Brooks Running – Page 2 – Zenaida Arroyo

Category: Brooks Running

28
Jul
2019

Weekly Run Down: Not motivated to run and some new running gear

categories: Brooks Running, Oiselle, Running, Running Gear, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

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I don’t know what is going on but this week I had no motivation to run. I also felt more tired than usual. I ran 2 days this week (my coach has me running 5 days a week). I have been massaging my left foot every single day. It only hurts a little when I get up in the morning but then it feels fine.

Even Lola felt tired too. 🙂

I decided not to run the three half marathons (WY, SD, and ND) next month. No way will I be ready. The race in New Mexico is still up in the air because my mother’s birthday is September 9th and we have a birthday party for her. Her party will not be the 7th so most likely it will be the 14th.

We are still dealing with some issues with my mother’s medical card. I am so frustrated. She has County Care which is a managed care organization through Medicaid. I don’t understand why her coverage changed and why she doesn’t have medical coverage. County Care only offers long term care. She was assigned a PCP located downtown and I tried switching her to her current one but couldn’t do it because she has Medicare and that covers her medical doctor appointments. At this point, why would she switch her PCP? Ugh! Rant over..for now. Thanks for listening.

On Tuesday I went to see “The Lion King”. Have you seen it? I loved it! I want to see it again, and again, and again.

I may have been banned from ordering from the Brooks website, but that didn’t stop me from ordering these from Zappos. These are the Ghost 12. Aren’t they lovely? I have the Ghost 11 and love them.

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I ordered some new Oiselle gear. I love the new colors.

Oiselle Gear-19

Oiselle Gear-20

The new tops have a watch window. Not sure If I like it but we’ll see once I start wearing them.

I emailed my coach and she suggested I take some time off from structured running but definitely go for a run if I feel like it. She also said not to put any pressure/expectations on me nor worry about pace. Maybe now the new shoes and gear will motivate me to go out for a run. 🙂

How do you stay motivated? Is it new shoes? New gear? Or simply take some time off?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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02
Jun
2019

Weekly Run Down: Banned from Brooksrunning and summer break

categories: Brooks Running, Running, Weekly Run Down

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Thank you for your comments in my post last week about my mother’s stroke and recovery. Now that school is over, I hope it isn’t as hectic and I won’t feel so stressed out. I am still planning on helping out whenever I can, but at least now I won’t have to deal with the work and stress from school.

This week was a slow week in my running. I felt tired and didn’t feel like running. I finally made it out on Friday. Maybe I felt good because it was the last day of school? Don’t get me wrong, I like what I do. I do enjoy teaching. This year was rough with some of my students. Plus, add in everything else that has to be done (like testing and more testing) and it takes out some of the joy of teaching. My ideal job is for one day to be a math interventionist. I already have my math endorsement but just waiting for a position to open up in my school. I hope soon.

I ran 2 miles on Friday and it felt great.

Saturday I went back to The Arboretum to run 10 miles. It was a perfect day for running but I struggled on my run. Managed to do 7.72 miles. I saw a turtle about one mile in and it freaked me out. Well, not really the turtle (how scary can it be?) but I guess seeing an animal kind of surprised me since I’ve never seen one there.

On Friday I had my students make Father’s Day cards. I know it is a bit early but at least they will have one for that day.

My classroom at the end of the day. A little sad to leave (I will miss my students) but happy to get a break.

Earlier that day I received a email from Brooks Running that really pissed me off. What the heck! I like their shoes and have used them for a number of years and plan to continue running in them. But, yes, I am annoyed.

Brooks Running-1

This is their True Blue Guarantee. Some shoes I have used and returned because, well, I did not like them. Others I returned new because I ordered too many (they were on sale) and then did not need them anymore. I feel like I’ve been personally attacked.

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I know, I know, I need to stop worrying about it so much since there are other things I should worry about instead of an email from Brooks Running. At least I can still buy shoes at Running Warehouse. 🙂 Speaking of shoes, anyone see these? So pretty, right?

Brooks Shoes-13

Brooks Shoes-14

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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22
Apr
2018

Illinois Marathon Training Recap, Week 21

categories: Brooks Running, Illinois Marathon, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap

Illinois Marathon-2

Week #21, April 16-22

M Ran 10.76
T Rest
W 6.52
TH 2.49
F Ran 2.89
S Ran 5.90
S Ran 2.49

Before I tell you about my week, can we talk about Desi winning The Boston Marathon!!!! Wow, so amazing! I was watching it in my classroom when she was in 2nd place, then I stopped watching (can’t remember how long) and then the next thing I knew, she was in 1st place. Beautiful!!!

Have you seen this Tweet of a video of here crossing the finish line? Watch it as many times as you want. I know I did.

I missed my long run this past weekend. My coach asked me if I could do it on Monday. I told her yes but then found out we were expecting snow. Oh boy. When I got home I didn’t want to run. I wanted to read more about Desi and The Boston Marathon. Also, I was cold and tired. I asked my coach if it would be horrible if I didn’t run. See the message below. That and Desi’s win was enough to get me out there. I did. And it wasn’t bad at all.

Illinois Marathon-193 My run was 40 minutes warm up, 3×10 minutes @10:43 with 400m recovery, 2×5 minutes @10:01 with 400m recovery, and 30 minutes cool down. Did better than expected!

Illinois Marathon-194 I was excited but also nervous for Wednesday’s run (15 minute warm up, 1.50 miles @10:43, .50 mile @10:01, .50 mile @11:56, 1.5 miles @10:43, .50 mile @10:01, 10 minute cool down). It wasn’t too cold but a little windy. I did stop about 2-3 times for a little to catch my breath and then kept running. Felt great and was pleased with my splits.

Illinois Marathon-195

The rest of the week were easy runs (Thursday was 30 minutes, Friday was 35 minutes, Saturday was 70 minutes, and Sunday was 30 minutes).

We finally have some nice and warm weather in Chicago. I began stalking the weather for next weekend in Champaign and am pleased that it will not be cold. 🙂

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Today was a fun run at Fleet Feet Chicago sponsored by Brooks. We had a chance to try out the Levitate. I’ve heard so many great things about it and was excited to run in them. As soon as I put them on, I knew I was going to like them. They felt very soft and cushioned. What I don’t like is the price ($150) which I think is expensive. It is definitely more than I am willing to spend. I know they’ll be reduced sometime this year when the newest version is released and then I can buy a pair for me.

Another GREAT week of training and pleased with all of my runs. Less than one week to go!

Total mileage for the week: 31.05
Total mileage for this training cycle: 463.09
Total mileage for the year: 284.26

Here’s how training has gone so far:
• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10
• Week 11
• Week 12
• Week 13
• Week 14
• Week 15
• Week 16
• Week 17
• Week 18
• Week 19
• Week 20

How was YOUR week?

18
Mar
2018

Illinois Marathon Training Recap, Week 16

categories: Brooks Running, Illinois Marathon, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap

Week #16, March 12-18

M Rest
T 3.77
W 2.51
TH 5.83
F Rest
S Ran 3.78
S Ran 13.00

I spent all day Tuesday in a meeting. It was a long day and the last thing I wanted to do after school was run. We also got more snow. Not a lot but seriously crazy weather. Oh but at least it isn’t as bad as on the east coast.

I currently have 4 pairs of shoes in rotation. They’re all Brooks Launch 4, except the green shoes on the lower right, those are the Launch 5.

On Wednesday it was warm enough to wear shorts. Spring is so close!

Thursday’s run was fun but also hard! I had to do 15 minute warm up, 5×5 minute @10:02 pace with 400m recovery, and 10 minute cool down. I was nervous but knew I could do it. The first three 5 minute reps felt comfortable. The last two felt hard because of the wind. I tried to keep going but just couldn’t take it anymore. When I saw my splits I realized that I was also running too fast.

I wanted to do these without stopping but with the last two I did stop for a few seconds to catch my breath. I feel like I cheated. 🙂 Overall, I am very pleased with my negative splits!!

I thought Saturday’s run was 45 minutes but instead it was supposed to be 40 minutes. Oh well. It was in the high 30s and I felt great out there. I didn’t realize how tired I was and ended up taking a nap from 3-4pm. Lola was very tired too from running around all day.

Illinois Marathon-157

I have mixed feelings about today’s long run (13 miles-4 warm up, 6 @10:45 pace, 3 cool down). I understand the benefits of tempo runs but I still dislike them. I always have a hard time holding the pace. Today’s run felt hard.

Hanging out with Lola before making myself go out for my run. It was a beautiful and warm afternoon.

Illinois Marathon-158

I took one Huma Gel (affiliate link) before my run. They’re my new favorite gels. The originals are tasty but I also love the plus which have a natural electrolyte. I took 3 extra ones and ended up taking one at mile 4 and then another one at mile 8.

I was smiling at the end of my run because I was done with it. But deep down I was sore and tired. And full of doubt. As you can see, I did hit my target pace but tempo runs are supposed to be run without stopping and I didn’t do that here. There were a few times that the pace felt comfortable, which was surprising, but there were times in which I was barely hanging on and had to stop. A few times I wanted to quit too. The reason I didn’t is because it was a very nice day for a run. I’ve been complaining about how cold it has been and today it was just perfect. So of course I couldn’t stop!

Total mileage for the week: 28.89
Total mileage for this training cycle: 329.93
Total mileage for the year: 251.11

How was YOUR week?

Link back to the host and let’s support other bloggers linking up as they train for a marathon, half marathon, or any other event.

11
Mar
2018

Illinois Marathon Training Recap, Week 15

categories: Brooks Running, Illinois Marathon, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap

Week #15, March 5-11

M Rest
T 3.36
W 5.21
TH 3.35
F Rest
S Ran 3.00
S Ran 12.01

Tuesday’s run was fantastic! I received a new pair of the Brooks Launch 5 and ran 40 minutes in them. I know I’ve raved about the Launch 4 but these new ones are so beautiful and makes me want to keep on running.

On Wednesday I had to do 20 minutes warm up, 20 minutes @11:58, and 20 minutes cool down. Not very exciting but did it anyway. It was cold/chilly and windy. I didn’t do my run exactly like I was supposed to.

Illinois Marathon-144

By Thursday I was tired. I didn’t want to run. I got home and stayed in bed for a little bit. I think I just needed a quick break because a few minutes later I got up to run 40 minutes. Cold and windy again. I did see a gorgeous sunset!

Illinois Marathon-145

Saturday morning I got a massage. The last time I got one was about 5 months ago. It felt so great! I could literally feel the tingling from my toes to my fingertips. I made another appointment for the 24th and cannot wait.

Illinois Marathon-146

After my massage I ran 3 miles. I was supposed to run 35 minutes. At 35 minutes my watch was showing about 2.97 miles or something like that. I knew it would drive me crazy if I stopped at that number so I kept running and finished 3 miles at 35:16. 🙂

Congrats to my coaches, Mary and Rochelle! Mary placed 2nd in the RnR DC 5k and Rochelle placed 1st in the marathon.

Illinois Marathon-147 Illinois Marathon-148

Sunday’s run was 12 miles. I procrastinated as long as I could and finally went out running around 3:30pm. The plan was to run them at an easy pace (11:58-13:06). Usually when I do easy runs I am TIRED and am grateful that it is “just” 30, 40, or 45 minutes. I was nervous about 12 miles. But I can say that I felt GREAT during my run. The sun made it warm and there was a little wind which helped cool me down a bit. Only 2 miles were done over 12:00 and that made me very happy!

Total mileage for the week: 26.93
Total mileage for this training cycle: 301.04
Total mileage for the year: 222.22

How was YOUR week?

Link back to the host and let’s support other bloggers linking up as they train for a marathon, half marathon, or any other event.