Three Things Thursday – Zenaida Arroyo

Category: Three Things Thursday

08
Jan
2015

Three Things Thursday, January 8, 2015

categories: Half Marathon Training, Running, Teaching, Three Things Thursday

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post below are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

1. I got back from San Antonio on Friday night and spent the weekend getting ready to go back to work on Monday. Honestly, I was excited to see my kids again. The snow looks so pretty.

Monday and Tuesday went well with my kids but was exhausted at the end of each day. Notes from my principal always make me smile.

On Tuesday I got a call that school would be closed on Wednesday. Yes, I was happy but my math class in the evening was not cancelled.

That evening I found out that school would also be closed on Thursday. Another day at home. It was so cold today and I did not leave my house at all. Instead, I watched the last season of “Veronica Mars”. It will be another cold day tomorrow but it looks like there will be school.

2. I spent these two days at home watching “Veronica Mars” on Amazon. Love, love that show. I cannot remember why I never saw it when it was shown on TV. I am disappointed that there aren’t any more seasons for me to watch but do know that the movie is available on Redbox. Besides Veronica, my other favorite character is Logan. I like his bad boy character and cannot resist his gorgeous smile. This girl is also a big fan and got to see the movie premiere in Los Angeles.

Training for the Fort2Base 10 NM 3. With a new year comes a new training plan. I am not training for anything specific but just planning to run a few half marathons this year. I wrote my new plan using the book “Runner’s World Run Less, Run Faster: Become a Faster, Stronger Runner with the Revolutionary 3-Run-a-Week Training Program“. I already missed today’s workout but don’t want to stress out about missing any of my runs. Now I only need to work on my cross training. I dislike the elliptical and get bored on the bike. A new show on Netflix or Amazon would definitely help.

21
Aug
2014

Three Things Thursday, August 21, 2014

categories: Running, Teaching, Three Things Thursday

1. I haven’t been posting about my marathon training because they’re pretty much the same ones each week. I am even bored with them. Either I make them more interesting or just post them every two or three weeks. Overall my runs are OK. I did not do my easy or tempo runs last week and I did not do them this week. I have no reason but simply just excuses.

On my last two long runs I felt some numbness on my right toes. I didn’t think too much of it but did mention it to my podiatrist on Monday. She touched the area and I told her I felt a little bit of pain. She was concerned because that area that hurts is the bone. She took a couple of x-rays. No broken toes. But apparently two of the bones are so close together that they could be pinching a nerve and thus the numbness. She also mentioned Morton’s Neuroma. According to the Mayo Clinic website:

“Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of your foot, most commonly the area between your third and fourth toes. Morton’s neuroma may feel as if you are standing on a pebble in your shoe or on a fold in your sock. Morton’s neuroma involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. This can cause a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot. Your toes also may sting, burn or feel numb.”

I don’t feel like I am standing on a pebble nor sharp nor burning pain. The toes do feel numb. I went to see her because I have a bunion and need to get a cortisone shot. Of course the other option is to get surgery but I am holding off as long as I can.

2. Last week I went to set up my classroom. It was overwhelming. I have a new classroom so I had boxes from my old classroom, from the teacher I am replacing, and from the district with new math and science books. I went three days and did enough to at least teach for three days next week. I would have done more if we hadn’t been told to leave the school by 3pm because the custodians still had work to do. It worked out because I was sore and tired after each day. And I refused to go this week. This is my last week of summer break and my plan is to just chill and do nothing.

I took a short video using Flipagram but I don’t know how to add it here so click on the link: http://flipagram.com/f/H4SfyEGoXf

And in case that doesn’t work here are some photos.

3. I am thinking of purchasing a treadmill. I like my gym but hate the shows on the TV screen and sometimes the smell inside is revolting. Plus, I get annoyed when people are just texting and checking Facebook at 1.0 speed on the treadmill. I feel like telling them to just walk faster. I know I am complaining too much and that is why it is best to have one at home. I checked out NordicTrack but while they’re nice, they’re also expensive.

These are the ones I like. Prices range from $1,499 to $2,199. They’re all very similar and offer the same thing but I like the TV on the 2450 and the 2950.

Commercial 2950

Commercial 1750

Commercial 2450

It makes me laugh to see these prices end in “99” because obviously $1,499 is so much cheaper than $1,500.

Thoughts, suggestions on treadmills?

31
Jul
2014

Three Things Thursday, July 31, 2014

categories: Running, Three Things Thursday

1. Today is day 4 of my math class. This is my second one for my math endorsement. The class is Math Theory and it is very interesting. Thank goodness because it is for two weeks from 9am-noon. We have covered topics such as prime numbers, F.O.I.L., and various properties such as distributive, commutative, and associative. It’s been a while since I’ve heard these words because I’ve only taught basic math to 1st graders. I don’t like the math homework. I like math but these assignments have been challenging for me. I spend at least 2-3 hours on 2 math problems. But each problem has various components to it and I have to write and/or show all of my work. Again, at least it it interesting and I am almost halfway done with the class.

Now a fun math puzzle for you. Make sure to do it with different numbers and you will always get the same answer. Click here to find out why you always get the same answer.

mathproblem1089 — Source: http://www.mathsisfun.com/1089.html

2. This Saturday is the ZOOMA Chicago Half Marathon and 10K. Will you be there? Tomorrow there will be a Mocktail Party sponsored by Honest Tea. It will be from 7-8pm at The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. Hope to see you Friday, Saturday or both!

3. Are you going to run (or planning to) the Fort2Base race on Sunday, August 24? There will be a fun run hosted by me and other fellow ambassadors. Come join us! It will be Thursday, August 7, 6:30 pm at Yankee Woods in Oak Forest. I was there a couple of weeks ago for another fun run. There will be prizes (free entry to the race and t-shirts). Hope to see you there!

24
Jul
2014

Three Things Thursday, July 24, 2014

categories: Running, Three Things Thursday

1. I finally got rid of my scale. I would weigh myself every Wednesday morning before getting ready for work. The number on the scale would range from 158-167 every week. I know better than to listen to it. I’ve gained weight over the years (per my scale) but am down 2 sizes in pants. My legs are more muscular and I like it. 🙂

2. Tomorrow morning I have a doctor appointment for a physical exam, pap smear, etc, etc. I go every year and have been going there for almost 10 years. My doctor is cool and I like her. I feel very comfortable with her and have seen her when I had problems with my ears and my throat. Oh, and one year I had a mild case of bronchitis and she saw me right away and gave me antibiotics.

I also get a referral from her for a mammogram. It is weird how I can’t just go and get one, I have to get an “OK’ from her. Not cool. I am due for one soon and hopefully can go before school starts next month. When I went last year, she told me I had lost 11 lbs. from the year before. Let’s see what she tells me tomorrow (not that I really care, see #1). 🙂

3. Lately I’ve been running without any music. Sometimes I listen to it when I am on the treadmill but not outside. My friend, Paul, sometimes listens to audiobooks. I prefer the actual books but am intrigued by the other option so last night I downloaded a bunch of audiobooks. I am really excited about “The First Phone Call from Heaven” by Mitch Albom. I am a big fan and have read most of his books.

19
Jun
2014

Three Things Thursday, June 19, 2014

categories: Running, Three Things Thursday

1. Have you signed up for the ZOOMA Chicago half marathon or 10K taking place on Saturday, August 2nd? Please use discount code CAMB8 for a 10% off either distance. It will be an exciting weekend!

A mocktail party, recovery yoga, and running with friends
A cool swag bag which includes a technical tee, a pair of Feetures! Performance Socks, a ZOOMA running hat, and a reusable bag
Water and Cytomax Sports Performance drink stationed along the course and at the finish line
Muscle Milk Light and food at the finish line
A race-specific ZOOMA Chicago medal with detachable necklace for half marathon finishers and a 10K medal for 10K finisher
Access to special room rates and free start/finish line transportation at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel

2. Don’t forget to also register for the Fort2Base race taking place on Sunday, August 24th. What are you waiting for? Register today. Make sure to use discount code 2014F2BARROYO10 for a 10% off either distance. I ran this race last year and loved it.

FREE downloadable photos
Great course
One of a kind finisher’s medals
Medal engraving at the post-race party
Men’s and women’s tech shirts
Four days of packet pickup in Chicago, the suburbs and on race day
Great family friendly post-race party with music and kids entertainment

3. Marathon training is here and I need to be ready with gels, sports drinks, and recovery drinks. I’ve been using Hammer Nutrition for a couple of months and like their products a lot. They’re free of artificial ingredients, refined sugar, and excess salt/citric acid. Plus, they taste good, don’t leave a nasty aftertaste, and don’t give me a stomach ache. So what’s not to like? So far my favorites are:

HEED Sports Drink in Melon
Recoverite in Chocolate
Hammer Gel in Chocolate

Can you tell I like chocolate? Now they need to make a chocolate flavor sports drink.

There are many other great products offered by Hammer Nutrition so make sure to check out their page. Use code 228361 when ordering and take 15% off your first order.

Disclaimer: I am not an ambassador nor sponsored by Hammer Nutrition. However, I just like their products and am part of their VIP Program.