Run Jen Run

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

NYC Marathon Training | Week 12 of 16

12 weeks down, 4 to go!

I can’t even believe how good I feel running and how quickly these weeks are passing by.

As of today I’m at 60% of my fundraising goal. I appreciate the support from each and every one of you that’s donated so far. If it wasn’t for this opportunity from the MEB Foundation, I wouldn’t be running the NYC Marathon. I just keep thinking back to those days on the couch in the beginning of the year and those first few walks around the block when I was cleared to start moving. It was then that I set this big goal for myself. When the MEB Foundation accepted me as a charity running, I was initially excited but then equally as terrified. I could barely walk a half mile, how was I going to run 26.2 miles again?!

Fast forward to today as I write about running 34 miles during week 12 - my biggest week of training so far…

My week started off with a rest day. I Foam Rolled & Stretched, worked with a few clients and was surprised when I heard from Craig in the early afternoon to see I wanted to go golfing after work. He’d been sick on the couch the past couple of days and apparently was feeling good enough to get out for 9 holes. I made a quick call over the club house and in about an hour Craig and I were teeing off on Hole #1 of the Dunes Course.

For only my second time out this year, I wasn’t all that bad. The weather was beautiful, the course was quiet and I actually parred two of the Par 3 holes.

Tuesday was perfect fall running weather. My plan was to run 5 miles after work but it was so nice, I had to add on an extra mile to make it 6 total. Tuesday was also my 9 year anniversary with Georgie. NINE YEARS. Obviously I took her to Somerset Creamery and we were happy to have Craig and Marky join us.

I ran 5 after work on Wednesday. It was really warm with no breeze and I was definitely overdressed. I didn’t run on Thursday but I did go out for another 9 holes. My parents were mad I didn’t invite them on Monday so I made tee times for Thursday. When we got there, we were offered to switch the Ocean Course. Beautiful day, no wind. Of course we would say yes!

Craig and I were supposed to go to Maine for the long weekend - well actually we were originally planning to go the week before - but plans changed. We both still took Friday off from work and I even got him out the door for a short run with Reggie! What a treat!

Later that day we got Duke's Donuts then headed up to Boston for date night. We stuffed our faces with Dumpling Kingdom then ended up at a Gucci Mane concert at the Roadrunner. So random but so fun. We got home really late. The next day I slept in (kinda) and spent a lazy, rainy day at home.

Sunday was long run day! Another 18 and another beautiful day. The temperatures were cooler (high 50s) and the sun was out but it was WINDY. Running along the water in Falmouth would have been brutal so I decided to run the same 18 miler through Cotuit as I did 2 weeks ago. I also remembered that it was Cape Cod Marathon weekend which reconfirmed my decision to avoid Falmouth.

I didn’t set an alarm and got out the door a little after 8:30. My dad joined me on his bike for the second week in a row. I warned him that Cotuit was hilly but he insisted on tagging along. I think he had it harder than I did on some of the rolling hills. I was feeling strong and much better than the last 18 miler in the rain. I started to get tired the last 4 miles but like last week, having my dad there led to less walking breaks during the final miles.

The Bills played in London at 9:30am so I was getting alerts throughout my run. They were not playing well so it was nothing to rush home for! By the time I did get home, Craig was at work so I spent the rest of the day on the couch watching football with the pups.

Monday 10.2.23

REST

Foam Roll & Stretch

Golfed 9 holes

Tuesday 10.3.23

6 miles (47:39)

Low Impact Aerobics

Wednesday 10.4.23

5 miles (39:17)

30 min Mat CORE

Thursday 10.5.23

Low Impact Aerobics

Golfed 9 holes

Friday 10.6.23

2.15 miles with Craig & Reggie (17:12)

2.82 miles (21:41)

Saturday 10.7.23

DAY OFF

Sunday 10.8.23

18 miles with Daddo on the bike (2:25:00)

This week’s mileage: 34 miles

This week’s Reggie mileage: 2 miles

Training totals: 315 miles

ICYMI

Week 1 of 16 Week 5 of 16 Week 9 of 16

Week 2 of 16 Week 6 of 16 Week 10 of 16

Week 3 of 16 Week 7 of 16 Week 11 of 16

Week 4 of 16 Week 8 of 16

Why I’m running the 2023 NYC Marathon

If you would like to support me and donate to the MEB Foundation, visit my fundraising page: https://www.givengain.com/ap/jen-skiba-raising-funds-for-meb-foundation

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

NYC Marathon Training | Week 11 of 16

11 weeks down, 5 to go!

This week was a recovery week before the two biggest weeks of training. I enjoyed a rainy, rest day on Monday which included another Foam Roll & Stretch class. I couldn’t believe how sore I was from Sunday’s 18 miler but Craig reminded me how cool and damp it was and the fact that it was my longest long run in years.

The soreness was even worse on Tuesday - two days after my long run. I forgot to bring my running shoes to work so on my drive home I actually debated not running at all and taking another rest day until I got home and saw the look on Reggie’s face. I knew I needed to lace up and and take her. I only made it 2 miles but Reggie was one happy pup.

Wednesday was a much better and I was able to make it 4 miles after work around New Seabury. I taught a really fun low impact aerobics on Thursday morning which featured a new latin playlist. It turned out to be another beautiful day and I knew more rain was coming on Friday and Saturday so I took Reggie out in the afternoon for another 4 miles. That night I convinced Craig to go get my favorite empanadas at El Mariachi Loco on Main Street Hyannis. Happy Jen.

I took Friday and Saturday off from running. We took the dogs for a super short dog walk on Friday before the rain. It’s really sad to witness Georgie getting older as a half mile around the block is just too much for her poor hips these days.

Saturday was my last Saturday Strength class for awhile as I decided that I’m going to take Saturdays off from work the month of October. I’ve pretty much been working 6 days a week since I started at NS and that extra day off is going to be huge leading up to to race day.

Since it was a recovery week, I only had 14 miles on the schedule. ONLY. When did 14 miles become ONLY 14 miles?!

My dad surprised me and said he wanted to ride along with me for the whole ride. My mom told him it was a shorter run week for me but what she didn’t tell him that I would still be running for almost 2 hours! Back when I was training for all my other marathons - Chicago, Houston, Miami, Boston 2018 & Boston 2019 - he biked with me for almost all of my long runs so it was such a treat to have him back. He only almost fell off his bike twice in the first 2 miles. LOL.

The weather was a little cooler at the start. It was also very windy. The sun was just starting to come out and it was pretty humid. The run itself wasn’t too eventful. I felt really good and relaxed. I am finally feeling like my fitness levels are where they should be and that allowed me to talk to my dad the whole time. I did start to get tired with about 5 miles to go but I blamed that on the fact that I had a hard time falling asleep the night before. I took a lot less breaks in the last couple of miles with my dad along side me as the conversations were a good distraction.

After the run, I headed home to a sick Craig on the couch. We were both bumming because we had to cancel our afternoon lunch date with his uncles in Provincetown. Instead we watched about 8 hours of football including a huge win for Buffalo over the dolphins. Go Bills!

Next 2 weeks are going to be tough. I have my 18 and 20 coming up… let’s go!

On another note, I’m at 48% of my fundraising goal for the MEB Foundation. The foundation does great things to help support youth health, education and fitness.

Since 2010, the MEB Foundation has been a leader in providing impactful support to those in need. Annual and one-time grants have been given to the following causes:

The 26.2 Foundation
Martin Richard Foundation (MR8)
Armory College Prep Program
Atlanta Track Club Kilometer Kids program
Philadelphia School District Youth Running Program
Girls on the Run, Tampa Bay
Transcend Academy, Kenya
Eritrean American Diaspora Network College Scholarship Fund
San Diego High School (Meb Keflezighi Scholarship)

Together with MEB Foundation volunteer Vanessa Baumann, over 70,000 pairs of shoes have been provided to children and communities across the globe. Recipients of shoe donations include:

Fire Victims of Napa and Lake County
Teens Run Modesto
Shepard's Gate Women and Children Shelter
Nepal Earthquake Victims
Running for a Better Oakland
Villages in Eritrea and Mozambique

Who’s going to help me get to 50%?!

Link to donate: https://www.givengain.com/ap/jen-skiba-raising-funds-for-meb-foundation

Monday 9.25.23

REST

Foam Roll & Stretch

Tuesday 9.26.23

2.04 miles with Reggie (18:15)

Low Impact Aerobics

Wednesday 9.27.23

4 miles (30:40)

30 min Mat CORE

Thursday 9.28.23

Low Impact Aerobics

4 miles with Reggie (30:49)

Friday 9.29.23

30 min Mat CORE

Saturday 9.30.23

Saturday Strength

Sunday 10.1.23

14 miles with Daddo on the bike (1:53:57)

This week’s mileage: 24 miles

This week’s Reggie mileage: 6 miles

Training totals: 281 miles

ICYMI

Week 1 of 16 Week 5 of 16 Week 9 of 16

Week 2 of 16 Week 6 of 16 Week 10 of 16

Week 3 of 16 Week 7 of 16

Week 4 of 16 Week 8 of 16

Why I’m running the 2023 NYC Marathon

If you would like to support me and donate to the MEB Foundation, visit my fundraising page: https://www.givengain.com/ap/jen-skiba-raising-funds-for-meb-foundation

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

NYC Marathon Training | Week 10 of 16

10 weeks down, 6 to go!

Another big week for me! It was my highest mileage week (32), longest long run (18!!) and most likely the highest number of calories consumed as well. I have reached that part of training where my hunger is RAGING! Another thing about marathon training that I totally forgot about.

Monday was a normal rest day and now Foam Roll & Stretch class day.

On Tuesday I took advantage of an appointment in Falmouth and ran an old route along the Shining Sea Bikeway and Chappy Beach. It was a beautiful, windy day and I was loving it. That night Craig and I got Somerset Creamery for dinner. My favorite.

I had another appointment on Wednesday afternoon so I left work a little early and then ran when I got home. Cooler temps meant I was able to bring Reggie along. She’s been acting crazy lately and Craig and I know she needs to get back to a normal running routine.

On Thursday I taught low impact aerobics and most likely the last water aerobics class of the year. No running after work. Instead I went for a much needed manicure and pedicure.

Friday felt like fall. I brought Reggie along for my run again - this time for 5 miles! We stopped at Naukabout for a water break on the way back and had Craig take a few pics because I was wearing my new MEB Foundation singlet that arrived in the mail earlier this week!

My biggest dilemma right now. For my birthday, Craig bought me green shoes to train in and purple shoes to race in. Purple doesn’t match my new singlet. Should I buy another new pair?! The struggle is real… What should I do?

It was another rainy Saturday. I cancelled pool class but taught Saturday Strength. All afternoon I was checking the Sunday weather forecast. More rain.

When I woke up on Sunday morning the radar looked like the rain would hold off most of the morning. I ate some cereal and got everything together for my run then texted my parents I’d be heading over soon to run from their house. I got a thumbs up from my dad but my mom threw me a curveball by saying they both had a cold. No way I was going there!

I took some time to drink my pre-run drink - that I normally would have had on my ride to Falmouth - and mapped out another run through Cotuit. From the moment I started running, it was misting out. I did a lap in the neighborhood before looping back home to grab some gloves. I’m so glad I did because I ended up wearing them for my entire run.

I pretty much ran the same route as the week before but added on a few extra roads and loops to add on 2 more miles. At times the mist turned to heavy mist and it wasn’t long before I was soaked.

Other than being grey, wet and sometimes cold when the wind was blowing in my face, the run itself was pretty uneventful. I felt good. Energy was good. Last week my goal was to get to Oregon Beach at 11 miles with 5 miles to go. This week I wanted to get there at 13 and I was right on again! Craig texted around 9.5 miles and I told him to meet me in 25 miles at the beach. The next couple miles I had that to look forward to.

When I got to the beach, Craig was sitting in his truck with a warm towel, dry shirts and a water refill. I was still feeling good miles 14-16 but the last 2 miles were tough. It actually stopped misting for a little bit but my legs were feeling like bricks and really tightening up. I hit 18 miles a few houses from home and as I started walking, it started pouring. Good timing I guess.

When I got in the door, I could barely bend over to untie my shoes. My hamstrings were screaming. A combination of cold weather, a few extra miles and those darn B-stance deadlifts from Saturday Strength. I peeled off my wet clothes, took a hot shower then laid on the couch with hot coffee and my Normatecs and a few hours of football.

The Bills weren’t on TV so at about halftime of the Patriots game, Craig and I went for a late lunch at the Lobster Trap. I had a mudslide (obviously), oysters & lttlenecks, a stuffed quahog and fish tacos. The older man next to me made a comment about how much I could eat. LOL. He had no idea. After that it was back to the couch for the rest of the day.