The Day I Tried Spin

I've wanted to take a spin class for the past few months but have never found a class that fits in my schedule. Last week I finally told myself it was time. I called the gym exactly 24 hours before the scheduled class to get on the list and was told it was already full. Naturally, i asked when the list opens so I could try again this week and was told it opens 24 hours before class. Really? That can't be right. This week I called 26 hours before the class and was able to snag the last spot in the class.

As soon as I got on the list I started to get nervous. What should I wear? How do I set up the bike? Will I look like a struggling newbie? Everyone at work was insistent that it was going to be hard and that I definitely be incredibly sore after my first class. Well, everyone other than Alison who said,"you run marathons. You'll be fine." This is true but I was still hesitant.

I had an awesome lunch from Whole Foods that brightened my day. Even if this class was horrible, at least I'd enjoy a very tasty meal.

I arrived at the gym a half hour before class to make sure I could find and put my things in the locker room and get into the spin room early to get set up. A half hour might have been a bit too early. I hopped on the elliptical for a 15 minute warm up so I wasn't the wierdo sitting alone in the spin room.

I walked into the room 10 minutes before the scheduled 6:15 start and there were only 5 bikes left. Thank goodness I was able to grab this bike in the second row. There was no way I would have been able to focus on the class if I were in front. I'm one of those self conscious types who would be spending way more time wondering if I was doing it wrong or if everyone noticed I was the new kid. I can honestly say this worry went right out the window once we started and I was in a focus on me mode the entire class.

Perfect bike location other than the huge
 pile of garbage bags.

Our instructor started right on time and warmed us up to some great music. His music selections were great throughout class and the only complaint I had was his awkward wanna be rapper dance moves when he wasn't on the bike.

Overall the class was good. I felt like I was working and I was certainly sweating by the end. I definitely didn't get that "omg I must do this again tomorrow. This was the best thing ever" feeling. Would I take another spin class? Sure. If I happened to finish up a workout at the gym as a class was starting then I'd grab a bike. Fighting to sign up for a coveted spot on the list? Not me.

I had high hopes that this was going to be amazing and while it was good, it was not amazing. You're far more likely to see me running in the park, killing it at zumba or pushing through a touch uxf burn class than on a spin bike.

NYC Half 2013

Thinking back to yesterday just makes me chilly. Freezing doesn't even describe how I felt while waiting for the race to start.

I left my apartment on the Upper West Side and walked across the park thinking it wasn't so bad. I had expected to be miserable the moment I stepped out the door. I guess my north face and sweat pants made a huge difference because man, the second I took them to check them at baggage at 6:45am, I was frozen. Having to check warm clothes 45 mins before the race was rough. I completely understand why but it isn't easy.

After shivering in my corral for a half hour I heard the national anthem and started to get excited. I love this race and couldn't wait to get it started. I crossed the line 11 mins after the gun and wa ready. Last year I was still in my corral when Kara Goucher and the rest of the pros ran by after their mile 6.

The first 3 miles were a blur as I experienced something I can honestly say I have never dealt with before. My feet were completely numb! You know that feeling of standing up from the couch with your feet asleep? That's exactly what both feet felt like! After the first mile I could start to feel my left foot but it took another two miles before I had feeling in both. I don't know if I should have run like that but luckily I am fine today.

All if a sudden we were already heading over the Harlem Hills and all I could think was that someday I will learn not to hate they. They get me every time but I'm determined to make them my summer project. One upper loop every morning before work should do it. That will have to wait for 50+ degree weather.

The west side of the part was pretty uneventful other than the wake up call I made to make from my bf. You would think that he could get himself up at 8:15 if I could get up at 5 and run a half marathon. At least he was willing to spectate and take me out to a celebratory brunch!

After hanging up with a very sleepy guy, I checked my garmin for the first time. I was ahead of my goal and couldn't have been happier. I was in pace to beat the timed 10k I had scheduled for next week. When I planned my Nashville training last week I was a little worried about the goal times I was writing down for each week. Who knew I could hit it unintentionally!

I was blown away by the crowds at the southern end of the park. As soon as we passed the start line, there were people lining both sides of the road! That was pretty awesome as I wasn't expecting to see large crowds until 7th Avenue. A quick check of my garmin proved I had in fact beat my 10k time trial so I was thrilled as I left the park.

As we turned onto 7th, everyone around me was pumped! "This is the best part!" "Get your camera ready!" "This is why we're running!" Even as a longtime new yorker, it's still pretty exciting to have the streets of Times Square closed down for you. Did you know the only other time they close Times Square to traffic is for New Year's Eve. Pretty cool.

Making the right onto 42nd was chilly. The wind hit me the moment I made the turn but the crowds were still incredible so I was able to soak it in as I made my way west. Once we hit the West Side Highway we took a two block trip north with a beautiful view of the intrepid before making a U turn and starting the long 5 mile stretch down to the tunnel. NYRR had bands placed along the route but this is just a tough section. It's like the third quarter of a game. You're starting to get tired but the excitement of the fourth quarter hasn't hit yet. Luckily the water stops had amazing volunteers who kept spirits high.

Signs for the tunnel signaled that we were almost there. Running down the ramp into the darkness was pretty cool. You don't realize how dark tunnels are until you're running through on without headlights! The smell was also horrible. All the car exhausted trapped in their made me so nauseous. Thank goodness for that 800m to go sign! Less than 5 mins to go and I'll be done! My stomach was not happy but I knew I wasn't actually going to be sick so I just powered on.

Up the ramp, a short stretch down the river, left over toward water st, a quick right and there was the finish line! I found a coworker of mine while I was in the tunnel so we sprinted to the finish line together.

With a brand new medal around my neck, I'm officially ready to push myself for Nashville. I was thrilled with my first 10k split and hope to rock that pace for my April race. The NYC Half will always be a favorite if mine and this year didn't disappoint. The crowds were great, the volunteers were amazing and the issues at last year's start were all sorted out. Nicely done, nyrr. Now if only they could do something about the expo. Kind of boring and had a bizarre layout.

40 days until Nashville!

45 Days

I have 45 days to get myself ready for my next big challenge: The Country Music Marathon. Nashville is one of my absolute favorite cities and I can't wait to head down there for a weekend of cowboy boots and honky tonks! There is just something about that city that gets your toes tapping and a smile on your face from the moment you touch down. I've run the Country Music Half Marathon twice and figured it was time to step it up.

It may sounds crazy to train for a marathon in 45 days but I promise I'm not totally nuts. I'm running a half marathon this weekend that I've trained for and feel I have a great base to start from. Plus this isn't my first rodeo. This will actually be my third marathon and quite honestly I'm in a better place now than I was 45 days before each of those.

This training cycle will be different for me though. I want to spend these 45 doing something I've never really done: embrace each workouts. Push through the hard parts and make it count. I generally just run for milage and rarely keep to plans calling for speed or hill works. So many runs have been spent wondering why I never get any faster but the truth of the matter is I've never put in the work.

Wish me luck this weekend as I take on the NYC Half and keep your fingers crossed that 45 days from now I'll be dancing across that finish line knowing I've earned it.