Zenaida Arroyo

07
Feb
2025

Fit Five Friday and February 2025 Ultimate Coffee Date

Welcome to the February edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah. It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running with Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me!

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and let’s chat!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you (and I know that you know) that I FINALLY bought a house! I don’t know when I will stop saying that so be patient with me. I haven’t moved in yet but slowly have been moving some things there. On Saturday I received the living room furniture and kitchen table. The plan is to move in by the end of the month.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that Menards is my new favorite store. Move over Target. I have been there twice and have walked out with over $100 in stuff. All of it is for the home and I need it all. I applied for their credit card and I can see myself going there even after I have moved in.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I received my corral for the Shamrock Shuffle next month. I am in Corral D. I know I have never been in A or B but cannot remember if I’ve been in C. Am I ready? Nope. That is OK because I only want to finish and have fun. I hope it isn’t too cold that day.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you I don’t know if I will be ready for the first two half marathons I signed up for this year. For sure not the one in Myrtle Beach on March 1st. The next one is April 5th in Albuquerque. Or maybe I will be ready for the one in Albuquerque? I haven’t been running but can start….soon. What do you think?

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you in my excitement when I bought my house, I didn’t take into consideration the height of the basement ceiling. It isn’t high but not too low either. I don’t know how I will be able to run on a treadmill without hitting my head. I guess that is a job for the contractor to figure out, right? Speaking of treadmills, I know I want a Peloton one but the Tread+ is $6,000 while the basic is $3000. I don’t have to get the Tread+, and have heard that it is worth it, but it is so expensive. I may need to check and compare both of them before I purchase one.

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 Things You Love About How You Feel After Your Run/Workout. Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like. We hope you’ll link up with us!

28
Jan
2025

Tuesday Topics: January 2025 in Review

categories: Monthly Review, Tuesday Topics

Happy Tuesday! This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic. Feel free to post any running-related blog post. Remember to link up with Jenn and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

Let me tell you how January went for me:

Mileage: In January I ran 4.02 and walked .68 miles. I started off the new year on a good note and ran on the 1st and 2nd of January, but then stopped. I went back to work, was stressed about the closing for my new house, and then it got cold.

Remember how a few years ago when I did my run streak, the cold or the snow didn’t stop me from running outside?

Run the Year 2025: I signed up to run and walk 2,025 miles this year. So far I have completed 4.07 miles (per the RTE Tracker). I know I have a lot of work to do here. This year I am determined to meet this goal.

Current Book: I am currently reading “Honor”. I know Wendy has read this book, but anyone else? I like it, but reading about the mistreatment of women makes me angry.

Injuries: Nothing new. Some days I have less plantar fasciitis pain than other days. Sometimes I wake up feeling stiff and walk like a penguin when I go to the bathroom. I haven’t been to the chiropractor or have gotten a massage since November. I had to stop because my mom was in the hospital, then the rehab center, and then at home. I do plan to go back again.

Races: None.

Health: For the most part I am feeling OK. I rarely get any hot flashes. They are worse and more frequent in the Summer.

I don’t bring work home like I used to. And if I do bring it home, there is no guarantee that I will do it. I spend my days after school either setting up things in the new house, reading, and watching TV. Currently, I am watching “The Blacklist” and am liking it.

School: It is the same song here. I have OK days, bad days, and awful days. Yesterday was our 100th day in school. I cannot wait to be done with this school year.

What I am looking forward to next month: Move to my new house! I bought a kitchen table and living room furniture. Both will be delivered on Saturday. I bought many new things (plates, cups, silverware, etc.) and have been setting it up slowly. Moving is quite a task. I haven’t even started to pack up my stuff in the apartment.

The topic for next week – Ways that running helps the Winter blues. Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!

24
Jan
2025

Fit Five Friday: Five Favorite Running-Related Books

categories: Fit Five Friday

Happy Friday! We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me for another Fit Five Friday link-up!

These are my favorite running-related books in no specific order.

• To The Gorge. It was well written. I felt like I was there with Emily. I would love to meet her, give her a hug, and ask about her training.

• The Longest Race. I knew the issues with Nike, but wow, this book talks about so much more. This made me like Kara Goucher even more.

• Choosing To Run. She is my favorite elite runner. I will always root for her.

• Boston Bound. It is an easy to read book that details Elizabeth Clor’s struggles as she attempts to get a BQ. She tried for 7 years and finally qualified in October of 2014. She ran the Boston Marathon on April 18, 2016.

• The Bright Side Running Club. This was a book reviewed by Wendy. It was heart-warming, sad, and funny too.

The topic for next week – Runfessions with Marcia. We hope you’ll link up with us!

21
Jan
2025

Tuesday Topics: My word for 2025

categories: Tuesday Topics

Happy Tuesday! Thank you for joining me and Jenn for another edition of Tuesday Topics. Remember to link up with us! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Don’t forget to come back for later linkers!

I FINALLY have my word for 2025! It took a bit longer than I expected. I had a few in mind that I kept going back and forth until I realized that they were similar.

For 2025 I decided my word to be “Happiness”.

It has been rough for me these past few years. Taking care of an elderly mom and living with a sister with a mental disease takes a toll on me. Work has been good and bad. I struggled a lot in my personal and professional life. I tried to be positive and happy but many times it was hard. There were many times that I felt resentful and unhappy. I know that no one is happy ALL OF THE TIME, but I was more unhappy than happy. I am tired of being unhappy.

There are many things I am happy about. I am healthy. I have a job. I have a place to live.

I want to be happier/find more happiness in life. I want to smile and laugh more. The other day I was watching “Good Times”. Anyone remember that show? I was laughing while watching it. I want to laugh more with my coworkers and my students. I want to laugh more with my family. I can do that if I can find more happiness in life and if I can be happier.

Below are the words I’ve had in the past.

Next week is a FREE topic. Feel free to write about any running-related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!

21
Jan
2025

Tuesday Topics: My six favorites of 2024

categories: Tuesday Topics

Happy Tuesday! Thank you for joining me and Jenn for another edition of Tuesday Topics. Remember to link up with us! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Don’t forget to come back for later linkers!

This is always a fun topic to write about. I love it when I can look back at posts and pictures from previous years to find some happy moments.

Favorite Day: My birthday! I turned 52 and am still fifty and fabulous. 😊

Another day was my aunt’s 90th birthday party.

Favorite Race: I ran two races, Shamrock Shuffle 8k and 4 on the 4th of July. I love both of them.

Favorite Book: I read many great books! It was hard to pick one but this is my favorite one.

Favorite Purchase: I’ve been looking for nonstick cooking pans and I found them. I love the color.

I also love my lululemon tops and bag.

Favorite race atmosphere: I didn’t run the Chicago Marathon but I had fun being a spectator. Ha, it is much more fun than running it.

Favorite Cat Photo: I rarely get a picture of them together because they don’t get along. But they both love me and want to be with me even if they’re one inch apart.

Next week is a FREE topic. Feel free to write about any running-related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!