Zenaida Arroyo

06
May
2022

Fit Five Friday and May 2022 Ultimate Coffee Date

categories: Fit Five Friday, Ultimate Coffee Date

It may be May but it is still dreary here but next week it is supposed to warm up. So much rain here and I am tired of it. I am happy it is Friday as I am counting down the days till the last day of school. 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 tell you that I hope you have a great Mother’s Day on Sunday. As of now I have no idea what we are doing. My mother keeps talking about Tuesday because Mexicans celebrate Mother’s Day on May 10th. She didn’t realize Mother’s Day is on Sunday.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that as much as I enjoy my students, I am getting really tired of every single question they ask. I do encourage them to ask questions but they’re overdoing it. They ask about EVERY SINGLE LITTLE THING. Is that how it is when one has kids? It didn’t bother me before but lately it has and I am trying to figure out the reason. Maybe the reason is that I am tired?

If we were having coffee…
I’d ask you if you’ve had to call the ambulance after seeing a man face down on the ground. Yesterday during my run I saw a man squatting on the ground (that is all he was doing). Then on my way back home I saw him again but this time he was faced down on the sidewalk. I called 911 and told the operator about the man and that I wasn’t sure if he was sleeping or passed out. I was then transferred to another department. I repeated the same story. I didn’t want to leave but wasn’t sure how long the ambulance would take. Then I heard the sirens. Both the ambulance and the fire truck showed up and stopped in front of the man. A few seconds later he got up. He was OK and I continued on with my run (I was less than a mile away from home). Part of me felt silly but at the same time am glad I called. What if he hadn’t gotten up?

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that after wearing glasses for a few years, I got contacts again. Let me explain. I used to wear glasses and contacts. Then I had lasik surgery. I knew that eventually I would need glasses again. I am OK with wearing them but sometimes they’re a hassle. Plus, I break them often or misplace them and they’re not cheap. It felt weird the first time I put them on. The only problem is that sometimes I cannot see clearly things that are small and up close (I need to move them further away). It is the same without the contacts. Overall, I am happy with them because I don’t need to wear my glasses that much anymore.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I got so many nice things from my students for Teacher Appreciation Week. I’ve gotten lots of cards (the handmade are the best), flowers, cookies, and a Dunkin Donuts coffee tumbler with a gift card. One student came up to me and told me “Thank you for teaching me”. Made me smile and you bet I hugged him.

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.

03
May
2022

Tuesday Topics: My favorite race medal

categories: Monthly Review, Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: What is your favorite race medal and why? 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 have run 168 races ranging from a 5k to a 50k. I don’t know exactly how many medals I have but I know it is a lot. I don’t have a medal for each race and I have received multiple medals for completing a series or challenge. Thanks RnR and RunDisney!

Right now my medals are in a box. I have one from the Shamrock Shuffle in the kitchen because it is also a bottle opener. 🙂 My mother liked one of my medals and put it in her walker. When I ran the Shamrock Shuffle again this year I asked her if she wanted another medal and she said “Yes”.

However, of all of my medals, my favorite one is from my first 50k. It is small and simple. I worked hard for that medal. I’ve run a few marathons prior to that race but to date it is the furthest distance I’ve ever run.

Two years later I ran another 50k and got another medal. Small and simple again.

As for my other medals, I don’t plan on keeping them. I don’t have room for them anymore but don’t know what to do with them. I know there is an organization to donate them but I need to fill out a form for each medal.

Topic for next week – It’s National Mental Health Awareness Week. How does running help with your mental health? Feel free to write about this or any running related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

29
Apr
2022

Fit Five Friday and April 2022 Runfessions

categories: Fit Five Friday, Runfessions

So far this month went so much better. Remember that student that I was struggling with last month? Totally different kid. For the first time in a long time I can actually take a deep breath and feel really good about myself. Teaching is actually more fun now. But I am still counting to the last day of the school year!

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 I am annoyed about the Peloton price increase. I know it isn’t a lot but still. I know I’ve paid the same amount since 2019 but still.

I runfess…
That I said no more TV but have been liking “The Golden Girls”. It is hilarious and I will say that Sophia is my favorite but I am definitely Dorothy. Are you a fan?

I runfess…
That supposedly Spring is here but it does not feel like it. The constant weather change is driving me nuts. Shorts and short sleeve one day and then jackets and tights another day. Sunny one day and rain and gloomy another day.

I runfess…
That I really dislike American Airlines. Last year I booked a flight and then had to cancel. Then I used the credit from that flight for another trip which I then cancelled. Somehow that trip was separated into a trip credit and a flight credit. A flight credit only I can use it whereas the trip credit can be transferred to a sibling as long as they have they same last name. I had absolutely no idea about it nor know why there are two separate credits. I want to go to NYC during Memorial Day weekend and was planning to use the total credit amount (this was before I knew about the two credits). I cannot use both the trip credit and the flight credit to pay for the ticket. That leaves me with using the flight credit (since the amount is higher) but I still need to pay $73 for the difference which is the amount of the trip credit and cannot use. The good thing is that I have until the Fall to use these credits. I am also looking for flights to Mexico and not only are they expensive but there are no direct flights and travel time ranges from 6 to 16 hours. 🤦‍♀️ 🤦‍♀️

I runfess…
That I know I want to run a 50k but haven’t signed up for it. I am debating between the Marine Corps 50k in Washington, DC and the Lakefront Ultra in Chicago. I like Washington, DC but would need to travel whereas if I run here then I can sleep in my own bed. Plus, it will be cheaper! The one in Chicago is in late October/early November. What also terrifies me is the weather. I used to be hardcore about running in the cold but now am a wimp about 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 Marcia for Runfessions.

26
Apr
2022

Tuesday Topics: April 2022 Review

categories: Monthly Review, Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic. 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 know April is not over yet. We still have a few more days left. I am excited for this month to be over because then next month is May which then brings us closer to the end of the school year.

After a rough start with running due to the weather, I am back at it. I started a new run streak and am excited about it. I am also planning to run a 50k this year. Yikes!

So let me tell you about how this month is going.

At the end of April we’ll be 1/3 done with 2022. Time is going by fast!

Mileage: As of yesterday morning I’ve run 55.30 miles. All of my runs have been easy runs with run/walk intervals. Each day I run for a specific amount of time instead of miles. I like it! Each week I am slowly increasing my mileage and last week was 16.79 miles. There are still a few more days left in April but I am guessing that I will have about 70 miles for this month.

Highest Mileage Week: 16.79. It was this past week and it took me 3:45:46 hours.

Current Challenge: My running streak. Yesterday was day #25. Weather is so much better than a few months ago but still does not feel like Spring.

Current Book: Finally reading “When I Ran Away”. It is taking me longer to finish reading it and I have mixed feeling about it. I have my days when I like it and days when I don’t.

Current Shoes: Currently running in an “older” pair of Brooks Launch. I’ve run mostly in the Ghost and kind of forgot how much I love this shoe. I remember the first time I wore the Launch, my feet hurt, and I almost stopped wearing them. Glad I didn’t. I have a new pair of the Ghost that I am thinking of sending back and instead get the Launch. But after that, no more shoes.

2022 Running Goal: My goal this year is to run 1,200 miles. I am at 7% done with 95.57 miles. Who knows how realistic this goal is. I have a long way to go but hopefully the 50k training will get me to that goal or at least close to it.

What am I looking forward to next month? Almost the end of the school year! My last day of school is June 7th. 😊

How is April going for you?

Topic for next week – Your favorite medal and why? Feel free to write about this or any running related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

19
Apr
2022

Tuesday Topics: Running a marathon for charity

categories: Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: Tips or benefits of running a marathon for charity? 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!

Did you watch the Boston Marathon yesterday? Wow! The women’s race was INTENSE! My students and I were jumping up and down and screaming. I had my students watch it with me – not the whole thing but definitely the ending of the women’s race. They were so cute! I love spectating the Chicago Marathon and have decided that next year I will go to Boston to spectate. Save the date for April 17, 2023!

It has been years since I’ve run a marathon for charity. My very first marathon in 2006 I ran on behalf of Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. I think I had to raise $3000. Other years I’ve also run on behalf of the American Cancer Society. Two things that I loved about running for them were the free training programs through CARA and the hospitality tent after the race.

I think I was lucky when I was fundraising because I received a lot of money from family and friends. I used to work at the American Bar Association and I also asked the members to donate money. I remember them giving me $250, $100, and $50. I had no trouble raising the money for the various races.

🟣 Back then I relied a lot on letters. There was no Facebook or Instagram to ask for a donation. I mailed everyone I knew a letter explaining why I was running the marathon and the reason for running for that specific charity (one of my sisters is a breast cancer survivor). I also included a self-addressed and stamped envelope for them to send the form with a check or credit card information. Very convenient for them.

🟣 I sent emails. Again, no Facebook to send messages. I sent a couple to remind them to send their donations. Many would thank me for the reminder.

🟣 Thanks for Facebook, friends that are raising money post about it there. I like reading the story behind the race and the charity. I want to know why they picked that charity.

🟣 I have asked friends to remind me about the donation. As much as I would love to drop everything right there and then to click on the link and make a donation, most likely it won’t happen. Life happens. I get distracted and forget. I tell them that I will NOT be annoyed if they keep reminding me – I want them to!

I don’t think I will run and raise money again for a charity but am more than happy to make a donation. If you are running for an organization that has to do with children (extra points for education), breast cancer, or pets (cat lover here), then definitely count me in.

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

Tuesday Topics