Zenaida Arroyo

26
Nov
2019

Tuesday Topics: Why I am thankful for running

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! Also, thanks to everyone that entered my birthday giveaway. The winner is: Marcia Kadens.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Tell us why you’re thankful for running? You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

Tuesday Topics-19.jpg

Thanksgiving is around the corner. I am not one to “just” be thankful on that day. I like to be thankful every single day for everything that I have. After my mom’s stroke in March, I am even more thankful for so many things.

√ I am thankful that it was a mild stroke. She was in 3 different places (hospital and rehab) and came home on May 5th.

√ I am thankful that she is comes home with me on the weekends (she lives with my younger sister) and we get to watch TV and spend time together.

√ I am thankful for the stories she tells me of when she lived in Mexico. Life wasn’t easy but she did the best she could. My dad was living in the US and my mom was in Mexico. There were times in which she was here working while the kids were in Mexico being taken care of by family members or a neighbor.

√ I am thankful for the sacrifices she and my dad made to give us a better life. We emigrated to Chicago in 1978. I was 5 years old and I still remember that day. It was July 4th and I remember seeing the Sears Tower.

√ I am thankful she didn’t give up after my dad died. At 47 years old she became a widow with 7 kids. I am 47 years old. I put myself in her shoes and I haven’t done 1/4 of the stuff she had already done when she was 47.

I know I went a little off topic so now let me talk about why I am thankful for running. 🙂 Running is my ME time. Running helps me cope with the challenges life brings me. Things are so much better with my mother, but still it is tough being an adult. Haha, I think we can all relate to that. Work stresses me out and I am constantly looking for ways to help my students. While I run I am in my zone, staring ahead while listening to music. Sometimes I think about the different things that need to be done once I get to work.

And last but not least, I am thankful for this blog, this linkup and ALL OF YOU. I love the support and encouragement I get from my virtual friends. Some of you I’ve met and if I haven’t, I hope I get to meet you soon. With each post I get inspired and I smile. We never judge. It makes me happy to read and see how we lift and encourage one another whether it is from dealing with an injury or from being nervous with running a marathon or another race. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

24
Nov
2019

Weekly Run Down: A new running coach and another trip around the sun

categories: DWTraining, Running, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

Weekly Mileage-35.jpg

Thank you to everyone that commented about the blog Facebook page. I decided to just post running stuff on that page. I may post a few things on my personal page about some of my running adventures, like my 50 states goal, but that’s it. 🙂

This week was my first week training with DWRunning. Last week I filled out a questionnaire and then had a conference call with my coach, Dan. We talked about my goals and expectations, injuries, schedule, etc. I told him that I would like to complete my 50 states goal and to PR in the various distances. Maybe not all in one year but at least a few of them.

So far my first week went well. Something very new to me is doing dynamic warm ups before each run. As you know, I never do any kind of warmup but now I have to. 🙂 I also have a flexibility & mobility workout and a strength workout after each run. Again, something new to me. I’ve been able to do the warm ups but then run out of time for the other workouts. I was told that maybe I can do one during my lunch break and then the other one in the evening. Regardless, they’re all important for my training and they have to be done.

These are the dynamic warm ups I need to do:
⇒ Joint circles
⇒ A Walks & B Walks
⇒ A Skips & B Skips
⇒ Lunge Matrix
⇒ Monster Walks

Monday was 2 miles at an “easy” pace. Did that then went to the doctor for a breast bilateral ultrasound. I got a mammogram back in September and because I have very dense breast, it was recommended that I go for an ultrasound. I had to wait and make sure my insurance would pay for it (they would) and then I had to wait a few weeks for availability. The test was about 45 minutes and the technician was very nice and she made me feel very comfortable. I already got my results and it is all good.

Tuesday was movie night at school. We showed “The Lion King”. We had a lot of family show up but I was disappointed with how many people were talking. Also, there were kids running around. I mean, is that what they do in the movie theatres?

Wednesday morning was my birthday run. I ran 4.7 miles. So much fun doing this. I think I started doing this about 3 or 4 years ago?

My 2nd grade team ordered lunch and got me a birthday cake. They also gave me gift cards from Amazon and Starbucks. My students made cards for me too. It was a great birthday!

Birthday cards from students-1.jpg

Lola was shy but I did get a “kiss” from Mateo.

Friday was 2 miles and Saturday was 5 miles. I am testing a new pair of Turtle Gloves and so far I like them. They’re a little big but they keep my hands warm. I will have a review sometime next month.

I had a great week with it being my birthday and some great runs. I am very excited about this opportunity with a new coach. I already have my plan for this coming week and I know I will be running 4 days for a total of 16 miles. Now I need to figure out how and when to do the other required workouts. 🙂

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

Weekly Run Down.jpg

21
Nov
2019

Random Thoughts Thursday 99

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

• I am at this point right now. I’ve had a rough few days with my students. I cannot wait till Thanksgiving Break next week. I will be at work for 2 days and then home the rest of the week. My mom will also be home with us so I am excited about it.

• I was not selected for the NYC Half Marathon. I am kind of bummed about it. I know things happen for a reason so I am trying to be positive about it. Maybe I will be selected for the NYC Marathon? 🙂

NYC Half Marathon-3.jpg

• Anyone have the BURST Sonic Toothbrush? I am tempted to get one for me. It has charcoal bristles to remove stains, 33,000 sonic vibrations per minute, and a 2 minute timer. There is also a subscription plan where you get a replacement head every 3 months for $7. Pretty good, huh?

• Has anyone seen the new “Harriet Tubman” movie? Looks good!

• My birthday was yesterday and I have a giveaway going on right now. Have you entered? Check out this post to enter to win a $47 gift card.

Happy Birthday Giveaway

19
Nov
2019

Tuesday Topics: My Winter weather running tips and a birthday giveaway!

categories: Giveaway, Tuesday Topics

Kim and I want to thank everyone again for linking up with us every week! We love reading your posts and comments. We love learning more about you and from you with each post. We may not respond right away (I finished reading Tuesday’s posts on Saturday and replied to comments on Sunday), but life happens and adulting is hard. 🙂

This week’s Tuesday Topic: What are your Winter weather running tips? You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

Tuesday Topics-18.jpg

I will start off by mentioning that Wendy wrote a GREAT post on this topic. Read hers first. 🙂

It is not officially winter yet but last week we got snow and the weather dropped down to freezing cold. I ran one day and did not want to venture out the other days mostly because of the ice. Yes, I could have run at the gym but the thought of running on the treadmill, left me with NO desire to run at all. It is so weird how one summer I did almost all of my runs on the treadmill.

I know Winter will be officially here in a few weeks and I want to share some of my tips for Winter weather running:

• Layering with the right clothes. All of my running clothes are from Oiselle. Depending on how cold it is, I wear a short sleeve or tank followed by a long sleeve shirt and a jacket. I also love the wazzie wool top. Don’t overdress because even though you feel cold in the beginning, eventually you will warm up.

• The right gear. Definitely a hat and gloves (I like Super Puff Mittens and Power On Gloves). I also wear a gaiter to protect me from the wind.

• Hydrate. Just because it is cold does not mean you should not be drinking water while out on a run. <<That’s what I used to think. You can still dehydrate just like you would in the summer.

• Warm up. I wrote in this post that I never do any kind of warm up. I started working with a new coach and he told me I have to warm up before every single run. Now, I really have no choice. 🙂 Today I did a few dynamic workouts and I was hot before I went outside.

• If it is really cold out and/or icy, then run indoors. It isn’t worth falling (that is my fear). But if you “must”, then listen to your body and go indoors or home if needed.

• Skip the run. There is nothing wrong with staying home to catch up on a TV show or read a book. Maybe even take a nap?

Happy Birthday Giveaway.jpg

Now let’s talk about the giveaway. My birthday is tomorrow. There will be one prize for a $47 gift card to one of the following online stores: Zappos, Dunkin’ Donuts, Running Warehouse, Amazon, or Starbucks.

Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. This giveaway will run until November 26 at 11:59 pm. The winner will be selected on November 27th. The giveaway is open to US residents only. All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected. GOOD LUCK!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

17
Nov
2019

Weekly Run Down: 3 day work week and snow

categories: Running, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

Weekly Mileage-34.jpg

It was a cold week with snow and ice but I am happy that it will warm up this week! I ran twice this week compared to 5 last week. I hate running in the snow and I didn’t feel like going to the gym to run on the treadmill.

I know many of you have a separate Facebook page for running. Whatever you post on said page, do you repost /share it on your personal page? I am finally using my running page (The Running Teacher) and post here and there but am wondering if I should also repost/share on my personal page since I know not everyone follows The Running Teacher. I hope that made sense! 🙂

I knew snow was in the forecast but I was in denial. Monday morning I woke up and saw the snow. I still went out to run and did not make it far. The snow was coming down fast and it was hard to see. I ran 2.85 miles which I am surprised I made it that far.

I was supposed to be off that day but ended up going to work. Well, not exactly work because it was an Institute Day. We spent a few hours learning about Standard-Based Grading. So boring. Plus, we’ve been hearing about it for about 3-4 years so I am not sure when we will start implementing it. Waste of time.

Tuesday was parent/teacher conferences and was pleased that 12 out of 16 parents showed up. One of my coworkers had all 19 parents show up! I’ve never had all parents show up on parent/teacher conference. It was cold that day and even I did not want to go.

I went to IHOP for breakfast on Tuesday morning and this was the parking lot. Ugh!

My sister likes to complain that it is cold in San Antonio. Haha! We want 40 degrees in December.

Chicago and San Antonio-1.jpg

The rest of the week went by fast. Well, I only worked for 3 days. Kids were fine Wednesday and Thursday but by Friday it was downhill. I was so angry at the end of the day. Not only do my kids talk a lot but sometimes they don’t want to do the most simple thing. We are reading “Tia Isa Wants a Car” in Spanish. They have a hard time understanding that book and I end up explaining EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE. Huh? The book is in Spanish. Why is it hard to understand? I asked a question and they are supposed to provide evidence and they don’t even want to look in their book. Same thing in Math. I asked them to work on a problem in their book and most just stared at me or the wall. They didn’t even write the equation in their book and I wrote it on the board!!!!

I left Friday feeling like failure. What am I doing wrong? Is it me? What more can I do?

Failure and life goes on.jpg

Saturning morning was “warmer” and it felt good being out there.

My cats getting along. This photo makes me happy. 🙂

Lola and Mateo-1.jpg

My birthday is on Wednesday. Make sure to join Kim and me for our Weekly Topics Linkup to learn about “What are your Winter weather running tips?” Plus, I will have a giveaway in honor of my birthday. Don’t miss it!

Happy Birthday Giveaway

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

Weekly Run Down.jpg