Zenaida Arroyo

As mentioned in this post, I’m attempting to get my own BQ.  I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day.  I am not sure when I will qualify but am determined to get there.

Week #9, May 22-27

M Did not run
T Ran 5.95 Miles (5×1000)
W OFF
TH Did not run
F Did not run
S Ran 10.12 Miles
S Did not run

I took it easy this week.  I am moving classrooms (same grade but now will be on the 1st floor instead of 2nd floor) so I need to pack up all of my stuff.  I’ve been in the same room for 3 years and have so much stuff.  I did have a few moms help me pack but still have so much more to pack.

Tuesday’s run went very well.  I went to the gym for this run.  Goal for each interval was between 6:15-6:31 and I managed to do them in those times.  However, during my last interval I accidentally hit the lap button (did not realize till I was done) and only ran .22 miles.  I remember that when my watch vibrated to signal the end of the interval, I thought it was weird because I felt like it has just vibrated.

On Thursday I stayed at school till 6pm packing and moving boxes and had zero energy to run.  

Friday was a trip to the zoo.  The weather was perfect.  The kids had fun but I was TIRED.  We were supposed to leave the zoo at 1pm but by 12:30 the kids were also tired and we headed back to the front to meet the rest of the groups and wait for the bus.  I walked over 12,000 steps while at the zoo.

Saturday was the Soldier Field 10 Mile Race.  It is one of my favorite races in Chicago.  I felt great for 6 miles and then my legs were very tired.  I was happy that breathing-wise and energy-wise I was feeling really good but the legs were not happy.

In the morning I had coffee with a Clif Bar.  About 45 minutes before the race I had one serving of UCAN with water.  I have not used this in a long time and am excited to used it for my training.  I did struggle towards the end of the race but don’t know if it was because of the heat, that I was tired, or because I needed more fuel. << I only drank water on the course but with less than 2 miles to go I did have Nuun (because #nuunlife) that was offered on the course.  Overall, I am pleased with my results because my goal was to finish under 2 hours.  

Total mileage for the week: 16.07 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  204.67 miles
Total mileage for the year: 256.88 miles

As mentioned in this post, I’m attempting to get my own BQ.  I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day.  I am not sure when I will qualify but am determined to get there.

Week #7, May 8-14

M Ran 4.02 Miles
T Ran 7.02 Miles (8 x 600)
W OFF
TH Ran 7.02 Miles
F Ran 4.02 Miles
S Ran 6.02 Miles
S Ran 10.02 Miles

Monday run was faster than I was supposed to.  My easy runs are supposed to be between 12:57-13:57. As you can see below, each mile was completed under 12 minutes.

Tuesday was at the track for 8×600 with 1 mile warmup and cool down and 400m recovery after each 400.  Total was 7.02 miles.  It wasn’t easy.  Goal for each interval was between 3:45-3:54.  A few were done faster which I am surprised but at the same time happy about it.

Thursday’s tempo run did not go as I wanted to but it was better than last week.  I actually did run the 5 tempo miles but unfortunately slower than tempo pace (11:27).  I was frustrated because at one point not only was I able to run that pace (and felt comfortable) but last year during marathon training I was running tempo miles in the 9s.  

Friday’s run was 4 miles at an easy pace.  I was tired.  It was nice and sunny but still windy which I did not like.

Saturday’s run was hot.  I waited till about 10 and underestimated how hot it was going to be.  I did not wear a hat and did not take any water.  Big mistake.  I was very thirsty and stopped at a gym to get some water.  I wore a new Oiselle top that pretty much kept me dry. <<See picture below – only two wet spots in the boob area.

Sunday’s run was my longest – 10 miles @11:57-13:27 pace.  I did hit those paces (slowest was 13:07 and fastest was 11:30).  I have a race (10 miles) in two weeks and it is making me wonder how I can run the miles at a faster pace.  I know I probably won’t PR (1:41:56) but I would like to finish under 2 hours.

Total mileage for the week: 38.12 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  157.89 miles
Total mileage for the year: 206.08 miles

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the AMAZING MOMS out there!  You are seriously all beautiful!!

As mentioned in this post, I’m attempting to get my own BQ.  I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day.  I am not sure when I will qualify but am determined to get there.

I won’t bore you with recapping every single run during weeks 1-5.  Instead, I’ll write about the most interesting runs or just give you a short and sweet weekly recap.

Week #1, March 27-April 2

First week of training.  For weeks 1-5, all of my runs were at an easy pace (12:57-13:57).  This is the pace for a 5:00 marathon finish time.

M OFF
T OFF
W Ran 3.02 Miles
TH OFF 
F OFF
S Ran 3.02 Miles
S Ran 5.18 Miles at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle

I ran my fastest mile of 12:18 on Saturday.  I need to remember to run my easy runs at a slower place.  

On Sunday I ran the Bank of American Shamrock Shuffle and was pleased with my time.  It was my first race of the year.  I wanted to enjoy and finish the race since I hadn’t been doing a whole lot of running since my injury.  Secretly my goal was to finish under an hour.  Done in 56:26.

Total mileage for the week: 11.22 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  11.22 miles
Total mileage for the year: 59.41 miles

Week #2, April 3-9

M OFF
T Ran 2.02 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 3.02 Miles
F Ran 3.02 Miles
S Ran 3.02 Miles
S Ran 4.02 Miles

Another great week of running.  Ran with my nephew on Saturday and Sunday and it made me happy.

Total mileage for the week: 15.11 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  26.33 miles
Total mileage for the year: 74.51 miles

Week #3, April 10-16

M OFF
T Ran 4.02 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 4.02 Miles
F Ran 4.02 Miles
S Ran 4.02 Miles
S Ran 5.03 Miles

Spring Break!  Pleased that I did all of my runs.  On Monday I went to see a friend.  She lives almost 45 minutes from me and I made sure to stay there pretty much all day.  We did some errands, talked, and ate.  

On Thursday and Friday I went to two breweries, Lagunitas Brewing Company and 5 Rabbit Cerveceria.

Got some new shoes, Brooks Pure Flow 6, and wore them on Saturday.  They’re light and feel soft.  Love them!

Total mileage for the week: 21.10 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  47.43 miles
Total mileage for the year: 95.62 miles

Week #4, April 17-23

M OFF
T Ran 5.02 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 3.02 Miles
F Ran 5.02 Miles
S Ran 5.02 Miles
S Ran 3.63 Miles

I watched the Boston Marathon on Monday.  I was rooting for Desi to win but overall she did great.  It wasn’t easy going back to work on Tuesday but fortunately it was a 4-day workweek.

On Wednesday I went to see “Boston: The Documentary”.  Did you watch it?  I thought it was a great movie and would love to see it again.  I enjoyed listening to the history of the marathon and the Boston Marathon.  Plus, it was great seeing Meb winning the 2014 Boston Marathon.  Of course, it got me excited for one day I hope to run it too.

I fell during my run on Sunday.  There was a piece of wire on the sidewalk which I did not see and I tripped and fell.  Luckily I used my hands to break the fall but still scraped my chin, knee, and hand.  I am feeling better but it definitely freaked me out.