Save the Date: National Running Day 6.4.14

Why do you run?

Waiting for Tonight Spin Playlist

Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke                                   4:23  Warm up

Wild Ones - Flo Rida                                                   3:54  Start adding tension, rolling hills

Waiting For Tonight - Jennifer Lopez                    4:06  Build

Jai Ho! - A. R. Rahman & The Pussycat Dolls       3:42  Jumps 20"

Till the World Ends - Britney Spears                     3:58  Another build

Get Me Bodied - Beyonce                                          3:26  Jumps (pyramid 20" to 5" to 20")

Jumpin', Jumpin' - Destiny's Child                          3:50  Running out of the saddle

Come Get It Bae - Pharrell Williams                      3:22  Recovery/add tension

A Little Party Never Killed Nobody - Fergie        4:01  Rolling hills

Where the Wind Blows - Coco O.                            3:51  Seated climb 80/70/80/70 rpm

Work Work - Britney Spears                                    4:08  Standing climb, 2x 15" seated climb

Love Never Felt So Good - MJ & JT                         4:06  Cool down

Pusher Love Girl - Justin Timberlake                    8:02  Stretch

Run Jen Run's Pet Peeves #1-4

Recently I started compiling a list of my pet peeves as a runner.  I am not trying to sound grouchy, but actually I am a mean girl so let's bring it.  Today I share with you numbers one through four…

#1

“I’m not a real runner.”

There is no speed or distance or amount of runs per week that “qualifies” you to become a runner.  If you run, you’re a runner.  That is all.

#2

Use bike path etiquette.

There is nothing more annoying than a group of walkers taking up the whole lane.  Come on walkers, single file.  Or at least two walkers side by side max.  And please look behind you before suddenly stopping.  I literally ran into someone recently that decided it was a good idea to stop and tie their shoe.  Equally as annoying are walkers or slower runners traveling in the middle of the bike path.  If I pass you on the left, I’m running in the other lane towards oncoming traffic with bikers glaring at me.  I would try to pass you on the right but there is no room unless I want to go off roading.  Follow the signs: Keep to right except to pass.

#3

Acknowledge your fellow runners.

If you run past me, a friendly little nod is nice.  A smile or a wave is even better.  If you don’t have the energy to do that, I’ll even take eye contact.  You may be suffering but we suffer together.  We’re all out there for different reasons with different goals but we all share a common interest and I believe it is absolutely necessary to at least acknowledge those that are out there pounding the pavement with you.

#4

Yield to pedestrians at the crosswalk.

Not only is it a state law, it's rude!  One of the worst places to cross the street is at a crosswalk in front of the church near my house.  I always have to wait for at least a dozen cars to pass for one to stop.  Even at the bike path where runners are “supposed to run” and there are a ton of signs, cars just don’t stop.

To be continued...

"What I can say..."

"What I can say, is when you’re running you find that despite the fact that you are feeling pain, you find that if you try to show the physical appearance of happiness you find this generation of energy inside your body. So, even if you are feeling a lot of pain, try to feel happy."

~Wilson Kipsang, 2014 London Marathon Champion

Race Report: Piggy Trot 2014

Sunday was the 5th Annual Piggy Trot at Dowses Beach in Osterville, MA.  It’s a 3.7 mile road race raising money and melanoma awareness through The Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope.

As always, it was a fantastic event.  This was my fourth straight year and it continues to get better and better every time.  Well-organized, friendly volunteers, beautiful course, the sun was shining, great race day atmosphere.  You can tell that Glenna was a very special girl.

2014 was supposed to be a race between me, my strength coach Eric, and our coworker Drew but this race will have to wait as Drew backed out about 48 hours before.  Eric has been off the roads for a few weeks now but still showed up.  He brought along his awesome cheering squad—wife & 14th month old daughter—and still ran a great time.  I am impressed with his ability to run fast times with so little training.  It must be all that Spinning!!!!! 

[Related Post: Spinning & Running]

My dad signed up for the race for the first time and yesterday was the longest my mom has ever run without walking!  In 2011 & 2012, she did a little run/walk along the course but now I have no doubt she’ll be ready for the Tufts 10k with me in October! :)  It was also the first road race all 3 of us have run together!  I’ve run with dad.  Dad ran with mom.  Mom ran with me.  It was fun seeing the whole family out on the course.  I always say... running is contagious!

Also running this year was Joe & Jon from CCR and family friend, Chris—a road race maniac, who continues to get faster each week of racing.

  

As for my race, I won a pig!  I think I was more excited about the pig than I was winning $50 for my 3rd place finish.  Most of the course I was running alone.  I passed a group of runners just before the first mile marker and worked on picking off 3 more runners the rest of the race as no one else was in sight.  I ran about 10 seconds slower than last year but felt very relaxed throughout the whole race.  My average heart rate was 178.  That seems high to me (I try to keep it around 160 bpm for easy runs) but I don't usually race with my heart rate monitor so I didn't know what to expect!  Today was a great test to see where my fitness is at as I prepare for Women Running Wild in 5 weeks where I hope to run a 5k PR.

 

 

[Related Posts: I signed up for the Piggy Trot & 6 Weeks til the Piggy Trot]