| 2022 |
| Armed Forces Cycling Classic’s Challenge Ride – DONE Saturday, June 4 9 laps in 3 hours (my goal) | Crystal City, VA Beneficiary: various charities |
| Empire State Ride 2022 Sunday, July 24 – Saturday, July 30 500+ miles fully supported | New York Beneficiary: Roswell Cancer Research |
| RBC Century Ride Sunday, August 21 100 miles | Reston, VA Beneficiary: Reston Bike Club |
| Lime Connect Century Ride Saturday, October 8 100 miles | Reston, VA Beneficiary: college-bound high school seniors with disabilities |
| 72 Hours to Key West Thursday, November 3 – Saturday, November 5 280+ miles | Ft. Myers to Key West [Florida] Beneficiary: Tiny Hands Foundation |
| 2023 |
| Bike to the Beach Saturday, April 22 100+ miles | Miami to Key West [Florida] Beneficiary: Autism |
| Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder Sunday, June 11 40 -or- 60 -or- 80 miles | Middleburg, VA [Salamander Resort] |
| Lake Anne SUP Triathlon August – DATE TBD SUP + Ride + Run | Reston, VA Beneficiary: Reston CORE Foundation |
Past RIDES I HAVE DONE Multiple Times That I Recommend: |
| TD Five Boro Bike Tour + Bike Expo New York *super fun, not a race First Sunday in May 40 miles on car-free roads and bridges | New York City Beneficiary: Free bike education to kids in the five boroughs (largest charitable bike ride in the US) |
RIDES I HAVE NOT DONE, But Are on My List: |
| Bike MS Date Varies Based on City 15 to 150 miles | 68 City Options Throughout the US Beneficiary: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society |
| Tour de Perry *after the ride you can enjoy the Perry Chalk Art Festival July 17 -or- 31 -or- 53 miles | Perry, NY Beneficiary: N/A |
Tag: adventure
Gal on the Go Gets a Makeover
I launched my Gal on the Go blog 14 years ago as part of a grad school project. I cannot believe how fast time has passed!!!! My writer’s voice has evolved and it was time for my look to progress too with some fresh branding. I hope that you enjoy the blog and continue to follow along. Like a fine wine, my goal is for it to keep getting better.
This year I created a sub brand of Gal on the Go called Rock N Flow Yoga, combining my past experience as a DJ with my passion for yoga, by offering private yoga instruction to musicians and bands and leading fun power flows at public festivals and events.
It takes a village of amazing friends and strangers with heart to help make your dreams a reality. You can try to do it alone, but it is much more achievable (especially on rough days) when you have people who are behind you rooting for you!
That said, I would like to give a shout-out to the following people for their unwavering support with this venture…
- Angela Tarantula, my friend who is a talented graphics designer created the new Gal on the Go logo down to the detail of the arrows giving a sense of action and looking like a pair of legs running. (She also created my Rock N Flow Yoga logo.) Insta: @angtarantula
- Lauren, my friend who is a skilled photographer and owner of Elle Three Photography took the photo used as the base of the new Gal on the Go logo.
- Danielle Daily, my friend, and business mentor who is a TED Talk savvy businesswoman and host of the Suddenly Single Show podcast who came up with the concept of rebranding Gal on the Go.
- Yorke B., a new friend and my Custom Ink rep who has been beyond helpful with all my merch needs for Rock N Flow Yoga.
- Christina, my friend who placed the first order for some Rock N Flow Yoga merch and gifted it to me as a gesture of her belief in me and my dream.
- Amanda, my original omie who attended my first studio yoga class ever and every one of my public yoga events.
- YOU (my blog readers) and the people who grant me interviews — all of whom are a constant inspiration.
Sit back and enjoy this wild ride as we keep it moving onward and upward together!!!!
2019: Year of Transformation
Every December I set core fitness goals for the upcoming year to give me something to focus on and to plan my training. I also try to calculate expected financial costs because as fellow racers know, a year’s worth of race expenses adds up quickly. In addition to my main goals, I sprinkle in smaller events throughout the year as people tell me about them.
This year there’s an additional component to my plans. Yoga. In 2018, I completed a year of dedicated training to become a certified yoga teacher in both sculpt and power styles, and in December I proudly started teaching sculpt and flow at a yoga studio called Fierce Om. Jenny, the owner/manager, has been amazingly supportive as I strive to build up my client base and become the best teacher I can be.
Bev, my life coach, told me that she foresaw 2019 as being a transitive year for me. Typically, change makes me uneasy, but for some reason, I am very excited by this prospect of life transformation, and I’m going to carry it with me and trust in the journey ahead!
The reason why I started Gal on the Go was to inspire girls and other women through my life examples, to take reasonable risks trying things outside of their comfort zones that would help them to lead healthy lives and discover what they are capable of in areas they never imagined!
Since 2014, when I entered my first race, the Virginia Spartan Super, I have learned a lot through trial and error and advice given to me by other racers. One thing you should never underestimate is the power of your mindset. Sure, physical training is essential, but your mindset can have a significant influence on your outcomes in life situations. Keeping your mindset in check when moments of uncertainty start to creep in is crucial. IF you find your head leading you down a path of doubt or negativity, I offer you these two things to help you push through …
- A mantra … Mirror, mirror on the wall, I’ll always get up after I fall. And whether I run, walk, or have to crawl, I’ll set my goals and achieve them all!
- A song (music is a great mind booster) … download and crank up DREAMER by Black Violin.
I promise that you can truly achieve anything you set your mind to combined with honest prep work. Every time during a race, defeating thoughts enter my mind at a grueling point and I have to focus hard to push them aside. I refuse to let those negative thoughts get the best of me. During those moments I tell myself STOP WITH THE SELF-SABOTAGE! I CANNOT FAIL, I WILL NOT FAIL! I may not finish exactly how I hope, BUT make no mistake, I will finish. I am naming 2019 the #yearofyou; get out there and do things that fulfill both your mind and your body!
So what’s coming up in 2019? Some cool stuff!!! Here’s a sneak peek.
YOGA EVENTS I’M LEADING
(NOTE: If you are seeking an enthusiastic yoga instructor for your event, email me at galotgo@gmail.com.)
| DATE | EVENT | LOCATION |
| January 27 (Sun.)
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Doggy Noses + Puppy Poses: Yoga Flow Class @10:30 a.m. NOTE: Tickets SOLD OUT in two days!!! Thank you! |
Mustang Sally Brewery, Chantilly, VA
|
| February 9 (Sat.)
|
Athleta In-Store Sculpt Class @9:00 a.m. Free and open to the public.*bring your own weights |
ATHLETA, Reston, VA
|
| February 17 (Sun.)
|
New Year Transformative OmWorkshop: Nutrition + Restorative Yoga; Time: TBD | Fierce Om, Chantilly, VA
|
| ??? | ??? | ??? |
RACES I’M PARTICIPATING IN
(NOTE: If you there is a race you think I should do or you are looking for a team member email me at galotgo@gmail.com with the details.)
| DATE | EVENT | LOCATION |
| May 5 | TD Five Boro Bike Tour (40 miles) | NYC |
| August 17 | SeaWheeze Half Marathon + Yoga Festival | Vancouver, BC |
| ??? | ??? | ??? |
I don’t have any financial sponsors yet for 2019, but I hope to have some soon. I was fortunate last year to have the support of Westfields Dental, Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, Essence of Om, and Downs and Associates Insurance. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Gal on the Go, please email me at galotgo@gmail.com.
“Here’s to the dreamers! Yes, I’m a dreamer!”
– black violin
What’s SUP? (Stand-Up Paddle Boarding)
Steve our patient instructor.
Jenny crusin’ hardcore.
My board.
Jenny pausing for a zen moment.
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Lesson With Surf Reston
Instructor: Steve
Class: 2 hours
Location: Lake Anne, Reston, Va.
http://www.surfreston.com/
My best friend Jenny knows me well; she booked paddle boarding lessons for us for my birthday! We arrived at Lake Anne and met our instructor Steve, a chill and encouraging dude, along with eight other class participants. Steve spent about 15 minutes at the start of the lesson teaching us about our equipment. He explained that we should use the handle (aka soap dish) in the center of our board as a marker on where to stand.
We also learned about the three strokes:
- Forward Stroke used for moving forward; catch (the water), power (pull the paddle through) and recovery (back to the front and repeat on the other side) (CPR)
- Stop Stroke used for stopping; also known as the reverse sweep
- Sweep Stroke used for turning your board around
Fun Facts: SUP is a slang term used by boarders that stands for Stand-Up Paddle Boarding. The end of the paddle is shaped at an angle to mimic a swimmer’s hand and cut through the water!
Ready for our adventure, we launched off the shore of the lake kneeling on our boards with our paddles across the front of us – from that point we were supposed to slowly stand. It was a hot, sunny and VERY windy day. About five minutes into being on the water before standing, I headed right into a massive shrubbery section on the side of the lake. All good, nothing to see people, I shouted! (I was happy that Jenny didn’t have access to a camera. 😀 ) I quickly recovered, stood and paddled away for the remaining hour+. It was more fun than I ever expected and an amazing abs and arms workout. I cannot wait to return and do it again, especially since Surf Reston offers a discount for repeat business and yoga paddle boarding classes. You cannot bring your phone with you while you’re boarding in case you fall in the lake, but Steve took photos for everyone and posted them on Flickr.
I have an evolving bucket list, which is how my Gal on the Go blog originated. I say evolving because there are some items on the list that I knew about when I created it, and some activities that I was unaware of and added along the way … like when I was “co-pilot” of a plane in Vermont and paddle boarding in my area. The paddle boarding lesson was a day I will never forget; a shared life experience with a friend is priceless and what Gal on the Go is all about!
Sequel to the Hike … Floaties Optional
Overall Run Falls
NOTE: The photos that look like streams were all sections of the trail we walked through and across that are normally dry soil!
Shenandoah Hiking Series: Overall Run / Overall Run Falls
Instructors: Beth and Raquel
Classmates: Charlotte, Dan, George, Fazon, Paul (a grad student from France), Jessica and Brain (a cool couple), and Jennifer and Lisa (a mother+daughter duo)
Start Time of Hike at Shenandoah National Park: 9:30 a.m.
End Time of Hike at Shenandoah National Park: 4 p.m.
Total Miles Covered: 10 (it was supposed to be 5.5)
Weather: Overcast the first half of the hike and sunny the second half
I had so much fun on my previous REI hike, that I registered for another one. Again, Mother Nature unleashed buckets of rain the days leading up to the hike, class proceeded and we met outside my local REI store at 7:30 a.m. to board “Teddy”. (See my previous hiking blog post for explanations about “Teddy”and some other details.)
It was a lively group! During the van ride Brain goofed with Paul about the U.S. slang term “splunking” and the sexual meaning. Beth, an avid caver, warned them to be careful where they use the term because to outdoor enthusiasts, “spelunking” refers to a cave rescue due to careless people. Very different meanings! At the start of our hike, Beth and Raquel taught us about the proper use and benefits of trekking poles, botanical life we may see like the wineberry (a favorite of all the instructors, a relative of the raspberry, nonnative to Virginia and safe to forge), and animals to beware of like Copperhead snakes (We came across a Copperhead at one point and I yelled, “Keep it moving people!”). Our fearless leaders were unsure of the condition of the trail given the heavy rainfall days prior. We soon discovered that it was miles and miles of mud ditches! Our major trail connections were washed out with mini rapids. I asked if anyone had swim floaties in their backpack? Raquel just finished telling us a story about the last time she led a hike at Overall Run and how they had to walk crouching down for more than a mile as a survival method amid a thunderstorm. During our hike she said she never saw such “epic streams!” Due to those two incidents Raquel jokingly declared, “this trail is cursed!” Safety was a serious issue given the slippery rocks and rushing waters, so I didn’t take many photos. Teamwork and using the trekking poles were crucial. Never underestimate the power of 1-2 feet deep rapid moving water. When we finally reached our destination Overall Run Falls, know as one of Virginia’s tallest waterfalls, it was a beautiful sight. The cascading falls were to our left and the majestic Massanutten Mountain was to our right. Toward the end of our hike I slipped on rocks, fell on my side and was covered in mud. It looked like half of my body got a fancy spa treatment. Our hike was supposed to be about 5.5 miles, but it ended up being 10 miles due to the rerouting. I was exhausted when I got home from my adventurous day!
To search for REI classes/events in your area go to: https://www.rei.com/learn.html
#optoutside
Take a Hike
Shenandoah Hiking Series: Little Devils Stairs
Instructors: Nathan and Matt
Classmates: Alison, George, Scott, Jayne, Adriana and Al
Start Time of Hike at Shenandoah National Park: 9:15 a.m.
End Time of Hike at Shenandoah National Park: 1:30 p.m.
Total Miles Covered: 5.5
Weather: Rainy, chilly and super foggy
I received a classes/events email from REI and noticed they had some great hikes planned through their outdoor program. I began hiking in 2013 with my Framily (yes, that’s how my crew spells it), but I missed going on hikes last year because of the freaky weather and moving. So I decided to go for it, and signed up for a class. What’s more fun than an adventurous day of fresh air, education and exercise?! At the time, I didn’t know Mother Nature would drench our area with rain for weeks. REI is hard core and naturally, the class proceeded as scheduled. We met up outside my local REI store at 7:30 a.m. and boarded the pimped out 11-passenger Mercedes van. Way to go REI!
The van, nicknamed “Teddy” by REI staff was new, but the front right corner had a dent in it that I found out was accidentally done by one of their unnamed associates. Nathan and Matt were knowledgeable and entertaining. Everyone had a blast. We learned about various invasive and non-invasive plants. Nathan shared this interesting tip with us … whenever we finish hiking we should always clean the bottoms of our shoes, because while walking through the parks the soles of our shoes get impacted with plant pollen and that’s one way both good and bad plant populations are spread. The more you know! (cue music) Despite the bad weather, it was a very fun day and I was able to take some cool pics. Visit my blog next week for tales and pics from my hiking adventure to Overall Run Falls.
#optoutside
It’s All About You Followers
Happy New Year! Thank you for taking the time to read about my adventures.
The main theme of Gal on the Go in 2015 was training and Spartan Races. I still plan on doing some races, but I’d like 2016 to be a year of mixed life experiences. I will be out of commission in March and April for medical reasons, BUT when I’m back and active, look out!
Your opinion matters to me. What are some adventures, activities or events you would like me to participate in/attend and write about this year? Enter your suggestions in the reply section of the blog or send me an email at galotgo@gmail.com. Wherever I go first, I will bring back the person who made the suggestion a souvenir. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Cheers,
Gal on the Go
Gal on the Go 2.0
When I got married I thought it would be forever, not because I had delusions of grandeur, but because my husband and I both came from divorced households and we thought we learned from the mistakes of our parents. Fast-forward 7,297 days later to the end. My husband and I separated and of course it’s something I NEVER expected. You go about your life and then a curve ball heads your way and knocks you down. I went through all the typical phases … sadness, anger, mourning, scared of unknowns ahead, etc. Three of my girlfriends helped me pack on Christmas Eve of 2014. (Friends who help you pack, especially on the night of a holiday are GOOD friends!) Two days later I moved into an apartment. I hadn’t lived in an apartment since my early 20s. The first few months were a whirlwind and I felt like I was living in a hotel, then one day my apartment suddenly felt homey. I was going through A LOT between the divorce and other life events, and the reality of them hit me at odd times causing me to have many tearful moments. Along the way, I discovered who my true friends are — those who have been there to take my random calls and texts any time of day or night when I needed someone the most versus those who haven’t had any time to spare or worse, used my personal business as their own gossip fodder. On September 10 my divorce became final. Given all the time and legal c**p involved, I thought it would feel different in ways I can’t explain. Instead, it just felt like OK, now I’m divorced, bring on the next life adventure! I’m currently in the process of preparing to move to shorten my commute and improve my quality of life. This past year bad days seemed frequent and time felt like an eternity; at the same time I can’t believe that 2015 will soon be over! I’m sad leaving an apartment that’s hard for me to believe once felt sterile. During my time here I took up bike riding and immersed myself in my community cruising around town to my local gym, favorite mom and pop businesses like HighGrain Bread Company and more. I have been reflecting on my own advice of “Use your fears to become fearless.” I’m doing my best to navigate life, move forward and apply the quote by facing the unknowns with excitement rather than fear. Gal on the Go 1.0 underwent a lot of life debugging in 2015. Gal on the Go 2.0 is an upgrade and looks forward to being better than ever in 2016!
Final Piece of the Spartan Trifecta Puzzle
The day had finally arrived for the last leg of my Trifecta pursuit. It was 59 degrees and partly cloudy; a beautiful fall day for a race in Boston. On my way over to the stadium I could see participants walking along the top of Fenway Park carrying large jugs. I looked away, not wanting to psych myself out. I already conquered the Super and Beast, BUT the cement grounds of the ballpark were different from the grass/mud terrain I was used to, and just because it was a Sprint race, didn’t mean it would be easy. I was very torn because I wanted to get through the course quickly and to the best of my ability, but at the same time, given the historic location and access to special areas like the locker room and dugout, I wanted to pause at points and enjoy the experience. It sort of didn’t go down as planned. I tore through the course because I was unsure how to pace myself through the stadium. Toward the end, when I was running around the clay warning track past the famous Green Monster wall, I slowed down a little to look up and around. While I was taking in the awesome 360-view, I thought WOW, I never imagined I would be running bases at Fenway Park one day! I’m not even a baseball fan (I’m a hockey gal), but I appreciated the significance of the venue. I proudly finished the course in 51:56.
The Spartan obstacle races became addictive, which is something I didn’t expect when I originally signed up for my first, and what I thought would be only one. I never imagined the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Virginia would lead me to Killington Mountain in Vermont and then to Fenway Park in Boston. The journey to accomplish my Trifecta goal took me outside of my mental and physical comfort zones and revealed capabilities to me that I didn’t even know I possessed. I’m not sure what my fitness goals are for 2016 yet. I’m going to take some time off from racing this winter and figure them out.
(FUN FACTOID: The Green Monster aka “The Wall” was part of the original Fenway Ballpark construction of 1912. The wall is the highest among current Major League Baseball fields, and is the second highest among all professional baseball fields, including minor leagues.)
Visit Last Word on Sports to read my article on tackling challenges races from a rookie to seasoned competitor perspective.
Eyes Wide Open
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- Randy, our pilot, Cape Air 55 Cessna Prop
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- My co-pilot seat.
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- Starting to enjoy the aerial adventure.
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- Gorgeous mountain views of Vermont ahead of us!
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- Coolest landing I’ve ever experienced.
I was on my way to Vermont for the Spartan Beast when I had a bucket list worthy experience that I never imagined. I had to take a flight from Dulles to Boston to Rutland. My flight from Dulles to Boston was on a standard size commercial plane. I knew my connecting flight from Boston to Rutland would be on a smaller plane, but I had nooooo idea that a Cessna Prop was only a nine-passenger plane! Before boarding the plane the attendant weighed our bags and recorded our personal weight to ensure proper distribution. While we were standing outside on the tarmac I was taking pictures (until I was nicely yelled at to stop) and I didn’t realize I had volunteered to be the “co-pilot”! Boarding the plane wasn’t the typical leisurely stroll on inside, we had to duck and enter as if we were getting into a mini van. There were only six of us on the flight. I figured I would be sitting behind the pilot like on a commercial flight. Nope! I was sitting right next to the pilot with the steering wheel and controls all directly in front of me. I had a genuine oh sh** moment! The pilot made his speech, but I was still in shock about where I was sitting and didn’t hear a word he said. As the plane took off the wheel and pedals in front of me started to move automatically and I immediately froze up. I didn’t want to accidentally touch anything!!!!! When we reached cruising altitude it seemed like we were suspended in air hanging by strings. I didn’t breath for what seemed like a long time. When I finally started to relax, I distracted myself with the amazing aerial view — a perspective I never had before, not even when I rode in a hot air balloon. I embraced the situation and tried to soak up the experience. Having 360 degree views of the deep green beautiful mountain ranges of Vermont contrasting with the powder blue sky and cotton-like clouds while coming in and landing is something I will never forget. My nerving situation turned out to be peaceful and majestic. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have an opportunity to be a co-pilot, put your fears aside and go for it!