See Ya 2017!

I always love to look back on the year on December 31st and highlight some memorable moments that shaped my year.  I ran the race of my life in Miami then battled injuries the rest of the year.  I started adding strength training and Olympic lifting into my weekly routine and I love seeing progress and the opportunity to learn as I go.  I took a chance with someone in the spring that tested my patience, vulnerability and spontaneity and then later in the fall tested my strength and confidence.  I watched a client mourn the loss of her dad after a friend lost her husband suddenly—both of which weighed heavy on my heart and taught me to be present and live in the moment because time is short and life is precious.  I was also lucky to reconnect with a few old friends that reminded me the importance of close friendships and how thankful I am to have each and every one of them in my life whether they are near or far.

In January I ran an epic 20 miler in the snow as my final long run before the Miami Marathon.  I went to Miami healthy and hungry.  I gave it everything I had earning a PR and BQ.

I took some time off in February then enjoyed easing back into running with some fun, snowy runs with the pup.

In March I started training for the Buffalo Half Marathon.  I celebrated my 31st birthday and had an awesome birthday brunch with my parents.  A new tradition.

As a training run, I signed up to run the Newport Rhode Race with my dad in April but I got injured.  It was my dad’s 10th half marathon and I was a DNF.  I started PT with Kathy for an abductor strain—an injury that really debilitated me for quite some time.

In May I started running again and ran the Piggy Trot with friends then made the trip to Buffalo for the Buffalo Half Marathon.  I ran the 5k with my cousin Melissa and ran/walked the second half of the half with her the next day.

My mileage started to build up again in June and in July I started training for a September half marathon in Philly but then got a stress fracture and cancelled my trip.

I attempted to run the Falmouth Road Race in August when my foot wasn’t fully healed.  (Stupid!)

In September I submitted my application for the 2018 Boston Marathon and in October I discovered miles and miles of trails behind my house with Georgie.  I also started Olympic lifting with the goal of feeling strong and ready to take on the hills in Boston.

November started off with a 2nd place finish and a 7-mile PR at Falmouth in the Fall.

  

December has been about getting into a routine and Boston Marathon training started on Christmas Day!

762 total miles in 2017.

2018, let’s go!  I am ready for you!

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]

Packing for a Running Racecation

Disclaimer: I was recently sent an Eagle Creek Pack-It Sport Active Set to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. I also received a free entry to the Buffalo Marathon. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I’m off to Buffalo this weekend for Buffalo Marathon race weekend.  This weekend combines 3 of my favorite things: running, traveling and my family.  It also includes one of my least favorite things: packing.  Man, I’m the worst.  Not only do I over pack but I always over pack the wrong stuff.

The good thing about traveling for a race by car, is that you can stuff a ton of extra stuff in the trunk and that’s ok.  Extra shoes, extra jackets, an extra pillow… I have not even started putting together my everyday clothes yet but my giant Orange Mud Gym Bag is packed up and ready with my Eagle Creek Pack-It Sport Active Set and all my running clothes. 

Run Jen Run Tip #1: I like to keep my running gear separate from my everyday clothes because organization means less stress on race day!

If you’re flying to a race destination, things could get a little trickier.  You have to figure out what to pack to still keep your suitcase light—or you may decide that you are not even going to check a bag—and still leave some room to bring back some race merchandise and souvenirs.

Run Jen Run Tip #2: Make sure to carry on all of your race day essentials.  Don’t take any chances!

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In addition to the usual packing of everyday clothes, bathroom stuff, make up and jewelry, here is my Running Racecation Check List…

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

License

Passport (Especially if you are traveling to Buffalo! Niagara Falls, Canada is so close!)

iPod/Headphones

Water

Run Jen Run Tip #3: If you are traveling by plane, bring a reusable water bottle to fill up once you get through security.

RACE DAY ESSENTIALS

Watch

Shoes

Socks (Balegas of course!)

Compression sleeves

Shorts/Capris/Pants

Shirt

Sports Bra

Pre-Race Throwaways

Headband/Hat/Gloves

Body Glide

Deodorant

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Belt/Pouch

Race Nutrition

OTHER

Packet Pick Up Info

Jacket(s)/Rain Gear

Chargers (watch, phone, iPod, etc.)

Race Morning Breakfast/Snacks

Post-Race OOFOS & Dry Clothes

Orange Mud Transition Wrap

Bathing Suit

What am I missing?

[Related Post: Buffalo Marathon: Things To Do & Places To See Race Weekend]

Weekly Roundup 4.24-4.30 & 5.1-5.7

 

Hey guys!  It’s been two weeks since I last posted a Weekly Roundup and I still haven’t tried running a step.  This injury has been super frustrating and is making me crazy.  It’s always worse when you CAN’T do something versus when you just don’t want to.  I was diagnosed with an abductor strain.  For awhile I was getting a lot of referred pain down my leg and to my piriformis but now it is more localized.  Sitting hurts.  Standing too long hurts.  I also haven’t been able to spin.  I can’t jump around in pool class.  I wasn’t sleeping.  My appetite is suppressing (probably to a normal appetite 😂).  I lost about 4 pounds but I’m getting fluffy.  Not running sucks.

I’m trying to stay motivated and looking ahead to future goals—I signed up for Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia in September—because I can feel Buffalo slipping away from me.  I may still be able to run the half Memorial Day weekend but I know I won’t be able to race.  I’m being a good little PT patient and doing all my exercises, stretching a ton, rolling every day and getting in the pool a few times a week.  Kathy has been awesome—spending so much time with me, being so accommodating and putting me to WERK.  So many glute exercises!

While healing is slow, I am sleeping through the night and definitely getting stronger.  I used the elliptical pain-free this weekend and finally was able to go long enough to sweat on Sunday!  Baby steps.  It’s hard to remember sometimes but small progress is still progress.

Other highlights:

·      I signed up for Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia!

·      I’m getting new floors!  Last weekend I helped my dad rip up the kitchen.  Georgie supervised and I took out all the nails.

Upcoming events:

·      2 weeks until the Piggy Trot!

·      3 weeks until the Buffalo Half Marathon!

Monday 4.24.17

PT with Kathy

20’ Burdenko

7,440 steps

Tuesday 4.25.17

10,527 steps

Wednesday 4.26.17

30’ Burdenko

9,388 steps

Thursday 4.27.17

Power Water

10 push ups

14,173 steps

Friday 4.28.17

PT with Kathy

5’ elliptical

18’ walk with G

10’ walk with G and mama

8,701 steps

Saturday 4.29.17

30’ Burdenko

7,489 steps

Sunday 4.30.17

Burdenko H2O

14,429 steps

Monday 5.1.17

PT with Kathy

7,364 steps

Tuesday 5.2.17

10,175 steps

Wednesday 5.3.17

PT with Kathy

8’ elliptical

9,384 steps

Thursday 5.4.17

Power Water

10,970 steps

Friday 5.5.17

15’ elliptical

30’ Burdenko

9,268 steps

Saturday 5.6.17

18’ walk with G and mama

9,293 steps

Sunday 5.7.17

20’ elliptical

7,530 steps

Last week’s mileage: 0 miles

This week’s mileage: 0 miles

Last week’s G mileage: 0 miles

This week’s G mileage: 0 miles

April Totals: 16 miles

May Totals: 0 miles

2017 Totals: 300 miles