Zenaida Arroyo

14
Nov
2019

Random Thoughts Thursday 98

Random Thoughts Thursday

• Anyone excited to see the new “Frozen” movie? I loved the first one and the second one will be interesting. Another movie I am excited about is “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”. As a kid I remember watching the show and remember when he took his shoes off and then did something with his sweater.

• These memes are HILARIOUS. I am loving all of them and laugh at each one.

• We got more snow on Monday. Honestly, I don’t mind too much the snow or cold weather. What I really, really hate is the ice. Next week it will be in the high 40s so I am happy to know the ice will melt.

• On Tuesday we had parent/teacher conferences. Conferences went from 11:30am-3:30 pm and then again from 5:30-7pm. All but 4 parents showed up. I am actually surprised that many showed up since it was very cold that day. Most of them went well but I had to bite my tongue with one set of parents because they refuse to acknowledge that their son needs more help than I can give him.

• Just another photo of my little guy. I love him so much and am excited when I get home. I wonder if Lola, my other cat, feels like I neglect her. I don’t. Mateo is very dramatic and craves attention. He likes to sit on top of the radiator to stay warm.

Mateo-7

12
Nov
2019

Tuesday Topics: How I warm up before a run

categories: Tuesday Topics

Brrr, it is cold here. I am not liking the snow nor the weather. Yesterday I went out for a run in the snow and had to cut it short because it was just too much. Winter isn’t here yet (though it feels like it), but I already want warmer weather.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: How I warm up before a run? 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!

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Even though I know I should be doing it more, I only warm up when I remember or when I have time. However, I do warm up with a cup of coffee. I never leave the house without first drinking a cup. I know, I know, that is not the kind of warm this week’s topic is about. 🙂

Benefits of warm up include:
• Raises your body temperature. Dynamic warm-up exercises raise your body temperature by heating up your muscles.
• Enhances muscle performance.
• Boosts heart function.
• Improves the load distribution in your joints.
• Prevents injuries.

Source: https://www.runtastic.com/blog/en/how-warming-up-improves-your-race-performance/

While I don’t always warm up, I do stretch my calves and quads (static stretching). That’s it. However, I read that there is no evidence that static stretching is actually beneficial. Also, stretching cold muscles isn’t a good idea either which is what I’ve been doing. I am actually doing everything wrong!

What is actually recommended to do before a run is walking briskly, marching, jogging slowly, or cycling on a stationary bike. Then do dynamic stretches/exercises such as walking lunges, jumping jacks, or opposite toe touches. I remember when I was a CES pacer, we had to do dynamic stretches before our run. So why is it that I cannot continue to do them now?

Do you warm up before heading out for a run? What do you do? Thoughts from running coaches?

10
Nov
2019

Weekly Run Down: Cold weather and a good week of running

categories: Brooks Running, Oiselle, Running, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

Weekly Mileage-33.jpg

Hello there! It is cold here and I am not ready for it. Well despite the weather, I made it outside for 5 runs. I am excited because I will be running/training with DWRunning this month. Plus, I have a half marathon next month so I had to stop being lazy and run. 🙂

I received a new pair of Oiselle tights. They’re reflective and I love them! For sure car drivers can see me.

Most of my runs usually end with a “0” at the end. On Tuesday morning just when I was almost done with my run, I was about to turn into my street when I saw a van also turn and park on the street. Coincidence? I don’t know and I didn’t wait to find out. I kept running to the next street (one block east) and then another block to head home. During the day it wouldn’t have bothered me but it was still dark and it did freak me out a little.

Check out Mateo’s tie. Doesn’t he look handsome?

I saw Deborah’s new shoes on Instagram and knew I had to get them too. Aren’t they gorgeous?

Saturday morning was sunny but also cold and windy. My goal was to run 1 hour. The plan was to run for 30 minutes and then turn around to head back home. Then I decided to run 2 miles, run to the next major street and then head back home. I wasn’t looking at pace nor distance but figured it would be around 5 miles or so. I got home and saved my run without looking at how far or how long I had run. Ha, I ran 4.97 miles. Did it bother me? Not really. It used to before but not anymore.

Sunday morning wasn’t too cold. It was in the high 30s and it felt good being out there. I ran 3 miles since I had to be back home in time to shower, get ready, and meet some friends for breakfast at 9am.

Overall, it was a good week for me. I am pleased with my 5 days of running. I did take one Peloton class on Thursday. It was fun biking through France!

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

Weekly Run Down.jpg

07
Nov
2019

Random Thoughts Thursday 97

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

• Sometimes it is hard to be positive. But no matter what is going on in my life, I am grateful for everything I have.

• I remember the first time I watched “Coco”. I cried. I will never get tired of that movie. It was the perfect movie to watch on Saturday (the last day of Day of the Dead).

• While watching the NYC Marathon, I entered the early drawing for the 2020 marathon. I was not picked. That’s OK because my entry is entered in the general lottery and will find out in February if I get picked. Cross your fingers for me!

• I like Christmas music but I think it is too early for radio stations to play it on the radio. A radio station in Chicago started playing it on Tuesday. Oh, and they play it all day long.

Christamas music on radio.jpg

• I have parent/teacher conferences on Tuesday. Not sure who will want this more. Teachers or parents? 🙂

05
Nov
2019

Tuesday Topics: How I budget for races

categories: Tuesday Topics

Happy November! Did anyone watch the NYC Marathon on Sunday? Wow, what a race! For sure I thought Desi was going to win since she had a lead halfway through the race. Joyciline Jepkosgei definitely surprised everyone! Watching the race inspired me to enter the early drawing for the NYC Marathon. 🙂

2019 NYC Marathon TV-4

This week’s Tuesday Topic: How do you budget for races? 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-16.jpg

Signing up for races is expensive. Add in travel and airline cost and it gets even more expensive. You also need to pay for food and additional travel cost. I’ve run a total of 167 races. I would say maybe 10 or so have been free but the rest I have paid for on my own.

Next year I am planning to run the Kona Half Marathon and 7 additional half marathons in different states. I would also like to run the MCM or NYC Marathon. I know those trips won’t be cheap. For now I am saving money using the $5 Savings Challenge. I save every $5 bill that I get. I rarely carry cash but use cash when I buy tamales. 🙂 I began saving money using this method in March 2018. At first I was saving it for lasik eye surgery. Not that important anymore. I can wear my glasses. 🙂 I don’t know how much money I have but I plan to find out when I start making hotel arrangements.

I know I won’t have enough to pay for it. Plan B is to use my credit card. I know it isn’t really the best option but I don’t have any other choice. I am very good about paying my bills on time. Also, I like the credit card I have (from Chase) because I get cash back every month. Then I use that money to make a payment on my card. I just realized that I could have transferred that money to a savings account and used it towards my traveling/race costs. 🙂

Running is definitely not a cheap hobby but I still love it. Let’s not forget that we still need to buy running shoes, clothes, socks, and additional gear.

Also, I remember when I would sign up for almost every race. Not no more. Now I am picky about the races I run. There are a few I like to run every year and those are the ones I sign up for in advance to get the early registration fee.

runalltheraces

Have you run the Kona Half Marathon? Have you traveled to Hawaii? My race will be at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Kohala Coast so I am looking for a good and inexpensive place to stay.