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She Runs Around: Jennifer Kyle, J Bird Runs

April 7, 2016

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I know I’ve said this before, but when I started this blog and Instagram, one thing that I did not anticipate was the relationships I would form with other amazing women in the running community.  It is so so fun!  Well, today you get to meet one of my favorites from those relationships I have created- Jennifer Kyle, also known as @jbirdruns.  She is darling, she is fast, she is so sweet, and she’s someone I really admire.  Click here to be directed to her blog.  Click here to be directed to her Instagram account.

She is also featuring me on her blog today, so be sure to head there to learn a thing or two about yours truly :)

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Jennifer ran her first half marathon in October of 2014, the Nike women’s half in 1:43:52.  Since then, she’s run 8 half marathons, two 15k races, and the Bay to Breakers race.  Her half marathon PR is 1:41:26.  She ran her first full marathon, the California International Marathon in 3:29:52.  I was in the car driving home from Disneyland with my family tracking her on my phone.  No joke.  I’m pretty sure I started cheering when she crossed the finish line and my family was so confused.  Here’s what she said about CIM, “I needed 3:35 to qualify for Boston, so I shot for 3:30 to give myself a cushion.”  She says about training, “When I’m not training and working off a schedule, that is when I thrive.  Lifting is an essential part of my training as well, and I really enjoy it too.  Outside of running, I love traveling, spending with my family, boyfriend, friends.  I love to volunteer with Bennie The Dog, who is a therapy dog.  We visit sick patients in the hospital and he gives them snuggles.  We also visit the library so the kids can practice their reading with him.  Maybe I am biased, but he is a super special pup!”
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1. How did you get started in running?

I started running in college.  I never timed myself or cared about pace until I starting training for my first half marathon.  I do remember the first time I ever ran 6 miles.  I felt like I was ON TOP OF THE WORLD.  I have a very “busy” mind – read neurotic HAHA.  Running is when my mind is quiet and I can really settle down.  It sets the tone for my day.  It is my meditation.

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2. What a does a typical day look like for you?
Run or workout first thing, always.  After that, I have breakfast, coffee, and quiet time with my dog Bennie.  After Bennie & I go for a walk, I’m either working from home or out in the meetings for day.  I am usually in meetings midweek and working from home Mondays and Fridays.  I love making dinner in the evenings with my boyfriend.  I love to cook and eat outside on nice spring/summer nights.  After dinner, TV and stretching/foam rolling.  Each day varies as far as where I am with work meetings, but I protect my morning workout and breakfast routine pretty fiercely.
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3. What does your typical daily nutrition look like?
I don’t normally eat before my workout unless it is a long run, then I’ll have a banana or a gel, sometimes both.  Breakfast is huge for me.  I have been having the same breakfast since I was a sophomore in college (I’m 27 now).  I have 6 eggwhites with veggies & a piece of toast or english muffin with peanut butter and banana.  Midmorning I’ll have a yogurt or a piece of fruit.  Lunch is usually rice and chicken with broccoli, or maybe a sandwich.  Afternoon I’ll have a Quest bar or San Franola (I like it because it has 10g protein).  Dinner is usually sweet potato fries with green beans and maybe fish.  For dessert I love protein cookie dough or rice cakes with peanut butter.  I don’t have a terrible sweet tooth – but I definitely eat peanut butter anywhere between 2-4 times a day LOL.  Also I drink a lot of water and peppermint tea throughout the day.  I absolutely love cooking.  I do a good deal of meal prep for lunches, but I enjoy cooking for dinner – it is a lot of fun for me.
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4. What has running taught you?
Getting ready for the sappiest answer EVER.  Running has taught me I am powerful.  I am Wonder Woman.  I am vulnerable.  I am scared, but too brave to be stopped.  I am weak, but strong enough to overcome my weaknesses.  I am determined.  Running has taught me to keep going when I think I can’t.  Running has taught me how to take an insurmountable goal, break it into small bites, and achieve it.  Running has taught me to love my body.  I struggled with disordered eating in college, and since letting running into my life, I gained the most balanced relationship with food and body image that I’ve ever had.
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Huge, huge thank you to Jennifer for visiting today.  This running community is pretty amazing.

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4 Comments
Filed Under: She Runs Around

Comments

  1. kindal says

    April 7, 2016 at 11:36 am

    two of my favorite women and runners! loved both the spotlights <3

    Reply
  2. Gretchen Tseng says

    April 7, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    I ❤️ JBird.

    Reply
  3. Osasumwen Eweka says

    April 12, 2016 at 7:32 am

    Wow would be like Jen someday. As a runner I enjoy running new areas to interact with professional runners

    Reply
  4. Katie@runningourlives.com says

    April 12, 2016 at 9:51 am

    That last part about what running means is so beautifully worded and spoke right to my heart. I’m so glad you shared this and I totally agree J Bird is a rockstar!

    Reply

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About Me

About Me
I am a wife and a mother to four busy kids who is seeing the world one marathon course at a time. I invite you to take a peek into my life, read about my quest to complete a marathon on each continent (with lots more traveling races in between), and learn how to race with your heart. Read more...

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