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!

See Ya 2016!

2016 hasn’t been my best year.  There were ups and there were downs but I like to think I am ending the year on a high note—I mean I did just win my Fantasy Football League after 5 unsuccessful years with my friends.

I kicked off 2016 on injured reserve (hamstring) and ran the first 18.6 miles of the Houston Marathon then walked the final 7.6 miles.  I was so proud of my cousin for running her first half marathon and the post-race burritos and guac never tasted so good.

I took some time off after Houston but traded in my Nike GPS watch for a Garmin Forerunner 230 in February to re-motivate.

I turned the big 3-0 on March 18th.  It was pretty traumatic for me and to top it all off, my Papa passed away on my birthday.

April was a pretty good month.  I got the chance to interview Meb Keflezighi, ran a 10k PR at the Cape Cod Beer Race to the Pint and took Georgie out for her longest run ever—4 miles!

I trained for the Buffalo Half Marathon in May and was pumped for the chance to run a PR in my favorite city with my cousins but I got injured 2 weeks before the race (posterior tib) and we experienced record high temps for Memorial Day Weekend in Buffalo.  Side note: I WILL be back in 2017 for redemption and another PR attempt.

In June, I healed up then Georgie got injured.  The vet diagnosed her with a shoulder sprain and was on strict rest for about 2 weeks.  She also had a giant open wound on her head so the vet shaved her head like Britney Spears circa 2007 and she rocked the cone for a while.  

July was really hot.  Like really hot.  I ran the Runner’s World Classic with some of my best running buddies and had a fun girls weekend off cape.

I got injured again in August (Achilles) and had to miss the Falmouth Road Race.  I did attend the mile and had a blast crashing the after party with some of old office staff and Anchor Boothed with some Olympians.

September I celebrated my 3 year blogiversary and shared 25 Things About Me.  Georgie chipped a bunch of teeth, cut up her lip and re-sprained her shoulder. 

I started training for the Miami Marathon in October and also started running with Georgie again because for the first time in months we were injury free at the same time!

I traveled to Durham, NC for my cousin’s wedding in November and really started to rack up my mileage.

December was filled with lots of holiday cheer and many miles including an 18-miler on the treadmill at Mashpee Fitness.

985 total miles in 2016.

2017, let’s go!

Weekly Roundup 6.27-7.3

 

I ran 24 miles this week with a long run of 10 miles! 

As you know I am kinda, sorta training for the Runner’s World Classic, which is less than 2 weeks away.  I really only had 4-5 weeks to build on my mileage after my planned break post-Buffalo Half Marathon.  I haven’t thrown in any speed work on top of some occasional strides BUT in theory, it’s time to taper!

I am really looking forward to race weekend!  Running 3 races in 1 weekend will be a challenge but it will also serve as a mini reunion with some of my running buddies.   

Christa will be running the Five & Dime (5k & 10k both on Saturday).  We ran track in high school together but didn’t become friends until we were both in grad school about 500 miles apart where we reconnected through the world of AOL Instant Messenger.  I met Christa’s college track teammates Trask and Anna and have hung out on various occasions whether it was dinner and drinks in the North End, sleepovers in Mansfield, white water rafting and the many adventures of Christa’s wedding weekend.  Trask is signed up for the half on Sunday and I am pretty sure Anna signed up for the 10k.   

Side note: Trask is well on her way to running 50 marathons in 50 states in memory of her dad (50 for Billy) and raising money for the Center for Grieving Children in Portland, ME.   

And then there is Lizzie!  Lizzie was my first friend when I moved to the Cape in 1996 and continues to be one of my best friends.  I can always count on her for a run and ice cream date when she’s home.  She will be running the 10k and I’d just like to point out that she totally dragged my butt to the finish line of my first 10k back in 2010 when I was recovering from a knee scope. 

Last call to register online for one, two or all three of the Runner’s World Classic races—and use code RAVE for 10% off!

Ok so back to this week…

Monday I was LAZY.  I skipped my run and went out to ice cream with a client.  Worst trainer ever or would I actually be the best trainer ever?

Tuesday was Run Club and one of the boys had the brilliant idea to run Indian sprints for the second mile, which is a big loop around the Industrial Park.  It was hot and it was uncomfortable but we treated ourselves to a post-run refreshment at the Lanes.

Wednesday was Georgie’s birthday and I had the day off!  We spent just about the whole day together.  It was wonderful.

Long run Saturday was actually pretty fun.  I had 10 miles planned and I decided to run through New Seabury with a goal to be finished running by 10am.  No more of this procrastination nonsense.  Anyway, it was 4th of July weekend in a huge summer community and I have never seen so many people out walking, running, biking, already at the beach or in the yard blowing up rafts and filling up coolers.  It was incredible.  I bet the last time I ran through New Seabury was maybe March or April and I was lucky if I saw a landscaper or maintenance man driving through.  I was so happy with so many people around and not to mention I was motivated by all my red, white and blues.

Other highlights:

·      Cape Cod Rehab teamed up with the Cape Cod Marathon this year and guess who will be writing the official training plans?  ME!  Coach Jen Skiba!  The Level 1 and Level 2 training plans can be found on the Cape Cod Marathon website (www.capecodmarathon.com) and begin next week, July 11th.  The half marathon plans will begin August 8th and will be published in the next couple weeks!  Also follow Cape Cod Marathon on Facebook for weekly training tips from me, our trainers and physical therapists in the 16 weeks leading up to race weekend!

Upcoming events:

·      2 weeks until the Runner’s World Classic!

Monday Ice Cream with Leslie!

Monday 6.27.16

7,718 steps

Tuesday 6.28.16

Taught spin class

10 push ups

0.57 miles with a client (5:56)

0.28 miles with a client (2:53)

Marathon Sports Run Club! 5 miles with Jason, Gary & Chris (40:02)

23,772 steps

Wednesday 6.29.16

3.4 miles (26:55)

4 strides

14,750 steps

Thursday 6.30.16

Power Water

8,854 steps

Friday 7.1.16

4 miles (32:58)

10’ core

12,498 steps

Saturday 7.2.16

10 miles (1:17:26)

23,747 steps

Sunday 7.3.16

Taught spin class. The playlist: Party in the U.S.A. Spin Playlist

Burdenko H2O

11,212 steps

Happy 2nd Birthday Georgie!

This week’s mileage: 24 miles

This week’s G mileage: 0 miles

June Totals: 52 miles

July Totals: 14 miles

2016 Totals: 459.75 miles

See Ya 2015!

I started off 2015 with the 1st Annual New Year's Day bRUNch and went rock climbing in January.

February I bought YakTrax and had fun running in the snow with friends.

I turned 29 in March.

April was an exciting month because I started trotting with Georgie!

In May I made a decision to sign up for the Houston Marathon and made a killer Cinco de Mayo Spin Playlist.

I ran a 5k PR in June at Women Running Wild and became a Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Certified Running Coach.

July & August was filled with quite a bit of running including a miserable run at the Falmouth Road Race.

Houston Marathon training began the end of September.

I ran 2 PRs in October—5k at Ellicottville’s Fall Fest 5k & half marathon at the Cape Cod Half.

November, I ran a lot.

In December I ran another 5k PR at the Jingle Jog, became a BibRave Pro, signed up for the Buffalo Half Marathon, ran 20 miles & made it to taper!  ...And then I got injured.

815 total miles in 2015.

2016, let’s go!

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!