Zenaida Arroyo

31
Jul
2017

The Great Alaskan Running Cruise: Seattle

categories: Adventure, Fun, Running, Travel

My trip began on Wednesday, July 19 with an early flight to Seattle. Lola did not want me to leave. I had a packing list provided to me by Jenny and I would cross off each item once I packed it in my suitcase.

I left early in the morning and arrived in the early afternoon. Meghann and I had another flight to Anchorage the next morning so we decided to stay in a hotel close to the airport. I made the mistake of not checking the reviews and ended up with a not so great room. The room had a “funny and weird” smell and the owner/manager was not friendly. He was nice to me but he was very rude to another customer. I couldn’t believe it. The customer simply asked a question (more towels or linen) and the manager flat out yelled at him and told him to wait and that he had already told him that it would be another 5-10 minutes to get the items he requested. Umm, let’s just say I never plan to stay there again. And I will do a much better job of reading the reviews. Lesson learned.

My nephew is a student at the University of Washington and has a summer job at Microsoft so we made plans to meet for dinner. In the meantime, I took the Link to go to the Oiselle store, the Apple Store, and Pike’s Market. I even saw the Original Starbucks but the line was too long to go inside. Just seeing it from the outside was enough for me.

Then it was dinner at Japonessa Sushi Restaurant followed by a few flights of beer at Elysian Brewing Company. <<Beer was DELICIOUS!

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Afterwards, I was tired and ready to get some sleep. Meghann had texted me that she had landed and was heading to the hotel. I took a Lyft (first time and my nephew encouraged me since he has a internship with them in the fall) and met up with Meghann.

Then I got my stuff ready for the next day and went to sleep.

It was a long but FUN day.

Ever been to Seattle? What did you like about it?

30
Jul
2017

Road to BQ Week #18

categories: Boston Marathon, Brooks Running, Hansons Training, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap

As mentioned in this post, I’m attempting to get my own BQ. I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method. In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue. You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs. The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. I purchased a new Hansons Method Marathon Plan and now will be running 5 days (instead of 6) a week.

Week #18, July 24-30

M Ran 3.01 Miles
T Did not run
W OFF
TH Did not run
F OFF
S Did not run
S Ran 4.02 Miles

Still in Alaska. I’ve created a page specifically for this trip.

On Monday we did a 4 Mile “Amazing Race” in Skagway. We got a map and a list of places to find. Each was worth 1 point and a few others 2,3 and 5 points.

Meghan and I got 13 points. We did not win but definitely had fun.

I went kayaking (first and probably last time). It was fun for about 15 minutes. Then I got tired. I will admit that I was terrified of the kayak tipping over.

Our last run was in Ketchikan where we did a 5k. There was an option for a 10k too.

Meghann and I did an excursion in Ketchikan where we saw a bunch of totem poles. Pretty cool.

The ship arrived in Vancouver on Friday morning and we stayed an extra day to tour the city.

Ever been kayaking? If so, will you do it again?

Total mileage for the week: 7.03 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 438.15 miles
Total mileage for the year: 486.34 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s host is Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner. Please stop by her blog and show her some love! I am also linking up with Courtney for her Training Recap Link Up!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

30
Jul
2017

Road to BQ Week #17

categories: Boston Marathon, Brooks Running, Hansons Training, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap

As mentioned in this post, I’m attempting to get my own BQ. I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method. In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue. You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs. The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. I purchased a new Hansons Method Marathon Plan and now will be running 5 days (instead of 6) a week.

Week #17, July 17-23

M Ran 5.02 Miles
T Did not run
W OFF
TH Ran 3.26 miles
F OFF
S Did not run
S Ran 13.57 Miles

I realized today that somehow I had the comments off feature in my post about the Chicago Half and 5k. Not sure how that happened but I fixed it and you can now comment on that post.

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I did not keep up with my training while in Alaska. I tried. It was hard.

I will post a few pictures from my trip here but will include more in separate posts. I’ve created a page specifically for this trip.

I left Wednesday morning to begin my trip to Alaska.

First stop was Seattle where I shared two flights with my nephew.

The next stop was Anchorage. That evening there was a 5k. It was fun!

This is at 9pm in Anchorage and it was bright and sunny. 😳

The next day was a trip to Seward. This is a view from the train ride. I saw a moose, a bear, and a couple of eagles.

Finally in Seward and before boarding the ship.

It was beautiful and cold at Hubbard Glacier.

Our first stop was Juneau where I ran a half marathon for state #38.

Ever been on a cruise? Where did you go?

Total mileage for the week: 21.85 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 431.12 miles
Total mileage for the year: 479.31 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s host is Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner. Please stop by her blog and show her some love! I am also linking up with Courtney for her Training Recap Link Up!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

21
Jul
2017

Friday Five 2.0-Top 5 things I am looking forward to the Chicago Half and 5k

categories: Ambassador, BibRave Pro, Friday Five 2.0, Friday Randomness, Running

As you read this post, I’ll be on my way to Seward, Alaska to begin my trip on The Great Alaskan Running Cruise. Follow me on Instagram as I will be posting pictures and some stories during my trip.

As I mentioned last week, I am a BibRAVE Pro Ambassador and one of the perks is signing up for the Chicago Half Marathon and 5k on September 24th. Read along as I list the reasons why I am excited to run the 5k.

1. It will be my first race as a BibRAVE Pro Ambassador. I am grateful to be chosen as an ambassador and excited to run for this amazing group. I also look forward to meet more ambassadors at the race.

2. It is a local race. That saves me time and money. I sleep in my own bed and drive to the race. I’ve run before the half marathon so I am familiar with the course. I love that in this race you run through traffic free Lake Shore Drive.

3. FREE Race Photos. I never buy any of my race photos (too expensive and don’t like how I look – that alone is another topic) but I’ve noticed that I do like the FREE ones. Regardless, whether I like them or not, they’re still FREE.

4. It is a short race. I know people have a love/hate relationship with 5ks. I personally like the distance because it is “only” 3 miles. Doable, right? Sure beats 13.1 miles. 🙂

5. I am hoping to PR! My old PR is from 2011. It is time to set a new one.

EXTRA:
6. You get a cool shirt and medal. Love the color red!

2017 Chicago Half and 5K 1 — Source: http://www.chicagohalfmarathon.com/

Remember, if you would like to sign up, use BRCHI17 to get $15 off the half and $10 off the 5K.

Will I see you at the Chicago Half Marathon and 5k in September?

Do you like/don’t like 5ks?

I’m linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 2.0.

17
Jul
2017

Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon 2017

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

I’ve run this race before (2009, 2011, 2013). The last time I ran it, I swore I would never do it again because it is always HOT on race day. I remember in 2013 I almost passed out because of the heat.

Never say never, right? Thanks to Erica at Erica Finds I won a FREE race entry so you bet I signed up. The plan was to run it as a training run (16 miles on the calendar).

The expo was not fun at all. You can read about it HERE or just skip it.

Saturday morning was the 5k. I went to the lakefront to run 4 miles and saw the runners. I was hoping to see Kathrine Switzer since at the expo I found out she was running the 5k. I did not see her. But Wendy got to see her TWICE! Lucky girl!

Sunday morning my alarm went off at 4:15am, got ready, ate breakfast and drove to the train station. While there I saw the most beautiful sunrise.

2017RnRChicago3

Once downtown I dropped off my bag at gear check (I felt bad for the volunteers because there weren’t enough of them but lots of people were waiting to drop off their bag) then got in line to use the porta potties. Ugh, people were taking too long. I moved to another shorter line but they were taking too long there too. Finally it was my turn and I was in and out in about 15 seconds!

I went to get in my corral but there were so many people. That’s what I get for being “late”. Finally I got in and just when I was about to cross the start line, I saw Kathrine Switzer! It happened so quickly and I was shocked to see her. What I wanted to do was call out her name to get a picture but the line was moving and she was walking in another direction so I lost my chance. Later I found out she was on the course giving out water and at the finish line giving out medals. I did not see her. 🙁

2017RnRChicago4

It wasn’t as hot as it usually is and it was shaded. Thank goodness because it is known to always be HOT on that day. As you can see from my splits below, I did good for 7 miles. I drank water at every water station and had two water bottles filled with Generation UCAN Hydrate. I also took a salt tablet every 4 miles. Prior to the start of the race I drank 12 ounces of water with 2 scoops of Generation UCAN.

2017RnRChicago7

Even though it wasn’t very hot, it was still hot enough for me to run through this fire hydrant. One of the best feelings!

2017RnRChicago6

These pictures made me cry. I missed the beginning but went back and walked to look at every single picture.

2017RnRChicago5

Before mile 7 I saw Charlene. Seeing her made me smile. Then past mile 7 I saw the Oiselle girls and they also made me smile. And then my feet began to hurt and I bonked. I was exhausted. I wanted to take off my shoes and walk. I didn’t.

I did not cringe when I saw these photos. No underpronation at all.

I kept running determined to finish the race. I loved the crowd support and the volunteers. I let out a big sigh when I reached mile 10. Three more miles and I would be done. Easy peasy, right? Nope.

The last mile felt like forever. The finish line looked so far away. Why, why? Can you see it? Trust me, it was there.

2017RnRChicago8

Overall, I enjoyed the race. I didn’t do as well as I expected but I know that not every race will go as expected. I loved running on the streets of Chicago. I rarely go downtown anymore so this was a nice treat for me.

My next Rock ‘n’ Roll race is October 15 in Denver. My niece lives there so I am excited to see her and to run in another state.

Have you run a Rock ‘n’ Roll race? Fan or not a fan?

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

TuesdaysOnTheRun