Zenaida Arroyo

20
Aug
2017

Dry scalp, race discounts, and classroom setup.

categories: Ambassador, BibRave Pro, Running, Weekly Recap

I hope the term “dry scalp” didn’t make you cringe. I’ve suffered from it for years. I think part of it is my fault. I finally wised up and am not having problems with it anymore.

I was one of those people that would wash my hair EVERY SINGLE DAY. Yep, winter, spring, summer, and fall. I know, definitely not good. I used various shampoos to help relieve the itchiness and dryness but nothing helped. Someone suggested Yes to Naturals Tea Tree & Sage Oil Scalp Relief Shampoo and Conditioner and to stop washing it everyday. What? But I sweat a lot and run a lot. How can I not wash my hair? That is just GROSS!! I decided to wash my hair every other day and to just rinse my hair on the days that I don’t wash it. It’s been about 3 weeks and my scalp feels so much better.

Check out my new discounts page HERE. There are a few Rock ‘n’ Roll coming up so make sure to use code “BIBRAVE15″ to save $15 off your race entry. Want to run a Hot Chocolate race? There are also quite a few of them in various cities. When you sign up you can get a BONUS Hot Chocolate branded cap. But each city has a different code so make sure to check out my discounts page.

My room is almost done. I went back to set it up Monday-Wednesday. I had a meeting on Tuesday so could only set up for a few hours. I decided that I would finish as much as I could by Wednesday because I didn’t want to go again till Monday. I still have a few more things to do but will get it done when I go back.

Can you tell that I like pens and Ticonderoga pencils. If you have kids in school, buy those pencils for them.

I also managed to run a couple of days. Monday afternoon I came home tired and took a nap. Then I debated on whether to run or not. Glad I did! I wore my new Oiselle reflective top. For sure drivers saw me on the street!

I ran Thursday, Saturday and Sunday again on the lakefront. Total mileage for this week is 18.06.

It feels good not to have a specific running plan to follow. I have two races in September that I am excited about: Run Mag Mile on September 9 and Chicago Half Marathon/5K on September 24. Check out the sweet swag for these races!

2017 Chicago Half and 5K 1 — Source: http://www.chicagohalfmarathon.com/

Tomorrow is back to work. Summer break is definitely over. 🙂

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s host is Madhuri @ Ponder ‘N’ Wonder. Please stop by her blog and show her some love!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

13
Aug
2017

Burpees challenge, a peek in my room, and some running.

categories: Running, Weekly Recap

I don’t like burpees. Who does?

Still, my nephew and I decided to do a burpees challenge. I like the fact that he is enjoying doing something with me. He will be 15 years old in a few weeks and I cherish whatever moment he wants to spend with me. Today, Sunday, will be day 7 which means 25 burpees. I can do 5 in a row and then I start to get tired. It does get easier, right?

On Thursday and Friday mornings I went to my school to check out my room. Thursday was the first day that the teachers could start setting up their room. I went for about 45 minutes because I had to leave. I am part of another committee and was meeting that week from 8:30 am-3:00 pm. I didn’t go on Monday but did go Tuesday-Friday. Exhausting work but also rewarding.

I will be going back on Monday to start and finish setting up my room. My goal is to have it ready by Monday, August 21, but if I don’t have it done then for sure by Wednesday, August 23. <<First day of school for the kids.

It feels overwhelming because I have so many boxes.

As mentioned last week, I am no longer training for a marathon so I haven’t been running much.

On Saturday I went running but with no specific goal. I just wanted to run as fast and as slow as I could. I ran 2 miles then saw some friends heading back to Fleet Feet and ended up running back with them. Total 4.02 miles.

I did the same thing on Sunday. Total 5.02 miles. Total for the week is 9.02 miles.

Thanks to Facebook for reminding me of my love for the Brooks Launch (from 2015).

And another reminder of my first half marathon in 2006.

The Lion King is my favorite Disney movie. I’ve watched it various time and have also seen the musical version, maybe 3 times? I saw that the movie was again at the theater so yesterday I went with my nephews and niece. Actually it was a sing-a-long so my niece and I were singing some of the songs. Love it!

What is your favorite Disney movie? Want to do the burpees challenge too?

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s host is Michelle @ Running With Attitude. Please stop by her blog and show her some love!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

11
Aug
2017

The Great Alaskan Running Cruise: Vancouver, Canada

categories: Adventure, Fun, Running, Travel

You can read about my last day at sea HERE.

We woke up in Vancouver. Our last stop. We got our last cup of coffee using our coffee card. <<If you like coffee as much as I do, I suggest you get this card. The coffee on the ship is NOT good. With this card you get 15 different coffees (americano, latte, cappuccino, hot chocolate) throughout the week. Definitely best purchase ever!

I’ve never been to Vancouver so I was excited about being there. We were able to get off the ship around 8:30am. Then we took a cab to the hotel. Our room wasn’t ready so we left our luggage and went out to explore.

First we went to Stanley Park.

Then we took a ferry to Granville Island. We did more sightseeing and got something to eat. So many choices to eat at The Public Market but we ended up at a brewery. 🙂

We walked on the Granville Island Bridge to get back to our hotel. We got tired. Once in our room we took a nap.

Have you heard of the Happy Pace Program? If I would have stayed longer in Vancouver, for sure I would have shown up at 7:30 am.

After our nap we went to Gastown. It is Vancouver’s most historic neighborhood with cobblestone walkways.

The following morning I flew back to Chicago. But first another bear picture. I posted this in our private Facebook page and everyone got a kick out of it. Anybody home?

Remember my snafu on my flight from Seattle to Anchorage regarding the app to watch TV shows? Same thing happened. I had access to free movies and TV shows but I needed the United app in order to watch them. And I needed wifi to download the app.

10
Aug
2017

The Great Alaskan Running Cruise: Last Day at Sea

categories: Adventure, Fun, Running, Travel

You can read about my day in Ketchikan HERE.

The next day was a Rise and Shine Run/Walk with Coach Jenny (we skipped it) followed by a Flexibility Session and Ask Coach Jenny Q&A.

The rest of the day we just relaxed on the boat. More gorgeous views! We also packed. Somewhere around 2:30 pm we made it into Canada.

That evening after dinner was a GARC Award Ceremony & Farewell Reception. There were various drinks on hand but we chose champagne.

It a celebration of everyone’s accomplishments!

Then more walking around the boat. Sad that our cruise was almost over and saying goodbye to our home for the week.

Cute painting but I didn’t want to find out the cost.

Love these daily reminders on the elevator. It was easy to forget what day it was.

Very important card. We needed this not only to open our room door but to get off the ship and to get back in. It was like a credit card that anytime you wanted to buy something, you used that card for your purchase.

09
Aug
2017

The Great Alaskan Running Cruise: Ketchikan

categories: Adventure, Fun, Running, Travel

You can read about my day in Icy Strait Point HERE.

Our last race of the running cruise! We had the option of either the 5K or 10K. Meghann and I chose the 5K.

Thank goodness it only rained on our last race day.

Another hot breakfast and pep talk from Jenny.

Amazing views before the race! Happy it had stopped raining.

Final instructions before heading out.

Time to run! The 10k runners went first followed by the 5k runners.

Done! Isn’t that a beautiful medal?

At the finish line there was beer and a “salmon bake” with salmon wraps. I had the beer but no wrap. This race wasn’t timed so there was no “official” winner. However, the two winners were those that drew an ace card from a deck of cards. I did not win.

We didn’t stay too long because we wanted to be on the first bus heading back to the ship to shower and get ready, eat, and be reading for our excursion (Historic Ketchikan Trolley).

Meghann and I could never understood this. I mean I understand the whole custom regulations part, but why coffee?

Anyway, time to explore Ketchikan. It started to rain toward the end of our tour.

We saw Nathan Jackson working on a totem pole.

And we saw a few more totem poles at the Saxman Native Village Totem Pole Park.

That evening after dinner I enjoyed a glass of champagne.