Running – Page 32 – Zenaida Arroyo

Category: Running

23
Oct
2018

Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Half Marathon Recap

categories: Ambassador, BibRave Pro, Race Recap, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

This past Sunday I ran my 70th half marathon and my 39th in my goal to run a half marathon in each state. I was supposed to go last year but had to cancel a few weeks prior to race day. I cannot remember why I didn’t go but let’s continue with my recap for this year.

My flight to Denver left at 8:35am and I arrived after 10:30am. While waiting at the airport in Chicago, I did some research on transportation to/from the airport and hotel. SuperShuttle was $30 each way and the Denver Airport Trail was $9 each way. Once I landed, I quickly walked to the platform and purchased my ticket. As soon I got inside the train, the doors closed and I was on my way downtown.

RnR Denver-20.jpg

Once downtown I walked a mile to my hotel. Luckily it was ready and I left my stuff in the room and went out to get something to eat. I ate a burger and drank a beer and felt so much better afterwards. Then I took a Lyft to the expo. It was OK. I haven’t run a RnR race in years so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I did buy some shoes and socks.

There was a poster and a shirt being sold at the expo with the finishers names.

I like the color of the shirt that was in the goody bag. Still not impressed with the rest of the stuff.

Sunday morning I got up at 6am. The race began at 7 and the start line was about 10 minutes away. I got ready and drank coffee while eating a Clif Bar. It was in the low 40s and I had debated on whether to wear shorts or tights. I went with the shorts and compression socks. I also wore a Oiselle Wazzie Wool layer underneath my BibRave shirt and never got too hot nor cold.

RnR Denver-9

RnR Denver-11

I had specific instructions from my coach on the paces for this race. I wrote it down in a piece of paper and also on my hand. I was determined to stick to the plan since this race was supposed to be a long workout. I’ve been doing really good in my training and figured that it would be an “easy” run. Spoiler alert: It was HARD! I didn’t realize that the altitude was going to affect me that much.

RnR Denver-10

The first 2 miles were supposed to be at warm up pace. I started off faster than I wanted to so I took some walking breaks. After mile 2, I was supposed to run 4 miles at an 11:50 pace. I couldn’t do it. I began to feel very tired and could not pick up the pace. At one point I accidentally hit the lap button. I really struggled the rest of the race. I was basically counting down each mile. I also felt lightheaded.

RnR Denver-17

At one point a spectator told me that I was doing good and that I had 2 miles to go. I started to cry because I wanted to be done. I was still feeling tired and struggling. 🙁 I don’t think I’ve ever struggled so much during a half marathon.

RnR Denver-18

I thought the course was OK. The weather was perfect for running but it was so sunny and the sun was in my eyes for most of the race. I was squinting so much and I think that and the altitude are the reasons I got a headache. It was a bit better when I got to City Park. It was so pretty there but that got boring after a while. <<I think I was just in a bad mood. 🙂

RnR Denver-16

For most of the course there were no spectators. It was quiet. There was plenty of water and Gatorade at the water stops. The course was mostly flat with 2 or 3 uphills. The best part was getting to the finish line because it was downhill. As soon as I knew I was close, I took off. I was so happy to be done!

The medal is pretty cool and I am happy to have earned it.

RnR Denver-20jpg.jpeg

Another race done and another medal.

Thanks to Athlinks for the reminder that this was my 70th half marathon and that I have now completed 162 races.

Linking up with Marcia, Patti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun

02
Oct
2018

Goodbye September and Hello October!

categories: Half Marathon Training, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

• September flew by! Cannot believe I’ve been in school for a little over a month. I had a rough couple of weeks but now it is so much better. Every single day I go to school thinking of how I can make it a good day for my students. I am constantly dealing with students that talk too much :-), those that don’t talk at all, low reading comprehension levels, and those that struggle with simple addition problems. I am being observed this year so I also need to get some information (data binders, assessment binders, etc) ready.

• Brooks Launch and Levitate. Still have in my rotation two pairs of the Launch and one pair of the Levitate. I do my easy runs in the Levitate and my speed workouts in the Launch. I remember how before I used to do all of my runs in the same pair of shoes. That changed once I realized how much I loved the Launch and purchased a few pairs. I wanted to wear all of them and that’s what I did. 🙂

• Ran 96.08 miles. Dang, didn’t make it to 100 miles this month! Despite doing all of my workouts this month, I was still short 3.92 miles. I am now 70% done of my yearly goal. There are 90 days left in 2018 and I still need to run 355.24 miles to achieve my goal. Looking at the numbers now, I don’t think I will make that goal but I know I will be very close to it.

• Total time running was 19:14:51.

• I enjoyed each workout this month. There were easy runs but also faster workouts. I did intervals ranging from 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, and 5 minutes. Definitely hard but also fun!

• 22 days of running. I am loving running 5 days a week. I don’t know how I used to run 6 days with the Hansons Method. I love the easy runs (although a few I did too fast) but am also enjoying my speed workouts.

• No races but excited about my half marathon in October. I am looking forward to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Half Marathon. It will be my 39th state in my goal to run a half marathon in each state. You can use code RNRBRP2018 to save $15 off the half marathon.

• Final Thoughts: I did every single run and on almost all of them did better than expected. It is such a GREAT feeling . About 99% of my runs were done early in the morning and it wasn’t easy to wake up to run at 5am. However, I am glad I did because it was the last thing I wanted to do after work. Plus, there were a few HOT days in September and I was happy to run early when it wasn’t as hot.

So how did September go for you?

Linking up with Marcia, Patti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

11
Sep
2018

2018 Fall Running Plans

categories: Half Marathon Training, Rock 'n' Roll Race, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

The official season is not here yet but fall weather is here! It feels wonderful running in 60-70 degree weather. Friday evening I went out for a run. I was supposed to run 4 but thought that it said 5 on my training calendar. I felt so good and ended up not only doing negative splits, but running faster than I was supposed to.

Fall is my favorite running weather. I love seeing the different color leaves on the ground. I love the cool weather and being able to run in a short sleeve shirt or a thin long sleeve shirt and still not feeling too hot. I love that I can still run in shorts and not feel cold.

However, I do not like that it gets darker earlier in the day and it gets lighter later in the day. 😉 But still these temperatures are wonderful.

I have a few races coming up soon and I am excited about them!

• ZOOMA Great Lakes 5k. Originally I signed up for the half marathon and last week decided to do instead the 5k. I did the half marathon back in August 2014 when it was held in Chicago.

• Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver. I am excited to run in a new state. My last one was in July 2017 when I ran in Alaska. I remember signing up for this last year but then couldn’t make it but for sure I will be there this year.

• Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah. Another new state for me. Honestly, I am glad to finally cross GA off my list. I had wanted to run in Atlanta but somehow couldn’t make it work. Then when Rock ‘n’ Roll had a special back in June, I took advantage of it and registered for this race. The logistics suck (for me). Savannah doesn’t seem like a long way from Chicago but it will take me almost 6 hours to get there (beginning with a 6am flight). Luckily the race is on Saturday so I will be home that same day and have Sunday to recuperate. 🙂 I’ve heard Savannah is pretty and do have a couple of hours to explore before my flight home.

For now that is all I have for the fall. I am kind of excited to train during the winter for Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans. I’ve run both the marathon and the half marathon. Last year I trained for the IL Marathon and had many, many great runs even with the cold weather. Of all of my years of running, I don’t remember running so many days outside during the winter (always used the treadmill when there was snow or “too cold”). Plus, I learned how to dress properly for winter running. Haha. Sounds silly saying it but so true.

What is YOUR favorite season for running? What are your fall race plans?

Linking up with Marcia, Patti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

04
Sep
2018

Goodbye August and Hello September!

categories: Half Marathon Training, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

Hello September

• August flew by! My mom and I went on a short trip to San Antonio followed by a few days off and then back to work. I have 21 students with a few well behaved students and a few not so well behaved. They talk too much. 🙂 Honestly, I like kids that talk because they know how to communicate and I can have an actual conversation with them. However, there are times in which they need to be quiet but a few keep going on and on. A mom already complained that I am mean and that I yell too much. 🙁

• I have a new running coach. I am currently working with Mary and have had some great workouts. I love it! My favorite have been 6×1 minute and 8×1 minute intervals.

• Bought new shoes. I am a HUGE Brooks fan. I took advantage of the sale on the Brooks site and purchased a few pairs of the Launch 5. However, some styles didn’t work out for me (too stiff) and I sent them back (they have a GREAT return policy!). I also ended up buying the Levitate. These two and another pair of the Launch are in my shoe rotation.

I am eyeing their new shoes that came out early this month – the Bedlam. Love the color but do I need another pair?

• Ran 82.10 miles. I did not meet my goal this month. I am now 63% done of my yearly goal. There are 119 days left in 2018 and I still need to run 442 miles to achieve my goal.

Total August 2018

2018 Goal

• Total time running was 17:06:52.

• 19 days of running. With Mary I have been running 5 days a week. Sometimes I have 1 or 2 quality sessions (hard and fast workouts) and the rest are easy runs (3-6 miles).

• I didn’t have any races in August. I am excited about 2 races in September – Run Mag Mile and ZOOMA Great Lakes.

• Final Thoughts: Even though August was “low” in mileage, I am happy with how it went. I am enjoying my runs and am happy to be working again with Mary.

August 2018 Report Card

So how did August go for you?

Linking up with Marcia, Patti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun

21
Aug
2018

A new coach, San Antonio, and back to work!

categories: Half Marathon Training, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I am excited to share that I have a running coach. After a few weeks of using the Hansons Half Marathon Method, I started working again with Mary. I worked with her and Rochelle while training for the Illinois Marathon. While the marathon didn’t go as I wanted it to, I enjoyed many of my workouts (even in the cold days of winter) and had a great time training with the both of them.

She sent me my schedule for August 12-26 and I got really excited when I saw it. Most of my runs are easy runs (4-6 miles) but I also have a few quality sessions (warm up and cool down with 6 x 30 second intervals, 8 x 30 second intervals, and 8 x 1 minute intervals). >> I already did the 1st two quality sessions and did very well in them.

My sister and nephew live in San Antonio so my mother and I went to visit them. It went by fast! We arrived on Thursday and came back on Tuesday (last week). Our original return date was Monday but the flight was delayed from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. We would have been getting in at midnight so we decided to stay another day.

The last time I went in the summer, I remember it being very hot. This time it wasn’t too bad. I was able to do 2 easy runs, one in the morning and one in the evening.

San Antonio Weather

We spent the days at home relaxing and also visiting my aunt and cousins. My aunt made mole and I helped my mother make tamales. They’re delicious but so much work. We had a great time but I was looking forward to coming back home. I missed Lola and I think she missed me too! 🙂

Summer break is over! I went back to work on Monday. I worked on my room prior to my San Antonio trip but didn’t finish everything. I went again on Friday. I stayed late on Monday and I’m still not done but pleased with how it is.

Classroom-7

Here is what my first week with Mary looked like for me!

Sunday: 5 miles easy on a humid day in San Antonio.

Monday: 4 miles easy also in San Antonio. I did this in the evening so it wasn’t as humid.

Tuesday: OFF

Wednesday: 4.85 miles which consisted of 2 warmup, 6×30 seconds w/1 minute recovery, and 2 cooldown.

Thursday: 4 miles easy

Friday: 5.23 miles which consisted of 2 warmup, 8×30 seconds w/1 minute recovery, and 2 cooldown.

Saturday: 6 miles easy

Sunday: OFF!

Monday: 4 miles easy

Total: 33.08 miles

Linking up with Marcia, Patti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun