Jeff’s Post – Weekend Recap and A10 on the Horizon!

I feel like a broken record here but I continue to struggle with the blog posts.  I keep making notes and have things I want to blog about and I have a product review but work/life keeps getting in the way.  My commitment at the moment is once a week but I really hope to pick it up soon.  I find it frustrating because it is both motivating and therapeutic to blog – I must find the time!

Last week was a good running week.  I topped 50 miles for the first time in a while and my shin continues to improve…..I think.  I really am trying to run smarter and listen to my body and mind.  I had two really nice runs over the weekend.  Saturday I went out for 13 miles (haven’t been that far in a couple months) and it felt really good.  On Sunday Tamara and I headed out for another longer run (10 miles).  Tamara is much better at following a plan (currently RnR Philly ½), I just try to put in the mileage.  This really was a fun run and Tamara was pushing me the whole way.  Having just come off the 13 miles on Saturday I was feeling a little tired in the legs so I enjoyed the challenge of trying to keep up (it is a challenge to keep up with her when I feel good btw and I don’t always do it).Tamara took a Gu on this run at around mile 6 (training for her race) and I used that as another challenge to keep up with her as the Gu kicked in – I definitely noticed a change in her pace!  I managed to stay with her and we finished the 10 miles strong!

I’m looking forward to the Annapolis 10 miler this weekend and then a few weeks later we will be in Philly.  I still don’t feel like I’m in the best shape I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself this weekend.  I want to run a fun/smart race and then push it in Philly.

Have a great week and Happy Running!

Jeff’s Post – Running the Pain Away!

I just finished my morning treadmill run (6 miles) and for the first time in a while I didn’t feel a shin pain I’ve been dealing with for a couple weeks.  It felt more muscular (in the front of my leg but not like a shin splint) and started in one leg and then seemed to move to the other.  I’m not sure why I suddenly feel better but I’m thinking it may have been the 10 miles I ran on the treadmill yesterday morning.  My legs just felt really good after that, maybe I ran the pain away.  I’ve had a decent string of runs – starting with a 6 mile run with Tamara on Saturday, 11 early morning miles on Sunday (this run was slow and hilly but I loved watching the sun rise and just love being outside running while the rest of the world is waking up) and 8 treadmill miles on Monday.

We are heading to the beach for a few days next week.  I’m looking forward to some time away from work and a little beach time with Tamara, Samantha and my family.  It also means more running.  Can’t begin to explain how much I love running at the beach!  We have a trip to Wisconsin planned in early August and then I’m in full training mode.  I have the Annapolis 10 Miler in August, RnR Philly 1/2 in September (with Tamara), Army 10 Miler in October (with Tamara) and then I have Marine Corps at the end of October.

Tamara was running in the gym with me this morning and we had a couple funny moments.  The first was when Kacee decided to walk to the other side of the room and tripped over the cord of Tamara’s stand fan causing it to crash to the ground and fall apart (no one was injured 🙂 and the second is just the enjoyment I get watching Tamara’s reactions to what is going on with the Bachelorette.  We both have headphones plugged into the TV’s so I can’t hear what is going on but it is too funny to see her hands flying in the air and see her yelling at the TV.

Tamara took a pic of me during my 11 mile treadmill run yesterday so I thought I would share it.  I will try to sneak a video of her one day as she reacts to her show on the TV.

Have a great day and Happy Running!

Jeff’s Post – 6 Left Turns!

I just came back from a rare outdoor weekday morning run.  We have company staying in the basement and I could have gone downstairs to the gym but I tend to bang on my treadmill so I thought it would be a good opportunity to get outside and let the company sleep.  Tamara’s treadmill is much quieter and she was itching to watch the Bachelor so she opted to stay inside and get her reality TV fix.  I grabbed a small flashlight and headed out in the dark on a nice 10k loop.  I have a love/hate relationship with this loop because it is a bit hilly and challenging at times.  But one thing I love about it is that it basically has 6 left turns to get me home.  I tend to look at each turn as a separate segment and that helps me on both good and bad runs.  This morning was no exception.  I was pushing the pace a little and felt good through most of the segments but I won’t lie I was thrilled to see the last left turn.  I finished a muggy 6.2 miles in 46:38 which I was happy with.  I even saw a member of the local running club about 1/2 through my run which was nice.  I always like to see another runner out there!

Have a great day and Happy Running!

 

Jeff’s Post – Ready to Run in OC!

Tamara and I are heading out for another running weekend.  This weekend is the Ocean City, MD ½ Marathon.  I love Ocean City and have been going there since I was a kid.  So many great memories and it really feels like a second home.  I’m running the ½, not sure what Tamara is doing yet.  They have a 5k that she wants to run if she can get in (currently it is sold out).  I tried to talk her into the ½ yesterday but she wasn’t going for it.  There is an after party at Seacrets so that should be fun.  The weather continues to be all over the place.  Last weekend I ran 10 miles in shorts and no shirt tomorrow they are calling for lows in the 40’s (not looking forward to that).  I’m hoping the rain and wind will hold off.  This is a pretty fast course so I’m hoping to finally push my ½ time under 1:40.  That is my goal but I won’t beat myself up if I don’t get there because I know I will at some point soon.  My temporary treadmill fix is holding up and I had a good running week – 10 miles on Monday, 6 on Tuesday and 8 on Wednesday.  I decided to take Thursday and Friday off.  I took two days off before Cherry Blossom and that worked really well so I figured I would try it again. 

The basement is moving along.  Tamara and I picked out paint for the gym yesterday a nice bright yellow.  Really can’t wait to get that set up.  Tamara and I are going to have some serious treadmill racing going on in about a month.  Speaking of treadmills, I posted a pic of my broken treadmill on the Nordic Track facebook page and they instantly contacted me, which was nice.  Parts for my treadmill are in the mail and I hope to get that fixed next week.  Tamara will be ordering her new treadmill soon.  I think she is leaning towards a Landice.  It is a really nice treadmill and made in the USA!

Hope you have great run/races this weekend and stay tuned for my Ocean City ½ recap!

Jeff’s Post – Boosterthon Fun!

Yesterday, for the first time in ages, Tamara and I were race spectators.  What made this so enjoyable is that we were spectators for a race that Samantha was running in.  Samantha and her school were participating in the “Boosterthon”.  This is basically a race where the students raise money for the school by getting a pledge per lap and then run laps around a track set up outside.  She did great completing all 35 laps.  Seeing her dart through the crowd reminded me of Tamara at so many of our race starts.  As the run was about to begin they played the National Anthem. Tamara and I looked at each other and we both had that “Lets Run” look.  Tamara even mentioned that she was nervous (she always has a bit of nerves at a race start).  It was great to see all the kids out there active and running.  I’m secretly hoping that Samantha catches the running bug.  I love watching her run and would love to be running beside her one day!

Getting excited as we are 3 days away from Rock n Roll USA.  I ran 6 miles on the treadmill this morning.  I’m shutting it down until race day – Next planned mileage 13.1.

Jeff’s Post – OORAH I’M IN!

I’m more than excited to be one of the 30k or so people who registered for the 37th Marine Corps Marathon yesterday.  This will be my first Marine Corps Marathon.  The event sold out in a record 2 hours and 41 minutes. The fastest registration sell out in marathon history – not just MCM, but the entire United States!  I was worried for a while as Active and the Marine Corps site kept crashing but I finally made it in.  It is just an amazing time to be a runner right now.  It seems like this sport and all the events around it are just blowing up.  I loved all the excitement and activity on facebook and Twitter during the registration – So much fun!  I’m also in the lottery for New York which takes place the week after Marine Corps (I will find out in late April if I make it in).  Could be an amazing few weeks!

6 Treadmill miles this morning – Have a great running day!

Jeff’s Post – Missing the Bling!

Rock and Roll Las Vegas was the last time I was able to put some new bling around my neck.  I’m itching to add to my collection.  Today is the first day of March, the days are getting longer and I’m ready to race!  Looking forward to Rock and Roll USA in just 16 days.

6 Treadmill miles this morning – seems to be a pattern here!  Have a great running day!

Jeff’s Post – Goodbye February – Hello March!

It is hard to believe how fast the months are moving by.  We had a really mild February in Maryland which allowed me to get in a few more outside runs which I love.  I had a good running month in spite of a crazy work schedule for the first ½ of the month.  Breaking it down by the numbers – I Ran 28 times -180 miles (compared to 127miles last year) 5 times with Tamara – 6 times outside (which included a virtual run for Sherry) – Longest run of the month – 12 miles with Tamara.

I’m looking forward to March and our first race of the year.  The Rock ‘n’ Roll USA in Washington, DC on March 17^th.  Tamara and I are both running the ½ and will be training hard the next few weeks.  We both want to PR!  Although we only live about an hour from DC we are turning this into a “Runcation” and I can’t wait.  We will Rock DC!

Please take a look at the #TwitterCharityRun–  Registrations are rolling in and we would love to have you join us on a virtual run and raise money for a charity of your choice at the same time!

6 Treadmill miles this morning – Have a great day and Happy Running!

Jeff’s Post – Running thru the Poo!

Hmmm – never thought I would put the word “poo” in a blog post but I just did and it isn’t the “Who has the Runs” (read about us here) type of “poo” you might be thinking about.  It isn’t even the occasional horse “poo” that we had to run through on our Sunday long run.  It is more about what running allows me to do.  A morning run puts me in a good frame of mind to deal with some of the “poo” of the day.  It gives me a strong mind and makes me quick on my feet.  Thanks to running, I’m able to react and escape quickly if I see the “poo” piling up.  I can even respond better to all of the “emergency poo” situations that arise during the day.  Thank you running for allowing me to deal with the occasional “stink” of the day – I am better because of you!

Can’t really believe I just wrote this post but one thing I have found out about the running community is that they openly talk about “poo” so I was pretty certain I wouldn’t offend anyone.

6 Treadmill miles this morning – Wishing you a happy running day!

Jeff’s Post – What a Great Day for a Run!

It’s the middle of winter in Maryland and we continue to get teased with “Spring Like” temperatures.  I enjoy the change of seasons but I’m ready for warmer weather to get here and stay.  The warm weather reminds me of those many outside runs I’ve had with the sun on my back, dripping sweat and the feeling that I could run for days.  I definitely get a mild case of “Spring Fever” on these warmer days.  As I walk into work I often make the comment “What a Great Day for a Run”.  Today, the forecast is for temperatures in the high 60’s.  It will be a great day for an outside run so I will be bringing my running shoes to work in hopes that I can squeeze an outside run in when the work day is over!

I ran 6 miles on the treadmill this morning for good measure – Here is hoping today will be a double!

Have a great day and Happy Running!