RunwithJenn

11/02/2026

This morning was the monthly brunch run with the SQRR running group. It’s a time to run or walk a few miles together. Time to share miles with someone you may not get to see very often. Then we finish our morning with food and coffee/juice.
This was the first time in a long while that I’ve run back to back days. And again everything felt good! I ran 5 miles. Only because my running partner and I just kept going out and back and finding reasons to extend our run. I almost didn’t want to stop running. The amazing weather helped, I’m sure. The extra sleep. Being surrounded by friends. Knowing there was good food and conversation coming. I’m sure that helped me start the morning with a smile.
We all talked about the races we’ve recently run, and the ones coming up. We talked about injuries and dealing with them the smart way.
The rest of the day was spent with my babe, running errands and watching football. Winding down the day with kitty cuddles.
What made you smile today?

10/31/2026

Today felt like a milestones day. I got up and ran with the group!!! A couple of friends are running an ultra race in 3 weeks. There last really long run was this morning. Their plan was multiple 5 mile loops. I had planned to join for the 3rd and 4th. I didn’t set my alarms correctly. I actually got up before any of the went off. As I stated getting ready I realized my timing was way off. I let the group know I was not going to make it as planned. I finished getting ready and grabbed one more accessory, my ear buds.
I got Doyle and the group had left about 10-15 minutes before my arrival. Which is wha I had figured. So I plugged into my book and started running their route backwards. I found them about 1 1/2 miles in. I turned around and finished the loop with them. I then went on the next loop as planned.
By the time I got done with those 8 miles, I know it was time to stop. The run felt good. After the first mile nothing hurt. I was able to get up the hills and bumped up the pace a bit to stick with the group. I have a run planned for tomorrow. I wanted to make sure I’d feel just as comfortable for that run too. So I decided to be ok with stopping. Did I want to run more? Yes. The morning was gorgeous. Did I think I’d hurt if I ran more? Also yes. Do I think the run tomorrow with be comfortable? Yes. And that all sounds like a pretty good plan.
How do you decide how far to run?

10/29/2026

Recovery from a marathon is different for everyone. Some can run the next day. Some need a week off. Some use cross training or weights to get back into routine. Some get a massage. Some sit in the hot tub. Some rest.
I’ve done a little bit of resting. I’ve done some weights. I’ve done some running. I’ve been trying to get a good night of sleep. I’ve done some walking.
It’s all going ok. I feel good. My knee feels good. The running has been comfortable. I still to work on increasing my pace a bit, and conquering some hills. My next marathon has over 13 hills in the first half. I have a little bit of time to train. I have to get myself back into a real schedule of running again. Sleeping in and not having to plan for double digit mileage has been nice. Maybe some of that will change this weekend and into next week. Easy. One step at a time.
How do you build back into your run schedule after a race?

10/26/2026

Marine Corps Marathon with OnPace Race.
A memory I won’t soon forget. Bib pick up Friday night. Wandering Saturday and meeting some of the locals. Team Meeting Saturday afternoon. Metro at 5am race morning. Team prep and picture. Feather flags and getting to the start corrals. The 4:45 pace group. 26.2 miles. Long walk and travel back to the hotel. Then home.
I was so honored to be able to be a part of this experience. The Marine Corps Marathon. Being able to pace it with OnPace for their first year. The team having trust in me to take the 4:45 group to their finish. (I did have a lot of help for that).
The weather was amazing for racing. Not so much for waiting for the start. It was cold at the start. My fingers are numb when we started running. It warmed up throughout the morning. Warm at the finish. Lots of sunshine.
The running was hard. 26.2 miles is hard. I think because I took time off and cut back on long miles, my body was not ready for the pace and the distance. I’m very thankful I had company to help push me and pull me and finish in front of me. I ran. I walked through the water stops to hydrate. I grabbed UnTapped for fuel. I kept pushing one foot in front of the other. This race wasn’t for me. It was for the runners around me. It was for OnPace and what we stand for.
I met so many people during the miles. Some stayed with me til the end. Some came and went with the distance. We shared stories and laughs and cheers! This is why I love running marathons, and even more so pacing marathons.
My next one…Manchester NH 11/8. They have a half marathon and 5k too.

10/24/2026

10/18/2026

Ghost Train weekend 2026 - Extra Chickens
This is definitely one of my most favorite weekends of the year. One of my most favorite races.
It starts Friday night when I head to Camp Tevya to set up our site. There’s a spot I like, and I’ve been there for the last 4 years. Some of the team joined me. We were all set up and back out on the road in an hour. A bonus this year, we had another Run4Fun team set up right next to us.
Race starts at 9am Saturday morning. Race ends at 3pm Sunday afternoon. It’s a 30 hour race. I host a 7 person relay team. This year, 5 of the 7 people had never been to Ghost Train before. To say I was a little excited about introducing 5 new people to this weekend might be an understatement. I also might have told that fact to many of the Ghost Train crew.
Runners can run as many laps as possible, as long as we cross the finish line by 2:59pm Sunday. The minimum amount to run is 7.5 miles. One full lap is 15 miles. This year, every runner ran at least one full lap. Except for me, I ran the 90-100 mile… the mini loop for 10 miles. A couple were only able to run one full loop, the other 4 ran 2 full loops. Once everyone crossed the finish line we had 160 miles for the entirety of our race.
There’s a little bit of preplanning, but it really all comes down to race day. We plan out what we need at the site. We plan out how many miles people would like to run. We plan out what time of day or night they’d like to run. We try to plan how long each loop might take. We try to plan for the weather. We try to plan enough food and hydration for the duration of our stay. We try to plan for naps.
Our first runner ran as predicted. Our second and third ran a little faster than predicated. Our fourth and fifth ran as predicted. Our sixth runner ran a bit faster. My seventh loop was as predicted. This then set us into our second rotation. I left as our 9th loop was starting. As text messages were coming in during the morning, it looked like our plan was coming together. We were set up to crush the last Chicken relay team record, making 2026 the most distance ever.
The running is a great part of the race, but the weekend wouldn’t be what it is without all the other runners, all the support, all the volunteers, making new friends, creating new bonds, making new memories with new adventures and celebrating new accomplishments and hitting goals.
This weekend I got to catch up with friends I’ve made at other races and other Ghost Trains. I got to see and cheer friends I’ve shared miles with. I got to meet new people. I got to share the whole experience with friends and more friends. Even with this being maybe the coldest Ghost Train ever, it was an amazing weekend!
Congratulations to everyone that ran, everyone that hit their goals, everyone that exceeded their expectations, and everyone that supported us all.
What’s one of your favorite race weekends?

10/15/2026

It’s been a good running week. I’ve done walking. I’ve done running. I’ve done spinning. And tomorrow I’ll do weights too.
I ran during lunch yesterday. My first non run/walk run with local friends since before my 50th marathon. I’ve done lots of recovery. Lots of trying to take it easy. It has made a difference. The 5 miles yesterday felt ok. And as my friend pointed out, we had negative splits!
This morning I walked 5 miles at the track. I still enjoy starting the day with movement. I’ve learned that a 15 minute mile walk isn’t as fast as I thought it was. Though I’m not sure I can go from running to walking a quick pace. Maybe I’ll have a chance to try that before the end of the year.
Tomorrow a friend and I are going to join the 5am run. Her and I are going to do a 3 mile route while the others do the planned 5. It’ll be nice to see everyone. I feel like I haven’t seen some of my running friends in months!
Wha did you do move of this week?

10/10/2026

They crushed it!!! The Couch to 5k completed their goal race this morning. The Dunstable Octoberfest 5k.
We all got there and met up with enough time to get a picture, use the bathrooms, and pump each other up. The weather was practically perfect. We all got in line and the race started.
There were a good turnout of people for the race. I would totally do this one again.
The race was along closed roads. Tree covered streets with fall colors. Beautiful houses. A turn around that had fun skeletons and signs. A finish line with great snacks.
We ran. We conquered. My babe took pictures. Two of the group did their FIRST 5k!!!!! One had a PR!!!! Two had comeback runs. One finished first in her age group!!
I love running. I love being able to run. I love bringing people to running and helping them reach a goal. I love sharing running.
Have you run your first race yet?

10/10/2026

It’s been a week. A full week. A quick week. A busy work week.
I didn’t take enough time for myself, but I did get to do things that made the days better.
I was sick Monday and Tuesday. Sick enough I wasn’t able to coach class Monday morning. I didn’t leave the house at all Monday. I think I was asleep by 9pm. I did take a walk at lunch Tuesday. The last couch to 5k workout was Tuesday night. We ran almost 3 miles. The race is tomorrow morning. They’re ready! I can’t wait to see everyone crush it!
Wednesday I met the group at the track. I walked loops. I had company walking too. It was great to chat and catch up with friends while we walked a couple of miles. Bonus, on Wednesday I met the Turtle Run group. I ran with them! I feel like it’s my first run back. I know I ran a race Sunday. It was nice to be back in the road with my friends. I also got to cheer on a friend run her longest run ever! She’s training for her first half marathon. I love being able to share these milestones.
Thursday was one run/walk in the morning. The I ended the day with yoga. This may need to become a regular thing. We worked though so many movements that will help with the little issues I have going on.
This morning I coached at Commit Fitness, then joined a friend for a walk. Walking has become a new game. How quick can we walk a mile.
Tomorrow is the Couch to 5k race. We’ve trained for this. They’re ready. Come out and join us if you’re around. Or come out and cheer them on!
How was your week?

https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Dunstable/DunstableDash

10/05/2026

Wineglass Half Marathon done. 2:09:19
When things started hurting and I had to take time off from running, I wondered how it would affect my upcoming races. Last weekend I didn’t run. This weekend was a girls trip to Corning NY. After a full relaxing Saturday, we got up early to head to the buses that would bring us to the race start.
By the time the race started, the sun was up. It was a pretty foggy morning. I lined up between the 2:20 and 2:30 pacer. I didn’t know how I was going to feel running. I didn’t want to start out too fast. When the gun went off and we started running I just moved. One foot in front of the other. And everything felt pretty good. My knee was a little sore, but that went away before I hit the first mile. My hip ached a bit about halfway through but it didn’t hurt. I stopped and walked through a couple of the water stops throughout the race for water and electrolytes. Other than that, I ran from start to finish. With about a mile and a half to go my friend and I met up. Not on purpose. It just happened. And we got to finish the race together!!
I am very happy with how the race went. I am very happy with how my body feels. I am hoping it still feels ok tomorrow. It has hurt more the day after a race than the day of for the last few races. No matter what, I know what I have to do to be 100% for the Marine Corps Marathon. And the pace that I’ll pace for Marine Corps is slower than today’s race. I’ll be ok!
How do you decide if you’re healed enough for your next adventure?