May 13, 2014

Getting Back into Running + The Philly 10k

 

philly10kUp until the past two weeks, HQ and I haven’t been doing much running, even before the hot chocolate 5K. Now that it’s finally starting to warm up, we’ve started to run a bit more. Although I’ve already dealt with some issues like tight calves (and running in the wrong shoes), running seems to be going relatively well for us only being two weeks back into it.

It’s felt like I’ve been running really slow lately–I keep forgetting that I haven’t been running that long and it’s going to take a while to get back to where I was before I stopped last September. It’s been something that’s been really tough to do, and I usually end up pushing myself too hard. I’m debating doing couch to 5k again (or some other sort of interval series) so that I can do a better job of making sure I don’t push myself too hard, even though I’ve yet to stick to the program for more then a few weeks. Any suggestions for doing so would be greatly appreciated!

The reason we returned to running so late was partially due to me trying to take it easy post-stress fracture as well as lack of motivation. I think to solve this motivation issue, I’m going to try and find a 5K for mid-summer (around the time I’d be finishing C25K) and then start 10K training for the Philly 10K.

I’m excited for the Philly 10K for a few reasons:

  • motivation for HQ and I to finally get past the 5K distance and actually train
  • running through the city vs the river trail
  • supporting Philadelphia Runner (one of my favorite stores)
  • awesome shake shack with cannolis and free beer

Now I just need to find a 5K for the summer. If you’ve got any suggestions for 5Ks in the area–let me know!

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May 12, 2014

An Unexpected Opportunity

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“I’ve got a part for you,” said my teacher. This news was a complete surprise. I had not registered to be in my school’s end-of-the-year performance. Being in this performance usually requires rehearsing 4-5 days a week for at least a month. Unfortunately, I am not usually able to rehearse that much. But I was too excited to say no. Besides, my teacher already knew my schedule and was able to work with it. Peter and the Wolf was one of the pieces on the program. I was to be the wolf!

The wolf was totally different than any other part I’ve had before. It was challenging to try to portray a fierce, villainous forest creature, but it also was extremely fun. I would easily agree to do a part like this again. And, as no one is ever 100% happy with their performance, there are some things I think I could improve on.

The choreography was based on the Royal Ballet School’s film of the ballet. In their version, the role of the wolf is designed for a male dancer. It has sequences of turning jumps and other steps that are beyond my ability. So, my teacher adapted the part and gave me some opportunities for improvising.

Yes, the costume was very hot! But the young students in the show really seemed to like it. Backstage, they repeatedly told me things like, “put on your wolf head!”, “put on your claws!”, and “you look like a real wolf!”

When I finished dancing in Hansel and Gretel back in March, I thought I was going to have to wait until September before I start rehearsing another performance. But, happily, I was wrong. It was a wonderful thing to be wrong about!

Filed Under: Ballet Tagged With: , , 2 Comments
May 9, 2014

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Lisa Blanchard

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This week’s profile is of Lisa Blanchard, who wrote one of my favorite guest posts that has been published on ABP, Jealousy & Ballet.

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

About 4 years ago.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

No, but my best friend took lessons and we would play “ballet class.” She actually taught me how to spot.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

At the time I was extremely stressed and felt the need to find something I could get “lost” in.

Where do you take classes?

I take class once a week at my local park district with a very experienced teacher.

What is your favorite part about ballet?

For me something magical happens during barre. It feels healing, empowering, demanding and beautiful all swirled together.

What is your least favorite part?

Center because I struggle with the “letting go” part of dance. Movements that require a sense of abandonment like balances and bourrees don’t come naturally to me.

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

My teacher, Catherine Tully. When she demonstrates at the barre (even with those crazy dance sneakers she wears), she looks stunningly graceful. I try to take mental notes of her hands and the way her limbs move in opposition to each other and I’m just bowled over by the sheer beauty of her movement.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

Improving, gaining strength, overcoming bad habits — all the things that feel like little victories.

Do you take any other dance classes?

No.

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

I enjoy reading and following blogs mostly about ballet, nutrition, & fitness Recently, I have fallen hard for classical music and I just started a Feldenkrais class.

What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?

Find a great teacher, buy a book about ballet basics that you can reference, and be patient. It will take a while for your brain and body to produce the kind of ballet you want. When you start to feel things come together, the payoff is huge.

Do you have a blog?

No, but my teacher has a great one, 4dancers.

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Interviews Tagged With: , , , Leave a Comment
May 6, 2014

Avoiding the After-Work Workout Slump #teamX2

I’ve never dealt well with late afternoon or evening workouts. When I was a kid—my body never seemed to take after school or night swim practices very well—I was always more sluggish and slow whenever I exercised later in the day.

I’ve adjusted to night ballet classes somewhat and usually can handle them somewhat decently. However, I always feel slightly more sluggish during a night class (especially a late night class) versus a morning class. My nighttime runs nowadays always seem more sluggish then my morning ones do. Unfortunately, HQ and my schedules don’t always align super well and that usually means we’re running later in the day(someone please give me tips on how we can become better early risers and wake up and run).

Disclaimer: I’m a #TeamX2 blogger and excited to work with X2 Performance in a paid campaign to help me achieve my fitness goals.All opinions are my own.. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

I mentioned in my introductory post about X2 Performance that I’m not a huge supplement person. Sure, I take a few vitamins (a multi-vitamin and calcium and vitamin D supplement)—but that’s about it. I’ve taken shot bloks with caffeine and salt before to help pre-post ballet class or run, as well.

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Filed Under: Ballet, Reviews, Running Tagged With: , , , , 3 Comments
May 5, 2014

Ballet Class Recap: Headaches and Busy Saturday Classes

I failed in my goal for the week of making it to two classes, and I only ended up making Saturday morning’s class, which I hadn’t been to in a while.

Here’s why: Thursday usually HQ either meets me at the subway or by the studio when he gets out of work so I don’t have to walk home by myself. However, this week he had to work late, so I didn’t go.

We were prepared to go on Friday, but I ended up with a pretty painful headache all afternoon (and into the time ballet class started) and instead decided to go out for a run later in the evening.

HQ and I instead went to ballet class on Saturday morning which was packed with 19 people in a relatively tiny studio. Apparently everyone else failed to make it to the earlier classes in the week (there were only 2-3 people in each of the classes) and instead decided to come to class Saturday.

Barre went fine, other than the fact that my brain got a little bit scrambled on some of the more difficult combinations. Center, however, was kind of a mess. I made it through the first easy combination no problem, but I failed at most of the across the floor combinations, partially because it was somewhat difficult to see what was being demonstrated as well as to mark out the moves–especially during a turn sequence where I ended up doing turns to the wrong direction at first.

Overall it wasn’t a horrible class even though I was really disappointed with how center went. My leg seems to be doing a lot better (thank you, calf raises). But in the future, I’ll be trying a little bit harder to make sure I make it to Thursday and Friday classes.

 

Filed Under: Ballet, Ballet Class Recap, Blog Tagged With: , , , 1 Comment