Zenaida Arroyo

16
Feb
2016

Race shirts: Favorites and the ones we love to hate

categories: Race all 50 states, Rock 'n' Roll Race, RunDisney, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

I will confess that I rarely keep any of my race shirts. The year I ran 14 RnR half marathons, I got 14 shirts but did not keep any of them. They were all nice shirts (Brooks) but really what was I supposed to do with 14 shirts? There has been one or two races in which I had the option of not receiving the race shirt in exchange for a few dollars off my registration fee.

However, I have kept a couple of them mainly because of the materials and the color/cut.

Route 66 Half Marathon

2. Princeton Half Marathon >>My favorite one.

3. Des Moines Half Marathon

I like the shirts from the Bank of America races (Nike brand) but do not keep them either. Not sure why since I do like the cut. But I prefer the finisher’s shirt I bought at the outlet store. It was about $16 three weeks after the marathon.

The “ugliest” looking shirt is this one. I mean, seriously?

I did keep my Run Disney long sleeve shirts but only because I wear them at night when I go to sleep. That extra layer keeps me warm throughout the cold Chicago winters.

I know some runners have had quilts made from their race shirts and I kind of regret not saving mine. Seeing hers made me want to have one for me so you bet I will start saving my shirts. Pretty cool right? This one is from Kimberly who blogs at KookyRunner.

Do you keep your race shirts? For you or to make a quilt as well?

09
Feb
2016

Scenes from my run

categories: Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

I usually run in three different locations: treadmill, along the lakefront, and by my house. I enjoy the variety and definitely do not get bored. Once in awhile I may venture out to a forest preserve. Here are some views from my run. I will never, never get tired of the lakefront view.

Not running related but just because. 🙂

02
Feb
2016

Spring Race Plans

categories: Race all 50 states, Rock 'n' Roll Race, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

I am very excited about my upcoming Spring races! I know it isn’t in the Spring season but my first race this year is RnR NOLA on February 28th. I did the marathon in 2013 and am excited to go back for another race. My two sisters and nephew are also going so it should be fun!!

Next on my calendar is the Live Grit 10 Miler. I’ve done this race a couple times but I think last year was the worst one. The weather started off perfect but then throughout the race it must have dropped about 20 degrees and was windy. You bet I was cold. On the good side, I got a chance to meet Wendy and Marcia. The race course is along the lakefront but on the north side which I enjoy because I normally run on the south side and like the change of scenery. Hopefully the weather cooperates this year. Love the medal too.

Next is the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K. This is one of my favorite races. I love the distance and the location. The start and finish line are the same as the Chicago Marathon. I managed to get a PR in 2014 but missed it in 2015 and you bet I am aiming for one this year. Check out the medal. Pretty cool huh?

I have a few half marathons in various states that are still in the works. For sure I am going to Michigan for the Bayshore Half Marathon (May 28) and West Virginia for the Harpers Ferry Half Marathon (May 14). I am working on logistics for the Garmin Half Marathon on April 16. That’s three states. My goal is to run in at least 5 different states this year. I’m not sure about the Run for the Zoo Half Marathon in NM on May 1 because that will be 3 half marathons in one month. I know it is doable. I am just worried about how my body will respond to it.

I may register for a 5k and/or 10K since I have not done one in years. The Run to Remember 5K in May is a great one but always gets so crowded. I’ve been wanting to run both The Good Life Race 5K and the Ravenswood Run 5K and a few running friends have said good things about both races. I have not made up my mind about the Illinois Marathon Relay also in April. We had a good time (even if it rained throughout the whole race) and it looks like this year more of my friends also want to run the relay.

Summer and fall races is a whole different story. I will leave that for another post.

This is how I feel.

Any fun races for you?

19
Jan
2016

Garmin Marathon (or Half) FREE Entry Giveaway – Let’s go to the Land of Oz!!

categories: Giveaway, Race all 50 states, Running

“Follow the yellow brick road, follow the yellow brick road
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the yellow-brick road
Follow the yellow-brick, follow the yellow-brick
Follow the yellow-brick road”

How many of you grew up singing the lyrics to that song? I started off late and didn’t see the movie till about 6 years ago when I showed it to my 1st graders. We also read a kid’s version of the book which we all enjoyed. However, I do remember seeing the play when I was in grade school but have no clue why I did not see the movie.

Anyway, did you know that there are several races (marathon, full marathon, 10k and Kids Run) sponsored by Garmin in Olathe (O-Lay-th), KS on April 16, 2016? Who wants to go? For all of you Wizard of Oz fans and/or Garmin fans, this is a MUST run event. Also, if you are like me and want to run a race in each state, then this is another reason to take a trip to “The Land of Oz”. In addition, if you’re a Marathon Maniacs or Half Fanatics member, there will be an all new Maniac Corner with an indoor VIP area with private restrooms and FREE post race food. If you’ve run the William Route 66 Marathon/Half Marathon, then you know it is a memorable experience for all runners.

The new 2016 race course includes small rolling hills, commercial development areas, residential streets and paved suburban running trail. Love the variety! The races will also feature a new 2016 start and finish near the recently opened Embassy Suites Hotel and Olathe Conference Center, located at Kansas Highway 10 and Ridgeview Road. Hotel rooms are filling up quickly so make sure to make your reservation at either the Embassy Suites Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, or Holiday Inn Express.

“The Emerald City Finish Line Festival” will also take place there where you’ll find many wonderful freebies for runners including bananas, chocolate milk, granola, post race meal, beer, adjustments, massage, yoga stretching & live music.

Check out the sweet bling! Two of my friends, Elizabeth and Kim, ran this race two years ago. Make sure to check out their recaps.

The Garmin Marathon has graciously decided to give away ONE entry to either the marathon or half marathon. To enter, click on the image below where you will be directed to Gleam and enter several different ways such as leaving a blog post comment; following me, Garmin Marathon, and Garmin on Instagram, visiting the Garmin Marathon Facebook page, or tweeting about the giveaway. For the winner, I will also send you a package with some running essentials which includes a pair of Lock Laces and 2 bottles of Nuun Active tablets (I have several flavors in stock).

This giveaway will run for seven days. The winner will be selected on the eighth day. This one will run through January 26th at 11:59pm. The giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with their Gleam account and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: If you have already registered for the 2016 Garmin Marathon Full, Half or 10K; and you win the Gleam raffle; you will not be allowed a refund; however, you would be allowed to accept the prize for a friend.

06
Jan
2016

Day 5 of 5 Days of Zenaida’s Giveaways

categories: Giveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by for the fifth and FINAL day of my giveaway! None of these items are sponsored by the companies but instead is stuff I had at the house or purchased with my own money.

Today is the FINAL giveaway, but make sure you’ve entered all of the active giveaways. I would hate for you to miss out. Also, some of the entries are available daily (i.e. tweeting about the specific giveaway and commenting on an Instagram post), so if it is an item you really want to win, I’d recommend entering as many times as possible.

Day 5 – Hammer Nutrition Pack and $10 Gift Card from Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts

I hope you like coffee! I LOVE it. I am a big fan of iced coffee from both Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. Today is YOUR lucky day because this last giveaway includes a $10 gift card from one of my favorite coffee places (Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts). You pick the place. The pack also includes a Halo II Headband along with 4 tubes of Endurolytes Fizz (grapefruit, lemon-lime, mango, and grape). Benefits of the tablets are:

Superior cramp prevention
Full-spectrum, balanced formula
Convenient, rapidly dissolving effervescent tablets
Deliciously refreshing flavors
No refined sugars or artificial sweeteners
Free of undesirable manufacturing lubricants

Source: https://www.hammernutrition.com

Below is a video going into detail about the headband.

To enter, click on the image below where you will be directed to Gleam and enter several different ways such as leaving a blog post comment, following me on Instagram, commenting on any of my Instagram posts, visiting the Hammer Nutrition Facebook page, or tweeting about the giveaway. Happy New Year to you so I’ve included an extra entry for you.

As with all of these giveaways, they will run for seven days. The winner will be selected on the eighth day. This one will run through January 13th at 11:59pm. The giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with their Gleam account and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.

Best of luck to everyone who enters!