Friday 22 February 2013

Music theory and sore knees...

So I haven't written in a while. Life and work have sort of got in the way as usual. Work has been suddenly very busy, I have another 3 new clients to add to my list of already 17. Running has been a great escapism for me and been going really well, but I have actually had a rather horrible flare up of reactive arthritis in the last week (brought on by that ghastly virus I had a little while back) which has brought my running to a grinding halt for a few days (I hope). Not only is this very frustrating, but it very much annoys me when I have to tell people what it is that I am suffering from. "Oh, you're far too young to have that?", is always the response I get. Yes, and don't I know it! But unfortunately, yes I do occasionally get the odd flare up and suffer for a little while, but it's one of those things, I just have to sit it out and wait for it to pass.
In the meantime, while I have not been able to run, I have actually found an interest and love for music theory. Bizzarly enough! It was one of those parts of music that I used to hate as a child, but now as an adult I can appreciate the benefits and usefulness that it creates. I have found a rather interesting online course which has been a great help in teaching me the fundamentals of music theory from Grade 1 up until Grade 6. It's definitely worth a look if you are about to take a Grade. So far this is has been going well, alongside me beginning to take my Piano Grades again (Grade 6 at the moment). And what better way to use my mind while sitting waiting for this blasted inflammation on my knee to go down!

http://www.mymusictheory.com/


Wednesday 6 February 2013

Bouncy new trainers

I have finally treated myself to some wonderful new running trainers. I thought it was about time, as I had my last pair for over a year and was beginning to get some pain in my feet. This could also be due to the fact that I have just started running again after a break of two months. Lack of motivation, the cold weather, getting too comfortable on the sofa, all contributed to this. After going to New York and seeing all the keen joggers in Central Park suddenly hit a nerve, and I realised how much I missed and enjoyed going out for a run. It is my way of meditating and being alone with myself and my favourite music for a while. Getting back out in the fresh air felt great, but those first few hills I came across felt rather harder than I remember!
So the trainers...

Asics GT 1000.

This is the pair I bought and I have now done about 6 miles in them so far. And, so far so good! Extremely comfortable, not too tight around the top of my foot, just the right amount of cushioning for me (I don't like too much cushioning or them to be too bouncy as it makes me feel like I'm cheating a little!) and I am also rather partial to the colour! I have always had a soft spot for a bit of purple... They were slightly more than I wanted to spend, but I did get brilliant advice from the running shop, where they spent about an hour with me analysing my gait and trying on about 7 different pairs. A couple of pairs I got to take outside for a little jog up and down the road to compare the differences. I couldn't decide between two, so the lady told me to put one shoe on one foot, and the other shoe on the other foot, and go for a little jog up the road to see which was better. I felt that this service was worth the extra money that I would have saved buying trainers on the internet. I think it is definitely worth spending extra money on something that is right for you and that is potentially going to save yourself any injuries in the future, rather than risking buying something 'just because it's cheap' and not trying it before hand. I also feel that when you have spent a small fortune on running shoes you will be more inclined to use them to get your monies worth. So my next task to keep me motivated is to sign up for a 10k, once I've paid there's no going back! I am also toying with the idea of a Tough Mudder type obstacle course race. Whether or not I am mad enough to do it is another matter, but could be good fun! And will definitely keep me motivated. Although I don't want to get my bouncy new trainers muddy...

Would I be mad enough to put myself through this? 
This scares me slighty... 
Maybe I'll stick to just the 10k for now....