Running – Page 28 – Zenaida Arroyo

10
Mar
2019

Weekly Run Down: Running and my upcoming races

categories: BibRave Pro, Running, Weekly Run Down

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and the Delaware Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

Weekly Runs: March 4-10

M 4 miles
T Did not run
W 3.60 miles
TH Did not run
F 3.01 miles
S 5 miles
S Did not run

I am finally back to running. It wasn’t easy since we are still dealing with cold and windy weather. How much longer till Spring?

This month I am excited to run my first race of the year and one of my favorites in Chicago – Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. I have been running this race since 2005 and I think I’ve missed 2 or 3 years? I love the distance and the location. I was planning to sign up anyway but when a race entry become available through BibRave, I immediately requested to sign up! Check out the medal, hat, and shirt! If you want to join me and thousand of other runners, sign up HERE.

2019 Shamrock Shuffle-2.jpg

Next month I will run the Delaware Half Marathon which will be my 39th state in my Race in the 50 states+1 goal. I am even more excited because I will see Kim (KookyRunner). I first met her in 2017 when she ran the Chicago Marathon, but only got to talk to her for like a minute because she had to keep running and other family members were waiting for her too. The picture below is from the second time seeing her on the course right before the finish line. Join us! Use code DelawareRave19 for 10% off the registration fee.

On Wednesday I received my newest Brooks shoes. I got them in purple and they’re so pretty. For some reason they fit me weird, so I ordered another pair in a different color (some of the Launch 5 are like that too). How awesome is this video!

My runs this week were mostly “easy”. My coach has me running them between 11:56 – 13:04 pace. It is a nice and comfortable pace and many times I welcome it when I am very tired and just want to run “slow”. I did have one speed workout and those I actually enjoy. The plan was 15 minutes warmup and cooldown with 8×2 minutes at marathon pace with 2 minutes jog/recovery. I ran out of time and managed only 4 sessions . <<Not sure what they’re called? Workouts?

I had another easy run on Thursday but was too cold and decided to do it instead on Friday morning. However, it was the same temperature on Friday morning but didn’t feel as cold. Weird. It actually felt good running! We also got a bit more snow but it quickly melted.

Saturday was 5 miles and I waited as long as I could for it to warm up. It didn’t. It was 40 degrees but yet windy and cold.

This week we had a week of various Dr. Seuss activities (4 days since we had no school on Monday). One of them was crazy socks day! I received many compliments from teachers and the students just laughed. 🙂 The rest of the days were crazy hair and crazy hat, with one day for students to submit a drawing of anything of Dr. Seuss. Definitely a fun week!

Crazy Socks Day-1.jpg

Overall it was a good but busy week. I maybe not have done all of my runs on the days that my coach asked me to, but I got them done.

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

Weekly Run Down.jpg

03
Mar
2019

Weekly Run Down: More cold weather and getting back to running

categories: Running, Weekly Run Down

Hello there! I am late to the party and had no idea that the weekly link up hosted by Holly and Wendy was retired, but excited that Kim and Deborah have decided to keep it going with hosting a “new” weekly link up! I am hoping to post regularly here and read about everyone’s week.

Hello March 2019

I can’t believe that we’re already in March! Glad that February is behind us and hopefully the nasty, cold weather we’ve been having here in the Midwest will go away. I am actually pretty tired of it. Unfortunately, the cold weather got to me and I missed so many runs because I didn’t want to deal with the cold weather. I mean, I am sort of OK with running in cold weather (and actually wrote a post on my essentials) but it was just too much for me.

Oiselle Winter Gear-1.jpg

I have a few races coming up and realized that I needed to get out of this funk and start running again. I signed up to train again with Mary and am excited about it. She is so patient with me and I love working with her.

In order to get ready for a new training cycle with Mary, I decided to start “new” with running shoes. I had 4 new pairs of the Brooks Launch 5 and sent them back to Running Warehouse. Currently I have a pair of the Brooks Ghost 11, a pair of the Launch 5, and recently received the Brooks Launch 6. I am thinking of buying the Glycerin 17. That is 4 pairs in rotation. Too many or not enough? 🙂

This week was kind of blah for me. Still no running (only ran 4 miles on Saturday) but kept busy at school. I had parent/teacher conferences on Tuesday. I have 21 students and was able to see 17 parents. I rarely wear heels to work (I am more of a Tieks girl) but somehow decided to wear boots on Tuesday. Big mistake. My feet were hurting by the time I got to school and had to wear gym shoes when I wasn’t meeting with parents. Not pretty but at least I was comfortable.

This Monday is the beginning of a RunBet hosted by Deborah. Have you signed up? My goal is not just to win money, but NOT to lose any money. 🙂 That means I need to run 4 times each week for the month of March. If interested, sign up HERE.

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

Weekly Run Down.jpg

19
Feb
2019

Tuesday Topics: My cold weather running essentials

categories: Oiselle, Running, Tuesday Topics

For the past week or so, I’ve been in a running funk. I love working with my coach, Mary, but recently have not been motivated to run. My last run was 2 weeks ago and I remember that I didn’t want to run but ended up running and ran better than expected.

The weather has been driving me CRAZY. Just on Sunday and Monday we got more snow.

I remember that last year while training for the Illinois Marathon, I did almost all of my runs outside. Some days were cold, some were snowy, and some were both. Regardless, I was out there. I made sure to have the right gear in order to survive outside that long in those weather conditions.

Below is the gear I use to run during the cold weather. Yes, pretty much everything is Oiselle gear. 🙂

• Wazzie Wool Baselayer – I have 4 of these tops. They’re made of merino wool so they keep me warm, absorbs and wicks sweat, and is water repellant. Plus, I love that I can wear this top a few times and it doesn’t smell.

• Vim Jacket – I have one in black but am waiting for the yellow one to go on sale (that color is perfect for running when it is dark). This jacket is lightweight, breathable, and water repellant. It has kept me warm when paired with the wazzie wool baselayer. If I ever get too warm, I can tuck it into the pocket and carry it with the strap.

• Flyout Jacket – I love that it is insulated and has a weather-resistant shell in the front which provides protection from the wind. I own two of these jackets (in blue and in black), but also wear them on non-running days when it is cool enough for just a jacket.

• Super Puff Mittens – These are no longer available online but these mittens keep my hands very warm because of the Polartec Alpha™ insulation and weather-resistant sheet (similar to the flyout jacket). I have one pair and am hoping they’re available again so I can get another pair.

• Power Stretch Running Beanie – This is similar to the Trailheads Women’s Running Ponytail Hat. It is insulated, soft, and covers my ears. My favorite thing about it is the opening for my ponytail.

• Tights – I wear the Moto Lesley Tights and the Classic Lesley Tights. They’re both fleece lined but the Moto tights are thicker and warmer for colder days.

• Wazzie Wool Gaiter – Same material as the baselayer. Perfect for windy days! I also use one from BibRave (not wool material).

• Smartwool Women’s PhD Run Ultra Light Micro Socks – I actually wear these year round. They keep my feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I also like the crew socks during the winter to cover up my ankles.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: What are your cold weather running essentials? 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!

An InLinkz Link-up

12
Feb
2019

Tuesday Topics: What I love about running

categories: Oiselle, Running, Running Gear, Tuesday Topics

What’s not to love about running? Well right now the only thing I am not loving is the weather. I am sorry but I cannot stop complaining about it. Snow, cold, deep freeze, more snow, and ice storm is what we have been dealing with here in the midwest. I know I can use the treadmill but that does get boring after a while.

Last week I wasn’t feeling well and had to skip a few of my runs. I’ve been tired and sometimes had an achy body. My coach told me to sleep and get some rest. I am feeling better and will attempt to run today.

Before I talk about today’s topic, let me show you the activity I did with my kids yesterday. We did a 3D Hot Air Balloon Card. It was so much fun! Below is the video and pictures of the finished product.

https://iheartcraftythings.com/3d-hot-air-balloon-card.html

Now let me tell why I do love running. 🙂

• The gear – I love treating myself to new gear. It makes me happy and gets me excited to go running. About 99% of my gear is from Oiselle. During the warm wear you can find me running in the long rogas. I have 24 pairs of the long rogas (and 5 of the regular rogas) and always get excited when I get another pair.

• Traveling to different states – I love travelling to various states to run a half marathon. I’m at state #39 and this year I will be traveling to DE, MT, SC, and MI.

• FREE and easy to do – All you need is good running gear and the proper shoes and off you go! No never know once you lace up where running may lead you.

• My time – Running is my alone time. I usually run in the morning and it is the perfect time to clear my head and get ready for the day.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: What do you love about running? 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!

An InLinkz Link-up

05
Feb
2019

Tuesday Topics: My favorite non-running products

categories: Running, Tuesday Topics

How is it that we’re already in February? The weather has been absolutely crazy here in Chicago. We had snow a few times and then below FREEZING weather! That weather was like that for two days and then it warmed up. It got up to 46 on Saturday! Most of the snow has already melted and now it is so much easier to run outside.

I almost skipped my run on Thursday at the gym but decided to go since I had to buy my license plate sticker anyway. I wonder if there is a way to change my renewal month? I would pick April or May when it is much warmer and easier to replace the sticker.

Thanks again to everyone for linking up with us! Today we are talking about our favorite non-running products.

• Waterpik Cordless Plus Water Flosser – I went to the dentist at the beginning of January and the receptionist told me that I’ve been seeing him for 19 years! Wow! Almost every time I see him, he tells me that I need to floss more. I understand the importance of it but still hate to floss. I decided to get a Waterpik Cordless Plus Water Flosser at Kohl’s. I love it! It is very easy to use. It is cordless, comes with 6 flosser tips, and you can switch the water pressure from low to high. I got it mid December and when I saw him last month, he mentioned that my mouth was much cleaner and healthier.

• ChicoBag – In Chicago when we go shopping, we either take our own bags (and sometimes get a discount) or purchase them at checkout. I take my own. I have a few from Running Warehouse that they used to send with each purchase. They don’t do that anymore. I always have a ChicoBag with me in the car, my purse, or my school backpack. They’re compact and easy to carry. Once open they’re big enough to hold up to 40 pounds. I love that they come in many different pretty colors.

• Speedo Large Teamster Backpack – Another item I love is my Speedo Large Teamster Backpack. Mine is in purple and it comes in handy when going to the gym in the morning. I add my clothes that I plan to wear that day, my running shoes, and toiletries (in a separate bag). This backpack has so many pockets to hold my combination lock, keys, Apple airpods, and any other items.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: What are your favorite non-running products? 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!

An InLinkz Link-up

Category: Running

Weekly Runs: March 4-10