Raise the Bar's First-ever Spin Class

I'd forgotten how much I like biking indoors with friends. The beauty of a spin class is that no one can ride away from you, and you can't get away from anyone....you're all just stuck in one spot trying to out-sweat each other. Yesterday I found myself between 2 people I kept a VERY close eye on last season - Kathy Morrisson and Alan Kindzerski. I keep an eye on Kathy because I've come to realize the rabid racing animal that lives behind her sweet smile and natural strawberry blonde hair.....hmmph.... Alan and I have had some VERY close race finishes this year and I am determined to try and stay ahead of him as long as possible - although in my life as a triathlete I've learned that the men that stick out the hard training will eventually have their revenge on some race course somewhere. Alan trains HARD.....his revenge, I fear, is imminent....

So it looks like I'll continue to land at the spin class on Tuesday nights and will be enjoying the company of those athletes that WILL be scary on their bikes in 2008 - no doubt about it! Come and join us!

Lisa Cantalini, one of our own team members, teaches the Tuesday night Spin Class for us at the Tahoma Athletic Club and does a terrific job. She recently sent a bio to me and here it is with her picture from Danskin (She was 149/3499 by the way, and had the 50th fastest bike split of the day. Not too shabby!!)

I am a mother of two great kids Katie 13 and Jon 11 and wife to a wonderful husband Dan. I was never a big athlete as a kid I played basketball and rode my bike but, as an adult I wanted to set new goals for myself and encourage my kids to be active by my example. I had always thought it would be a huge accomplishment to say I ran a marathon but, I could never find anyone who wanted to do it with me. So, when we moved to Ravensdale 4 years ago neighbors of mine convinced me that I could run a marathon. With a lot of long running hours I finished the Seafair marathon in the summer of 2005. I ran the half in 2006 with a co-worker from the gym. After doing all that running training I realized that it took up a lot of time in one area of fitness and I wanted to do other things outside instead like ride my bike. I thought I would try something new and attempt a triathlon. My first Tri was last year at the Danskin. I had a great race and came in 77th on the bike. That same year I did 2 duathlons, since my swimming was not my strong area, to finish out the year. That same year I started working at Tahoma Athletic Club at the front desk and taking spin classes again. I had been waiting for a club to open in Maple Valley that offered spin classes since I had not been able to take a class since we moved from West Seattle 2 years before. I love spin classes because they are such a great workout plus they give you the bike workout you need in the fall and winter months when the weather is not cooperating to ride outside. When the opportunity came up for me to get certified to be an instructor I jumped on it. I have been teaching classes at 5:30am on Wednesdays since last spring. I now teach every other Friday also. I try to simulate riding outside in my classes by working on the things that we need for improving our road rides outside while being inside a gym. I have learned a lot since I first started taking classes 8 years ago and I can tell the difference it has made in my strength on the bike at the beginning of this year’s tri season from taking the classes year round. I have had a fun time being a part of the RTB team this year. There are a lot of very supportive teammates and coaches to help you along the way.

Happy Training! Patty Swedberg