This is the Title of an Uncreative Violinist.:)

Last night, I played a concert featuring Mahler and Beethoven.  I had some solos in the Mahler 3 and I was a little nervous beforehand, but I had practiced them quite a bit, so everything turned out fine during the performance.  Beethoven Symphony No.2 was the last work on the program and I was pretty tired at that point.  I don't know if it was my fatigue or what...but I swear I had an easier time playing Mahler than the Beethoven.  I find it so challenging to get a nice clean and pure tone, especially with the 2nd symphony. I was never a big fan of Mahler growing up, but now that I've played the 2nd and 3rd symphonies, I attribute the dislike to ignorance--how could I have NOT liked Mahler?!? Here is the beautiful third movement from his 3rd Symphony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FehMguFoug0&feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHH9NwxPqJ8&feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHIPoYsI1Q8&feature=relmfu ******************...

This is kind of in the same vein as my previous post, but I forgot to mention what I thought about the compression socks I recently purchased, as well as my Mizuno Wave Rider 15's. They were just...eh.  The first time I used the socks was on my attempted 20 mile run where I only made it to 14.  This is going to sound dumb....but they were just SO tight!  It was a little uncomfortable and distracting for me.  I just couldn't wait to rip them off when I got home (and I did). And then last Saturday I used the Mizunos for the first time at the 10 miler I did, and I was just wishing I had on my Adidas the whole time.  Especially when my left foot fell asleep and was numb for 3 miles straight--the last time that happened consistently was when I was using "normal" (maybe they were New Balance, I'm not sure now) running shoes.  Right after I started using my Adidas Climacool shoes, that 'numb foot' problem went away. So the lesson I'm taking away from th...

I once mentioned a long time ago that I had made two lists: one outlining all the things I'd do if I were the only human left on earth, or at least, didn't think anyone was watching; and the other, all the things I felt I needed to "accomplish" in order to feel worthy in modern day society, or to impress people I know--whether they're close or not. Those lists couldn't have been more different from one another.  It was really kind of an eye-opener.  On the first list, I pretty much had all domestic activities imaginable on there--the slower and more simple things in life, I guess.  On the second list, I had things such as, "Getting a masters degree, winning a professional orchestra job and moving anywhere in order to get it" plus other things. When I stood back and looked at both lists, I thought, "Why can't I live my life like the first list right now?"  I think I've wasted so much precious time worrying about what others think o...

*Slight amendment to this post: I found out that my actual finish time for the 10 miler was 1:32:38....faster than I thought!!  I wasn't wearing a watch/GPS so I had no clue at the time. I participated in the Hilliard/Ray Patch YMCA Spring Thaw Run yesterday.  The company my husband works for sponsored the race so he registered both of us for the 10 mile option.  The other was a 5K.  Kind of weird that they only had those two, and not something in b/t like a 10K, but oh well.  It was a very, very small race and I have a feeling even fewer people showed up due to the rain and colder weather we had yesterday.  Of all the days to be cold, it had to be on a race day, of course:( Since the past several weeks [or months, rather] have been so unseasonably warm and sunny, I didn't even bother to check the weather forecast and just assumed it would be gorgeous.  Well, it was so cold and blistery and yucky when we showed up, that I seriously considered wimpi...

I'm SO glad I decided to switch races.  I looked it up on the website, and I can't actually switch until I pick up my packet the day before the race since I missed the deadline for sending in the request form.  But in any case, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders the moment I decided I would just do the half and not the full marathon.  Don't get me wrong, it's still be going be hard, I know.  Especially with Cincy's hills!?!  It's flat as pancakes around here in Columbus, so I know my legs are going to hate me come race day.  I looked up the course map for the half and it looks like there's a slow, but steady hill for like 3 miles or so *ick*! After that, it's all downhill, so that's good.  I totally would love to PR with a 2:20 or less race time...but I don't know what my body will feel like once I actually do this. I took most of this week off to give my knees a break after my big run on Monday.  I think a lost a few pounds inadvertentl...

So I attempted my longest run to date according to the marathon schedule I'd been slacking off of   following--20 miles--and long story short:  I'm switching from the Cincy Flying Pig marathon to the half-marathon.  I just know I'm not ready.  And it's not the "I'm-just-saying-this-to-get-as-much-encouraging-comments-massaging-my-ego" kind of 'not ready'.  It's the "I've-not-been-following-my-training-and-am-screwed-for-real-and-could-seriously-injure-myself-and-not-run-for-a-very-long-time" not ready. For sure, I was disappointed at first...disappointed in myself for failing to meet my goal.  For being so undisciplined all the time, that I hardly meet any of my goals.  But then again, I do tend to set lofty goals with little preparation.  It's not logical at all. My husband made an astute observation about me:  I tend to be one of those people that think that setting a goal or scheduling an event will prompt me to meet th...

So the marathon is about 3 weeks away...and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I'm starting to realize that I don't handle an overloaded schedule very well.  I'm such a one-track minded person.  In addition to trying to decently train for this marathon (the term "decently" is being very loosely used), I have to practice music for two separate orchestra concerts, teach a full studio of students and prepare them for the upcoming spring recital, AND on top of it all, be the perfect housewife!  How the f do working moms do it?  I can barely keep my house clean, do the laundry and make decent meals with everything going on.  Most times, stuff just sits around not being done.  I've tried so hard to make meals at home and some weeks I almost made it, but due to things just coming up and my not getting home until 9 or 10pm, there have been a day or two where I just caved into fast food.  I hate it so much. After the marathon is over and all concerts and re...

Only workout this week:  14 miles/ 2:30 - no music, fuel or water. I have no explanation for why I missed all my runs this week other than utter lack of discipline and laziness.  The weather was great all week, and I had every intention each day of running, but just put it off and found other things to do.  I finally got my butt out on the trails this afternoon after teaching a few makeup lessons and intended to go for 18 miles originally (which was supposed to be last weekend's long run--I only did 6), but around mile 13, my right knee started hurting and I started limping/running, so I just ended it there.  I didn't wear my compression socks on today's run b/c I was wearing capris and thought knee high socks would look stupid and also feel hot.  Next weekend, I'll have to plan my running outfit a little better and wear shorts instead. It's really gorgeous out, so maybe I'll get out again and take the pups for a walk.  See ya later!

I am not the sharpest tool in the toolbox.  Let me explain.  Since graduating from college, getting married and settling down into a routine of teaching until late hours and usually not eating dinner until at least 8:30pm every night, I have managed to slowly--but surely--gain some weight.  I've mentioned before in other posts that I'm very, very petite.  I'm 5'1" and I currently weight 105 lbs. on average.  On a "good" day I am 103.  On bad days, I can get up to 107 (like I was yesterday).  But more worrisome to me than numbers is how I look in front of the mirror.  I have rolls.  I used to have that slim curve right before the hip, and my stomach would be completely flat both when standing up or lying down.  This is no longer the case and I'm mad.  Mad, b/c I run a lot (okay, maybe not a LOT, but quite a bit) and obviously, I can't NOT eat when I'm burning as many calories as I do running.  So for the longest time, I kept scr...