Run Jen Run: Weekly Roundup 2.12-2.18

Week 8 of 16

“I’m on the right track baby, I was born to be brave.”

I’m halfway to Boston! 8 weeks down, 8 weeks to go!

Monday started off cool and rainy. When I was home for lunch I thought for sure I would be running on the treadmill after work so I didn’t even pack outdoor attire. Little did I know that 4pm turned out to be the nicest hour of the day! I beasted through my strength workout in good time—Erin and Craig both worked late—so I rushed home to add a few layers and literally ran out the door. I’m so happy I did because I caught the most gorgeous sunset over the pond. I totally needed that. The last two Mondays haven’t really been my best days.

Tuesday was good. We celebrated Valentine’s Day in spin class and rocked out to some love songs. (The breakup playlist is coming next week…) That night I ran 4 miles with Steve at Run Club then headed to the Lanes for a drink. I ordered a flatbread to go thinking I would eat a few slices and save the rest for lunch the next day but I ate the whole thing. OOPS. I blame marathon training.

I only worked out on Wednesday so I squeezed in a short run Thursday morning before work. I was tired. It was humid. Not my best run but I redeemed myself on Friday with a decent 6 miler. I spent all Friday afternoon at my doctor’s office reviewing a recent bone density scan (not good) and talking about my jaw pain (might be TMJ?) then I went right to the gym.

Let’s talk a little bit about Friday’s gym session. The last four Fridays I have been using “Box 1” for my box jumps (#jencantjump) and ever week Greg has been telling me to try Box 2. Box jumps terrify me. There was no way. Then a 65 year old member came over and shamed me by jumping up on Box 1. If he could jump Box 1, he said I better be able to jump Box 2. Greg told me the bench was not as high as Box 2 and I was already a few inches off the ground standing by the squat rack so I went for it. Then I stepped off the platform and jumped the bench from the ground. I was so proud. A few minutes later Erin came in and I was so excited to tell her until she was like whatever, but “you know the bench is the same height as Box 2, right?” GREG TRICKED ME. He knew that the whole time! Anyways, I went through the rest of my workout and spent some time with Norma.

I finished up my biggest week of Boston training to date with my second 16-miler. This time I wanted to go at it on my own. I drove to my mom and dad’s house in Falmouth and ran an out and back to the beach. My parents hung out with Georgie and met me at about 8 miles and then again around 12 miles. I was having a really good run. Legs felt awesome. The sun was shining. It was a little breezy but I couldn’t complain. I started to struggle during miles 14, 15 and 16 again but similar to my last 16 miler, the wind was in my face and I was on hilly Acapesket Road. No excuses. I have been running my long runs a lot faster than ever before and I think need to work on starting out a little slower when I get to my 18 and 20 mile attempts.

Other highlights:

· While I was long running on Saturday, my parents brought Georgie to the market and had two warm, fresh cider donuts waiting for me at the finish. AMAZING.

· Saturday afternoon Katrina and I adventured to Orleans. I was craving a burrito so we tried a new Mexican restaurant for lunch then stopped at Nauset Beach. We have been playing tourists on the Cape visiting places we have never been—and Nauset Beach is a cool spot with lots of dunes, big waves and many shark sightings in the summertime.