Coach Jen B

Brrrr…..the weather has changed again and it's cold here in Maine.  Cold temps in Maine in December is completely normal.  But last week we had temps in the 40s and I was feeling rather spoiled!  This week we're back to 20's and snow.  Not a lot of snow.  But snow.    Some say we're going to have one heck of a winter, others say it's going to be mild.  I guess only time will tell.   On a positive note, Ward and like to challenge ourselves every year with how long we can go without turning on the oil furnace.  We do have a wood stove in the kitchen, so it's not like we're going without heat.  However, Ward and I did make a little $30 purchase this fall and it's made a HUGE difference.   It's just a little fan I bought on Amazon.   We put it in the doorway from the kitchen to the rest of the house.   So far - we're at December 10th and still going strong with the wood stove.  Our previous record was ...

And nervous.  But far more excited!   A few weeks ago, I received a message from a local running friend, asking me to work with her in opening up a running shop.  Whoooaa….what?  So, I already work full time.  I work part-time at the gym, my kids are getting busier with their activities.  Do I even have time?  But working in a running shop, geared mostly toward women?   This is such an awesome opportunity, so I said yes!   Today we are hosting our Sneak Peek at The Rail Trail Run Shop !  If you live in the Augusta, Maine area - please stop by between 1:30 - 4 this afternoon.   Some really cool things about the shop -  Great giveaway We're starting small.  The shop is located in the back side of her studio at 50 Front Street, Augusta.  It's tucked out of the way.  For now, the area doesn't get a ton of traffic - however, the awesome rail trail, that I love running on, is going to be extende...

This post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Koss.  As always all opinions are 100% my own. 19 more days until Christmas!!!   I am nowhere near ready.  Are you?  I've got a pretty good start at my Christmas shopping, but there is still a bunch more to get!     Do you have a runner on your list?   I could name a few on my list for sure.   My shopping list seems to grow each year and I'd really like to not break the bank this Christmas.  Shopping for your running friends doesn't have to be painful on your bank account!   #1 and #2  Koss Fit Series FitClips and FitBuds I don't know about you, but I see quite a few treadmill miles coming my way this winter.  I don't mind running in snow.  But wet, heavy slush - yuck!  Oh and double yuck when a car seems like it goes out of it's way to hit that huge puddle as you are running by it and gets you.   One thing I ...

I for one have terribly stinky feet.   Which then means, my shoes pick up quite the stench.   But now it's not necessarily my shoes.  It's the insole I had made for me back in August.  I take that insole out and put it into whatever shoe I'm going to run in…which means it gets a lot of use.  Which then means my feet are sweating in them a lot and they stink.   But what's worse than my stinky feet?  Tucker's.  Oh gross!   A growing boy's feet pick up some of the grossest smells and then I just want to toss his sneakers right out of the door.   But now I don't have to worry about this anymore!  I was provided the opportunity to try out a great product - Friendly Foot.  An all-natural foot and shoe deodorizer.   As soon as it came, I sprinkled some into my shoes - especially those insoles - and then a bit into Tucker's shoes.  And I haven't had to add anymore powder.  That was at least 3 weeks ago. ...

It’s no secret.  I’m getting older.  And my skin is not the same.  It’s getting older too.  My poor face is exposed to so much - sun, wind, dirt.  I admit I haven’t been the best at taking care of my skin.  I’m a person who doesn’t usually put sunscreen on.  But now, at the age of 36, I’m seeing more and more sun spots, wrinkles.  Awesome.  Not really.  I’m also getting pimples.  Ugh!   I need help when it comes to taking care of my skin and finding the right cleanser is my starting point.   I was recently sent a bottle of Ageless Derma Anti Aging Glycolic Facial Cleanser .   A few facts about Ageless Derma: - it actually exfoliates the dead skin cells but is not an abrasive - contains Ubiquione (CoEnzyme-Q10) - a potent antioxidant that penetrates the skin and allows the cleanser to work deeply - contains collagen - a protein built from amino acids that adds structure, springiness, and ela...

First and foremost, I need to tell you that my kids freaking rock.  They understand that I love running and that fitness is important to me.  Now that it's getting colder and darker earlier, it's not as easy to bring the kids along with me when I run.  Tucker's not a huge fan of riding his bike in the snow and slush and Izzy really dislikes hanging out in the jogger getting pelted by ice balls in the eyes or having layers and layers of blankets on her at an attempt to keep her warm from the brutal winds.  Ward's schedule just plain old stinks right now.  So if I want to run, I can roll out of bed at 4:30 am and fall asleep at 6:30 pm…. or I can head to the gym, bring the kids along with me, and get some treadmill miles in.    these kids spend a lot of time at the gym….. she'll be running on this in no time! So back to why my kids rock.  They have spent the last few days hanging out at either the gym or in my classroom while I ran in t...

A few weeks back I came across the opportunity to review Tom Venuto's book, Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle .  I have been much more interested lately in looking at the foods I choose to eat and how they affect my body so I jumped on the opportunity to read his book. Here are a few of my thoughts about Tom's book -  - practical and easy to read - none of that overwhelming scientific/technical language  - geared toward men and women - it's not a "diet" book - where you are depriving your body of nutrients Tom talks about 4 key elements in his L.E.A.N plan -  1.  mental training 2.  nutrition  3.  cardio 4.  weight training  I'm very guilty of only doing the cardio piece.  Mostly running.  I have been better at switching it up lately with some rowing and elliptical.  I haven't gone on the bike since my knee injury - but winter is just about here so I know there will be bike time too!  I ne...