“The course is so beautiful!” and “It’s flat all the way,” friends continually told me. I wasn’t even really sure where exactly Montauk was, but I figured having a 70 mile bike ride hanging over my head would force me to start training earlier this year than in years past.  As usual I recruited my trustworthy training partner, Jenn, and along the way we bullied Megan, a member of Physical Equilibrium’s triathlon team, into joining us as well.

We began training in March and I am happy to say that it went really, really well. We completed  a 60-mile training ride two weeks before the event so we would have two weeks to taper properly.

On race day, we were all pumped and excited, especially for the variety of  promised foods at the finish line! Since the ride offered distances of 30, 70, 100 and 145 mile courses, I was curious to see how it would be organized as everyone finished at the same location. The directions on the website and the materials we received in the mail happened to be extremely thorough and well organized.

We checked our bikes for transport in Manhattan the day before the ride and arrived at Penn Station the morning of to travel to the starting line.

We arrived on time and our ride began at 9:45am. The first few miles went smoothly but disaster struck well before the first rest stop at 14.5 miles as a long stretch of road was flooded from the previous day’s rain storm. At one point we actually had to dismount our bikes and carry them through wet sand to avoid submerging our entire lower legs. Making matters worse, Jenn also crashed into Megan as Megan was forced to stop short to avoid a bottleneck crash along the flooded road.

Not much later, I fell behind the group and was riding solo through a “lake” when a car sped up to pass me in what seemed as an intentional attempt to soak the riders. And after being soaked, I proceeded to get a flat tire. Not even 12 miles in and we were wet, wounded and off of our training pace.

After a quick pit stop, Jenn got her first flat tire and I got my second. My second stoppage allowed Jenn and Megan to ride ahead of me so we made up to just meet up later in the race.

With 10 miles remaining, the three of us soaked, angry and tired women met up. Everyone had incurred at least two flat tires among other hazards to our bikes and bodies.

Finally, finally, finally at 5:00pm we made it to the finish! With dreams of free beer and delicious food I was soon disappointed. We waited in a line to check our bikes; waited in a line to retrieve our bags; set up camp in the food line while taking turns going to the bathroom. By the time we made it to the front of the line,  the beer was gone and we certainly didn’t care about waiting in line for the free t-shirt.

Thank goodness for friends who check a bottle of white Lambrusco with their end of race gear! The three of us split this delicious drink while waiting for our food, so at least the edge was taken off and we could begin to relax. By 7:00pm we had barely gotten our food and processed to run to the train only to find out that it was full! We ran back to the finish area just in time to catch one last bus that was leaving for Manhattan.

I am happy that I was able to persevere through this ride, but unless the organizers make some serious changes to next years’ course and the overall organization, I’ll most likely pass on participating again. The weather alone was certainly not the only factor that contributed to this bike ride experience that I will surely never forget!

- Sarah Currie

Those interested in supporting, training and competing with Gilda’s Club must commit to helping write or raise $1,500 for its charity. This fundraising goal also includes race entry (which is sold out to the general public) in addition to:

• Personal fundraising website
• Informative meetings and assistance
• Fun social events
• Training, group runs and nutrition tips
• Race day support
• Philanthropic satisfaction for a great cause.

The first informational meeting will be held on March 3 at 6pm at Gilda’s Clubhouse on Houston Street. For more information and to register, please contact Michelle Ramlochan of Gilda’s Club at 212-647-9700 x259 or at mramlochan@gildasclubnyc.org.

I had the opportunity to train a lot of Physical Equilibrium clients on weekends from Memorial Day – July and than also throughout all of August and into Labor Day.  Many of these clients I have been training in both the city and the Hamptons for a few years now, but I did pick up a few new exercisers this summer.

When in the Hamptons, I train clients on the beach and at the Lift Gym’s Hampton location in Wainscott. It is a great little space – bright and open with bamboo floors and new equipment.  It also happens to be next to the famous Levain Bakery so we have wonderful scents wafting onto the fitness floor.

On a personal note, I had a productive summer of not only working with clients but also doing all sorts of fun fitness activities.  Currently, I am training for the NYC Marathon so I got a lot of long runs in during my down time in the woods and on the beach.  I also cross-trained by riding my bike with visitors, swimming in the ocean and even doing yoga on my deck.

I also found a new sport that I really enjoyed, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, or SUP as its enthusiasts call it.  After just one lesson with a private instructor, Rick from Main Beach Surf Shop,  I went out and bought a used paddleboard so that I could continue to practice my skills.  I took clients as well as my brother out on Bridge Pond and Georgica Pond towards the end of the summer to share this wonderful sport!  It is a great total body workout, but also relaxing and peaceful at the same time.

Now that I’m back full time in NYC, I’ll be missing the late afternoons outside and the delicious farmer’s market and local food.  I’m already getting ready for summer 2011, so I hope to see you out East!  Thanks everyone for a wonderful summer!

Jack Rabbit will also be enlisting members for its New Years Resolution program, a fitness program its staff will help track and target.  Sarah will be on-site from 630pm-8pm at the Union Square location, but the event is taking place at both the UES and Park Slope stores as well.

Visit www.jackrabbitsports.com for more information.

GETfit, which is sponsored by FITTERWITH, is defined by its organizers as a “new event series that brings together people seeking fitness guidance with fitness professionals qualified to give it.”

The expo takes place on Sunday January, 10 from 11am-7pm and is located at the Adidas sports performance store on Broadway & Houston in SOHO.  It’s completely free to the public although registration is required. Preregistration is available here.

Hope to see lots of Phys Eq pros there!

At first, I wasn’t sure if this was a gimmick or if it would actually work; but after swirling the fruit around in my mouth – something awesome happened. It made everything I ate taste incredible – lemons and limes tasted like candy, garlic like butter, vinegar like honey, Guinness beer like Corona and Two Buck Chuck tasted like grape juice! This little known “Miracle Fruit” is available in the United States and can be purchased online at http://flavortripping.wordpress.com/.

However, I definitely recommend trying it with a group of friends – it makes for a really fun time and an interesting night out!