December 2021 – Zenaida Arroyo

31
Dec
2021

Fit Five Friday and December 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?!

I runfess…
That I didn’t realize that today was the last day of the year when I was calculating my mileage for the year. I thought the last day was tomorrow and was counting on those 9 miles. On Monday I was adding my mileage and realized that I needed an additional 4 miles. I did an extra mile on Tuesday and ran 3 on Wednesday (on my rest day) to make up for it.

I runfess…
I had am so tired of hearing how teachers need to be patient, show up for work with a smile everyday, etc., for the students. It has been hard for them. Yes, it has. But it has been for us too. For everyone. We are all struggling. We are doing the best we can. We are also humans with real feelings and not everyday will be a happy and good day. Oh, and students in Illinois will receive 5 mental health days per year starting in 2022. While I think they should get it, what about others that also work in the schools?

I runfess…
I belong to a Tieks Facebook group. You all know I love my Tieks. The members there mostly sell new or slightly used shoes. I’ve sold a few pairs myself. Sometimes Tieks has limited edition shoes and they sell out right away. If someone does not want or like the shoes, they can simply return them back to Tieks. They even pay for return shipping! However, some people in the group sell the limited edition shoes instead of returning them. They also mark up the price to include shipping and handling and fees. Tieks does not charge any of that. I bite my tongue and don’t say anything. No one is allowed to shame anyone. I don’t understand why they can’t just send them back. And don’t even get me started on people that buy the limited edition shoes and sell them for a much higher price to make a profit on eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, etc.

I runfess…
I don’t expect gifts from anyone but I am surprised I didn’t get more from my students. This year I received gifts from 5 students. Yes, it was more than last year. 😀 I spend about 25-30 hours a week with the students and yet I get nothing from parents. Seriously? On Tuesday I received a Christmas card and a Starbucks gift card from a friend I haven’t seen in about 2 years. In her card she thanked me for being a teacher. Maybe the parents are not Christmas “people”? See next point.

I runfess…
That I am not a Christmas “person”. I don’t really like it. I don’t celebrate it nor believe in the birth of Jesus. I know Christmas is mostly about family spending time together and giving gifts. I only buy gifts for my students (this year I gave them color pencils) and occasionally partake in a Secret Santa Gift Exchange. I get together with my family on a regular basis. Why should I wait for a holiday to get together with them? Ugh, and then many businesses are closed. I do my laundry on Saturday and went to 3 laundromats and they were all closed. I was not happy about it. Luckily my neighbor downstairs said I could use their washing machine.

Rant over. 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.

28
Dec
2021

Tuesday Topics: My goals for 2022

categories: Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: What are your goals for 2022? 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 can’t believe 2021 is almost over. Wow, time to start thinking about next year. Last year I wrote my goals for 2021 and, unfortunately, did not reach all of them. I will be including them again in this post for next year.

✅ Stay injury free. This year I had a minor calf strain and plantar fasciitis in the Summer but it wasn’t serious that I had to stop running for weeks or months. I try to use everyday my massage gun and my mother’s foot and calf massager.

✅ Buy a house. Yep, still on my list. Still looking. I am giving myself till the Summer to move. I don’t want to move in the middle of the year (especially while training for my race), but if I have to then I will.

✅ Travel. This year I traveled to work, to the laundromat, and to the store. Hopefully next year I will at least leave the state. At least I did leave the city. 🤣

✅ Continue to be patient at work and at home. I noticed a change towards the end of the year. I wasn’t as angry as I would usually get. At work I pick my battles and mainly focused on the things that I can control (mainly in my classroom). I do need to work on being more patient with parents. Ugh, sometimes they drive me crazy with the things they do and/or don’t do for their child.

✅ PR in my 50k. My PR is 6:20:55 from 2012. That is a 12:14 pace. 😮

✅ Run 1,200 miles. I was planning to run that this year but unfortunately had to change it to 1,000 miles.

✅ Complete 300 Peloton rides. I’ve been slacking with my bike. Running has been taking a lot of my time, but I know that if I plan it correctly, I can fit in a bike ride after work.

24
Dec
2021

Fit Five Friday: 5 reasons I dislike running outside

categories: Fit Five Friday

You know I don’t mind running outside. Well, I have no choice and I make the best of it. However, there are times when I dislike running outside.

🌝 The uneven ground. I run on the sidewalk and on the streets. There has been a few times in which I’ve almost tripped. I have fallen a few times as well. It is worse when it is dark.

🌝 The drivers. I am sure that if most of them took the driving test again, they would fail. I wear a headlamp and a vest but still drivers act like they do not see me. Also, whenever I am outside and it is dark, I get extra nervous when I see white vans (I blame it on watching too much TV).

🌝 The weather conditions. Too cold. Too hot. Too windy. Chicago is famous for the different types of weather in one day. I’ve run in all of the different weather conditions and many time they suck. But I do it anyway. During the Winter I also need to wear extra layers which leads to more laundry.

🌝 The harassment. Ugh! I hate it. I’ve been stared at and yelled at. Cars have driven by honking at me. I don’t know where it is because the driver knows me or because the driver is encouraging me. Whatever the reason, I do not like it at all.

🌝 The dogs. I don’t hate dogs. I dislike it when they come out of no where and start barking at me. I’ve run on the sidewalk and dogs can see/hear me and start barking. Once a dog ran up to me barking and it scared the shit out of me. I stopped running and for sure thought he/she was going to bite me. Nope, the dog hanged around for a bit and then ran off. Another time I was out by the airport and I saw two dogs on the opposite side of the street. They both crossed the street to come near me. Again I stopped and then they ran off. A few even bark when they’re with their owner. I am sure my heart rate goes up when this happens!

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.

21
Dec
2021

Tuesday Topics: My year 2021 in photos

categories: Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: Your year in photos. 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!

What a year this has been! Thanks to everyone for linking up with us this year.

Let’s recap this year. As I was writing this post I realized that I didn’t have photos for everything that I mention here.

January:

⭐ Began a new linkup with Darlene, Michelle, Jenn, and Renée.

⭐ Went back to work in the classroom. Still no students so it was me, myself, and I in my room.

⭐ Inauguration Day!! One of the best days this year.

February:

⭐ Lots of snow this month. Ran in one of the coldest days. You can see the ice on my eyelashes.

⭐ Got my first covid vaccine.

⭐ Fell again but only scraped my knee.

March:

⭐ Began a new hybrid schedule at work and had some students in my classroom.

⭐ Got my 2nd vaccine.

⭐ Made it to 200 days of my run streak.

⭐ Did my 100th bike ride with Cody.

April:

⭐ Celebrated Lola’s birthday. My precious! I love her.

⭐ Dislike Nike even more after reading the book “Win at all costs”.

May:

⭐ Teacher Appreciation Week!

⭐ Did my 200th Peloton run!
⭐ The AC stopped working and we all struggled. Even the cats!

June:

⭐ Celebrated Global Running Day!

⭐ Done with school! One of the worst years of my teaching career.

⭐ Started 4 weeks of Summer School. Luckily it wasn’t remote and I enjoyed having students in the classroom. Oh and it was a beautiful school (not the same one I currently teach in).

⭐ Nephews from San Antonio and Seattle came to visit. Hadn’t seen them in over 2 years. Went to Tzuco.

August:

⭐ Did my 300th Peloton run!

⭐ Bought some new shoes.

⭐ Went to school to set up my classroom. Excited for a new year with all students in the room.

⭐ Saw Chicago PD being filed close to my house. I saw Jay and Hailey. The episode aired on October 7th.

⭐ Began a new school year with 21 students.

⭐ Completed my running streak!

September:

⭐ Celebrated my mother’s birthday! Grateful for another year she is with us.

⭐ Cheered for Cody in Dancing with the Stars.

⭐ Did a virtual Open House with my coworkers. All teachers had to be at school till 8pm. We could have done this at home.

October:

⭐ Began training for my 50k.

⭐ Survived the Facebook and Instagram blackout.

⭐ I saw with my own eyes the world’s tiniest pencil. One of my former students was using it in class.

⭐ Got my booster and flu shot with my mom.

⭐ Went to the airport with my mom to pick up from nephew. He came home for 2 weeks.

⭐ Spectated the Chicago Marathon.

⭐ Bought another pair of shoes.

November:

⭐ Virtual parent/teacher conferences. I was all alone in my room.

⭐ Last pair of shoes for this year.

⭐ Celebrated my birthday.

December:

⭐ Counting down the days till Winter Break. Two more days to go.

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⭐ Realized I need 60 miles to meet my goal of running 1,000 miles this year. Coach said I will run 36 miles this week and 32 the following week. Looks like I will make it.

17
Dec
2021

Fit Five Friday: 5 things I am looking forward to during Winter Break

categories: Fit Five Friday

I will be on Winter Break next Wednesday. Some districts start today. I am not complaining since some go back to work on January 3rd and I go back on the 10th. I am happy with the extra 2 days we get for our break.

This week our students have taken a 4 MAP tests (state required). We’ve also done some fun activities which they seem to love. Two students are already on vacation so now I am left with 20 students.

Even though my break is 2 1/2 weeks, I am very excited about it. Let me tell you what I am looking forward to during that time.

☃️ Not be out running in the dark. I won’t have to be at work anymore at 8:30am. I know I will wake up early anyway, but I will not be out running that early. Sometimes I don’t mind running in the dark but I could use a break from it.

☃️ Not drive to school or anywhere else. I plan to leave my house just for running, some doctor appointments for my mother, and to get groceries. The rest of the time I will be at home on my couch or bed.

☃️ Watch TV. Right now I am obsessed with “Castle”. Did anyone else watched it? I remember when it was on TV but didn’t watch it from the beginning. Now I am on season 5 (out of 7) and am enjoying it a lot.

☃️ Read. I know I enjoy watching TV but I also like to read. Right now I have 3 books that Wendy wrote about in her blog. I also have the movie “A Star is Born” that I want to see.

☃️ Teach a Winter Break Boot Camp to my students. Is it weird that I am excited about it? This session is one week for two hours each day. It will be online and will consist of one hour of Reading and one hour of Math. I can choose to do it anytime between 8:30am-3:00pm. I will be doing it in the morning to have the rest of the day off to watch TV and read. 😀