Zenaida Arroyo

24
Apr
2015

Friday Randomness – April 24, 2015

1. The hunt for the “perfect” running shoes is back on. The Asics Cumulus are not working out for me. I went to Fleet Feet to try the Brooks Ghost 7. Oh, they’re so comfortable. I knew I had to get them but could not decide on a color. Yes, I am one that has to pick a cool color. I decided on a pair (see below) but then when I got home I changed my mind so I ordered a different pair. The second pair looks nicer right?

2. I am keeping up (I’ve missed a day or two) with the Kettlebell Swing Challenge but it is getting tough.

3. Tomorrow is the IL Marathon . I am runner number 1 and my leg is 6.7 miles. I met with the rest of my team on Sunday to go over logistics, nail down on what to wear, and just to hang out and talk. I also gave two of them (one of the girls was in CA) a bag with a pepper spray, two Hammer gels, and a packet of Justin’s Hazelnut Butter. We’re all very excited and cannot wait.

4. I love getting pictures/drawings from my students. Translation: Teacher, you are the best teacher I’ve ever had. Sometimes they also give me candy and chocolates.

5. Tuesday afternoon was the deadline for me to register for the Chicago Marathon. Now begins the training before the training for the marathon. 🙂

6. These ads were an eye opener for me. I’ve drank Nuun (I am obsessed with the Kona Kola flavor) but now after seeing the comparison with Hammer Nutrition’s Electrolytes Fizz Tablets, I don’t think I will drink it again.

How are you doing in the Kettlebell Swing Challenge? What do you drink when you run, bike, exercise?

21
Apr
2015

Live Grit 10 Miler

categories: Race Recap, Running

On Saturday I ran my second race of the year. I’ve run this race in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. I was very excited! 10 miles is the longest I’ve run this year.

I picked up my bib Friday after school. Very fast and easy. Nothing fancy. Just a bib and a black long sleeve shirt. Definitely my kind of packet.

Saturday morning came and it was time to run. I got ready, ate, and drove to Montrose Harbor. Luckily I found a spot not too far from the start. I took advantage of the extra time to relax and use the port-a-potties.

Then I met a few bloggers and it was nice to chat with them. Notice the before and after picture. I am the only one without a jacket. I did not check in a bag and clearly I did not need a jacket cause it was almost 60 degrees. Big mistake!

LiveGrit10Miler5 — Before the race. From L to R: Erin, Marcia, Sara, Wendy, me, Emily

LiveGrit10Miler6 — After the race. From L to R: Marcia, Erin, Emily, Sara, Wendy, me. Photo Credit: Emily Seto

Emily and I had decided to run together. The plan was to start at 10 minute miles and then hopefully still have enough gas in the tank and speed it up during the second half.

She is a great runner! I was able to keep up with her for two miles before realizing that the pace was too fast for me. Plus, I got so distracted with several girls talking nonstop behind me and the sound of feet scraping. I wished I had brought my headphones to block out those sounds. I don’t run with my headphones (except on the treadmill) and I like it. But I know I need to learn to tune out the noise/sounds and just focus on the race.

Between mile 2 and 3 is the dreaded Cricket Hill. Oh how I dislike that hill. I walked. No shame.

I was feeling great until the turnaround on Fullerton Avenue (mile 6). That is when it got unbearable with the wind. I was running very slow and took several walking breaks. I was also very cold and had a headache.

Finally I saw the finish line and sprinted to it. No PR but I did get my personal worst for a 10 miles race.

After the race I met up with the same bloggers from before the race. I did not stay longer than 5 minutes before I was COLD. Heck, I couldn’t even enjoy my free beer. Bummer.

Overall, I think it is a great race. Small, nice location, and inexpensive. For sure I plan to run this again next year.

Next race: Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon (Relay Member), April 25.

17
Apr
2015

Friday Randomness – April 17, 2015

categories: Friday Randomness

1. I got my glasses on Tuesday. I can see, I can see!! I got the top ones. My kids are cute. They told me I look beautiful.

2. I had a great run on Saturday morning. But then it wasn’t so great on Monday nor on Tuesday. I told my coach about it and she reminded me that there will be good runs and bad runs. We all have them. It is weird how a pace I was able to run for 15 minutes last week, I could not do 5 minutes this week.

3. I picked up my mother at the airport yesterday. She is like a bird. She travels south to Mexico for the winter and comes back north when it is warm.

Her flight got in at 6:05 pm. An hour later she calls me. Apparently there were so many people waiting to get through immigration and customs and she had no idea how much longer she would have to be there. I am glad she was able to borrow someone’s phone to call me but I wish the airlines would update people about the situation. I was at the airport from 6pm-10pm.

4. The Boston Marathon is on Monday. I am so excited and can’t wait to watch it. It is definitely my goal to one day qualify for it. I have a long way to go but I am determined to work hard to one day run that prestigious race.

5. My next race is tomorrow-Live Grit 10 Mile. My PR is 1:43:49 from 3 years ago. You bet I want to get a PR tomorrow. Emily and I are planning to run tomorrow morning. She is faster than me so I am hoping she will help me stay on pace and get a PR.

6. In December I (with two other friends) signed up to run 2,015 miles in 2015. As of March 31, we’ve run 411.19 miles and need 1,603.81 to meet our goal. That means we each have to run 534 miles until December. Very realistic right?

When is your next race? Do you have a goal to run a specific number of miles this year?

10
Apr
2015

Friday Randomness – April 10, 2015

categories: Friday Randomness, Running

1. Today is my last day of Spring Break. I had a great week and am sad that it is over. But today is also payday so that makes it a bit better. Oh and I have two months left of school. My last day is June 11. That means I will not be able to run Ragnar Relay Chicago as I had originally planned.

2. On Wednesday I went to Road Runner Sports to get fitted for a new pair of shoes. I’ve heard so many great things about it and decided to check it out myself. Seriously hands down a great experience. I walked out with a pair of Asics Cumulus 16 and custom insoles. I also signed up for the VIP Family Membership. When I got home I was disappointed because I found out that the membership online is $1.95 (I paid $19.95) and the shoes were $89.95 (I paid $103.95). You bet I am going to go back and get back the difference. I ran a little over 5 miles yesterday and they felt great.

3. Who doesn’t like a challenge? I do but I am not good at keeping up with them. Still, I decided to do the Kettlebell Swing Challenge. I bought a kettlebell on Wednesday at Target and did 90 yesterday. It was not easy but yet still doable.

4. Last week I went to my math class and could not see the board. Now I know I sat in the last row but it isn’t a big room. On Monday I went for an eye exam and sure enough I need glasses. I need them to drive and to watch TV. Now the “problems” I encountered were which frames to get. I narrowed it down to four but then to make a long story short I did not go back in time to purchase them so I ended up going to another store the next day. There I found two that I liked and hopefully will get them on Tuesday just in time for my Wednesday class. Which ones do you think I picked?

5. A few months ago I purchased Yoobi Assorted Color & Glitter Gel Pens 12 Pack. A few of them did not work – the ink must have dried up because I could not write in them. I sent an email to the company letting them know about it and to get a refund. I forgot about it till Monday night when I came home and found a package with an assortment of gel and ballpoint pens. Great service! Yes, it is the little things that make me happy.

So, do you want to do the kettlebell challenge with me?

02
Apr
2015

2015 Chicago Marathon

categories: Running

On Tuesday afternoon I got the best email. I am running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October. And just in case I thought it was a pre-April Fool’s Day joke, I received the same email today.

I am excited but also nervous. I was supposed to run it last year but then got so burned out with my runs that I decided not to run the marathon. Plus, I would come up with one excuse after another for not completing my runs. I started teaching a new grade in September and found myself staying late after school almost every day. The last thing I wanted to do was go running. I know, pretty lame.

I have a new coach this year (my previous one is pregnant and is due in September) and so far have had some really great runs. I’ve been doing a variety of runs each week and do my best to do each one. I’ve missed a few but I try not to worry about it. I am not a big fan of long runs but love to crank out 2 minutes fartleks.

I am looking forward to this upcoming running season. I have some pretty neat races planned for this year and am excited about them.

I currently run in the Saucony Rides and have a little over 300 miles in them. So new shoes should be coming along either this month or in May. I might stay with Saucony or switch over to Asics. I used to run in the Brooks PureFlow and PureConnect but they don’t provide enough support for my toes. I tried the Ghost and Ravenna but those hurt my feet.

This upcoming week is Spring Break. I am looking forward to relaxing, meeting up with friends and catching up on a few shows on Netflix.