Oiselle – Page 5 – Zenaida Arroyo

Category: Oiselle

09
Apr
2017

Running again and a giveaway

categories: Brooks Running, Giveaway, Oiselle, Running

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.

Hoping everyone had a good week!

Hello! I have been neglecting this blog for too long. Thanks to Wendy’s post on Tuesday, I was motivated to start writing again. Lately I have not had anything interesting to write. I haven’t been running much like I usually do. Well, that is about to change. My knee feels much better! I ran the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K on Sunday and managed to finish it under an hour. My goal was to enjoy the race and finish it (my longest run had been only 3 miles) but secretly I was hoping to finish it in less than an hour and I did it!

I’ve been running again using the Hansons Marathon Method (Beginner’s Plan). I stayed up late one day going over the book again and decided to start off with the 5:00 marathon finish time. I updated my spreadsheet with the dates, runs, and paces. I also did one for 4:45, 4:30, 4:15, 4:00, 3:50, 3:45, and 3:40 (I had coffee late in the evening and could not sleep and all I had to change were the various speeds/paces).

For now (until November) I need a 3:45 to BQ. Next year I need a 3:55 finish time. Do I know when I will BQ? No. But I would like for it to happen in a few years. I also added my runs and paces to the calendar feature in Garmin Connect. For now I’ve been doing easy runs with paces between 12:57-13:57 and I am liking it. My first speed workout isn’t till May 2nd (12×400) so I have plenty of time to build my endurance and then maybe I’ll leave it at 5:00 or change it to 4:45. We’ll see.

I have two new and beautiful pairs of running shoes from Brooks – the Launch 4 and some new Oiselle capris. I like the capris but love it when I can wear shorts (which I did today).

I also purchased a cute Oiselle tshirt for inspiration.

During last year’s marathon training, I did not take care of myself like I was supposed to. I hardly stretched and did not foam rolled on a regular basis. I learned my lesson. I will not make that mistake again. Eating wise I am doing much better. I rarely ate fruits and vegetables. Now I eat fruit every single day and make a shake with spinach. I also have been enjoying eating tofu, quinoa, and recently made cauliflower fried rice. Slowly making progress.

Work is going well. Next week is Spring Break and I am excited about it. After that I have about 7 weeks to go till summer break. In July I will be going to Alaska on The Great Alaskan Running Cruise. Just the other day I booked a glacier tour in Juneau and a kayak adventure. Should be fun!!

Now let’s talk about the giveaway. The winner will receive a NUUN container (I have various flavors), a Momentum Wrap, a pair of Lock Laces, and Headsweats Visor.

To enter, click on the image below where you will be directed to Gleam and enter several different ways such as leaving a blog post comment, following me on Instagram, commenting on any of my Instagram posts, or tweeting about the giveaway.

This giveaway will run for seven days (until April 16th at 11:59 pm). The winner will be selected on the eighth day. The giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with their Gleam account and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.

Best luck to everyone that enters!

22
Jan
2017

My injury

categories: Oiselle, Running, Weekly Recap

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.

Hoping everyone had a good week!

I got my results from my MRI on Tuesday and it turns out I have a grade 1 muscle strain in my left calf muscle. If you see the image below, you’ll get an idea of what it is and the seriousness as compared to the others. It isn’t as serious as Grade 2 or 3 but yet enough that it painful and I cannot run. I knew that from that Monday evening when I was out running and felt something pull in my calf.

I’ve been icing my calf and wearing compression socks mostly everyday. I walk with a limp and going up and down the stairs isn’t too horrible. I just take it easy when doing that task.

I have an appointment with my chiropractor (he also deals with running injuries) and a sports doctor in 3 weeks. I cannot wait 3 weeks and am hoping someone cancels so I can go sooner or I may have to find another doctor.

I will be honest and say that this injury sucks. Yesterday was a gorgeous day (60 degrees) and you bet I wanted to be out there running a few miles along the lakefront.

On a positive note I know it will heal quickly and I will be out there running again. I can still walk and go to work. I have my days in which I am OK with it but also when I get angry. Just like every runner there is, I’ve had hip issues, IT band, etc., but never serious enough to not run at all. Oh well, I guess it was bound to happen eventually?

Well, enough with negative stuff and let’s focus on some positive news. Monday evening I found out I was selected to be a Nuun ambassador. I’ve known about Nuun for a couple of years but it was last year that I used it as I trained for my races.

In July I will be on The Great Alaskan Running Cruise and I am excited about it! I have my plane tickets to Seattle and to Anchorage and train tickets to Seward. The cruise leaves from Seward and ends in British Columbia. There is a half marathon on this cruise so you bet this will count as one of my 50 states+1 goal.

Retail therapy always makes one feel better, right? I ordered the following Oiselle items. Aren’t they beautiful?

I am a huge fan of the Long Roga. They’re my favorite shorts and have them in many colors. They’re now available in a new color, Plum, and I can’t wait to run in them.

My closet is full of Oiselle items and I love that they’re not only for running but also for everyday work. This is my newest top. Gorgeous! It’s on sale and I am tempted to also get this in white and in black.

I want to get the newest Brooks Launch 4. I was a big fan of the 2 but not so much the 3. And the 4 are supposed to be even better!

Come on calf injury, heal fast so I can run in them.

How did your week go? Any running injuries you’ve had? How long did it take to heal?

31
Aug
2016

My Marathon Training Must-Haves and a Giveaway

categories: Chicago Marathon, Giveaway, Hansons Training, Marathon Training, Oiselle, Running Gear, Things I Am Loving

Now that I am halfway through my Chicago Marathon training, there are a few items that I reach for help me power through each run.

Brooks PureFlow 4 and Brooks Launch 3

I love Brooks shoes. I’ve also worn Asics, Newtons, and Mizuno but always come back to Brooks. I’ve run in Pure Connect (discontinued), Ghost, and Glycerin but now alternate between PureFlow and Launch. They don’t feel heavy and are very comfortable.

SmartWool and ProCompression Socks

The right socks are important. Definitely no cotton socks. I usually wear compression socks on runs longer than 6 miles. I love the different colors and my legs/calves feel great during and after each run. I also wear SmartWool (ultra light or light elite) and even though my feet have been completely wet after a few sweaty runs, I’ve had NO blisters which in my book is definitely a winner.

Oiselle Long Roga Shorts and Tops

I love running in shorts! I wear them as long as I can before it gets too cold. These shorts are long enough and for the most part do not ride up. I’ve had them ride up only when I’ve worn a Sparkly Athletic skirt (weird). I have a few pairs and love wearing them with a Oiselle top.

I have more pairs than shown in the picture.

It wasn’t until a few months ago that I began running in a tank top. I’ve always worn a short sleeve shirt. But now I LOVE and do each run in a Oiselle top. They fit well and no chafing.

Body Glide

You definitely need to stock up on this item. I apply this between my thighs, under my arms, and in the back of my running bra. I did chafe big time between my thighs at the 2015 Chicago Marathon that it hurt to walk. That was the only time I’ve chafed in that area. It must have been the shorts with the combination of the sweat (I did not reapply at all) that caused it. You bet I will make sure to reapply at this year’s marathon.

Victoria Secret The Player Sports Bra

I am not well endowed in the chest area but it is comfortable when my boobs are bouncing around during my runs. My favorite VS bra is the open back version. Unfortunately it has been discontinued which makes me sad. I love this bra because it provides the right amount of support. I have 6 pairs and have worn them for over a year and they’re beginning to smell bad. I know I need to replace them but have not found something equivalent. I’ve also worn bras by Champions 9 (not enough support) and Moving Comfort (ALWAYS chafe in the same area).

NUUN Tablets

I add these tablets to my water bottle and drink this all day and at every run. I am not a big fan of the Nuun Energy; so I am stocking up on the previous version.

Garmin 225 Watch and Fitletic 16oz Hydration Belt

I use my watch mostly to get the basic information (lap pace, average pace, mile splits, and distance). It comes in handy during my weekly runs as a pacer because I am responsible (with another pacer) to make sure we meet that 11:00 minute pace. I like that it syncs with my Nike +Running App. I know I could get more usage out of it (like heart rate) but for now it works just fine for me.

I wear my belt low on my hips and I swear it does not bounce, chafe, or ride up. It has two 8 oz bottles and a pouch which fits my iPhone 6.

Headsweats Hat/Visor

Thanks to Marcia’s code (TEAMARCIA for 25% OFF) I ordered two visors and hat. I love that they’re light, comfortable, so many options to choose from, and keeps the sweat off my face. Plus, it washes really easy. I add it to my weekly load of running clothes and air dry it along with the rest of my clothes.

I have an extra visor and you have a chance to win it! To enter, click on the image below where you will be directed to Gleam and enter several different ways such as leaving a blog post comment, commenting on any of my Instagram posts, or tweeting about the giveaway. I will also include a tube of Nuun (I have various flavors you can choose from).

This giveaway will run until September 6 at 11:59 pm). The winner will be selected on September 7th. The giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with their Gleam account and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.

Best of luck to everyone who enters!