I have never been one to equate natural sounds with music. I like the sound of rushing water, or chirping birds, but I have never found it musical per say. Today, that changed a bit. I was concentrating on my breathing as RP and I ran round the track, mile repeats at 7:05 or less. I always find it interesting how we start with such calm heart beats and silent breathing until about halfway around the first lap when we get into an audible rhythm. Today the music created started with the pat-pat of our feet in a forward motion, in sync with one another. Then my breathing first, hee-huh, hee-hoooo, picking up tempo. Then hers, ooo-aahhh, ooo-aahhh. An occasional sniffle or spit (from me) to break the monotony. The breathing is fast and the patter is steady until the final, hewwwwww---ahhhhhh at the stomp of the step on the finish line.
It was the music made today that led me to think about connections with PE and music. How could the sounds our breathing make during physical activity become a musical piece?
Always the teacher right?
But today, the music made was organic in a way that not even singing can produce. It was primal in a way that not even the deepest jungle beats can replicate. Our breath, our feet, and for one short moment, a mind completely in focus. That is what I call beautiful music.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Pushing the Limits.
My RP and I are entering our third week of "Boston Qualifying" training. Our race(s) is on October 7th and we are following the toughest training schedule ever. This week was particularly brutal as the temp on Tuesday at 5:30am was 86 degrees. Today at 6:30 it was similar. We pushed through our 5x1000 @ -4:20 and today our 3 mi tempo at 7:40, but there was definitely no room for talking, breathing takes all of our effort.
I have progressed well in the last five years of running, making good improvements. But with my awesome RP I have come to realize that goals are not achieved by complacency. The fast runners are fast because they practice fast. The good cyclists are good because the ride, a lot. Time off is not an option. Listen to the body, of course, but not for two days. The next 14 weeks are about pushing the limits of the body in a new way. The goal is a 3:40 marathon, but really the goal is seeing how far the body can be pushed on a consistent basis.
Perhaps the mental gains of tenacity and courage will outweigh the physical results. At this point, the mental strength gains will provide a lasting benefit. One which can be transferred to many areas of life, not merely the race course.
14 weeks.
I have progressed well in the last five years of running, making good improvements. But with my awesome RP I have come to realize that goals are not achieved by complacency. The fast runners are fast because they practice fast. The good cyclists are good because the ride, a lot. Time off is not an option. Listen to the body, of course, but not for two days. The next 14 weeks are about pushing the limits of the body in a new way. The goal is a 3:40 marathon, but really the goal is seeing how far the body can be pushed on a consistent basis.
Perhaps the mental gains of tenacity and courage will outweigh the physical results. At this point, the mental strength gains will provide a lasting benefit. One which can be transferred to many areas of life, not merely the race course.
14 weeks.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
You'd think it would be relaxing?
Ahh...summer. That every blessed time in a teacher's life when one can rest, rejuvenate, read, relax, and take care of everything that gets put off from September to June. Umm, yeah, right....
In my ever pressing quest to gain knowledge, read, write, and engage in educational discourse, I decided it would be a good idea to take two grad classes in one summer session. Six weeks of classes-four nights a week-three hours a night-homework every day and one big stinking paper=6 credits and one fried brain.
I am in my second week of this misguided choice and my brain is tired. I thought it would be great, class at night, train and homework during the day. That was before I stepped into School Law. The workload and concepts are not tragically difficult, but the reading, oh the reading. I love to read. I read for pleasure and for knowledge. At one time, I seriously considered going to law school to help build my understanding in order to go into school policy. I have completed reversed any thinking that I ever had in that realm because of three classes of School Law.
Training? Sure, but only if I continue to get up at 5:30am in the summer. Great for the impending heat, but still so early.
It burns the toast of every teacher to hear from non-teacher's "you have the summer off, nice job". But I think that I have officially put myself on the "do not even think about saying that to me list". I have done this by my own free will, but it doesn't make the first week of summer easier....
It will be relaxing in five weeks.
In my ever pressing quest to gain knowledge, read, write, and engage in educational discourse, I decided it would be a good idea to take two grad classes in one summer session. Six weeks of classes-four nights a week-three hours a night-homework every day and one big stinking paper=6 credits and one fried brain.
I am in my second week of this misguided choice and my brain is tired. I thought it would be great, class at night, train and homework during the day. That was before I stepped into School Law. The workload and concepts are not tragically difficult, but the reading, oh the reading. I love to read. I read for pleasure and for knowledge. At one time, I seriously considered going to law school to help build my understanding in order to go into school policy. I have completed reversed any thinking that I ever had in that realm because of three classes of School Law.
Training? Sure, but only if I continue to get up at 5:30am in the summer. Great for the impending heat, but still so early.
It burns the toast of every teacher to hear from non-teacher's "you have the summer off, nice job". But I think that I have officially put myself on the "do not even think about saying that to me list". I have done this by my own free will, but it doesn't make the first week of summer easier....
It will be relaxing in five weeks.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Race Report
I finished my first tri today and I am so happy to have it done. There was so much anticipation leading up to the race after 5 months of training, I am happy to say that I am a triathlete!
I completed the Pocomoke Triathlon this morning and it was quite a neat experience. We got there really early so I could watch other people set up their transition spaces and then set up my appropriately. I stuck a few toes into the lukewarm pond water and began a two hour long debate of "wetsuit v. no wetsuit". The time finally came for the pre race announcements and the next thing I knew I was stuffing myself into my wetsuit (for extra buoyancy) and wading out into the seaweedy pond.
Women 29-under went in wave 2. I sized up the wave, lots of ladies in swimsuits.....several admitted newbies like me. But considering my comfort with water, my discomfort with pack swimming and my extra layer of neoprene and rubber, I stepped up on our sand bar starting point in the front and center. This turned out to be a great strategic move as I had open water (it was really clear) for the first half of the swim. As I looked around me only two other ladies from my wave were up ahead, which was nice. We caught the mens wave (29-under) and I passed several fellas but still not a lot of wake or kicking, which was nice. I think I "over sighted" and could have kept my head down but I just didn't want to swim to far in the wrong direction. All in all, I swam fairly straight. We hit the sand bar, walked across and I waded/swam until I had to walk again. I came third woman out of the water, which was a good mental boost. (10:01) Took off running and headed for the scary part....the bike.
T1 was funny. I couldn't get my wetsuit off around my ankle chip and was panicking for a short while that I would not be able to ride because of my darn suit, but finally it acquiesed and I was quickly jersey-ed, socked, shoed, helmeted and off. The bike course was nice and flat as paper. We had some small technical turns, but without hills and with little to no traffic it was smooth sailing. I just kept trying to remember to pedal fast, pedal fast. I kept getting passed by fast men and then came the quick ladies, but I had someone in front (not too close, of course) that was really riding well and so I stayed 50 or so yards from her most of the ride. We passed all sorts of God's creatures, cows, hogs, bleating goats, a horse and lots and lots of chicken farms. I certainly wasn't fast on the bike but I did make a little attack (that word sounds so sinister) towards the end of a gal who had passed me in the last two miles (grrrrr). I had not been as fast as I would have hoped on a flat course, but the head wind sucked tremendously. To the point that I was afraid I would be knocked over. But alas, I finished (50:something) which meant I could move to my favorite part....the run.
T2 was superfast (thank you lace locks) but I got so excited I almost feel down forgetting my legs would be anvils. I recovered well and took off for the 3.5 mile flat run in completely direct sunlight (did I mention it was about 90 degrees in Pocomoke this morning?) I passed several people on the run including the lovely gal in the white top I followed the entire way on the bike. My first mile was a 7:20 and I was really hopeful I would maintain, but the sun just kicked my tail. I just wanted to get to the turn around which felt as though it would never come, but slightly past the sickly sweet gaseous chicken farm, there it was water and a turnaround!! So I made the turn and just kept kicking. At this point, my heart was about to jump out of my chest and I am pretty sure my brain turned off, but the pavement called. Finally the turn for the finish, through the grass and I even passed a gal in the last 200 y, not sprinting, just keeping pace (which averaged 7:46). YEA FINISHED!!!!!!
I have never felt so tired after 91 minutes of exertion, but it was so fun. Each portion presented a unique set of challenges, all new to me. I thought I would be best at running, but have decided that the swim is really my best and my favorite. My biking is still pretty slow, but I have two months to keep at it to get ready for IG. And running after the other two will only get easier the more I do it.
I have officially reached the point after a race where "it hurts and I'm tired", but I am still really pleased with the day. (1:31)
The race was very well run and the whole experience was positive and friendly. Woo Hoo!
I completed the Pocomoke Triathlon this morning and it was quite a neat experience. We got there really early so I could watch other people set up their transition spaces and then set up my appropriately. I stuck a few toes into the lukewarm pond water and began a two hour long debate of "wetsuit v. no wetsuit". The time finally came for the pre race announcements and the next thing I knew I was stuffing myself into my wetsuit (for extra buoyancy) and wading out into the seaweedy pond.
Women 29-under went in wave 2. I sized up the wave, lots of ladies in swimsuits.....several admitted newbies like me. But considering my comfort with water, my discomfort with pack swimming and my extra layer of neoprene and rubber, I stepped up on our sand bar starting point in the front and center. This turned out to be a great strategic move as I had open water (it was really clear) for the first half of the swim. As I looked around me only two other ladies from my wave were up ahead, which was nice. We caught the mens wave (29-under) and I passed several fellas but still not a lot of wake or kicking, which was nice. I think I "over sighted" and could have kept my head down but I just didn't want to swim to far in the wrong direction. All in all, I swam fairly straight. We hit the sand bar, walked across and I waded/swam until I had to walk again. I came third woman out of the water, which was a good mental boost. (10:01) Took off running and headed for the scary part....the bike.
T1 was funny. I couldn't get my wetsuit off around my ankle chip and was panicking for a short while that I would not be able to ride because of my darn suit, but finally it acquiesed and I was quickly jersey-ed, socked, shoed, helmeted and off. The bike course was nice and flat as paper. We had some small technical turns, but without hills and with little to no traffic it was smooth sailing. I just kept trying to remember to pedal fast, pedal fast. I kept getting passed by fast men and then came the quick ladies, but I had someone in front (not too close, of course) that was really riding well and so I stayed 50 or so yards from her most of the ride. We passed all sorts of God's creatures, cows, hogs, bleating goats, a horse and lots and lots of chicken farms. I certainly wasn't fast on the bike but I did make a little attack (that word sounds so sinister) towards the end of a gal who had passed me in the last two miles (grrrrr). I had not been as fast as I would have hoped on a flat course, but the head wind sucked tremendously. To the point that I was afraid I would be knocked over. But alas, I finished (50:something) which meant I could move to my favorite part....the run.
T2 was superfast (thank you lace locks) but I got so excited I almost feel down forgetting my legs would be anvils. I recovered well and took off for the 3.5 mile flat run in completely direct sunlight (did I mention it was about 90 degrees in Pocomoke this morning?) I passed several people on the run including the lovely gal in the white top I followed the entire way on the bike. My first mile was a 7:20 and I was really hopeful I would maintain, but the sun just kicked my tail. I just wanted to get to the turn around which felt as though it would never come, but slightly past the sickly sweet gaseous chicken farm, there it was water and a turnaround!! So I made the turn and just kept kicking. At this point, my heart was about to jump out of my chest and I am pretty sure my brain turned off, but the pavement called. Finally the turn for the finish, through the grass and I even passed a gal in the last 200 y, not sprinting, just keeping pace (which averaged 7:46). YEA FINISHED!!!!!!
I have never felt so tired after 91 minutes of exertion, but it was so fun. Each portion presented a unique set of challenges, all new to me. I thought I would be best at running, but have decided that the swim is really my best and my favorite. My biking is still pretty slow, but I have two months to keep at it to get ready for IG. And running after the other two will only get easier the more I do it.
I have officially reached the point after a race where "it hurts and I'm tired", but I am still really pleased with the day. (1:31)
The race was very well run and the whole experience was positive and friendly. Woo Hoo!
Friday, June 1, 2007
Race Day
My first triathlon is tomorrow. I have been doing races (running) for almost six years now and am not particularly nervous at the start. This is a whole 'nother deal. I have double checked and packed my race day stuff twice. I have hassled my dear husband several times about making sure we have the air pump and asked him to remind me about my wetsuit several times too.
To think that five months of training will come down to about 2 hours tomorrow morning...whew. Scared, Excited, Relieved....
Report to come.
To think that five months of training will come down to about 2 hours tomorrow morning...whew. Scared, Excited, Relieved....
Report to come.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Farm Fresh Fiber
I love my CSA! A friend/colleague and I have purchased a share of Community Supported Agriculture from a local farm for the summer. She and her husband and I and my beloved will share a family size serving of farm-fresh produce every week for 15 weeks.
We picked up the first share of veggies last night and were blessed with a bountiful harvest of lettuce (two kinds), radishes (still dirty!), arugula, chard, beets, and something called a garlic snape! The first few bites of the lettuces were incredible last night. I refused to douse it with ranch and went out of the way to make fresh lemon vinegarette to lightly moisten and bring the flavors together. It was the best salad I had ever eaten.
I spend a ginormous amount of our budget purchasing organic fresh and sometimes local produce. The amount we spent to receive our first harvet was pittance in comparison. Plus, we know we are supporting a local farm and the family who owns it.
A double blessing or a good karmic act if you ask me. Plus, it's delicious!
CSA's, you simply must try it.
We picked up the first share of veggies last night and were blessed with a bountiful harvest of lettuce (two kinds), radishes (still dirty!), arugula, chard, beets, and something called a garlic snape! The first few bites of the lettuces were incredible last night. I refused to douse it with ranch and went out of the way to make fresh lemon vinegarette to lightly moisten and bring the flavors together. It was the best salad I had ever eaten.
I spend a ginormous amount of our budget purchasing organic fresh and sometimes local produce. The amount we spent to receive our first harvet was pittance in comparison. Plus, we know we are supporting a local farm and the family who owns it.
A double blessing or a good karmic act if you ask me. Plus, it's delicious!
CSA's, you simply must try it.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Yea for Tech in the Classroom
This year has been a very difficult struggle with my chorus. It is a tough situation for all of us, half the group wants to sing, half doesn't want to be in band so they choose chorus. We rehearse 26 kids in a room built for about 10, after recess, needless to say it is generally physically uncomfortable and mentally taxing.
With the concerts for the year almost officially over, we have had three classes to make a 180 departure from our singing. The students are researching music from a variety of era's from the 1940's-1980's and creating power points to present the information to their peers.
I have seen these children completely change. For the most part, they are motivated and focused. They are realizing how much work they have to do before our last class on Thursday, when they present.
They used the tech lab (thanks ABD!) and today my puny room became a tech lab with laptops and wireless for them to work on their projects. I was able to monitor their progress by watching the documents saved to the shared folder. They all had the chance to request music from my itunes library and if I didn't have it, I bought it for them (the best three bucks spent all week).
The last two months have created a world of possibilities for how I can improve my teaching and use technology to help kids learn and experience music. I have become almost possessed with the desire to use "it all right now". Given the reality that school ends in 5 days, I think that I will just have to get all the ideas down and look forward to a great year next year.
I am taking Orff this summer. It is a standard and time tested pedagogy for teaching music. I am really looking forward to it as I think it will help me understand the process for musical knowledge acquisition on a deeper level. I hope, however, that I will still find a way to integrate my new love for using web 2.0 tools in the context of classical pedagogy.
I have never left a school year so exhausted yet at the same time very excited to return and start anew!
With the concerts for the year almost officially over, we have had three classes to make a 180 departure from our singing. The students are researching music from a variety of era's from the 1940's-1980's and creating power points to present the information to their peers.
I have seen these children completely change. For the most part, they are motivated and focused. They are realizing how much work they have to do before our last class on Thursday, when they present.
They used the tech lab (thanks ABD!) and today my puny room became a tech lab with laptops and wireless for them to work on their projects. I was able to monitor their progress by watching the documents saved to the shared folder. They all had the chance to request music from my itunes library and if I didn't have it, I bought it for them (the best three bucks spent all week).
The last two months have created a world of possibilities for how I can improve my teaching and use technology to help kids learn and experience music. I have become almost possessed with the desire to use "it all right now". Given the reality that school ends in 5 days, I think that I will just have to get all the ideas down and look forward to a great year next year.
I am taking Orff this summer. It is a standard and time tested pedagogy for teaching music. I am really looking forward to it as I think it will help me understand the process for musical knowledge acquisition on a deeper level. I hope, however, that I will still find a way to integrate my new love for using web 2.0 tools in the context of classical pedagogy.
I have never left a school year so exhausted yet at the same time very excited to return and start anew!
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