SUPing On Lake Cameron

What a gorgeous day! I'm taking the day off to celebrate our 15th anniversary AND to celebrate my anniversary gift - a stand up paddle board. I looked out at Lake Cameron and the surface of the water looked like the face of a mirror so I couldn't stand it any longer. The lake is a mile long and it took a while to get to the end but it was so neat. The sound of the paddle in the water sounded like a quiet morning at the beach with the waves quietly and rhythmically touching the shore. I saw quite a few lake birds and blue herons. I guess it was also a celebration of Earth Day!

This is going to be a fun, fun activity. I'm looking forward to trying to fish on it. Should be interesting. Next weekend, weather permitting, I'm going to give folks in the neighborhood a chance to try it out down at the beach.

So far I haven't fallen and neither has Gayle even though she's only tried it once.

One with the Music

This is going to be a very different blog from my previous ones. As some of you know we are going to perform the Brahms REQUIEM on Sunday, April 18th, with a chamber orchestra. Since last summer I have been living with this music, studying references, listening to recordings, analyzing the music (note by note), doing all the things a conductor needs to do to get to know the music intimately.

I have to tell you that I have had some of my highest spiritual moments listening to this music. As far as it is possible (in that I remain firmly planted on this earth) I have been taken to Heaven. I have been "face to face" with my mother. You see, Brahms wrote this as a tribute to his mother whose death greatly impacted him. There are moments of incredible beauty and purity; there are also moments of powerful reassurance. There are even moments where "we shake our fists in the face of death" and shout "O death, where is thy sting? Where is thy victory?"

I am an incredibly blessed man; I have my health, an incredible partner, wonderful, healthy children and beautiful grandchildren, plus this job where I'm so totally fulfilled and given so many gifts on a daily basis. I don't understand why God has singled me out and given me so much; I certainly don't deserve it.

I guess the one area that I am challenged in is this: I can't get everyone to feel the music as I feel it. I want them to be able to "go" to the same places I'm able to go. It is both a blessing and a curse; it (that place) gets lonely. I'm sure we all have "our places"; that's what makes us different. It has just been such a blessing this week to be "one with the music".

Thanks for listening.

The Week Afterwards

Running the Seaside Half Marathon was a real trip, but this week I had to return to reality. Here is how the week went:

Tuesday - got my bike out and aired up the tires and went for a 30 minute ride. Realized that not taking care of bike is a bad thing; its going to need some adjustments.

Wednesday - 12 hour day at work - no exercising

Thursday - another work day; played 2 hours of tennis Thursday night

Friday - first run since race. Found out during the race that my Sportsband needed calibrating. At the end of the race it showed 12.4 miles. So I ran a calibrating mile; then walked a calibrating mile; then ran another mile at 10:00 minute pace.

Sportsband is now calibrated correctly (or close to correct). I will take it out for a 4 mile run today.

Sunday I'll be busy with morning services and an extra 90 minute rehearsal in the afternoon on the Brahms REQUIEM. Might get some tennis in when we get home.

A Successful Half Marathon

I am happy to report that I finished the Seaside Half Marathon within 2 minutes of my goal, which is pretty exciting since my longest run was 10 miles and that was 2 weeks ago. My first half and second half times were very consistent; I just kept plugging away and focusing on the music in my head. Miles 10 and 11 were a bit arduous. Mile 12 was long but exciting because I knew the finish line was close. Coming in to Watercolor and then seeing the Seaside sign was really exciting but the best part was seeing the crowds and family lining the last part of the race.

I had some concerns about my left knee but it rarely caused me any pain...that is, until after the race. I've been on Motrin since then and even did the ice bag thing last night. I haven't iced anything in over 20 years.

What now for this 62 year old? Well, I'm not going back to the couch! I'm going to focus on a healthy and smart combination of cross training - some jogging, some walking, some bicycling, and, when I get my SUP board, some paddling. Oh yeah, and watching the food I'm putting in my body. I would really like to lose another 10 pounds over the next 3 months and then hold it there.

One more day at the beach before we load up and head for Montgomery tomorrow and then its back to the office for more music making.

To 'Da Beach

We're headed to Seacrest Beach today for Sunday's half marathon. Gonna take some days off from work and the weather forecast is great - sunny and high in the '60's and '70's.

While we are there I plan to go by the YOLO store and look at some SUP boards and equipment. Of course we'll do some of the beach stuff too - walk on the beach, eat seafood, do some shopping.

Saturday is packet pickup day, the silent auction, and the Runners Expo. Then it is up too early Sunday morning to get to the start of the race at 7:00 am.

Monday will be recovery day and, most likely, a drive back home. I'm anxious to get this race under my belt and move on to other things.

Now Its My Turn to Be Surprised

Have I told you about my wonderful wife? Ok, last post was about my new interest in getting a Stand Up Paddle board. I was planning on going my usual route of saving my "fun money", you know, the money that comes in outside the salary for extra things that I do.

Well, the next thing I know, she tells me she has been investigating and communicating with a SUP company and mine has been ordered as an anniversary (April 22) present. Is that not the greatest thing ever?

I'm excited in at least 2 ways: I'm excited to be getting a "real" board and not an inflatable one; and 2, every time I take it out on the lake I will know she loved me enough to get it for me.

Ain't life grand!

A New Interest...Surprised?

I've been bitten by an unusual bug, unusual since I am at least 3 hours away from the coast. For some strange reason I'm interested in getting a SUP - that's Stand Up Paddle Board for other land-locked folks out there. They became popular in the Polynesian world decades ago. Basically it is a surf board that you stand on top of and paddle. I understand its a lot of fun, sort of like walking on water. I also understand it is an excellent workout for your entire body.

I'm interested in getting started since I have Lake Cameron, a mile long lake, one block from our house. Most likely I'm going to start with the cheapest board available - an inflatable one, and see if I like it.

Just waiting on warmer temperatures, both in the air and in the water.