Some days, I’m just annoyed.

I’m annoyed by groups of people who walk the entire width of the sidewalk and don’t budge to let me walk past them.

I’m annoyed by people who time after time bump me during a train ride without saying excuse me or any realization that they’ve elbowed me ten times in two minutes.

I’m also sometimes annoyed if I go to a fitness class and someone doesn’t do what the instructor is telling them to do. And I’m even more annoyed if it happens in one of my classes, unless I know you’re injured or you’ve told me you need to avoid doing certain moves.

Well, a few weeks ago, I was that person when I took Reign’s spin class at Crunch with my friend Jess.

She signed us up for a front and center bike for a 12:30 class at the newly renovated Crunch on 34th Street. Upon arrival after noticing how nice the spin room was, I immediately realized my bike shoes had the wrong clips for their bikes.

Being as I was wearing Nike Frees, I knew the soft, flexible bottom of the shoe would potentially cause my feet to hurt when riding out of the saddle.

Much to my chagrin, Reign announced most of the day’s workout would be out of the saddle.

Initially, I followed her cues. When the arch of my foot began to ache, I knew I needed to ride in the saddle for the rest of the class.

Immediately, I became aware of the fact that I was sitting front and center doing “my own thing”. I continued to sprint and climb hills when cued to do so, but I remained seated the remainder of the class.

I was that person in class!

After class I introduced myself to Reign to apologize for not being able to follow her directions. She smiled, said she didn’t think twice about it because she never knows what people’s issues are.

I’ve heard other stories of instructors not being so nice when a class attendee wasn’t following along perfectly.

I appreciated her kindness and ability to make me feel okay about needing to modify the ride.

*Taking this class almost made me want to start writing class reviews again, but I’ll leave that up to Rate Your Burn and stick to marathon training.

Let’s start this week off with a SIDI success!

@fitchicknyc Ran the Toronto half marathon today! Never in my life did I think this day would even exist! But it did today!! #sayitdoit

— Neesha de Jour ღ (@neeshalicious_) May 5, 2013

Congratulations to Neesha who set a goal, said it out loud, and did it!

How has SIDI impacted your workouts, health, fitness or running goals goals? Share in the comment section today!

On a personal level, last week’s SIDI really helped me put my focus where it needs to be. I continued to read about training my mind and though this will continue to be a focus, a week in and I already can tell a difference.

My long run on Saturday went much better than they have previously. I relaxed into the mileage, ran a route that I knew would work for me and enjoyed it.

All this time spent working on my mental game, has really gotten me thinking about my goals for this upcoming marathon. I’ve realized they might need some revision.

In the meanwhile since getting my workouts in doesn’t seem to be my biggest challenge. For now, my SIDI goal for the week is simple:

Focus on getting quality sleep and establishing a more consistent bed time.

What are your SIDI it goals for the week? Let me know what workouts you have planned or what your focus will be for the week. I swear putting it out there, really helps!

Flashback to 1999. I was a just out of college and determined to “become a runner” (because somehow running five seasons of cross country didn’t make me one already). I was still living in Nashville and was racking up the weekly miles like it was my job. In fact running was such a priority in my life, I’m surprised I even had a job in the first place at somewhere other than the local YMCA.

Anyways, I ran right when I got out off work at 3:30 in the afternoon during the heat of the summer in the sticky south. Somewhere along the way, I began running in just a sports bra and tacky patterned running shorts.

It was one summer and one summer only that I ran in just a sports bra. (maybe I blame my youth or my lack of dri-fit clothing)

Regardless, I really didn’t think much about running through the streets wearing such little clothing.

{insert unfound photo of a young FCITC, too tan, ten pounds lighter, and without wrinkles}

Flash forward to present day and it’s safe to say working out in just a sports bra is not omething I would have considered doing until last month. New Balance invited me to ride with them at the Seak Foundation’s Sports Bra Challenge and I knew I had to take on the challenge of working out in public in just a sports bra.

What is the Sports Bra Challenge?

Founded by Jenny Gaither, Soul Cycle instructor and lululemon ambassador, The Sports Bra Challenge is an outdoor cycling class where women ride in just a sports bra. The event raises money for the SEAK Foundation.

The goal of the organization:

“builds supportive communities for women to address, bring awareness to and embrace who they are by building confidence through fitness. We provide women with tools and resources necessary to achieve and sustain a positive body image.”

Quickly after receiving the invitation, I polled facebook to see how you guys felt about working out in just a sports bra. I found out I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t found of the idea.

I excitedly showed up at the event not really knowing what to expect. It ended up being a powerful day of women sweating together, dancing to the music and celebrating.

 The message of the day:

In a world that creates unrealistic standards about what we should look like on the outside, embrace who you are, be confident and proud of the body you have.

It’s definitely a message I needed to hear.

 Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. New Balance, a sponsor of the 2013 Sports Bra Challenge invited me to ride one of their sponsored bikes during the event and outfitted me for the ride.