February 2016 – Zenaida Arroyo

23
Feb
2016

Favorite race medals

categories: Rock 'n' Roll Race, RunDisney, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

Medals, medals, and more medals. Normally I do not run a race just for the medal but it is definitely nice to get one. But I am OK with not getting one.

My favorite series of medals are from the RnR Marathon Series (total of 22 medals) and the Run Disney races (total 14 races).

How can you NOT like this one?

One of my favorites!

One day I will run this race just for the medal. Why not?

This one is as big as my face!

Disappointed with this one. I mean, I just ran 31 miles (50k) so a bigger medal would have been nice. Right? However, it hasn’t stopped me from running this race. So far I’ve run it twice.

My first half marathon medal from August 2006.

My first Chicago Marathon medal from October 2006.

Do you run a race just for the medal? Or are you OK with no medal?

16
Feb
2016

Race shirts: Favorites and the ones we love to hate

categories: Race all 50 states, Rock 'n' Roll Race, RunDisney, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

I will confess that I rarely keep any of my race shirts. The year I ran 14 RnR half marathons, I got 14 shirts but did not keep any of them. They were all nice shirts (Brooks) but really what was I supposed to do with 14 shirts? There has been one or two races in which I had the option of not receiving the race shirt in exchange for a few dollars off my registration fee.

However, I have kept a couple of them mainly because of the materials and the color/cut.

Route 66 Half Marathon

2. Princeton Half Marathon >>My favorite one.

3. Des Moines Half Marathon

I like the shirts from the Bank of America races (Nike brand) but do not keep them either. Not sure why since I do like the cut. But I prefer the finisher’s shirt I bought at the outlet store. It was about $16 three weeks after the marathon.

The “ugliest” looking shirt is this one. I mean, seriously?

I did keep my Run Disney long sleeve shirts but only because I wear them at night when I go to sleep. That extra layer keeps me warm throughout the cold Chicago winters.

I know some runners have had quilts made from their race shirts and I kind of regret not saving mine. Seeing hers made me want to have one for me so you bet I will start saving my shirts. Pretty cool right? This one is from Kimberly who blogs at KookyRunner.

Do you keep your race shirts? For you or to make a quilt as well?

09
Feb
2016

Scenes from my run

categories: Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

I usually run in three different locations: treadmill, along the lakefront, and by my house. I enjoy the variety and definitely do not get bored. Once in awhile I may venture out to a forest preserve. Here are some views from my run. I will never, never get tired of the lakefront view.

Not running related but just because. 🙂

02
Feb
2016

Spring Race Plans

categories: Race all 50 states, Rock 'n' Roll Race, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

I am very excited about my upcoming Spring races! I know it isn’t in the Spring season but my first race this year is RnR NOLA on February 28th. I did the marathon in 2013 and am excited to go back for another race. My two sisters and nephew are also going so it should be fun!!

Next on my calendar is the Live Grit 10 Miler. I’ve done this race a couple times but I think last year was the worst one. The weather started off perfect but then throughout the race it must have dropped about 20 degrees and was windy. You bet I was cold. On the good side, I got a chance to meet Wendy and Marcia. The race course is along the lakefront but on the north side which I enjoy because I normally run on the south side and like the change of scenery. Hopefully the weather cooperates this year. Love the medal too.

Next is the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K. This is one of my favorite races. I love the distance and the location. The start and finish line are the same as the Chicago Marathon. I managed to get a PR in 2014 but missed it in 2015 and you bet I am aiming for one this year. Check out the medal. Pretty cool huh?

I have a few half marathons in various states that are still in the works. For sure I am going to Michigan for the Bayshore Half Marathon (May 28) and West Virginia for the Harpers Ferry Half Marathon (May 14). I am working on logistics for the Garmin Half Marathon on April 16. That’s three states. My goal is to run in at least 5 different states this year. I’m not sure about the Run for the Zoo Half Marathon in NM on May 1 because that will be 3 half marathons in one month. I know it is doable. I am just worried about how my body will respond to it.

I may register for a 5k and/or 10K since I have not done one in years. The Run to Remember 5K in May is a great one but always gets so crowded. I’ve been wanting to run both The Good Life Race 5K and the Ravenswood Run 5K and a few running friends have said good things about both races. I have not made up my mind about the Illinois Marathon Relay also in April. We had a good time (even if it rained throughout the whole race) and it looks like this year more of my friends also want to run the relay.

Summer and fall races is a whole different story. I will leave that for another post.

This is how I feel.

Any fun races for you?

Month: February 2016