Conjunction junction what's your function?

Thanks to a friend I was reminded that today is the 40th anniversary of School House Rocks!  My favorites are Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, get your adverbs here and The Body Machine.



Terri and I went to see Lincoln this past Friday night and I loved it. I sat there and didn't even realize the movie was almost 3 hrs. Daniel Day Lewis was spectacular in the movie. Afterwards we ate at Zeppe's Pizzeria  I had a Californian Pizza with brocolli, artichokes and mushrooms. It was sooo good.

This past weekend was beautiful here in Akron. I ran 8 miles Saturday morning and then Terri and I went for   a bike ride on the bike and hike trails. We had to do a little dodging of some residual ice on the trails. Well worth it for some fresh air.

Trying my hand at some artsy things. I bought a sock loom and I am learning to knit and loom my own socks. I might have one sock by Christmas time.

Running wise- I am climbing back up in my miles. I am now about 12-17 miles a week and will keep increasing. I am a little more sore after runs but it is a good sore.
I signed up for my first race this year the Frostbite Prediction 5k  Here. I predicted a slower pace on purpose as to not push myself to hard out of the gates.
I am looking at doing the Erie PA Presque Island Half Marathon this year 9/15/13 and might try my hand at a local small half marathon On my own two feet. it takes place on 4/20 and it benefits local survivors of domestic violence.

Also want to say I love Pro Compression and how they feel.

2012 Review

I have been thinking about the past year that last couple of days. 2012 brought new memories, new firsts and   an injury.

Here is the list of my races-

Big Game 10k - 2/5/2012 1:05:37
Jelly Bean 10k- 4/1/2012 57:48
Jelly bean 5k- 4/3/2012 27:42
Jim Klett Memorial 5k- 6/10/2012 28:58
Hall of Fame 5 miler 7/29/2012 49:40
Warrior Dash 8/25/2012 1:03:30
Erie Pa Presque Island Half Marathon 9/16/2012 2:0916
Kent State  Bowman Classic 5k 10/20/2012 26:37

I ran my first Half Marathon.

I PR'ed my 5k time. Kent State Bowman 5K- 26:37 I grew lightening legs.

My 2012 is a range of 673 - 700 miles. I estimate the top number because what I have recorded is the bottom number. I know there was runs I didn't log or track. 

I encountered my first running injury of a fractured ankle and 2 months off of running. I am grateful to be back to running before the end of the year.
I realize that had I not have been injured the my total mileage would have been much higher since I was running long runs consistently at that time.

I inspired and encouraged a few others to run this year or to start running. This warms my heart so much .
One is a friend who ran the Warrior Dash for her first race and is now hooked.

My family ( Mom and step-dad) saw me race for the first time. Meant the world to me that my family was there to see me race. My sister saw me race last fall. 

Terri has been there for me pretty much every race ( minus a few). She is my biggest cheerleader and encourager. I am lucky to have her . 

I ran my first anniversary race and placed first in my age group

My goals for 2013.....
I want to run 1-2 Half Marathons and would love to get a sub 2:00 Half.
I would love to get a group together to run the Tough Mudder.
I want to run more with others. I enjoyed running with the girls prior to my  half marathon and will make it an effort to run more with others this year.
More goals to come.

Happy New Year everyone.

Presque Isle Erie Pa Half Marathon

I did it!!!! I did it!!!

Terri , Moni and I headed to Erie Pa in the rain Friday afternoon for my Half Marathon Weekend.
We arrived at the Glass House Inn, a quaint little family run motel. It is a bit dated but we knew that. It was clean and that is what mattered. We headed to dinner at a local restaurant called the Colony. It was very good and I had a delicious Chicken Marsala. We headed back to the motel and played cards and boggle and laughed and relaxed.
Saturday morning after breakfast we headed to the Presque Isle state park for race packet pick up. It is soo beautiful out there and I got a good look at the race route. I was starting to get excited.

We saw places to rent bikes and hike and also boat tours. We decided to try the boat tours on Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay. Beautiful sun, scenery and relaxing. Ended the evening with a yummy pasta dinner at Serafini's.

Woke up bright and early on Sunday morning. There is only one way on the island and one way off. So traffic was expected to be high. So we needed to be at the race area by 6am. I was ok with that as it  gave me time to work out nerves and stretch really well.

It was time get line for the start. Nerves setting in more but excited. From advice that a fellow running friend told me.....don't rush jack rabbit. I didn't. They had water stops at every mile, plenty of bathrooms and
beautiful scenes. I did well and was still smiling for my pic at mile 5.7ish.
I finished strong and took it home in 2:09:16!!!!!!! Woot~~~
I did my first half!

Pros to this race-
They give a lot to charities and support groups.
Lots of water stops
Very Scenic
Very friendly

Cons
None that I can think of!

I hope to do this race again next year!!!

Only 3 more days

Till my first Half Marathon.To say I am nervous would be an understatement. I actually go back and forth with the feelings of "OMG what am I doing " to "Wow I am know one of those people".
I know the half I am doing at Erie PA is not a big event or venue but I am ok with that. I think I first need to experience the Half before going big. Too big of an event makes me anxious. I may never go to bigger events and that is ok right now. I just want to get my run on.

I find myself over packing.  This is an weekend affair as we are leaving to go up tomorrow afternoon. But in my mind I would rather have too much and not enough. Besides it is me who has to carry the bag. Taking plenty of my own snacks and such.

My biggest concerns are
-We have to check out of the hotel earlier morning, no late check outs(it is a small family run hotel). No showers at the park were we are running and I sweat when I run...ALOT. So it would be a long stinky ride home for Terri and Moni. I am planning on dipping into Lake Erie and then change into clean clothes. Problem is it will be only high 70 on Sunday. Time to pull up the big girl panties.

-Hoping for no tummy issues , just saying

-Unfamiliar running area and people. I will get over that fast. Will do drive over route on Saturday.

-Not sure where to eat dinner on Sat night. I know I need chicken and pasta. It works for me.

And because I am feeling like a Superstar!

5 more days till....

The Warrior Dash!!!! Woot. I am running with 2 other people . One I know well-Carri , the other I just met once- Deb. Then I come to find out that one of my running group buddies is running it as well , so we are going to run it with her as  well. Should be a good group of us having fun and getting muddy. I am going to go cautiously, because I do not want injuries , because it is only......26 more days to my first Half!!

Sunday morning long runs are going well and so glad I met up with others to run. It makes time go faster and just enjoy the company. I really like the one lady Tracy. She and I keep pace well together!
Here we are after this past Sunday's 10 mile run.

After my long run, went home, breakfast and showered then headed out for a 7 mile bike ride with Terri and Dave. We had a blast. Felt good to get back on the bike. We stopped over at Szalay's Farm for produce shopping and lunch. Included turkey burger, roasted corn and ohhh this fabulous fresh fruit sundae.

We ate lunch and chatted and sat on a wonderful gliding picnic bench. Finished up and headed out as some storms were rolling through.

Crazy catch up

Seems like life has been crazy lately, well heck it has.

I was honored to take my great nephew Conner on his first boy scout camp out and he had a blast. I am an avid camper and love the outdoors. To be able to share this joy with him was wonderful. Best quote of the weekend was upon waking on his first night in a tent was "So you like doing this kinda stuff, huh?"-Priceless.

Prior to Memorial Day camping, Terri's daughter and grandson moved in with us, unexpected breakup with her husband. So we were busy moving her in and getting ready for camp. Crazy busy and hectic.
Memorial Day camping was great and hot but the breeze off the lake was nice. Lots of activities, a parade and kayak races. i came in 2nd under adults and could have gotten 1st but stopped to check on someone who tipped over into the lake to make sure they are were ok. That to me was more important than winning the race.

My running was off this week due to me having a medical procedure. Everything is fine but back up and running this morning with 3.1 miles....woot woot

Tomorrow is the Jim Klett Memorial 5k. This race is going to be my anniversary race. One year ago I ran my first ever 5k at this race. I will be running it again tomorrow. It is a small venue with not a lot of people or great swag but it has special meaning to me. Besides the Farmers Market is right next to the race and it will be fun going there afterwards for some good veggies and homemade pastas. Last year my time at the race was 34:34, will be interesting to see what I run it in tomorrow. I have my goals and will see how they pan out.

Cruise talking. We have our cruise on Oct 8th to the Caribbean . We are so excited. Discussing hotels, the drive and formal wear. There is four of us going !! Woot~

This weekend will be 14 weeks till my first Half Marathon!!! I am excited and scared at the same time. Am I  delusional  that I can actually do this? I am not looking for a certain time on my first one, I just want to complete it.

My sister is getting married again on 6/16. We the girls in the family took her out for a celebration dinner. Had loads of laughter and fun. I am her maid of honor per se and as a gift she and Terri conspired to get me a Endorphin Warrior Bracelet. Pic to come yet but it is soo awesome. It says Conquer! How awesome is that. Here is a pic of my big sister Dee and I, she looked away ...darn it.

It's official!

I have signed up for my first Half Marathon!!!
I was going to run the Akron Half Marathon this coming Sept, but after looking at the course map, I decided against it. Akron is not a small city, so I am not sure why the 1/2 course takes you over the same area 4 times. It just was not sitting right with me. Terri told me if it is not going to be fun for my first one, don't do it.
So the search began for another half to run. I was sure I didn't want to do one real soon and May and we have a cruise in Oct to work around. I found the Air Force Marathon in Dayton , but I saw how big it was and just did not want to get swallowed up in the crowd on my first half.
I decided on Erie Marathon in Presque Isle Pa. It is a very scenic course on the island and with Lake Erie as the backdrop. It is not a large race so that is nice for me(calms my anxiety). I made it official last night and signed up!!
I am excited, nervous, excited and nervous.
We are going to make it a weekend getaway . Terri and a friend Moni will be along as my support and my cheerleaders!!!
We found a quaint little motel to stay at. A mom and pop run place. Looks unique.

Last weekend , I think I overdid it. On Friday I ran 5 miles, Sat we took the bikes out for their first trip and did 10 miles. Sunday I ran 10 miles and then we biked later for 7 miles.
Needless to say I have not run yet again this week. Besides feeling like I overdid it, I am either having gallbladder issues or intestinal issues. Ultrasound done yesterday to see if it is gallbladder. Doc says I am at that age and with the weight loss, puts me at risk.

Here are some pics from last weekend biking

Terri, Dave and I

The Towpath we biked

 The Cuyahoga River along the towpath.

Me- just Jen

Back at it.

This past week has been the most I have run in several weeks 14 miles . I was not running since the end of Oct due to knee swelling. The orthopedist said no running while the knee was  swollen and placed me on anti inflammatories. I was given the ok to cross train with the bike and elliptical. After Thanksgiving, I started running again. I started back on the treadmill to be easier on my knee. I was doing well and slowly increasing my distance again. This past Sunday I did a trail run down at Botzam trailhead in CVNP/Erie Canal Towpath. Ohh trail runs how I have missed you. Before I knew it I ran 50 minutes for 4.9 miles. I overestimated myself and was only planning 4 miles.
My knee is doing ok right now. I get scared or nervous more like it that it will start swelling again. I don't want to miss more running. I have come to find that I love running and yes I am probably addicted. I guess there are other worse things to be addicted to.
It is hard to believe that I only started running in April to lose weight. Plus I didn't think I could run. Bigger girls don't run , right?
Well today I am about 42lbs lighter and more fit and toned up. I feel good.
My goal is to run a half marathon next year. I just need to figure out which one or ones to run. I am considering Cleveland, Akron, and Canton.