Let Training for the Philly 10K Begin! @thephilly10k

I’m not going to lie–HQ and I haven’t been running in about three weeks–and 10K training (for the Philly 10K I wrote about a couple months ago) has kind of crept up on us. I was kind of oblivious to the fact that it was almost time to train until I saw a post from Be Well Philly featuring a 10-Week plan for the 10K–and it clicked that we should probably get moving if this race was going to happen.

I’ve never prepared for a 10K before and I wasn’t sure where to start.  I considered going with the plan provided by the Philly 10K and Be Well Philly, but it seemed a little intense–so I went looking for a plan that was a little bit easier that would be more on my level. I discovered Women’s Health Beginner 10K plan.

What I think I’ll enjoy most about this plan is that the easy days are all by time–this way I don’t have to worry about how far I’m running in the mornings–just how much time it’s going to take me. I’m hoping this will help me get up earlier, too.

We’re going to start training now–even though the plan is only 7 weeks–in order to allow for a few hiccups that may happen along the road.

 What training plan do you usually use for your races?

 

Back to Work!

It’s been a fabulous two weeks off from the blog–but I’ve missed it! HQ and I spent three days on the beach to celebrate my birthday–which was wonderful.2014-06-20 10.47.36-2

After we got home from the beach, I quickly jumped on a train to head out of town again to help one of my friends, Sarah, pack her things up to move:

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Then on Sunday, I came back to Philadelphia pretty early because my parents were in town because my dad had jury duty. We went to Yards Brewery for a tour and then went on a boat tour of the Delaware River:

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Then I spent the rest of the week working. I was finally able to make it to a ballet class Thursday night, which didn’t go as well as I had planned. I was super tired (which seems to be the case whenever I’m in ballet class these days) and managed to mess up a combination that I was kind of upset about. Because I’ve been feeling super tired lately (lack of sleep, I guess)–I didn’t make it to Friday or Saturday’s class.

On that note–if anyone has any tips on how to be awake and alert in night classes–I’d gladly appreciate it. Or just general sleeping tips.

I’ve got another busy work week ahead of me–but I’m hoping to make it to Thursday’s ballet class at least before 4th of July weekend starts!

How has your summer been going so far?

A (Brief) Hiatus

Pink rose birthday cakeI’ll be taking a super brief hiatus over the next week and a half or so.  My birthday is at the end of the week (plus our anniversary is the week after) and I’ve been fairly busy at work, so I feel like a little break is necessary right now.  I want to be able to enjoy the brief free time I have over the next few weeks and not feel like I’m going to go crazy.

I’ve just about run out of ballerinas to profile, so if you or someone you know is interested, please shoot me an email at adultballerinaproject at gmail dot com if you’re interested. If you’ve already been profiled, I’m always looking for guest bloggers as well.

You can also fill out this form if you’re interested in either:

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Stefaniya Arsova

This week’s profile is of Stefaniya Arsova of Bulgaria, who is inspired by other late-starter ballerinas such as  Misty Copeland and Vanessa Sah. She’s also performed as  a soloist and played Malvina in Pinocchio!
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When did you start doing ballet as an adult?
I started ballet at age of  20!!! I am now almost 27.
Did you ever take lessons as a kid?
Yes, I took lessons as a kid. About 4 years. From age 4 to 8. Then my feet start hurting and my parents said I should not continue and so they made me quit- the worst thing ever happened to me.
Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?
When I started to live alone in the college and started work I got more independent and had my own money for lessons. So I bought a piano and started taking classes twice per week.
Where do you take classes?
I take ballet classes in the ballet school “Masha Ilieva” and my teachers are the best ballet dancers in Bulgaria, including Masha Ilieva herself- a famous prima ballerina.
What is your favorite part about ballet?
The opportunity to wear a tiara and pink tutu , haha. No, seriously, the feeling that you are overcoming your body limits every day and extend your boundaries far beyond ordinary people is amazing. Of course, I like being in the fairytale world of the Sleeping beauty and Swan lake, because when dancing I am able to recreate some of these great stories and feel like a princess.
What is your least favorite part?
As I started very late, the pain while stretching is very fierce, everything is harder, because my bones and muscles are not able to bend that easy in the desired ballet way. If I skip a class or two, because I have to work to earn my living, it pushes me a month back. Ballet does not forgive, when you skip a class.
Who/What is your ballet inspiration?
The late starters ballerinas like Misty Copeland and Vanessa Sah. But my favourite ballerina is Viara Nacheva, former prima in Berlin’s State Opera and Evgeniya Obraztsova from Russia.
What motivates you to keep dancing?
I see that there is a progress, although very very slow. I am able to do many things on point shoes now and sometimes I think I am close to perform almost on a professional level. I go to many competitions and recently I started winning prizes, so I am happy I am going in the right direction- professional level , despite of the late start.
Do you take any other dance classes?
I used to take contemporary dance classes, but I don’t have the time now.  I also take jazz classes when my favourite teaches from USA comes to Bulgaria- which is almost every year, for a week. I love his Broadway Jazz.
What are your hobbies outside of ballet?
Flying- I am cabin crew at the national carrier Bulgaria Air. I also love reading books.
What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?
Go for it- see how far I went (2 years ago I was even accepted to study ballet in the National Music Academy in Sofia- and I don’t have the usual ballet school as most of the others do have!! ) Dream big! Dance is for everyone! You can become whatever you want if you really do want it!
Anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to tell also, that I was lucky to have a major part in the co- production of the Masha Ilieva’s dance school and the National State Opera Sofia – ” Pinnochio”  ballet. I was a soloist and played Malvina. This show was in the season 2011-2012 and we performed it every month in the biggest ballet stage in Bulgaria, home of the National Ballet.  It was like I was one of the professional dancers!

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Q and A With Gabrielle Menezes, Creator of Dancers, A Short Film About Adult Ballerinas

Dancers from Gabrielle Menezes on Vimeo.

Gabrielle Menezes created a short film, Dancers, because she had recently started taking classes herself and was fascinated by the other dancers in her class. Learn more about her and the film below!

What is your background in film and media?

I was a TV journalist for many years, and the West Africa reporter for Al Jazeera. I was based in Abidjan and covered conflicts, and really felt burnt out over four years. I really wanted to do documentary films that were more creative and poetic so I started making films like these in-between freelancing for the United Nations. My current work is broad, but includes films that can really make a difference to people’s lives. I’ve made training videos to teach NGO’s how to deal with child trafficking or films that teach nomadic pastoralists how to grow drought resistant crops. My other work is creative documentary, that walks along the border of fact and fiction. I’ve always felt that if we are made of memory as well as imagination, a news documentary can’t capture the full human experience.

What made you want to make a film about adult ballet dancers?

I recently started beginner ballet classes, and during the class became fascinated by the other dancers. They ranged from older ladies, to girls in their perfect pink tights and satin ribbons on their shoes, and even included the unexpected, shy man. I thought that the dancers in the class were beautiful even without being perfect or close to that. I found myself thinking about a lecture that the script writer Charlie Kauffman gave where he says: “I’ve never delivered a speech before, which is why I decided to do this tonight. I wanted to do something that I don’t know how to do, and offer you the experience of watching someone fumble. Because I think maybe that’s what art should offer, an opportunity to recognize our common humanity and vulnerability.” I wanted to capture something of this experience on film.

What school did you choose to film, and why?

It was harder than I thought to find a class where people were OK with being filmed. I had started taking classes at Danceworks in London, and so asked a couple of ballet teachers there if they were willing to participate. Franziska welcomed the opportunity. She was so patient with making the students feel comfortable with the idea of filming, and without her help the film really wouldn’t have taken place.

What made you decide to go to ballet classes the film or something else?
I’ve always loved dance and as a young girl did ballet, and ballroom, but then gave it up as a teenager. After going to a ballet performance at the Royal Opera House of Raven Girl which was choreographed by Wayne McGregor, I was inspired to dance. I wanted to dance ballet. I had given up ballet at 13, because I felt that I wasn’t good enough, that I was not graceful or perfect. But now the desire to dance was stronger in me than the desire to be perfect. Besides, my eight year old self squealed with delight when I bought ballet shoes.

What advice would you give to those just starting or looking to start ballet?

To be patient with yourself, and not to expect to dance ‘Swan Lake’ after the first class. I always remind myself that I’m not a professional ballet dancer, and have no reason to look like one. What is most important is to enjoy ballet and the feeling of grace that it gives you.