Weekly Roundup 5.22-5.28 & 5.29-6.4

 

Guess what!  I have been cleared to run and I was released from Physical Therapy!  It’s been a long time since I logged any real miles and even though I am feeling strong, my endurance and speed is GONE.  My patience will be tested once again as I slowly build on my fitness and work my way up in mileage before Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia training begins.

So what else has been going on?

I had a great weekend in Buffalo and if you missed it, you can read all about it here: http://www.jenrunsfastblog.com/2017/05/race-report-buffalo-half-marathon-2017.html

More big news… I ran 4 miles!  It wasn’t pretty but I ran 4 *pain free* miles—and I got to wear shorts and a tank doing it!  Summer is coming my friends…

Upcoming events:

·      15 weeks until Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia!

Monday 5.22.17

Happy Birthday Daddo!

8,759 steps

Tuesday 5.23.17

Taught spin class

11,142 steps

Wednesday 5.24.17

3 miles (22:41)

13,634 steps

Thursday 5.25.17

12’ elliptical

PT with Kathy

8,722 steps

Friday 5.26.17

Travel day!

7,761 steps

Saturday 5.27.17

John Beishline Memorial 5k with Melissa (35:21)

Race Report: Buffalo Half Marathon 2017

16,169 steps

Sunday 5.28.17

Buffalo Half Marathon with Melissa 6.90 miles (1:43:09)

Race Report: Buffalo Half Marathon 2017

30,905 steps

Monday 5.29.17

Travel day!

5,161 steps

Tuesday 5.30.17

Taught spin class

8,501 steps

Wednesday 5.31.17

3 treadmill miles (24:00)

12,827 steps

Thursday 6.1.17

3x1’ planks

2x30” side planks

Taught spin class

Power Water

15,217 steps

Friday 6.2.17

4 miles (30:19)

3x1’ planks

2x30” side planks

16,945 steps

Saturday 6.3.17

Taught spin class

Water Interval

13,051 steps

Sunday 6.4.17

Taught spin class

Burdenko H2O

13,337 steps

Last week’s mileage: 13 miles

This week’s mileage: 7 miles

Last week’s G mileage: 0 miles

This week’s G mileage: 0 miles

May Totals: 25 miles

June Totals: 4 miles

2017 Totals: 329 miles

Race Report: Buffalo Half Marathon 2017

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Buffalo Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I just got back from Buffalo, New York where I spent Memorial Day weekend with family and represented BibRave for the 2nd year in a row at the Buffalo Marathon.  I had a blast running last year and I couldn’t wait to get back with one goal of ringing the PR bell as I crossed the half marathon finish line.  If you’ve been following along, you saw this goal slip further and further away from me due to injury but I was determined to go and take advantage of a fun weekend of running (and walking) with my cousin Melissa.

I got into town on Friday afternoon after a long solo drive.  Within the first few hours I already had some of my favorite Western New York foods: Tim Hortons, a sub from Wegmans and of course… chicken wings!

Saturday morning was the John Beishline Memorial 5k.  Melissa originally signed up to run with her boyfriend Mike and told me I should too.  Before my injury I thought it would be a good shake out run opportunity but now this became the main focus of the weekend for me.

The race sold out at 1,200 runners so there was a pretty big crowd for a 5k.  I told Melissa I would stay with her for the whole run and that’s just what I did.  We started with Mike and lost him about half way.  The race ran through neighborhoods and headed back around Niagara Square to finish in front of the convention center.  We jogged.  We walked.  And then we ran through the finish line.  I had a blast! 

After the 5k we had a full day of activities that included picking up our half marathon bib numbers at the race expo, a trip to the outlets, nail appointments, pasta for dinner and an early bedtime.

Sunday morning was half marathon morning and my 4:45am wake up call came way too early!  Ali got to Melissa’s apartment at 5:15am and we headed to the start line.

Since I wasn’t cleared to run more than 4 miles I decided that I wouldn’t start the race and I would run the second half with Melissa.  I’ll admit that I had a ton of guilt doing this.  It didn’t feel right.  But I was a registered runner and I took the timing chip off the back of my bib number so there would be no record of times and check points.  Once I saw Melissa and I started running with her, I was happy I made this decision.  She was having a rough day (her ankle had been bothering her) so we ran/walked the rest of the course.  The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining and we probably did way more walking then running but I didn’t even care.

Melissa crossed the finish line in 2:58:59.  She was way off her goal but happy to stay under 3 hours.  After the race we met back up with Ali (she was a DNF 😥) and enjoyed a Mile 27 beer brewed by Flying Bison especially for the Buffalo Marathon.  Pretty cool, right?

So what’s next for me?

I will probably run the Falmouth Road Race in Falmouth, MA on August 20th but my next goal race will be Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon in September!

Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA

September 17, 2017

Blog Preview/Event Information

Use code BIBRAVE 15 for $15 off the half!

Did you run the Buffalo Marathon? Head on over to BibRave.com and post your race review!

[Related posts: I signed up for the Buffalo Half Marathon! & Race Report: Buffalo Half Marathon]

Race Report: Piggy Trot 2017

Yesterday was the 8th Annual Piggy Trot for the Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope and my 7th year in a row running!  I love this race, the course, the cause—and I’m always excited for Piggy Trot morning.

As you know, I’ve been injured.  My physical therapist has only given me the ok to walk/run every other day up to 3 miles total.  The Piggy Trot is 3.7 miles.

While the original plan was to pace Eric and hopefully race to another pig trophy, I rewire my brain to make this a fun run.  I’m always lucky to have my mom and a bunch of work friends and run club friends running this race so this year I tagged along with Allison—who was stroller running, pushing Catherine.  It did turn into a walk/run for real because Catherine kept throwing her stuffed animal out of the stroller and then she wanted water… didn’t want water… wanted water… didn’t want water… and so on.

My mom started with us then kept running during one of our stops.  Once she hit mile 3 she started walking and we caught up so we all could cross the finish line together!

(📸: Stacey Hedman)

Up next: Buffalo Half Marathon in Buffalo, NY on May 28th!

[Related posts: I signed up for the Piggy Trot!, Race Report: Piggy Trot 2014, Race Report: Piggy Trot 2015 & Race Report: Piggy Trot 2016]

I signed up for the Piggy Trot!

What: The 8th Annual Piggy Trot

Where: Dowses Beach, Osterville, MA

When: May 21, 2017

The Piggy Trot has become one of my favorite events every spring and this year I will be back for my 7th straight!  The race falls only one week before the Buffalo Half Marathon and like last year, I will use it as a tune up to practice race morning routines.  Run comfortably fast—hopefully with my coworker Eric—and avoid the urge to race for the pig trophy.

If you are unfamiliar with the Piggy Trot, it’s a 3.7 mile race through beautiful Osterville, MA that starts and finishes at Dowses Beach.  The Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope puts on the race and Cape Cod Rehab has been a sponsor for 7 (maybe even 8?!) years.  Glenna (nicknamed “Piggy”) was a Town of Barnstable lifeguard who passed away from Melanoma at a very young age and her charity raises money and awareness in her honor.  One of their missions is to support and protect Cape Cod lifeguards by supplying sunscreen and putting up shade canopies on lifeguard stands.

T-shirts and swag bags with full size sunscreen are given to the first 200 registrants.  The race also features cash prizes, pig trophies, age group medals and a ton of great raffles.

(📷: Cape Cod Runner)

Join me on May 21st by registering through the Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope website.  They also take monetary donations if you are unable to attend.

You can read my 2014, 2015 & 2016 Race Reports here:

www.jenrunsfastblog.com/2014/05/race-report-piggy-trot-2014.html

www.jenrunsfastblog.com/2015/05/race-report-piggy-trot-2015.html

www.jenrunsfastblog.com/2016/05/race-report-piggy-trot-2016.html

You can read my 2014 review on BibRave here:

http://www.bibrave.com/races/glenna-kohl-piggy-trot/2304#.WNVWcRIrL6Y

Weekly Roundup 11.28-12.4

Week 8 of 16

Halfway to Miami!  I can’t believe it.  8 weeks down, 8 weeks to go!

Overall I’ve been feeling pretty good.  This week was a down week before building with a tough bunch of weeks coming up.  I didn’t have much time to run on Monday because I went to a women’s self-defense class the Mashpee Police.  It was great!  So watch out creepers.

Wednesday I went back to the treadmill for a repeat of last week’s workout and Thursday morning I fit in another run with the pup.

On Friday I had a dentist appointment in Falmouth because I had my FIRST CAVITY EVER!  I was so upset but took advantage of the fact that I was in Falmouth and headed to the bike path after the appointment for my long run of 12 miles.  In theory it was a good idea to go right after until I realized half my face way numb.  Not only was I drooling but I’m pretty sure my nose was running too because the Novocain crept up into my nose and cheek.  So attractive.  Long run was ok.  Not bad, not great but I got it done.

Saturday morning was the 5th Annual Jingle Jog.  I already blogged about it and you can read all about it here: http://www.jenrunsfastblog.com/2016/12/race-report-jingle-jog-5k-2016.html

Other highlights:

·      I had a blast at the CCR Christmas Party on Saturday night!  Thanks Joe & Kathy!

Upcoming events:

·      8 weeks until the Miami Marathon!

Monday 11.28.16

1 miles with G (9:08)

9,784 steps

Tuesday 11.29.16

Taught spin class. The playlist: Like I Love You Spin Playlist

7,340 steps

Wednesday 11.30.16

6 treadmill miles (44:30) with 5x800s at 8.8, 8.8, 9.9, 9.0, 9.2 mph

18,402 steps

Thursday 12.1.16

1.90 miles with G (17:51)

Taught spin class. The playlist: Somethin’ Bad Spin Playlist

Power Water

16,276 steps

Friday 12.2.16

12 miles (1:30:50)

28,402 steps

Saturday 12.3.16

2 mile warm up (19:05)

Jingle Jog 5k (20:54)

Race Report: Jingle Jog 5k 2016

21,083 steps

Sunday 12.4.16

Taught spin class. The playlist: The Heart of Rock & Roll Spin Playlist

Burdenko H2O

11,613 steps

ICYMI

Week 1 of 16             Week 5 of 16

Week 2 of 16             Week 6 of 16

Week 3 of 16             Week 7 of 16

Week 4 of 16

This week’s mileage: 26 miles

This week’s G mileage: 3 miles

November Totals: 112 miles

December Totals: 19 miles

2016 Totals: 842 miles

Race Report: Jingle Jog 5k 2016

All I really have to say is that man I love this race!  Every year the Falmouth Jingle Jog gets merrier and merrier and the costumes get better and better. 

This was the third year that my dad and I ran this race—we missed 2014 because of puppy kindergarten—and the second year in a row Run Club friends Danielle and Jason also ran with us.  I love that it’s the first weekend of December and pretty much kicks off the holiday season.

The race itself was chilly and windy this year.  I warmed up for 2 miles with Danielle, Jason and their friend Pat and actually did warm up but that wind kept reminding us it was December on Cape Cod.

My goal for the race was even pacing.  I wanted to run comfortable fast and maintain.  I think I did just that with splits reading 6:40, 6:44 and 6:43.  

I ended up placing 2nd behind Anne but it was déjà vu all over again.  At the top of the Falmouth Road Race hill she was right there in front of me.  I maintained pace through the second mile and seemed to be slowly making some ground on her.  I could have taken off the last mile and tried to catch her (last year I ran a 6:11 last mile as I knew breaking 20 minutes for the first time since high school was within reach) but tired marathon training legs and my need to work on patience said to run my own race and cruise through to the finish.

On the other hand my dad freaking killed it!  Last year he PRed at the 5k distance and ran 26:27.  Yesterday he ran 25:25!  Yup, that’s Mr. “I’m going to run really slow today” Skiba.

21 days until Christmas!

[Related Posts: Race Report: Jingle Jog 5k 2015 & Race Report: Jingle Jog 5k 2013]

I signed up for the Jingle Jog!

2015 with Run Club friends!

What: 5th Annual Jingle Jog 5k

Where: Falmouth, MA

When: December 3, 2016

I love running and I love Christmas.  That’s why I’m running the Jingle Jog for the second year in a row.  Last year I even squeezed out a PR a day after I ran 18 miles for Houston Marathon training.  (This year I will be running 16 the day before…)

The first 200 registered receive heavy cotton long sleeve shirts and everyone gets jingle bells so grab your Christmas compression socks and join my dad and me for a scenic 5k in Falmouth! 

Register here: http://web.falmouthchamber.com/events/5TH-ANNUAL-JINGLE-JOG-5K-AND-KIDS-ELF-RUN-6810/details

PS – 42 days until Christmas!!

[Related Posts: Race Report: Jingle Jog 5k 2013 & Race Report: Jingle Jog 5k 2015]

Weekly Roundup 7.11-7.17 & 7.18-7.24

 

This weather!  What a killer!  I feel like the heat and humidity has been sucking every last ounce of energy out of me.

Last week was the Runner’s World Classic and the most miles I’ve run in one weekend in a LONG time!  You can read my full race weekend recap here: http://www.jenrunsfastblog.com/2016/07/race-report-runners-world-classic.html

As you may know, I ran the Runner’s World Classic representing BibRave.  Because of the work I did for the Buffalo Marathon and the Runner’s World Classic, I was named the first ever BibRave Pro of the Month—I was pumped and honored to be the very first.  Thanks guys!

This week started with a lot of laziness and recovery with the NormaTec.  I also got in my parent’s pool a few times and managed to get out the door on Thursday and Friday for a few short, hot runs.

Upcoming events:

·      4 weeks until the Falmouth Road Race!

Monday 7.11.16

Happy Anniversary! 2 years a homeowner, 20 years on Cape Cod.

10,867 steps

Tuesday 7.12.16

Taught spin class

10 push ups

12,670 steps

Wednesday 7.13.16

3.5 miles (25:40)

30 box jumps, 30 squats, 30 box jumps

14,318 steps

Thursday 7.14.16

Power Water

10,321 steps

Friday 7.15.16

8,568 steps

Saturday 7.16.16

Runner’s World Classic 5k with Christa (23:43)

Runner’s World Classic 10k with Christa & Lizzie (53:26)

Race Report: Runner’s World Classic

34,053 steps

Sunday 7.17.16

Runner’s World Classic Half Marathon (1:43:44)

Race Report: Runner’s World Classic

35,441 steps

Monday 7.18.16

7,322 steps

Tuesday 7.19.16

Taught spin class

7,521 steps

Wednesday 7.20.16

9,011 steps

Thursday 7.21.16

0.30 G miles (3:08)

2 miles (16:10)

Power Water

14,603 steps

Friday 7.22.16

4 miles (30:05)

15,138 steps

Saturday 7.23.16

7,046 steps

Sunday 7.24.16

Taught spin class

Burdenko H2O

15’ hips, glutes and core

11,426 steps

Last week’s mileage: 26 miles

This week’s mileage: 6.25 miles

Last week’s G mileage: 0 miles

This week’s G mileage: 0.25 miles

July Totals: 60.25 miles

2016 Totals: 506 miles