Zenaida Arroyo

20
Nov
2016

Birthday Week

My birthday is today. I remember when I turned 21, 30, and 40. As I’ve gottten older I don’t do anything wild or crazy. I am just happy that I get to celebrate another birthday because I know many people do not. So, let me tell you about my week leading up to today.

Monday:

Back to work. Tired as usual. Woke up at 4:30 and could not go back to sleep. Thankfully I had to get through the week and two more days the following week till Thanksgiving Break.

In the evening I enjoyed a glass of wine. Or it might have been two glasses.

Tuesday:

I do not know why but woke up again at 4:30 am. My cat thought it was time to eat so she meowed until I finally fed her.

I could not go back to sleep so I went to the Running Warehouse site and ordered two pairs of the Mizuno Wave Rider 19. A few people have reviewed the 20s and I wanted to try them out too (I know it is different but it has pretty good reviews). I went with the 19 because they were on sale. I usually wear a 9.5 but have had to size up a few times with some shoes so I ordered a 9.5 and 10. I also ordered a pair of the Mizuno Sayonara 3 which were also on sale on Amazon. I’ve worn this shoe before and did not really care for it. But I’ve heard good things about the updated version so I want to try them out again.

After work I felt sick. I felt like I had a fever. I left at 3 and stopped at Target to get some things for a parent volunteer breakfast the next day. Once home I took a nap and woke up at 5:45. I debated on whether to meet my running club for our workout (1×1600 and 4×400). I ended up going and am glad I did. I ended up running my fastest mile in 8:24! It was tough!

Don’t pay attention to the rest of the splits. I’ve had my watch for almost a year but rarely use it at the track so I never figured out how to use it correctly for track use. Well, after Tuesday I have a much better idea.

After my workout I went with a friend to eat tacos. Since it was Taco Tuesday there were so many people there and we waited a long time. I think we waited more than the actual time it took us to eat the tacos!

Wednesday:

The usual stuff at work and a meeting after school. I was supposed to meet a friend for dinner but ended up cancelling to work late.

Thursday:

It is almost Friday! Plus, it was supposed to get to 70s. That is unheard of for November but I’ll take it.

I got my shoes from Running Warehouse. Cute colors and very comfortable. I posted a picture on Facebook and Instagram and asked friends if I should keep both. Ha, they all said to definitely keep both pairs.

I took advantage of the weather and did my run in shorts and tank top. Why not? 6.02 miles @10:05 average pace.

Friday:

The best day of the week. Payday and breakfast. The day went fast but I did stay at work till 5pm to grade papers and finish my lesson plans. I did not want to do that this weekend.

I was not too crazy for the pink and purple shoe colors. I ordered another pair in lilac/white/violet. I think those will look prettier! I mean running shoes have to be comfortable and pretty too, right?

Saturday:

I went to Fleet Feet to check out their Thanksgiving Sale and to return a pair of shoes. I bought the Saucony Zealot 2 at the Chicago Marathon Expo and while they felt great when I tried them on, they hurt my feet when I ran in them. The manager was nice enough to take them back even though it was over 30 days since I had purchased them. I ended up buying a TrailHeads hat (which I have to return because I realized the next day that I have one in the same color) and a Brooks running jacket during the cold winter this year.

I made a quick stop at Staples and found this Atari game console on sale. I remember my siblings and I had one when we were kids. It was tempting to buy it.

Sunday:

My birthday!! I ran 4.4 miles to commemorate this special day! It was cold and windy and I was glad it was just 4.4 miles. I am not ready to run in this cold weather.

Lola loves cuddling with me!

For lunch I went to Home Run Inn with my siblings and nephews and niece. It was fun to catch up and eat delicious food. I even got a free sundae to celebrate my birthday.

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.

Hoping everyone had a good week!

06
Nov
2016

Day in the Life of a Teacher

categories: Teaching

Marathon training is over but I’ve been running here and there. I was supposed to run the RnR Las Vegas Half Marathon but decided not to go. I’ve run this race in the past and honestly I did not want to go alone. There is nothing wrong with it (I’ve done it many, many times before) but I had no desire to go alone. I know I would meet people but it would be different. Plus, I would be saving money.

I enjoy reading “Day in the Life” posts. I have thought about writing one but never got around to it. Well, I finally sat down and wrote one.

Work has been keeping me busy and it is pretty much the same everyday. Not very exciting but I do have my moments/days when my kids crack me up and/or make me scratch my head numerous times.

Here is a typical day for me (I chose Thursday):

6:00-6:30 AM
My alarm goes off, I shower, get ready, make coffee, gather my lunch and work bag and I am out the door. It takes me about 10-15 minutes to get ready. Some days I do not want to get up (usually Fridays because by then I am exhausted). Sometimes I stop at Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donut for a coffee. Every two weeks on payday we have “Breakfast Club” where staff members bring in breakfast for us to eat. I love it!

7:00-8:30 AM
I arrive at school around 7. I live 6 miles from my school and there is minimal traffic in the morning which makes it for an easy commute.

During this time I eat breakfast, drink coffee, check work email, make copies, talk to colleagues, go to bathroom, and get ready for the day. I also listen to Amazon Prime Music to get pumped up.

8:30-8:40 AM
The bell rings at 8:30 to let the kids in the school. Every 3 weeks I have hallway duty and I have to be monitoring the hallway. If I am not on duty, then I make a last minute attempt to use the bathroom and make copies.

8:40-11:05 AM
Kids come in at 8:40 and they read or do some other assigned work while I take attendance, do lunch count, and collect homework. My kids have reading in the morning till 10:20. We have whole group instruction for the 1st period (each one is 45 minutes) and then small group instruction for the 2nd period. Then we have writing till 11:00.

At 11:00 they line up in alphabetical order, grab there sweater or a jacket, and their lunch (if necessary) and we head downstairs to the gym/cafeteria for lunch.

11:05-11:35 AM
Lunch time! I go back to my room and eat my sandwich while I prepare things for Math and Science. I also quickly check Facebook and email. At 11:30 the bell rings which means I have 5 more minutes till the next bell rings. I use the bathroom, stop at the office to check my mailbox, and head to the door to pick up the students.

11:40 AM-12:45 PM
Math. My favorite subject. Right now they’re working on fractions. We are supposed to only teach 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 but I am expanding a little more and teaching 5/8, 1/6, 2/7, etc, etc. They’re getting pretty good at identifying and figuring out fractions. Personally I find this unit boring. This unit also covers figures and shapes and to me it is still BORING. Thank goodness the next unit will cover addition, subtraction and solving word problems.

12:45-1:15 PM
Power 1/2 Hour. We use our Surface Pro tablets to log into Imagine Learning (a tool to teach language and literacy through engaging, interactive instruction). We do this twice a week. On the other 3 days we log into Khan Academy. The concept is the same as Imagine Learning but it gears towards Math.

1:15-2:00 PM
In Science we are learning about the Water Cycle. Very interesting conversations with 2nd graders about where water comes from and where it goes. Luckily they like it and are ready to learn more about it. We also review a few vocabulary words. They’re written the words on index cards so now we talk about each word and use it in a sentence.

At 1:50 or 1:55 they stop working to gather homework, color their triangle in their behavior calendar, get book bag and sweater/jacket and leave their stuff ready before their Special. Every day is different for them (Monday-PE; Tuesday-Music; Wednesday-Art; Thursday and Friday-Computers).

I leave the classroom so that the teacher can teach (except for Monday because they go to the gym and my room is available). I usually go to the teacher’s lounge to work except on Wednesdays (2nd grade bilingual teachers collaboration) and Thursday (meeting with all 1st and 2nd grade teachers on various topics such as math, reading, technology, or RtI).

2:45 PM
Bell rings and it is time to head back to classroom and get ready to leave. Kids put chair up on desk, put on jacket and book bag, and line up.

2:50 PM
Bell rings again and I head downstairs to dismiss students. They line up again and I make sure they leave with someone I know that is authorized to pick them up. I stay there till every student is picked up. Sometimes if it is too cold or raining I head to an indoor area in the school to stay warm/dry.

I go back to my room to work. I work on substitute lesson plans since I have a training the next morning and will not be at work. At 6:30 I am supposed meet my running group, Chi City Running Club, for a run. However, I am not feeling well and I am starving. I leave hoping to get home and eat something before heading out to run. Unfortunately, I eat but then have no desire to run. Sometimes I stop at Walmart or Target to pick up things I need for school/home. Once home, I say “Hi” to Lola and catch up with her. When my mother was here she would make dinner almost almost every day and I would go downstairs to get something to eat.

After dinner I do more grading or watch TV.

9:00-10:00 PM
I go to bed to catch up on reading my magazines and watch TV. I read for a little but am too tired so I turn off the lights and go to sleep.

I do like my job. I do get very tired (mentally) but I find it to be very rewarding as well. I do dislike it when I get asked to do some other stuff that isn’t really teaching related (at least I don’t think it is) or to gather data, data, and more data.

Also, don’t forget to enter my Birthday Month Giveaway!

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.

Hoping everyone had a good week!

01
Nov
2016

Birthday Month Giveaway

categories: Giveaway, Running, Things I Am Loving

Disclaimer: None of these items are sponsored by the companies but are items I purchased with my own money.

Hello November! I love this month! It is my birthday month. Do I need more reasons? And because of it being my birthday month, I have a cool giveaway for you!

So what is included in this AWESOME giveaway? The winner will receive a NUUN container (I have various flavors), a Momentum SPARKlet, a pair of Lock Laces, Headsweats Visor, Honey Stinger Organic Chews, and Honey Stinger Strawberry Waffle.

To enter, click on the image below where you will be directed to Gleam and enter several different ways such as leaving a blog post comment, following me on Instagram, commenting on any of my Instagram posts, or tweeting about the giveaway.

This giveaway will run for seven days (until November 7th at 11:59 pm). The winner will be selected on the eighth day. The giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with their Gleam account and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.

Best of luck to everyone who enters!

I am linking up with Erica and Smitha for this giveaway!

30
Oct
2016

Thoughts on Hansons Marathon Method

categories: Chicago Marathon, Hansons Training, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap

If you read my marathon training weekly recaps then you know I used the Hansons Marathon 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. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day.

This was my first time using this method for the marathon. I was fortunate to be off this summer (I am a teacher) so I knew I would be able to handle running 6 days a week. However, going back to work did not go well. Please note that I am NOT saying that if you are not off this summer that you will not be able to handle it. This girl has a job and always made time to get her runs before going to work.

This plan is HARD. However, I am not saying that it isn’t doable. It is but you need to make sure you can run 6 days a week with only 1 day to rest.
Tempo runs freaked me out. I ran all of them on the treadmill and they weren’t bad after all. I managed to run them at the specified pace and that was a confidence booster.
Plan to run high mileage. I was not used to running so many miles in one week. The Advanced Plan had me running over 40, 50, or 60 miles in one week.
I was constantly tired. Oh my goodness. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as tired as I did this summer. Again, I was fortunate that I did not have to get up early to go to work.
Sleep was my best friend. See point above. I slept and napped like a baby.
Wednesday was the best day of the week. Remember that one rest day mentioned above? Yep, that is on Wednesday. Each week I looked forward to this day.
No strength training for me. In the beginning I did a few TRX sessions before my runs but stopped once I realized I could not wake up in time for the class. <<Excuses, I could have taken the class in the afternoon or evening. See points 4 and 5.
You can choose from 3 different plans. In the book you’ll find plans for “Just Want to Finish”, “Beginner”, and “Advanced”. I chose the latter because, well, this was my 8th marathon so I knew it would be perfect for me.
Read the whole book; a few times if necessary. I didn’t and ended up asking many, many questions that could have been answered if I had read the whole book.

Going back to work was challenging. I was fine the first two weeks and then BAM it was a struggle. I had to stay late most days and found it hard to run after work. I am not making any excuses. I know everyone has a job and finds a way to make it work but I just could not find a balance nor get back to a different routine. That left me worried and frustrated and various times I thought about giving up.

Now that the Chicago Marathon is over (read my recap here), I’ve asked myself if I would use it again for another marathon. At this point I have NO desire to run another marathon. However, if I were to run another one then I might use the Hansons Marathon Method again. I am already familiar with it. I know it is doable. However, I would run my speed/strength and tempo runs outside instead of the treadmill. Or at least alternate a bit so as not to do all of them on the treadmill. And I will make sure I do not skip so many runs.

I do wonder if my marathon experience would have been better if I had followed the plan exactly as stated. However, I know that there are no guaranteed and anything can happen on marathon day. I mean, I was ready for my marathon but somehow my hip decided to be a jerk that day. I did get a PR and I am definitely happy about it!

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.

Hoping everyone had a good week!

17
Oct
2016

2016 Chicago Marathon

categories: Chicago Endurance Sports, Chicago Marathon, Running, Weekly Recap

On Sunday, October 9th, I ran the Chicago Marathon (my 8th one and my last one for a while). This one was special to me. It was 10 years ago when I ran my first one. I remember my feet hurting a lot, I was cold and wanted to quit. I told myself I would never do another one again. Yeah, right.

I took it easy the days prior to the marathon. I went to the expo on Friday and stayed home most of Saturday. I was excited, nervous, but looking forward to running 26.2 miles around Chicago.

Saturday night I went to bed at 8pm since I had a 4am wakeup call. I took a sleeping pill and fell asleep right away. However, Sunday morning I woke up at 2:30 and could not go back to sleep. Finally at 4 I got up, ate a peanut butter sandwich with coffee, and got ready.

Perfect running weather, right?

I picked up a friend, drove to the train station, and then boarded the train to get downtown. We had access to a “resort area” offered by Chicago Endurance Endurance. There was lots of food and plenty of bathrooms. I had a banana with peanut butter and tried to relax. I did get a little emotional just like last year but quickly got my act together.

Finally it was time to walk to my corral. Let’s do this! I met up with two other pacers and decided to run with them for as long as I could. I was in wave 2 and it took us 10 minutes to cross the start line. However, we had been in line waiting for almost an hour.

I knew that the satellite signals were going to be wonky so I turned off the auto lap and opted to press the lap button at every mile marker.

As you’ll see from the picture below, I was doing really good for 11 miles. I set my watch to only show the current time and I would only look at it after pressing the lap button. I was shocked but happy and proud of myself to see the numbers after each mile. I began to feel pain in my left hip around mile 9. I remember I was a few feet behind my friends but managed to catch up to them. By mile 11 I knew I could not stay with them any longer. I decided to wait till the halfway point to see how I was feeling and to decide whether to stop or continue running.

At mile 13 I saw Wendy and Marcia. I remember smiling and saying Hi to them and kept on going. I was still hurting but decided to see how much longer I could hold on. I mean, I was already halfway done so just keep running, right? I remember that when I saw the sign for Mile 16 I realized that I only had 10 miles to go. I was more than half way there and now more than ever I had to keep going. Shortly after that I saw a coworker with her family and stopped for a few seconds to talk to her. She asked me how I was doing and I mentioned my hip and how I wanted to quit. She told me not to quit and to keep on going.

At mile 17 I saw a some Oiselle team members. They motivated and encouraged me to keep going. My favorite area was Pilsen. Wow, so many people. It was one big party with loud music and people cheering for us.

I don’t know if I hit the wall but miles 21-25 were difficult for me. The sun felt strong and I was tired of running. I kept telling myself that I was almost done. At mile 21 my time was 4:09 and knew that I could get a PR. That was my motivation. I would push myself to get through each mile. I saw the 1 mile to go marker and I was in tears. So close to the finish line. Then the 800m sign and then the 400m sign. I couldn’t believe it. Just a little bit more to go. I walked most of the small incline on Roosevelt (cursing again why this was before the finish line) before making one final left turn and seeing the finish line. I ran as fast as I could. Finish time is 5:12:59. Yep, it was a 4 minutes PR set in 2012 in New Orleans and I bettered my time by 40 minutes from 10 years ago. I was very happy to finish but even more happy that I did not quit or give up.

Overall, it was a great race. Lots of wonderful volunteers and so many people cheering for us. AMAZING!! And great course!

I may not have gotten a huge PR and I am a little disappointed in myself. I trained hard this summer. OK, so I did miss a few runs and the last 3 weeks I hardly ran at all. I am glad I was able to finish but I know I could have done better. I was hoping to finish under 5 hours. Sigh. Maybe I should just stop here, let it go, and move on. Another marathon in the books and call it a day.

Who is signing up for next year? Applications for guaranteed entries will be available on October 25 and those with non-guaranteed entries will open November 1st.

Did you read the article about the Chicago Marathon medals showing up on eBay? Would you sell your medal? I really dislike this year’s medal and the one from last year is even worse.

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.

Hoping everyone had a good week!