Zenaida Arroyo

26
Aug
2022

Fit Five Friday and August 2022 Runfessions

categories: Fit Five Friday, Runfessions

It’s the last Friday of the month which means Marcia has opened the Runfessional! It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by Darlene, Renée, Jenn, Michelle, and me! Let’s get started, shall we?

I runfess…
That it does feel good to not be doing long runs. I leave in the morning early to go to work and then stay late as well. There is still so much to do and not enough time. My room is not how I want it to be but it is looking better everyday. I have a couple of boxes with files for my file cabinet and books for my library. But I am at least trying to run 20, 30, or 45 minutes in the morning.

I runfess…
I hadn’t run for a few days when I went back to work but began again on Monday simply because of another Strava Challenge. This one is for Picky Bars and I have 3 more days to complete it. This will be my second time completing it and am actually excited about it.

I runfess…
That I do not check social media as often as I used to. When I get home I like to watch The Golden Girls and may check it during a commercial break (I watch it on Hulu). I don’t really miss it but feel like I am still on missing on friends’ updates.

I runfess…
That this is the first time that I can remember ever having a full week for the first week of school. In the past we’ve had meetings on Monday and Tuesday and then start with the kids on Wednesday. It’s been hectic and exhausting. I have 22 students but 21 have shown up (one is still in Mexico). Overall, they’re a really good group of kids, but they talk SO MUCH. On the first day a few told me that they like my class and that made me very happy! Now to get them to stop talking so much. 🤔

I runfess…
That I am already looking forward to September 5 which is my day off. Too early to start counting till the last day of school? OK, maybe, how about Thanksgiving break?

Thanks for linking up with us again this week! We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites! Join hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please add your link below. I am also linking up with Marcia for Runfessions.

23
Aug
2022

Tuesday Topics: Things I am Loving IV

categories: Things I Am Loving, Tuesday Topics

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Share your favorite running item(s) you’ve tried this year. You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

I am back at work and I was tired before starting with the students. I spent days setting up my room and I still was not ready on Monday morning. On Friday I was so tired that I almost cried. We had two days full of meetings and not one minute given to set up the classroom.

I thought about this a lot but I made the decision not to continue training for my race. Last week I missed most of runs and I had no desire to do it after I worked in my room. Back to school is a hectic time for me and I am always staying late at work and doing work at home too. Plus, constantly being tired did not help. I have plantar fasciitis and some days the pain is tolerable and other days it isn’t. I feel like a failure. I wanted to do this race because I turn 50 in November and was getting excited about it. Crazy way to celebrate, right? 😄 😄

Right now I am going to get back to my work routine and take it easy. I have a doctor appt in early September and hopefully can get some answers. Maybe now I can do more bike classes and catch up on all of Camila’s classes.

So let me tell of a few things I am loving. Some are not running related but still I am loving them.

Athena Club – Last year I wrote about Billie Razors. While I did like them, I’ve been hearing about Athena razors and wanted to try them out. I love the color. The kit is $9 and includes 2 Five-Blade Cartridges, 1 Ergonomic Razor Handle, and 1 Magnetic Hook for easy storage. You can also pick to get each month 4, 9, or 12 blades every couple of months. Click HERE to get $5 off your first order.

Dove Anti-Perspirant – I’ve been using this for years as an anti-perspirant. Recently, I’ve been using it to prevent chafing. I apply it between my thighs and around the bra area. So far so good!

Tofu Press – I’ve been trying to eat more tofu but removing the water is a hassle. It is very easy to use. This kit has 4 parts and in just 3 steps, your tofu is in a strainer box. You can leave it there for 15 minutes or more and then it will be ready for you to cook it.

Dr. Scholl’s Pain Relief For Plantar Fasciitis Insoles for Women – I bought these one day at Target. I had no idea if they would help. I wore them while running and also during the day. While I am not 100% pain free, it doesn’t hurt as much to walk or run.

OOFOS Recovery Sandals – These are seriously the best sandals! They’re very comfortable and I wear them every single day. They’re not cheap but you can find a good deal when they’re on sale. I bought a new pair but need to exchange for a bigger size.

Do you use any of these products?

Topic for next week – FREE Topic! Feel free to write about any running related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!

16
Aug
2022

Tuesday Topics: Traveling the Alphabet – Part 3

categories: Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Where I’ve been, A-Z: Letters S-Z. You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

Thanks for joining me again this week again. Click here to read Part 1 for letters A-I. Click here to read Part 2 for letters J-R.

Thanks to my Race in the 50 States +1 running goal, I’ve run in 43 states. I need 8 more to complete it. Before I was a teacher, I worked at the American Bar Association. Through this job I also traveled to various states for our Spring and Annual Meetings. The traveling aspect was fun but the work itself was not. I was ready for something different and more challenging and so I went back to school to become a teacher. My job now is different and definitely challenging.

So, let me tell you where I’ve been. Ready?

S is for San Antonio
I’ve been there a few times because my sister lives there. Once I went there during the Summer and OMG it was awful. Never again. Also, during one of my trips my sisters and I were on a mission to find Sandra Cisneros’ house. We found it! I’ve also been to St. Petersburg (Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Petersburg Half Marathon), San Diego (Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon), St. Louis (Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Half Marathon), and Seattle (Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon).

T is for Tulsa
I went there to run the Route 66 Half Marathon. It was a beautiful but hilly course.

U is for Urbana
I thought it would be a tough one but it wasn’t. It seems that I ran there while running the relay portion of the Illinois Marathon and when I ran the half marathon. At least I think I did. Originally I had trained for the marathon but things didn’t go as planned and I ended up running the half. Reading again the race recap brought back memories of training during the Winter since the race was at the end of April. Almost all of my runs were done outside. I was unstoppable. I ran in the snow and in freezing weather.

V is for Virginia Beach
I went there for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon. It was a flat course but that day was very humid. Check out my Nike watch, armband for my iPod, and earphones with cords. Very different with how I run now.

W is for Washington, DC
It is one of my favorite cities. I’ve been there plenty of times and love it there. A few years ago I ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Nation’s Capital Half Marathon. I remember we had good weather but will never forget that monstrous hill around mile 6.

X is for Xcaret
This was a tough one. But it still counts, right? I’ve also been to Xochimilco (Floating Gardens) in Mexico. No pictures but I swear I was there in 1988. I remember because it was after my nephew was born.

Y is for Yauco
Puerto Rico! Don’t ask me what year it was because I honestly do not remember. But I remember it was before 2009 because I was still working at the ABA.

Z is for ?
Another tough one. I know there is Zion, Illinois but don’t think I’ve been there.

These posts were so much fun to write! It was great to look at pictures and read posts that I wrote years ago. I may not have traveled much these past 2 years but overall have I done quite a bit of traveling.

globe

Topic for next week – Share your favorite running item(s) you’ve tried this year. Feel free to write about this or any running related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!

09
Aug
2022

Tuesday Topics: Traveling the Alphabet – Part 2

categories: Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Where I’ve been, A-Z: Letters J-R. You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

Thanks for joining me again this week again. Click here to read Part 1 for letters A-I.

Thanks to my Race in the 50 States +1 running goal, I’ve run in 43 states. I need 8 more to complete it. Before I was a teacher, I worked at the American Bar Association. Through this job I also traveled to various states for our Spring and Annual Meetings. The traveling aspect was fun but the work itself was not. I was ready for something different and more challenging and so I went back to school to become a teacher. My job now is different and definitely challenging.

So, let me tell you where I’ve been. Ready?

J is for Jackson
I ran the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon. Don’t you love it when in order to cross the finish line you need to run up a darn hill? Despite the hilly course I ended up with a decent time (2:29:29) for me. I’ve also been to Juneau where I ran a half marathon.

K is for Ketchikan
I had the option of running either a 5k or 10k. I chose the former. Nice course and the last race before leaving Alaska.

L is for Lima
Yes, Lima, Peru! Our last stop before Machu Picchu. We met up with another group and shared a big room in a hostel. I’ve also been to Las Vegas (Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon), Louisville (Republic Bank Big Hit Half Marathon & Quarter Marathon), and Little Rock (Little Rock Half Marathon). The medals for the Little Rock races are IMPRESSIVE!

M is for Machu Picchu
The trip of a lifetime! After 3 days of walking we arrived in a hotel where we had electricity and running water. It was wonderful. The next day we took a bus to Machu Picchu. We had the option of walking, but, no thank you. I’ve also been to Manchester (Manchester City Half Marathon) where I met Katherine Switzer.

N is for New Orleans
I went there in 2012 for the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon. This was right before my first 50k. Then went back in 2016 for the half marathon. I’ve also traveled to Nashville (Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Half Marathon).

O is for Omaha
I will never forget that time I tripped and fell while running the Omaha Half Marathon. I’ve also been to Orlando to run quite a few RunDisney races.

P is for Philadelphia
I ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon. It was my 10th Rock ‘n’ Roll Race. I’ve also been to Princeton (Princeton Half Marathon), Providence (Rock ‘n’ Roll Providence Half Marathon), Phoenix, (Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon), and Portland (Rock ‘n’ Roll Portland Half Marathon and Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon).

Q is for Quito
It was my first time in South America. It was also my first time staying in a hostel. We went to a few places in Ecuador (Tena, Baños, and Cotopaxi) before going to Peru.

R is for Raleigh
I went there to run the Run Raleigh Half Marathon. Another hilly course but at least the finish line was downhill.

Topic for next week – Where I’ve been, A-Z: Letters S-Z. Feel free to write about this or any running related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!

05
Aug
2022

Fit Five Friday and August 2022 Ultimate Coffee Date

categories: Fit Five Friday, Ultimate Coffee Date

Wow, how is it already August? This Summer Break sure is going by fast. Just a few more weeks and it is back to work. My first day is the 18th and then the students start on the 22nd. I’m starting off the weekend with a little catch-up over the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah. So grab a mug of your favorite beverage and let’s chat for a bit!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that school starting in a few weeks makes me nervous and excited. What’s not to like about a new school year, new school, new coworkers, and a new boss? It is making it through those first few weeks/months that worry me. The unpacking will take me a long time too. But I have done it before and will get it done, right? I know I have my blogger friends to listen to me complain and to give me advice. Remember how two years ago when I was so tired one day that I ate mashed potatoes and wine for dinner?

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that next week my coworker and I will be going to Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago. I’ve been there once with my mom but this time time it will be a different experience. My coworker is a Starbucks Rewards Member (she has almost 10,000 points!) and we will actually have a tour guide and other surprises. The little things that make me excited!

If we were having coffee…
I’d ask you which shampoo you use. I have straight hair but still the humidity is not my friend. Actually, humidity has no friends at all. I’ve tried Prose, Head & Shoulders, Pantene, Monat, etc. I used to wash my hair everyday but now do it 3 times a week. I rinse it when I do not wash it. The thought of sweaty hair grosses me out. Did you know that I used to have curly hair when I was a kid? The left photo is from my passport and the one on the right is from 1st grade.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that my dentist left me. He retired sometime in March. I’ve been going to him since about 1997/1998. I remember I found him through 1-800-DENTIST. One of the reasons I went with him is because of his evening hours. This was before I was a teacher and would get off work really late so I needed someone that would accommodate me. He was a great dentist and while I am happy for him, I will miss him. He left his clients to another dentist that was in the same building (which I never noticed, can you believe it?) and have an appointment on Tuesday.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I bought my first Lululemon item! Nope, not clothes but instead I bought a bag – Clean Lines Belt Bag. Originally I wanted the Everywhere Belt Bag but it’s been sold out for a long time. I love it so much that I want to get another bag. I do not need it but still want it.

Thanks for linking up with us again this week! We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites! Join hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please add your link below. I am also linking up with Running with Perseverance and Confessions of a Mother Runner for the Ultimate Coffee Date.