Running – Page 88 – Zenaida Arroyo

Category: Running

03
Feb
2013

Weekly Workouts, January 28-February 3, 2013

categories: Half Marathon Training, Running, Running Gear

Workouts this week: January 28-February 3, 2013

Tuesday – 400, 600, 800, 1200, 800, 600, 400 (90 sec RI)
Done.

Thursday – 1 mile easy, 5 miles @ mid tempo, 1 mile easy
Only ran 3.63. It was one of those days. I took several breaks before deciding to go home. I was not happy with myself but I could not keep going.

Saturday – 10 miles at HMP, 10 minutes walking
Done. The day started with a 5:30 am wake up call. I stayed in bed for about half an hour then my sister told me the carbon monoxide detector went off. I called the fire department and they were here within 3 minutes. Luckily, it was just a faulty detector.

Total ran this week was 18.42.

I wore a Brooks Women’s Glycerin Skort during my long run yesterday. Oh my goodness! Love, love that skirt!!! So cute and it felt so comfortable. The shorts underneath did not ride up. I really like it and will be buying more of them in various colors. I’m thinking of getting another black one, a purple, and a light blue. Perfect for spring and summer. They’re on sale for $29 on the Brooks website so what’s not to like?

23
Jan
2013

Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon

categories: Race all 50 states, Race Recap, Rock 'n' Roll Race, Running

Done, state #12 and my second race of 2013. This is the first of many Rock ‘n’ Roll races I will be doing this year.

I arrived in Phoenix on Saturday morning and took the light rail to meet up with my friend L at the motel. From there we went to the expo. I love, love the expo!! As mentioned in a previous post, I bought lots of goodies.

Race morning came and I was up at 5:30 am. I got dressed, made coffee, and ate a Clif Bar. I was still hungry so I also ate a waffle. Doesn’t it look delicious?

It was dark when I arrived at the start line. I got in line to use the port-a-potty and then checked my bag. I was cold. But ready or not, I was going to rock ‘n’ roll!! It was such a beautiful morning once the sun was out.

My goal was to set a PR (2:20:00). I got a little ambitious and decided to run with the 2:15 pace group. See, I even had a cute wristband to help me stay on pace. I was doing good until about mile 4.25 when I stopped to eat a Gu. I then tried to keep up with them but they were about 15 seconds ahead of me. Do the pace leaders ever stop to drink water or gatorade or eat a Gu? I ate another Gu at mile 8 but by then my legs felt like lead so I decided to take a walk break.

See the cute Bondi Band headband? It fell off at mile 6. Yeah, I was disappointed. I felt it slide down and then turned around to pick it up but by then there were other runners coming towards me and I was not about to cause an accident there. On the website it is advertised as “no slip”. Hmm, that was not the case here because it did slip. Oh well, I think for next time I will secure it with bobby pins.

The course was flat and I was very happy about that. There was a slight and long incline around mile 8 but I hardly felt it. The sun was shining but it wasn’t hot at all. I don’t remember much about the course except that it was flat. I wish I had taken more pictures but I guess I was focused on staying on pace.

Did I PR? Nope. My finish time was 2:20:49. I missed it by less than a minute. I am disappointed but yet happy at the same time. However, I did run faster than the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon. I know that I ran strong and I will PR this year in another race.

Overall, it was a great race with perfect weather. Flat course which is always a plus! The volunteers did a great job and the crowd support was AMAZING! I am not a big fan of RnR races because of their prices but I purchased a TourPass which gives me “free registration” for their races this year. Next race is in St. Petersburg and it is advertised as “flat and fast”. Looking forward to it!

Just Keep Running!

06
Jan
2013

Mississippi Blues Half Marathon

categories: Race all 50 states, Race Recap, Running

Done, state #11 and my first race of 2013.

Check out the course and elevation maps. Yikes!!

I arrived in Jackson at 1:30 and took a cab to the hotel. I was meeting some friends at the hotel. They had already picked up their packets but were nice enough to walk again with me.

After packet pickup we went to the Elite Restaurant. Nothing fancy but the rolls were DELICIOUS!! We asked the waitress to keep bringing out rolls.

Race morning came and I was a bit nervous because of the weather. It was 36 degrees with 40% chance of rain. I decided to wear a long sleeve shirt underneath a short sleeve shirt, biker shorts, and compression socks.

We were off at 7:05. By mile 2 I was already warm. Did I mention it was a hilly course? Very hilly. But not as bad as the race in Minnesota. I walked most of the hills but also tried to jog through them. I need to make them my friends.

The split off between the full and half marathon was around mile 5. I was so glad I was not running the full marathon.

I took an ibuprofen at mile 6.5 and a Gu at mile 5 and 10. I felt good through much of the course. I did take some walking breaks but kept pushing myself to keep on running.

A little before mile 11 the first marathon runner passed me. Dang! He was running fast! Then another passed me. And another. A total of 4 marathon runners passed me before I crossed the finish line.

Now let me tell you about the finish line. I had to run up a hill to get there. Not fun.

I knew I was not going to PR but am happy with my finish time of 2:29:29. I know that if it was a flat course then I would have definitely PRed. 🙂 I guess all of my speed workouts have helped me run a teeny tiny bit faster.

The best part was the medal! Don’t you love it? Also, I loved the post race food spread. Yummy!!

I am so glad I ran this race. Oh by the way, it rained just a little bit during the race. But by then I had showered, changed, and on my way back to the hotel after eating pizza again.

Next race is the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Arizona.

Just Keep Running!

23
Dec
2012

10 miles today

categories: Running

I ran 10 miles today on the treadmill. It was COLD this morning in Chicago so instead of using that as an excuse not to run, I went to the gym.

I think the most I’ve ran on the treadmill was 14 miles.

Today’s run was not bad at all. I got there at 8, stretched for a few minutes and off I went. I had several upbeat songs on my iPod in both English and Spanish so that helped. I alternated the speed between 6.3 and 6.2 with each song which also helped.

Instead of thinking “I need to run 10 miles today” I told myself to just break it up into two 5 miles runs. I ran for 2.5 miles then walked for .10 of a mile then ran another 2.5 miles. I then ate a Hammer Gel Tropical flavored (which I did not like at all), drank water, and took a bathroom break.

Off I went again and ran 2.5 miles and took a 3 minute break before running again. I ran for 49 minutes and 59 seconds then walked for 10 minutes. I timed it perfectly because at 59:59 the treadmill went to cooldown mode.

Total today was 10.68 miles. My legs do not hurt at all. Was it the Hammer Gel? Or the EAS protein shake with a banana I drank afterwards? Who knows.

I am sad to write that I will need to return both pairs of shoes I bought last week. I ran again in the Ghost followed by the elliptical but had to stop because the shoes were really bothering me. Today I ran in my PureConnect and definitely LOVE them! What I don’t like is that they last about 300 miles. Each pair is about $90 but Zappos has them on sale for $72. Hmm, maybe I should stock up and buy enough pairs to last me next year as I train and run my half marathons next year? Or maybe wait and hopefully they’ll be cheaper in a few weeks?

Just Keep Running!

19
Dec
2012

Random Stuff

categories: Running

This weekend I went to my favorite running store, Fleet Fleet Chicago, and purchased not one but TWO pairs of running shoes. I’ve ran in both shoes already and am not sure they’re the right fit for me. The Ghost 5 hurt my feet but I think it was because of the orthotics. I will run again in them tomorrow but without the orthotics. Today I ran in the PureFlow 2 and felt some discomfort in my right foot along the right side of the foot. I plan to use them for speedwork so I will run in them again next week.

I received another pair of Pro Compression socks. Aren’t they cute!! I cannot wait to wear them. My nephew calls them my Dr. Seuss socks which I plan to wear in March in honor of his birthday.

I am finally done wrapping gifts for my students. I hope they like it. I will give it to them on Friday which is our last day of school before vacation. Want to know what it is? Two books in Spanish that I’ve read to them in class and I want them to have their own copy. Am I excited about my upcoming vacation? You bet! I am very much looking forward to it!

Run Happy!