Guess Who’s Back, Back Again

September 19, 2016

Jennifer’s back, tell a friend! Sorry for the corniness I couldn’t resist a little Eminem.

I can’t believe I went (blogger) MIA! As most of you know, I started a new job in April. I thought a mini blogging hiatus may occur (mini as in a couple weeks) so I could acclimate to the new role and organization.  Well a couple weeks turned into a month, which turned into a couple months, and now five months. Don’t worry, I’m not working 24/7, I just got into the habit of not blogging.  Here is a quick recap of what I would have shared:  

Marathon Training 
Check and check! In fact, we leave for Berlin this Wednesday. I’ll share some additional details about that tomorrow.  While I’m a little sad I don’t have a week by week recap of my training, I’ve captured it in my running log I share with Mollie.  

  • I typically run 5x/week – 2 speed-type runs, 2 easy/recovery and 1 long run 
  • I think I’ve hit 90% of my workouts, not at 100%…I’ll recheck my log later
  • Long runs topped at 16 miles with multiple cycles 
  • Jennifer the “lone wolf” returned and a majority of my long runs were solo. Courtney + Leeann…I’m gonna make ARRC happen this winter 

Races
I’ve run 9 races this year (there were some DNS due to illness and oversleeping) compared to 24 races this time last year. My fall/winter should pick up, but I should finish well below my 30+ count I had in 2015 (which was needed). 

  • April – Redskins Draft Day 5K with Laurie 
  • May – Teens Run DC 5K with Courtney and Ivey 
  • May – Frederick Half Marathon Relay with Emily
  • May – Fit Foodie 5K with my mom, Caitlin, Mar and Kathryn
  • June- Covered Bridges Half Marathon with my mom 
Fitness
This year I opted out of personal training sessions and I notice a difference with my overall fitness and strength (I tire more quickly during my runs).  Those sessions held me accountable with weight and strength training and HIIT workouts.  Less weight/HIIT workouts + driving to work (sometimes) + overindulging (office snacks) = extra pounds…ugh! I’m going to reset once I get back from Berlin and touch on it more during my lessons learned.  
 
While I’ve been inconsistent with those workouts, I have been cross training (spinning, barre, reformer). Here are some highlights: 

Source: Pilates ProWorks Alexandria 

  • Zengo cycling and brunch with Mar
  • FlyWheel classes at their new City Center studio 
  • Tried Solidcore with Emily….ummm soo HARD! 
  • Checked out another new reformer studio in Alexandria, Pilates ProWorks.. I would describe it as Solidcore Junior
Fun
A hodge podge of fun from the past few months: 
  • Celebrated Cliff’s Masters graduation from Georgetown in May 
  • Traveled to Austin for a wedding…I use to babysit the bride…who has completed multiple Ironmans! We stayed at the Lakeway Resort and Spa, it was beautiful. 

  • Met Joshua Molina aka Will Bailey (West Wing) aka David Rosen (Scandal) at the airport, he was so nice
  • Attended Oiselle Happy Hour and BBQ <-which included horses and donkeys! 
  • Went to the Kennedy Center for the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Pops House of Cards in Concert
  • Visited my good friends in Richmond and met their adorable pug
  • Started bullet journaling 
  • Saw the new Jason Bourne movie at Atlantic Plumbing Theater in the Shaw neighborhood of DC.. so nice! 
  • Watched Game of Thrones, Polo, Sopranos, Stranger Things and Narcos 
  • My bangs are back
Food
Of course…I would not leave this out 🙂 Unfortunately my beloved Samsung 4 died on me a few weeks ago, so I lost a lot of my photos (they were not backed up to the cloud)..for now.  So alot of my food and running pics are temporarily missing.  

  • Ate oodles of (ramen) noodles at Chaplins and Haikan…the latter is owned by the same team at Daikaya 
  • Had a delicious dinner at Tail Up Goat – which was nominated as one of the Best New Restaurants of 2016. If you go try the lamb, you will not regret it.  
  • Discovered Takorean right by my DC office and one is opening up in my neighborhood soon
  • Tried District Taco for the first time ever with Kelly 

Okay, that is a wrap! My goal is to make blogging a habit again, I missed it! I am going to aim for at least two posts a week and increase it if I can.. I have so much content I like to share.  

Shoutout to Julie for her first half post baby, Kathryn on her RnR Philly PR, and Cynthia and Tracy’s Ironman 70.3 Atlantic City finish.  Also congrats to Brittney on finishing her first 20 mile training run for Chicago.  Check out her hilarious Instagram post on how to make an ice bath without any ice. 

What are you training for this fall? 

How how was your summer? 

 
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32 Comments

    1. Pam

      September 20, 2016

      Glad to see you back Jennifer. So excited about your trip to Berlin. I may be stalking your Instagram in between our adventures in Disneyland Paris. We also leave on Wednesday and can’t wait. By the way, sometimes running less races can be beneficial. I am always more excited to race if I have not done it in a while.

      Reply
      1. Run Jenny Run

        Run Jenny Run

        September 20, 2016

        Safe travels, Pam! When I return I will send you the Marathon Tours itinerary if you are interested 🙂 I think there are some Abbott x 6 finishers in the group, so I’ll take photos if I see their medal (MT said they will be presented with it this weekend). I, too, will be following your adventures.

        Reply

    1. Kristina Running

      September 20, 2016

      I’m so glad you’re back Jenny! It sounds like you’ve settled into the new job well and I’m very glad you’re not working 24/7 :).

      Oh no, I’m sorry that you lost your photos! Download the Google Photos app to your new phone. It will automatically back up all your pics to the cloud. Plus Google Photos gives you unlimited storage so you never have to worry about running out of space (since pics take up so much room)!

      I can’t wait to hear all about Berlin! Take lots of pics!!

      Reply
      1. Run Jenny Run

        Run Jenny Run

        September 20, 2016

        Thanks Kristina! When I got my new phone I enabled that right away. My old, for some reason, stopped backing up to it a year ago 🙁

        Reply

    1. Chaitali

      September 20, 2016

      I was just thinking about you the other day, glad you’re back for an update! It sounds like marathon training is going really well. That’s interesting that your long run tops out at 16 miles. I’m excited to follow along with your Berlin trip 🙂 We went to Union Market for the first time Saturday and I tried some takorean while I was there. It was delicious!
      Chaitali recently posted…Race 13.1 Baltimore Training Week 3My Profile

      Reply
      1. Run Jenny Run

        Run Jenny Run

        September 20, 2016

        Thanks Chaitali! Yup, my coach said she rather me top at that and still have energy to complete my shorter (speed) runs during the week. Union Market is fun! If you go again, I really like Arepas Zone.

        Reply

    1. courtney @ eat pray run dc

      September 20, 2016

      This made me so happy! I’ve been wondering about your Berlin training and haven’t seen you in person in awhile to ask. I hope you have the most amazing time. Please do share lots of pics and updates and see you soon??? xx

      Reply
      1. Run Jenny Run

        Run Jenny Run

        September 25, 2016

        Lol, thanks! I didn’t realize I’ve also been slacking on my IG food pics too 🙂

        Reply

    1. wendy

      September 20, 2016

      Welcome back! Berlin is so close…a bunch of Birds are racing, it should be fun!

      My goal race this fall is CIM, but I’m running St. George Marathon (as a training run) in 10 days. EEk!

      Reply

    1. Coco

      September 20, 2016

      Yay! I’ve missed your updates. I have another friend en route to Berlin – it will be her second time – you will have a blast!

      Reply

    1. Nathasha

      September 21, 2016

      Welcome back, lady! Wow, can’t believe Berlin is here already!!! Have a safe trip and amazing time! And good luck on the race! I can’t wait to hear how everything goes. We should do a DC Happy Feet dinner when you return! 🙂

      Reply

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