Zenaida Arroyo

20
Jun
2013

Three Things Thursday, June 20, 2013

1. I do like running on the treadmill. I watch TV and/or listen to music on my iPhone. I like it even more when I need to do speedwork because it keeps me on track. I’ve read in several places to set it at 1% incline. Here is the link to a conversions chart. When I do speedwork I set it at 7.5 (since I am “supposed” to run them at an 8 minute mile) but according to the chart I am actually running them at an 8:20 minute mile. What? I guess I need to crank it up to 1%. However, I recently read a post on Become a Better Runner! from Women’s Running Magazine (tip #21) that states to up the incline to 3%. Yikes!!

2. Last week I saw “Spirit of the Marathon II”. I can honestly say I liked it a lot and found myself a few times in tears. Watching the movie inspired me to run another marathon. I know I’ve signed up for the Goofy Challenge in January but I am not looking at it as a “real” marathon or to PR but more as a challenge since I’ll be running a half marathon the day before and to have fun running through Disney.

3. And something not running related, I am upset that the San Antonio Spurs lost Game 6 on Tuesday. I was really hoping they’d beat those cocky Miami boys. Let’s hope they win today! By the way, did you happen to see that cute little kid, Sebastien de la Cruz, singing the National Anthem at Games 3 &4? Oh my! I am embarrassed to admit that I STILL don’t know all of the words to the National Anthem. I can sing a few words to it and do so at my races but that’s it.

Just Keep Running!

16
Jun
2013

Weekly Workouts, June 10-16, 2013

categories: Half Marathon Training

Workouts this week:

Tuesday – 6 x 800 (90 sec RI)
Done. I had so much energy and wanted to do more. It must be the chia seeds in my green monster smoothie that I drink almost every day.

Thursday – 2 miles easy, 3 miles @ short tempo, 1 mile easy
Did not run.

Saturday – 8 miles at HMP, 10 minutes walking
I ran 3.13 miles for a virtual 5K. It was another gorgeous day to run along the lakefront.

Total miles ran this week is 9.08.

Since I am doing The L.A.T.E. Ride at the end of the month, I decided to take out my bike for a ride. And yes, I did that along the lakefront too. It was tough at the beginning but then I got the hang of it. I did 2 miles and took a break because my quads were on fire and my seat was not so comfortable (even with a seat cushion). I did another 2 miles and took another break. I guess that was my warmup because I turned around and rode 4 miles straight for a total of 8.

After today I truly admire those people that do LONG, LONG bike rides. What I plan to do before my bike ride is to shop for another bike. The one I have is a good one but it is a mountain bike and HEAVY. I also want a more comfortable seat. I would have pedaled longer today if my behind was not hurting. As for the quads being on fire, breaks solves that problem. 🙂

15
Jun
2013

Medals and Bibs Holder

categories: Running

I did it! I made my own medals and bibs holder!

On Thursday I went to Michaels and bought paint, brushes, nails, decorations (stars), and three pre-cut boards. I painted the boards on Friday and applied a coat of Super Gloss Mod Podge so that they would look shiny and let them dry overnight. Yesterday I added the hooks (from Target) and stars.

I have a lot of medals and the same number of bibs. So, one holder won’t be enough and I definitely need more for the medals.

Since I had another board, I painted that white and added a coat of clear paint with glitter. I cannot wait to see the final results!

It was fun doing these because my nephew helped me and I have plenty of time right now. However, I saw some other cute ones on Etsy and might buy 1 or 2 or I might just buy more boards and make them myself. At least I’ll save money because I have most of the materials and I definitely have time right now.

Thanks to PavementRunner for inspiring me and giving me direction to make them.

13
Jun
2013

Three Things Thursday, June 13, 2013

categories: Three Things Thursday

1. Since I am such a crazy runner, I signed up for the Glass Slipper Challenge, February 22-23, 2014. It is not as goofy as the Goofy Challenge. This one is a 10K on Saturday followed by a half marathon on Sunday. Yikes! But it should be fun too! It looks like next year I will complete all of the RunDisney races except TinkerBell Half Marathon because that is the weekend after the Goofy Challenge. Or is it possible to be even more crazy and do both?

2. I am finally on summer break and one of my projects is to organize my medals. Somehow I ended up on PavementRunner‘s blog and he has a post on a DIY medal and bib holder. I am going to try to make something similar so I went to Michael’s and bought a few supplies. My nephew went with me and is going to help me out. It will give him something to do since he is out on summer break too. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Yesterday I got another medal from Rock ‘n’ Roll. I need a medal holder just for these medals.

3. I received my first StrideBox! Love what it says on the outside box!

Included in the box are:

Foot Rubz Massage Ball
Lock Laces
Anti-Chafe Cream with Tea Tree Oil
PowerICE (not pictured because they’re in the freezer)
PocketFuel
Electro Delytes
Skratch Exercise Hydration Mix

I am so excited to try all of these products. Each box is $15 and I think it is a GREAT deal because you get the chance to try some neat running products. Plus can you think of the thousands of uses for that cute box?

11
Jun
2013

Fort 2 Base Race

categories: Running

Have you ever ran 10 nautical miles? Neither have I. It is actually 11.5 miles and this distance fascinates me. I LOVE half marathons and have ran quite a few of them. On August 25th I will be running the 3rd annual Fort2Base Race (11.5 miles). The race will start in Fort Sheridan and end at Naval Station Great Lakes. There is also a 3 nautical miles (3.45) race for those that want to run a race similar to a 5K.

Why should you register for this race?

You are guaranteed a personal best if you have never participated in a 10 nautical mile or 3 nautical mile race before
It is the only event open to the public on Naval Station Great Lakes this year
Lots of food, music, and entertainment for the whole family
Finisher medals for both events handed to you by an officer in the military
Brand new course for both distances
Lots of FREE parking

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today and join me to run along scenic and beautiful North Shore. It will be a fun race and you won’t be disappointed!

Just Keep Running!