Zenaida Arroyo

07
May
2021

Fit Five Friday and May Ultimate Coffee Date

categories: Fit Five Friday, Ultimate Coffee Date

Hello May! It seems like May would never get here. I’ve been waiting for it since last year. Haha, counting the days till school is over. It isn’t warm in Chicago, but I would still drink either hot or iced coffee. I like them both. So grab a cup of your favorite drink and let’s chat.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that RoadID has the BEST customer service. Months ago I won a gift card hosted by Jenn. I finally ordered a prism faceplate about two weeks ago and received it a few days later. It is pretty but I felt like the name and contact information were hard to see. I wrote to them letting them know I wasn’t happy with the product I ordered. They offered to exchange it for me or give me a refund. I opted for an exchange and picked a slate one. I asked if I should return the prism nameplate. They said to keep it. Now that is what I call 100% satisfaction guaranteed!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I secretly smile and laugh (or maybe it is a runfession) when I am running and see the speed light cameras go off. Many people are horrible drivers and like to speed up. I wish we could get one in the corner where I live. There is a stop sign but many drivers slow down instead of making a complete stop. Imagine how much money the city could make from that corner?

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I find it ridiculous when someone says “Happy Cinco de Mayo”. I honestly do not understand the big deal with it.

If we were having coffee…
I’d ask you if you have been watching season 2 of “Selena: The Series”. I know many people criticized the first season. They prefer the movie with Jennifer Lopez. I am liking the series because there is more focus on her and how her career started. I also love the love story between her and Chris.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that my doctor told me that I may be starting peri-menopause. She told me to keep track of any periods and any possible menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. I am “glad” I am not getting a period but not looking forward to hot flashes or night sweats.

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.

04
May
2021

Tuesday Topics: My favorite running costumes or outfits

categories: Monthly Review, Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: What are some of your favorite running costumes or outfits? 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 not a costume person. Heck, I don’t even like to dress up for Halloween! The only reason I do it is because of my students. 😀

I haven’t run many races in a costume. I think the only time I’ve done it is when I ran the RunDisney races a few years ago. And I wore the same two costumes. Let’s check them out!

☑️ Minnie Mouse at the Walt Disney World Half Marathon

☑️ Sofia the First at the Walt Disney World Marathon

☑️ Minnie Mouse at the Walt Disney World Enchanted 10K

☑️ Sofia the First at the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon

Reading the posts and looking at the pictures made me realize how fun it was to run these races. I didn’t realized how much I miss racing till now. I miss the traveling, getting reading the night before, meeting up with friends, etc.

When I run at home my favorite outfit consist of a pair of Oiselle long rogas and a Oiselle top. Pretty much anything from Oiselle. My socks are either Balega UltraGlide or Smartwool Run Ultra Light Socks. I don’t like them with too much cushion. Also on my feet are a pair of Brooks Launch or Ghost.

Tuesday Topics

02
May
2021

Weekly Run Down: 96.10 miles and one year with my running coach

categories: Running, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

Happy Sunday! Another great week with running along with a few classes on the bike. The weather was up and down with very windy days, to chilly weather, and warmer weather. I hope this month is more consistent.

I had some great workouts this month! I am seeing faster splits which I am hoping will translate to a few PRs either this year or next year. I finished April with 96.10 miles. I was hoping for 100 but it is a big jump from last month (78.22 miles).

I didn’t run in the morning on Monday but instead did it after work. It was nice and warm but WINDY. Glad it was “just” one mile.

Tuesday was a speed day. It was still windy but not as bad as the day before. My workout was 4 miles with 4-45 second surges. Splits were 8:10, 7:55, 7:45, and 7:25. Definitely fast for me but still manageable. I have no idea how other runners can run long miles in those paces. I did this workout on March 9th but with 30 second intervals. Those splits were 9:16, 8:15, 7:39, and 9:30.

These past couple of weeks I’ve done 1/3 and 1/4 mile intervals. On Thursday I did 4-1/2 mile intervals. I am not a big fan of long intervals. I always start off too fast and then struggle with maintaining that pace the rest of the interval. My splits were faster than what my coach asked me to do (10:44, 10:42, 10:28, and 10:18). I was tired at the end. In the last interval I stopped my watch for about 5 seconds for a quick break. I don’t think I could have done another one.

Saturday was 7 miles with one 90 interval/90 recovery after each mile but stopping at 7 miles. I like this run because it makes each mile a bit more interesting. I did this run 2 weeks ago. I compared the splits and while some were faster in yesterday’s run, some were also slower. That is OK. I am still pleased with how I did.

I thought a Live DJ Run would be a fun class to take. Wrong! OMG, the constant talking between the instructor and the DJ was very annoying. Never again will I take these classes. The Calvin Harris Run was OK. I like him but I recognized maybe 2-3 songs.

I also did 3 bike classes (2 with Denis). He is a great instructor! I am liking his classes and the music is great too.

It’s been a year since I started working with my coach. I am very happy with him and have enjoyed my workouts. I am excited for this upcoming week, month, and future months!!

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

30
Apr
2021

Fit Five Friday and April 2021 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?!

Hello there and Happy Friday! I am excited we are at the end of April. I know you know why I am happy about it. I am taking it day by day and am doing my best to be calm and patient at work. 29 days to go!

I runfess…
That I did not get a period this month. Last month I wrote that in March my period lasted 10 days. I’ve never had one last that long. I already sent a message to my doctor letting her know. It could be pre-menopause, stress, or something else. One thing I know for sure is that I am NOT pregnant. 😊

I runfess…
That I am a bit jealous of seeing people post on Facebook about their vacation. I am happy for them. But deep down inside I do wished that were me going on vacation too. I have the time and the money so what really is the issue? Is it really Covid stopping me or is it something else? Places I want to visit are Mexico, NY, and Washington, DC.

I runfess…
These past few days it’s been going well in school. My secret? I tell my students that if they don’t pay attention, don’t do the assignments, etc, etc., I will remove them from my Google Meet. Then they cannot join again until 24 hours later or I change the meeting code. I do the latter. I also tell them that if parents ask why I removed them, that they should go ahead and tell them. I’ve had to remove a few and for the most part most of them are paying more attention to me.

I runfess…
That all of this running and bike classes is making me more hungry. I need to do better in eating a more filling breakfast so that I am not starving by 10am (my lunch is at 11:30am on Monday and at 12:30 pm the other days). I make a shake/smoothie with oatmeal, almond milk, and protein powder. Sometimes I add a banana or spinach. I thought that the oatmeal would fill me up but it doesn’t. It doesn’t help that I am rushing when I get home from my run since I need to shower, get ready, and leave for work.

I runfess…
That while the extra money is nice teaching summer school, sometimes I have no desire to do it anymore. I had to pick whether I wanted to do remote or in person teaching. I picked in person and then changed it to remote. However, there is no guarantee that I would be given what I select. I like remote because it means no kids in the room and I do not have to wear a mask. I like in person because I miss having kids in the classroom. I have 3 right now (different days) and it is nice having them. Each option has pros and cons. I know the school I will be teaching but still do not know the grade. Hopefully soon I will find out!

Again, thanks for listening!!

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.

27
Apr
2021

Tuesday Topics: April 2021 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. Things are going well in the running department and I am trying to stay positive and taking it day by day in the work department.

I will use the same format from my last monthly review of October 2020.

At the end of April we’ll be 1/3 done with 2021. Time is going by fast!

Mileage: As of this morning I’ve run 87.54 miles. There are 3 more days left in April and based on my schedule, I will run 8 miles in those 3 days. I won’t make it to 100 miles but so far April will be my highest mileage month. My highest mileage ever was 186.27 miles in July 2016.

Highest Mileage Week: 24.61. It was this past week and it took me 5:08:31 hours.

Current Challenge: My running streak. Today is day #242. Total miles is 668.55. It is still going well and I am hoping to make it to one year.

Current Book: None but I am waiting for “The Soul of a Woman” by Isabel Allende. I need to check Wendy’s posts since she always has some great suggestions of books to read.

Current Song: No specific song but I am loving anything 80s.

Current Shoes: Brooks Launch 5 and Brooks Levitate 1. I wanted to replace the Launch at the end of March, but sadly had about 200 miles in them due to low mileage in February. I will hit 300 miles in May and will then add either the Launch 7 or Ghost 12.

2021 Running Goal: My goal this year is to run 1,200 miles. I am at 22% done with 264.58 miles. I know last month I thought about changing my goal to 1,000 miles. I will revisit again in June, since I plan to run more miles in the Summer, and make a decision.

What am I looking forward to next month? Almost the end of the school year! You knew I was going to say that, right? Have I mentioned that my last day is June 9th? 😊

How is April going for you?

Tuesday Topics