Race Report: 50 Yard Finish 2014

I got my medal!!  If you have been following my blog, you know that was my goal for this race.  Last week I ran for time.  This week was for that medal.  And it’s a pretty sweet medal.

There were about 800 runners entered in the 5k and another thousand or so running a half marathon.  I was 4th female and 1st in my age group on a hot, humid Saturday morning in Orchard Park, New York.  When I woke up race morning, I was surprised to see my cousin Michele getting ready.  I didn't know she was coming with us so that was a nice treat!  She had to work a 10-10 shift that day so go Michele for waking up at 5am to hang out with me at a road race!  Also run/walking was my mama Linda, my aunt Barb, and my cousin Melissa’s friend Ali.  Melissa wasn’t with us this year because as we were running she was biking 65 miles raising money for cancer research at the Ride for Roswell!  #ProudCousin

The 5k was one big loop on the roads around the stadium.  Pretty boring course but the last half mile is well worth it.  It’s awesome rounding the corner to see the stadium then running through the tunnel and onto the field.  I crossed the finish line with a big smile on my face (obviously), grabbed some water, a chocolate milk, and some treats from Tim Hortons – a great sponsor!  I then found my spot at about the 20 yard line to watch the rest of the girls cross the finish line.

  

So much fun.  Great morning.  Can’t wait for football season!!

  

[Related Post: I signed up for the Bills 5k! & Race Report: Women Running Wild 2014]

Run Jen Run's Beach Body Workouts

Background: My friend Kelly was abroad this spring and asked me what she could do to get ready for a Cape Cod summer in bikinis.  She did not have access to a gym or any equipment so I put together two quick workouts with a few exercises targeting all our major muscle groups that she could do virtually anywhere.  Summer may be here but it's not too late to get fit!

*Please make sure you are medically cleared before trying a new fitness routine.  Schedule an appointment with a certified personal trainer to receive a workout specific to your goals and fitness levels.

Run Jen Run's Beach Body Workout #1

Jog 1 mile

10 Burdenko Wake Up Call
Take a small step forward while clapping your hands overhead. Step back to start position and repeat with the other leg. Gradually take bigger steps forward until you are lunging. 

10 Squats

30-60” Plank

15-30” each Side Plank

10 Burdenko Squat Hurdles

Squat. As you’re coming back up, kick left leg in the air while you reach opposite hand to foot.  Squat and repeat with the other side.  

10 each Burdenko Earth to Sky

Lunge to the side and “sweep the floor” with your opposite hand and continue to make big circles overhead.  Continue for 10 repetitions and repeat to the other side.  

  

30-60” Plank

15-30” each Side Plank

10 Jumping Jacks

10 each Single Leg Hop in Place     

Jog 1 mile + Stretch

Run Jen Run's Beach Body Workout #2

Jog 1 mile

10 Push Ups

10 Tricep Dips

60” Plank

30” each Side Plank

10 Bridges

10 Bird Dogs

Begin on all fours with hands underneath your shoulder and knees underneath your hips.  Raise opposite arm and leg making sure to keep back.  Return to start and repeat.

60” Plank

30” each Side Plank

10 Burpees

Jog 1 mile + Stretch

Race Report: Women Running Wild 2014

The Skiba women ran great races at the 18th Annual Women Running Wild on Saturday July 21st in Osterville, MA. 

2 women.  2 PRs.  1 awesome evening.

When I ran this race in 2012, it was my fastest 5k since high school.  It was a fun race, a fairly flat course, and I was excited to be back.  My goal for 2014 was to break 21 minutes.

I became super nervous waiting around all day until the 6pm race.  I am so out of my comfort zone running 5ks.  They are short.  They are fast.   And I don’t like short or fast.  Well, I like fast but you know what I mean.

Anyway, it was a beautiful night for a race!  Perfect temperature.  A little breezy but the sun was shining and there were a lot of happy women at the start line.

The first mile I was relaxed - almost too relaxed as I kept gazing at my watch and forcing myself to slow down.  I passed a couple of women in the first mile and a half but then I stayed about the same distance behind the 2nd place girl for the rest of the race.  I finished the race feeling good.  I was definitely working the last mile but I didn’t feel like I totally pushed myself, which is a good sign of my fitness.  I crossed the line in 3rd place with a 20:49.  Happy Jen!

Linda ran a 27:50!  She didn’t stop to walk at all.  She is turning into quite the little runner.

Up next: 50 Yard Finish on Saturday morning!  I won’t be running for time... I’ll be racing for an age group medal!  Last year I jogged the course finishing 4th in my age group.  It normally wouldn’t faze me missing out on a medal until I realized it was a Buffalo Bills medal.  Anything for my Bills.

#BillsMafia

Pumpkin Granola Bars

These are amazing.  Great for breakfast or after a run!

Ingredients

3-1/4 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 (or more!) teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon flaxseed (optional)

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup applesauce

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x11 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together oats, spices, flaxseed and salt.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk brown sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, honey and vanilla extract until smooth.  Poor over oats and stir well until all of the oats are moist.  Stir in chocolate chips.

Evenly press oat mixture into prepared pan.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and set.  The pumpkin keeps the bars moist so make sure you don’t under-bake!

Remove from oven.  Let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.

Cut into bars.  Remove from pan and let cool completely.

Enjoy!!

The terrible, horrible, no good, very bad run.

Have you ever had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad run?

Today was one of those days.  The sun was shining.  There was a nice breeze.  Monday's afternoon run felt effortless.  The plan was an easy 3 miles with some strides.  I was ready.

Or so I thought.

It was awful!  There are no good words to describe today's run.  It was freaking hot.  I couldn’t breathe.  Like really, I couldn’t breathe.  I had to walk.  As I was walking, I tried to remember the last time walked during a run.  The only thing that came to mind was a 14 miler during marathon training when later that day I found out I had strep throat.  2012.  Ugh.

Anyway, bad runs happen.  Everyone from beginners to elites will experience bad runs from time to time.  Even if everything is going right from training to preparation and all the little things like stretching and nutrition, you will experience a bad run.  And when you do, it’s important to stop over-analyzing what went wrong and have confidence that the next time you head out the door, it will be a new day.

Time to put that run behind me and look ahead to the weekend.  Spin and Power Water tomorrow.  Easy 3 miles on Friday and going for a 5k PR at Women Running Wild on Saturday night!  Woohoo!