The Replacements

With some of the main ingredients out of town like Vegas and Los Angeles the very talented filled in quite nicely. An idea crossed my mind Friday night that I might try Rocky Ribacoff who in my estimation pound for pound is fitness perfection.  She took Dana’s place for the session called  “Ultimate Workout:” Let me preface things by saying that I know that group exercise has evolved and some will dispute me but everything in that main studio is just a derivative of Jane Fonda with a few props added then subtracted. However if Rocky is running the show this feminine Marine Drill Sergeant takes you to the limit and then one step beyond. I jumped in about half way through and breathed a sigh of relief as I spotted Don and felt a little comforted amongst the other super humans.  It was Drum Boogie and Killer Diller because half a Rock session hit me like a boulder full speed dropping off a cliff. How do they pack so much power in that package? It’s a cinch I will never figure it out.   In any case I was glad to make it out alive but it was out of the frying pan and into the fire because I was headed for an hour of spin with another very talented taskmaster Carolyn Mellace.  

Carolyn’s natural ebullience is infectious and when she lights up with her signature smile I know that we are in for it. She starts off with a relaxed warm-up but then it’s rocking down the highway to a beat of 1-2 that shakes me down to the marrow. She is no lamb and this Blue Sapphire has made Sunday at EQ hers and when she took Kristen’s spot in the 9:15 she packed the house too!  Throughout the ride I could already feel twinges in the right hamstring and my quadriceps were on fire from the half hour with Rocky and as I winced maybe just maybe I bit off more than I could chew. A great combination Saturday and just like a Blue Moon I might not be rising to that tune for quite some time.  

Sens Dep*

The boys are buzzing about Dana Varela Mancini. When I hit the locker room it’s apparent she is the rage. She has “it” that ethereal presence that takes hold of you and brings you to a new level that you never conceived of. That thing she does with the eyes closed is singular in nature. It is one of the most powerful techniques I have ever encountered in exercise. Of course sitting on a stationary bike makes it the perfect place and time because it’s truly safe and there isn’t another sport where we can perform and have the eyelids shut.  When we go “inside” and filter out the sense of sight the power of the mind takes center stage and brings out the athlete in us so effectively and I wonder if some of you feel the same about this.  Armed with this new “experience” I think the potential is that we can remember this new ability and transfer it when our eyes are open. 

I also have this sense that Dana is binging us a new excitement and its seems as if she is doing it with mirrors because she is truly humble, self-effacing and quite frankly understates all of her ability. That is an attraction in itself. She makes it all about us and that is one dynamic character piece that is the artistry of DVM.  I will continue in my adventures and tomorrow I will wait on line to get into the 8:30. I joked to Dana saying I need a press pass so I can record as many of her episodes as possible.  

*Sensory Deprivation 

Kristen's Spin Class

I love Friday’s but the weekend doesn’t officially start until Saturday KSC. The circus like atmosphere is better than any carnival I’ve ever gone to. The feelings run high and if the mood is right like every class is we work, we sweat and we have fun no exception.  

I hadn’t seen my surrogate daughter from another mother and another father Heather Featherr in quite a long time because she has been out on the road both bike and foot enjoying her competition days away from the Lavender Palace. She has a special event coming up on Tuesday but more about that later. As long as we are talking about our members I wanted to take a moment and mention Roy one of the nicest guys in the CS who speaks his mind but never with a vitriolic word only straight talk. Some of you know about my (ahem) disagreement with David Cooper earlier in the week about my vocal outbursts well let’s just say Roy had my back with words of his own.  I thank you in this forum Roy for caring about what happens in our “church”. And although I had bike 1 this Saturday  (Roy’s favorite) I relinquished it for 5 in its place and mind you that was before I knew about his confab with Cooper.  Stacy Tucker Sable loves 4 (which I do too) so please keep away she owns it on time-share. 

After an eventful week where people were terrorized in Boston by senseless killings and media incited overplay we are the lucky ones.  We exercise in one of the finest clubs in America (even though we pay membership fees triple and quadruple compared to any other club) we feel safe far from the madding crowds of mayhem and fear.  And when little things like losing power for a moment or two that’s restored in seconds we can hardly complain when we think of what other families must live the rest of their lives with. 

I should think my life would be quite different had I not spent it spinning with you here at EQ a time that has altered how I think, workout and of course write. I want to thank you each day KJ and the same to all my friends here even if they do have to listen to my outbursts that can wake the dead. 

Now for what I was alluding to earlier in the broadcast and that is about my friend Heather. She and her partner Cheryl owners of Optical Image in Plainview have a Trunk Show this Tuesday, April 23 from 2:00 to 7:00 PM. Come celebrate their 3rd successful year together and view the latest in eyewear from designers like Cavalli, Ford and Swarovski. You probably can do business elsewhere but where can you get the type of service these two offer?  Whenever I go into Optical Image   Heather immediately relieves me of my glasses makes them spotless and tightens the screws that my careless wear has loosened.  I would never go anywhere else. Support these two and there’s a 20% discount they tell me if you purchase any trunk show prescription eyewear. I will spare you the fine print just come and show yourself and BUY SOMETHING!  

Optical Image

88 Manetto Hill Mall

Fairway Shopping Plaza

Plainview 516-935-0899

The Mancini Vortex

I will try not to resort to too many superlatives but I will admit beforehand it won’t be easy not for this wordsmith. Dana Mancini continues to amaze me and this woman plays down her prowess so much so she needs a metaphorical shaking about the shoulders. For instance yesterday I told her that she sold out the 8:30 Thursday slot ordinarily a Kristen marquee class. She quipped that the 8:30 was when most people came to class and I said that’s not so it’s because you are doing a phenomenal job that’s why it filled out in moments. Most of the time if it’s not a Kristen class you don’t have to be up at the crack of dawn to get a bike but Dana has been building a huge following and she is a true super star at least to my way of thinking. What say you tribe?

This episode featured her trademark sensory deprivation segment wherein we find ourselves closing our eyes in the saddle. This just sends me into an altered state as I have told you before it almost feels like it’s alchemy.  Trance induction might be another way to describe it because I get so zoned in on her voice my body can’t duplicate what my mind thinks it can. Today was a prime example because less than half way through I was in an anaerobic state I couldn’t come out of.  I had great focus but I could barely catch my breath and the only thing that seemed to center me was trying to consciously draw air in from my nose, which is the most efficient way to oxygenate, but not always an easy thing to do.  

Near rides end I took a look at the floor and I could see my face on both sides of the bike and my “Jack the River” extended out like an estuary in front and the back of my bike.  I am a “sweater” but this was a flood. I looked at my HR monitor and it recorded an astounding (for me) 631 calories 60 more than Cooper and I wasn’t even pissed off like I was in his class.  Mancini is not arrogant and she brings me where I want to go with the greatest of ease.  

The Illustrated Man

Never in the 3 year writing of this particular blog KSC have I ever written anything but positive verses about the goings on in the CS or as I affectionately call it the Lavender Palace. Although the back wall now seems white so I may have to change the studio’s nickname.  As I was saying every time I write here it is about the pluses and never about what I think is not so good.  And if I have ever been to a spin class I did not enjoy I simply didn’t write about it. Those days are gone and now I will call it as I see it, feel it and experience it.  

This entry is about David Cooper a young man that I affectionately dubbed the Illustrated Man. (Rod Steiger played this role in 1969) I have taken his class now this makes it the third time and the prior two did not impress me enough to write about them. In the absence of Tripp Doherty vacationing on the left coast I thought why not see how far David has come over what the past year that he has mantled this position.  So here goes. 

What did impress me was that David had a plan and if you want a well-orchestrated workout David has mastered this part of his repertoire. His music albeit non descript fit perfectly in the dozen or more “roads” he planned quite adroitly.  I like the fact that his discography was blended like a DJ, as there were no 4-second breaks between songs. I am still undecided however about whether that might be important or not. He is animated which I love in an instructor and he gave you the feeling that he really enjoys what he is doing. 

Like it or not I am very vocal in just about every class I take and believe it or not I do not just bellow to hear myself it is only because I am fully associated in what I think is the finest athletic exercise regimen I have ever been involved in since my days as a long distance runner.  About ten minutes in Coop after several of my vocal outbursts told me that in essence if I spent more time concentrated on my effort instead of exercising my vocal chords I might have a better workout. I took this to mean Jack shut up. Well let me tell you I ain’t ever gonna shut up. In fact the only one that I would keep my mouth closed for is Kristen James but otherwise keeping quiet is not on my menu.  

I think I need to comment on his technique and keep in mind that I might be biased because I am used to the likes of Kristen, Dana and Tripper.  If I had to characterize the ride I would say it was “saddle sore” just too much time seated and not enough in position 3. Now maybe that makes his ride different but I get numb when I am seated too long. That also could be that I don’t sit back enough in the saddle off my pubic bone.  Be that as it may I didn’t like that. Otherwise he had a rhythm but it was far from being syncopated and I felt at times either behind the beat or ahead of it depending on your point of view.  Overall his technique was above average. And as I have said he’s still a freshman at this so trying to grade him against those more experienced might be a tad unfair. I think too he might be just a bit ahead of himself in assuming he is a veteran. 

What really got me chapped was David referring to us as “Woodbury”. We are not Woodbury leave that for Roslyn or Great Neck. There is no other club everybody else would love to be us but unfortunately they cannot hold our spin shoes.  So being called Woodbury to me was an insult. And to be fair I am biased  this being my 10-year anniversary as a member  I joined this club when it was just a trailer taking sign ups.  

Would I take David's class  again? I guess my answer would be yes. I had a huge puddle underneath my bike and burned an unusually high caloric count of 571. He motivated me especially when he told me to shut up.  Don’t take this personal Coop but I know you can take constructive criticism and I will be back soon and by the way my mouth will never be closed my friend.  And David I never write almost 800 words about anyone so know that you pissed me off but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. 

Double Take

I didn’t set out thinking I would do a double take today especially a Kristen binate because one it might be thought of as insane and secondly I usually leave it all on the dance floor when her 60 minutes are in.  My plan was for some strength training in the second hour but as luck would have it an open bike was calling: Jack climb on.  And so I did. 

There is no doubt Saturday KSC is my favorite class because the energy levels are off the charts and the discography Kristen picks fits her plan of attack. She always has a stratagem and each song fits in like a piece to the ever changing puzzle she adroitly puts together each session. I used to think that is was her personality and charisma alone that drew sellout crowds but I know better now its also her design of hills, flats and intervals but sometimes that can be lost in the carnival like atmosphere we experience entering the Lavender Palace. 

Know what though? One of the key ingredients for me is the members that make spin their passion. The list (happily) is a long one. Michelle (4), Stacy, Mikey, Ivan, Roy, Randi, Don, Cheryl, Deepak, Ivy, Cindy, Amy, Kim, (spinning with what a broken arm today?) Debbie, (Boots) Soren, Nancy and I know I’ve missed some. All of these individuals make me feel at home and I enjoy each and every one of you. You all inspire me. 

My Polar HR monitor read that I had burned an astounding 1173 calories today. And just as Kristen espouses I’m not going to eat it all back with food out of a package. I’m determined to stay away from candy, cookies and yes even ice cream. There I said it now I have to stick to it.  Since I don’t drink and cannolis are far from my favorite dessert maybe tonight in honor of Deepak’s return from India I will have some yellow or green curry for tonight’s cuisine.  Enjoy your Saturday night my friends you give me so much.