The Tripp Phenomena

Tuesday mayhem featured 3 classes at Woodbury today: Pre dawn at 6 another at 8:30 and my appearance in the 9:45. All three were filled to capacity.  A testament to what’s going on with Mr. Fantastic. I make no claim that since he has shorn his Samson like locks his popularity has shot up to mythic proportions. I will leave that to the speculators.  

Yesterday in my main spin blog of KSC, I told you that I was just back from an ethereal like seminar on the Hudson. The weekend put me behind the veritable 8 ball as I tried to make reentry back into real life without a simulated case of the bends. Michelle Corso relieved me from my malaise on Monday, but again this morning I found this emotional hangover lingering, and what worked yesterday might work today, at least that is what I told myself. 

I arrived about 45 minutes before takeoff and I was number 5 on the waiting list. Kristen’s spin class has had a baby, it’s called Tripp’s spin class.  I am not surprised that there was a signup list because the devotee fan base is growing day by day. 

 Mr. Mayhem has made a major shift from unconscious competence to conscious competence. What does this mean? The former means we don’t have to think about it, we just do it. It’s like tying your shoes, it’s automatic. Conscious competence on the other hand, tells me that I can do it well, but I am transferring my gifts consciously. The latter is much more powerful because, we love to “get it” but we love it even more when we know how we are getting it.  So often I would talk to my classmates and when I asked them about Tripp, they just exclaimed; I love his class. They didn’t have an explanation other than his transfer of unbounded energy. Now as our consciousness of Mr. Mayhem begins to shift, (at least from my vantage point) we are getting both pieces, energy and Zen-like epithets that inspire us to boot.  He is very talented man on many levels. And now he has added conscious competence, an irresistible force to galvanize his icon at Woodbury Equinox.  

The Tholian Web

The trip into The Corso Zone part V was a bold adventure. I had just came back from a spiritual journey in Ossining and the decompression chamber looked as if I was in for a painful dose of the bends. The Corso Zone changed all that but it took every ounce of willpower I could muster.  Michelle Corso is beyond superlatives in my vocabulary, but I will always try to do my best to depict this athletic superwoman from another planet.  

Today’s class had me starting from behind as usual but even more so given my lethargic head set from the weekend.  But there is no time to lollygag, I knew that I had to get on with it and about 27 minutes in, I almost felt like I had caught up with Michelle which took a Herculean effort but that moment was fleeting and by rides end I was pedaling my heart outside my chest, and Michelle was about 2 miles ahead.  

I am in love with the Corso Zone. This class is outer worldly, it is the only way to describe it. She tackles the ride as if we were headed up and down Mount Olympus. I love it because I hate it. There is no time for rest and Michelle put it perfectly when she said at one point: You’re still working but technically you are recovering.  I so heard that because after every powerful set the rest we think we need is an illusion. As I drop off from some perceived maximum, I am still in discomfort and all I can hope for is to drop my heart rate anything else will just have to wait until the hour is up and I have landed back on earth. 

Left-right-left-right keeps me in tempo and focused. The Corso Zone is the challenge  I ask that you take. Whatever you may have thought, think again.  Michelle hit me with Greg Kihn and had me flying. Listen if you get a chance and yes you can spin to it.  

The Greg Kihn Band: The Breakup Song  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLFfSDEA26o

Young Atlas Finding His Way

Young Damian continues on his quest to mark his own territory in the company of professional instructors at our club.  It is no easy task because each of those that came before him have long resumes of accomplishment and critical acclaim, as well as certifications that have marked those reputations. 

He has only opened the door of his personality a crack, he has yet to unleash his own firebrand of 21st century spin.  I know it’s there, I can see it in his eyes.  His choreography is different yet I can still dance to it.  He has the movements well orchestrated, it is only a matter of time before we all cock our heads and take notice that he is here to stay. (I hope)

 Some of the music is unfamiliar, but so is the hip-hop that litters the top 10 in pop music today. I would never have given a sound byte to this urban prose that is computer generated and truly lacking in charm if not engaging melodies. Since I am committed to spin I take the music cuisine as a diet of asparagus (which I hate) and process the percussion, and leave the husks of what people call music as just bad illiteration.  

Kristen’s staff is eclectic but it all works like a finely tuned machine. She has a fine engine and the mechanic in her keeps it all running without misfire. And anyone who enters her lair must have innate talent. So does this young man, which Kristen has recognized as sheer excellence in the making. 

Blue White and Perfect

There are times when I refer to the energy measurements known to man like amperage, horsepower, candle power, watts and BTU’s. All of them come to mind when I watch the dynamic Blue Sapphire take over mission control in #41.  She (to coin a colloquial phrase) had it all going on tonight.  Carolyn has very distinctive features and facets of her personality in spin.  She has of course those blue gemstone eyes that flash a warning we are headed for either a challenging speed interval or a heavy mountain climb. Then there are those baton like arms of hers that direct our movement in and out of the saddle and expand our effort when the resistance wheel is calling us for a turn to the right. And then there is that lilting voice of hers, that could give buoyancy to a sunken ship. Today however, she added something more. It was her generous helpings of that trademark comet white smile, which made the Herculean effort we need for hill climbs conquerable. 

I have been on quite a few spin excursions with the Blue Sapphire, but tonight was 20 out of 10. I had fun, I smiled more than I ever do and I felt as if all of us were feeding off the collective energy we seemed to be generating from the choreography of this extremely talented female. We of “Hello Thursday” had a BLAST tonight, an all out blast and the Blue Sapphire had 10,000  candle power for us in the CS.  

Thank you Carolyn Thursdays and Sundays will never be the same unless  you are teaching our class. 

The Borska Express

The line on Borska is, that here is a spin instructor after my own heart with a musical taste not exactly akin to mine but it’s, well close enough.  When he erupted with “Touch Me” by the Doors I had another one of my episodes of taking my effort beyond by lung capacity.  It didn’t matter because that particular song was wrapped with the memory of my sister who perished at 16, and used to kid me about my abhorrent singing capabilities in the shower. Indeed as I get deeper into spin the hour throttles by like a Shanghai train on the way to the airport and although I am always soaked head to foot I am actually thinking about doing a two session day once a week. I know, I have lost my marbles but when you’re having fun kicking your own ass something takes hold of your senses and just wants more of this space trip I started almost 8 months ago.  

Mike has his own style and like all of our instructors, they have a certain degree of intimacy, except with Mike it’s coming from a father figure, with a knowing only a middle aged man can portray. There is no mistaking how technically adroit Mike is, and yet he does it with the jargon of the common man. And though I never get lost with the other pro’s, he speaks a language that reaches my soul like Robin Hood’s arrow at 40 paces. 

Taking the Borska Express, it leaves Wednesdays at 8:30 AM.

The Power of Corso

I can almost feel the elevated awareness of this phenomenal talent in our midst, Michelle Corso.  She has been here for quite some time but I just can’t believe how much I am kicking myself for not recognizing this gem sooner. 

The first time I took her class I thought it was just too much speed and that there was no way in hell I could keep up with her velocity. When I went back a second, third and now a fourth time I realized that it was so much more about the power than speed. Today was exemplary in that regard. And I frankly felt that this woman was only for the elite athlete, she is but, there is a chance for us sexagenarians to benefit from her marvelous repertoire that keeps changing like the

 front cover of a daily newspaper.  I absolutely love her choreography it’s Kristen like but different. She talks to us like KG does but it’s with a different intonation. It comes from more of a petitioning than straight inspiration.  She will ask us throughout the ride if we are with her, or you have to find yourself, or that she needs us.  An interesting twist on coaching if you ask me. It takes for granted that we are spinning with her not being led by her.

 Let’s see if I can be more clear and that might take some doing because I tend to get lost in Michelle’s physiology that is super hero like. I half expect her to either erupt into spontaneous combustion or reach out her muscular arms and tap me on my shoulder to urge me on.  But back to my point, when I spin with Kristen I take her instruction like doctrine. I know it to be true because of her experience, expertise and of course charisma. With Michelle, her experience and expertise are there but it is her charisma that might be somewhat elusive. Elusive because we have to look in a different place.  She is not the star in the room, we are. I had some trouble with that concept, primarily because I am a neophyte when compared to these Equinox stars. Michelle Corso is so self effacing we can get taken aback with the idea that we make the ride, not her. See if you can follow me on this.  I like to turn it over to the instructor, Michelle leaves that decision in our hands or in this case our legs. 

I am making progress as well, last episode had me flailing by mid session, today I made it through to the 50 minute mark before my breathing gave out. 

P.S. 

I don't know if "I'm Turning Japanese" is politically correct anymore  but it is one hell of a song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWAwrMFtSvM

Precision Stone

A field trip to Roslyn this pre autumn Saturday, had me visiting the Heart of Stone.  This my 3rd take on this diminutive star, had me doing a double take. I had chronicled earlier how this woman’s choreography, her call, is in my opinion of elite status. Her musical track serves to compliment her vocal clarity, does not compete with it as can happen when technology over steps the bounds of the human touch.  What I also found singular to her personal brand of spin was the specificity of each transition from speed, resistance, time and positioning up and down the bike.  June Taylor* couldn’t have orchestrated a better dance number than Cathy, the Heart of Stone as I have dubbed her.  

Why the double take though?  Because somewhat like Maureen Gallagher, the Heart of Stone is undiscovered country. She weaves in her personal brand of coaching as she approaches you in front of the bike with exacting instruction tailor made for the individual, not boiler plate enthusiasm in a bottle.  She is in a word, compelling. 

She extracted my maximum effort with ease and when she asked us several times to close our eyes and imagine a scenario, I knew her roots were Zen like, just the ‘trip’ I love to take when I clip in for my ride. 

There is from this writer an aspect of Cathy that still needs to be unlatched. It is her full charisma that she is either not willing to display or is holding back. I had the image of her behind a heavy wooden door and her face visible from behind a window pane, was animated, but I wasn’t getting the full affect of her innate talent. Still, to be sure this Stone has made me one of her new devotees. Cathy Munzer Stone, another eye sparkler in the jewelry box, that is Equinox spin instructors. 


P.S. 
Just in case you forgot.

About Cathy : Cathy Munzer, AFAA certified fitness instructor, has served the New York City fitness community for more than 15 years. Her repertoire of classes include spinning, body conditioning, and yoga. Other certifications and recognitions include the Schwinn Cycle Academy, Hatha Yoga, and Pilates. She has been with Equinox since 1999.

Shooting Stars

As I watched him jump up and down this morning I reflected on a young boy who had snuck down the stairs before Christmas dawn and spied that bicycle he was wishing for and he just couldn’t hide his glee. 

A 7:15 show today in the CS had a packed house in a 45 minute version of Mr. Fantastic. The hour excursions into fantasyland go quick enough, and these shorter versions are like shooting stars, they are over much too soon. In the beginning for me some 7 plus months ago, I would be constantly looking at the clock hoping to move it just a bit faster because I couldn’t wait for the ride to end, now it’s the antithesis, I am always disappointed when the hour has evaporated.  And when Mr. Mayhem is at the controls it’s just like my father calling me home for supper and I have to stop playing my favorite game of punchball in the street.  

Today I had an experience that was rather startling. The young rider next to me on several occasions mirrored my moves on the resistance dial. They did not coincide with Tripp’s call, it was rather as if an invisible hand had brushed us both and moved our hands simultaneously. There is a collective consciousness here in this room and every once in a while it appears like an apparition. 

Two songs on the airwaves have captured my imagination. One is Chasing Cars and the other Kristen introduced me to.

 Chasing Cars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GemKqzILV4w&ob=av3e

Club Can’t Handle Me:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgM3r8xKfGE

Young Atlas

A rare Thursday night spin with young Atlas, Damian. An extremely fit young man with a story in his eyes. He is following quite a list of Equinox stars, all highly skilled under the tutelage of Kristen and their own resume they brought before they arrived in Woodbury.  

Thursday nights are usually filled by the Blue Sapphire but the young star and she switched nights.  The CS was dark against the dwindling daylight and I could swear that in the left corner from my view in #16 that we had a black-light giving an almost discotheque atmosphere but the only dancing that was to take place was on our steel framed hobby horses. 

The music, framed appropriately within his spinning choreography, young Atlas has a natural cadence that fuels his eagerness to learn the chemistry of the sometimes idiosyncratic membership of this North Shore club. We pay a lot for our membership and there are those that complain more than my Grandmother in an elevator and when I heard that young Atlas’s music was well “club like” I said to myself God, if the music is not Usher or a top ten bubble gum song we have to drop notes in the suggestion box. Give this young man a chance. He has boundless energy and is damn likable to boot. This is not to say that I recognized his music, in fact I did not but I liked his courage to mix up the soup that’s not necessarily chicken noodle.

After 6 Hours of School

The next time I write about Mr. Fantastic I expect that I will be motivated just like I was this morning only more so. As noted previously, Tripp has lost his Samson locks but that hasn’t dampened his spirit or his energy in our CS.  The 830 am show was booked to capacity and there was something distinctively different outside of the shorn locks. It hit me that his soliloquy this day carried a lilting quality that seemed to lift the room even higher than his usual magnetism.  Throughout the session all I could see were beaming faces and knowing smiles. This doesn’t happen every day except right here, right now. 

There was a song by the Beach Boys from the 60’s and it starts out with the lyrics: After 6 hours of school I’ve had enough for the day, I hit the radio dial and turn it up all the way. I gotta dance, dance, dance now the beats really hot. And from this song I can capture the essence of how viscerally I am affected by this man from another solar system. He may not be exactly out of the Ivy league school of spin instructors, but his repertoire brings out the same effort and I walk out as if I just woke up from a dream and I don’t know where I am.  And it doesn’t seem to matter because I know I am coming back again because as much as I love schooled spin instruction, nothing beats recess.  

Unfortunately fun has to end (except in the world of Pee Wee Herman), and when we all came to a stop and released the road on our red dials the class broke out into a simultaneous applause. It was remarkable, just like the Ed Sullivan show and the Beatles had just finished their song, everyone knew what to do, and that was to put their hands together.  

Sunday With The Blue Sapphire

She was dressed in black but she was the blue bullet this Sunday morning. Have you ever been shot? Probably not, but this bullet doesn’t wound but still hits the heart.  Carolyn is always a special treat and the week is not complete unless I can catch at least one dose of the blue gemstone. 

The Blue Sapphire takes her work serious but she never takes herself too seriously. When there was a technical snafu with her music, she delightfully provided the bridge of silence with her own rendition of the song. She did it so spontaneously and it reminded me that we are here to work out but also to have fun. I always do on Thursday nights or Sunday morning. 

Carolyn uses a segment of each class to concentrate on the core when she says: “Don’t Bounce.” This takes effort and my legs start to burn when the upper half of my body is frozen out of the action. A great exercise within the exercise of spin class. I also have a love hate relationship with the “up to saddle” intervals as it takes me out of my comfort zone having to make the extra movement on top of the pedal stroke.  Her music is exquisite too. She never stays with one genre either, like the bubble gum top ten of the day and we never hear the same songs over and over. 

Carolyn will switch with Damian this week  as he will take her Thursday and she his Tuesday both at 6 PM.

Saturday Spin

KSC on Saturday always has a different flavor than the weekday editions. I think that's because some who cannot attend during the week because of their work schedules, show up to get a taste of what we all enjoy at 830 or 945.  It is refreshing to have new riders because it seems like it’s an added lift out of the saddle for those of us that make it here religiously or with a degree of regularity. 

Kristen had no bike but that didn’t seem to curtail her usual adroit call when she has #41 occupied.  I purposely held back because of my night owl activities Friday night. No, it did not include alcohol but there were several members of Equinox for a Brookville party that included the wife and husband team of Robin and John. Robin looking as fit as Chrissie Wellington was invaluable to me last night as she recovered my glasses that flew out of my pocket during a spirited dance routine.  Robin assured me that she would find them and although I was thankful she said that, I had no hopes of recovering them that expeditiously. However, moments later she produced them, and I will never doubt her again.  Thank you Robin.  

As I was saying, I deliberately kept some of the resistance off my bike today because tendonitis on my left leg was acting up, but as per usual the same puddle beneath my Schwinn was complete. This water mirror included a visible reflection of my tired countenance. Tomorrow it’s The Blue Sapphire and I hope I am sufficiently recovered to go gang busters. 

A Virtual Island

The blog makes me a virtual island in that I know how many boats have visited my shores but no one leaves a direct impression in the sand that I can report back on. If I implore my cycle mates to leave a message in a bottle they might not visit my island at all and that alternative would sadden me deeply. So what is it that I would want?  Well, I only want one thing from fellow spinners and that is more readers but I do not want to appear I have some secret agenda because frankly I do not have one. This is not about money or even fame although it does give me flirting rights with the beautiful women in Woodbury KSC.  

If I were to say something in front of the class, I would probably want to thank them first. After that however, what would my purpose be? When I write an emotional post like I did on Tuesday I get caught in a web that wants to luxuriate in the space that has already evaporated. We have all experienced what seems like a great idea emotionally at night only fail to hold up logically when light of day appears. That is the space I found myself in the very next morning. It just didn’t seem like a good idea.  

So Jack, what do you want if you could have anything you wanted from writing KSC?  Do I really want suggestions or comments?  The quick answer is YES.  If they haven’t until now what is going to motivate them?  I have no answer is the conclusion I have come to.   Only I Still want more readers.  

Substance and Soul

These are two words that I just listened to on an audio book of fiction by a controversial talk show host that I won’t mention for fear that his politics will get in the way of the stunning detail of how he describes the human form when viewed by another human being. 

One of the things that particularly struck me was his use of words that we process only as feelings. He makes them moving images that print on the hard drive of our memories. He does it with (or so it seems to this reader) a diamond studded use of adjectives, without being pedantic in any way shape or form.

It got me to thinking about Kristen in particular. First because this blog is about her and her elite staff.  Furthermore, because I wanted to make a deeper examination into her attraction factor. I am not talking about her physiology which is too obvious to elaborate on. I am not even talking about her outward charisma either or even her expert call she plans in depth every night for. I am ruminating about how ethereally she captures our trust and devotion to attend her classes. It must be about the energy that she exudes and that we subconsciously pick up on. It’s not something that comes up in a conversation nor is it something we even give an askance thought to.  I think it is embodied in how we feel when we are within her proximity.  She often asks us if we trust her during class and even though this is about increasing the resistance on the flywheel, I think we trust her because of her authenticity. When one is authentic they have substance and soul.  One cannot carry it off just by acting some part. Oh one can for a time I suppose, but not day in and day out. Kristen is never superficial, she only varies her intensity. Some days she is more gregarious than Nick Swisher of the Yankees and other days she is flat out riveting every time she opens her mouth. There is no throw away dialogue that is uttered only various forms of endearment, challenge and my favorite a slice of Zen philosophy.  

I thought this was just about spin class. I guess we have more here than meets the 5 senses. It’s about substance and soul.

P.S. Kristen I hope we bring tears to your eyes like you do us. 

The Pedal Stroke

Ever been in a car as a kid and watched the car next to you, and it looked like the wheels were going backwards? That was the graphic image I got when I watched Michelle’s legs on her pedal stroke.  She certainly has tremendous power and speed. I think it might be about 150 Rpms. Maybe that’s an over estimate, I am not sure. Not long ago on the stationary bikes in the main room I can remember not getting past 80 per minute.  It is certainly conceivable that Michelle is double that speed. 

I had a chance to ask her about her sessions at Equinox and as I had chronicled, she is about power first and speed second not the reverse. She sees so many of us whirling around at breakneck Rpm's knowing there is no road on the resistance wheel. It serves no purpose she says. She is right too, because I have seen some of us pedaling so fast we are close to falling off our bikes. A little resistance goes along way not only making us stronger but more comfortable in the seat as well. 

My sincere hope in writing about Michelle is that you take another look at her technique. There is no mistaking her adroitness and if you give her a chance she will win you over like she has me. She prepares and delivers and it’s not the same newspapers from the day before or even the week before. 

Any one of you have heel pain?  Plantar fasciitis is the technical name and I have read about it on Webmd.com and I am not sure from my readings if it is from over use, my shoes being worn out or I just have not stretched enough. Michelle gave me an exercise and I will be religious about using it to help abate the discomfort, because I do not want to live even a week without my addiction.  

Did you notice if you did take the Corso Zone today that she got off the bike and wandered the aisles, albeit briefly. I hope she keeps doing that because it is inspiring and adds that element of contact that we all love. She is all business but that doesn’t mean we can’t get to know her just a little bit better. 

Debbie and Arthur who are aficionado's of KSC were there because they probably couldn’t get into Kristen’s 8:30. This is a great alternative, a great alternative. 

The Flirt

It’s Sunday and where else would you find me but spinning with The Blue Sapphire in her 1015 slot. Pound for pound the biggest little powerhouse this side of the Mississippi.  Or west for that matter, why discriminate geographically. 

Three of my most recognizable spinettes from KSC were here; Debbie H., Nancy K. and Green eyed Stacy. Stacy said my goatee looked good and that made this ancient mariner feel good. Nancy just back from her world tour, has been accusing me of flirting and I guess I would have to agree, since I am not dead just yet. However, I was hoping it was not that obvious.  We were also graced with Peter R. our club manager this morning and I couldn’t see from my vantage point how he fared but no doubt he was challenged and he got a firsthand dose of one of the clubs elite group exercise instructors. 

  My engineer friend to my right had her own take on the proceedings this last Sunday of the summer. She said that Carolyn had a drill sergeant air about her today. However you want to describe The Blue Sapphire, she always does what she does with a smile and her trademark blinking blue headlights. Carolyn connects with us emotionally and that is part of her appeal. Too many times I have seen some technically proficient instructors lacking this essential element even though their ride never disappoints. They all have charisma and I love how Kristen and Carolyn turn up the volume just right.  

What I have most recently found challenging are the intervals of seated to position #3. This move takes a bit of choreography and today was emblematic of The Blue Sapphire because she had it timed like a disc jockey. These breakaways are particularly challenging and get me quickly to the anaerobic zone. Ostensibly I used to think that this was just an exercise to break the rhythm of the road but now I know that there is a purpose to it. The other challenge, outside our intense hill climbs are when we hold our upper bodies still and just use our legs for the pedal stroke. This takes extreme concentration and strength.  

Thanks Carolyn for a great summer and fortunately for us we can pick up where we left off next Sunday. 

Early Morning Inspiration

Never too early is a great way to get into KSC. I saw two SUV’s heading into the Equinox lot ahead of me and I sprinted from car to door just in case they were numbers 9 and 10 for the TMW*. Fortunately that was moot and it is in first position I sit. I am here next to Sharon as we trade stories of being able to sleep and insomnia. The line quickly starts to fill in as we edge closer to class commencement and a few extra minutes here at the club is always better than talking to myself at home as my wife is deep in REM sleep. Flash the 10 bikes remaining have dwindled to 9 which was my intuition.

The Queen of Spin has arrived with her offspring that she so often speaks about, and they are blessed with the same beautiful countenance as their mother. Come on Jack, I better get it together as the minutes dwindle, but I love sitting here ruminating. Oh well a time and place for everything.  

Tomorrow in Carolyn’s class I will have two beginners starting their journey and I hope it “takes” with them as it has with me.  

I look forward to the end of the stress that KSC has in getting in to the class when the club is done with their expansion and maybe an end to the resentment I feel sometimes toward those that seem to have the same bike every time. 

Power and Speed

Have I lost my mind? Is there such a thing as being too close?  Is the fear I feel at the beginning of The Corso Zone real or totally a figment of my imagination?  I think the answer to the last question has both elements of reality and head game. It’s real in the sense that my body is experiencing abject fear and it’s my imagination because I am projecting about my previous sessions I have taken with her. If I ask my wife and close friends, they think I have lost my mind based on how many times I spin each week. Secondly,  if I do take the  #1 bike again I will don a a lead shield to protect me from the gamma rays. Although I am starting to feel hulkish.  

Today in the 830 slot which was to have been Damian’s, I spied that Michelle would be subbing. I tried not to think about Tuesday which was my last class with her in Roslyn, and blot out just how daunting 60 minutes is with her. I mean in the sense that you commit to an all out effort, the Corso Zone is for the elite spinner.  I am out of my league.  Suffice it to say that any of our instructors could blow me out of the water if they decided to turn on the pedal stroke, Michelle is in my opinion more suited for an athlete in top form. This will not keep me from taking her class, because I can mark my progress clearly in just how much time I spend in and out of the anaerobic zone. My friend Nancy K. told me that I can’t write about another instructor in KSC.  I said anyone in Kristen’s staff is part of her domain and so I concluded that I could do whatever I wanted.  

If you look purely at Michelle's  anatomy, fat does not exist on this woman’s body. If there is any at all  it must be just for flavor.  Someone must have lied to me when they said that she has 4 children. My jaw dropped, because it is inconceivable (no pun) to me. I suppose anything is possible with enough dedication and this young woman certainly has that. 

 At one point Ms. Corso asked us for more road, and I was about to call the construction crew because I was out of asphalt.  I could also see that Michelle is not as aloof as I had thought, because I witnessed several smiles  creasing her face today. Maybe I just didn't notice them before. 

I keep thinking about what one male spinner told me about Michelle, that she had only two speeds: fast and faster. A truly half-baked statement indeed. I can see why he may have concluded that because in the first session I took with her several months ago I went away scratching my head, because all I saw was a blur. However, in #1 today I got to hear her lesson plan in fine detail. Corso leads with power not with speed.  Speed is an integral part of her style, but only after you have mastered power. I didn’t try to match her pedal stroke speed, (which is impossible for me) and instead concentrated on discovering just how much resistance I could muster and still keep my pedal stroke from becoming choppy.  She kept emphasizing to keep a smooth pedal stroke, and with too much “red dial” it is not feasible.

 I learn more every time I spin with Kristen’s elite staff and spinning is beyond Zen it is and please forgive me a way of life.  Have I flipped? I don’t think so, because my life has never been more aligned than it is now, seven months in to this spectacular sport. I think more logically, attend to matters promptly and what is more important in a deliberating fashion as well.    

The Estrogen Field

Today in KSC, which was totally unplanned, I found a bike as late as 15 minutes before the start of class after a one on one workout with Rich Bianco. The open bike was pure luck of the summer.  I am so glad I took the spot because Evil Woman was at the top of her game. 

I am used to a smattering of men in every class of KSC, but today I found myself in a sea of muliebrity. It was a most singular experience. I have been amongst women in a concentrated space in an office setting and there is a palpable ‘feel’ when a man enters: The Estrogen Field. So here I was with 40 women atop our Schwinn’s and one might conclude that I was one lucky guy. There was plenty of eye candy, all for me but that fun  soon disappeared as we got down to the business at hand, Kristen was about to kick our collective asses; women and man. She did just that. 

It was distinctively quiet throughout the session and I felt compelled to let out some whoops and yells and when I found that I had no accompaniment from my fellowette riders I knew that my testosterone might not be well received in a sea of estrogen, but that was not going to stop me, after all I had to represent the male of the species. 

Kristen played not one but two songs; Evil Woman that had the chorus of ELO but a female covering the main lyrics (still good) and a hip-hop song that actually had me bellowing as well. But let’s be very clear it really doesn’t matter what music she plays because I always learn something, am motivated the rest of the day and the fat is just melting away.  

The Estrogen Field can be a dangerous place even for men of action like me.