RunwithJenn

RunwithJenn Helping you find your inner runner and achieve all your running goals. In 2009 I made a conscious decision to better my life. I began running Spring of 2009.

I began taking yoga classes and started running. I met with a nutritionist and started changing the way I ate. It started with 20 steps down my driveway. My first race, a 5k, was July 2009. Over the years I have found that I LOVE to run. I have run numerous 5K's, some 10K's, a bunch of half-marathons. I have added cross-training such as yoga, weight lifting, Blast and bike riding with my husband. Sometimes the workout out is 20-30 minutes...sometimes it lasts over 4 hours. Nutrition was always one of my biggest struggles. In 2002 I weighed close to 200lbs. I have pictures to prove it, but never got on the scale. I had a friend that helped me pay attention to what I ate and I have slowly gotten better. My biggest struggle has been eating the correct foods to fuel my fitness. And I think I have finally found the answers. Join me, follow me, be a part of my team. Together we can become what we strive to be.

I started the day at the track. Walking and listening to a book. Once everyone else finished up their track workouts, th...
09/17/2026

I started the day at the track. Walking and listening to a book. Once everyone else finished up their track workouts, they kept me company for a couple of loops.
I had my last PT appointment. I didn’t graduate. But with the races I have coming up and the races and running I’ve done in the last few weeks, we can’t really tell if I’m getting better. It doesn’t hurt the same. I’m not able to do some of the movements she’d like me to do. So the plan is for me to keep resting as much as I can, do some biking instead of running, complete the PT exercises she’s given me, and come back after the Marine Corps Marathon. I’ve got some work to do.
Tonight I walked during the Turtle Run. After last night’s little bit of i I knew I was ready for a run today. I had company for the walk. The weather was perfect. The walk was full of stories and laughs and plans for the next couple of weeks.
What was the favorite story you heard today?

I am still a bit sore. I slept in a little bit and met up with my friend Liz. We warmed up ran a half mile, walked some ...
09/16/2026

I am still a bit sore. I slept in a little bit and met up with my friend Liz. We warmed up ran a half mile, walked some more, ran another half mile and walked home. The second half mile felt better than the first. Neither was comfortable. I am glad I didn’t try to join the group run.
I decided I was going to try a little bit more at Couch to 5k tonight. I didn’t really measure how far I ran. The group ran 2 miles tonight, their Week 10 workout. I ran three times, and walked in between. The last run felt better than the first. I’m glad I didn’t try to run the whole time. I think my body would have tried to fight me.
Tomorrow I’ll head to the tech, see the group, and walk a couple of miles. Depending on the weather, I may walk for the Turtle Run tomorrow night. I want to be smart. I miss running. But that’s only a right now thing. I don’t want to miss running next year due to making bad decisions this month.
Did you listen to your body today?

Wow! Marathon number 50! Done 😎🏃🏻‍♀️Thank you to everyone who cheered me on, sent me good wishes, joined me for the mil...
09/14/2026

Wow! Marathon number 50! Done 😎🏃🏻‍♀️
Thank you to everyone who cheered me on, sent me good wishes, joined me for the miles. Thank you for all of the support.
My journey into running started in 2009, with 15 steps down my driveway. My first 5k was that July. I ran my first marathon in 2012. I just finished my 50th marathon!
So many good things about today. We got out of the house on time. We got on the first bus to the start line, where I was pleasantly surprised to see an unexpected friend. No lines at the porta potty. Found the OnPace team, got our pictures and headed to the start…all without a whole bunch of rain. A bonus to the start of our day, the house we were staying at had booties. Waterproof booties to go over our shoes. Not because of the forecasted race day rain, it was part of their ArBNB rules to go shoeless or put booties on. We took full advantage. We wore the booties to the race. Just before the start we took them off. They were soaked. Our sneakers were dry.
We started the race, and about 10 minutes later it started to pour! The trail became muddy puddles very quickly. Feet and socks were beyond wet. It rained for about the first hour. Then nothing. The clouds remained. The puddles remained. The last few miles I had to keep remembering to pick my feet up so I didn’t kick through a puddle. My feet were still wet, but every time they filled with water I could feel the dirt between my socks and shoe.
I had one runner stay with me for most of the first half. I had a couple of runners that I got to share miles with. Some were on their first marathon. Some were doing run/walk. None were actually doing the pace I was. So we chatted for a bit and I had to keep going. I got to see my parents along the course. Towards the end it got tough. Especially when I wasn’t keeping someone else company. I just kept running. I knew I had a friend walking towards me to help me cross the finish line. I knew I had a bunch of friends at the finish line waiting to help me celebrate my 50th marathon. So I just kept moving.
It was a pretty amazing race. It was so amazing to have friends at the finish line to celebrate with me. It was a great day!

Guess what time it is??!!?!!! It’s time for bed. But really, it’s adventure time! We left MA this morning and drove to P...
09/13/2026

Guess what time it is??!!?!!!
It’s time for bed. But really, it’s adventure time!
We left MA this morning and drove to PA. We traveled for a couple of hours and then stopped for lunch. A couple of miles more and we were at bib pickup.
I hung out there for a little bit making sure the OnPace Race team got their pacing stuff and helping set up the pacing poles.
During the down time between bib pick up and dinner, I got my race stuff together. My sneakers are laying next to my clothes which are laying in front of all the other race things I need (bib boards and glitter and hair ties). My bib and gel filled belt are on the dresser too.
We met my parents for dinner. The food was good. The company was great. Our bellies are full and the light are out.
We’ve got an early start tomorrow. The race begins at 7am. We’re taking a bus from the finish line to the start line. We have to be at the bus around 5:15am. I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m ready. Marathon number 50, here I come!!!!
Who do you celebrate your milestones with?

I’m a little nervous about the marathon this weekend. A lot of that is because of my body not being at 100%. I’ve done a...
09/12/2026

I’m a little nervous about the marathon this weekend. A lot of that is because of my body not being at 100%. I’ve done a lot to take care of it over the last 2 1/2 weeks. Rolling. A massage. Less running. Taping. Alternative cardio. Strength classes. Physical therapy.
I’ve done all I can do with how my body feels. I know I feel better today than I did last week. I ran Monday and it didn’t get any worse. Fingers crossed that continues with a run almost 4x as long.
I’m going to have a great weekend. Friends and family are going to be there to share in my 50th marathon. Some are running, some are cheering. I’m going to get to share the experience with some amazing people. Plus all the ones I meet along the race course. I’m also looking forward to the road trip. Making memories.
Now it’s time to wind down, and get a good night of rest. A couple of deep breathes, and a cozy blanket. What’s your favorite way to wind down?

Another week of trying to take it easy. I want to run. But I’m running a marathon Sunday. I can get all my miles in then...
09/10/2026

Another week of trying to take it easy. I want to run. But I’m running a marathon Sunday. I can get all my miles in then.
Yesterday I went to the gym in the morning. In the afternoon I did 30 minutes on the bike.
This morning I walked loops at the track, and got over 3.5 miles done. I had planned to head to the turtle run tonight to walk and meet up with the group. I decided I didn’t want to walk in the rain. I jumped on the bike again. A little harder resistance. A little shorter duration.
Tomorrow I’ll start the day with a class at the gym and finish the day with a walk. I’m hoping for a little more movement. Maybe sometime on the bike again.
It’s kind of nice taking it easy. I do miss running. I do want to have a good run Sunday. I want to be able bring the runners I’m pacing all the way to the finish line. I want to celebrate my 50th marathon when I cross the finish line.
What’s your favorite rehab exercise?

The holiday weekend is just about over. It’s been a great relaxing couple of days. Saturday started with Couch to 5k. I...
09/08/2026

The holiday weekend is just about over. It’s been a great relaxing couple of days.
Saturday started with Couch to 5k. I ran with the group and completed the 2.2 miles, plus a half mile warm up walk. It felt good. I was all taped up, and had a knee compression wrap on.
Then I headed to a massage. We really worked my leg. A lot of deep tissue work. I felt amazing when I left. No leg pain for the rest of the day. It ached a little at bedtime, but that was to be expected.
Sunday my babe and I headed to King Richard’s Faire. One of my favorite outings each year. Walking around seeing the sight, watching the shows, appreciating the dressed up outfits.
Today I slept in, again. After a quiet morning, I met up with the girls for some miles along the Ghost Train trail. It was a good run. I forgot to wrap everything. I walked a little more than I wanted to. But I’m feeling pretty good now.
I’m not going to run tomorrow. I’ll head to the gym in the morning. After work I am supporting a friend and will be joining her instead of Couch to 5k (someone is covering for me). Wednesday morn I may try a run/walk at the track. I want to run. I also want to be as close to 100% for the race Sunday.
How did you spend your 3 day weekend?

I’m not sure how it’s about to be Thursday. This week is going by quickly. Monday was a complete rest day. With PT in th...
09/03/2026

I’m not sure how it’s about to be Thursday. This week is going by quickly. Monday was a complete rest day. With PT in the morning and a walk during lunch. Tuesday morning I met a friend to run with her on the Ghost Train course. Running felt ok. We did some walking too. Part of that was due to the terrain. Some of that was due to me just wanting to walk. Tuesday night started week 8 of Couch to 5k. I walked. Everyone else ran the workout.
Today started at the track. I didn’t even try to run. I know I feel better today than I did last Wednesday. I know I still have some healing to do before next weekend. I walked just over 3.5 miles this morning. Tonight I met up with the Turtle 🐢 Run group. I walked. I brought a friend and we walked most of the route together. We cut a few corners. We still ended up with over 4 miles. I’m still moving. That’s what counts right now. Tomorrow I’m headed to the gym for my workout. Friday may be a rest day.
How do you keep yourself busy when you can’t do your favorite exercise?

I’ve rested all week. The North Shore 8k for the USATF New England Grand Prix was this miring in Salem. It was a gorgeou...
08/30/2026

I’ve rested all week. The North Shore 8k for the USATF New England Grand Prix was this miring in Salem. It was a gorgeous morning for a race.
I got up, got ready and left the house. It got there a little earlier than I had said I needed to. I got my bib. I talked with some people getting ready to run. I wet back to my car to change into my race sneakers and get everything together. I stopped at the porta potty and then did some warm running/walking with a friend.
After the warmup, I met the team at the tent and we headed to the start line together. It was a small woman’s team this race. Five of us, enough to make the team count. I had warned them my knee was cranky and I wasn’t sure how I was goin to perform. The word of the day was ‘finish’. I plugged into my book and got ready to run. I started off comfortable listening to how my body felt. Nothing felt bad, nothing hurt. I just kept running comfortably. Some small downhills and uphills, but not anything too challenging. I passed of my the CMS team members. I really did think I would. I really thought I’d end up walking some. Thankfully, my body felt good for the whole race. It may not have been my fastest effort, but it was a solid effort.
I walked a bit after I crossed the finish line the went to go stand in line for water. Yes…Stand in line for water. While in line I went to take my beer tags off my bib to hand to someone around me, and realized I didn’t have my bib on. I just ran the full 8k as a team member in a Grand Prix race without my bib. So, I forgot all about needing water and went to the timing tent. I explained the situation and got a high five. Thankfully he also took the total time from my watch. He said he’d check the start line camera and be able to give me a time in the system. I was so bummed. I felt a little like a fool. Thankfully, it is accounted for and I hope the team got the credit for me running.
There were multiple times I could have noticed, or others could have noticed, that I wasn’t wearing bib. I know while I was in the car I was thinking more about getting my body ready for the run, and what my plan was going to be if it didn’t feel great running. I may have been distracted. I just left it. It was not visible, and
I know that’s the main reason it was forgotten.
In the end, I finished the race. The race felt good. The time was able to score. It was a beautiful morning. I didn’t have to sit in the parking garage when I left. I found my favorite ice cream on the way home. I got to spend the afternoon with the cats and my babe.
What has been one of your most memorable race blunders?

Today was such a nice relaxed summer day. I took full advantage of my non running form. Couch to 5k met for the last wor...
08/30/2026

Today was such a nice relaxed summer day. I took full advantage of my non running form. Couch to 5k met for the last workout of week 7. I ran a little bit with some of them. It was nice to just run. I think I’m in a good spot to run the majority of the 8k tomorrow. I don’t think I’ll be able to race. I may have to walk. I’ll be there. I’ll have my good sneakers on. I’ll run what my body lets me run.
After couch to 5k I spent time with my babe. We went out to breakfast. I cleaned my car. We went to the Lake 100 year celebration. Then we just relaxed the rest of the afternoon. A food dinner. A little bit of time in the hot tub. And now I’m getting ready for bed. Trying for a solid night of sleep.
How much sleep do you like to get the day before a race?

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