Zenaida Arroyo

14
Aug
2013

Adventures

I cannot believe we are halfway through this month! Where did August go? Oh yeah, I am on summer break and it is almost time to go back on the 26th. Yes, I am excited about it.

On Friday I met up with some friends for a sort of goodbye gathering for our friend, LS, because she was moving with her family to Dallas, TX. We’ve all been friends since college and have kept in touch throughout the years. We had a great time! I left with sad eyes because I will miss LS.

I got home late but managed to get up at 5am on Saturday for my run. Ugh, it was tough but I managed 5.46 miles. I enjoyed my run/walk along the lake. I felt tired but still good at the same time.

That afternoon I met my book club friends for lunch and then a painting/wine drinking session at Bottle and Bottega. We were celebrating our 3rd Book Club Anniversary. At first I was a little hesitant because I cannot draw anything for the life of me. You think I would being a first grade teacher right? However, it was so much fun! I relaxed (maybe because of the wine) and just sort of did my own thing.

This is what we had to draw/paint.

Adventures — Source: http://bottleandbottega.com/

Here is my final product. See what I mean about me drawing anything?

Later that evening I did not feel good at all. I was really tired and took a short nap. It was short because I could not stop scratching my legs. I knew it was from the night before but it was just so weird that I only began to feel the itchiness on my way to lunch. By the evening it was worse and that night I felt like crying.

WARNING. BEWARE.

PHOTO MIGHT MAKE YOU CRINGE.

This is what my lower legs and feet looked like. So painful! I thought I was the only one that this had happened to but I asked my other friends anyway and it turned out that most of them has been bitten too. Also, I was told that they were possibly chigger bites. I got some Benadryl cream to help with the itchiness and I felt better by Monday morning. I told myself that if I did not get better by Monday then I would go to the doctor. I am much better now but now have some ugly scars.

On Tuesday I took my nephews to the Willis Tower. There were so many people in line and it took us about 2 hours to make it to the top. Once up there the view was breathtaking!

I found my cup of coffee! You think it holds enough coffee?

And if you’re ever in Chicago and eat a hot dog, never put ketchup on a hot dog.

Don’t forget that tomorrow is the last day to enter my Pro Compression Socks giveaway!!

Just Keep Running!

10
Aug
2013

Pro Compression Socks Giveaway

categories: Giveaway

I am a big fan of Pro Compression Marathon Socks. I have a pair in pink and blue argyle, black, red, purple, neon yellow, neon green, orange, USA (red, blue and white), Christmas (red, white, and green), and white with the green shamrock. I wear them during my races and on Tuesdays for speed workouts and on Thursday for tempo runs. I’ve also worn a pair to recover after a long and/or hard workout. So I guess I pretty much wear these all of the time. And if you see the picture below on the right, I wore my Christmas socks to go with a Dr. Seuss outfit during Dr. Seuss week at school.

A few days ago I received two pairs of the Trainer Low Socks form Pro Compression. These also come in a variety of colors such as yellow, royal blue, baby blue, black, orange, etc. I’ve worn them a few times and these socks are just phenomenal. They fit just right and provide the perfect amount of cushion.

Pro Compression has agreed to give a free pair to one of my readers. If you absolutely cannot wait till the end of the giveaway and want to get your socks NOW, go ahead and order a pair or pairs and use the coupon code JULY for 40% off AND free shipping. Sweet deal right?

Good luck! This contest ends on Friday, August 16th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

07
Aug
2013

Volunteering at Feed My Starving Children

categories: Volunteer

Yesterday I took my nephews to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children. “It is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s hungry children in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and we ship the meals to nearly 70 countries around the world.” Source: http://www.fmsc.org

It is very organized. We start with a video explaining the mission, ask/answer questions, wash hands, and put on hairnets. Then we move to the packing room where we are told what to do. Very simple.

Each bag of food has rice, soy nuggets, dehydrated vegetables, vitamins/minerals and must weigh between 380-400 grams. If it is under we add more rice and if it is over then we remove some rice. When we complete 36 bags, we pack them into a box.

In order for a station to function efficiently there needs to be 6-7 volunteers. Depending on the number of volunteers there may be enough to work at all of the stations. In addition, there are some volunteers that pick up the completed boxes and take them to the packing room. There the boxes are packed in pallets ready for shipment to the various countries. Each shift is 2 hours but with the orientation and cleanup the actual volunteer time is about 1 1/2 hours. However, the time goes by fast because everyone is working fast, singing, and just having a good time.

At the end of the shift we get the opportunity to taste a sample of the food. It is actually pretty good. Also, we are told how many boxes we packed during our shift.

It is a great experience! This is my second time going but I hope to volunteer more often instead of going once a year. My 10 year old nephew has agreed to coming along with me as well.

Just Keep Running!

02
Aug
2013

July 2013 in Review

categories: Monthly Review, Volunteer

This month I ran 96.66 compared to 80.43 in June.

I ran two races: 4 on the 4th and Strike Out ALS 5K. My favorite was the 4 on the 4th not only because I set a PR but the weather was just perfect for running. As for the 5K, the race was in the evening and it was BRUTAL HOT. I am waiting for the weather to cool down to run another 5K and set another PR.

This month I have one race: Fort2Base. I am looking forward to this race. It is a new race and a new distance (11.5 miles) for me.

Summer break is coming to an end. I’ve had a good time relaxing and spending time with my nephews. They wear me out! I am excited about new things happening once I am back at school. But I know that once I start, I will be counting down for winter break, spring break, and the last day of school.

I’ve worn my Brooks PureFlow 2 during my runs/races and they’re amazing! I just love them so much. Recently, I received a pair of Pro Compression Trainer Low socks and let me just say that they’re great socks. I am a big fan of their Marathon socks but will soon become a fan of the trainer socks too. Be on the lookout for another giveaway

I applied to be a coach for Girls on the Run-Chicago. I have CPR training on the 15th and then a training workshop on the 24th. I’ve never done anything like this but I will be combining two things that I love: running and working with kids. A few years ago I was a Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Illinois and I decided to do it again. I am really excited about these opportunities! For sure I will have a busy schedule with these two organizations, work, and training for my multiple races. But that is just OK with me.

Just Keep Running!

01
Aug
2013

Three Things Thursday, August 1, 2013

categories: Three Things Thursday

1. The winner of the Lock Laces Giveaway is Jennifer Harling. Thanks to all that participated.

2. I cannot believe it is already August 1st. That means less than a month for school to start. I am sort of ready to go back to school. I like new things so I am excited about the new students, principal and assistant principal, writing materials, and three additional 1st grade teachers. The first day of school is August 26. The students’ first day is August 28th. Hopefully I can go set up my classroom on August 19. It usually takes me 2-3 days depending on how early I go and how late I stay. My goal is 2 days.

3. It looks like I’ve been “miscounting” on my goal to run a half marathon in each state. Yikes! I thought it was 21 states but in reality it’s 19 because I ran a full marathon in CT and LA. The plan is to run the ING Hartford Half Marathon in October of this year and the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans in February 2014.