I Went on a 1:1 Run With a Peloton Instructor — Here's Everything I Learned

I'll always have an emotional tie to running on the West Side Highway in New York City. My running career really started there when I was in college. I'd wake up every morning and jog from Washington Square Park straight to the water to sweat out the general angst I felt about discovering my purpose, deciding on my career path, and determining who I wanted to be (aka the casual stuff!). But as many athletes know, running is a great way to find yourself.

Peloton instructor Kirsten Ferguson would agree; it was running that brought out her intention to inspire others, whereas it's motivated me to share my own experiences through writing. So getting the opportunity to join her for a 20-minute 1:1 run on the West Side Highway felt like a perfectly aligned full-circle moment. Our run together doubled as a very honest conversation about recovery, injury prevention, and, most importantly, fostering relationships and passions that fuel us. Ferguson, 40, is a mom of two girls, an RRCA-certified run coach, and she recently completed her first TCS New York City Marathon. It's hard to believe that when Peloton reached out to her to join the team during the pandemic, she wasn't a runner, but a cycling coach at a gym in New Jersey. "Shit, I guess I gotta start running," she remembers saying. "Two years in at Peloton, I was like, 'I think I'm a runner now.'"

During our run from Chelsea Piers to Peloton Studios, which Ferguson refers to as "the mecca," she shared so many relatable and motivating tidbits that I wouldn't dare gatekeep. The conversation reminded me why I work out with Peloton instructors in my ear to guide me. Here are some of my favorite takeaways.

Even the Pros Have Trouble Hydrating

I thought I was alone here, but Ferguson admits this to me pretty early in the run: she hates drinking water *raises hand in solidarity*. Her trick? She fuels with DripDrop, a hydration powder that has three times the electrolytes and half the sugar of leading sports drinks on the market. As a brand ambassador, she's tried all the flavors — most of which are offered in a zero sugar formula — and watermelon, peach, and passionfruit are her favorites. I've tried them, too and attest to the quality taste and fast-working dehydration relief which helps prevent injuries.

Getting Injured Forces You to Look Inward

Another very real factor of running: it's easy to get hurt if you don't take care of your body. Ferguson goes easy on me, knowing I'm currently healing patellar tendinitis in my right knee. She's knows the pain. The Peloton instructor regularly shares details in her running classes about undergoing arthroscopic surgery in 2023 to repair a torn labrum in her hip. The injury happened after during first 10-mile run outside. Ferguson recalls calling fellow Peloton instructor and friend Jess Sims when something didn't feel right. Despite her attempt to remedy the pain with physical therapy and a cortisone shot, surgery was the solution that put her in longterm recovery mode. Hearing the news that she couldn't run for six months left her with the same sinking feeling in her stomach that I know all too well. "I'm a single mom, this is my career, I'm terrified," she describes as immediate worries. But Peloton gave her the time and space to recuperate and she learned how to trust the process. "I promised my body. I said, 'I will never do that to you again,' but it was also about trusting the plan . . . I felt good, I felt ready, but the doctor was like, 'Not yet.'"

Now Ferguson prioritizes strength training, weekly massages, and takes her stride analysis into consideration, which showed her how she was landing and led her to proper running shoes. She completed the United Airlines NYC Half in March, and that accomplishment reminds me that our bodies are literally made to heal themselves. She also builds her signature Intention Setting Walks for the Peloton platform, which are a low-impact workout she recommends I try. "I give affirmations, which has been healing for me, but also for so many members. You're moving, but also challenging yourself mentally. It's a beautiful way to incorporate movement," she says of the class.

Fitness Is a Lifelong Journey — It's Easier When You Do It With a Support System

As we near The Mecca, I mention to Ferguson that I can tell how genuine her friendship with Sims is, just by the way they talk about each other in their respective classes. She also mentions her several times on the run. "I call her my sister. She was my mentor when I started, and she's my rock still," Ferguson tells me. "It's so important to find your people in this space that you can lean on and trust and help guide. She's definitely that for me."

It's then that I realize my knee hasn't bothered me once, an exciting feat in my own recovery journey. I could chalk it up to a good day, or the fact that I've been keeping up with my strength and mobility exercises, but I have a feeling it's my conversation with Ferguson that got me through the 20 minutes with ease. That's the thing about a good run — if you're on the journey with someone who's willing to get real about their physical struggles, relationships, and emotions (and that person can totally just be yourself, by the way) — you probably won't feel very much pain at all.

Imposter Syndrome Sucks For Everyone

As we arrive at the end of our run, Ferguson recalls her first 20-miler while training for the NYC Marathon. It ended at Peloton Studios where Becs Gentry was cheering her on. "I dealt with a lot of imposter syndrome when I started at Peloton because I am not Becs Gentry," she says, as we both agree that the 2:32:01 marathoner and Great World Race finisher is next-level. "But I know I'm not meant to be her, I'm meant to be me."

I laugh to myself, thinking about how an hour ago I was nervous I'd be embarrassingly starstruck meeting Ferguson. But instead, the experience felt more like running with a friend, which I believe is the reason Peloton tapped Ferguson to join the team in the first place, even though she wasn't a runner . . . yet.

Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.