Author: Zenaida Arroyo

I am a 2nd grade teacher and a runner. I love coffee and cats.

Weekly Run Down: Almost 14 miles and working from home

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I have been home since Monday.  I spent most of Monday and Tuesday preparing lessons for my students using Google Classroom.  I prepared 8 days of lessons.  “Last” day of school is March 27 and then we are off for Spring Break.  At the moment we are scheduled to go back on April 6th but that can change.  In some states schools are closed for the rest of the school year.  Also, CPS will be closed till the 20th.  My district will most likely follow CPS’s plan but so far haven’t heard anything about it.

What I am not liking about this is that my students have not done the work nor turned it in.  On Friday I gave them all a folder full of worksheets.  I also told them to go to Google Classroom because I would be leaving additional work there.  One week has gone by and only 5 students have logged in.  Maybe 2 or 3 have turned in the work.  I am trying to be understanding and patient.  Maybe they’re all working on their worksheets?  Who knows?

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The two weeks after my half marathon in Atlanta, I did not run at all.  First, I was recovering from said race.  I felt better by Thursday but still did not want to run.  Then I was just tired and wanted to sleep.  Before I knew it 2 weeks had gone by and I told myself to snap out of it.  I did and ran on Monday.  Not too long but a little over 2 miles.  My pace was slow but I did not care.  I ran again the rest of the week except on Tuesday.  My goal was to run each day longer than the day before.  I did it!  

I ran by the area where I fell in January.  Well, I walked.  

It was gloomy most of the week and I got tired of it.  I think one day it was cold but not windy.  I wore an insulated jacket and ended up being too warm.  It is now my favorite jacket for running on cold days.  

Being home all day I saw just what my cats do all day.  They sleep all day.

Lola prefers to hang out with me than Mateo.

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This is my favorite one.  They were both waiting for me after my run yesterday.  OK, enough cat photos for today.  🙂

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I had planned to run 3 races from March-May and they were all cancelled.  Right now the race I have in my calendar is in July.  So for now I will continue to run.  Since now I have more time, I am thinking of using again the Hansons Training Method.  I already printed out a 16 weeks schedule.  I know it is an intense plan.  Will I run 6 days a week?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  I might just run 3, 4, or 5 days depending on how I feel.  Right now I need a plan so I can keep on running.  I know there are other plans I can use, but I’ve used this one before and like it.  

So what else did I do this past week?  My mother was here this week so I spent some time with her.  I made the mistake of watching “Outbreak” and “2012”.  HUGE mistake.  🙂  I have a TiVo in my room and have been catching up on a few shows such as Chicago PD, Bull, and Hawaii Five-O.  Quite a few episodes were from September!  I have yet to finish Hawaii Five-O, Young Sheldon, and NCIS.  Yep, will be busy for the next couple of weeks!

How are YOU?  How was your week?

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

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Random Thoughts Thursday 116

Random Thoughts Thursday

• I spent two days working on assignments for my students.  I gave them all a packet on Friday to take home.  I also asked them to log into Google Classroom as that is where additional assignments will be posted.  So far only three students have logged in and two have already submitted assignments.  Part of me is wondering why I am working so hard on all of these assignments?

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• Anyone else might make a trip to the store and return some things?  I am.  I bought two packs of toilet paper and I feel like the store jacked up the price.  Yes, I was one that panicked and went looking for toilet paper.  I found it at Pete’s Market but then found it cheaper at Target.

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 • Exactly!  Our school contract is up this year.   I hope we get a raise.  I hope ALL teachers get a raise and more schools get money.  

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• Check on your extroverted friends. 

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•  Anyone planning to refinance or buy a house?  Now is the perfect time to do it.  Again, wished I had a house to buy.  I am checking every single day.

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Tuesday Topics: What I think about when running

How is everyone doing?  I have been home since yesterday planning for 8 days of instruction for my students.  Definitely a lot more work than I anticipated but it needs to be done.  We were supposed to have an Institute Day yesterday and Parent/Teacher Conferences today.  That changed and conferences were changed to take place via Google Hangout.  Instructions and letters with the information were sent home on Friday.  Now, schools are closed as of today so no Institute Day nor conferences.  

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics.  This week we’re talking about what you think about when running.  Anyone have any interesting stories?  Let’s discuss!

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This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What do you think about when you’re runningYou 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!

Lately I haven’t done too much running.  It’s been two weeks since my half marathon in Atlanta and I’ve done one run.  That is it.  I haven’t been motivated.  Now that I am not training for a specific race (my three races have been cancelled), I want to run just for fun.  

Social media sucks.  I understand it is a difficult time for many people.  I get it.  I had to unfollow a few people from Twitter because of stupid comments.  Some people are just plain selfish.  

Anyway, back to the topic.  Sometimes I listen to music while running.  I have a playlist that I like so music isn’t really a problem.  Other times I have too much going on and want to think things through. 

Below are some things I think about in no specific order or importance.  

√ My pace.   Lately I’ve been running slower than usual and I wonder why but at the same time know the reason.  Just running is not going to make me faster.  I need to do other things besides running.

√ My students.  Many times they do annoy me but they make me smile and laugh a whole lot more.  They’re kids.  They’re innocent.

√ A house.  I have mentioned a few times that I am looking for a house to buy.  In my head I have the perfect one.  Now I need to find it.  I have been looking for a few years and don’t understand why I haven’t found it.  

√ My mom.  Luckily she is doing better after her stroke.  Her doctor has mentioned that her glucose and cholesterol levels are under control.  What she struggles with is high blood pressure.  We cannot get that under control.

√ My cats.  They’re my babies.  I love them.  They’re so cute!  Right?  🙂

√ My job.  I don’t love it but don’t hate it either.  I like it.  Lately I’ve been struggling because I want to do so much for my students but then get frustrated because I don’t have enough time.  There’s been days that I stay at work till 5 or 6 pm a few nights a week.  It is frustrating because no matter how many hours I put in, I will never finish everything I want to do.

√ My family.  A few of us like to get together to eat, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company.  It’s been a few week since we’ve gotten together and who knows when the next time will be.

Tuesday Topics

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Random Thoughts Thursday 115

Random Thoughts Thursday

• I know I have mentioned this before but my mom and I have tickets to go to Mexico for Spring Break.  I am torn as what to do.  We are both looking forward to this trip but I am not sure if we should go because of the COVID-19.  So far United has not cancelled our flights but if I cancel them, I lose all of the money I paid for the tickets.  🙁

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• Anyone else stocking up on disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer?  On Saturday I went to Target and there is a limit on those items.  I did buy wipes but they were out of hand sanitizer. 

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• How did your Monday go with the time change?  Ugh, Sunday night I could not fall asleep and then could not get up on Monday morning.  It was rough.  Even my kids struggled more than usual.  Time change or not, I still hate Mondays.  🙂

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• So far our district has not closed the schools.  However, I have a feeling that they will soon.  Yesterday we got an email letting us know that various activities (coffee with the principal, parent computer classes, parent library, and family nights) have been cancelled.  Heck our field trip to the Field Museum and P/T Conferences have been cancelled too.  I have my copies ready to send home just in case!

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•  Another photo of my babies.  No reason other than I LOVE them.  I am also tired.  I am ready for bed but I am hungry since I have not eaten dinner.

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Tuesday Topics: Yes to trail running!

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics.  This week we’re talking about trail running.  I’ve done a few runs here and there but nothing compared to what other runners do.  Trail running isn’t for everyone and that is OK.  Let’s discuss!

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This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Trail running – yes or no?  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!

For years I’ve been a road runner.  Sometimes I drive to the lakefront and run there.  Sometimes I run by myself and other times with a group.  The past couple of years I’ve been running by my house.  To me it is much more convenient and easier.  

A few years ago I started going to Waterfall Glen.  It is perfect for hill training because as you know Chicago is FLAT.  I go there too to get a break from running on the pavement.  My favorite time to go is in the Fall.  Not only do I love Fall running but going there is beautiful.  The trees and the leaves give me a peaceful feeling.  Oh, and I also love going after it rains.  The smell of the dirt!!  There is something about it that I love.  I know, it sounds weird.

I realize it isn’t a difficult terrain.  It is still smooth.  The hills is what makes it challenging hence providing a great workout.  

Besides the softer terrain, other benefits of trail running include: strengthens the legs; it is quieter; reduces the risk of injury; high quality air; and improves your mood.

I am planning to run at Waterfall Glen more often.  These past few months haven’t been going well (running wise) and I hope things are better the rest of the year. 

If you need trail running shoes, Wendy wrote a great review of the Brooks Cascadia 14 XT.  Check it out!

Trail running might not be for everyone.  That is OK.  Now trail racing is something I don’t think I will ever do.  You?

Tuesday Topics

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