Author Archive | Jennifer Quavelin

Everything I Need to Teach I Learned in Marathon Training [Part 2]

As promised, my last three Lessons for Lifelong Learning, as taught by my good teacher, Marathon Training:

3. Something is 90% of everything.

There are so many reasons not to go on a run. It’s hot. It’s cold. It’s boring. My running partner bailed. I don’t have time for my whole run. I don’t feel like that route… So here’s my mantra: Just Go. Continue Reading →

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Everything I Need to Teach I Learned in Marathon Training [Part I]

I’m a teacher and, much to my students’ chagrin, I’m full of ulterior motives.

Yes, I want them to understand how to construct an essay that helps them convey their best understanding in the most powerful way possible but (Shhh! Don’t tell them this part!) some things are more important than any one academic skill or set of facts.

What could be more important, you ask? (Okay, so you didn’t ask. You’re an adult and you know that plenty of things are more important to you. Probably running, for one. Don’t worry, I’m getting there!) Continue Reading →

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Newbie Notes: Hunting the Elusive “Perfect Training Plan”

Want a non-stop stream of advice? Mention to your (marathoner) husband and (marathoner) brother that you need a training plan for your first marathon. Then sit back and listen to the contradictions roll in:

Run slow to go fast.

You need to up your pace if you’re going to finish in that time.

Your easy runs should be REALLY easy.

If I were coaching you, I would definitely push you more on your long runs.

Continue Reading →

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What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Jennifer at the Keybank Marathon

I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty reasonable person. Turns out I’m not. Go figure!

Other than occasional (failed) attempts to add jogging to my (then non-existent) exercise routine, I started running in 2013.

On a whim, my husband signed up for the Vermont City Marathon and in the spirit of spousal support (and perhaps a little co-dependence), I recruited friends to join me in a five-person relay. I trudged through hours on a treadmill at the gym that winter, slowly building up to what –at the time – seemed like the ungodly distance of 6.2 miles. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t easy. But I did it. Continue Reading →

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