Zenaida Arroyo

16
Jun
2014

Chicago Marathon Training Week 1

categories: Chicago Marathon, Marathon Training

The Chicago Marathon is less than 4 months ago. This past week was the official start of marathon training. Yep, that is 18 weeks of speedwork, easy, tempo, and long runs. I will be working with Coach Sara to not only get me ready for the race but also to PR. Of course my ultimate goal is to BQ but I know I won’t do it at this race. Step by step is how I will get there.

My coach develops my running plan on a weekly basis. She enters my workouts into Google calendar every Sunday for the week. Each time I finish a workout, I let her know how I did, how I felt, and anything else I want her to know. So easy and convenient. I have been working with her since the beginning of May and love how she gives me a variety of runs and am never bored with any of them. However, I am finding out that I dislike tempo runs.

Week #1, June 9-15
Monday: 1 mile WU, 2 x 15 mins at 9:40 pace (2 min RI), 1 mile CD
I was in a bad mood that not even running made me feel better. I only did 1 mile WU and then ran/walked for another 15 minutes for a total of 2.10 miles. Seriously, everything just bothered me (the sweaty gym, the smelly people around me, the songs on my iPod, etc). I was mad at myself for letting things get to me.

Tuesday: Run 45 mins @ 10:45 pace
Ran on treadmill for 45 minutes for 4.19 miles @10:44. I forgot my socks at home but did not want to go back for them. So I ran without them. My feet felt fine afterwards. I was afraid I would get blisters but none at all.

Wednesday: Rest/Stretch

Thursday: 1 mile WU, 3 miles @10:00 pace, 1 mile CD
Last day of school. Left school at 5. Was tired and hungry and no desire to run at all. I went home and took a long nap.

Friday: 45 minutes cross-train
Skipped it.

Saturday: 7 miles @ 11:00 min pace
Ran with the Clocktower Runners for 7 miles @10:50. It was a gorgeous day to run. There were so many people running along the lakefront and everyone looked happy and excited to be running.

Sunday: Rest/Stretch
My plan was to wake up early for yoga. That didn’t happen. I did relaxed but cleaned a bit around the apartment, read a bit of “Mockingjay” and watched a few episodes of “Burn Notice”.

Thoughts:

As you can see, each run is different which I love. I know this week I missed my tempo run (not on purpose) but in the past weeks when I’ve done them, I realized that I do not like them. The reason is because I cannot hold the pace (and I do try) for the number of miles I am supposed to. I know they’re not supposed to be easy but I find myself stopping a few times to catch my breath. I know it is petty and hopefully one day I will run them without stopping at all.

My favorite speed workouts are the 400s. Yeah, those are fast but yet long (or short) enough and they’re over before you know it. Hint, hint, Coach Sara.

I did not run with a water belt for my long run on Saturday. Coach suggested I run with one and not rely so much on the water fountains along the lake. It is getting hot outside and I need to make sure I am hydrated during these runs. I hate carrying a water bottle in my hand but luckily I have a water belt.

I had a great run last Saturday and am looking forward to my run (8 miles) this Saturday.

05
Jun
2014

Three Things Thursday, June 5, 2014

categories: Running, Three Things Thursday

1. Got new shoes. I’ve been a Brooks fan for years but now have a new pair of Mizuno Sayonara. I am not a big fan of the color but can’t get too picky about that. I did not run yesterday for National Running Day but I did walk up and down the stairs numerous times moving my stuff to my new classroom so that has to count right? The shoes are very comfortable and so far I like them a lot.

2. Got new Injinji socks! Thanks to Injinji for a 40 percent off coupon I got from a previous order. Some are for me and others are for another giveaway. Stay tuned!

3. Flat Stanley is a big hit in my classroom. My kids and I colored our own Flat Stanley and are looking forward to taking him with us on our travel adventures. Oh, one week left of school. I am about 90 percent done with packing up my classroom. In a way it makes me sad because I’ve been there 5 years and have great memories of being in that room. Moving to a new classroom is giving me the chance to get rid of so much stuff and who knew you could accumulate so much stuff!

31
May
2014

May 2014 in Review

categories: Monthly Review, Running

Miles Ran/Last Month: 65.18/61.64. May was my first month working with Coach Sara. Every Sunday she enters my workouts for that week. I do various types of runs such as easy, tempo, and long. I did my first ever speed workout on a track and loved it! I’ve always done them on the treadmill so this was something new to me.

Highest Mileage Week: 19.

Races Planned/Completed: 3/0. Sigh. I had planned to run 2 half marathons and 1 5K this month. And I backed out of all of them. Boo me. Luckily, I had registered for only one race (and paid $19.72) so it wasn’t that much of a loss. The reason I did not run it is because I went to the ZOOMA Training Kickoff. It was another gorgeous day for a run!

Current Ache/Pain: My knees. Just a slight pain when I walk. Might be the shoes?

Current Challenge: None. Last month was the 30-Day Plank Challenge and did not complete it. Need to think again how badly I want to do these challenges.

Current Book: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I finished Catching Fire and loved it. I finished the book on Monday and went to Redbox to get the movie.

I also read Me Before You by Jojo Moyes for my book club. It is a great book and can’t wait to meet with the girls to talk about it. And drink too. 🙂

Current Song: Feel this Moment by Pitbull and Christina Aguilera. I love the beat and makes me want to run faster. Sometimes I find myself listening to it towards the end of a run to keep on going.

Current Treat: All-in-Almond by Picky Bars.

Next Race: Michelob ULTRA 13.1 Chicago on Saturday, June 7. I am looking forward to this race. So far weather is looking good.

Current Excitement: Less than two weeks to go.

29
May
2014

Three Things Thursday, May 29, 2014

categories: Blogger Profile, Three Things Thursday

1. Just two more weeks till summer break! Am I excited? You bet! My plans include to continue training for the Chicago Marathon, take one class and work part time. I know, I know, nothing really exciting.

Last week I got my official teaching assignment for next year. I will be moving on up to the second floor to teach 2nd grade. I am very happy about that move. I’ve taught 1st grade for 5 years and am ready for a change.

2. On Sunday, May 25, several ZOOMA ambassadors and I met at Waterfall Glen for a fun run. And it was so much fun! There will be more opportunities to join us on these runs. For more information about the race on August 2 and to learn more about upcoming fun/training runs, visit the ZOOMA website.

Saturday, May 31, 9:30am, Universal Sole, 1333 E. Benton Place, Chicago, IL (Chicago Training Kick off)
Wednesday, June 4, 6:30pm, Athleta 3415 N. Southport, Chicago, IL
Thursday, June 5, 6:30pm, Old Plank Trail at Wolf Road and Rt. 30, Frankfort, IL
Wednesday, June 11, 6:30pm, Athleta 3415 N. Southport, Chicago, IL
Saturday, July 12, 9:30am, Universal Sole, 1333 E Benton Place, Chicago, IL (10 mile training run)

I ran with my Camelback Marathoner Vest. Ha, wasn’t so difficult to fill it up with water but I did have a little bit of trouble actually drinking from it. Luckily one of the girls I ran with told me what I was doing wrong so now I know the correct way to drink from it. I plan to run a few more times with it before I write a full review about it.

3. Please check out Kelly the Culinarian’s Vermont City Marathon Recap. She ran a marathon in March with a 15 minute PR and then ran again this past weekend and got a 25 minute PR. Her goal is to BQ. “Next year, I want to come back and Boston Qualify. When you cut 25 minutes off in two months, shaving off another 14 in a year seems feasible.” So true and CONGRATULATIONS Kelly!

As you know, to BQ is also one of my goals. My current marathon PR is 5:16:53. That means I need to cut a little over 1 1/2 hours. Yikes! I am confident that one day I will get there. It might not be this year and probably neither the following year but I will get there.

26
May
2014

LYFT Clean Caffeine Review

categories: Product Review

Through my relationship with Fit Approach, I received a complimentary LYFT Clean Caffeine product. As always, all thoughts, opinions and ideas are my own.

Let’s see. This was an interesting product to review. I am big coffee drinker. I drink it every single day. You do not want to be around me if I haven’t had yet a cup of coffee. I love the flavor and the energy boost I get from the caffeine. That is what keeps me going with 23 kids in a classroom.

LYFT^® Energy Stir Sticks are a zero calorie, “Clean Caffeine”™ energy product infused with all natural caffeine derived from green coffee bean extract with vitamins A and B complex that can be used with any beverage to provide a sophisticated energy experience with a clean taste. (Source: http://www.purelyft.com/)

It is a very simple product to use. Remove strip and stir in drink.

I couldn’t taste the powder in my drink. Well, just the slight taste of sweetness. Nothing to complain about. Each stick has caffeine that is comparable to a tall cup of coffee. I tried this in the evening and I was still tired.

Check out this document to see how LYFT compares to other energy giving products such as ZipFizz and RedBull.

I like the taste of coffee so if I need a “pick me up” then I will just drink a cup of coffee. However, LYFT is a much healthier choice. Plus it is convenient since you can put this in your bag and take it anywhere with you. I think they’re a bit expensive, $5.99 for a 2 pack. Again, I like coffee so I would rather spend the money on coffee.