Zenaida Arroyo

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics!  Apologies for posting so late.  I have been behind on reading blog posts and needed extra time to catch up.  I like to read as many blog posts as I can and respond to every comment.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  BRAG!  Tell us about your running PRs!  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 year was supposed to be THE year for me.  My goal was to PR in various race distances along with other non running goals.

The year did not start off too good.  I got a cold and was not feeling well.  Then I fell.  Due to said fall I was afraid to run outside.  Instead I ran on the treadmill.  I didn’t do any races either.  Actually the only race I did was the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon at the beginning of March.  Yep, this was right before everyone’s world changed because of Covid-19.

All of my PRs are OLD.  I mean years old.  Old enough that I am embarrassed to even write about them here.  But I will.  

Anyway, let’s reminisce a little.  The last time I PRed was in May 2017 for a 5 miler race.  It was an “easy” PR because it was my first race of that distance.  

This year I was looking forward to the Shamrock Shuffle 8k and the 4 on the 4th of July races.  They’re two of my favorite races.  My PRs are 48:38 (8k in 2014) and 39:39 (4 miles in 2014).  

My 5k PR is 29:48 from 2011 and my 10k PR is 1:04 from 2010.  That is a sign that I need to do better next year, right?

For years I’ve been wanting to get a sub 2 half marathon.  I am not even close.  My PR is 2:17 from 2013 at the ING Hartford Half Marathon.  I came close in 2015 when I ran the Covered Bridges Half Marathon.  My finish time was 2:19:51.  I was pleased with how I did because the course was hilly and I walked a few times.

The last marathon I ran in 2016 is my marathon PR (5:12:59).  I remember I was aiming for a sub 5 finish time and was doing really good till about mile 11.  My left hip was hurting and I really wanted to quit.  I didn’t.  I told myself I was almost halfway done.  Then I had 10 miles to go.  Then single digits.  Then a few more miles.  Now wasn’t the time to quit.  I was pleased with how I did and was happy to have bettered my time by 40 minutes from my first Chicago Marathon in 2006.  

I entered the lottery for both the NYC Marathon and the MCM but was not picked for any of them.  Could be a sign to instead focus on the other distances.  

The plan now is to run and train for next year.  Next year is when I will get some new and shiny PRs!!

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics!  We are now in the last week of April.  Supposedly it is Spring but it does not feel like it.  Well, you know the saying “April showers bring May flowers”.  🙂

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!

Where did March go?  Hard to believe that April will be over soon and then May will be here.  Hard to believe that I’ve been home now for over a month.  Over a month of not seeing my students or going into work.  Each day this feels like a dream (or a nightmare) and I want to wake up and do my normal things.

I wasn’t sure what to write about for today’s post.  I have good and not so good weeks of running.  Each week is different.  I am not training for anything (no one is) and some days I run just because or to get out of the house.  I rarely see anyone while out on my run and if I do see someone, I make sure to keep my distance from them.

I made a list of a few thoughts from these past few weeks.  They’re in no specific order but just thoughts I had while out running, watching TV, writing lesson plans, etc.  I am NOT judging anyone nor intend to make anyone feel bad about any of their choices/decisions.

♦ Always save money.  Whether it is $1 or $2 each week or month, save it.  Jobs are never guaranteed and you want to make sure you have some money saved up until things are better.

♦ I am an introvert but now am not liking it anymore.  When things are back to being normal, I will make sure to do more things with family and friends.

♦ No matter what people are going to be extra nice or just plain mean.  We don’t know what other people are going through and it is best to just shut up and not say anything.

♦ Parent communication with my kids is SO important.  Well, I know it is but now more than ever.  I have 18 students and use Remind to communicate with them.  There are two parents that I either have to call or send regular text messages because for some reason I cannot add them to the app.  You bet next year I will make sure to add everyone the first day of school.

♦ Politics is ugly.  Now it is even UGLIER.  It is mind blowing how politicians are so selfish and greedy. 

♦ I need to get my students set up in Google Classroom and other technology platforms early in the year.  I wanted too long and had a tough time setting things up for them and their parents.  Many are still not doing all of the work (or any at all) but I don’t stress out about it anymore.  We’re all doing the best we can in this situation.

♦ Have fun.  No matter what always have fun.  

♦ Life is short.  Make the best of it.

♦ Running is more fun when there is no pressure.  As much as I want to run more like some of my other friends, I don’t.  There is no reason to.  

♦ Never judge.  Everyone reacts differently.

♦ Be patient.  Sometimes it is hard to do but there isn’t another option.

♦ When driving, why speed?  I am confused as to why drivers feel they need to speed.  I mean, why are they in a rush?  There’s been a few times in which I am behind a car that slows down because the driver plans to make a right turn.  I slow down too but the driver behind me is impatient and passes both of us on the left side and then moves over to the right lane.  Seriously?

What are some of your thoughts?