Zenaida Arroyo

24
May
2014

Injini Giveaway Winners and Vega Sport Review

Thanks to all of you that entered my Injini giveaway. The winners are Em Mahr and Janice Wei. I’ve sent you both an email so please send me your mailing address. If you did not win, don’t worry because I plan to have another giveaway (Injini socks again) soon.

********************************************************

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

I had the chance to review the Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer. I chose the acai berry flavor.

What is it you ask? “It is a pre-workout drink mix sporting a unique blend of 13 synergistic plant-based performance-improving ingredients, like green tea, yerba mate, coconut oil and rhodiola, specifically selected to: Provide immediate and sustained energy, Increase endurance, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and Enhance mental focus and recovery.” Also, each drink mix is dairy, gluten & soy free.

Sounds good to me since I do my workouts after work and many times have no energy to go out for a run. The first time I tried it, I had to do 10 minutes warmup, 3×1600, 10 minutes cooldown. I did it in 52:12 with an average pace of 10:16. Boom! The second time did not go well. It was a hot day and I was not properly hydrated. As for the 3rd, 4th, 5th and up to the 12th time, some days were good and some were not. I managed to do 4×400 speed intervals, each one under 9 minutes, which is pretty fast for me. Before any workout, I only drink water. This energizer drink was new to me and it gave me a boost of energy to get my legs moving and to keep on running.

Each portion comes in a very handy packet. It was great for me because I just put this in my lunch bag in the morning before leaving for school. I mixed each packet with 8 ounces of water and drank it 20 minutes before my run. Sounds very easy.

The only complaint I have is the taste. I did not care for the acai flavor at all. The taste is a little sweet. Once I finished the drink, it left an aftertaste but eventually the taste went away. I did not feel jittery or had any other side effects. Now, I want to try the lemon lime flavor!!

22
May
2014

Three Things Thursday, May 22, 2014

categories: Blogger Profile, Three Things Thursday

1. Join me and several other ambassadors for upcoming ZOOMA runs. For more information about the race on August 2 and to learn more about upcoming fun/training runs, visit the ZOOMA website.

Sunday, May 25, 9am, Waterfall Glen, Darien, IL
Wednesday, May 28, 6:30pm, Athleta 3415 N. Southport, Chicago, IL
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)

2. Need some running motivation? Check out “Meet the Blogger: Too Tall Fritz“. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Amanda twice: at Disneyworld after the half marathon and before the Chicago Lakefront 50K. She is a busy woman with a job, two kids, a husband, and a few pets. She recently completed 3 marathons and an ultra marathon in April to celebrate turning 40. I ran the same ultra marathon and barely had enough strength to complete a half marathon and yet this lady ran 3 more marathons. Amazing!!

3. I finally got my Camelback Marathoner Vest. It didn’t come with any instructions (not that I really need any) but it looks like a complicated piece. I am worried I will break it while filling it up with water. Shouldn’t be that complicated right? I’ll let you know how I like it.

BONUS: Don’t forget to enter my Injinji giveaway. I will announce the winners on Saturday, May 24. Injinji is having a Memorial Day Sale so go to their website to save 30% on selected styles.

18
May
2014

Speed Intervals and Injinji Socks Giveaway

categories: Giveaway, Marathon Training, Running

On Thursday, I had my first “real” speed workout at a track on the north side of the city. I’ve heard of that track but never been there. I left work at 3:45 and made my way to meet my coach. I am usually good with directions but for some reason got lost and could not find the place. Luckily, I had left extra early and 10 minutes later of driving around finally found it. Let me say that I had never actually met my coach in person. I was not sure how I was going to find/recognize her. Luckily, she happened to be running around the track as I walked up and we just stared at each other. Yes, it was her!!

I was nervous about my workouts. She told me not to be. We were doing 1 mile warmup, 4×400, and 1 mile cooldown. The first mile was under 10 minutes. Not bad, not bad. The rest was even better! I was impressed with myself. Coach told me I had good running form and was not a heavy breather. Whew. I was worried about that because I usually am a heavy breather. The goal was to run each interval under 9 minutes. Mission accomplished.

I enjoyed running at the track but there isn’t one close to where I live. Oh well, I guess I can make the 40 minutes or so drive once a week or every two weeks. Or I can just run them on the treadmill.

You ready for a giveaway? For the past few weeks I’ve been running in Injinji toe socks. Love them! It is a little weird to put them on but once you get the hang of it, it is a piece of cake. I even wear them on nonrunning days.

I have two pairs of socks for two lucky readers. One pair is white, size small, crew length and the second pair is black, size large, and mini-crew length. Please make sure to write in the comments section the size you want (S or L) if selected as a winner.

To enter, go here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

15
May
2014

Three Things Thursday, May 15, 2014

categories: Running, Three Things Thursday

1. I finally got a running coach. Coach Sara will be working with me on my three goals: 1) Run a sub-2 half marathon; 2) PR at the Chicago Marathon; and 3) Qualify for the Boston Marathon. I have a LONG way to go for #3 but I know I can do it.

Why a running coach? Well, I’ve been running for quite a number of years and haven’t made much improvement. I’ve followed different plans but it looks like they’re not working for me. Obviously I am doing something wrong. I know last year I went a “little” crazy and ran many races. Well, now it is time to get more serious with my running and hopefully achieve goals #1 and #2 this year.

2) I have been selected as an ambassador for the Fort2Base race on August 24. I ran this race last year and liked it a lot. There are two distances to choose from: 3 Nautical Mile (3.45 miles) and 10 Nautical Mile (11.5 miles). Please use discount code 2014F2BARROYO10 for a 10% off either distance.

3. How to be an Asshole Blogger in 5 Easy Steps is HILARIOUS!! Love it! There I said it. I admit it.

11
May
2014

New Running Place

categories: Chicago Marathon, Marathon Training, Running

As a runner living in Chicago, I’ve done most of my runs along the lakefront. There are so many runners out there that you’re bound to see many familiar faces and/or make new running friends. I love that there are water fountains and bathrooms along the route. Definitely important. Oh, and the view is amazing!

I also run around Midway Airport. Lately, I’ve also been running around my house which sometimes includes a stop at Dunkin’ Donuts.

On Saturday I met up with a few folks from the Western Cook Running Club at Brookfield Woods. I first heard about this group on Kelly’s blog. They host several meetups throughout the week such as Hump Day Hustle and Tuesday Night Tune Ups. On Saturday we met at 7:30am. There were about 8 runners that morning. We all started together but then got separated because everyone ran in different paces. That morning almost everyone ran in pairs. I thought I had to run 6 miles but then realized I had to do 8. The path was not crowded and there was plenty of shade. I saw the usual runners, walkers, and bike riders.

This made me smile!

Overall, I thought it was a great place to run and definitely plan on going back . My only complaint is that there are no water fountains along the way. I knew this so I took my water belt with two small water bottles. It was a hot morning and I finished both of my bottles close to mile 6. I’ve thought about investing in a hydration backpack/vest and now know that if I want to continue running there for long runs then I would need to take more water with me.

Do you have a hydration backpack/vest? Which one? How do you like it?