Today is Monday, October 7, 2024
National Inner Beauty Day
On this day in history…
1959- The romantic comedy Pillow Talk was released nationwide in the United States; it was the first of several on-screen pairings of actors Rock Hudson and Doris Day.
Spotlight Photo
Hello, fall.
Quote of the Week
“When we are no longer able to change a situation- we are challenged to change ourselves.”
– Viktor Frankl
Happily Ever After
https://www.everafterphotographypnw.com/
Ever After Photography PNW is owned and operated by photographer extraordinaire, Mira Nachtigall. Mira specializes in birth, maternity, and newborn photography. She shares her art each week to help beautify the My Monday Memo. Mira and Rachel’s friendship spans back to 2007 in Las Vegas. They now reside very close in Washington.
Feline Tomfoolery
with Brady & Belichick
Dear Humans,
Just a lazy day filling the human’s blanket with as much black hair as possible. We know they secretly love to have our hair in their eyes, their noses, and especially the human male, he loves to have our hair stuck in his face stubble. You are welcome.
Much Love, Brady (left) & Belichick (right)
Brady & Belichick are Rachel’s adorable felines. Brady is a short hair and very dominant and athletic, much like his namesake (Forever Patriots). Belichick, aka Beli, the long hair, was the runt of their litter and is much more passive, until provoked. These two cute boys turned one on May 4, 2024.
Story of the Week
September at Orangetheory Fitness was so much fun, Rachel decided to make it the main event in this week’s My Monday Memo. Enjoy.
Orangetheory Fitness
September Highlights
If you’ve never rowed 2,000 meters as fast as you can on a row machine, you are lucky. Some people enjoy the torture (or challenge). Anyone that intentionally attends the 2,000-meter benchmark row class must love torture (or a great workout). Surprisingly, there is always at least one person that walks into the gym that morning and says, “Oh no, it’s the 2,000-meter benchmark row today?” Yep, that sandwich board pictured about is there every single day. Every. Single. Day.
Rachel loves these benchmark challenges, as she is in a crazy competition with herself at all times. Even to the detriment of her own physical health. Anyone that knows Rachel knows what that means. She always wants to beat her previous time, and even stresses over it. Crazy, right. Yep. She knows she isn’t alone. Luckily, she has found like-minded people at OTF.
She has completed the 2,000-meter row benchmark three times since joining Orangetheory Fitness just one year ago. As you can see in the image below, she has made great progress over the course of the last year. While she has worked hard to improve her form and strength, the new personal record would not have been possible without the great tips and instruction from the fantastic Coach Christine just days before the class. She has no idea how she will ever beat her current best time, but she sure will try.
Next was preparation for DRITRI (ya know, like Dry Triathlon). This is a three-part event that includes a 2,000-meter row (again?!), 300 bodyweight reps on the weight floor, and the finisher… a 5k on the treadmill. The challenge, to complete all three as fast as possible.
Due to a few issues with her lower extremities, (maybe a shin splint) Rachel has been stuck to walking on the treadmill for the most part over the past six weeks. She knew she would run the 5k for this event though. She had already participated in the event earlier this year in April and had done better than expected. This time, with the leg issue, she wasn’t sure how well it would go.
Well, adrenaline is a powerful thing… Not only did she feel no pain during the event, but she also pushed and beat her previous time by more than a full minute. She credits 5 AM class pals, Rachna and Colleen, who flanked her during the event and gave her the inspiration to push. This would be both Rachna and Colleen’s first time participating in the event and they both did fantastic.
Pictured Above: Rachel’s event times and the swag bag each participant received after the event.
Pictured Above LT to RT: Rachna, Rachel and Colleen rocking their medals after completing the DRITRI.
Pictured Above: All of the participants from the event pose for a group photo with Coach Blake (back row, gray hoodie) and Coach Christine (back row on the right with the mic).
September was a fun month at OTF. Rachel continues to meet new people and make great connections. October at OTF (Hell Week is coming) should be fun, stay tuned next month to hear all about it. Until next time, be well.
