Zenaida Arroyo

03
Nov
2020

Tuesday Topics: Getting back on the fitness wagon

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: How did you get back on the fitness wagon? 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!

It is tough to be motivated at a time when there are no races. There have been a few but not to the extend of how it was before. During the first couple of months of the year I was not motivated to run or workout. In late April I got a coach and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made this year. To me now is the perfect time to get fit and train for next year.

Here are some tips that have helped me get back into a fitness routine:

Set goals

I have a few goals for next year. Well, my goals were for this year but, well, we know what happened. I am seeing many improvements in my running and it gets me excited for when we start racing again. Many times I feel like it is too good to be true.

Rely on support from others

YOU all inspire me. We’re all going through a rough time right now but yet I know I can count on you for support and guidance. Your posts make me smile and let me know that things will be OK. We will get through all of this. I love reading about your tips, new workout classes, and new gear to try out. <<I trust you more than any other influencer out there. 🙂

Make it fun

I’ve always made a point by saying that running should be fun. NO pressure. It is not our job, just a hobby. Right now for me it is a way to start off the day. I enjoy the solitude and the silence to clear my head. Also, it doesn’t have to be just running. I love reading about Kim’s Orangetheory workouts, Deborah’s Peloton classes, Darlene’s trail walking, and Wendy’s Crossfit/strength workouts, etc. The common theme is that they’re all making it fun.

01
Nov
2020

Weekly Run Down: Week #5 of training for a 5k and 103.71 miles

categories: Running, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

A new month! A birthday month! How exciting is it? I am looking forward to this month mainly because of the time off I will have. Tomorrow is an Institute Day, Tuesday is a holiday for Election Day (first time ever), and the following Tuesday are parent/teacher conferences. I know two of those days are working days but at least I don’t have to prepare lessons or teach.

I finished October with my highest month this year. I had a feeling but wasn’t sure if it was going to happen. On Friday I talked to my coach about it and went for it. I also donated a little bit more than that to the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation in honor of my sister and of course everyone that has been affected by breast cancer.

My two great runs were on Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday’s workout was 4×2:00 intervals at 10:00 pace with 90 seconds easy/recovery. Nailed it!

I was more nervous for Thursday’s workout because I had never done that one before. It was a progressive run of 3 miles (target paces were 12:15/11:30/10:45). I had never run 3 miles without stopping. Honestly, I did not think I could do it and was prepared to make a few stops along the way. I didn’t. Remember, I am not fast at all but seeing these numbers made me very happy. I was shocked too!

My coach has already uploaded my workouts for this week and yes I am excited about them. I will be doing some easy runs and the two workouts mentioned above but with some slight modifications (another interval and a half mile cool down).

Remember how last week I mentioned that I tried to sign up for Target’s Shipt program for $49? Well, after waiting and chatting with various people, I did manage to sign up. Right now I have the 4 week free trial and at the end of the 4 weeks I will be charged $99. I was told to contact Target at the end of the trial period and after agreeing to pay the $99 annual fee, I will be given a refund. Surely the easiest thing would have been to just let me sign up now for $49, but I am not going to make a big deal about it.

I am reading this book and am liking it. Has anyone else read it?

I remember as I child my mother would make an altar, but I didn’t really understand the reason. I confess that everything made sense after seeing the movie “Coco”. After my father died in 1991 and her parents in 1992, my mother would spend the Winter in Mexico. She would leave mid October and return in the Spring. She did not go to Mexico last year because she can’t travel alone after her stroke. This year she couldn’t go anyway. She made an altar at home and is happy about it. I am happy she is happy.

By the way, I have seen people post on Facebook “Feliz Día de los Muertos” (Happy Day of the Dead). Umm, not sure how I feel about that. I guess in English is does sound weird. Oh well, I should just ignore it, right? There are definitely bigger problems out there.

Another great week for running. Pleased with my runs and it makes me excited for when I can run a real race and see how I do.

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

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27
Oct
2020

Tuesday Topics: October 2020 Review

categories: Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic. 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!

I know October is not over yet. We still have a few more days left. Things are going well in the running department and I am trying to stay positive and taking it day by day in the work department.

It’s been 7 months since everything changed in this world. Still cannot believe it’s been that long. Two more months and 2020 will be over. Will next year be the same? Or maybe a little better? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Mileage: As of this morning I’ve run 87.54 miles. For sure I will make it to 100 this month. July has been my highest with 103.54 miles. It looks like I will pass that amount and it makes me excited.

My highest mileage ever was 186.27 miles in July 2016. Crazy, huh?

Highest Mileage Week: 24.57. It was this past week and it took me 4:58:47 hours.

Current Challenge: None. Anything good out there? I am doing a running streak. Today is day #60. So far so good.

Current Book: None but I need to pick up “Truths I Never Told You” from the library. I also have requested the following books:

In the Dream House
Once I was You
Notorious RBG
The Vanishing Half
The Lies That Bind
Saving Ruby King

I know I can get these faster as an e-book but seriously the last thing I want to do after being on the computer for a few hours is stare at another gadget to read. I want to sit down with my book and a glass of wine.

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Current Song: Wind of Change. I don’t listen to it while running. For some reason it relaxes me so I play it during breaks throughout the day.

Current Shoes: Brooks Ghost 20th x Ghost 12. I have way too many pairs (currently 6 pairs in boxes). My plan is to replace my shoes every 3 months which is about 300+ miles per pair.

Favorite new item: Spiral Hair Ties. I love that they prevent tangling and hair damage.

What am I looking forward to next month? My birthday! Actually, there are few of us that link up here and/or on Sunday that also have a November birthday. Time to celebrate! I am also looking forward to a few days off for Thanksgiving. I know things will be different but hanging out with my siblings will be a great time.

How often do you replace your running shoes?

25
Oct
2020

Weekly Run Down: Week #4 of training for a 5k and weird weather

categories: Running, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

Is it Sunday again? I guess the days go by fast when you are having fun. 🙂 Another week of some great runs. This week was mostly easy runs with 3 days of some faster paces. I did the same workout on Friday and today and finished today’s workout a minute faster.

The weather was so weird. Most of the days I wore tights and a jacket. Thursday morning it rained and then the temperature went up to 70 degrees. Maybe 80? The next morning it was still warm and I ran in tank top and shorts. Of course then it got cold again.

I don’t like to procrastinate (but do know that sometimes one must do it). I’ve had some great runs when I waited till later in the day to run. Friday morning I was checking out the Target website and saw an offer to sign up for their Shipt membership for $49 (regular price is $99). I didn’t sign up. Didn’t sign up Saturday either. Sunday morning I wanted to sign up but the offer was not available anymore. I got in touch with their customer service department hoping they would extend their offer but they wouldn’t. I am debating if I want to sign up anyway. I love Target but don’t really need to be going there all of the time.

This week was not that exciting. Haha, no school drama. Friday was an Institute Day and we learned the process, procedures, and schedules for when the students go back to school. Still no word when that will be, but so far teachers are still required to go back November 9. That may change. Numbers are still going up.

No excuses but I finally voted! Don’t know why I waited so long since the voting place is across the street from where I live.

I am happy with all of my runs. My coach uses TrainingPeaks to upload my workouts every Sunday. I do get excited when I check it out and see what he has planned for me. Is that weird?

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

20
Oct
2020

Tuesday Topics: To run anywhere in the world

categories: Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic is: If you could run anywhere in the world, where would you run? 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!

This is a FUN topic! I cannot wait till it is “safe” to travel again. My last trip was in late February to Atlanta to run the Atlanta Half Marathon. Hard to believe that was almost 8 months ago.

Let’s see, if I could run anywhere in the world, where would I run?

Hawaii-I’ve always wanted to vacation there too. I was planning to run the Kona Half Marathon this year. I almost signed up for it. Glad I didn’t because, well, it was cancelled.

Greece-Everything there looks so beautiful. It is on my bucket list of places to travel. Why not run there too?

New York-Maybe one day I will run the NYC Marathon? I’ve heard great things about this race. Everyone that has run it highly recommends it. Yesterday I did a Peloton 45 minute NYC Marathon Simulation Run and it was exciting to listen to Robin describe the course. There were a few times I stopped because I was actually envisioning myself running the race and was savoring the moment.

Paris-Another place I’ve been wanting to visit to see the Eiffel Tower. I know there are other things to see but that is the first place I want to visit.

Africa-I want to run with elephants, zebras, and giraffes. I know it cannot be done but in a way that sounds like fun. Have I told you my favorite Disney movie is “The Lion King”?

Italy-I’ve been there once during a cruise but did not run there at all. Time to go back there! I would probably eat all of the wonderful food there too.