Zenaida Arroyo

02
Dec
2011

November 2011 Review

This month I ran 84.3 miles. Much better this month. Below are the races I completed this month.

Chicago’s Perfect 10 Mile, November 12
Run 3.14 Pie, November 24

Both races were new this year. I had a great time at both of them so I plan to race them again next year.

Total miles ran this year is 657.93. Definitely no chance of hitting 1,000 miles before December 31. That is OK because my new goal is to run 1,000 miles before November 19, 2012 which is the day before I turn 40. Yep, you read correctly. I will turn 40 next year. Do I feel almost 40? Nope.

I put together a list of 40 things to do before I turn 40. Below is my finalized list.

Skydiving
Rollerskate
Blackhawsks game
Scubadiving
Whale watching
Taste 40 different beers/tequilas
Bikram yoga
Ballroom/pole dancing
Relay race
Slumber party
Drive-in movie
Pottery class
Visit a country/continent that I have not been to
Go to the Grand Canyon
Hike at Yosemite Mountains
Do ultramarathon (50K)
See U2 in concert
Hot air balloon ride
Take a CPR class
Learn sign language
Participate in the Chicago Polar Plunge
Go on a helicopter ride
Travel first class
Visit the four corners (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado)
Learn to play poker and go to a casino
Learn to play pool
Watch every movie that has won an Academy Award Winners for Best Picture
High Tea at the Plaza Hotel in New York
Get palms read/See a psychic/Get a tarot card reading
Run a marathon in another state
Participate in the Women’s Half Marathon
Run 1,000 miles
Rock climbing
View the top 100 paintings and pick top 10 favorites
Highlights on hair
Go to a bar alone
Horse carriage ride
Speed date/blind date
Graceland
Mt. Rushmore

No upcoming races until the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in New Orleans. I am registered, got my hotel, and now looking for a cheap ticket to New Orleans.

Finally got my Brooks PureProject Cadence. To date I’ve ran 33.16 miles and they feel GREAT!! I love them! They’re expensive ($120) but totally worth it. My next pair will be a Ravenna. I know that in a previous post I wrote that I was a fan of Asics. Well, I have converted to a Brooks fan.

Glad it is December. That means only less than 3 weeks of work and then off for vacation. I will be visiting my sister and nephew in San Antonio. Yay!! I am so ready for it.

28
Nov
2011

New running shoes

categories: Running Gear

Yep, this just made my day!!! Awesome shoes! So comfortable and worth every penny. Thanks Brooks!!!

24
Nov
2011

Run 3.14 Pie Race

categories: Race Recap

Today I ran for pie. What an awesome race!!! The race began at 8:30 am and luckily a friend called me a little after 7 or else I probably would have missed it.

I arrived at the race site a little after 8 and was happy to see that we had access to a high school which meant a warm area to wait and real bathrooms. I dropped off my bag, went to the bathroom, and then waited in the gym for a little bit. A few minutes later I made my way outside. I LOVE, LOVE hearing the National Anthem!!! I do not get tired of it.

We ran through the streets of La Grange. Great course! No inclines which made me happy. I did stop a few times because I was running too fast. 🙁 I need to learn to pace myself. As soon as I saw the finish line I ran as fast as I could. I passed several people which made me smile. I accidentally pressed the “start/stop” button on my Garmin before mile 2 so I don’t know my official finish time.

I was one of the first 500 runners to register so I got a free pie. Since I did not win a medal I was happy with it. Yummy! Next year I will just have to run FASTER!

Look what was outside? Poor turkeys.

turkeypie

Of course I had to get pictures with them.

This year was the first time this race was held and I thought it went very well. However, the only thing I question is how the finish time will be determined because they was no chip on the bib. As I crossed the finish line I gave a volunteer a perforated piece of the bib with my number in it. I was told that the volunteers were supposed to keep them in order for finish time purposes. Huh???? Another volunteer told me that a scanner would scan my number at the finish line to determine finish time. Well, regardless I hope I find out soon. 😀

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Enjoy this special day.

17
Nov
2011

Random Things

categories: Fun, Running Gear

I had heard great things about the Better Than Naked Shorts by North Face. I gave in, bought a pair, and wore then for a 3 miles run yesterday. Oh my goodness! I did not like them. I mean, they are comfortable, fit just about right, they dry fast, and don’t stink. However, they ride up. I have a problem with my big inner thighs and I was constantly pulling them down. Not sure if I want to give them another try or send them back? Any suggestions on shorts that don’t ride up?

Random Things

I have decided to be a part of the Ragnar Relay Series. Yep 200 miles from Madison, WI to Chicago, IL. Have you done one? How did it go? Advice?

I am working on a list of 40 things to do before I turn 40 (November 20, 2012). Below is what is on my list so far. I will post list once it is finalized.

Skydiving
Rollerskate
Blackhawsks game
Scubadiving
Whale watching
Taste 40 different beers/tequilas
Bikram yoga
Ballroom/pole dancing
Relay race
Camp out in front of store to buy “something” (Black Friday)
Pick favorite actor/actress and watch all of their movies (movie marathon)
Slumber party
Drive-in movie
Pottery class
Visit a country/continent that I have not been to
Go to the Grand Canyon
Hike at Yosemite Mountains
Do ultramarathon (50K)
See U2 in concert
Hot air balloon ride
Take a CPR class
Learn sign language
Participate in the Chicago Polar Plunge
Go on a helicopter ride
Travel first class
Visit the Four Corners Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado
Learn to play poker
Learn to play pool
Watch every movie that has won an Academy Award Winners for Best Picture
High Tea” at the Plaza Hotel in New York
Get palms read/See a psychic/Get a tarot card reading
Run a marathon in another state
Participate in the Women’s Half Marathon
Run 1,000 miles

13
Nov
2011

A Perfect 10

categories: Race Recap

Today I ran in the Chicago’s Perfect 10 Race. One had the option of running 10 miles or 6.2 miles (10K). Since I am training for the New Orleans Marathon in March I chose 10 miles. Packet pick up was at Navy Pier but I don’t like going there because it is a hassle to get there. Luckily I could pick up my packet on race day but that meant I had to be there earlier. That is OK. Friday night I went to bed at 9pm and work up at 5 on Saturday morning.

I arrived at Navy Pier around 6am and was shocked to find out that parking was $18. I inquired about a discount and was told that the price is already discounted…regular is $24. Yikes!! I made my way to the expo to pick up my packet. I was happy to be in a warm place and with real bathrooms. It was a cold morning so I was happy to be indoors. I looked outside and saw the sunrise. Gorgeous!

The race started at 7am and off I went. It was such a beautiful morning for a race. Yes, a little cold but not too bad. My goal was to run each mile a “perfect” 10. Well, that is less than 11:00 minute. Yeah, that did not happen. I was close though.

Mile1-10:36
Mile 2-10:31
Mile 3-10:52
Mile 4-11:07
Mile 5-10:33
Mile 6-11:11
Mile 7-10:22
Mile 8-11:11
Mile 9-10:38
Mile 10-11:22

It felt good to be running. I ran 10 miles last Sunday and it was tough for me. That was not the case with today’s race. I had energy and felt good towards the end. Well, sort of, since it did take me a little bit longer to finish that last mile. Overall, I was pleased with the race. I even saw Forrest Gump at the end!

What truly shocked me is that according to my Garmin the race was EXACTLY 10 miles. That had never happened before in a race.

Yes, I did have an issue with location and parking fee but overall I give this race a perfect 10!!