Zenaida Arroyo

21
Jul
2013

Weekly Workouts, July 15-21, 2013

Workouts this week:

Tuesday: 6 x 800 (90 sec RI) @ 8:45
I only did 3 x 800 because I had a 5K that evening. I should have just skipped them all because it was so hot that evening and struggled to run the 3.1 miles.

Thursday: 1 mile easy, 5 miles @ 9:52, 1 mile easy
Unfortunately I woke up later than I expected and could only stay at the gym till 7:30 am because I had a school meeting at 9:00. With that time I only ran 3.15. I was gone all day and had not desire to run after my meeting.

Saturday: 12 miles @ 10:45
I did not run on Saturday but instead ran the RnR Chicago Half Marathon today which makes it my 100th race!!! Recap coming soon.

Total miles ran this week is 22.15.

Overall it was a good week. The weather was BRUTAL but I managed to stay cool by staying indoors.

This week I received a pair of new shoes (Brooks PureFlow), three different pairs of Lock Laces, and samples of Huma Chia Energy Gels. I am in love with the laces and I’ve already put the pink ones in my purple shoes.

I know it is not a good idea to try something new on race day but I took a chance and took 3 packets of the Huma gels. And guess not? They are fantastic and yummy! I took one 15 minutes before the start of the race and then two more throughout. I did not experience any stomach problems and am happy to say that these are my kind of energy gels. The only thing is that they are kind of expensive. Each one is about $2.25 but I guess that’s the price to pay for something that is great tasting and natural.

Just Keep Running!

18
Jul
2013

Three Things Thursday, July 18, 2013

categories: Running Gear, Three Things Thursday

1. My new mantra.

2. I like wine and sangria. I found this at Whole Foods and it is delicious!! I’ve also bought de la costa Sangria at Costco (red) and it is also really good.

3. I got these yesterday. I love the color too. I ran 3.15 miles in them this morning and did not feel any kind of discomfort like last time.

Now it is time to rest and hydrate for the RnR Half Marathon on Sunday. It has been scorching hot this week but it is supposed to cool down on Sunday. I hope so.

Just Keep Running!

17
Jul
2013

Strike Out ALS 5K

categories: Race Recap

Yesterday I ran my 99th race, the Strike Out ALS 5K. Let me just tell you that it was a muggy evening for a race. I ran with members of Team Ruth in support of my friend, LH, whose sister has ALS.

I met up with them at 5:30 pm and then went to gear check to meet members of the Chicago Running Bloggers.

Again, it was muggy outside. Before I left my house I took a water bottle with me in the hopes that I would run with it. I knew there was only one water station along the way and knew that was not enough for me. Well, I finished the water BEFORE the start of the race. There was water by the start line so I grabbed another bottle.

The race began a little after 6:30. I had trouble with my Garmin locating a signal so I got out of the line and waited a few minutes.

The course was mainly through the U.S. Cellular Field parking lot. Boring. I did not like it one bit. I really tried to stay positive but I was hot, thirsty, and already had a headache. I finished my water bottle a little after the first mile. The view was not interesting at all. I cursed the sun in the hopes that it would go away. No luck. I focused instead on the reasons I was running this race. So many people/families are affected by ALS and as much as I was unhappy about the weather and the course, I was still grateful that I was healthy and had two running legs.

The last half mile or so was inside the stadium. I remember hearing last year that it was hot and long. Well, it was long but not hot since the AC was on. I kept on running and took one walking break before we were finally outside the field. We still had about another quarter mile before the finish line. It was cool there because it was like running to make a home run. I was so happy to see the finish line!!

14
Jul
2013

Weekly Workouts, July 8-14, 2013

categories: Half Marathon Training

Workouts this week:

Tuesday – 2 x 1200 (2 min RI) and 4 x 800 (2 min RI)

I updated my running plan based on the book “Run Less Run Faster”. This one ends the week of 9/22 and then I start training for Goofy Challenge. And I also have a training plan for it.

I know speed workouts are supposed to be hard but how hard? In the past I was doing them at 8:20 but it was just too difficult that I found myself taking breaks..a lot. With that many breaks it just defeats the purpose of speed workouts. So now my speed workouts will be more manageable but yet difficult for me and with time I will get that sub 2 half marathon!

These week’s workouts were the same as last week. And I felt great (better than last week) when I was done. I raised the incline to 1% and ran them in 9:01 (1200s) and 8:45 (800s).

Thursday – 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ 9:52, 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ 9:52, 1 mile easy
Done. I was sweating up a storm when I was done.

Saturday – 10 miles
I met my friend, PA, for another long run along the lakefront. We decided to meet at 6 am but he overslept and we did not start till close to 7. I was annoyed but then realized that it happens (it could happen one day to me). So I used the extra time to stretch and use the bathroom.

I used Aquaphor in the areas that I normally chafe and it worked! However, because it was a hot day and I was sweating a lot, I also chafed in other areas that I normally do not and that left me very unhappy.

Sunday – Yoga
Another 1.5 hours of hot yoga. I think I am getting the hang of it. But my right leg/hamstring/hip is still very, very tight and some poses are just too difficult for me. I know I need to stretch more so that I can do these. Pretty cool huh?

Total miles ran this week is 24.5.

11
Jul
2013

Three Things Thursday, July 11, 2013

categories: Three Things Thursday

1. I am finally using my Lock Laces and let me tell you that I LOVE them! Never again do I have to tie my laces again. I remember I had a pair of Yankz but for some reason I did not like them so I either threw them away or gave them to a friend. I hope it was the latter. And because of the Yankz experience I hesitated to try the Lock Laces but am so glad I did. They come in different colors so you can match them according to your shoes color. Mine don’t really match because those came in my June StrideBox but I still like them.

2. Yes I am Disney crazy so I signed up for the TinkerBell Half Marathon in January.

3. Lately I’ve been hearing so much about Aquaphor as an anti-chafing cream. I chafe… A LOT. I’ve been using BodyGlide for as long as I can remember but I still chafe. There is nothing worse than taking a shower and screaming in pain as the water hits that raw area. I found a small Aquaphor tube in my dresser and will try it out and see if it is as good as people are saying.

Just Keep Running!