That Run? ROCKED

Today was my run day and I woke to cold temps and an arctic blast of air that left the earth covered in a lacy pattern of frost overnight. I had contemplated getting out super early (like dark o'thirty) with my headlamp and cold gear but opted to wait just a bit...and I am glad I did. I gained several degrees and some light. It was a beautiful morning, watching an orange sun rising to blue skies - then the winds picked up the clouds stated to make their way, turning the skies into a steel cold grey.

I love cold weather running...as long as I am in the right gear. Here is what today's essentials were:

My Rev3 Buff and a pair of fuzzy pink gloves:

i ditched the usual visor and opted for some extra coverage today (plus, it covers my ears!) as well as some gloves to not only keep my hands warm but to also wipe my nose as I tend to leak like a faucet on cold weather runs
----> does anyone else have this issue??What's your favorite solution.

After I posted on Instragram about using the gloves to wipe my nose, a friend tweeted me a link to these gloves

Zap Run Glove by SUGOI

"These gloves are wind resistant and warm, but it's the smallest details that make the biggest impact. The reflective design provides added safety during low light hours. Touchscreen compatibility makes it easy to use your phone. But my favorite aspect of the glove is that the thumb is made with a terry cloth material so you can comfortably wipe your nose on cold runs. Genius!" 
~Women's Running Magazine 

Then another friend messaged me on FB and told me her Craft gloves have the same feature; a soft "nose wiping surface". Now...I consider myself pretty UP and ON IT with all the swim/bike/run gear so WHY had I not heard of this amazing invention.
(yet another idea falls from my grasp...)

The other ESSENTIAL for any run is

TRISLIDE 
 )

I slick down the areas that are "HCR" {high chafe risk}like the "undercarriage" and where my heart rate strap sits... and in the years that I have been using this easy spray lubricant, I NEVER have issues. This is the ONLY thing I use, even for long bike rides....AHHHmazing stuff. 



UA Sports Bra "Still Gotta Have It"   

I've worn SO MANY sports bras over the years and this one by far is my favorite. Compression style, fantastic colors and styles (hello, they have a WONDER WOMAN one...) and it LASTS> with a good price tag to match ($25-30) 








BROOKS Glycerin 16 is what I am currently running in...I just got these direct from the fine folks at Brooks Running. I am liking these so far. Lightweight. Support. Bright colors. NO BLISTERS> I've done 3 runs so far and I am diggin' it...

NOW...for today's ROCKING PLAYLIST. I recently went to see Alice Cooper and Motley Crue so I have been on a 80's hair band kick lately (but let's be real, I am ALWAYS on an 80's kick...) Did I mention I also got to see VAN HALEN 2nd row this summer too?? Yeah, it's been a blast!!

Here's a few rare gems for you...me NOT in training gear or a visor, on our way to the show (with MY favorite rockstar!!)

 

I seriously adore this pic...

 Patiently waiting for the show to start, I had to snap the obligitory Motley Crue selfie.

 

Nikki Sixx killin it on stage

We also got to meet one of the opening bands, The Cringe. The front man is none other than John Cusimano, married to the queen of food tv, Rachel Ray. Here is a shot of me with the lead guitarist,
James Rotondi (who reminds me of Johnny Depp a bit).

so, here's a sample of some of the tunes that rocked my run today!




JUKEBOX HERO-Foreigner (1981)

 POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME- Def Leppard (1987)

 SCORPIONS- No One Like You (1982)

WHITESNAKE-In the Still of the Night (1987)

MOTLEY CRUE- Kickstart My Heart (1989)

Return of Rev3Tri: BACK IN BLUE

I have been a part of Rev3 Triathlon since 2011 and I have come to love each and every race, every participant, and every person involved in getting this family friendly race series going. The mission, the mindset and the inclusivity of every athlete is something that is a big part of my commitment to THE BIG BLUE R and what it represents.

The people have become like a second family to me over the years. 

Typical Jen pic

Can you imagine my excitement when I found out that we would be RETURNING back to the Big Blue R in 2016?? SO STOKED.

Charlie Patten, CEO of ATP, said “I am beyond excited to announce that Rev3 will be back and better than ever in 2016. We under estimated the power of the all American Rev3 brand and our entire crew is itching to be – Back In Blue –! We believe that our staff is one of the best in the industry at producing races and they are all full of ideas that will be implemented into the event experience. We cannot wait to welcome athletes back to The Revolution in 2016!”

Now, I am not going to get into the 2015 partnership with Challenge because, frankly I don't even know enough of the details to even comment, so...Im just gonna focus on what's coming!! 

All I know is that Rev3 is back baby and they are more committed than EVER to bring the races we are known for back to the race circuit!! Where the athlete is more than a bib number, where family is encouraged to be a part of the race experience (and not be bored out of their mind all day) and bringing back those touches that made Rev3 so special. 

REGISTRATION OPENS TODAY! 

Here the races and dates - 

Knoxville: MAY 15May 15

Quassy: June 4 (oly) June 5 (half)

Williamsburg: July 10h - new venue!!!

TEAM Rev3 Love

Poconos: Aug 7gust 7

Our Team Leader and the best tri coach in the universe, Carole
aka Momma Bear

Maine: Aug 28

REV3 MAINE WITH MY GIRL

 Cedar Point: Sept 10 (kids and sprint)  Sept 11 (half and full)

KNOXVILLE GLOW RUN

I have LOVED my time on the Rev3 Team and we are currently accepting applications for the 2016 Team! Interested? Check it out HERE:

2016 TEAM REV3 APPLICATION

USE CODE TEAMREV3 TO GET A SUPER AWESOME REV VISOR. 

NO NEED TO WAIT UNTIL RACE DAY EITHER...YOU WILL HAVE THIS TO TRAIN IN ALL WINTER LONG 

Fall and Falling

It is PEAK FOLIAGE time in Maine and wowzers...it's so darn pretty outside. I have been just thrilled to be outside the last couple of weeks. I do love summer but fall is just so pretty!

A river in Kennebunk ME

My favorite playground, near Sugarloaf USA

I was out of town for a wedding this past weekend and had the chance to ride with 2 amazing fella's - the FM Brothers I'll call 'em - up in the Maine mountains. It was a balmy 35* and pouring rain so obviously we had to get out and do some mountain biking on the trails of Carrabassett Valley. Now, these two guys have been riding a long time. FM1 was a former semi-pro crit cyclist and long time mtn biker and FM2 (and my personal MTB coach and favorite adventure dude) has been riding those trails for years and was a mtb bike coach.

My babies, my QR and my EVA

on Eva on a dry day this summer

A girl and her bike, always ready for ADVENTURES

FM1 brought his Specialized Fat Bike to ride and FM2 stuck with his favorite hard tail. I had my beautiful Raleigh Eva from Kennebunkport Bicycle Co of course.

Me with the FM boys, the route we rote and my hot tea

We got bundled up and rode right out of the house to the trails. I was a bit nervous riding with these two veterans in slippery conditions to be honest, but...I was able to hang on we had a blast. We were SOAKED and very cold...and we opted to take the road back to save some time but as soon as we hit the road, the headwind was super cold AND it was some slow going for sure, increasing the hypothermia factor greatly. While FM1 took off flying down the road, FM2 and I snuck off and hitched a ride home with a friend down the road. IT was THAT wet and cold.

Before long, I was stripping off the cold, wet layers and warming up with a cup of tea in front of a roaring fire! Ahhh....

Even in the freezing rain, I had a blast out there riding. I am SO loving mountain biking and I cannot believe I waited so long to hit the trails. I was so afraid of injury while training for so many big triathlon races...now I can see how it will just make me a much better athlete overall. Plus, it really is my happy place.

This week I got out for some running miles in the sunshine...and trails! I will let the pics speak for themselves.

I managed to keep my falls to 3 and the last one, I jammed my arm into a tree root pretty well (bruised) and managed to put a tear into my favorite light weight running tights. I was still smiling though...I stopped at 4 miles to enjoy a little break on this bridge and stretch, plank and just look around.

Blessed. Every day.

WHAT IS MAKING YOU SMILE THIS WEEK??

monday musings

monday musings

"Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently. So choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting and joyful. Your life is always moving toward something." ~Ralph Marston

 My first musing of the day: REV3 IS BACK BABY!! I am overwhelmed with excitement. happiness, joy. From "the bossman" himself, Charlie...

“I am beyond excited to announce that Rev3 will be back and better than ever in 2016. We underestimated the power of the all American Rev3 brand and our entire crew is itching to be – Back In Blue –! We believe that our staff is one of the best in the industry at producing races and they are all full of ideas that will be implemented into the event experience.We cannot wait to welcome athletes back to The Revolution in 2016!” - Charlie R Patten Jr

with my crazy teammate Ed 

Flanny from Wattie

Knoxville with Rev3 and Wattie. what a day!

The girls of Team Rev3

_______________________________________________________________________

So as mentioned yesterday I stated running again. Training plan has been written up, it's plugged into my Training Peaks account. Yesterday was an 8 miler on rollers and as I mentioned it was the longest run for me in a few months. All went well and I was happy to be out. 

I was about 1/2 mile from home when all of a sudden my body was like "Yo, you need a potty right now" and I was like "hmm, you are NOT running the last half mile home" and started to walk a bit. I has only been walking a few feet when I recalled that there was a "blue house" in the cemetary right where I was, so a detour was quickly taken. I walked briskly the 100 feet to where I remembered that port-o-potty to be and sure enough...it was there. 

*now, if you have been a reader for a while, you know I have an intense gross out fear anxiety about these things. GREEN TOMBS OF DEATH (you can read all about it here

------>>>> MY FAVORITE RACE REPORT EVER <<<<----------- span="">

As I approached the "stop and go" I had to laugh.

Jesus so kindly answered my prayers.

HERE JEN, Here is a clean potty with fresh still-in-the-wrapper toilet paper...and it's all for you. Enjoy. 

Thank you Jesus.

Sunday Runday

...and here we are folks. It's Sunday, October 4th, 2015 and I have not blogged or written anything in a solid 5 months. It's not that I haven't had anything to say, because as usual I have TONS to say. But I have not had the time or energy to sit down and put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) the last couple of months.

The past 12 months have been filled with some very personal challenges as well as triumphs. Learning and letting go. Embracing a new life and ready to write the next chapter. I am now in a very different place and if you follow along, I will breakdown some of the adventures and changes that have occurred over the last year.

But for now, lets start with today.

SUNDAY RUNDAY

 Today was the first planned "long run day" in quite a while. With all of my personal life changes this year, training this season took a back seat. I admit, mentally and physically the break has done wonders for me...and I got try some new things.  Like mountain biking (love at first roll...)

Last week I registered for the Sugarloaf Marathon on a whim. As per my usual method of doing things, it was a "SIGN" from the universe to do this race. I have spent lots of time in the beautiful area that is "Sugarloaf" this past year and I have fallen madly, deeply in love with the energy and tranquility that this little place offers. It was only natural that I continue to embrace all of what I love in a place I love and add a "stand alone" marathon to my schedule.

from the 2015 race

So...since I see the mile markers on the road all the time and I love to be there, why not make it official and register!! Now, I am back. In more ways than one. And I am excited. Happy. Renewed. Passionate.

Today's Run:
8.2 rolling miles
believe it or not, this is my longest run on the books in a while. I am back to using my Training Peaks account (which has been blank for a year!) If you're not using Training Peaks, you should be SIGN UP HERE. It was slow moving for me today but I am not really concerned at this point. Just rebuilding my base and getting my body used to the miles again. It'll come back!

I put my playlist on "SHUFFLE" today and that resulted in quite the interesting mix of music. Nine Inch Nails to Talking Heads to Duran Duran...tune of the day was Ramble On, Led Zepplin

 What I was thinking today:

1) people in my community really have issues with littering. I was appalled at how horrible it is, so much blatant disregard for our town, our earth. Empty cans of beer and soda, a ridiculous amount of tiny liquor bottles and tons of fast food trash, along with empty cigarette containers.

what I have concluded from the trash on the side of the road-

fireball empties in a pile on the side of the road

i am guessing the camo made you think we'd miss this one

the people in town are driving around drunk, smoking butts and eating fast food...and THROWING IT ALL OUT THE WINDOW. Makes me afraid to be on the roads at all...Really, why all those empty booze bottles all over the roads. Keep your drunk behind at home please, not out driving.

2) and speaking of litter. You know those little "puppy poop" bags they have for picking up your dog doo? yeah, that's a great thing...IF YOU THROW THE BAG AWAY! I would much rather see your pets pile of biodegradable poop on the side of the road than see it sitting in a plastic bag on the side of the road...

WHATTT????!!! I don't get it

3) I love fall running. I started COLD with 3 layers on and by the time I was 30 mins into my run, I was stripping the layers off.

punk rock for the win

Shout out to one of my longtime favorite swim/bike/run/rock gear companies PUNK ROCK RACING.
Check out this amazing trio of tee's from his collection. EPICLY AWESOME.
Had to wear the RUN version today!

sweaty

HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND?