Happy Anniversary!

Happy 1 Year to Run Jen Run!

Tufts 10k Training Weeks 4-6

Training has been going well except silly Jen realized this week that I miscalculated and I actually have 3 more weeks until the race!  Week 6 was my highest mileage week—but now I’ll have to alter my training and redo my toughest week to make it a 9-week training program.

Week 4 started off at the Tuesday night run club at Marathon Sports Mashpee.  My work schedule changed a bit and I finally can go.  I ran 3 miles with Chris and then grabbed something to eat with some new friends Allison, Stacey and Dave next door at the Lanes.  Friday my parents and I spent the day on the Vineyard with Barb & John and Saturday I was lucky to have my mom and BFF Barbie accompany me on my long run.  It was a rough one.  99% humidity with a dew point of 75 is not ideal long run conditions!

Week 5 was an off week.  Allergies, stress, and fatigue took over my body and put me out of commission for a few days.  Tiff and I met at my house before the Marathon Sports Pub Run for a 3.1 mile loop around my hood and then ran 3.1 at the Pub Run.  That’s 6.2 for the team!  (The Cape Cod Rehab Flyers are hoping to return to the Cape Cod Marathon Relay with a goal of breaking 3 hours.)  I helped celebrate Craig's birthday on Saturday night ended up skipping my long run for a couch and football day on a rare Sunday off.  Oops!

Week 6 was fun.  I tried a Triple Play workout at the gym, won a $25 gift certificate at Marathon Sports run club one year anniversary party (followed by fro-yo with new run club friends), tested my speed on Wednesday with a tempo run (last mile was sub-7) and a 10 mile long run with Lindi Lou on the bike.  It was also #kkandalex wedding weekend and had so much fun catching up with old friends and dancing all night!  Sidenote: Kristen looked gorgeous!

Week 4 Recap

Monday – Day off!

Tuesday – Spin class, 3 miles at run club

Wednesday – 5 miles

Thursday – Spin class, 4 miles

Friday – Day off!
Saturday – 8 miles

Sunday – Spin class, 4 miles

Week 4 Totals: 24 miles

Week 5 Recap

Monday – 4 miles

Tuesday – Spin class, 3 miles at run club

Wednesday – Day off!

Thursday – Day off!

Friday – 3 miles with Tiff, 3 miles at the pub run
Saturday – 3 miles

Sunday – Skipped by 6 mile long run…

Week 5 Totals: 16 miles

Week 6 Recap

Monday – 3 miles, 2/3 Triple Play, 1 mile

Tuesday – Spin class, 3 miles at run club

Wednesday – 5 miles

Thursday – Spin class

Friday – Day off!
Saturday – Spin class, 10 miles

Sunday – Spin class, 3 miles with Lizzie

Week 6 Totals: 25 miles

[Related Posts: Tufts 10k Training Week 1: Hey, are you guys with Meb? & Tufts 10k Training Week 2 & 3]

Run Jen Run Loves Smoothies

I love smoothies!  I also love making my own creations. 

Here’s this morning’s post-run smoothie...

1 banana

Handful of frozen strawberries

Handful of frozen peaches

2 scoops Arbonne vanilla protein powder

1 scoop flaxseed

1 scoop peanut butter

Splash of tart cherry juice

Water as needed

Tufts 10k Training Week 2 & 3

Week 2 was a battle.  I was tired.  I tried to talk myself out of every singe run and then I continued to fight it every step of the way. 

Week 3 got a little better.  I don’t know why I chose to run my long run at the bike path on Saturday of Labor Day weekend but I did.  I dodged bikers and strollers and even ended with a 7:15 mile.  It feels like I’m starting to get my speed back.

Bring it on Week 4!

Week 2 Recap

Monday – 3 miles

Tuesday – Spin class

Wednesday – 5 mile workout 6x400s (HR Max 185 bpm)

Thursday – Spin class

Friday – 7 mile long run with daddo on the bike

Saturday – 3 miles

Sunday – Spin class, 4 miles

Week 2 Totals: 22 miles

Week 3 Recap

Monday – 4 miles

Tuesday – Spin class

Wednesday – 4 miles

Thursday – Nothing!

Friday – 3 miles

Saturday – 6 miles

Sunday – 3 miles

Week 3 Totals: 20 miles

[Related Post: Tufts 10k Training Week 1: Hey, are you guys with Meb?]

Run Jen Run’s Pet Peeves #10-18: Road Race Edition

ICYMI – You can read Pet Peeves #1-4 here and Pet Peeves #5-9 here.

#10

Running under someone else’s name is not okay.

This probably goes back to my years with the Falmouth Road Race.  There are many reasons why I don’t support giving away your number or running under someone else’s name.  The major concern is safety and liability.  We all think nothing will happen to us but if you go down and you’re running under someone else’s name, medical personnel will have a much harder time treating you.  It can also lead to inaccurate results and mess up age groups.  I personally could not handle running a race under someone else’s name and that person getting credit for my efforts.  On the flip side, I wouldn’t want any one else’s time associated with my name—whether it’s slower or faster.  I find a lot of pride in signing up for a race, putting that date on my calendar, finding a training plan, and working toward a goal.  Lastly what most people don't know, many of the major races count on the average percentage of no shows and set the field limit greater than the race can actually handle.  What’s the only thing worse than running under someone else’s name?  Bandits!  Don’t do it, friends!

#11

Don't wear your race big anywhere other than where it’s supposed to be.

Race bibs belong on the front of your shirts.  Not on your pants.  Not on your back. You look like a loser.  Oh, and don’t fold your number.  In Falmouth we would disqualify you for that ish.

#12

Smokers should be banned at a road race.

I can’t believe this is even on my list but you’d be surprised how many people I’ve seen smoking at a road race.  They are mostly spectators but still—you’re at a road race!  Please don’t pollute my air.

Sidenote: Did you know that in the 70s, a cigarette company sponsored the Falmouth Road Race and gave away free cigarettes at the start line?  Crazy, right?!

#13

Ditch the headphones during a race.

Leave your headphones at home and take in all the sights, sounds, and happenings during the race.  The running community is a wonderfully supportive group of people that will help carry you to the finish.  Embrace it.

#14

Save your race t-shirt for after the race.

Unless you lost your luggage on the way to a destination race, there is no need to wear your race shirt during the race.  We all know where you are and what you’re doing.  Wear it after the race with pride.  Although seeing a dude at a bar in Buffalo with his brand new, not washed, wrinkly 50 Yard Finish t-shirt on was weird.

#15

Why are you wearing makeup to a road race?

I fully support wearing cute, matching outfits while you’re running and even a little lip gloss but a face full of makeup?  Don’t bother.  You’re going to sweat—at least, I hope you’re going to sweat.

#16

You’re running a 5k, why do you have multiple GU and hydration strapped to your running belt?

These guys crack me up.  It makes me think of what Tony Perkins would look like if he ran a 5k.  You really don’t need any form of hydration or nutrition in any runs or races less than 60 minutes and every race I have ever run has water station.  Ya look silly!

#17

Stop spitting!!!!

How many of you have ever been spit on during a race?!  I have!  So gross!

#18

Pace Yo Self.

My advice to any and all runners, start in the correct pace group.  Starting in the front when you don’t belong there is not cool.  Starting out too fast and getting passed by everyone in the later stages in the race is fun for me when I’m passing you but also super annoying.

To be continued...