We got back to Boston late Monday night and I’m definitely missing the Miami sunshine already! While I love my home city of Boston, there’s nothing like escaping to warmer climates during the winter to cleanse the soul. Even a quick weekend away was such an incredible mental boost!
We wrapped up our trip with a great lunch with my parents who were also in town. Lunch with a view:
Continue reading “Back to Reality”
Big hello on this Monday! Hope your week is off to a great start! Only 125 days until Memorial Day, my official start to summer. I don’t go by the summer solstice! :)
Today’s post will be a quick recap of the Miami half marathon and our weekend down in the sunshine state.
Continue reading “Miami Half Marathon Recap”
Warning: this is a long post but is a helpful guide for first-time racers (or could spark discussion with experienced runners!)
My incredible running coaches have helped me in many ways. They make my job easy-all I have to do is run! But in all seriousness, hiring a running coach has been so beneficial for me. Lisa and Julie of “Run Faster and Farther” have helped improve my finish times and have given me that extra motivation that I have needed during this winter training cycle. Running coaches aren’t just for elite runners! Lisa and Julie have helped push me to my capacity (and I am not yet at the peak!), injury and stress free. Plus, they are a huge source of information about all things running, including race day planning. As I get ready for my next race on Sunday, here some of the tips they’ve provided.
Continue reading “How to Navigate a Race”
We’ve made it to Thursday! Hope your week is going well so far- and that for those in the path of the upcoming snow storm, that you’re prepared and ready to hunker down! I won’t lie, Mark and I are fortunate to have planned a trip south for the weekend! I do love a good snowstorm, but I’ll take the Miami heat for now!
I have switched up my running schedule a bit this week and have traded morning runs for after work runs. After a long weekend of running later in the day, I’ve found it tough to adjust to waking up at 5:30 am- plus, the evenings have been a bit milder than the early mornings!
Continue reading “Running Outside in the Dark”
Happy Tuesday everyone! If you live in the Boston area, hope you’re staying warm these days and enjoying the recent snowfall!
Continue reading “Week Before the Half Marathon”
Welcome to the long weekend! Not too much to report here as I have been fighting a bad cold for the past few days. It has seemed to get a little better after sleeping for half of the last 48 hours.
I was unable to run the 8 miles scheduled for Thursday and won’t make them up. Pushing yourself physically when feeling sick is just a recipe for prolonging the sickness. They say that if symptoms are “above the neck” only, you should be fine to work out as you can—but I will be sure to take it easy until I am fully recovered. I have a half marathon race next weekend (bienvenido a Miami!), and want to be healthy for that. I am feeling a little bit of cabin fever though- I usually spend at least an hour outside every day between my commute and exercising outdoors, so staying inside and unable to run has been a little tough.
South Beach, Miami last year!
Continue reading “Dealing with a Cold & Hot Soup”
Happy Thursday! Hope your week has included some fitness and fun – not just work!
I ran both indoors and outdoors this week. I was nervously anticipating running on the treadmill yesterday since I took the treacherous (ok, slight exaggeration) second half of my long run inside last weekend. However, once I got going and fought some boredom, my mindset changed. A nice 2 mile warmup, 3X1200m @10k pace and 2X400m @5k pace , followed by a 2 mile cool down later, I was able to check off another speed workout. Only 4 more speed workouts until race day, which is only a little over 6 weeks away!
All of the layers (and a lot not pictured) for outdoor runs!
Continue reading “All About Balance”
Welcome to the middle of January, where the temperatures drop! But my spirits are high because I have some exciting news to share! Thanks to Clif Bar, I will be running the 2016 Boston Marathon!
Running this marathon, my hometown race, has been a lifelong dream of mine. I first tried to qualify in 2011 at the Disney Marathon. I thought I was successful, coming in under 3 hours and 40 minutes, which was faster than the qualification standard for my age at that time. However, later that year the BAA modified the standard for qualification and I ended up missing the cut by 18 seconds!
Continue reading “Heartbreak Hill, Here I Come!”
Hope you all had a great weekend! In Boston, it wasn’t too cold but unfortunately not very pleasant otherwise—Saturday was a bit gloomy and yesterday was stormy with heavy rain and winds. I will take it over frigid temperatures and blizzards though! In fact, most of the snow that fell the week after Christmas has melted, making it truly look like the calm before the storm!
My legs were feeling sore on Saturday, and I had a friend’s baby shower- so I opted to run the long run yesterday, even given the looming storm. It was also a good excuse to relax the rest of the day!
Co-ed baby shower!
Continue reading “Running, Rain, and Relaxation”
Happy Weekend! Hope it’s off to a good start for you all! I was able to see some great friends last night, and more of that today- so it’s going pretty well for me so far. I am starting to become less motivated to run in this cold weather, and know that I am not alone! Today’s post will include some extra motivation for you as you tackle your running goals, or any other goals you may have.
I was able to interview with American elite runner Fernando Cabada, who offered a glimpse into the life of an elite runner. Cabada ran a 2:12:27 marathon debut in Fukuoka, Japan in 2006, won the Twin Cities marathon in 2008 with a time of 2:16:32, ran a 2:18:23 Boston Marathon in 2013, and ran an incredible 2:11:36 Berlin marathon in the fall of 2014. He most recently placed second in the Jacksonville FL half with a time of 1:03:25. Talk about fast!
Continue reading “Interview with an Elite Runner”
Well suddenly winter has arrived in Boston!
Bring out the long down coats and all other warm clothing! This first week of January has been especially tough for running due to a busy work schedule and frigid temperatures! My coaches have said that flexibility is key for successful winter running, and my schedule serves as a guideline, not a mandate. I’ve managed to get in two seven mile runs, but I haven’t followed my schedule precisely. I opted to skip my speed work for warmer temperatures later in the week as running fast in cooler temperatures is sometimes not ideal!
I did warm up after being frozen for the first 15 minutes during last night’s 7 miler! In last night’s run, I passed by a couple of great Boston sites:
Continue reading “Winter Has Arrived & New Running Shoes”
Today’s long run of 20 miles was a tough one! It is a windy and cold day in Boston, about 35 degrees. Since winter running is relatively new to me, I still haven’t honed in on the perfect running outfit. On cold runs, I typically wear gloves and have started to wear my new favorite clothing item: lululemon running scarf (link here)- thanks sis! It’s light with a perfect fit around my neck, and keeps me toasty! I wore two long sleeve layers (shell and thin base layer), and felt a little warm- but my extremities were chilly even while covered!
Super happy to get the miles in- only 3 more 20’s to go in my coaches‘ Phoenix Marathon training plan! Next weekend will be another long run, and then I will be tapering for my half at the end of the month.
The winter-like Boston weather (it’s finally here!) was a contrast to the colorful, beachy warm views of PR! Here are some last shots:
Continue reading “Back in Boston and A Running Streak”
Hope your week is going well so far! Just wanted to check in with a quick trip update. I consider blogging a fun hobby of mine rather than a chore or job (a sentiment encouraged by long-time bloggers!), and so here I am blogging from the tropics :)
We have loved San Juan, PR so far! The island has extensive history dating back to the 16th century, and the streets are full of culture and color.
Continue reading “Hello from PR and Thoughts on New Year’s Resolutions”
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend with your loved ones! We had a great time together in our little town south of Boston. I’m so lucky that most of my immediate and extended families live in the area!
Continue reading “Holidays and Getaways!”
Welcome to Christmas week! Hope you all had a great weekend.
Happy to report that my 20 mile run on Saturday morning went well! It was a sunny but chilly morning, about 30 degrees with the wind. I felt prepared in my layers, including Brooks running tights, long sleeve and Brooks shell, and gloves. I fueled with Honey Stinger chews right before the run and had an entire packet throughout the run, as well as a vanilla bean GU (my new favorite flavor!). I could have taken one more GU, but felt that my nutrition worked well overall. I also ran with my handheld water bottle.
Passing through Boston Common on the long run!
Continue reading “A Long Run and a Short Week!”
Happy weekend readers! Thank you for all of your comments Thursday and Friday—I have randomly selected the winner of the SPIbelt Giveaway (congrats Seana!). There will be more giveaways in the future, so stay tuned! I truly appreciate you guys checking in to JRW :)
Highlights of this weekend include:
I’ll check back with you after I get through it all! In the meantime, I am grabbing some gloves, honey stingers, ipod, Spibelt, several layers of clothing, and my Brooks shoes, and heading out the door on my run!
Continue reading “Interview With 26-Time Marathoner!”
Today was the last early-morning for this week!
I am really starting to love early-morning runs before the sun rises. In fact, as soon as the sun starts to rise around 6:45 am these days, I feel a little less hard core (only half kidding!). Maybe I will give up the routine as quickly as I formed the habit, but something about the darkness of early morning runs makes it more exciting so I will keep at it for now!
Not the Boston night sky! Taken by my friend @imnotquitejack in NH last month!
My long runs will continue in the later hours of the day on the weekends. As opposed to weekday runs, I typically carry my phone and GU/honey stingers with me on long runs and races. Carrying gear can be a hassle (I like keeping my hands free), but I’ve found it to be very easy when using a SPIbelt.
Continue reading “SPIbelt GIVEAWAY!”
Hope you all had a great weekend! Mine included relaxing/seeing family and friends/eating a lot of delicious food/running a half marathon yesterday. I ended up finishing the half with a new PR! I am excited because it gives me a confidence boost for my upcoming marathon in Phoenix. More about the half in another post!
In November, 2014, I ran the Philadelphia marathon in 4 hours and 3 minutes. After crossing the finish line (my 11th marathon), although I felt fatigued as anyone would after running 26.2 miles- I did not feel like I had pushed my body to the maximum. I felt that I still had some strength in me- maybe not at that exact moment of crossing the line, but in the hours, days, weeks following the race.
Finish line @Philly Marathon
Continue reading “How to Improve Your Marathon Finish Time”
Happy Saturday, friends! I was up bright and early this morning after getting in some good shut-eye last night, and headed out for an easy 5 miler. Since it was 50 degrees even at 7:30am, I wore a short sleeve and running tights. The first mile was chilly with a light breeze, but I soon warmed up- I always prefer under dressing a bit than overdressing, as I can’t stand being hot while running! It was a beautiful morning to be outside!
Early morning in Moab, Utah- very peaceful, much like Boston is in the early morning!
Continue reading “Motivational Advice from an Elite Runner”
Happy Friday all! I had a great time with my girls last night. No pictures were taken, but it was full of laughs, wine, and discussions about online dating- a topic that I love! Following a day of work today, bed time will probably be 7pm after last night. Hope you guys have more lively Friday plans!
I have received some additional questions from fellow bloggers and runner friends about my favorite running gear. Over the years, I have experimented with many different outfits, brands, fuel options, electronics, and other running gear. The list below includes the items in which I currently rotate, including some recently-tested items and winter running gear.
Shoes:
Brooks Adrenaline 15’s, 14’s and Glycerin (I prefer Glycerins for walking, not running)
Continue reading “My Favorite Gear: Updated”
Jane Runs Wild 