2007 Chicago Marathon
I love to run! I use running not only as exercise, but also as my outlet. It is my time, and I love that. I feel so free!
In August of 2006 some friends approached me to join their team for a marathon relay (my part would be 3.1 miles). I was shocked and terrified! I was not a runner, what were they thinking?! I mean, I tried and wanted to ‘learn’ to run so badly because I knew it would make me lose more weight. But, boy was it hard! I eventually agreed, after a lot of persuading, and printed myself out a copy of the Couch to 5k Plan. I knew I could do it if I put my mind to it, but the next 8 weeks looked very daunting to me. I followed the plan and started off by walking and running, and eventually was able to run 3 miles without stopping! I was still terrified going into the relay, but I completed the race and I have never been so proud of myself!!
That relay was 2 days before my 26th birthday, and it was the start of my new life! Since that day I have continued to run and run and run. I immediately began signing up for more races, including a half marathon and a marathon, which I completed before my 27th birthday! I was lucky to have my husband by my side every step of the way. We pushed each other to do what seemed like the impossible. When we crossed the finish line of the Chicago Marathon in October of 2007, I knew that this was the life I wanted.
Mighty North Fork Triathlon, July 2009
Running keeps me healthy and sane (i’m sure my husband appreciates it!). Since the Chicago marathon, I have participated in another marathon, multiple other half marathons, and a sprint triathlon! Healthy eating and running fit together like puzzle pieces – it is hard to run well without eating the right foods!
If you are interested, I have listed some tips, ideas, sample workouts and my workout schedule below and will continue to update them as time goes on.
Running Ideas & Tips
Weights
- Upper Body
- Lower Body
- Circuit Training
Ab Workouts
- 10 Minute Abs
- Perfect Abs
My Workout Schedules
July 26 – August 1
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – Rest
Wednesday – 60 min walk, 3 sets squats, lunges & pushups, 1 min plank
Thursday – 40 min run + 10 min walk
Friday – Rest
Saturday -
Sunday -
July 19 – 25
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – Rest (my left hamstring is really bothering me)
Wednesday – 4.5 mile run
Thursday – 3 mile walk (46 minutes) + arm weights
Friday – Rest
Saturday – 45 minute power walk
Sunday – Rest
July 12 – 18
Monday - No More Trouble Zones – full body weights video (40 min)
Tuesday – 5 mile run
Wednesday – 45 min swim (2200 yds)
Thursday – 45 min (10 mile) bike ride
Friday – 5 mile run +15 min walk + 20 min weights
Saturday – ‘active rest day’ (walking tour of nyc)
Sunday – 45 min powerwalk around NYC
July 5 – 11
Monday – 45 min power walk
Tuesday – Rest
Wednesday – 5 mile run + 1 mile walk (60 minutes) and 20 min weight circuit
Thursday – Rest
Friday – 40 min swim (2000 yds)
Saturday – Rest
Sunday – 4.5 mile run
June 28 – July 4
Monday – 4 mile run, .5 mile walk & 30 min weight session
Tuesday – Rest
Wednesday – Rest
Thursday – 5 mile run
Friday – More rest…oopps! 
Saturday – 3.5 mile run + 10 min walk
Sunday – hike/walk @ Child’s Park, PA
June 21 – 27
Monday – 30 minute walk
Tuesday – 5.1 mile run (47 minutes) + squats, lunges, pushups, YTA, biceps & overhead press (15 min circuit – 2 sets each)
Wednesday – 45 minute swim (about 2000 yds)
Thursday – 25 min circuit stability/weight session & 30 min intervals on elliptical
Friday – Rest
Saturday – 4 mile run (36 minutes)
Sunday – Rest
June 14 – 20
Monday – 5.25 mile run + walk (total 60 minutes) and strength training
Tuesday – 90 minute power walk
Wednesday – Stability/Balance/Strength circuit & 30 minute swim
Thursday – 3 mile run (27 minutes)
Friday – Rest
Saturday – 4 mile run + 1.5 mile walk (total = 60 minutes)
Sunday – 40 minute walk
June 7 – 13
Monday – 40 minute run
Tuesday – Rest
Wednesday – Rest
Thursday – Rest
Friday – Rest
Saturday – Active rest day
Sunday – 40 minute walk
May 31 – June 6
Monday – 3 mile walk
Tuesday – 5 mile run + weights
Wednesday – Rest
Thursday – Rest
Friday – 4.5 mile run + 8 mile walk
Saturday - 7 mile walk
Sunday – rest
May 24 – 30
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – 45 min walk (3 miles)
Wednesday – 6.5 mile run (60 minutes) + 2 sets each squats & lunges
Thursday – 5.6 mile run (53 minutes) + 25 minutes of weights
Friday – Rest
Saturday – 5.6 mile run (49 minutes) + freedom trail!
Sunday – 3.5 mile run (30 minutes) + walking around downtown all morning
May 17 – 23
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – Rest
Wednesday – Rest, still so sore!
Thursday – Rest
Friday – Rest
Saturday – 5.6 mile run
Sunday – 5 mile run, treadmill
May 10 – 16
Monday – 40 min run / 40 min walk with the dog!
Tuesday – 30 min walk/jog with the pup
Wednesday – 30 min walk
Thursday – 40 min walk / 5.6 mile run
Friday – 60 min walk
Saturday – 6.5 mile run / 40 min walk
Sunday – 21 mile bike ride (before I was hit by a car!)
May 3 – 9
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – Rest
Wednesday – 60 min walk
Thursday – stability/strength weights & 60 minute walk
Friday – 45 min walk/run
Saturday – Rest
Sunday – 45 minute walk (3 miles) & 3 mile run
April 26 – May 2
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – Rest
Wednesday – 35 min. Stability/Strength & 5 mile run (44 min)
Thursday – 7 mile run & 20 min elliptical cool-down
Friday – 45 min (2000 yd) swim
Saturday – 9 mile run
Sunday – 22 mile bike ride
April 19 – 25
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – 5.65 mile run
Wednesday – 5.8 mile run
Thursday – Rest
Friday – Core workout (30 min) / 6 mile walk around NYC (1hr 45min)
Saturday – 45 min Total Body Stability/Balance/Strength & 5 mile walk around NYC (1hr 30min)
Sunday – 3 mile walk
April 12 – 18
Monday – 10 mile run
Tuesday – Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones (35 minutes)
Wednesday – 2010 yd swim (45 minutes)
Thursday – Rest
Friday – 6.5 mile run / full body circuit session
Saturday – 40 min Stepmill / 3.75 mile run (35 min)
Sunday – 4.25 mile run / Upper Body Weights
April 5 – 11
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – 5 mile run / Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones (40 min)
Wednesday – 7.28 mile run @ 8:14 pace
Thursday – 4.6 mile run in 40 minutes / upper body weights
Friday – Rest
Saturday – 6 mile run
Sunday – 4.25 mile walk
March 29 – April 4
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – 4.5 mile run / Gravity class
Wednesday – 7 mile Treadmill run
Thursday – Rest
Friday – 1 mile swim / 30 min stepmill
Saturday – 5 mile run / pushups & situps
Sunday – Rest (completely exhausted – REST is important too!!)
March 22 – 28 (NYC half marathon complete! Time for some fun workouts )
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – 30 minutes Yoga for Runners
Wednesday – 4 mile run / 30 minute swim / Stretching!
Thursday – Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred
Friday – Rest
Saturday – 5 Mile treadmill run / Full Body Weights
Sunday – 45 Min elliptical / 10 Min stepmill
You go girl! I’ll be thinking of you during my runs! Thanks!
[...] Running Laps [...]
[...] Running Laps [...]
Hey Jen,
I love your website! Congrats on your half, what a time, you should be psyched!
My half is on April 25th. It’s the MORE race, women only, through Central Park,it’s gonna be hilly! I would love to do the NYC half next year, I hope I can qualify. I have a question for you as an experienced runner – do you wear a hydration belt? Can you recommend something for me? I’m up to 10 miles and it’s getting warmer out there, I’m not sure what to get. THanks!