motivation

Cycling Audition

April 9, 2018 By Lindy 3 Comments

Some of you may know how much I love indoor cycling. I’ve been cycling for years, but it wasn’t until 2015 that I actually fell in LOVE with it.

I was watching “Work Out New York” on Bravo and was inspired by one of the trainers, Holly Rilinger, master instructor at Flywheel. I quickly signed up for a class, dragged a few of my nurse friends and went to a FLY 45 class (now called Method 45). I had such a rush of endorphins and immediately knew this was something I needed to do. I saw myself sitting where the magic happens – on that stage.

I started to go to Flywheel on a consistent basis, going back and forth between two locations, getting to know the riders, the format, the instructors. It didn’t matter the closest Flywheel was at least 45 minutes away, I was going. I released stress, anger, and mentally detoxified during each class.

My schedule with full-time work, school, and a per-diem job got hectic, and I made the decision to buy a Peloton bike. Riding at home was convenient since and ride at home since I could simply ride whenever my schedule allowed. Still, I longed for the feeling of riding in the studio every now and then.

Someone whom I work with, said to me, “I could always picture you teaching at SoulCycle.” She wasn’t the first person to say to me that they could picture me teaching cycling, but I always doubted myself and didn’t pursue it.

Once this nurse said she could see me teaching SoulCycle, I decided to audition. Here I was doubting myself, and on the other side, there’s someone who barely knows me telling me this?

Just putting it out there, I didn’t try out for SoulCycle or Flywheel, but for a smaller chain cycling studio, although my dream is to teach at Flywheel. Anyway, their requirements were to be engaging, fun, and ride to the rhythm. I thought, hey, that I could do! Wrong.

Manager at smaller chain cycling was super nice and my friends had taken her rides before. She said my choice of songs were perfect; my form was great, and she began to videotape me. I started to cycle and she stops the music and says I’m riding slower than 85 rpm. Once I looked down, I was riding at 73 so I was way off! She also didn’t care about torque/cadence/power, which is huge in my books as far as fitness goes. She stopped the audition, gave me constructive criticism and encouraged me to try again, saying that I had rhythm but needed more practice, especially when it came to my form.

I firmly believe every happens for a reason. It isn’t that it’s not meant to be, but perhaps the timing isn’t right. I need to work on my form, work on my confidence, get in better shape (it’s hard as hell to ride, speak and breathe at the same time!) These are things I need to master.

For me, going out and audition is HUGE. I’m not shy by any means (I used to sing in front of an audience) but I’m guilty of feeling self-conscious. Once I’m on that stage, whether is cycling, or singing, all the fear and nervousness dissipates, and the stage is mine.

I’m not sad about it, at least I can say I tried.

Race Recap: 2018 Disney’s Princess Half Marathon

March 27, 2018 By Lindy 1 Comment

Disney’s Princess half marathon is a wonderful experience for novice and experienced runners, and those of us in between. It is the perfect girlfriend getaway vacation, filled with the magic of Disney.

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon was the race I first ran back in 2013 and the race which sparked my love for running. A few weeks ago, I went down for the 10th Anniversary of run Disney’s Princess half, but also my 5th running anniversary, where I met up with my best running girlfriends for a weekend of eating, drinking, and running Disney. I booked the hotel rather late, and all that was available was All-Star Movies. While it isn’t my favorite resort, I’ll take staying in the parks rather than outside. It’s so much easier to get around and not have to rent a car or Uber.

Unless there are items I am interested in buying at the expo, I typically avoid going to the expo on day one. The crowds are insane everywhere! Once you arrive at ESPN Wide World of Sports (there are buses running frequently from all Disney World resorts), there are two stops: one is to pick up your bib and race shirt; the other building has the expo merchants. This year, I noticed they had a building dedicated to carrying all runDisney merchandise.

I’ve been extremely busy and had no time to put together a race costume and most likely will not have one for Star Wars, which is a bummer. I looked around at the expo and did see a few items that would work well for a costume but being that I didn’t go on day one to the expo (wasn’t planning on buying a costume), everything in my size was sold out. My friend was coming down a day later, so I asked her to pick up an Eagles hat at the airport, and I quickly threw an outfit together – a dark green Lululemon top and black skirt. Combined with the hat, I decided I would run as an Eagles Princess; fitting since they just won the Super Bowl. Go Eagles!!

I spoke with Jeff Galloway, Olympian and creator of the run-walk-run injury free program and asked for his advice. If you’re ever at the expo, please pay him a visit. He is truly the most genuine and nice person and gives great advice. I explained to him that I’ve had my share of injuries in the past 2 years and that my last run was 6.5 miles on Christmas Eve. His suggestion was to run 15 seconds and walk 30 seconds.

Race morning came and my friend and I had some fruit, coffee and some carbs. The resort had free coffee on race morning, which was really nice. Disney suggests runners taking bus transportation to the start line board buses no later than 3:30 AM, and monorail passengers board no later than 4:00 AM. Since my friend missed the expo, we had to stop at runner relations in the morning to pick up her bib, so we boarded the bus at 3:00 AM. The weather was a bit cool, but it was expected to be warmer than usual for February, and warnings were placed everywhere reminding people to hydrate and dress appropriately for the warm temperatures.

Corrals were going off every 5 minutes or so. Race announcers Carissa and Rudy were great at keeping the crowds entertained and informed when their corral would take off. My corral took off 45 minutes after the elites/A corral. My Gymboss timer set for the run/walk ratios that Jeff Galloway suggested and started run/walk after a quick 5 minute warm up.

I was feeling great and decided to increase the run intervals to 30 seconds (bad idea). I felt my hamstrings start to burn a bit, and before it got worse, I stopped at the first medical tent and rubbed Biofreeze on my hammies. Once that kicked in, I was good, until my right foot started to ache. I’ve never had issues with my feet while running, so this struck me as odd and concerning. I stopped at the second medical tent briefly, sat down and massaged my foot for a minute and was back on my way with no other issues, thank God!

I was doing great time-wise. Aside from those two medical tent stops, I stopped to use a real bathroom (wait was over 10 minutes but SO worth it), because let’s face it, no one wants to use a port-a-potty unless deemed necessary. Stopped for a photo op shortly after mile 11, because Jack. Enough said!

Run Like you left the crock pot on -“This is Us”

It sure wasn’t my fastest half time, but it wasn’t my slowest either. I’m extremely proud of myself for finishing despite the fact that I didn’t train for it. I really have not been motivated, and the fact that winter doesn’t seem to want to leave doesn’t help either.

I have two races coming up so I am training for those. They are: Star Wars half and the Broad Street Run, America’s largest 10-miler and one of my favorite races ever. Stay tuned.

P.S. What’s on your race calendar for 2018?

Life Lessons, Letting Go, and Shifting Gears

October 25, 2017 By Lindy 2 Comments

This week, I’d like to talk about life lessons, letting go, and shifting gears. I had this eye-opening moment last week when I found myself in the Emergency Department on a busy Friday evening to rule out a stroke. When the stroke was ruled out, the attending physician suspected a subarachnoid hemorrhage, secondary to a ruptured aneurysm. After much poking for IV’s, labs, meds, CT Scan, and finally an offer to do a lumbar puncture (which I declined), I was sent home with the worst headache of my life and shoulders that felt like concrete. This is when I realized that all my emotions have manifested in my body as pain and I need to start letting go of things: past, present, and future.

I realized that I haven’t done a lot of the things I once loved: read a book, knit, draw, sing, photography, run. I work two jobs and I’m in school to further my nursing education. I’m putting in my resignation at my per diem job this weekend when I’m there. I don’t need the per diem for the money, a year ago it was just something to do/see what else is out there/keep a door open elsewhere. I’m exhausted, unhappy and clearly in physical pain. It ends right here, today. Actually, it ended on my ride home from the hospital Saturday morning.

I learned that I need to put myself first in everything in life. I need to be well in order to care for my family when they need me, and for my little ones in the NICU.

I’m a worrier by nature, and as hard as this may be, I am letting go of what no longer serves me. Letting go of past decisions that leave me, could have/would have/should have done this or that. No longer will I be worrying about the future, instead focus being in the present. Life has a way of sorting itself out.

This brings me to shifting gears. I was once cleared to run and I’m not cleared, again! I fell in love with running because it made me feel free. It was MY time to clear my head, to let things go, and when those things couldn’t be done, the weight built up, in my shoulders, in my life. This lovely little blog will be back and while it won’t solely focus on running (for obvious reasons), I’ll be sharing the things that bring me joy in my life. It’s about living simple and regaining focus, and hopefully, inspire someone in the process.

Take care,

Don’t Call it a Comeback…running

June 12, 2017 By Lindy Leave a Comment

…I’ve been here for years. I’m corny, I know. 🙂

Today marks the beginning of my return to running after obtaining clearance from my physical therapist. Since I have not run since November 2016, I will be following Jeff Galloway’s beginner 5K program. Using a run/walk program is a great way to build a training base while reducing the risk of injury.

Jeff Galloway’s 5K program runs 15 weeks and in order to keep me motivated, I’ve registered for the Rescue Run 5K, which occurs at the end of the 15 weeks. Talk about perfect timing, eh? This run benefits The Monster Milers, a shelter dog running and rescue organization in Philadelphia. I’m also excited because it is my first run as a Oiselle Volée runner, a wonderful and supportive community of women.

Plans for this week: (Per Jeff Galloway’s Program)

Monday – Walk or XT

Tuesday – Run 10-15 minutes

Wednesday – Walk or XT

Thursday – Run 10-15 minutes

Friday – Walk or XT

Saturday – Rest Day

Sunday – 1 mile

My XT usually involves taking a class on my Peloton Bike or swim at the gym pool. Stretching/yoga is part of my daily routine, which will aid in my return to running, as well as the recovery process.

Week 1, here I come. Follow my daily journey on Instagram.

Have a great week, and if you’re in the middle of a heat wave (as we are in PA), stay cool.

Adios, 2016

December 31, 2016 By Lindy 20 Comments

It’s been a crazy year folks; I am glad it’s about to end.

This year brought a lot of ups and downs – from that left hip injury that caused me to stop running, to the car accident which left my mother injured badly, to attaining self-realization and embarking on new and exciting journeys.

Although I didn’t get to run the races I wanted to this year, I made an effort to stay fit by cycling at Flywheel, run/walking in Disney and starting Core de Force, a new MMA-style workout by Beachbody. I do miss running terribly though. All the tests on my left hip have come back normal, so I don’t know what else to do. Some days I wake up in the middle of the night in excruciating pain, other times, I’m fine and able to run 2-3 miles painlessly.

After my parents accident, I took 3 weeks from work to care for them. It was then that I realized the value of friendship. Most the people whom I considered my “friends” didn’t even ask if we were okay or needed anything, and it was challenging for me to care for everyone.

I stumbled upon a quote that read, “The problem with being the strong one is that nobody asks if you’re okay.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. It made me realize that this happened because I can handle it, and when I broke down with overwhelmingness, I talked about it, and I faced my fears head on. I let go of those individuals who were of no value in my life, and let go of those toxic friendships that brought me anger and grief. Forgiving and letting go is paramount to happiness, and it feels great. 🙂

While I don’t have any goals or resolutions for the upcoming new year, if I learned something from this year, and I know it sounds cliche, but it’s not to sweat the small stuff, treasure moments spent with those you love and doing things that make me happy.

Do you have any goals or resolutions for the new year?

Wishing everyone happiness and good health in the new year!

Just a Little Update

October 7, 2016 By Lindy 5 Comments

Seems like it’s the same song and dance – “sorry I haven’t been around…”

I really enjoy sharing my adventures with you, and just as I was starting to get back running, life decided to take a turn in the wrong direction.

These past few weeks have been incredibly difficult; my parents, driving to enjoy vacationing in New England, suffered a major car accident, in which not only my parents were badly injured, their car was totaled. My life has been at a standstill. That whole week my mom was hospitalized, I hardly ate, I slept in uncomfortable chairs beside her, and I haven’t worked. My sister also had surgery the same week. Right now, I’m just really thankful everyone is alive and safe, and for that, I feel blessed.

And while I have spent my time caring for my family, the last thing I have done is take a moment to breathe, to do something nice for myself.

As someone who is in love with traveling and is fascinated with planes, I was excited today to get an email that there will be a 5K at Philadelphia International Airport. Immediately I signed up, since it is limited to 250 participants. My hip pain has worsened, probably from sleeping in chairs/sofa for over a week, and doing PT exercises have left me in even more pain. I have added glucosamine with chondroitin and MSM to my supplement regime, and will take it easy during that Runway 5K. Before my parents accident, I was easing back into running and could run 4-5 miles comfortably. I’m going to run 2-3 miles tomorrow just to clear my head and see how that goes. I’m hoping for some normalcy.

Anyway, Happy October!

Love,

Lindy x