Quarantine Fitness

So, just over a month ago, the state of NC shut down the schools and said we will not return to school until at least May 15.  I've spent the better part of the last month teaching myself how to become an online teacher for my students, since I'm not the best online learner myself, I want to be the best possible online teacher.  This internal drive to be the best causes me large amounts of anxiety and stress.

There are many ways to deal with that level of stress an anxiety.  In the past I have dealt with it by stress/binge eating, and sometimes having a drink or two.  I made a conscious decision that since I was going to be home the better part of the next two months, it was time to dedicate myself to my workouts and do better physically rather than giving myself a crutch that wasn't healthy or productive.

At the beginning of this quarantine, I had a total of 25 rides in on my Peloton bike, which I had owned for 13 months.  Since March 15 I have ridden an additional 24, and today, I will do my 50th Peloton Ride.  In this time I have discovered Power Zone Training, and put aside the fear of it and just jumped in head first to an 8-week Power Zone challenge.  I committed to riding 3 times per week over that 8 week period to get in my cardio and workout more consistently.

I have found three additional instructors that I love, so that list is now up to 4.  Cody Rigsby and Robin Arzon do "regular" rides and now Power Zone rides.  I adore them both, and in fact they are my go-to instructors for "fun" rides.  Cody has done Lady Gaga and Madonna Rides.  Robin did a Lizzo ride, a Hamilton Ride and a Greatest Showman ride.  Christine D'Ercole, Matt Wilpers and Denis Morton (who completely unfairly has way better than I do) all teach Power Zone Rides along with the "regular" rides.  Matt is a smiling demon who kicks my ass every time I get on the bike.  Denis is my Musical Spirit Animal and chooses awesome stuff like Janis Joplin, INXS, Toto.  Christine's tag-line is "I am, I can, I will, I do".  She tells you in every ride to drop your shoulders and drop your baggage.  She says that being on the leaderboard every ride is more important than where you are on the leaderboard.  I love them all for different reasons. 

When my doctor told me I shouldn't be running anymore, stopping running caused me to gain weight, approximately 25 pounds in 3 months.  While my Peloton journey doesn't have me losing weight because honestly, I can't outride my fork, and I need to be working hard on nutrition, it has helped me find a new activity that my aging/damaged knees can handle without massive pain, swelling and inflammation that lasts for days.  I'm falling in love with Peloton the way I did with CrossFit and running, when I could do those things.

I am not halfway to my century ride, and my free century t-shirt after I finish it.  I really think I want to go to NYC and ride with all of my favorite teachers in one weekend.  Maybe the stars will align and this damn virus will go away.  Maybe Barney will take me to NYC for my birthday next spring, and I'll get to meet them all.  In the meantime, I'm going to keep on pedaling.  I have also altered Christine's phrase slightly, "I am a badass, I can do anything I put my mind to, I will love myself through the process, I do deserve this!"