Zenaida Arroyo

22
Aug
2019

Random Thoughts Thursday 86

Random Thoughts Thursday

• Law or no law, it still amazes me how many drivers I see that use their phone while driving. It is weird how much we depend on our phones and everything we do has to be done right there and then. Remember when we had to get home in order to find out if someone had called or simply to make a phone call?

• I’ve had the same TV in my living room since 2001 or 2002. I’ve moved several times and I’ve brought that TV with me. Lately it doesn’t always turn on or off. Time to get a new one. However, there are so many out there that it is overwhelming! All I want is a TV to watch CBS and to use it for Netflix and Amazon Prime. These two are the ones I like.

New TV-1

New TV-2

• I am a sucker for pens. I have so many in my classroom and tell myself to stop buying them. I really don’t need more. I found an “old” pen in my mom’s room and remember liking it. I then found a set on Amazon and ordered it. Love, love, and love them. They write so smooth and they make me happy.

• Saw these car magnets at Michaels and regret not buying them. Now I need to go back and get them.

• Tamales today, tomorrow, and forever. Sigh. I will never get tired of them. Definitely not the healthiest thing to eat but always so delicious.

20
Aug
2019

Tuesday Topics: My pre-race routines

categories: Tuesday Topics

Hey there! How is everyone doing? How is it that summer break is almost over. While I am sad about it, I am also excited for a new school year.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: What’s your pre-race routine? 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-5

I am lucky that my stomach can handle pretty much anything. One of the things I have to be careful about is eating too much spicy food. What happens is that the next morning I tend to spend an extra few minutes in the bathroom. I LOVE spicy food but try not to eat too much of it.

Where it is before a run or a race, I always have coffee. As a matter of fact, even if I am not running, I always have coffee first thing in the morning. I love the taste and the smell. If I am running less than 6 miles then I don’t eat anything. For longer runs I eat an Orgain Organic Protein Bar (chocolate cookie dough is my favorite). I drink my coffee and eat my protein bar while getting ready. If I am staying at a hotel, I find out if the hotel is offering a free breakfast and I usually get a bagel.

I try to have my clothes and gear ready the night before so that I can quickly get dressed. Oh yeah and so that I don’t forget anything.

2019 Delaware Half Marathon-22

Depending on the distance, I may drink UCAN on the way to a run or race. I’ve tried Cranberry Raspberry, Chocolate, Orange, and Cocoa Delite. My favorite one is Chocolate. Sometimes I make a gel with UCAN.

I’ve run over 100 races and still get nervous before a race. When will I learn? Being nervous makes me go a lot to the bathroom. I have counted and have sometimes used the port-a-potties 3-4 times before a race. Yikes!

Do you have your gear and clothes ready before a race? Have you forgotten something and realized it right before a race?

18
Aug
2019

Weekly Run Down: Room set up and it is here

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

Weekly Mileage-22.jpg

I spent 2 days setting up my classroom and was exhausted! My classroom is ready. I just need a few more things to finish up like labeling their lockers, mailbox, job responsibilities, etc., but I will be ready on August 26th. We have two Institute days and they students’ first day is on the 28th.

2019-2020 Classroom-9

My Peloton bike was delivered on Tuesday afternoon. Isn’t it beautiful? Even Lola is checking it out. I thought the bike would have toe cages like the ones at the gym and I would be able to use my running shoes. Wrong! After going back and forth with a few people that also own a bike, they convinced me to get cycling shoes. Thanks Amazon for the fast delivery! It took me some time to figure out how to clip in and out. 🙂

This week I ran 3 days for a total of 11 miles. Tuesday was a planned rest day but then woke up very tired on Wednesday and Thursday so I decided to rest those days too. I made a mistake and thought my mother had a doctor appointment on Friday. Nope, her appointment was on Thursday. I was angry because I couldn’t believe I made that mistake. Ugh, the next available time slot isn’t till September 16th.

The plan on Saturday was to run 8.5 miles. I had a great run last week and really thought I could have another great one yesterday. It was humid and I wasn’t feeling it. I did enjoy running along the lakefront and seeing many friends.

This morning I did my first Peloton ride. It was 20 minutes Glaciers & Rocks Scenic Ride. It was fun and I was very sweaty at the end. I need to buy a small fan to have nearby.

So that was my week. I didn’t do much running but I am OK with it. This week should be less hectic so I am hoping to run more days.

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

Weekly Run Down.jpg

15
Aug
2019

Random Thoughts Thursday 85

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

• I saw this on Facebook and not sure what to say. Kindergarten teachers are supposed to teach kids how to tie their shoes? Umm, shouldn’t parents do that?

Tie shoes.jpg

• Excited to plan for Hawaii next year. I was supposed to go 10 years ago but cancelled because I was hired as a new teacher and had to go to orientation.

2020 Kona Half Marathon-1

• This made me sad. I have seen so many little ones struggling to make friends and it breaks my heart. I tell my students to be nice to everyone and to always include their classmates if they see them by themselves.

Kids returning to school.jpg

• My Peloton bike was delivered on Tuesday. I didn’t plan correctly since I need cycling shoes to use it. I ordered some on Amazon and am supposed to get them today.

Peloton Bike-3

• Another Lola picture because she is cute. I don’t think she likes that the bike takes up so much of “her” space in the living room.

13
Aug
2019

Tuesday Topics: My favorite running shoes

categories: Tuesday Topics

One guess as to what is my favorite brand of running shoes? 🙂 I have worn Mizuno, Newton, Nike, Asics, and Saucony but have been wearing Brooks for all of my runs and races since abot 2017.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Do you have favorite running shoes and why? 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-4.jpg

Right now I have the Ghost 11, the Levitate 1, the Launch 5, and Launch 6. I like them all and have another pair of the 5 and 6 in boxes. I wear the Launch 5 for my speed workouts and the others I rotate on my easy runs. Why do I love them? I won’t get all technical on you but the main reason is that they’re soft and comfortable. I also like how they fit. Each pair has plenty of cushion and provides ample support. Black shoes are nice but why not get them in wild colors?

I’ve also worn the Glycerin, PureConnect and the PureFlow (another one of my favorites). The PureConnect and PureFlow are no longer available. << Correction: The Pure Flow are still available. I just realized that I had a pair of the 6 but sent them back because they hurt my calves. The only “bad” thing about them is that they had to be replaced every 200 or so miles.

New running shoes

The PureConnect 2 was a lightweight shoe but yet provided plenty of support. I remember running the Goofy Challenge in those shoes.

The PureFlows were perfect. I loved, loved these shoes. At one point I bought 4 pairs of shoes from Running Warehouse. I think I paid about $55 for each pair.

2016ChicagoMarathonRecap3

For sure I will continue to wear running shoes from Brooks. Right now I buy my shoes from Running Warehouse and love it more when the shoes are on sale. Running Warehouse provides free shipping and have a great return policy.

Are you a Brooks fan? What running shoes do you wear?

Tuesday Topics