Zenaida Arroyo

Author: Zenaida Arroyo

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

19
Sep
2019

Random Thoughts Thursday 90

Random Thoughts Thursday

• On Sunday I rented two movies, “La Llorona” and “Aladdin”. Well, I thought I had Aladdin. I did not realized there was another similar movie – Adventures of Aladdin. Imagine my surprise when I started watching it but did not recognize any of the names in the introduction. Well, I did not see Will Smith’s name. Sure enough I had the wrong movie. Redbox was nice to send me a code for a free movie.

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• I love Starbucks. You bet I am not about to pass up on a Groupon deal to get a $10 eGift card for $5. I immediately got one and then tried to get another one. No luck. Then I tried to buy a card for a friend and still no luck. Oh well. Still happy I was able to get one.

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• Yes, I won tickets. Yes, I did go. No, I did not like it. Now I can remove the app from my phone. 🙂

• I don’t handle stress well at all. Who does? I thought I was doing well handling it and staying calm but I was wrong. Yesterday I went home early and cried on my way out. I did feel a bit better today but during the day felt stressed again and ended up staying at school till about 5:30pm.

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• I will take Frequent Jeans Days! I love wearing jeans to work. Oh and add the gym shoes too. It may not look “professional” at all but I am definitely comfortable.

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17
Sep
2019

Tuesday Topics: I love taper time

categories: Tuesday Topics

Hey there! Happy Tuesday again!

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Taper time, love it or hate? 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!

Tuesday Topics-9.jpg

What’s not to like about taper time? I for one do love it and always looked forward to it when I was training for a marathon.

So what is taper time and what is the big deal with it? Tapering starts right after completing your last long run (which is usually 20-23 miles but depending on your training plan and/or coach). During this time you reduce the mileage each week allowing you to rest and recover and be ready for marathon day. Many runners think that during this time they lose fitness because of the reduced mileage. That is not true.

Many other great things happen during taper. “Tapering allows muscle glycogen stores to return to peak levels. Metabolic enzymes, antioxidants, and various hormones, depleted during training, return to their optimal ranges. Muscle and connective tissues repair and strengthen. And, the body’s immune system improves dramatically too. In short, tapering allows your body to prepare for peak performance.” (Source: www.runnersworld.com)

During this time people notice a weight gain of 2 to 4 pounds. Basically it is carbohydrate and water being stored which you will need as you run 26.2 miles.

What else can you do during this time?
• Drink plenty of fluids and cut down on alcohol and caffeine.
• Protein is your friend. Have more of it.
• Eat more food with complex carbohydrates but also include traditional sources of it like rice, fruit and legumes.

GO RUN 26.2 MILES!!!

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So what is your opinion, love or hate taper time?

15
Sep
2019

Weekly Run Down: A new kitten and still no running

categories: Peloton Bike, Running, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

Still no running but my foot does feel better. This week I did 4 workouts on the Peloton bike. My bottom does not hurt as much but still get a little sore. I do have a seat cover but maybe I need cycling shorts?

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I enjoy the classes that have various resistance levels. Yesterday’s was tough! I don’t know if you can see in the picture but this class had a 90-100% resistance. Yeah, I didn’t last that long but I still enjoyed it.

Doing good in my challenge.

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My brother found a kitten and brought him/her on Sunday. It is adorable!!! We first thought it was a girl but now I think it is a boy. I am 99% sure it is a boy. We have a vet appointment on Tuesday for a checkup and we’ll then find out for sure.

Lola is spoiled and is NOT happy with the kitten. She spends her time hissing at the poor kitty. We kept the kitten in my sister’s room this week. However, yesterday he was able to roam around the apartment and simply would not stop. He has so much energy!! I had a name in mind (Luca) but now I am not so sure. Now I am thinking Mateo?

Yesterday the kitten was enjoying Lola’s scratcher so I put it in my sister’s room because I know Lola wouldn’t want to use it anymore. (Lola hissed at me when she smelled the new kitten smell on me and for a few hours wanted nothing with me). At Target I found the cutest scratcher that they can both use. I mean eventually they would have to get along, right? Haha, to them it is more of a toy.

Friday was an interesting day. Well with it being Friday the 13th and a full moon, I was expecting the worst. Not really. It went better than expected. My kids had to take a MAP test in Math and we were done in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Then we spent the rest of the day taking more tests (spelling, reading, and math), some fun time, and then watched part of a movie.

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With the new TV I also purchased a new DVD player. Earlier this morning I watched “La Llorona” and even though I was scared, I liked it! I remember as a kid my sister telling me the story. Next we are going to watch “Aladdin”.

Not so much an exciting week. 🙂 I am going to try running tomorrow and see how it goes. I have a half marathon next month! How was your week?

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

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12
Sep
2019

Random Thoughts Thursday 89

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

• The search for the “perfect” house continues. I do like where I live so sometimes I feel like not moving. Packing up all of the stuff I have here is not exciting. But then I remember that it would be nice to have more room for when my mom comes over. She usually stays with me on the weekends or during the week when she has doctor appointment. I hope I can move before the winter. 🙂

• I recently signed up for a Blogilates account. I was about to enter my “regular” password (I know I am not supposed to use the same one but how the heck am I supposed to remember all of them?) when I saw that my password had to be 12 characters long. Umm, what? Good grief!

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• My kids talk too much but not enough when they’re supposed to. I’ve repeatedly told them when they can and cannot talk. But when I ask them a question about a math problem or something we just read, they have no idea what I am talking about. I feel like either I am missing something or not doing something right.

• I am excited for these upcoming Peloton classes during Hispanic Heritage Month. Right now I am loving the classes with 80s music but for sure would love some Spanish music.

• No wonder! I can sometimes hear Lola roaming the hallway in the middle of the night. What is she doing? Sometimes I do wonder if she does see or sense something out there. Well not exactly a ghost but definitely something that spikes her curiosity.

My cat sleeps all day.jpg

10
Sep
2019

Tuesday Topics: How I stay fit with in-home workouts

categories: Tuesday Topics

Whew! How is it again Tuesday? How is the weather where you live? Last week we had some cool Fall weather which I love. However, it did warm up a bit yesterday and then today and tomorrow it is supposed to be even warmer. Definitely some crazy weather here.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: No gym access? How do you stay fit with in-home workouts? 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!

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I’ve been trying to be a fit person. Ever since I started running in 2005, I’ve mainly focused on running. I know I should be doing more but for some reason or another (more like excuses), I don’t do it. I do love reading about other bloggers and their workouts whether at home or at the gym.

Due to plantar fasciitis, I haven’t been able to run. I have been foam rolling and stretching. I bought a Strassburg sock to wear at night and also use orthotics in a pair of running shoes. I don’t run in them but wear them on my way to and after school. It does feel better but still I want to take it easy so that this injury goes away for good.

A month ago I got a Peloton bike. So many people raved about it and I can see why. I love the convenience of waking up in the morning and within 5-10 minutes being able to start a class or workout. There are so many classes/workouts to choose from depending on the instructor, length, class type, and music. So far my favorites are the ones with 80s music. This is the perfect activity to do while I recover.

A few weeks ago my doctor diagnosed me with runner’s knee. Symptoms include pain in and around the kneecap or rubbing, grinding, or a clicking sound when you bend and strengthen the knee. The latter is what I have. It was so weird to hear a clicking sound and I remember it used to freak me out. Now I am used to it. My doctor gave me a couple of exercises to do to strengthen the muscles that support the knee. He also asked me to wear a knee brace while running. I will confess that sometimes I get bored with the exercises but I know in the long run it is for my own good. I am not consistent with them and that is why it is taking me longer to get better. However, my knee does not click as much anymore and that is definitely a good thing.

Every day I try to do something different whether it is a plank, tricep dips, wall pushups, or kettlebell swings. I remember last year I did a 30 day challenge but only made it halfway through. They’re definitely not easy to do. Maybe I should try again. No burpees for this girl. Those I will save for later. 🙂

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It isn’t perfect and definitely not consistent. I am not as fit as I would like to be but I am trying. What are some of your favorite at home workouts to stay fit?