Mary has amazing runs. This immediately caught our attention as it is such a pleasure to watch her beautiful form, strength and speed. Combine that with her fun-loving and friendly personality in the studio and her hard work on the bike — she epitomizes the Cycle Town culture! We LOVE having Mary ride with us and wanted showcase her so you can get to know her better too.
Tell us about yourself, the amazing work you do, and your family and interests.
I grew up in Larchmont, NY outside of NYC. My husband and I have lived in Hingham for 23 years and have raised our two boys here. I spent a good part of the last 20 years working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in health care and education settings, but I’m currently working with at-risk teens and young adults in a program that provides job skills training, HiSet (GED) preparation classes, and college and career readiness skills.
You are a warrior, we’d love to hear about your fitness journey.
I ran track and played field hockey in high school. After I got married, I started running again, and after my first child was born I got into working out with weights. I’m no longer able to run and indoor cycling definitely gives me the workout and stress release that running used to.
What motivates you?
I like to feel strong, it’s empowering and carries into other areas of your life. I definitely feel that meeting physical challenges requires some degree of mental toughness. When I’m struggling in class and the instructor says something like, “What do you do when things get hard?”, that motivates me. It makes me keep pushing through on the bike and while I hope that nothing in my day will be as hard as that moment (usually that’s during a run). Then I feel better equipped to handle what the day ahead might throw at me.
What is one of the epic transformation moments of your life?
At the risk of sounding cliché, I would have to say being a mother has been epically transformative. It has been and continues to be a most powerful and humbling experience.
Tell us why you came to Cycle Town and what your experience has been like.
I hadn’t been working out for a while and was having trouble motivating myself. I had taken spin classes before and was curious about the rhythm ride style at Cycle Town. I was a little frustrated at first because I was out of shape and challenged to get through a class, and I was not familiar with the moves. Once I attended classes more consistently everything clicked into place. I started loving the moves and my endurance improved. Now, I really love to go to Cycle Town and look forward to it! The instructors are so positive, have great playlists, and create a great energy.
Favorite move on the bike?
I like moving around on the bike in general – lunges, figure 8’s, all the moves. I like when I look up and see the entire class in sync. Also, because I really have to pay attention to the instructions/ choreography, I’m completely in the moment and not in my head. And that’s a good thing!!
Favorite song to ride to? It will be played in your next class ☺
Uptown Funk (just kidding!! I know you guys banned it!) All the instructors at Cycle Town have great play lists and the music is very motivating. I think it could be fun to spin to Ooh La La by Goldfrapp, or Lee DeWyze’s cover of A Little Less Conversation. James Taylor’s Steamroller might make a fun heavy hill song.
How do you fuel up pre and post-ride?
I usually have a banana and a cup of coffee before class. Afterwards, if I’m in a hurry, I will grab a Greek yogurt and maybe a Kind bar. If I have more time, I like to make a fried egg with avocado on toasted Ezekiel Genesis bread.
Any advice for new riders?
All I can say is give it some time. When I first started, I struggled with the moves, and with keeping up. Once you know what the moves are, and have built up a bit of stamina, it becomes fun–still quite challenging, but fun! Also, don’t ever show up to class with nothing but a couple of cups of coffee in your stomach (I’ve tried it)!
