New posts coming soon...

So now that we have officially wrapped the Yahoo! On the Road tour and made it "home" to Chicago on Sunday, I have all the time in the world to update the blog with our adventures from NYC to San Francisco this past month....except my computer isn't working (currently persuaded Case to let me use his).

Therefore, until the Apple Genius works his magic and I can pick up my 5-year-old Mac baby from the shop--here's a sneak peek at some stories to come...

I'm from the Lou and I'm proud! -St. Louis, Missouri

The Lumineers -Boise, Idaho

D.C. Cupcakes -D.C. 

F is for fun. -San Francisco, California

Cadillac Ranch -Amarillo, Texas

Yahoo! HQ -Sunnyvale, California

Star of the hit show The Office and the new film Peeples, Craig Robinson. -New York City, New York

P.S. The European leg of the Yahoo! On the Road tour launched today in Berlin, Germany. You can follow Y!OTR on Facebook, Twitter and at www.ontheroad.yahoo.com.

Eugene Marathon: Race Review

Well, it's been 30+ days since our last post and although I'd like to apologize that may insinuate that people actually read this and I'm not about to pretend like we have a massive following or that anyone really cares if we post on a daily basis or not. With that said, we have been working the past month (literally nonstop without a day off) so the blog and running took a backseat to sleep. If we could achieve eight hours of Zzzz's, we hit the jackpot (we won this lottery only a few times on tour).

During our travels, I have contemplated what I may say in this first post back in "real life" and almost every time I'd cringe and shove the thought of this blog in a dark corner of my brain much like you would shove a mess in your room as a child into a far off corner so mom didn't see it.

The Eugene Marathon is magnificent.
The course, the people, just everything is perfect.
A race you must cross off your bucket list.
The best gift I've ever received...

But it was also my worst race to date (in what I would like to call my second running life-more on that at a later date).

I'm going to get the negative juices out of the way as I don't want it to be the main focus as I've been wallowing in self pity since April 28.
Why can't my knees be like everyone else? Despite taking time off, why won't my left knee heal? Why didn't you cave and finally see a doctor? Remember that cortisone shot in 2005, where's the syringe? Why did this have to be my worst race when the weather, the people, the course was picture perfect.

I knew I shouldn't have ran the full. I told Casey and my family numerous times I was contemplating switching to the half. As I grow older, I would like to think I've grown wiser and I have been much careful recognizing pain in my body because I want to run for the rest of my life. Bad knees runs in my family and I now know how precious they are and that I must protect them.

I knew ALL of this and I knew I SHOULD HAVE switched to the half because my body was not in the condition to run the full. Yet once again, stubborn, immature, competitive Jenny came out in full force and I made a stupid decision to stick with the full. I couldn't shake the thought that victims of the Boston bombings had just had their limbs literally ripped from them and even if mine weren't 100%, I was going to use them.

Bottom line: I have never been in so much pain during a race. I contemplated a DNF, but I could never do that even if I had to crawl across the finish (see previously mentioned stubborn, big-headed behavior) and instead of sprinting through Hayward Field...almost floating as I imagined it...riding on cloud nine and basking in the realization of the legends that laid their feet before me....I hobbled into Hayward, nearly in tears, defeated, embarrassed, pissed off and broken. I wasn't sure if running marathons and my body were cohesive anymore.

Just months after finishing the Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon in 3:55:44, I finished the Eugene Marathon in a horrific time of 4:47:25. A month later and still an unhealthy left knee--I need to focus on the important part--I finished.
---------------------------------------------------------------

MARATHON EXPO

The Eugene Marathon expo was the cutest, smallest but most elite marathon expo I've ever been to. Hard to follow? Let's just say that despite the size, it packed a heavy list of widely recognized bloggers and elite athletes. We saw Heidi Klum in LA, cool. I saw Skinny Runner picking up her packet, Sarah from Once Upon a Lime at the Pro Compression booth and elite runner Steph Rothstein Bruce slinging Picky Bars--starstruck.

I couldn't even get the guts to say something to Sarah Skinny Runner or Steph Rothstein--nope, speechless. Just another reason why Eugene is so magical, the running capitol--Track Town, USA.


THE COURSE

Beautiful. Am I allowed to just lay down one word like a royal flush and walk away? Boom. Beautiful.

Okay, I'll give you a little more. The course is fast, mostly flat and the second half of the marathon runs along the river which gives every runner a mental break as you stare off into the beauty that is Eugene and forget that you're even running. I think it's the first course I've been on, where the second half is actually easier than the first.

The marathon itself is like an amazing dream--you wake up and you can't quite put your wild imagination into words, but you plop your head back down on your pillow, close your lids and pray for five more minutes of what you thought was pure bliss.

There's not much to say, other than you MUST run the Eugene Marathon. If you have a race bucket list, this should be at the top. Alright, maybe "Qualifying for Boston" sits at number 1, but numero dos belongs to Eugene. DO IT.

SUB-2 HOURS

And now, the best for last...

Casey went into the half marathon with a goal of coming in under two hours and by golly, he did it!

I couldn't have been more happy for him to achieve his goal and after the race we celebrated his success at Rogue Ales Public House. I was upset that Casey had given me this wonderful gift and I turned in such a poor performance, but I brought myself back to reality and realized my greatest gift is him.

My disappointing time and my disappointing body will not be my first thought when recounting Eugene. Instead, I'll remember the time when my boyfriend Casey blessed me with the best gift imaginable, shared my love for running, trained for a sport that he knows I love, a sport that often takes time away from him and how he achieved his goal of coming in under 2-hours. I am one lucky lass.

So in the future, when someone asks "How was Eugene?"

I'll reply, "It was amazing."

(Casey leading the way--he's incredible)

(trying not to stand on my left side and cheesing for the camera because I couldn't be happier to be done or to be wearing shades to hide my tears).

It should be standard in every race review to say thank you to all of the incredible spectators, fans, volunteers, race organizers and police personnel. Thank you family, friends and Casey. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Oh and thank you to the lovely lady who made me giggle on the course with a sign that read, "You're training lasted longer than Kim Kardashian's marriage" and to the wonderful woman who attempted to finish with me while I hobbled and slowed her down. The running community on both sides of the course, whether partaking in the race or on the sidelines, is truly incredible.

Eugene or Bust

It's go time! 

I'm reflecting on the eve of the Eugene Marathon and counting my blessings along the way. I am so incredibly lucky to share my life with my best friend and I will forever be grateful for this amazing gift that he has given me. Training with him and sharing a love for each other and this sport will be unforgettable and always hold a special place in my heart. 

Boston. Who hasn't thought about Boston? Tomorrow, we will run in their honor (#Eugene4Boston). Even if my knee throws a fit, I'll be thankful for every ounce of that pain. I'll be thankful for two legs, two arms, a wonderful boyfriend and the best family and friends a gal could ask for. 

Whatever happens tomorrow, it's just a race. There are far more important things in this life and I'm so truly grateful to enjoy so much of it. 

I can't WAIT to run in the footsteps of legends tomorrow morning WITH my partner in crime. 

Blessed beyond belief.

WHO'S RUNNING EUGENE WITH ME? 

Thank you Casey, thank you family and friends, thank you fans, thank you spectators and thank you volunteers--without any of you there wouldn't be a marathon or a race. 

Portland: We Have Arrived

After an early morning flight (6:30 a.m.--thanks for the ride, Andy) we have arrived in Portlandia! 

This has always been one of our favorite cities so we're excited to be back.

View from our hotel room

Once we picked up our rental whip, we checked into our hotel at the Marriott Courtyard City Center (great hotel, btw), claimed our luggage space and headed towards one of our favorite places in the Alphabet District--PBJ's Grilled.

When I first came to Portland in 2010, PBJ's was just a cart. Now, it's a permanent food stand located at 919 NW 23rd Street. Bottom line: YOU HAVE TO GO.

If you need more convincing just take a look at our orders from today:

His. (Casey):

Hot Hood-black cherry jam, roasted jalapeno, apple wood bacon and PBJ's peanut butter ($6). 

Hers. (Me):

Sun Up-cinnamon raisin bread, wild flower honey, granola, bananas and PBJ's peanut butter ($5.75). 

These sandwiches are not your average JIF and jelly, but instead incredibly delicious creations that are beyond filling. I promise you will not be disappointed. Take a peep at a few other PBJ's Grilled sandwiches to see which one suits your fancy.

Tip: They cut the PBJs in half (diagonally) so we suggest if you're with a friend to each get something different and go halfsies so you can each try more than one concoction. 

Edited with the new Yahoo! Flickr app. 

We enjoyed every bite (per usual) but quickly felt stuffed like an anchor was just dropped into our bellies which just like the after effects of Thanksgiving dinner meant one thing--nap time.

We've been dragging due to our early morning wake up call, but we've thoroughly enjoyed just relaxing in our hotel room with the Eugene Marathon on the horizon. Luckily, we've been to Portland before so we don't feel rushed or guilty for not spending every free second exploring. As I had mentioned earlier, the theme for this weekend is to just BE and that's what we've done so far today and it feels so good.

For dinner we opted to for a cute Italian restaurant, Mama Mia Trattoria, just a few blocks away and walking distance from our hotel.

Let the carb-loading commence.

EUGENE TOMORROW! 

QUESTION FOR YOU: WHICH PBJ'S GRILLED SANDWICH WOULD YOU ORDER? 

How to be a Contestant on the Price Is Right

So you're in L.A. and you want to fulfill your dream of being on the Price is Right. You know the one where you're tossing and turning in your sleep as Bob Barker Drew Carey announces "your name here, COME ON DOWWWN, YOU'RE THE NEXT CONTESTANT ON THE PRICE ISSS RIGHT"--you're jumping up and down hugging strangers, trying not to trip as you make your way to the front row with the aspiration of bidding just $1 only to wake up and realize that kind of stuff doesn't happen to you.

Except, IT CAN.

First, let me make it clear that Casey and I attended a taping (on February 19, 2013) but we were not called to bidding row as we did the opposite of those chosen. So, here are my observations I came away with in this less than scientific piece on how to be a contestant on the Price is Right (Deadspin has published an article with similar observations).

1. TICKETS

First and foremost, you need tickets. You can get these for free (right here) on the Price is Right's official website. I suggest getting them in advance and if you see a show with the "Priority Ticket" option, choose that one as that guarantees your entrance and you don't have to wait for hours outside the CBS studio in hopes of being in the audience.

Be prepared for a long day and bring a few snacks in your purse or pockets if you can. The entire duration of the Price is Right experience takes about five hours with only about an hour of that time devoted to the actual show taping. Also, leave the camera at home as you won't be allowed to take any photos even while waiting (except I snuck in two).

2. CUSTOM T-SHIRTS

(source)

Eight out of the nine contestants chosen to "Come on down" during our episode were sporting custom made Price is Right t-shirts revolving around the show's games, signature sayings or fans just blantantly professing their love for Drew Carey--all of the above, bring it. The cheesier the better and puff paint is totally acceptable. Do not attend the taping (like us) dressed in normal attire. 

San Francisco Snapshots

During our time in Sacramento, we took a one-day trip to San Francisco to meet up with Amie and Savannah. If you're new to the blog, Amie is my best friend from high school and Savannah is her amazing wife--they're one of our favorite couples! Anywho, here are a few snapshots from our day together (March 25, 2013).

(graffiti on the side of the uber cute Community Thrift Store located in the Mission District)

(It was moving to be here in the Mission District with Amie and Savannah as we visited 18th & Castro and walked the neighborhood of the great Harvey Milk one day prior to the SCOTUS-Prop 8 hearing)

(We stopped at this awesome spot, Monk's Kettle, for lunch--pricey, but delicious)

(The Painted Ladies--by the way, one of the ladies is up for sale for the first time in 35 years!)

(Never a dull moment with THIS guy)

(Golden Gate Park--I would run here everyday!)

(There are bison at Golden Gate Park-amazing! Tip: Get out of your car and look down the hill to see them, we almost missed these cuties.)

Thank you, Amie and Savannah for letting us crash your vacation. It was so great to see you! 

QUESTION FOR YOU: HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO SAN FRANCISCO? IF SO, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PLACES IN THE CITY?

We've been a couple times, but this was our first time with friends and our first time to Golden Gate Park and the Mission District. 

DO YOU HAVE A PARK SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR CITY LIKE NYC, SF, SAN DIEGO, ETC?

WHAT CITY DO YOU WANT TO CHECK OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Yahoo On The Road Tour

We are so incredibly STOKED to announce our next adventure as tour managers of the...

YAHOO! ON THE ROAD TOUR!

Right after the Eugene Marathon we'll be hopping on a plane to the Big Apple to embark on this incredible journey. For one month, we'll drive across the country (from NYC to San Francisco) bringing fans some of the hottest musicians, celebrities and comedians in the U.S. including a few surprises along the way in hopes of making your every day routine less everyday. 

Did I mention the last two stops include The Lumineers in Boise, Idaho and FUN. in San Francisco? 

Somebody, pinch me. 

Here is the tentative schedule and be sure to click here for a video sneek peek: 

(click the image to enlarge)

Be sure to stay tuned for schedule updates and ticket information at Yahoo! On The Road's official webpage and follow Y!OTR on Twitter, @YahooOnTheRoad. 

I am so excited to reunite with many of our friends across the country and I'm looking forward to meeting The Lumineers, Fun, Imagine Dragons, Fall Out Boy...etc. some new faces along the way! 

QUESTION FOR YOU: WHICH BAND WOULD YOU WANT TO MEET OR SEE? 

ARE WE COMING TO YOUR CITY?

Goals for the Eugene Marathon

Once we added the Eugene Marathon to the race calendar, I set a lofty goal to BQ on April 28. Well that all quickly changed and right now I will be thrilled if I achieve another sub-4 (if possible). This past week I've been home fighting a nagging cold that just won't seem to go away. I hardly ever get sick, so when I do it's just more frustrating than anything.

Luckily, mother knows best and I've been drinking lots of pineapple-ginger green tea with a scoop of local honey and organic cinnamon (by the way, this stuff is amazing).

A cold, I can deal with it. An injured left knee that's been plaguing me since March, a little harder to work with. I tried to take my knee for a spin a few days ago on my "home trail" and boy, did it feel good to be back on my stomping grounds. The bullfrogs were blaring, a Cardinal swooped past me and it felt so soothing to be reunited with nature....just what the doctor ordered...UNTIL...

I almost stepped on this guy: 

EEEK! 

Needless to say, my run was cut short as I immediately snapped a picture turned around and headed back to my car. I ran just three miles and despite feeling like I was sprinting, it was the slowest three miles I've run in a long time. I felt like the bullfrogs were collectively laughing at me in a scene straight out of a horror movie where the victim is trying to escape some scary funhouse. Sigh. 

I feel like I'm falling apart. 

I'm just days away from the marathon and I've contemplated changing from the full to the half--something that my stubborn self would NEVER do. 

I've even used my Pro Compression socks as an ice bag holder. Wow. 

And I've buried my sorrows in my favorite hometown frozen custard with none other than cookie dough of course: 

(photo edited on Flickr-download the app on your iPhone!)

(I did not eat, I INHALED)

I haven't ran in almost a week and will be saving my knee for race day. With that said, I'm done throwing myself a pity party. After all there are way more important things in life so I've adjusted by goals for Sunday's race. 

NEW EUGENE MARATHON GOALS

HAVE FUN. 

I can't wait to enjoy every second of this beautiful gift given to me by my partner in crime. I can't wait to soak in every ounce of this course and dream about the legends that have competed in TrackTown USA. I can't wait to meet some of my favorite bloggers making the trek to Eugene and I CANNOT WAIT to circle the infamous Hayward Field en route to the finish line. 

With everything that happened in Boston, I just want to thoroughly enjoy this race. I want to thank every volunteer, spectator and fan. I want to enjoy being surrounded by other runners in this amazing sport community. Most importantly, I want to thank Casey a million times for making this marathon possible and for presenting me with the best gift I think I've ever received (you're amazing, babe). 

Sometimes you need to put down the competitive juices, toss out the Garmin Nike+ GPS watch, stop obsessing over paces and PRs and just BE. 

Be grateful for two working legs. Be greatful for this sport. Be greatful for your surroundings. 

After all, isn't that what running is all about? 

And although, I'm adjusting my goals that doesn't mean I have forgotten them. I've made this Boston bracelet to wear around my wrist to remember and honor those affected and to constantly remind myself I want to be on that starting line in Hopkinton. I will not remove this bracelet until I BQ. 

(Urban Outfitters in St. Louis supporting Boston with this window front painting)

**AND JUST BECAUSE--This woman is AMAZING and you should read her story by the Boston Herald, "Dance Instructor injured in bombing vows: 'I'll dance again...AND run the marathon.'" 

**REMINDER: Registration for the 2013 ING New York City Marathon (lottery) opens tomorrow. 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU:

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GOALS FOR 2013?

HAVE YOU EVER RACED WITHOUT YOUR GPS WATCH?

I may still wear my watch, but I won't look at it as much or obsess over it like I usually do.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR "BUCKET LIST" RACES?

The Eugene Marathon was on the top of my list. I'm so thankful to have such an amazing boyfriend.