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.

One Week, But Who's Counting

Yea, one week from today G and I (and possibly others) will be headed to "da beach". Yeah, I know its still February and it was 25 degrees last night, but, just the thought of going to the beach "warms my cockles" which sounds a bit perverse but it really isn't.

We are going to be staying at the beach house of one of my friends; ain't it good to have friends with houses at the beach or Hilton Head for that matter.

As I sit here enjoying a cup of java and looking out the front windows at Lake Cameron I'm anticipating a wonderful day off and a good run of 4 or 5 miles. It will be so good to have the whole day to get my run in and then do whatever else I won't to do.

So, to all of my followers, I hope you have a great day and I'll see you when I can.

Work Schedule Takes Over

Ok, long day yesterday, long day today = no running, just working. Not good 10 days from race day. I'm hoping that, as the schedule eases up tomorrow, I can get runs in the rest of the week and that will be ok.

First week of Lent is now behind us and the Lenten discipline is still in place. I'm really having no problems; you just have to close your minds to those things. I guess that is why it is called "discipline".

No Knee Problems

Ran today; only 3 miles but I was mostly testing out the knee that has been bothering me a bit over the last couple of days. No problem and no residual pain. That's good. I won't be able to run tomorrow since I will be at church for about 12 hours. Not good!

Hopefully I will get my next run in Wednesday. Race day is drawing closer.

A Break in the Lenten Discipline

One of the lovely "options" in observing the 40 days of Lent is you get to "break your fast" on Sundays. Sundays are not included in the 40 days so we get a bit of respite to help us gear up for the next 6 days of discipline.

I'm so glad since this has been a long day at church, arrive at 7:30 am and get home around 5:30 pm. I'm now waiting on my lovely partner to get here and, together, we're going to enjoy a slice of cheese and a glass (or two) of wine - just the two of us.

My knee feels better today; I took Sparky the wonder dog for a long walk as soon as I got home and I felt no discomfort. Hopefully that will continue as I rise in the morning and go for a training run.

A Little Knee Discomfort

For the first time during my runs I had a bit of discomfort in my left knee yesterday. It caused me to slow down and walk for a couple of minutes. During the night every time I turned over my knee hurt so I got up and took some aspirin. That seemed to help.

This morning I had more discomfort so I took more aspirin. Hopefully I'll get over this so I can get back to my training. Basically I will take a couple of days off and see how it feels.

Bummer, dude.

Oh, and another thing. I did bad things yesterday. The long run and burning 14oo calories "gave" me the right to EAT! About 2400 calories worth. Bad boy. I still finished the day with a calorie deficit but it could have been a deficit bonanza! I'm doing better today.

And Ten Miles Later

We finished our run averaging 11 minute miles and felt pretty good about that. We should have disciplined ourselves early on with some walking breaks but we both felt energized and kept going. That resulted in some knee discomfort for both of us later on but we still finished with a good time.

Tomorrow I have to do some piano competition judging in the morning. Most likely I will go out for an easy 3 miler tomorrow afternoon. I won't be able to get in a run on Sunday due to scheduled activities.

So...next really long run will be the Seaside Half Marathon in 2 weeks. I'll do a variety of runs leading up to it with the longest being 6 miles. Hope to get a good night's rest; looking forward to that.

Ten Mile Run Today

Sarah and I will be heading out today on our last long run before the Seaside Half Marathon on March 7. We will be experimenting with several things: before run breakfast, hydration, energy supplements, etc. Mostly we will just try and enjoy the challenge. Looks like a nice day - sunny and high of 60.

I'm enjoying the process and looking forward to the race. I'm also enjoying the benefits that come with regular (almost daily) exercise and trying to use my brain when it comes to the food I eat.

I'm enjoying running with Sarah. I usually run alone; I find that having someone else there creates a faster pace. Interesting.

For the most part I'm marveling at this 62 year old body; my pace is about 2 minutes per mile slower than 20 years ago but I feel like I could get back to that pace if I did the training. I'm just enjoying "where I am" and not feeling so competitive about it. Maybe that's a true sign of being older!

Forty Six Minus One

We are now in the 2nd day of Lent and a focused dedication on a number of issues.

Yesterday was a long day at church which is typical of Wednesdays; however we had two Lenten services - 1 I sang for, 1 I played for and then the usual Children's Chapel and choir rehearsal.

Fortunately I got up early and was able to get in a chilly 3 miler; felt good all the way. I plan on a 4 miler this afternoon and then a 10 miler tomorrow with Sarah.

Hopefully more good food choices today!

Ash Wednesday

It's Ash Wednesday and about 30 degrees and cloudy. I've planned a lot of disciplines for these 40 days (plus 6 Sundays) - no wine, no desserts, smart eating and some type of exercise everyday. I've missed a good bit of training runs over the last couple of weeks because of weather and work. I've decided to do whatever is necessary to change that.

So...it's out the door early, in the cold Ash Wednesday morning since I won't be home until 8:30 tonight. I'm actually looking forward to the discipline and the results that it brings.

Half Marathon in 3 weeks

Last summer I saw a picture of how I look to other people and I was not happy. I'm ok with aging (I'm 62); I'm not ok with being overweight! So...after a long break from running I started my baby steps back...you know the routine, walk 90 seconds, jog 30.

After gradually building up to run 3 minutes walk 1 I decided I needed a motivator. I ran the NY Marathon twice in the early 90's but I knew I wasn't ready for that. Hmm...a half marathon would do the trick and, after a little research, I found one to my liking and timing in Seaside, FL. Several good reasons for this: 9 months training time, fairly flat course, and THE BEACH.

15 pounds and 3 inches off my waist later I'm on course to finish. No speed necessary; I expect to average around 11 - 12 minutes and finish around 2 hours 30 minutes. I'll be running with my stepdaughter, Sarah, recovering from her second pregnancy!

I'm also trying to use my brain when it comes to eating. We'll see how all this goes over the course of the year. I'm now at 185 and would like to lose another 10 pounds and settle in at 175.

I'll keep you posted.