Zenaida Arroyo

03
Apr
2013

March 2013 in Review

This month I ran 85.68 miles compared to 66.18 last month. Last year in March I ran 106.20 miles but that’s because I ran a half marathon AND an ultra marathon. 🙂

I ran two half marathons in March: Little Rock Half Marathon and Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Nation’s Capital Marathon and Half Marathon. Both were fun but challenging. I am trying really hard to enjoy a little bit my races. I know I won’t always have a great race but they can’t all be horrible right?

In April I have two races: Run Raleigh and Rock ‘n’ Roll Country Music Half Marathon. At the latter race I’ll be meeting Laura from Absolut(ly) Fit. I am excited and looking forward to it. I’ve changed my airline reservations to Nashville (again) so that I get in at a reasonable time to pick up my bib and leave on the last flight so that I am not rushing out of the race and hotel to get to airport.

On Saturday and Sunday I spent a couple of hours booking hotels for my upcoming trips/races. Ugh, it took so long but at least I am set except for Savannah, GA. The logistics of getting to the expo and the start line make my head hurt. I am not sure if I want to go there anymore. Anyone wants to go with me?

I am looking into yoga classes, specifically bikram. Right now Bikram Yoga River North has two specials: $29 for one month of unlimited yoga and $100 for 10 classes. I’ve purchased the 10 classes and will start going when I get back from vacation. Tomorrow morning I am off for 5 days in Riviera Maya.

Look what I go in the mail the other day? Yes, I am a Rock Encore. I got this medal for completing two RNR races this year (Arizona and Washington DC).

31
Mar
2013

Weekly Workouts, March 25-31, 2013

categories: Half Marathon Training

Workouts this week:

Tuesday – 1000, 2000, 1000, 1000 (400 RI)
Done. Whew, these were challenging! Felt good afterwards!

Thursday – 1 mile, 5 miles @ mid tempo, 1 mile easy
I had a massive headache after school so I went home and took a nap. I slept for about 2 hours and then still felt groggy afterwards. I did feel better but was in no mood to run so I woke up early on Friday and ran the 7 miles. I am glad I waited till Friday to run. Afterwards I went to get a massage. Whew, I cannot remember the last time I went to get a massage. I know it’s been MONTHS. I am going back on April 12th and then again in May.

Saturday – 8 miles at HMP, 10 minutes walking
Saturday was a rest day for me so I ran on Sunday. This time I went to the lakefront. It was so peaceful and beautiful and cannot remember the last time I ran along the lake. I plan to run outside at least once a week for my long run.

Total miles ran this week is 21.14.

24
Mar
2013

Weekly Workouts, March 18-24, 2013

categories: Half Marathon Training

Workouts this week:

Tuesday – 5 x 1200 (400 RI)
Done. I did these on Monday because I had another meeting on Tuesday after school. I did not know how long it would last so I decided to just run on Monday. These workouts kicked my know you what. I ran these at 7.8 speed which equals to 7.42 pace. Yikes!! I could hardly hold that pace and am in awe of those runners that find that a comfortable pace. I look forward to that day when I can do that as well.

Thursday – 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ mid tempo, 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ mid tempo, 1 mile easy

Done. Mid tempo speed is 7.1 which equals to 8.27 pace. I will admit that I didn’t run the 2 miles without stopping. I did stop. Several times.

Saturday – 10 miles at HMP, 10 minutes walking
Ugh! I did not succeed. I ran 2.92 on Saturday and 4.05 on Sunday. Usually I do look forward to my runs at the gym but yesterday I could not make myself go. Today I woke up at 8am and did not get out to the gym till about 1pm.

Total miles ran this week is 19.77.

This week is a short work week due to Good Friday and then Spring Break the following week. Yay!! On Friday I have an appointment for a massage and then for a haircut. I have not had a haircut since December and need to cut off about 2-3 inches and get ideas for a hairstyle for the wedding the following week. As for a massage, I don’t remember the last time I had one. I purchased a $109 Groupon for three 50 minute massages and have already made two appointments. I LOVE massages! If I could afford them I would get one every two weeks.

20
Mar
2013

Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Nation’s Capital Half Marathon

categories: Race all 50 states, Race Recap, Rock 'n' Roll Race, Running

Done, state #15. Well, I know Washington DC is not a state but let’s pretend that it is for the sake of this blog and my running goal. I was very happy with this race because of my finish time (2:22:43) and the weather (it did not rain). Also, the shirt was kind of cool. So far I’ve received three shirts from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series and this is the second one I like.

I did not write a post about the expo because it was pretty much the same from other Rock ‘n’ Roll expos. I like the expos but did not find anything that I really wanted or needed.

The weather forecast called for rain on race day. I don’t mind running in the rain but do mind it when it is cold too. It is such a miserable experience! Luckily, there was no rain on Saturday. It was kind of cold so I went back to the hotel (the start line was 2 blocks from the hotel) to put on my long sleeve shirt. I am glad I did because there were times in which I was cold.

I felt really good for most of the course. It was boring but I listened to music so that helped a bit. There was great crowd support in parts of the course. And then there was this massive hill around mile 6. Now, who does that?

I felt a few drops around mile 10 and prayed that it would not rain. I mean I was almost done and was cold and did not want to get wet.

My favorite part was running towards The Capitol. Such a pretty view and great because it was mostly downhill. Not good for my quads but made me feel like flying.

It was a challenge to get to the finish line. I remember it being mostly uphill. I was very happy when I crossed the finish line and got my medal.

I love how there is so much food at these races. There were so many people that it took me a good 10 minutes to get out of there. I had to meet my friend, Jaime, because we were taking the Metro back to the hotel.

I LOVE Washington DC and am so glad I went for a race. My visit was not complete until I went to see the White House. Mission accomplished!

I enjoy reading race recaps. And even more when they’re of races I’ve ran too. Here are a few good ones I’ve read of the half marathon this past weekend. I LOVE how they remembered so many more things than I did about the race.

Just Keep Running!

17
Mar
2013

Weekly Workouts, March 11-17, 2013

categories: Half Marathon Training

Workouts this week:

Tuesday – 5 x 1000 (400 RI)
Done. I know I said the same thing about the 800s but I like these workouts too. They are challenging but also manageable. I alternated with speeds of 7.0, 7.1, and 7.2 on the treadmill. I was tired and drenched by the time I was done.

Thursday – 2 mile easy, 3 miles @ short tempo, 1 mile easy

I did not run on Thursday. I was tired and had no energy to run. I don’t know if this is an excuse for me but two friends told me that they do not run a few days before a race so I decided instead to rest. I am usually pretty good about doing my Thursday tempo run (I’ve missed maybe 3 since the beginning of they year) but now want to reconsider if it is really necessary to do the week of a race.

Saturday – Half Marathon
I ran 13.33 in Washington DC. It was an OK race. The course was BORING. I mean DC is a beautiful city but we did not run through the memorials, monuments, and other sights that the city has to offer. That was disappointing. However, I was happy with my finish time of 2:22:43. It was supposed to rain but fortunately not one drop fell during the race. I will post a recap soon.

Total miles ran this week is 19.68.

Upcoming races are Run Raleigh on April 14 and Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Half Marathon on April 27. But before those two races I will be in sunny Riviera Maya for a few days. I am planning to take my running gear and hopefully can get away for a run or two.

Just Keep Running!