Monday, June 29, 2015

Weekly Roundup 6.22-6.28

 
I only ran once this week!  I’m such a failure!  This was topic of discussion on Saturday at my RRCA Coaching Certification Course.  In the big picture, is it really failure?  Are we too hard on ourselves?  Do we have the ability to modify and adapt to training programs?

Anyway, I had a great weekend learning SO MUCH about running!

(More on the RRCA Coaching Certification Course later this week…)

The one run I did complete this week was the first Marathon Sports Mashpee Pub Run of the summer!  Thanks Dave & Marathon Sports for another fun night with old friends, new friends, and delicious free food from the Lanes!  The next pub run is scheduled for Friday, July 24th with New Balance.  Hope to see more friends there.  Here is the link to the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1592554647675615/

Upcoming events:

·      Join the Cape Cod Rehab Running Team in the first ever group run in Osterville.  The 3-4 mile run will begin at the new Osterville Cape Cod Rehab location: 1284 Main Street.  Bring your friends!  All levels welcome!  Here is the link to the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/371271216411659/
·      7 weeks until the Falmouth Road Race!

Monday 6.22.15
6 minutes Jacobs Ladder #29035FEET
12,445 steps

Tuesday 6.23.15
Taught spin class. The playlist: Troublemaker Spin Playlist
6 minutes Jacobs Ladder #29035FEET
9,263 steps

Wednesday 6.24.15
Long walk with Linda & G (48’)
6 minutes Jacobs Ladder #29035FEET
16,144 steps

Thursday 6.25.15
Taught spin class. The playlist: Just Dance Spin Playlist
Power Water
10 minutes Jacobs Ladder #29035FEET
15,312 steps
 
Friday 6.26.15
Pub Run! 3.1 miles with friends (28:13)
16,315 steps

Saturday 6.27.15
RRCA Coaching Certification Course Day 1
7,273 steps

Sunday 6.28.15
RRCA Coaching Certification Course Day 2
4,152 steps


This week’s mileage: 3 miles
June Totals: 41 miles
2015 Totals: 190 miles

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

I signed up for the Falmouth Road Race!

What: New Balance Falmouth Road Race

Where: Falmouth, MA

When: August 16, 2015

“Code for a Princess”

I was holding off on telling anyone until it was official but now IT’S OFFICIAL: I’m running Falmouth this year!  Working in the office for so many years, I only had the opportunity to actually run the race a couple times so I am excited to join the 10,000 other runners for the 43rd running of the Falmouth Road Race on August 16th.


Less than 8 weeks away, it’s time to develop a training plan!

Are you running Falmouth this year?

Registration is closed but you can still sign up to volunteer on race day or run virtually.  Check out the road race website for more information.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Weekly Roundup 6.15-6.21

 
The highlight of the week: I ran a 5k PR!  Last year I placed 3rd at Women Running Wild with a time of 20:49 and this year I was 2nd in 20:45.  I actually didn’t even know it was a PR until hours later.  I’ll take it!

I also had a great time at Rogue Run Club!  I met up with friends on Friday night for a sunset run through Osterville ending with apps & drinks at the Islander for Stacey's birthday!  I even finally met baby Catherine, the youngest member of Run Club!

Photo cred: @capecodrunner
 
The low point of the week: My doctor sent me for blood work and my ferritin was a 3 (normal levels start at 12) so they are sending me back for more testing to see what exactly is going on.  Good news is I’m finding this out early before Houston training begins!  It’s also nice to know there is a reason for me being so tired lately.

In other news, I have officially started the Jacobs Ladder Climb Mt. Everest Challenge at work!  I’m going for 29,035 feet!  Let’s do it!


Upcoming events:

·      The first Marathon Sports Mashpee Pub Run of the season is this Friday night!  2XU is sponsoring the run that starts at 6:30pm from the store and ends with FREE food & drinks at the Lanes!   Here is the link to the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1445448615757290/
·      Join the Cape Cod Rehab Running Team in the first ever group run in Osterville.  The 3-4 mile run will begin at the new Osterville Cape Cod Rehab location: 1284 Main Street.  Bring your friends!  All levels welcome!  Here is the link to the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/371271216411659/
·      This weekend I will be attending the RRCA Coaching Certification Course in Hyannis, MA and I AM SO EXCITED!!

Monday 6.15.15
12,083 steps

Tuesday 6.16.15
Taught spin class. The playlist: Jumpin’, Jumpin’ Spin Playlist
10,048 steps

Wednesday 6.17.15
3 miles plus strides (24:17)
1 minute Jacobs Ladder #29035FEET
20,056 steps

Thursday 6.18.15
Taught spin class. The playlist: Decades Spin Playlist #3
Power Water
3 minutes Jacobs Ladder #29035FEET
11,328 steps

Friday 6.19.15
Rogue Run Club! 3.73 miles with friends (34:25)
6 minutes Jacobs Ladder #29035FEET
17,792 steps

Saturday 6.20.15
Women Running Wild 5k! 3.17 miles (20:45 – 6:38, 6:31, 6:33)
16,873 steps

Sunday 6.21.15
Happy Father’s Day! & hooray for the first day of Summer!
Taught spin class. The playlist: Here Comes the Sun Spin Playlist
8,131 steps


This week’s mileage: 10 miles
June Totals: 38 miles
2015 Totals: 187 miles

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Race Report: Women Running Wild 2015

Did I ever tell you how much I dislike running 5k races?

Now that that's out of the way... I ran a 4 second PR!  The funny thing is, I didn’t realize it until hours later at home when I sat down to write this blog post.

It was a beautiful night for a race!  Cooler temperatures, not much humidity, and only a slight breeze.  I may not like 5k races but boy do I love running in Osterville!

The last week or so I hadn’t been running as much.  Visitors last weekend and just overall fatigue kept me off the roads and I had a lot of time before the 6pm start to try to talk myself out of going.  I mean, come on I still haven’t seen Jurassic World yet and my parents were hanging out at my house with the pup.
Photo cred @beth_np

Overall my race went well.  I didn’t really push myself and tried to stay as relaxed as possible.  Most of the race I was running alone.  I picked off about a dozen girls in the beginning and before the half mile mark, I positioned myself in second place about 15 seconds behind the leader and stayed that way until I crossed the finish in 20:45.

There were people cheering me on to the finish line and I saw some familiar faces, which was really nice.  Congrats to Beth!  She beat her goal time looking strong and speedy at the finish!


Up next: Falmouth Road Race on Sunday, August 16

Happy Fathers Day!

Did I ever mention that my daddo is the best?  Georgie and I are lucky to have such wonderful parents and grandparents.


The “pumpkin picture” in the center is one of the reasons my dad started running.  A few days after the photo was taken he laced up his sneakers and tried to run around the block.  A few days later, I met him at the track and watched him run a mile.  Now he’s run a number of half marathons and is signed up for the half in Houston as I tackle the full.  Running is contagious!

Have a wonderful day to all the fathers out there!


[Related Post: Happy Father’s Day 2014]

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Cape Cod Ice Cream Tour Stop #1: Somerset Creamery

Run Jen Run Loves Ice Cream


One of my favorite things to do in life is go out for ice cream.  Last year the Cape Cod Times ranked the Top 10 ice cream places on the Cape, which made me decide to start making my own list.  I didn’t get very far last year but my goal is to try and review as many as possible.  I have enlisted the help of some of my friends and I can’t wait to share with you my favorites (and least favorite) ice cream places on Cape Cod.

Photo cred: Jennifer Stepp

First off I must say that I have never had a bad experience at Somerset Creamery!  Well maybe except the time Lizzie, Melissa and I watched a young boy projectile vomit on the deck.  Oops!  In the summer months (they are only open April-October), I indulge at Somerset almost weekly.  Anytime Lizzie's home, we go.  I also make frequent trips there with my parents, Katrina, Sarah, and anyone that is in town visiting.  It’s my favorite and I’m setting out on my Cape Cod Ice Cream Tour to find anything that can top Somerset Creamery.

The Short Summary
Best waffle cones on Cape Cod!

Location
1268 Route 28A, Cataumet

History
“Family owned and operated since 1937, Somerset Creamery prides itself on rich, homemade ice cream made the old fashioned way. Founded by Victor and Mary Spanick, their first store was called Creamrich and was located on County Street in Somerset. From the start, the emphasis was on quality natural ingredients and courteous service.” (From the Somerset Creamery website: http://www.somersetcreamery.com/)

My Order
I ALWAYS get a medium waffle cone.  I like to mix it up from time to time but my favorite go to cone includes Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough on the bottom with Orange Sherbet on top.

Flavors
So many options!  One of their specialty flavors is Cranberry Bog.  Other fun flavors: Blueberry Pie, Chocolate Coconut, Coconut Almond Chip, Fudge Ripple, Peanut Butter Oreo, and Black Raspberry Chip Frozen Yogurt.

Sizes
All sizes.  Small, medium, large.

Payment
Cash only.  Prices are very reasonable.

Parking/Lines
The parking lot can be busy but if you're there after normal business hours, there is a lot across the street to avoid the madness.  If you go at night on the weekends, expect to wait in line.  They have a lot of workers so the lines moves pretty fast.

Atmosphere/Seating
Imagine the aroma of fresh waffle cones as you walk in the door!  I wish I could bottle up that scent and bring it home with me.  There is outdoor seating only – a few benches in the shade on the deck and also some tables and chairs.  Somerset Creamery is also a short drive to Old Silver Beach to bring your ice cream and watch the sunset.

Old Silver Beach, North Falmouth

What Others Have Said
“Somerset Creamery became a favorite of mine during my pregnancy in 2013.  My Doctor literally advised me to drink a milkshake each day and since Somerset was right down the street from my job at the time, I frequently took my lunch breaks there.  The smell of the freshly made waffle cones and the richness of the homemade ice cream became such an obsession for me that on a recent girls weekend trip back to the Cape, Somerset was a must stop place for us!” ~Nicole

“If there were such a place as heaven on earth, it would be somerset! The blueberry pie flavor has actual chunks of pie crust...it's amazing!” ~Lizzie 

“Great location.  Smells amazing.  Love that they use hormone free milk!” ~Sarah

“The flat bottom waffle cones scored extra points!” ~Danielle from Live, Run, Grow

“Fudge Ripple is my favorite.  I love the soft, creamy texture.” ~Linda

“I’m a big blueberry fan.  The Blueberry Pie has the taste of blueberries in every bite!” ~Jacob

“The first time I walked inside, I thought I had walked into a giant waffle cone!” ~Brian


Rating
Run Jen Run gives Somerset Creamery 5 out of 5 cones!

Monday, June 15, 2015

Weekly Roundup 6.8-6.14

It was a lame week for my running but a fun week with friends!  Jen (Wyoming) and Nicole (Louisiana) visited and we had a jam-packed weekend of activities!


Also, on Wednesday we kicked off the first official CCR Running Team meeting with a 3.75 mile run through beautiful Osterville.  Getting paid to do what I love.  I’m excited for what’s to come.

Upcoming Events:

·      1 week until the 19th Annual Women Running Wild!

Monday 6.8.15
12,216 steps

Tuesday 6.9.15
Taught spin class. The playlist: I Like To Move It Spin Playlist
12,938 steps

Wednesday 6.10.15
3.75 miles (30:57) with Eric W, Drew, and Tiff
Trotted 1.25 miles with G (13:04)
23,424 steps

Thursday 6.11.15
3 miles (23:54)
Taught spin class
Power Water
21,007 steps

Friday 6.12.15
10,070 steps

Saturday 6.13.15
13,999 steps

Sunday 6.14.15
10,875 steps


This week’s mileage: 8 miles
June Totals: 28 miles
2015 Totals: 177 miles

Monday, June 8, 2015

Weekly Roundup 6.1-6.7

 
What a fun week for running!  I was NOT in the mood to run on Monday and on Tuesday I had to work late (holler for overtime this week!) so I had to miss Run Club but Wednesday was National Running Day and jump started the rest of my week!

I really wanted to… correction: I HAD to get out the door on Wednesday for a run but I didn’t know when I’d be able to.  The only logistical solution was to take G for a mile trot on my lunch break!  I don’t think she was too happy to break our normal lunch break routine but we had to do it!  CCR polo and all!  :)


Also National Running Day was the start of Open Registration for the Houston Marathon and Half Marathon.  I was SOOOOO happy when my dad emailed me saying he registered for the half and then a few minutes later, my cousin Michele announced on Instagram and tweeted out that she also registered—it will be her first half marathon!  I’M SO EXCITED!


In case you missed it, I recently wrote a blog post for beginners…

Thursday morning I tested my speed for the first time this year with 4x half mile repeats during my 5 mile run.  They went surprisingly well on a humid morning.  The last repeat was a bit of a strugglefest but I held on and finished strong.  Man I love running fast!  I missed my long run on Saturday as I wasn’t feeling so hot.  Instead I cruised through one of my favorite loops from my parents house after work about 30 seconds faster per mile than I wanted.  Oops!  I’ll take it.

Upcoming Events:

·      2 weeks until the 19th Annual Women Running Wild!

Monday 6.1.15
4 miles (32:16)
18,610 steps

Tuesday 6.2.15
Taught spin class. The playlist: I Gotta Feeling Spin Playlist
12,178 steps

Wednesday 6.3.15
National Running Day!
Trotted 1 mile with G (9:14) – Lunch break #NationalRunningDay
11,258 steps

Thursday 6.4.15
5 miles (37:26) with 4x 1/2 mile intervals (3:24, 3:14, 3:18, 3:18)
Taught spin class
Power Water
23,786 steps

Friday 6.5.15
3 miles (23:32)
16,079 steps

Saturday 6.6.15
9,764 steps

Sunday 6.7.15
Taught spin class. The playlist: I Like To Move It Spin Playlist
7 miles (52:38)
24,007 steps


This week’s mileage: 20 miles
June Totals: 20 miles
2015 Totals: 169 miles

Monday, June 1, 2015

Weekly Roundup 5.25-5.31

 
I don’t know how I snuck in 18 miles this week but I’m glad I did!  I even got in a run from my parents house on Friday and passed a familiar face, Reggie my favorite FedEx man, for some cheers and encouragement.

Other highlights this week:

·      Did you catch my #WorkoutWednesday Animal Workout?

Upcoming Events:

·      3 weeks until the 19th Annual Women Running Wild!
·      Who’s joining me in Houston?  Open registration for both the marathon and half marathon begins on Wednesday June 3, 2015.
·      National Running Day is Wednesday June 3, 2015!

Monday 5.25.15
Happy Memorial Day!
3 miles (22:51)
14,688 steps

Tuesday 5.26.15
Taught spin class
Marathon Sports Run Club! 5 miles (watch problems, 4.5miles in 31:27)
20,112 steps

Wednesday 5.27.15
12,831 steps

Thursday 5.28.15
Taught spin class. The playlist: The Heart of Rock & Roll Spin Playlist
Power Water
13,409 steps

Friday 5.29.15
4 miles (31:27)
15,274 steps

Saturday 5.30.15
5 miles (38:29) ßso humid!
Trotted 1 mile with G (10:06)
21,345 steps

Sunday 5.31.15
Taught spin class. The playlist: Lose Control Spin Playlist
9,019 steps


This week’s mileage: 18 miles
May Totals: 73.5 miles
2015 Totals: 149 miles