"I wanted to be healthy and strong so I could be a better mom. I wanted to set an example for my daughter," said mom Julie. But where to start was the question. The answer - the Peloton community.
Why a marathon? Why now?
Julie had always hated running. But had always wanted to run a marathon - and that irony wasn't lost on her. What she soon realized was that she hated training because she didn't know how. Previous attempts would end half way through training with defeat and exhaustion. After her daughter was born, she realized that she wanted to work towards that goal not just for herself, but for her daughter. And that was all the motivation she needed - to show her daughter that she too could do anything she put her mind to if she believed in herself and put in the work. That's when she downloaded Peloton's fitness app and first started looking at the training programs. The marathon training plan outlined step by step, week by week, class by class how to work towards her goal of finishing a marathon. The program mixed training runs on the tread and outside runs with strength training for runners and taught her what supplements she needed in her diet to help fuel her body. This wasn't something Julie had even considered before. But you wouldn't drive a car without fuel, or a good charge, so why would you take your body out for a run without the proper fuel? Suddenly, Julie wasn't so intimidated by that 26.2 and felt like this coached, day by day program was something she actually could do!
Running for My Daughter
"When I had my daughter, I was not really into fitness. But my daughter was one of the main reasons I found fitness." -Peloton user Julie, known on the leader board as JulzRunz
The App was Just the Tip of the Iceberg
A manageable training program isn't the only thing that Peloton brought to Julie's life. It brought her the knowledge of how to fuel herself. It also brought a community of members to cheer her on and support her. Through the app Julie was able to meet and connect with many users on similar journeys. They encouraged each other and shared training, fueling, and recovery tips. They sent virtual high-fives to each other and showed up for each other during runs and strength training. They kept each other motivated and were there for the good days and the bad days, the easy days and the hard days. All of a sudden Julie had a whole community supporting her and cheering her on.
The Importance of Fueling
Peloton's new line of supplements were an easy answer of what Julie was missing during her workouts and through the suggested pairings on her training plan, she was able to educate herself on the best ways to prepare her body for those long runs - and what a difference it made!
"I can't believe I went this long without realizing that I wasn't fueling myself in the right way. There was this whole piece of the puzzle that I didn't even realize I was missing. But once I did, and started using Peloton's new line of supplements, I felt better than I ever had - during and after a workout. It helped me break through that wall and really show myself, and those little eyes watching me, what I was capable of!"
The Importance of Connection
Through Peloton Julie was able to meet and connect with many users on similar journeys. If there was a group she could think of, Peloton had it, waiting for her to join.
"Meeting other moms that were on similar journeys really helped me feel like I could accomplish my goal. And helped me show my daughter that you can do anything you put your mind to, especially with the right group to support you." -Julie
Show Time!
When the day finally came for Julie to run the marathon, she was excited and nervous. With good wishes from her family and new friends she set out for the race. The marathon was challenging but with her training and the knowledge of how to properly warm up and fuel her body she was more than prepared and crossed that finish line to her daughter who was waiting and cheering her on with a big smile on her face.
The Biggest Accomplishment
"Through this program, not only was I working out to be my best self, I was fueling myself in the right way to assure that I was helping my body to be the best that it could be. And watching my daughter learn that from me is the biggest accomplishment I could imagine, even better than the medal they put around my neck as I crossed over that finish line."
What's Next?
Today, Julie continues to train and helps motivate others to take on the fitness goals that challenge and excite them too. After all, part of Peloton's mission is to empower people to be the best versions of themselves, and after they did that for her, Julie can't wait to help others find Peloton for the same reason because with Peloton, "together we go far."
"You don't have to be intimidated by your fitness goals," she tells anybody that will listen, "All you need is the right training plan - the workouts and the supplements and the community that will keep cheering you on!" -JulzRunz
But her all time favorite training buddy is her daughter, who is training with her mom for her first 5K run!
After the 5K with her daughter, Julie plans on starting to train for her first triathlon - with the help of Peloton's newest line of dietary supplements of course. "Training with Peloton's programs made me realize just how essential fueling my body in the right way was for my overall fitness goals. And with so many choices out there, it's hard to know where to even start. I'm so glad I found this community and now have fitness experts helping to point me in the right direction for any challenge I want to tackle next!" -JulzRunz
References: Peloton, Peloton Blog, Logo, Pictures: Adobe Stock Photos
Credits:
Created with images by Artem - "Winner as style of life. Horizontal shot of young beautiful woman in sports clothing keeping arms raised and smiling while passing finish line during jogging. Evening sunlight on background." • liderina - "Caucasian mother and daughter jogging outdoors. Mother and daughter enjoying together." • WavebreakMediaMicro - "Cheerful winner athlete crossing finish line" • nareekarn - "mother and her daughter doing stretching exercises on the road in the countryside, sports, healthy lifestyle"