Zenaida Arroyo

23
Jul
2021

Fit Five Friday: 5 gross things runners do

Happy Friday! I hope everyone is doing well. It is getting hot here in Chicago. I have my days when I like it and other days when I don’t. Regardless, I am still out there running. Today is day #329 of my runstreak.

I know there are more than 5 gross things runners do. But for this post, I will limit it to 5. Feel free to add more in the comments!

😮 Stay in running clothes all day long. I know it isn’t always possible to shower after a run. However, I simply cannot imagine staying in sweaty and smelly clothes (I know not everyone may sweat or smell) the rest of the day. I smell and sweat a lot! When I get home after a run, I either eat first or shower. I remember one time that I did not shower after my run. I cannot remember the reason but do remember that I was assembling a desk from IKEA. Friends invited me out to eat and I didn’t go because I wanted to finish the desk.

😮 Pop blisters. I have done this. I know I am not supposed to but for some weird reason the blister hurts less when I pop it. When I ran the RunDisney Goofy Challenge a few years ago, I got two blood blisters. I had a flight to catch and knew I would be very uncomfortable if I left it alone.

😮 Snot rockets. All I can say is that I don’t do it and haven’t been behind anyone that did this. GROSS!

😮 Pee along the course. I have seen mostly men do this. I remember once during either the Chicago Marathon or the Shamrock Shuffle, there was a line of men peeing on the side of the course. I am not justifying what they did but I do know that we all had to wait close to or over an hour in line before we could start running.

😮 Peel off dead toenails. I’ve only had one black toenail and it took a while for it to separate from my toe. It was completely separate but still somewhat attached. I thought it would hurt more if I left it to fall off on its own. So, I took my nail clipper and removed 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.

20
Jul
2021

Tuesday Topics: Benefits of running with a group

categories: Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: Benefits of running with a group. 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’ve been running on my own for the past couple of years. I like it and will write about it next week. However, I’ve run with a group as well. There are benefits for both. This week I will write about running with a group.

BENEFITS OF RUNNING WITH A GROUP:

➡️ Motivate each other. I ran with CARA while training for my first marathon. The runners and pace leaders were wonderful. I remember a couple of runners in my group were also training for their first marathon. We all motivated and encouraged each other. I also remember that during the marathon my feet were hurting a lot and I wanted to quit. Two runners that I trained with and were also running the marathon with me told me not to quit and to keep going. I did not quit. Glad I listened to them. 🙂

➡️ Accountability. When you know others will be waiting for you at your set location, you will not be tempted to miss/skip your run. I have paced several training groups and it was very important for me to show up because I knew others were counting on me to be there.

➡️ Safety. If anything were to happen to you, at least you will have someone to make sure you’re OK. One time I was running with a friend and I fell. Luckily it wasn’t serious and she helped me get up and made sure I was OK. Then I think I cried and then laughed. She laughed with me too.

➡️ Social networking. When you run with a group you meet other individuals with the same interests. You will make new friends. There will be fun events to go to and more fun things to do. I love reading Darlene’s posts because she always does many fun things with her running friends.

Do you prefer to run with a group or solo?

Tuesday Topics

18
Jul
2021

Weekly Run Down: Summer break but still working on some stuff

categories: Running, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

I am officially on Summer Break. Remember that Jumpstart to Kindergarten job I applied for? The Director called me on Monday to let me know that they will no longer move forward with the program. The reason is because they did not have enough teachers apply. I completely understand the reason. Teachers are exhausted and need a break. However, I am a little bit sad about it. I was looking forward to continuing with my work routine and making more money this summer. But again I completely understand the reason.

I felt good running this week. I took one picture but all of my runs did happen! 😆

On Tuesday I had to run 5 miles but my mother had an early doctor appointment and I did not have enough time in the morning for it. Then I dropped her off at my sister’s, came back home for a meeting, did my run, and then went to my doctor appointment. However, I wanted to finish the work from my meeting so then there wasn’t enough time to run 5 miles. Still 2.25 miles is pretty good!

I enjoyed my run on Saturday morning. It was cloudy, with some wind, and in the low 70s. I ran by feel and walked when I needed. Pleased with how I did and almost got negative splits!

I may be on break but I made time to work on some school projects. I also went to Target and spent way too much money there. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I have an idea of how I want to set up my room but know it will take me several days to get it done. Remember that I was moved to a different classroom room last year. When I went back to work in January I unpacked my boxes and set up my room but just with minimal things. Students are expected to be back in the classroom next month and my room needs to be ready for them.

I did a FlipBook to have ready for the first day of school and to pass out again on Open House. It isn’t finished yet but the bulk of it is done. I also put together a list with various links to have ready for school.

This isn’t really school related but I learned how to change the icons on my iMac to make them cuter!

A nephew is coming in tomorrow from San Antonio and then another one will be here the following week. He lives in Seattle but has been traveling these past few weeks (jealous!). Right now he is in Austin then will be going to Miami before coming here. I am excited to see them because I have not seen them in over 2 years.

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

13
Jul
2021

Tuesday Topics: Funniest fitness myths I’ve heard

categories: Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: Funniest fitness myths you’ve heard. 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!

We’ve heard them all. Sometimes they’re good enough to convince us and other times we roll our yes. I used to believe them but now I roll my eyes and/or laugh. Read along to find out a few of the fitness myths that make me laugh!

🤣 Carbs are bad for you. OK, so maybe too much might be. My doctor once told me I was pre-diabetic and I blamed it on the carbs. It could have been the sugar too. However, carbs are needed in order to train and recover effectively. I love carbs! Remember my mashed potatoes and wine dinner?

🤣 You cannot run if you’re sick. It depends on the symptoms. If the symptoms are above the neck (sneezing, runny nose, etc) then it is OK to run as long as you feel good. However, if they’re in or below the neck (sore throat, diarrhea, body aches, chills, etc), then skip the run. Kim and I wrote about this topic a few weeks ago.

🤣 If you are not sore after a workout then you did not work out hard enough. During the week a few of my workouts are hard workouts. My heart rate goes up and I hit paces that I don’t see all of the time. Afterwards I am not sore but I do feel tired but also good!

🤣 Running is bad for your knees. I am sure you have heard this one many times. My knees have hurt a few times but the doctor never told me running was bad for them. In my case it was due to weak glutes and hips. Clamshells, bridges, and lunges are a few exercises that he recommended I do to strengthen them.

Tuesday Topics

11
Jul
2021

Weekly Run Down: Feeling better and end of summer school

categories: Running, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

Hello there! I hope everyone is doing well. I am back running (well I never really stopped) and will continue since I got the OK from my doctor. He also runs so he understands me. 🙂

I began feeling better on Monday. I ran/walked with minimal pain. The rest of the week I kept the runs easy and “slow” for about 20-30 minutes. On Thursday I ran with no pain. I was very happy! My appointment was the next day and I debated on whether I should still go. What convinced me to go is that it was too late to cancel my appointment. My copayment is $30 and if I cancelled with less than 24 hours then I would incur a $25 fee. Might as well go and I am so glad I did!!

My doctor diagnosed me with strain of medial head of gastrocnemius and tibialis posterior and mild plantar fasciitis. He sent me a few YouTube videos of exercises/stretches to do. I also need to do calf stretches with hands against the wall every day and use Bengay/Icy Hot/Biofreeze on area of discomfort. Finally, he said to use the foam roller to roll out my calf and the bottom of my foot. I am glad it is nothing more serious!

I know July 4th is a special day but it is even more special day for my family. On that day in 1978 my mom, sister, and brother emigrated from Mexico (my father was already living here). Once in Chicago I remember being in a car and seeing the Sears Tower. I think I also remember being on Lake Shore Drive. I will always be grateful for my parents for bringing us to this country to have better opportunities. And we did!!

Saw this on my run last week. Cute!

I am done with Summer School. How did the time go by fast? I applied for another job (Jumpstart to Kindergarten) which starts July 26th but don’t know if I’ve been hired or not. Regardless, I turned on my Out of Office and will not respond to emails till August 23rd (the first day of school). I know I will still check my email and might respond to a few. I signed up for a few PD sessions to get ready for the new school.

One of the things I did to get ready for next year is I purchased a fun email signature. I could not decide which one to keep so I ended up with both. The girl that designed it for me and did not charge me extra. She also told me that if any of the information changes (name, school, title, etc) that she will make the changes free of charge.

This week my students did some fun art projects. They need a lot of practice to cut, color, and glue pieces of paper. They still had fun! For sure I will do these with my new students next year.

Excited to know what my coach will have me do this week!

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.