Tag: peloton

Five years on a bike

I have so many more pressing things to blog about (my 50th birthday, travels, family stuff) but hey, if I’m feeling inspired I should just go with it.

I was doing a ride on my Peloton this morning and realized I have had it for five years. I like milestones!

I’m pretty proud that I’ve kept with it for that long. Before I got one, I never wanted one. I never understood why anyone did. I had taken one spin class and NEVER AGAIN.

But then the pandemic hit, and I had to quit going to Orangetheory and so I figured, may as well. I ordered it right at the start of quarantine so I was able to get it pretty quickly, and my first ride was on April 13, 2020.

Since then, I’ve completed 3,397 workouts. Well, that sounds more impressive before I tell you that about 750 of those are sleep meditations. But over 2,300 are on the bike.

It will surprise no one that my favorite thing is doing live rides for my milestones and getting shout outs from the instructors. Here’s a memorable one from one of my very favorite instructors, Christine:

I’ve done live classes in New York and London, and just recently did some classes on the water (I was pathetically excited to see a row of Pelotons on the cruise ship last week.)

Fun stats:

  • 2320 rides
  • approx 42,000 minutes
  • 700 hours
  • 11.6 days, which is 2.3 days per year
  • wait this is sounding less impressive the more I go on so anyway

Anyway, it’s been great. Leg muscles are good. I drank the kool-aid.

Pics from studio rides:

Wherein I ramble about my trip to England

When I was given the opportunity to attend a work event in the UK, can you guess how long it took me to say yes? About half that. Even though my sabbatical was supposed to start on July 1. I pushed that baby back until the end of the month, and on July 8 hopped on a flight to London.

I arrived a day early so I wouldn’t have to attend the event all jet-lagged, and since it wasn’t in London, I decided to spend that first night in Oxford (much cheaper than London anyway. Look at me saving the company money!) As it turned out, my niece Emily was going to be in Oxford for a month for a program, so my plan was to hang out with her a bit before meeting up with my colleagues.

A friend picked me up from the airport (look at me saving the company money again) and we went and had lunch in Windsor. I’d never been! It was adorable, and we even got to see the Changing of the Guards from our table.

After lunch I headed to Oxford and Emily and I got some food and walked around a bit. I stayed in a super cute B&B (well, minus the B) and saw some of the sights. I was exhausted though, and had to allow myself a nap at 5:30pm so I could make it to sleep at a somewhat reasonable hour. It all worked out, I got a decent night’s sleep and then woke up, unsure what to do. I had to check out by 10:30 but couldn’t meet up with my coworkers until 4.

I realized I could store my luggage in London, so that’s what I did. I used this app called Stasher and paid about $8 to have a random hotel store my bags. Very handy. I took a bus through just ridiculously adorable countryside to get to a train station which took me to the city. Then I spent some time wandering around London. I’d be back at the end of the week, but I thought this would be a good opportunity to tick some things off my list so I’d have more time at the weekend.

So I went to Borough Market and had some lunch (if a cup of strawberries drowned with chocolate counts and I think it does) and then I went to the Peloton store to get a shirt for my class on Friday (sound familiar?) I rode a bunch of buses, which was great. I love buses.

HOWEVER. My knee was twinging weirdly in the morning, and by the afternoon I was almost in tears. I could barely walk. It didn’t help that I got on a bus going the wrong direction at one point and had to find the right stop. It was agony. I have no idea what was wrong with it. I’ve never had knee pain like it.

But I had to get to Luton, where we were staying, so I hobbled my ass to pick up my luggage, then hobbled my ass to a train station, nearly in tears, and managed to get to Luton. Bringing my bag up the stairs at the station was truly pathetic, but finally I got to the house and was able to meet up with my coworkers and ice my knee. That helped a bit.

We ordered in Nando’s (my first time!) and tried to watch the semifinals of the Euros, but we were stuffing our faces with chicken when the game ended so we missed all of the excitement.

The next day, we went and had breakfast at the most British cafe you can imagine and I was able to get a knee brace from Boots. Then we headed to the festival grounds for this event.

It’s the strangest thing, a conference disguised as a festival, but it was pretty great. It was for people in talent acquisition (which I am, as an operations manager for our Talent division, that’s what I do now) and there were a lot of interesting talks (in tents) and booths for vendors, and a ferris wheel, and food trucks, and portapotties, and really, it was very similar to the music festivals I’ve been to, only less music. And cleaner.

Afterwards, a few of us went to another coworker’s house for dinner (he’s on parental leave) and I was VERY excited to play with their baby but she was asleep, which was devastating, but we were fed well, and had a wonderful time hanging out. Got back to the house after midnight, like the party animals we are, then passed out.

Friday a few of us took the train into London for lunch, then we parted ways and it was time for phase 3 of my trip: Pam Takes London 2024.

I have dreamt of taking a solo trip to London for literally half my life. (I was going to do it for my 25th birthday, but I moved to New Orleans instead.) And it was everything I could have hoped for.

I checked into my very tiny airbnb, then headed to the Peloton studio for my first class. My knee was doing fine, but there was no way I was going to let that stop me anyway. Fortunately, I felt zero pain during the class (or after.) I won’t go into great detail about the Peloton classes I did, it really wasn’t that different from the New York classes. (But I will say that the showers in London were waaaay better.)

After class, I had dinner at a little French place in Covent Garden, then got gelato, then went back to the airbnb.

Saturday was my big day.

I woke up too early, no coffee shops were open yet, but once one did, I left to get some breakfast. Nothing else was open except one Waterstone’s, so I went there to browse. I still had time to kill so I went back to the airbnb and hung out until I could actually go somewhere.

And that somewhere was Liberty. Which you can read all about here.

My airbnb was very well situated, more than I would have imagined. It was close to the Russell Square underground station, and there were plenty of buses. So it was never a big deal to go back to drop things off or just rest for a bit.

After Liberty, since I wasn’t too far from Soho, I decided to wander aimlessly a bit. I ended up walking by some old sights from our stay in 1997.

Then I went in search of lunch. I couldn’t figure out where to go, so I decided to get the tube to High Street Kensington, where I grabbed a sandwich and pastry from a little cafe and walked down to Kensington Gardens to eat it.

After that, I decided to hop on a bus to go to a bookbinding supply shop that was near Victoria. After perusing and buying some goodies, I went to get on a bus to drop everything off at my room. I cursed my lack of directional sense because it took me forever to find the right bus. But eventually I did, and I dropped everything off while I tried to figure out what to do next.

It was mid-afternoon, so I decided to check out one of the (free!) museums in South Kensington. The V&A won out. After spending so much to go to museums in NYC, it was a nice change to be able to just walk in to this one without spending a dime.

I just wandered around, really, and looked at whatever caught my eye.

It wasn’t open for too long, so I then decided to go for a walk by our old flat. I was tempted to have a drink in the pub we used to go to (not that it’s the same or anything) but I was a weenie and just wanted to get some dinner. I really wanted this pizza/salad thing from Pizza Express, which is, like, everywhere. I didn’t think it’d be a big deal to get a table alone, but the location in Covent Garden can bite me because they just did not seem to want to seat me.

So I went to friggin Shake Shack instead. Oh well.

I was pretty tired after that, so I went back to the good ol’ airbnb.

Sunday morning was a set of two short Peloton classes, after which I met up with a friend. We had a truly Instagram-worthy lunch after doing a little shopping (I wanted to get a baby gift for a friend while I was in London.) Then we had a pint in a pub (so I could tell George I did) then I headed over to Buckingham Palace for the tour I’d booked months ago.

It was pretty cool, I guess. I was most excited about the garden tour. It was to take place after going through a bunch of rooms in the palace. (No pics allowed.) So I go outside for the tour, but decide to get some tea and cake before. After eating, I follow what I assume is the garden tour path, but I am unimpressed. Where are the famed English gardens?

Well, after this path shunted me unceremoniously onto a busy street, I decided that was the worst “garden tour” ever. Only YESTERDAY did I realize I missed the whole friggin thing. I saw zero signs directing me to this alleged garden tour, so the 15 extra pounds I paid for that were completely wasted. I’m so mad. Hmmph.

So. I had time to do things, so I took a bus to Piccadilly Circus to go to some shops (a giant Waterstones as well as Fortnum & Mason to pick up tea for a friend.) Got a few books and the tea, then got on a bus to go back to the airbnb.

Decided I’d try again for the pizza/salad, and this time, I was far more lucky. It was a lovely evening and the restaurant was empty (thanks to the Euro finals, everyone was at pubs instead) and I had my pizza/salad and some wine.

It was a lovely evening, and so I went back to my room to read and relax, and I could hear people yelling during the game, so I really didn’t have to watch it at all.

Monday morning I woke up early again, so I got coffee and sat in a little square with it, and just tried to really enjoy my last few moments in London. It was heavenly, and I really just did not want to leave. Sigh.

Went to airport, had bangers and mash, got on plane, made it home after a million hours of flying and no sleep.

I need to do that again.

Taking a class (or two) at Peloton Studio NYC

We just got back from our family vacation to New York, and while we were there, I took two Peloton classes live in the studio. I feel like information is kind of hard to find (or maybe I didn’t look that hard) about what it’s like to do classes live, so I am going to document everything I remember.

Booking a class

First, booking is like getting tickets to a Taylor Swift concert, only much cheaper ($25 $35 instead of $2500.) Okay, maybe not that hard. But you have to be fast and decisive, because classes book up within seconds of the slots opening.

Six weeks before our trip, on a Thursday at 11am Central time, I logged on to the site and was lucky enough to get into two classes. Well, that makes it sound easy. Here are some tips:

  • Six weeks out is hard to figure out, because it’s a Thursday, and six weeks out from what? The week you’re going? I dunno. Calendar math is not my strong suit. So about two months before, I started looking at the booking page for the studio and was able to figure out the exact Thursday I would need to book my class.
  • Before classes go live, make sure you have your payment method READY TO GO. I can’t remember if you can save your payment method ahead of time, I don’t think so. So have the number copied so you can paste it right in, and memorize that expiration date and three digit code.
  • Also, there is a waiver you’ll need to sign. Do this ahead of time as well! I think I did this by finding a waitlisted class, and starting the signup process so the form would pop up. If you wait until you select a class, it may be full by the time you have the waiver done.
  • You won’t know what kind of class it is until two weeks out, so just look for times that work and instructors you like.
  • GO FAST

Okay. So that’s booking. NO STRESS, NO STRESS.

But seriously this was my heartrate at the time. Check out that spike at 11am!

Okay, so now you’re all booked. The day of your class has arrived.

Getting to the studio

Do not go here!

I went to the studio the day before my class so that I could get a shirt to wear, and also to familiarize myself with the location. I’m glad I did this. Also, don’t do what we did and see a building with PELOTON on it and assume that’s it, because that might be the corporate headquarters. Just go to 10th Avenue, it’s right next to the Whole Foods. Trust me on this.

Got my overpriced tank top, yay!

The day of my first class

My first class was on Sunday morning at 10am. The studio was about a 20 minute walk from our hotel, so I left around 8:30 to get there an hour ahead of time. (They recommend 45-60 minutes before. 30 minutes before is the cutoff.)

When you walk in, you go to the desk where a nice person will check you in. They’ll ask if it’s your first time there, or if you’re celebrating any milestones. Then you’ll get a card with a color and a sticker if you are indeed celebrating a milestone. The card will indicate which group you will enter the studio with.

You will get in a higher group if it is your first time or if you are celebrating a milestone. Both applied to me, so I got a red card, which that day meant I’d go in with the first group. I wish I’d known this ahead of time, because I’d have made it so I hit my milestone for my second class and therefore gotten in a better group for that one. But more on that later.

You’ll also get a wristband which I think they said is for pictures after. I don’t remember. Just put it on.

I put my stuff in a locker, then stood around awkwardly until a nice lady talked to me. She’d been there a bunch so answered all my questions, including where the bathrooms were (upstairs.) 45 minutes before the class start, they started distributing shoes if you needed them.

I talked to the nice lady for the next 20 minutes or so. Meanwhile, they were setting up the lines by color. It just so turned out that I was standing at the front of the red line. They opened the doors 25 minutes (I think?) before class started. They let someone with a silver card in first, and then I was the second person into the studio. I picked a bike right at the front, to the left of the instructor, second from the mirror.

I got all set up, logged in, and then ten minutes before class started, Jenn (the instructor) came in! She chatted with us while she got set up, and then three minutes before the class time, they turn on the cameras so the outside world can join the class. Then one minute before, the class begins (well, the official intro to the class.) I learned that there’s a 50 second delay from the home feed, which makes sense, in case someone barfs or whatever.

And then the 45 minutes went by, and while I felt like I might die, I did not! It was a super hard class. Plus my legs were dead from walking around the city in the heat for the past few days. But I survived.

look there’s me

One thing I will say, if you don’t need your glasses, don’t wear them. I wish I hadn’t. I always wear them, but I guess I got hotter than usual. I only need them for reading, and I was able to see the screen well enough. It’s smaller than the home screen and only has a little info so not much to see.

Oh, and I liked being on the side I was on because I could see what was on the screen next to Jenn, which was basically the music and so I could see how much longer was in each song, because there was a timer on the screen.

After class, WHICH WAS VERY HARD, there was a line to get your picture with Jenn. I was nervous. I didn’t say much. She said I was tall. She stood on her tippy toes.

After that, I showered there and then went to meet the fam back at the hotel. I also washed my clothes in the sink because I only had one set of exercise clothes. (Do not recommend.)

Oh, also, there was a Peloton celeb in the class. This guy, who was doing his 5000th class. I got a selfie with him while I waited in line for my picture. He was the “silver” member who got into the studio before I did.

Sunday’s class with Christine was at the same time, but I woke up earlier, so I left the hotel earlier and even after stopping for coffee and a snack, I got there over an hour before the start time. I sat in the lobby and read and chatted with a woman I’d sat next to in Jenn’s class. So that was nice.

This time, though, I got a white card. I didn’t know what that meant. I hoped it didn’t mean I’d be in the last group.

ALAS. It did. Now I know for the future, be a first timer for your first class, and for the second class, hit your milestone. (In case, you, perhaps, have booked two classes in London for your trip there next month.)

Being at the end of the line for the last group let in to the studio meant I was in a spot in the back corner of the room, which meant I was never on camera. Which is FINE, I got plenty of camera time the day before. And I got to sit next to my new friend, so that was fun.

Everything basically went the same, but Christine was so social and lovely! She went around to every person and shook their hand and said hello. She admired my tattoos. 🙂

This was a New Wave class, which meant the music was great! She played The Smiths, so I was happy. I loved that the song she walked around to before class was Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others.

Even though I thought this class was a lot easier, my output was a lot higher. I wonder if it’s because I was less nervous, or if it was my bike, or what. Anyway, after class, I got a picture. And I admired her lipstick, so she told me the brand and color. (KDV, Jupiter’s Eye.)

(This time, I did not wear my glasses to class.)

And so that was my experience taking classes at the Peloton New York studio. I enjoyed every bit of it and hope to do it again one day!

1 year since I joined a cult

I am a pandemic cliche. Not just the puzzles I put together, the shows I binged, or the sourdough I started and baked with. No, it was the purchase I received one year ago today:

Yeah, I laughed at the commercial just like everyone else did. I took a spinning class once and hated it. But I guess I have enough friends that raved about it, so I reasoned that I could always return it if I hated it.

But I didn’t. I loved it immediately.

And all of the aches and pains that I’d gotten from four years of Orangetheory went away. The tendinitis in my ankle, the knee pain, the back pain, the shoulder tendinitis. I used to love running on the treadmill. That was my favorite part of OTF. But until I stopped, I didn’t know how much it was hurting me.

So what have I done over the past year?

668 rides totalling 9 days, 2 hours, 16 minutes

45 live rides

1 shout out from Tunde on my birthday

Longest ride was 75 minutes, 35 seconds during a work call (I have a tray for my laptop)

I could go further into my stats, like which instructor I took the most classes from, but that’s boring if you don’t have a Peloton so I won’t.

Anyway, I’m not going to talk about things like the number of calories I’ve burned or inches lost or anything like that because that’s not why I’m doing this. I’m doing this because now I have really amazing leg muscles and it’s good for my cardiovascular health. I do need to get better about taking advantage of all of the other classes especially upper body strength training and stretching. Maybe that will be my goal for the next 365 days.

Look at the cute view I have! (I mean the dog!)

Schitt’s Creek and stretchy clothes

For the past few months, my friend Mary Catherine has been selling these workout clothes as a little side gig. I like to support my friends (and I like new leggings for riding my Peloton) so I agreed to host a Zyia party over on Facebook. But my condition was that of course it had to be Schitt’s Creek themed.

There are actually a lot of gifs that work for this, it was fun finding them.

Alexis running…
David doing squats…
Patrick and Stevie dancing…
And some hiking!

So if you’re interested in checking it out, join us over on Facebook!

And if you just want to peruse the catalog and skip all the fun gifs (and Facebook), you can go straight to the source and just shop from the Zyia website.

P.S. I have a pair of the leggings and they really are very soft and high waisted (which I like) and comfy.

May stuff

It looks like I’ll be writing one post with more than a dozen words in it per month. I don’t know why I can’t motivate myself to blog more. It’s not like I’m not sitting at my computer all day, every day. (Work is busy.)

So let’s see.

Mother’s Day was great. I usually leave the house and go see a movie with Terry on Mother’s Day but that obviously wasn’t an option this year. But George got me a picnic basket full of goodies from Tartine, and I relaxed and spent the day outside (the weather was outstanding) and drank a bottle of rose that Kiki had sent me. Delightful!

And then later that week, George turned 50! George doesn’t care about birthdays as much as I do, but I tried to make it special. Dinner was from Tartine (shepherd’s pie), I got my friend Angela to bake a cake, and I got him a bottle of expensive whiskey and this portrait of Ziggy. His favorite gift (and I don’t blame him) though was the cards the boys made him.

I’ve been sewing quite a bit – some masks, of course, but also clothes. It makes me happy. I need to do separate posts on these, but I’ve made shirts, mostly. This is all leading up to me deciding which pattern I’m going to use when I sew up this length of Liberty cotton lawn I bought when a fabric store had a sale. All the heart eyes!

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I’ve been enjoying my Peloton too. It is so nice to have the outlet for stress relief. Yesterday I hopped on it three different times when I was stressed out of my mind. Just a ten minute ride really helps! In five and a half weeks, I’ve done 80 rides! (I mean, yes, some of those are 5 minute warm ups or cool downs, but plenty are 45 minutes or longer!)

Screen Shot

If you use the Peloton app, follow me! I’m…guess what…yep, pyjammy. Easy to find.

I’ve been watching all of the Marvel movies in the order suggested here, because Kiki was doing it, and it sounded fun. I realized I’d missed a couple of the movies over the years, so it was nice to get caught up. (And now the beginning of Avengers: Infinity War makes sense!) Sometimes I have it on my phone while I sew and kind of half-watch (I mean, I don’t want to sew over my finger or anything) or sometimes I have it on while I work on a puzzle. The boys watched Spiderman: Homecoming with me the other night, but otherwise it’s just me.

Speaking of the boys watching things, they were so happy last weekend to have a soccer game to watch on TV again!

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Ziggy likes to watch sports too.

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And he’s just generally cute.

Tomorrow is the boys’ last day of sixth grade! Last night they put on their school uniforms because they missed wearing them. So hopefully they won’t mind putting them back on for a last day of school pic!