Zenaida Arroyo

08
Oct
2019

Tuesday Topics: Themed races – Yay or nah? Favorite themed races?

categories: Rock 'n' Roll Race, RunDisney, Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Themed races – yay or nah? Favorite themed races? 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-12.jpg

Rock ‘n’ Roll

I’ve done quite a few themed races. The bulk were Disney and Rock ‘n’ Roll Races. Sometime in late 2013 I purchased a TourPass. With this pass I was able to run unlimited RnR races in the U.S. This pass was only $399. Awesome deal and I took advantage of it. In 2013 I ran 14 Rock ‘n’ Roll races. I am glad I was able to visit so many different places – some I had never been to before! Some of my favorite cities were Washington DC and Las Vegas. I ran my 100th race at RnR Chicago which I was happy about. The worst one was Nashville because it was hilly and it rained throughout the whole race. I feel like I need to go back and do it again. When I was done with Las Vegas, I ended up with 22 medals.

It’s been fun to read again some of these posts. There are so many things I would do different but still I am glad I experienced these races.

RunDisney

I ran 8 races in 2014. It all started with the Goofy Challenge (half marathon on Saturday and marathon on Sunday) in Florida and ended with Wine and Dine in Florida too. I remember some friends talking about the Goofy Challenge and how they wanted to do it again. They asked me if I was interested. I replied “sure” not really knowing what I was getting myself into. They ended up doing Dopey Challenge which was a 5k on Thursday, 10k on Friday, half marathon on Saturday, and a marathon on Sunday. DOPEY FOR SURE!

Goofy Challenge was definitely hard but I finished. Training for it was even worse. The race was in January and I had to train in the Winter and that was not fun at all.

Then I went on to run Tinker Bell Half Marathon, Enchanted 10k, Princess Half Marathon (those two were The Glass Slipper Challenge), Disneyland 10k, Disneyland Half Marathon (those two were the Dumbo Dare Challenge, and Wine and Dine Half Marathon. I had forgotten that Wine and Dine was a night race (so RnR Las Vegas is not the only night race I’ve done). It also rained most of the course and my finish time is my worst finish time. After this race I had 14 Disney medals.

RunDisney6

Also, it’s been fun reading some of my posts again. When I first started my blog, I used Blogger. Then I used WordPress, back to Blogger, and back again to WordPress. Cannot remember why I did this but with all of this back and forth, some of my photos aren’t showing up on the posts or are upside down. I want to fix them but I don’t know how. Or should I even bother and just leave it the way it is?

I enjoyed both the RnR and RunDisney races. However, what I did not like about the Disney races was the price. They’re very expensive! I think I paid close to $400 for the Goofy Challenge. Would I do them again? Only Glass Slipper Challenge. I like the theme and I’d rather go to FL than CA because it is closer and cheaper to get there.

As for RnR races, I will not do those again except maybe Chicago. And that is a big maybe. That race is in July and July is not a good month for a half marathon in Chicago. I would like to run in Washington DC because I love going there.

100th race.jpg

06
Oct
2019

Weekly Run Down: Low month and still wearing shorts

categories: Running, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

Weekly Mileage-28.jpg

I love that I was able to do all of my workouts this week. So many different weather changes this week. I was hot on Tuesday and then cold by Saturday.

September 2019 Mileage

I ended the month with 29.46 miles. It was my second lowest after February which was 21.52 miles.

I had a committee meeting on Tuesday and didn’t have to be at work till 8:30. I got up to run since I thought I had a longer workout but then realized I had to run 3 miles. I kept putting it off thinking I had time, since it was “only” 3 miles, but then lost track of time and did not run. I did run later in the evening but it was 90 degrees. Man it was tough!

I actually enjoyed my workout on Wednesday (2 mile warmup, 1×8 minute intervals with 2 minutes recovery, and 1 mile warmup). I was out by 5am and it was nice to be out in the dark and quiet. I have been struggling to be out there running in the morning but once I am there, it is kind of relaxing. I feel like I am in my own world with no worries.

I was cold Friday morning to run 3 miles. But I still wore shorts. 🙂 During my run I thought about my kids. I have 16 total but only 3 are reading at grade level. A few are close to grade level and the rest are reading at the beginning of 1st grade level. Every year it is worse and we don’t understand why these kids aren’t reading at grade level. Is it a language issue or a learning disability? I have an interventionist coming in to work with these kids but only 1 (maybe 2, still need to get confirmation) will be pulled out for additional support. Why aren’t the other students receiving more support? Who knows? But I do know that some interventionists are also working with some 5th graders. Huh?

I procrastinated on Saturday for my long run. I don’t like doing that because then things happen and then I don’t end up doing what I intended to do. I went out at 11am to run 6 miles. It was sunny but not too cold. I wore shorts again. It is beginning to look like Fall!

I am glad I did all of my runs this week. My plantar fasciitis is definitely much better and I am happy about it. Two weeks to go till the Detroit Free Press/TCF Half Marathon!

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

Weekly Run Down.jpg

03
Oct
2019

Random Thoughts Thursday 92

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

• Saw this on Facebook and will be trying it out for my room. Has anyone made it?

DIY Febreze-1.jpg

• Mateo and Lola have simply destroyed the Halloween house I bought for them.

• One of the things that irks me at school is the incorrect translation of English to Spanish. I saw this today in one of the programs my kids use and I got so annoyed. The correct word is moneda de cinco centavos but yet we see the word “nickels”.

$Splash Math-1.jpg$

• I was this close to crying again this week. How is it that we’re only in October and I am already feeling so stressed out. Every morning I am rushing to get things done and then at the end of the day I feel like I didn’t get anything done.

• The Chicago Marathon is less than 2 weeks away! I am not running it but am excited for those that are and am looking forward to spectating. I’ve run this race a few times and have always loved it.

01
Oct
2019

Tuesday Topics: My Oofos Ooahh Sport Project Pink Recovery Sandals

categories: BibRave Pro, Product Review, Tuesday Topics

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Oofos Ooahh Sport Project Pink Recovery Sandals to review 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.

Tuesday Topics-11.jpg

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Who are some of your favorite running/fitness athletes 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!

I’m deviating from this week’s topic to write a review about Oofos Ooahh Sport Project Pink Recovery Sandals.

So many people rave about these sandals. Last month BibRave had an opportunity for BibRave Pros to test them and I quickly signed up. I was so happy when I received the email letting me know I was selected. Then the countdown began for the sandals to arrive.

So what do I think about them? They’re strong and durable. They’re very comfortable. Let me repeat that again….THEY’RE VERY COMFORTABLE. I’ve been wearing them every single day. Even my mom likes them. I swear that these sandals along with a sleeve, inserts, stretching, and foam rolling have helped with my plantar fasciitis.

Even Mateo likes them and wants a pair in his size!

Here are a few facts about Oofos:
OOfoam recovery technology absorbs 37% more impact than other footwear foams.
OOfoam impact absorbing recovery technology has been scientifically proven to reduce stress on your body while walking, allowing you to recover faster after a workout and feel better all day.
The footbed is designed to cradle your arches and move with your feet, which allows for a more natural feel.
They are easy to keep clean as they are machine washable.
They offer free ground shipping and free returns on every order.
They also have an awesome rewards program. Head over to the Oofoos Rewards Page to check it out for yourself and start earning points right away!

If that didn’t convince you to get a pair, how about this? Did you know that OOFOS donates 3% to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute from EVERY PAIR OF OOFOS on oofos.com YEAR ROUND?? This is not just a promotion they do for a month or so and it’s not specific to only the Project Pink line. They make a 3% donation from EVERY PURCHASE on oofos.com. They do this so they can make more substantial contributions to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on a regular basis. That’s a pretty cool commitment, isn’t it?!?

Cancer sucks. We’ve all been affected by breast cancer in some way. My sister was diagnosed with it in her late 20s almost 30 years ago after her youngest was born. She has gone through radiation, chemo, and a double mastectomy. Luckily, she is alive and grateful to see her kids grow up. She has two grandchildren and is also happy to spend time with them.

So what are you waiting for? Go on and order a pair or two. Be sure to check out the Limited Edition styles just in time for the NYC Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and Marine Corps Marathon.

Remember, that with each purchase OOFOS donates 3% to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

29
Sep
2019

Weekly Run Down: Fall is here and Open House

categories: Running, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

Weekly Mileage-27.jpg

Fall! I LOVE it! It is my favorite season. I ran on Monday morning which felt GREAT. However, I did not took one single picture which is weird because I take a picture at almost every run. But I swear I did run. 🙂

I stayed late at work on Tuesday but still did a 45 minute workout on the Peloton. I finished just in time to shower and watch “NCIS”. Anyone a fan? Did you see Ziva?

Peloton Workout-10

Wednesday was a half day at school and our Open House. I had planned to run in the morning but woke up too late. The day dragged with meetings. The last meeting was the worst and we were happy when it was finally 4pm. Then we had to go back to school to finish setting up for our Open House.

I was very disappointed with that evening. I have 16 students. Many reminders were sent to parents. Yet, only 3 of them showed up. One showed up at 8pm just as I was turning off my Promethean board and the Principal was making an announcement that Open House was over. The mom told me that they had been at the school earlier but her son did not tell her his classroom number. Umm, what?!?!? I was very ANNOYED.

I was exhausted Thursday and Friday. Yeah, no time to run in the morning either. I did not stay late after school either and left right at 3. I did feel better by Friday evening and was in bed by 9:30pm.

Saturday morning I woke up early to catch up on blogs and Instagram. But my little guy had a different idea.

Then they both went back to sleep.

I went out to run 3 miles. I did get a little cold and had to go back inside for a long sleeve. Luckily it has stopped raining but it was drizzling just a little bit. I found a penny!

In the afternoon I watched “Rocketman” and “Yesterday”. I enjoyed “Rocketman”! It was a great movie. I didn’t know anything about Elton John (except that he had some great songs). I would love to see him in concert.

Sunday morning I ran 6 miles. I struggled during this run but got it done. Hard to believe that my half marathon is in 3 weeks. Yikes! I had another Garmin record but do not see it in the summary from today’s run.

Have you seen Elton John in concert? If not, let’s take a road trip. Even if you have, let’s go!

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

Weekly Run Down.jpg