Lone Wolf No More

So when I started running, it was just Jordan and I running around the track. It was nothing glamorous and I definitely felt I was going as slow as a snail. I looked at running clubs in the area and just felt that I would be left behind because I was too slow and wouldn’t be able to keep up.

I basically trained by myself for our first few races. Jordan and I would go to the track and I would count my laps as I listened to music and then we would high five each other and head home. It got to the point where it was kinda sad because I felt like no one knew that I was running and I had no one (besides Jordan) to cheer me on or see my improvement. It was soon after the half-marathon that I was burnt out and wanted more.

I found the Tone It Up community online. At the beginning of this year, I became more involved and followed the workouts. I began connecting with girls over Instagram and soon met some awesome girls in real life. I became braver and stepped out of my comfort zone. I became stronger physically but being part of the community opened my eyes to even more opportunities. I suddenly became inspired again when it came to running but I also wanted to try to things. I began to look online for different workout classes in my area. It was then that I found spin class. I tried out Ride Indoor Cycling in the Heights on a whim.

Oh boy, my husband can tell you that I’m pretty obsessed. I found a Thursday night that I could do to spin class after work and I walked into such an amazing group of people. They welcomed me in and were so warming that all my nerves went away. I made genuine friends who would message me whenever I missed a class. They kept me accountable but classes were so fun that I truly didn’t even mind the crazy workouts. Thursday night spin classes are on my schedule every week.

I am still a bit shy and can take some time to come out of my shell but I found a community of amazing people who are always there to cheer me on. They push me to become a better person and they are one of the reasons why I get up and get through a workout when I know it probably won’t be pretty.

Do you have a community of runners or friends that help you stay motivated when it comes to fitness?