The 2012 Chicago Marathon in Pictures

Flashback Friday.  Today on Run Jen Run, I’m looking back at some of my favorite pictures from my first marathon.

 Sign by Joslin & Jen

 

Sign by Amy                                               Sign by Paul

 

26.2 miles!

 

Post-Race Deep Dish PIZZA!!!

The BEST Cheerleaders!

   121 days until #2!

Conquering Fears: I Went Rock Climbing!

On Friday, I went rock climbing!

A few weeks ago during my 7:30am group training, one of my clients mentioned rock climbing.  Actually she has mentioned it a few times but I never really thought I would ever go.  But this time two others in my group showed interest, a date was set, and a few hours later reservations were made and waivers were electronically signed.

My role at the gym is to educate, motivate, and tailor workouts based the goals and fitness levels of each individual but really my clients inspire me everyday. Wendy is an incredible, strong athlete—and a grandmother!  Beth is recently retired and decided that her new “full time job” was the gym.  Her dedication to her health and fitness is inspiring to everyone that meets her.  Bill is the newest member to join our group.  He works hard every session and is always up for a challenge.  If they could rock climb, I needed to put my fears aside and just do it.  I always say #NoExcuses right?

When we arrived at Carabiner’s in New Bedford, we were all amazed at how cool the facility was.  We were going to rock climb!  Wendy went off on her own to use the auto-belay while Beth, Bill, and I took the intro course and learned all the knots, set up and safety.

Overall the day was really fun.  We didn’t do too much climbing in the intro course but I could tell it would be quite the workout!  If climbing correctly, you need great forearm strength and strong glutes, calves, and quads.  (I woke up this morning with really sore lats!)  Everyone in the group did such a great job and we were all surprised at what we could do.  In the few times I climbed, I only made it about half way up the wall before yelling “Take!”  Part was fear, part I didn’t know where to go next, and part my muscles were starting to fatigue.  [Sidenote: Jen, you need to run!]

BUT THEN as we were packing up, I decided to give it one more try.  Bill was belaying for me.  Wendy and Beth were my cheerleaders.  AND I CLIMBED UP THE WHOLE WALL!  I wanted to stop a few times but they kept me going.  Role reversal!  It was awesome!  It was a small accomplishment but very proud moment.

Not sure when I will rock climb again as the closest climbing facility is about an hour away but I do hope to make it back someday!

[Related Posts: Back in the Gym 3: Conquering Fears & Vegas Recap: Off The Strip]

Holiday Party Survival Guide

‘Tis the season to overindulge!   I personally made a special trip to my parent’s house this week to pick up some of my mom’s famous Christmas cookies.  And then in a 2 hour time period, I ate 7 cookies.  No control.

Did you know the average American gains 4 to 12 pounds over the holidays?  One holiday meal alone can add up to 3,000 calories and this does not include other meals and snacks that same day.  A cup of eggnog contains 343 calories.  Add rum and you’re adding another 100 calories to this holiday favorite.

Do you have an office holiday party coming up?  Planning a gathering with family and friends?  It’s important to let yourself splurge every once in awhile but here are some tips to help control yourself and not go overboard.

• Make sure you get in a workout that day.  Hit the gym, go for a walk, sign up for a Jingle Jog or anything to get you moving and burn some extra calories.

• Eat normally throughout the day leading up to the event.  Don’t skip meals.  If you go hungry, chances are you will end up eating more!

• When you get to the party, preview the buffet and prioritize.  Decide what you want before you fill up your plate.  What is worth indulging in?

• The obvious: Don’t linger by the food table!  That’s my go-to spot to hang so it’s my friends’ duty to pull me away to socialize.  The closer you are, the easier to grab.  And when you’re chatting you may not even know you’re munching.

• If you are going to have an alcoholic drink, grab a light beer or a glass of wine.  A bottle of light beer has around 100 calories and a 5oz glass of wine has about 120 calories.

• Stay hydrated.  Drink lots of water leading up to the party and keep drinking water while you are there.  This will make you feel full faster.

• Got a long run coming up the next morning?  Don’t eat anything unusual at the party.  Stay away from heavy and creamy foods, seafood, and too many sugary desserts.  Remember that alcoholic drinks will dehydrate you and affect your performance in the morning.  If you must drink, keep sipping on water between drinks!

• Avoid bringing home leftovers and get right back on track the next day!  It’s very easy to let one bad night of eating turn into several.

Old Time Rock & Roll Spin Playlist

Back by popular demand, we spin to the 70s tunes in spin this week.  Had to throw in a little KISS & Def Leppard.  Did you know Linda Lou and I went to their concert last Friday?!

Old Time Rock & Roll - Bob Seger                      3:15  Warm up                     

You May Be Right - Billy Joel                                4:09  Drills, pedal strokes

Any Way You Want It - Journey                           3:26  Build                

Got Me Under Pressure - ZZ Top                         4:00  Jumps, with high rpm

Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard             4:23  Build, alt seated/standing climb

Detroit Rock City - Kiss                                           3:39  Fast, with 1 min out of the saddle

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd           4:45  Build

Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones                          3:44  Standing climb                       

Rag Doll - Aerosmith                                                4:25  Jumps with build

Up Around the Bend - Creedence Clearwater Revival     2:41  Build

American Woman - Lenny Kravitz                       4:22  Standing climb

American Girl - Tom Petty                                      3:32  Downhill with sprints (10/20/30”)

Beast Of Burden - The Rolling Stones                 3:28  Cool down

Sweetest Thing - U2                                                  3:02  Stretch

Weekend Roundup: First Ever Pub Run & Two-A-Days!

I don’t know about you, but I had an excellent weekend.

Photo from Cape Cod Runner

On Friday night, I attended the first ever Pub Run at Marathon Sports Mashpee.  Mizuno sponsored the event and it was a blast.  They brought along shoes and there were perks for trying them on and running the 3-mile course in them.  I ran with Tiff from work – and we were flying in the Mizuno shoes!  They are a great brand and great company but they run a little too narrow for my big feet.  Boo.

After the run, the group met up at The Lanes.  Everyone that wore the Mizuno shoes got a drink voucher, a Mizuno pint glass, and a cool blue Mizuno t-shirt. 

That’s not all – The Lanes brought out food!  Chips, soft pretzels (my fav!), nachos, and pizza.  Awesome.  My dad also ran and we stuck around for a while and met some other local runners.  It was a late night for us – got home at 10pm! – but we would totally do it again!

Thank you Marathon Sports & Mizuno!

Friday also marked my first ever two-a-day.  I knew I would be running at the Pub Run so I was going to move my usual Friday morning long run to Thursday or Saturday morning.  Stupid tree pollen and work stress has had an effect on my sleep this week so I skipped my run Thursday morning.  When I woke up Friday morning, I was feeling great and the morning was so beautiful I couldn’t help but head out the door for a lovely 8 miles down by the beach.

Saturday morning I received a surprise text from Lizzie that she is in town so she joined me and my mama for a nice 4-mile walk around West Falmouth and Chappy Beach.  I love when she’s home.  We also made a trip to Somerset Creamery – in my opinion, the best ice cream and waffle cones on Cape Cod!

Other highlights:

While we were sleeping Friday night, Galen Rupp broke the American Record in the 10,000 meters.  So amazing.  If you didn’t have a chance to watch the race, you can check it out here. 

Registration is now up for the Tufts 10k for Women.  I have it marked on my calendar as my goal race of the year.  Join me on Columbus Day for an empowering day for women and a 6.2 mile run through the streets of Boston.

Weekend Mileage – Friday AM 8miles, Friday PM 3miles, Saturday AM 4mile walk.  Sunday PM 4 miles with mama joining me on the bike.

Friday long runs are back!

& Spring is here on Cape Cod?   

I finally recovered from Monday's workout that left me foam rolling my screaming hamstrings ALL WEEK.  It sounded so simple and easy.  I modified an old workout from Eric...

Circuit:

·      20 Box Jumps

·      Walking Lunge with Curl AND Press 8# x10

·      Single Leg Deadlift 12# x10 each

·      10 Push Ups

3 times through.  No rest between exercises.  2 minute rest in between rounds.

I survived an easy 5 mile run on Wednesday and a recovery day on Thursday (by recovery I mean Spin & Power Water!) so this morning I dug out my shorts and compression socks for my longest run since my stitches.  It was a beautiful 66 degrees.  The sun was shining.  I also swallowed my first bug of the season & almost face planted trying to cross a busy street.  Overall a great spring long run on my favorite day of the week.  Happy Friday y’all.

Paul Wylie

Paul with Adult Nationals Skater Dawn

Yesterday I had an opportunity to meet Paul Wylie, the 1992 Men’s Figure Skating Olympic Silver Medalist.  Paul has many ties to Cape Cod and used to skate at the Tony Kent Arena in South Dennis.  He also worked with Dr. Igor Burdenko and still incorporates the Burdenko Method in his training.  I was at the HYCC in Hyannis with some of my coworkers for the 2014 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships and Paul was there to give a brief presentation to the skaters about different approaches to training and making fitness a lifelong journey.

A couple key points that Paul mentioned...

·      “Stress without recovery is the enemy!”

·      In the olden days, training was about trial and error and driven by urgency to cram for the competition.  Now training takes an integrated approach driven by goals and sport specific personal plans.

·      Your plan for the season should include a contingency plan for WHEN you get injured.  It’s going to happen.  You should prepare for it now.

·      Every time you step into the gym or rink you need to ask yourself these questions:

o   “What can I accomplish today?”

o    “What excuses do I make on a daily basis?”

o   “What am I after in life?”

·      Ballet was the Russian secret weapon.

2014 Comeback

Today looked like summer but felt like winter never left us... Mother Nature tricked us.  

It was my longest run of my 2014 comeback (stupid stitches) and it was a struggle fest.  The last few weeks of running has not been enjoyable.  Thankfully Linda came along for the ride to keep me going.

Time to get motivated.  And I need your help!

If you haven’t already heard, I didn’t get into New York.  I wasn’t expecting to get in as a first time entrant but I couldn’t help but feel the disappointment after receiving my rejection email.  On the other hand, the way my training (or lack of training) is going, it’s sort of a relief.

I have learned as a runner, I am not good without a plan.  I need dates on the calendar and goals to work towards.  2014 wasn't meant to be for marathon #2.  Maybe it's a year to try new distances (a 10 miler perhaps?) or focus on a 5k/10k PR?  

I want to know… what races have my readers signed up for in 2014?

I'd love to hear from each and every one of you.  Comment below & send me your 2014 race schedules!  What races should I sign up for?!  

Birthday Week Roundup

It's been a fabulous week and I was busy, busy!

For starters, I ran 4 days this week totaling 14 miles!  I’m psyched.  My lungs are still trying to play catch up but overall it feels great to be back on the roads.

More highlights:

·      Check out my updated bio.  I am now officially TPI Certified!  I passed the test!  On that note, I need to start practicing.  Who wants a free screen?  :)

·      I spent an awesome Friday night in Boston celebrating my birthday with Lizzie and Gabby.  Delicious dinner & dessert at Teatro, fun drinks, great company and a night filled with dancing.  You guys are so good to me.  Oh and I can’t forget about brunch (The Friendly Toast) and the massive amounts of food we ordered.  Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes with real whipped cream anyone?  OUR diet starts tomorrow!

·      Visited my peeps at Falmouth Fashion Nails.  Black toenail and all.  At least it’s not as embarrassing having ugly runner feet if they know me as the girl who runs by everyday.  When I walk in the door, "You run today?" #runnerproblems #treatyoself

·      My Mashpee Fitness modeling plus some TRX Progressions from Catie.  Check it.

Time to get back on track with running, healthy eats, and more blogging!  What topics would you like to read about?