Gettin in done in Napa

A good friend is one who will do a quick workout with you first thing in the morning. We've rented a small house in Napa with a gated entry so Lisa and I got creative on today's workout. Several sprints up a long driveway did the trick today. 15 minutes of this for 1 mile. A maintenance mile is better than nothing!

Working out and Exploring in Vegas

Working out while on vacation can be tricky sometimes. When I am gone for a weekend I will usually just take a couple of rest days unless I'm at some place where I just can't resist a hike or run, or great yoga class. But travels of more than 4 days require a workout. 4 days is about the max I will go without doing anything, not even anything I consider a recovery workout, like an easy walk, yoga or swim. But 4 days usually doesn't go by unless I am sick. Even through all 3 of my pregnancies I worked out; I can't help it, I just feel better when I do.

This week I am gone for a full week so I've got to do something. Well, Las Vegas isn't exactly the most runner friendly town. It's all concrete and full of people clogging the sidewalks so you are constantly dodging traffic! This morning I got up early when JIm left for his meeting and the first thing I did was trek all the way up and down the stairs just to get the blood pumping. Then I hit the streets for over an hour of walking. I jogged quickly when there were any stairs or incline but the power walk was plenty.

My final stop was to check out the hottest new restaurant in town, Giada's. Reservations are required for dinner and have to be made two months out so I stopped in for a quick coffee and may go back for lunch.

I walked back to the hotel and climbed the 15 flights of stairs three more times and was sweating buckets when I finished! 30 minutes of core and yoga in the room after is all I need for today.

So don't let a vacation interfere with your workouts; running or walking is the best way to explore a city and don't forget to use the stairs!

Photo both at Giada's restaurant is fun to do while waiting. There was no wait for breakfast around 9:30 am and they also take walkins for lunch. 

2014 Favorite Things List

Finally getting to my "favorite things" list for 2014. So here goes!

Side note-I'm still learning to blog and am typing this on my phone because I still can't figure out how to get pics to iPad. Also, on another note, I wonder who the hell really cares about my blog and I expressed that to my brother in law and "blog mentor" Terry Clark. His advice was to "write for me" and "who cares" if nobody ever reads it. 

My head has been spinning this week with the terrible news out of OU and I have a lot to say about it. But for now, I am keeping it light and frivolous. 

Jens fav things of 2014

1. First off is coconut oil! I've always used it for cooking and I also put a teaspoon in my coffee every morning but my friends Hillary and Cara have introduced me to the benefits of using it for my body and hair. Cara makes me lotion which I love. I also put it on my hair before I swim at the Y to help with the harsh chemicals.

2. Underwater Headphones - these things are GENIUS! I noticed my friend Cara wearing them and I immediately went to Amazon to buy myself a pair. Trust me, these things help with boredom in the pool and I can find myself going longer when listening to tunes:)

3. My Page boyfriend jeans. I guess I should say that TJ Maxx is a favorite thing because that is where I buy most of my designer jeans for less. These jeans are so comfy and also fashionable, cute with tennis shoes, sandals or even dressed up with booties.

4.  I guess Cara may have to make the list as one of my favorite things because she told me about this wonderful leave in spray hair conditioner called Nevo. After shampooing you simply spray this on and your hair combs out easily and the conditioner is light enough to use along with my regular conditioner in the shower.

5. Nerium. Most everyone has heard of this wonderful night cream by now. You purchase it from a wholesaler and I get it from my friend Ann. At  first I wasn't sure because it's a very thick cream you put on your clean, slightly damp face at night. It makes your face "tight" and I didn't like that feeling at night but now I've gotten used to it and the way your skin feels in the morning is worth it! You just wake up, spash your face with water to "reactivate" the mask and your skin is silky smooth! It's expensive, but it's the one pricey product I use on my face and a little goes a long way!

6. Bare Minerals bronzer and brushes. I use this powder on my eyes and cheeks. This and mascara is all I need for day.

7. Target knockoffs. I have lived in these boots all winter! And for 34 bucks they are a steal. So comfy and cute! Everybody loves a deal at Target!

8. I hosted a Stella & Dot party and got this beautiful pewter bag half price! I carry it every day, it's big enough to fit all my things for teaching class, plus fashionable. I plan to use it for travel too and I don't know what I will do when it wears out but it's holding up great so far!

9. Thing Sling or may be called Loved Handle now. I found this at the Hotter than Hell expo, the guy at the booth was so persuasive and at 2 or $10 I figured, why not. You simply stick it to the back of your phone and it STAYS put! I loop it through my finger like a ring sometimes while running errands and I can even run with it, it just gives that extra bit of security to know I won't drop my phone while listening to music on the run.

10. Again, from Ulta. Ok, so obviously Ulta and TJ maxx are two of my favorite things - this is a top coat for regular mascara to make it waterproof. Works great!

11. Sally Hansen does it again. It's been around forever and is a great product but now they've added a top coat gel polish that doesn't need the light system and it comes off with regular remover. It comes with a color with built in base coat and then this top gel. It goes on thick and dries quickly. I also use it over other polish, not just this Sally brand. My manicures stay chip free for a week!

12. And lastly, my new desk in my new office. Maybe I will get to use it soon but Jared moved back home for a few months right after we purchased and is sleeping upstairs in "my office". 

I had been searching estate sales and on line but couldn't find the right desk. I finally popped into a favorite store El Paso Imports on May. We've purchased lots of items there but they don't really carry a lot of desks. I saw this piece and even though it's really a side or sofa table, Anna the manager thought it would work great as a desk. It's made from an old door and I love the iron legs. It's perfect. Now all l need is a comfy, cute chair and my room back (he moves out soon:) and maybe I will start getting the hang of blogging and do it regularly! 

I've already got a few favorite things in 2015 so maybe next years post will be on time ! 

Where did 2014 go?

It's been over a year since I've blogged and I'm no longer 51 years old, the age I began my blog, Jenniferuns is 51. Well, I'm back and with a new Blog name, SeeJennRun because, A. I'm no longer 51 and B. running is the longest relationship with anything in my life so far and people sometimes tell me I inspire them, so the blog will continue to be a blog about my life, which does include a lot of exercise.

So, where have I been for over a year?Basically, I blame Jim. He invaded my space, my world, my sanctuary, my quiet, my office! As 2013 drew to a close, Jim's company went through some changes and my hardworking, rarely take a vacation longer than a weekend husband, retired! And before I knew it, he was home. With me. Every day.  And at first, we argued. A lot! I mean, this is MY space, my tv, my kitchen, my office, and now he was here and when he wasn't at yoga (which is almost every day now) he is at home in our/my office! Well, I knew immediately this was not going to work so after watching Jim chill out for a few weeks, I decided he needed some projects. So we do what all parents do when their kids leave home and we turned their bedrooms into something else. Sam's room became a home gym and Jim did a fantastic job painting and decorating it! Here it is:

Now, we are working on Roxanne's room upstairs to actually become MY office. My own space! I mean, don't get me wrong, I love my husband and we are best friends but too much time together, especially at home, day in day out can be challenging to say the least.

Thank goodness for good friends and travel. How lucky we are that 2014 was full of travel. We took a cruise with Mark and Rene, then took a great trip to wine country with Greg and Lisa and over the summer, Jim and I took two trips to Colorado! Jim searched "Wine festivals on the internet and we found two, in Telluride and Steamboat Springs. They were both great and we hope to go back this year! Here we are in Steamboat Springs.

Jim and I are blessed beyond belief for this wonderful life we have but if we are going to survive empty nest and retirement we need our space at times. My office upstairs is almost complete. We are learning to "be together at home", even if it means separate office and tv channels:)

Roxanne's first Triathlon!!

Celebrating our finish with champagne and brunch!!

Roxanne is actually reading the rules of the sport of triathlon!

I have been very bad about blogging so will try to play catch up! Most of you know that Roxanne has been my running partner for the last couple of years and this summer I talked her into try a triathlon! 

With only two weeks before the event, we signed up for a sprint Tri. 500 yd swim, 12 mile bike and a 5k run! Roxanne is a swimmer and has become a good runner even though she still claims to hate it but was scared to death on the bike!

She over came her fears in this race! I took her out to the site a couple of times to practice on the dam which would help her learn to shift on hills but she was too nervous to actually ride on the race course, so we did a few training rides at lake Hefner which is flat but going around twice for 18 miles at least gave her the confidence that she could complete the distance!

She had lots of questions for my Tri friends about transition set up and she is so anal it was funny to see her place everything perfectly in their spot for the race. Her biggest problems is she can't stand to have dirty, sandy feet coming up the beach from the swim so she takes extra time to wipe down before putting on her bike shoes! She came out of the water a few minutes ahead of me as expected but I was surprised to still see her in transition when I got there (because she's so picky) but she headed out on the bike as I was coming in off the swim. I really thought I would catch her quickly but she had no fear that day and I did not catch her until after the turnaround! We had not planned to stay together as it's kind of hard to do that on the bike anyway, so at that point we each raced on our own!

I was so proud as she crossed that finish line and I honestly think she finds these events more fun than just long runs, so hopefully next summer I can talk her into doing more!!

Master yogi Jim.

Jim went to yoga without me again this evening. We usually go together but I taught a class there earlier today and just didn't feel like getting out again besides I've been doing laundry all day. Sam moves back for 2nd year of college so I'm giving him a treat and doing his laundry and cooking his favorite meal. I'm also not complaining,just reflecting, laughing and hopeful for the future.

When we were first married I worked full time and squeezed in workouts on my lunch hour or took the kids to a gym nursery. Jim worked hard and also lifted weights or played basketball and soccer. I started doing yoga but Jim wasn't into it. Fine. I was busy raising kids and racing, running, and teaching yoga. This went on for 15 years. 

Now our kids are grown and we started cycling together some since Jim doesn't run. We tried golf too but that did not work! I had been bugging Jim for years to get off that boring bike trainer in the winter and join me in yoga. One day he said okay!

So this year Jim finally came to a yoga class with me and was hooked. It's been 6 months now and as everyone knows he is now a "master yogi". 

So why am I hopeful? Almost 31 years of marriage and change is possible! Who knows, maybe he will even start doing the laundry someday:)

Master yogi Jim striking Tree pose in Canada!

Home practice!!!!

Piles of laundry:)

Oh Canada!! Day 1 - Banff

We rented a car in Calgary and made the easy drive to BAnff. As you enter the national Forrest there is a bit of a traffic jam to purchase your ticket. Cost was about 15 per day and they put a sticker on your car which they do check. Banff is a cute town full of shops and tourists! We shopped the first day and had planned to hike but the Mosquitos were terrible so we visited the historic Banff hotel and springs nearby. 

Day two we hiked sulfur springs trail to the summit. We skipped the hot springs as it was just a basically just a big hot tub 

These little bridges are designed for the animals to cross the highway. 

Lake Louise next day. Our hotel was a zoo so we grabbed a delicious meal next to the fairmont called Deer lodge. 

The breaking news regarding DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) this morning caused me to pause from  cleaning house and think of Mom. Why? Because Mom was way ahead of her time when it came to equality for all.

First off, when I was 9 years old and living on base housing, a black family moved across the street from us and they had a daughter, Angela, who was my age. I was so excited to have a new friend! We played for hours, mostly with barbies but we also loved to help her dad clean fish and I had my first taste of turtle soup. I remember watching that man cut up that turtle and almost cried but I ate it, just like I ate those frog legs when my grandpa and dad would go out "gigging" for frogs and then tell me I was eating chicken, only later did I learn what it really was!

But anyway, I digress...after a few months of playing with Angela, I noticed a few of my other friends were not coming around so I finally asked one of them why and she told me. Their moms would not let them play with me anymore because I played with Angela. I told my mom about it and years later she told me about the phone call she made to all those other moms! I never knew my mom had such fire!

Then,  years later, the same thing happened to my mom! She became a runner and met a woman and they started running together. This woman was gay! Mom had friends drop her because she was hanging out with a lesbian and "wasn't she worried people would think she was one too"? My mother laughed and said "Don't be ridiculous, being homosexual is not a choice". I had never heard anyone else put it that way and now we all know better. Thanks again Mom...

Happy Father's Day! I read a rant this morning from someone on FB blasting others for posting pictures and comments on this day. This person lost their father a couple of years ago. As you  know, I lost my best friend and mother a year ago. I would never begrudge anyone honoring their mother on this special day.

Who I do resent this day is my own father. I have a father that I was never close to and now feel extreme guilt over the fact that I don't spend enough time with. I don't know why. He doesn't pick up the phone to call me, only when he needs something. I call him almost daily now, take him food, take him to doctors appointments. Don't get my wrong, I don't mean to bitch about this situation, he is my father and I honor that. He is not a mean man. Part of me thinks he is bi-polar or crazy but I just think he was raised in a time where you didn't show emotion.  Jim and I watched "This is 40" the other night and I laughed watching the young Apatow actress start cussing at her parents as I remember the first time I did this to my dad. He showed no emotion ever, so as I entered the difficult years, I tried anything to get a rise out of him, like calling him a "fucking asshole" more than once! He did not react, only ended up not speaking to me at one time for almost two years.

My father did not attend my wedding. This is a pain I have gotten over but will never forget. How I long for a picture to post today of my dad walking me down the aisle but that did not happen. But please, friends, continue to post your photos as they bring a smile to my face. And even though at times, my daughter fights and yells and screams at her dad, I know that one day she will have her own picture to share and I will smile through my tears.

Bottlerock music/wine/food festival.

Wow and job well done Napa is what I've got to say about the first Bottlerock Music festival. Jim and I were looking for a weekend getaway and Napa is always on our list and when we heard about this festival and saw the music line up we immediately started looking for a place to stay!

We've used VRBO (vacation rental by owner) before and this time Jim scored big on our accommodations! Maybe another blog later on that.

Anyway we are staying in Sonoma and the festival is in Napa about 12 miles away so we purchased shuttle bus parking tickets for 20 bucks a day but we couldn't find the shuttle. Traffic was a bit congested coming into town and I was starting to panic a bit as Joan Jett was playing at 4 followed by Black Crowes at 5. Well we could hear Joan playing as we got closer and could see buses dropping off so by then realized we were way past the shuttle which was apparently two miles away so scratch that idea and bye bye $ and now we had to park and spaces were going for 50 bucks! Luckily we kept on a bit more and I spotted a little mall w FREE public parking, we scored a spot an had a short half mile walk to venue. Lines were short at this time of day and we got right in. The Crowes had started so we beelined to the stage and what a show! One of the best I've seen! Avett Brothers were next and we watched a bit of that and Jim wanted to check out Primus on another stage so we headed over there. Different crowd for sure!

There are wine and food vendors set up all over the place. We grabbed a grilled cheese w grilled onions and Dijon mustard and of course wine!

Day two Alabama Shakes was playing at 4 so we knew we needed to arrive early. We left our house around 12:30, stopped for a quick wine tasting at Adobe Road and were on our way w plans to park on same spot which we scored again! (We noticed a sign stating security issues and car break ins at this lot so maybe that was why) but we had no issues, secured extra bags in the trunk and carried a backpack in w us as extra jackets are needed as temps go from warm and sunny 78 to cool 53 at night. We got there by 2 with plenty of time so we grabbed a steak sandwich w blue cheese (delish) a couple of glasses of wine and people watched before heading close to the stage. Alabama Shakes did not disappoint and I can't wait to see them when they come to Oklahoma for the Gentlemen of the Road tour this fall!

This whole event was fantastic! Great music, wine and food! The only lines were for food and even those went quickly. No bathroom lines, we could always find a place to sit to eat or rest and the crowds/people were the best!

We will definitely be back. Great job Napa and Bottlerock organizers!

Oklahoma City Marathon - Race Report

After 16 years away from it, I am a marathoner again! Yesterday, my daughter and I completed the OKC Memorial Marathon. If you've been following my blog you know that my daughter hates to run but as our training progressed her attitude changed a bit. Our original goal of just finishing turned into an attempt to break 5 hours. 

We got to the race very early thanks to my friend Cara Nance who works the finish line every year and gets VIP parking and she kindly offers a ride. Jim planned to take our car and park it somewhere along the course and then ride his bike along for support. The weather for this race was finally clear and sunny after two years of rain and even hail! I remembered sunscreen for my face thank goodness which helped but my arms and legs took a beating.

My good friend, 3rd son, and former boss/coach buddy, Eric London decided to have fun and join us for part of the race as he was doing the half and not in his prime racing shape. I'm so glad he sacrificed a fast half to have fun with us! He was always inspiring and pushing us for those first 7 miles before he turned off. Chanel Henry, Roxy's cousin had never run 6 miles without stopping so he was very encouraging to her when she told him!

After some pre-race pics at the Landrunner tent we decided it was time to head to our corral. We were going to line up with fellow Landrunner Marlon's 4:45 pace group but could not find him so just got in front of the 5 hour group at 6am. A little later we did see him bringing his group into the corral but decided we'd just stay in between groups. That was the last time we saw them!

The Memorial marathon has a poignant moment before the start where we observe 168 minutes of silence for those lost in the bombing. 168 seconds is a long time for thousands of runners to remain quiet which makes it so powerful. At the end, we added another 3 seconds for the 3 lives lost at the Boston marathon. OKC was also wearing" Red Socks" to honor Boston and it was cool to see so many on the course. Local tv meteorologist and runner/triathlete Emily Sutton of News Channel 4 then did a great job singing the National Anthem!

The gun went off and it took us 13 minutes to get to the start, it was crazy! I had never started so far back before but didn't mind one bit! We had to keep reminding ourselves to SLOW down and go out easy. By about mile 3 I was already feeling some weird twinges in my calves that I did not like but just figured it was due to standing in the corral for 30 minutes and eventually it would all work out. Looking back, I realize that Roxanne and I were not properly hydrated and probably even undernourished. We ate a light breakfast as usual about 5am and brought Shot Blocks to eat a few minutes before gun but I forgot them in my bag so did not have them at the start.  We were also just standing there and maybe should have taken some more sips or walk around but just did not. I did take one (and more during race) Endurolyte but Rox did not. Anyway, I did not mention my calves to anyone, this race was all about Rox and I was not going to spoil anything for her.

Everything was going fine, Rox had some friends at mile 5 and we were all smiles then, even going up the famous Gorilla Hill between miles 6-7 was a piece of cake and we did not walk at all. At our friend Adi and Matt's house at mile 6, we took a quick bathroom break, but Chanel kept going. We enjoyed seeing the signs Matt always places in his yard every Memorial and this year there was even one of Rox! She had dressed as Mikala Maroney, the gymnast with the sour face for Halloween and Matt used it for a poster, it was GREAT! Rox posed next to it for another photo op! I enjoyed a small beer with London and he took a JELLO SHOT and then we said goodbye to him when the half marathoners peel off at 6.5. We were on our own. We caught Chanel a short time later and around mile 9, Rox started having some weird feelings very low in her ankles. I was concerned these were the start of some cramps so I really started trying to push the Powerade and Endurolytes. Unfortunately, Rox was getting very bloated and literally is not a "burper" so she was having trouble getting down the liquids, Gus, bananas and certainly not pretzels which I was grabbing at every stop at this point as my twinges were there but not too bad. I was running enough below my ability I think, that I was able to keep them at bay. What's so ironic about this is that we were both concerned our knees would give us trouble. Roxanne's had really been bothering her and I spent a lot of money on compression sleeves, I was wearing a patella strap and I had my friend Rocky Chen tape my left knee with Kinesio tape at the Expo. I love that stuff! My knees felt better than ever during this race! Roxanne's knees were a slight issue but not really.

We carried on toward the halfway point and to Lake Hefner. We had gotten about 5 minutes ahead of Chanel at this point, maybe more. Her friend Lori, was meeting her at the lake to run the rest of the race with her so we felt okay about leaving her behind if that happened. Halfway down the lake Roxanne's cramps started moving up her calves and quads and she was really freaking out. She thought maybe the sleeves were making them tight so she pulled them down around her ankles; that was a good look! She decided if her knees started hurting she would pull them up again! I stopped to pee again (well hydrated?)Rox tried too but said there wasn't much. We continued to walk/jog at this point and Chanel and Lori caught us, Chanel was looking strong at this point even though her ankles were starting to hurt. At this point I told Rox we needed to conserve as much energy as possible and push the Powerade, etc. We would walk the Grand Bridge and any other challenging parts of the course. Jim's parents live at mile 18 and by now I was feeling fantastic so I picked up to a 9:20 or so pace and went ahead to warn them that Rox probably would not stop as she was upset and HURTING! I posed for pics with them, my son Jared and his girlfriend Angela were there and Jim on his bike, we chatted a bit,  but Rox went on, Chanel did not stop either and was again closing on Rox and it was cat and mouse for them on Grand. At this point Rox was getting upset that Chanel would beat her. Not that it mattered, but Rox was better trained and nobody likes to lose even if it to a cousin you love! I told Rox she would have to dig deep and we needed to open up a gap which we did but not much. We got to 20 miles and the Red Coyote Bagels and Beer stop, where I was so looking forward to a beer but they had run out! I guess I will just have to run faster next year if I want a beer! Rox kept plugging on, walk/jogging any time I stopped, I had another Pee stop but Rox kept going and I would just catch her. As I said I was feeling really good and this has me so encouraged about future marathons which I thought I had to give up! On Classen, the cramps really got a lot worse in her legs, literally stopping her and she began to cry. I told her we must get to a medical tent so at mile 22 we stopped. They gave us both a quick rub down with Cramp Relief. Rox is a skeptic and said "does this crap really work?" I gave a quick look and a wink to the trainer and we both said "of course it does"! Chanel passed us at this point but we had her in our sights. She was running a slower pace than us and I told Rox that but we had to catch her and not cramp. We finally caught her at mile 24 and by now Chanel was also crying. It was very moving to see them both so emotional at this point and they both agreed to stay together to the end no matter what!

By now I was feeling it too and was afraid I would cramp so I was glad for the easy pace and relaxed mood, we were all just so happy to be so close. At mile 25 we passed a great group of young men with a beer stop and Chanel and I had a full beer - it was awesome!! A little while later, we saw Gus, Roxanne's boyfriend who gave her a quick kiss for luck and walked with us for a bit before we turned onto Broadway for the finish. I was ready to run again but the girls were not so we waited until a couple hundreds yards out to start running toward that line!

I had really worked to keep my emotions in check the entire race knowing that if I gave in to them, I may not finish the race but my mother had been on my mind the entire time. She would have given anything to see Roxanne do this and been so proud. I began to cry just yards from the finish, my friend Cara was there with a camera and snapped a shot. That picture says it all. 

We are marathoners and we finished the fight.

Before the race, crack of dawn!

Awesome spectator complete with martini and cigar!

A beer and a jello shot - yes, we are crazy!!

Chucks "official water stop" at Matt and Adi's

Goodbye London! Thanks for running with us!

Drums at Stars & Stripes!

Oh no, it's starting to hurt!!

Lori, Chanel & Rox- how far????

Thankfully, our security could relax as the race went off without  incident!

BEER at Mile 25! This young man said "want me to stick my butt out all sexy?" "Heck yea" we said! 

Tastes so good!

American flag skirts and Boston tops!

Power walking but we will finish this!

Rox saying "Talk to the hand", when Gus joked how he finished so LONG ago! He ran the half but waited around to cheer her on!

Roxanne's sharpie made Boston Red Socks, bled just a bit!

Showing off finisher medals with fellow Landrunner and 4 hour Pace leader Mary Mikleson.

Marlon, who led this group and we had hoped to run with!

Signs and balloons in our yard put out by Roxanne's friend Megan.

Prettiest finisher medal yet!

This picture epitomizes the finish of a marathon.