Branching Out

Mermaid Beer, who knew?

-MM

Workin' the Pole

The holidays have flown by.  This has not been my favorite year, between a tidal wave of year-end work (thankfully completed, with a day to spare) and Christmas week emergency root canal (thankfully now finished but it lived up to its reputation - bleh).  I feel better, the work's done and I finally have a little time off to catch up with friends and family.  I've fallen off the nutrition/exercise wagon a little.  I guess it's good to remember that I'm not perfect.  I will get back to better habits after New Year's Day - I think I've earned a cocktail or three this week.  I'm working on a post on open water swimming, but in the meantime I came across a couple of fun aqua tidbits.

Aqua Pole

I have been fairly obsessed with the Acqua Pole, since I first heard about it.  I confess that I've been fascinated by pole dancing since watching the Sopranos.  Yes pole dancing is kinda (very) exploitative, but it seems like a great workout.  Several gyms in NYC offer classes, but I would never have the nerve to try it on dry land.  The water is another story.

An Italian company developed the Acqua Pole but it hasn't been available in the US until recently.  So I was really amused when I came across this video from USA Today, of all publications, promoting aqua pole dancing as exercise for seniors ("you want me to do WHAT?").  

Right now, aqua pole classes are only available in two locations in the US:

• Ashbridge Manor in Downington, PA (winter schedule and information available here); and
• Theresa Banks Memorial Aquatics Center in Glenarden, MD (my friends DP and Miss C have agreed to check it out with me on my next jaunt to Washington, DC).

Hopefully it will catch on -- it looks like a really fun workout.

S'WET

I've blogged about the fabulous Jenni Lynn's S'WET class (see The Mermaid S'Wets with the Boys (December 2013).  Jenni has had a great year, growing her fitness empire and getting engaged to her lovely boyfriend along the way.  She updated her website with an online booking system for her S'WET classes, which are held at a great pool on East 86th Street in Manhattan.  Her class is one of the few I've taken that has a lot of male students, and Jenni has even written an article on motivating men to get interested in aquatics.  She put together a really fun video of the S'WET experience, which is available below and on her Facebook page, S'WET by Jenni Lynn Fitness.

Happy New Year!  I'll be back with more adventures in 2015.

-MM

Giving Thanks and Resolutions

The holiday season is flying by.  December is my busiest month at work -- I have been getting to the pool at least a couple of times a week, but have been neglecting the blog.  Mea culpa.

Thanksgiving(s)

I hosted my annual pre-Thanksgiving "prequel" for my friends the weekend before actual Thanksgiving.  I have it down to a science at this point.  The food was ready, my apartment was clean (ish) and I had a full 30 minutes to put my feet up before the mob descended.

We had quite a feast.

I remained relatively calm amidst the chaos.

The Angel (who normally makes the Mac and Cheese) had temporarily fled the country.  My friend Ah Q stepped into the breach to make the Mac and Cheese and got a rave review.

I was especially chuffed that my friend Magnolia came in from London and my friend Hulu brought her family up from Virginia for the party.  Everyone had fun.

I seemed to have used up my culinary good karma on the Thanksgiving prequel.  My attempt to make a bourbon pumpkin pecan pie for my family's Thanksgiving was uncharacteristically disastrous.  I used an untried recipe and managed to blow out the motor on my food processor on my first attempt at the pie crust (and the actual crust fell apart when I tried to roll it out -- the proportions were out of whack).  I almost caved and considered pulling the Pillsbury crust out of the freezer, but I was determined.  I consulted my baking go-tos (Rose Levy Bernbaum, Dorie Greenspan and the Barefoot Contessa).  My second attempt blew out the food processor again (I bought a new one on Cyber Monday) but the crust held together.  By this point it was fairly late on Thanksgiving Eve and I was covered with flour and somewhat rattled, so I abandoned the pie and cracked open the bourbon -- a smart call.  I made the pie the next morning -- not my best effort but my family enjoyed it.  The filling was tasty - bourbon is a nice accent to pumpkin.

I am thankful for good friends, my family (2-legged and 4-legged), good food, and my health.  I hope you all have many reasons to be thankful.

Resolutions

So, a few of my friends are swimmers/triathletes, and we had a good discussion about open water swimming after the crowd thinned out at the prequel.  My friend Jackie Blue has done a number of open water swims this year, and I'm going to interview her for an upcoming blog post - she had lots of helpful information.  I decided to get a head start on my mermaid-related resolutions for 2015, as follows:

• Train for and complete an open water swim next summer (my knee has been behaving so I am determined to do a one-mile swim);
• Start training to become a certified aqua fitness instructor -- I want to have a little more information for the blog and I might actually do some part time teaching.  The training involves courses and an exam, so it will take a little time; and 
• Go to mermaid camp at Weeki Wachee in Florida.

Mermaid school is apparently becoming quite trendy.  In addition to Weeki Wachee, there are apparently programs in the Philippines, and Germany (as reported by NBC News):





Who knew?  Perhaps I'm onto a trend.


-MM

Sale -- Aqua Studio

Just a quickie -- Gilt City NY is having a sale on Aqua Studio NY classes.  You can get three classes for $89, seven for $189 or fifteen for $375 (the 7 and 15 class deals are only for new Aqua Studio clients; the 3 class pass is open to new and existing clients).  Plus Gilt is having a 25% off friends and family sale if you use the code FORYOU25 (Friends and Family ends on November 6).  It is a good deal if you are an Aqua Studio fan or just want to try it.  Terms and conditions are available on the Gilt Website.  You need to redeem the voucher at Aqua Studio by Dec. 31, and take the classes by March 31, 2015.

- MM

Underwater PKP

I haven't blogged in awhile.   My knees are happy and I've been sticking to my exercise (more or less).  For better or worse, my day job has required more of my attention in the past few months (again, all good, just insanely busy).  I am working on some new posts.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and one of the highlights is the annual pumpkin carving party (or "PKP") organized by the Gerples.  They have a fun group of friends, and -- being me -- rather than sticking to the commercial stencils, I always end up designing my own pumpkin.  One year I carved George W. Bush.  Another, I carved Obama.  And then there was 2010 (after attending the fantastic Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert Rally to Restore Sanity), when I attempted to etch Stephen Colbert's face into a pumpkin using GKH's (Mr. Gerples') Dremel rotary tool.  Alcohol must have been involved.  In the process, I sprayed a fine mist of pumpkin pulp all over their kitchen, the windows, and myself.  Here is my attempt to clean the crime scene.

They must love me because they invited me back.

I was watching the news this week and stumbled across this story about an underwater pumpkin carving contest in Vermont. 

Underwater pumpkin carving is apparently a thing, as evidenced by these stories from South Carolina and London.

I will have to try it sometime.  In the meantime, Happy Halloween from the Mermaid.

-MM

Pool Gizmos

Summer arrived in September this year in New York.  July and August were pleasantly mild.  It was 90 degrees and humid earlier today and it's still quite sultry this Saturday night.  I'm staying cool in the air con, watching Notre Dame trounce University of Michigan (the Fighting Irish are leading 21-0 at halftime).  It seems a little wrong to be eating a kale salad while I watch the game -- sigh.  Will work on my couch tailgate next time.  I like Notre Dame's gold helmets.

I finally went to see the brain doc this week.  My MRI was not the touchdown I had hoped for.  Nothing terrible/alarming (no recurrence and my brain is in great shape) but I have to go back for another scan in 6 months (rather than 3 years, as hoped).  They just want to keep a closer eye on things.  I am trying to think of it as the Fantastic Voyage (a favorite film from the 1960s -- I'll just pretend I'm Raquel Welch).

I'm grateful for my conscientious and menschy doctor (and for scans), and I always enjoy talking with him, but I had hoped not to see him for awhile.  At least I feel like I am in great hands.  Trying not to worry about it.  

Pool Toys

Once we got past the medical stuff, we talked swimming -- the brain doc is a fellow mer-man.  He had two cool pool technology recommendations.  Since he does laps regularly (and he likes to keep track of his distance, speed, etc.), he recommended the Garmin Swim, which keeps track of swim strokes, distance, time, etc.  So far, I have been using my Shine to keep track of my swimming, but I might invest in a Garmin as I continue to do laps and work toward my goal of doing an open water swim.  It would be helpful to have more detailed information as I train.  Garmin also makes fancier models that have heart monitors, GPS and other bells and whistles.  

I was more excited about the other gadget -- a waterproof iPod Shuffle from a company called Water Fi. 

I cherish my pool time because I can focus on my breathing and swim strokes.  But let's face it -- lap swimming can be a bit tedious and some music would make the workout more fun.  Water Fi has a process for waterproofing various electronics (including an Amazon Kindle -- not sure if I am going to read in the pool but it would be handy at the beach or on a boat -- or if you like to read in the shower).  The Shuffle clips onto your swim goggles and comes with waterproof head phones.  I might try it -- although I'm concerned I might start singing along (which could be a little dangerous).  I'll keep you posted.

Baby Aqua Spa

On a cheerier note, I came across this article about a Houston, Texas aqua spa for babies.  It's never to early to be fabulous in a pool. The photos are adorable.  

Notre Dame just scored again -- 28-0 as I am about to hit Publish.  Go Irish!

-MM

Mermaid Update -- Dramatic ending to the game -- Notre Dame shellacked Michigan 31-0 (dramatic ending with a touchdown and a defensive penalty).  

The Mermaid Dumps Ice Water on Her Head

I've had brains on the brain this week.  I had my three-year follow up MRI on my brain a few days ago.  It's been 3 and a half years since my surgery.  In all honesty, I don't think about the surgery too often, but I was a bit stressed to be back in the MRI tube (and relieved when it was over).  I get the results next week -- fingers crossed.  And I get to visit my awesome brain doc (surgical genius and all-around mensch).

I thought I had escaped the ubiquitous Ice Bucket Challenge for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, but my friend Peggy Moss nominated me.  Peggy is a brilliant author and a good egg, and it's for a good cause, so here is my video (with gratitude to Ellis Peters for his camera work):

ALS claimed one of my father's friends nearly 20 years ago (one of the kindest people I've ever known).  Two of my friends also lost parents to ALS.  It's an awful disease.  If dumping some ice water on my head raises awareness, it's the least I can do.  You can also donate to the ALS Association  here.   

Deep Water Running at the Y

On a cheerier note, my fabulous teacher Robert Valentin will continue to teach Deep Water Running at the 92nd Street Y this fall.   Starting September 10, Robert will offer deep water running classes on Wednesday mornings from 6:30-7:30 and Friday evenings from 6:30-7:30.  The class is not on the 92nd Street Y website, so email Robert at blueoceanswimming@gmail.com for more information (you can pay by the class).  It's doubtful I'll make it to the Y for the morning class, unless the pool is filled with coffee.  The Friday evening class sounds like a healthy way to start the weekend -- and the Y pool is very nice.  

Labor Day Special at Aqua Studio

Aqua Studio is offering a special on classes over Labor Day weekend.  Classes are $36.  On Monday morning at 10, Ed (great teacher) is offering a Boy Band special interval class.  At 11 and 12 they are offering Interval Sing Along classes (my chance to combine my enthusiasm for aqua fitness with my secret guilty pleasure -- karaoke).  I will let you know how it is.  

Aqua Boot Camp in the News

Final tidbit ... Ellis Peters' Aqua Boot Camp class got a good writeup in the New York Times Urban Athlete column.  Ellis is an awesome teacher -- I'm very happy that he is getting good press.  The photo in the article is of the 92nd Street Y (I recognize one of my classmates from last summer's class, in the foreground).

- MM

Mermaid at Riverbank State Park

The summer is winding down, and I've been a little delinquent on my blogging.  I had grand plans to do an open water swim at the end of the summer.  I did manage one swim in a lake.  Unfortunately, my meniscus-challenged left knee remains uncooperative and I've taken a brief hiatus from the pool to let it calm down (and I squeezed in a trip to Calgary, Canada to catch up with the White Rabbit, the Pink Rabbit, and the Rabbit Grandparents -- lots of fun in the Canadian Rockies).  I'm on the mend and headed back to Deep Water Running and Boot Camp in the coming week.  In the meantime, here is some information about Riverbank State Park.

Riverbank State Park

I may have mentioned my fabulous neighbor M on previous occasions.  She is in her 70s and is a good role model for how to enjoy retirement.  She takes tons of classes (fitness, sculpture, music) and has a great lively group of friends and an incredible joie de vivre.  I took a day off for my birthday last month, and M invited me to come to her water exercise class at Riverbank State Park on the Upper West Side.  Riverbank was a bit controversial when it was built (it's built on top of a sewage plant) and I had never been inside.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  There is an ice skating rink, a nice gymnasium/fitness center, an outdoor track, a restaurant and -- of course -- a beautiful Olympic sized pool (as well as an outdoor pool).

The pool was huge and clean with beautiful views of the river (I could see the Palisades and George Washington Bridge as we exercised).  M treated me to the Senior/Adaptive Water Exercise Class, which meets several days a week (it's very affordable -- $10 for drop in and $2 for Seniors).  Our teacher, David, took us through a variety of exercises and stretches using noodles, buoyancy bells and kickboards.  Overall, the 45 minute class was a fairly gentle workout, but I loved the arm exercises using the kickboard for resistance.  There were about 50-60 students in the class, but the pool wasn't crowded.  I loved the people in the class -- I was one of the younger ones (which is a nice thing as I teeter towards 50).  There is a real sense of community at Riverbank (lots of chitchatting in the locker room after class).  My fellow students were lively and welcoming.  The locker and shower facilities are clean but I did see one roach in the locker room -- but hey, it's New York.  

Riverbank is easily reached by the M11 bus (which goes right to the park) and the 1 train.  Most of the aqua fitness classes are held in the morning, but the pool might be a good option for lap swimming later in the day.

What Not to Wear

I was flipping through New York Magazine and stumbled across this article on the latest swim fashion craze from China -- the facekini.

For once, I am speechless.  Suntans are not considered fashionable in China.  It is supposed to provide UV protection, but -- as one of my friends pointed out -- you would be rocking a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer tan-line.  There really is no way to "Make it Work."

- MM

Team Fox Update: Bret Completes a Triathlon

A couple of months ago, I wrote about my friend Bret Parker, who was training for his first open water swim.  While I was lolling around like a sloth this morning, drinking coffee and doing the New York Times Crossword, Bret (and his lovely wife Katharine) completed the Mighty North Fork Triathlon.  Katharine came in 8th overall for women in her age group.  

Katharine and Bret, and a mystery photo-bomber

Congrats to both of them.  Bret remarked, "Parts were harder than I expected, others easier. But I did it and never in my life imagined I could. Another upside to Parkinson's Disease."

Bret and Coach Lyon Marcus

Bret and Lyon in the home stretch

Bret is training for the Mighty Hamptons Triathlon in September. He is already well on his way to reaching his goal of raising $50,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation.  Click here to support his efforts and donate to Team Fox.

Rock on, Bret!!

-MM

Deep Water Running at the 92nd Street Y

Metro Mermaid devotees -- apologies for the brief hiatus from the blog.  Having made peace with my right knee, my left knee got jealous and wanted in on the action.  An MRI revealed that I did -- in fact -- tear my left meniscus.  Not a fun experience but I learned a valuable lesson -- don't overdo it when you have a sports injury.  The other valuable lesson was that it illustrated how much the water exercise helps (physically and mentally).  I had to take a break from my classes for a couple of weeks, and my knees became a bit stiff and achy (and the Mermaid became uncharacteristically grumpy).  After a little recovery time (and thankfully no surgery), I am back in the pool and back in action -- and my knees and I are feeling happier, just in time for my upcoming birthday.  It's all about the water exercise.

Deep Water Running at the 92nd Street Y

To celebrate the return of the blog, I have great news.  For those of you on the Upper East Side, my wonderful Deep Water Running teacher Robert Valentin is teaching at the 92nd Street Y this summer.  A six-week session started on July 9 (I only just found out or I would have let you know earlier).  Although it is too late to sign up for the series, you can drop in.  Classes are offered at the following times:

Monday 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Tuesday 6-7 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Robert was recently featured in an article in the Examiner about the benefits of Deep Water Running.  I have been taking Robert's classes since the beginning of last year, and reviewed them here.  They have been a godsend for my knees.  Seriously.  The Y has a gorgeous large swimming pool and spacious/immaculate locker facilities.  I am going to try Robert's class at the Y, both for the class and to check out the latest towel art creations in the locker room.

The classes at the 92nd Street Y run through mid-August.  Hopefully they will continue to offer them in the fall.  Drop-in classes are $20 for Y Fitness Center members and $30 for non-members.  For more information, see the Y website.  

Some new open water adventures are still in the works.

-MM