriously hate it when a shirt inches up when you are running and exposes your belly.  Ugh.  But I don't have that problem in this shirt!  It's long, soft, comfy and warm.  Sounds like the perfect top for running to me!   And the gloves?   I would say they are great for temp...

The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Mizuno.   Last week, I received a call at school from Ward.  He spoke some beautiful words to me - "your shoes are here".   The torture!  I wanted to call off class and head home right away and run.  BUT, I couldn't.  That sort of thing is frowned upon in high schools.  So, instead, I asked him to send me a picture of my new beauties so I could day dream about how my run would be after school.   he's just jealous... As soon as I came home, I changed into my running gear as quickly as possible and slipped on my new Mizuno Wave Rider 17s .  It was a gorgeous blue ski day.  But rather chilly.  No worries.  Just bundle up and go for it.  I knew I was going to warm up in about a mile anyway.  And I did. First impression?  Wow!  There was enough cushion in the heel that the ride just felt so smooth.  The toe box felt a little snug...

The following post is sponsored by FitFluential, LLC on behalf of Mizuno. No, I have not run since the injury .   However, I was doing quite a bit of running up to that point. I was lucky enough to receive a pair of Wave Sayonara's a couple of weeks ago.  Of course, because when it comes to shoes, I'm like a kid in a candy store.  I dig right into them.  Or in this case, I tear open the box, pause for a brief picture taking session, then put them on. At first I thought they felt a little tight in the forefoot.   I need plenty of room for my wide feet and toes to spread out, so I was a little nervous about this.  To be safe, I wore them a few times walking around.  After a few walks in them, my feet were saying " now this is brilliant, let's run! "  And I did.  Only a few times.  But I would definitely describe those runs as brilliant .  The Sayonara gave me quite the ride.   Smooth, comfortable, light, fast. ...

My legs have been feeling heavy lately.  My ITB hates me.  So do my calves.  Oh and the arch of my foot has started to ache.  I'm falling apart.  Not really.  But it feels like it.  Maybe I'm being overdramatic.  Just a little.     In addition, I feel like I've lost all speed in my legs.  I wasn't super speedy before, but I definitely feel like I've lost progress in the speed department. But I've got to ask myself - is speed really important to me?  Is that the only reason why I run?  Hell no!  I am running to ease my anxiety, I am running because it makes me smile.  I am running for my health and to be a positive role model for my kids. I am training for my first 50k which will be happening in 29 days if I'm ready or not.  My plan is to be ready for it.  And I'm going to stick to that plan.  I'm not going for speed at all on this one.  I'm just going for the experience of my first 50k,...

I didn't go anywhere.  I wish.  But I've had a fever since Friday and my last run was Friday morning.  I was scheduled to run 7 easy miles and I was only able to manage 5 painful, dizzy, miles.   I felt off for the rest of the day, I thought perhaps I was feeling off maybe due to the excitement of getting into those awesome races.  But Friday night it finally dawned on me that I felt flush and had been feeling rather flush all day.  So I took my temperature and that darned thermometer read 102F!  Grrrrr..... Because I am getting better at listening to my body, I heard it loud and clear with a temp, so I didn't run on Saturday or Sunday.  I rested, took care of myself, hydrated, ate, took medicine, but yet my temp stayed between 101 and 102.  I stayed home from school yesterday, and still didn't feel better. Today, Maine got hit by a snow storm which meant a bonus day off for me and the rest of the state.  But by 10 am, I was feeling ...

Sunday morning was the Cape Elizabeth Midwinter Classic 10 mile race .   Ward and I drove down to race together that morning.  It was chilly and I didn't know what to wear for a top - and that stressed me out.  I had lots of options but couldn't make up my mind - so I brought them all with me - and then talked about over analyzed the weather with Ward the entire way to Cape Elizabeth.  Poor guy. I knew what I was wearing on the bottom - my new Mushas with my Sweat Pink laces and Schwings & some fun Target clearance knee highs I knew what I was wearing on my head - Since I drove to Maine Running Company to pick up the bib #s - I thought I'd treat myself to this fun skull cap. Dorky picture - but I do LOVE my new hat!  Izzy apparently does too since she's eyeing it up in the backseat.   And I had my lucky bib # - 77 - my birth year.  Sure to be good luck for me!!! At least I was all set there!   When I saw ...

It is my pleasure to introduce you to my friend Louise.  While we haven't met in person yet, I still consider her a friend.  We've had many great conversations on facebook, emails, and in texts.  Someday (soon, I hope!) we'll meet!  She blogs over at Runners Ramblings .  I encourage you to visit her blog and show her some love.  This woman is an inspiration. Jen has graciously asked me to do a guest post here on  Running With The Girls, and I was happy to oblige. After careful thought I  decided to write what I am passionate about!  Running Shoes! :) Shoes. Everyone needs them. Everyone wears them. Some of us are totally  addicted to them. I, on the other hand, only have an addiction for the  running kind. (Though if you ask my husband, his reply will differ from mine!)  This started a year ago, January 2012, when I was researching  running shoes. I wanted to do lots of reading to find out what would work  best for...

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. ...