Zenaida Arroyo

22
Apr
2025

Tuesday Topics: Five Tuesday Prompts, Part 4

Happy Tuesday! Thank you for joining me and Jenn for another edition of Tuesday Topics. Remember to link up with us! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Don’t forget to come back for later linkers!

Here is another post with some interesting prompts in the Jetpack app. Ready?

• If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why? I would like to be the School Superintendent. There are many days that I do not understand the decisions he makes. I know it isn’t an easy job, but I think it will help me understand his decision-making.

• Where would you go on a shopping spree? Menards and Marshalls! They’ve been my favorite stores since January. I know I didn’t mention this before, but the reason I haven’t unpacked all of my boxes is because I am doing some renovations in the basement and there is no room for the boxes. The renovation is about 80% done. Anyway, right now almost all of my purchases have come from both stores. I’ve had to buy almost everything new since a lot of stuff I had before was already old.

• If you could have something named after you, what would it be? A school. Though sometimes I wonder if it will be a cool name for a school. My name not common and hard to pronounce.

• What are you most worried about for the future? I know there are bigger problems out there right now, but I will be selfish and think about me right now. I worry about what is going to happen to me when I am older and cannot take care of myself. As you know, my sisters and I take care of my mom. It is a lot of work – mostly mental.

• If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite? I would invite Barack and Michelle Obama, Des Linden and Kara Goucher. The first two might not come, but if I promise them a delicious home-cooked Mexican meal, then hopefully they would come.

Next week is a FREE topic. Feel free to write about any running-related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!

15
Apr
2025

Tuesday Topics: Running in the rain

categories: Tuesday Topics

Happy Tuesday! Thank you for joining me and Jenn for another edition of Tuesday Topics. Remember to link up with us! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Don’t forget to come back for later linkers!

I have a love/hate relationship with running in the rain. I don’t mind it when it is hot and the rain cools me down. However, on a cold day, I don’t want anything else cold touching my body.

I have skipped a run just because it was raining. Add in lightning and thunder and for sure I will skip it too.

For those runs in the rain, I make sure to wear the following.

• Waterproof or water resistant jacket. I have several and a few that are insulated.

• Moisture-wicking clothes. I learned the hard way to never wear cotton on a run.

• Hat with a brim. I need to see where I am going so this hat protects from eyes from the rain.

• Gloves. To keep my hands warm.

• Anti-chafing balm. I chafed so bad when I ran the RnR Nashville Half Marathon. It rained throughout the entire race. I didn’t realize I had chafed until I was in the shower.

The topic for next week – Are spring allergies affecting your running? How are you dealing with it? Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!

11
Apr
2025

Fit Five Friday: Things I look for in my running shoes

categories: Fit Five Friday

Happy Friday!

We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me for another Fit Five Friday link-up!

It’s no secret that I run in Brooks shoes. They’re my favorite. I’ve been running in them for many years. I’ve also run in Asics, Nike, and Mizuno. Right now my favorite Brooks shoes are the Launch and the Ghost.

When I started running I didn’t get fitted for shoes. I bought a pair of shoes (and now cannot remember the brand, but it wasn’t any of the ones I mentioned above). When I began training for the marathon, I went to Fleet Feet and was fitted for a pair of Asics. It was either the Kayano or Cumulus. When I was close to the end of my training, I bought another pair of Asics. I was told to not run the marathon in the new shoes. Did I listen? No. I was hurting a lot and almost quit. But now I wonder if it was because of the shoes or because my body was hurting due to never have run more than 20 miles. Who knows?

Because I run in the same shoes, I don’t look for things I am supposed to look for in running shoes (i.e. heel-to-toe drop, wide toe box, etc).

However, I do look for specific things that work only for me.

• Color. I like my shoes to be colorful.

• Price. Running shoes are expensive. I’ve scored some great deals on Running Warehouse, Zappos, and Brooks Running. There was a time when I loved the PureFlow and bought a few of them. Each pair was $50 and in purple.

Recently, I found a few pairs (Launch and Ghost) for $50 at Ross.

• Weight. Though heavier shoes offer more cushion and durability, I prefer my shoes to not be heavy. The Launch 10 weights 7.4 ounces and the Ghost 16 weighs 8.5 ounces. They’re perfect for me.

• Comfort. Comfortable shoes reduce fatigue, prevent injuries, and improve performance. A pair of comfortable shoes also make my runs more enjoyable. The first time I ran in the Launch 2, my feet hurt so I sent them back. I cannot remember why I bought them again, but I am glad I did, because now I love them a lot. Pretty colors too!

• Brand/Recommendations. My favorite elite runner runs in Brooks. If they are good enough for her, then they are also good enough for me. I know Kara Goucher also runs in Brooks shoes.

The topic for next week – Five breathing techniques to improve your run. Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like. We hope you’ll link up with us!

08
Apr
2025

Tuesday Topics: The Boston Marathon is no longer on my running bucket list

categories: Tuesday Topics

Happy Tuesday! Thank you for joining me and Jenn for another edition of Tuesday Topics. Remember to link up with us! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Don’t forget to come back for later linkers!

The Boston Marathon! I cannot wait to watch it on TV. I was supposed to be in Boston to spectate it, but I will no longer do that. One day. One day, right?

I have a better chance of spectating it than to actually run it. For a few years the Boston Marathon was on my bucket list. I clearly remember a few days before I ran my first marathon in 2006, I told a coworker that I wanted to BQ before I turned 40. I was 33 years old. I had no idea what I was talking about. I didn’t know that a BQ and actually running the marathon were two different things. My coworker smiled. She also knew I had no idea what I was talking about.

I went back through previous posts and found one where I began training to train to train to train for a BQ. This was in April of 2017. At that time I needed 3 hours and 55 minutes for a BQ. Now I need 3 hours and 50 minutes.

The race was still on my bucket list. I wrote about it in several posts. But now I wonder if I really wanted to run the race or was it because it was everyone’s dream to run the Boston Marathon?

I know I will never qualify. I am not a fast runner and don’t see myself getting faster as I get older. Below are the times for the 2026 marathon. Even if I qualify, there is no guarantee that I will actually run the Boston Marathon.

I thought about going the charity route, but the thought of asking money doesn’t sound appealing. I did that a few times for the Chicago Marathon and I don’t want to do it again.

A few years ago there was a program for teachers to apply. I did and wasn’t picked. I know there are other programs offered by brands that pick runners, but I know I won’t get picked.

So, the Boston Marathon is no longer on my running bucket list. Heck, running a marathon is no longer on my list either. 🙂 I am OK with that decision. I want to focus on smaller races. I was going to say to also get a PR, but I don’t want to pressure myself. I want to enjoy my runs and my races. I still have a few more states to run in to finish my quest of running a half marathon in every state.

For now I will enjoy Marathon Monday and watch it from the comfort of my home or school.

The topic for next week – Rain Date: Give your tips for running in those April showers. Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!

04
Apr
2025

Fit Five Friday and April 2025 Ultimate Coffee Date

categories: Fit Five Friday

Welcome to the April edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah. It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running with Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me!

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and let’s chat!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you today is my last week of Spring Break. I go back to work on Monday and then it will be 7 weeks left of school. Pretty amazing. This week is just what I needed to unwind and relax. I watched TV, finished reading a book and started another one. I also took care of a few things in the house. I haven’t finished unpacking and that is OK. Though sometimes I do get stressed when people come over and they see my mess.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I haven’t run since January when I made a big deal about starting the new year with a run and my goal of running/walking 2,025 miles. I seriously lost my motivation afterwards. The weather didn’t help. I closed on my house in January and while I didn’t move right away, I bought some things for it and had a few things done before moving in. The weather didn’t help as I didn’t want to run in the cold weather. Then I moved and still no running. Maybe tomorrow?

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that since I haven’t been running, I haven’t raced either. Remember last year how excited I was about the races I signed up to run in various states? Ugh! I try not to think about it because that is money down the drain. I did manage to defer the race in Myrtle Beach, but not the ones in New Mexico and Kansas. I don’t think I will manage to run in Fargo, ND at the end of May.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that now that I am a homeowner and have to make a mortgage payment, I cringe when I see how much money exactly goes towards the principal. Unfortunately, I bought my house when the interest was high and hopefully I can refinance to lower my payment. What I am doing is whatever extra money I make from my extracurricular activities at school, I send it to the bank towards the principal. Any extra money will help.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I plan to be more consistent with posting on my blog. Thanks to my blogging friends for continuing to post and keeping up with the linkups.

I hope April is a wonderful month for everyone!

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 Things You Look Forward To In Your Favorite Running Shoe. Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like. We hope you’ll link up with us!