Helloooo October! (1 week late)

Yesterday was the final performance of Baylor’s production of Into The Woods! I was playing in the pit, which made for a crazy two weeks since we had only 1 night off in the almost two week run (we had tech rehearsals the first few nights of week 1). It is an amazing show though and I had a blast playing Sondheim’s music! I’m pretty excited for the movie coming out in December! Anyone else?! Official Trailer in case you haven’t seen it!

During the show I managed to get in all of my weekday runs and workouts except 1, I was just too exhausted that morning. Most importantly, I ran a 9.25 miler and a 12.5miler on the two Saturdays. I knew if I didn’t make it through the show weeks my training plan might be ruined – but I survived!

I’ve also been working on a scholarship application for a possibility after graduation, which is due THIS week. On top of class, recital prep, and thesis writing. So it’s been pretty insane in my world, but hey I’m a busy bee kinda-gal.

But I made one healthy meal for my lunches this week that is super delicious so I had to jump on here and share. Honey Lime Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Corn. I made this sweet potato taco filling sans honey, and I am eating it on it’s own with some avocado and it’s just too good!

I also made an incredibly delicious and easy breakfast pastry (not clean but not too terrible for you). Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls. I didn’t use all the butter and I didn’t make the frosting, which makes them a smidge healthier. I only kept 3 out and froze the rest to have for breakfast the next 2 or so weeks.

Mileage – 7 miles

QOD – “So many people are insanely busy nowadays, and it’s easy to say, ‘Ah, I’ll workout tomorrow.’ But you have to set aside a time and stick to that schedule.”

Musical Update!

For the past 10 days I have been playing, performing, and working with the Dali String Quartet Chamber Camp and Festival! The camp is based outside of Philadelphia and is associated with ArCo Net, the Elite Strings Program, and of …

Airport Post!

Hello from one of my new favorite cities – Copenhagen!!!

I had never been dying to go to Denmark, my favorite Scandinavian country being Finland, but since I had such a long layover I had to go out and explore. It took a 13 minute metro ride and a turn out of the metro station for me to fall in love with the city.

I love being near the water, smelling the water, feeling the wind – so a canal city like Copenhagen is my kind of place. My favorite big city in Italy is Venice! The weather was chilly so I was glad I wore my sneakers, jeans and jacket and I stashed the rest of my stuff in a storage locker at the airport.

I first visited Nyhavn where Hans Christian Anderson, the fairy tale author, lived in several building that still remain and are well marked. Lining the canal are brightly colored historic buildings filled with shops and restaurants that weren’t open since I got there at 6am.

Then I walked around for the next 3 hours, mostly along the water but into some other squares as well. I saw the Royal Danish Theatre, the amazing new contemporary opera house, several gorgeous parks filled with fountains and statues, AND The Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid was my favorite Disney film growing up, but even after I’d read the H.C. Anderson original fairy tale I still loved the story so I was a woman on a mission to find the statue today.

I really enjoyed my brief time in Denmark and I learned that in the beginning of July Copenhagen has an amazing jazz festival and at the end of the month an opera festival – so here’s hoping that I will be back!!

I’m hoping to do a FOOD post from my trip soon – maybe start writing. before my flight if I get ambitious! But next time I post I’ll be back in the USA!!!

Mileage – stretching awkwardly in the airport, sitting on an airplane rest, and vacation workout challenge a home

QOD – A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

Last Day in Assisi! Plus running in the rain.

Today is my last day in Assisi before I make my way to Roma!!! I’m sad to be leaving such a beautiful town with some of the kindest people – we’ve met many shop owners, restaurant employees, and religious men/women who are generous, welcoming, friendly, and helpful.

The weather hasn’t been the kindest to us the past few days but I’ve kept on running around the city and added a path outside the city towards the surrounding neighborhoods. Today the fog was crazy and yesterday was my day off.

But on Sunday I got rained on and when the rain was coming down hardest an elderly Italian gentleman stumbled upon me and offered to share his umbrella. I accepted and then went on my way when the rain lightened up. It was actually really therapeutic to run through the mountains with the light rain coming down.

Yesterday we went to the gorgeous Lake Trasimeno and took the ferry to the Islo Maggiore, where we wandered the beach, had some delicious pizza, and ate gelato on a pier before a storm came and rained out the rest of the afternoon.

Tonight I’m page turning for the pianist during the final opera performance and then my group of friends is celebrating the end of the festival!

While I’m sad to be leaving I definitely plan on doing the festival again and I’m so looking forward to Rome!!!

Mileage – 5 miles, workout challenge

QOD – Run in the rain.

Running and Music in Assisi!

Assisi is a beautiful city, full of religious history, tucked in the mountains of Italy. Since the town is essentially built into the side of a mountain the city is incredibly hilly and full of steep stairs.
Running here is definitely the COMPLETE opposite of my super flat runs in Texas but I’m sure running here for 2 weeks will definitely help with my speed when I get back to the flat land haha!

My first two runs I ran several out and backs on the long main roads down to San Francesco and back to the Piazza Communale near my hotel.

But the past 3 runs I’ve been using a route one of the fellow musicians discovered when they stalked followed a local runner. It’s a gorgeous 3 mile loop around the upper exterior of the city on some mountain roads and comes back into the city at San Francesco. I ran it twice for my long run 2 days and just a single loop yesterday plus alternating walking and running up the final hill/part of a mile to give my legs a “recovery” day.

Today I cranked the mileage back up just a bit to meet my 20 miles per week goal.

Musically I’m having an AMAZING experience!

I’ve been working on solo and chamber works, rehearsing with the choir to sing in a Masses during our time here, and practicing for the opera pit. It’s been so much fun making music with old and new friends and realizing how small the music world truly is!

It’s also pretty cool staying in a hotel and hearing all the music coming from everyone’s bedrooms – like being back in the practice rooms really!

I’m already hoping to find another year to come back and enjoy this amazing festival. I’ve fallen in love with Assisi!

Mileage – 4.85miles, workout challenge, yoga

QOD – “There is an itch in runners.”

Fitness Friday from Assisi, Italy!

It is the morning of my 4th full day of Assisi! Last I posted I was on my way to Rome – after arriving there a portion of my group missed the train to Assisi while 2 of us sprinted and made it on and managed to find our way to the hotel on our own thanks to our combined Italian (hers, not mine) and directional skills! But everyone made it and it’s been a great 3 days of rehearsals, performances, exploring, running, and amazing Italian food!

My internet works only intermittently but luckily it’s working right now! Hopefully I can write an update on my music, running, and adventures this weekend.

Now for the fitness!

YOGA

Not quite yoga, but foam rolling can help increase flexibility and improve recovery here are ways to use the foam roller!

 

RUNNING

How to improve running without running. Check it out! 

WORKOUTS

30 Day Workout Challenge with NO equipment! How awesome is that? 

Want to look your best but only have a week to work with? Integrate some interval cardio and this 7day trim workout plan! 

MOTIVATION 

Mileage – 6miles, vacation workout challenge, yoga

QOD – Don’t find time to exercise, make time to exercise.

Running Hills of Montmartre!

Montmartre is my favorite place in Paris, I love Sacré-Coeur and the winding streets around the church! But the best part to me is probably the hills and how even on rainy dreary days you can look over the whole city without climbing a single tower and the rest of the city can always see the white dome of Sacré-Coeur in the distance.

That also means it can be brutal to run there. First of all the cobblestone streets take some getting used to for your ankles. I did 2 runs in Montmartre after my runs in the suburbs and at the other park. The first run was along the main road which takes you past the Moulin Rouge, through the famous red light district (which is quite empty at 7:30am) and to the famous Montmartre cemetery where many famous artists, musicians, and writers are buried. This run only had some gentle inclines.

My hard run was from my hostel at the very bottom of the mountain hill up to the church. Then I ran up and down the staircases that go straight up to the church 3 times before heading back down. They are rough but there were several other people doing a similar run as mine and we kept passing one another on the stairs.

I managed to run 20 miles in Paris so I’m hoping I can maintain that kind of mileage the rest of the trip!

Now I’m on the train headed to Rome to meet up with my group to then venture to Assisi where I will be playing a ton of music for 2 weeks!

Looking forward to music and more running in the hill country of Italia! And gelato, pizza, past, and vino of course!

Mileage – run rest day & workout challenge

QOD – BONGIORNO (in Brad Pitt’s Inglorious Bastard’s accent hahaha)

Running in Paris and Fitness Friday!

Today’s run took me to the beautiful Parc Buttes Chaumaunt! The park features a man-made lake and waterfalls, and has a beautiful gazebo that looks over the whole city on an island mountain in the center of the lake! There are a variety of trails, hills, bridges, and roads (for the few houses and gorgeous restaurants tucked in the park). The great thing to me was that the park was filled with other runners!

If I live in Paris, I will definitely run here regularly because the hills are very challenging and the views are amazing. It’s nice to be nestled in the trees and hearing running water! Hopefully I will go again once more before I leave!

YOGA 

Since I’m doing a lot of hiking around with a backpack and hopefully will hike the mountains in Italy here are some Yoga Poses for Hikers! 

I don’t have too much time for strength training or access to weights so here is an awesome Yoga Move to work the whole body! (And yes it may take some time to get it!) 

RUNNING

Runner’s World the 25 Golden Rules of Running! 

WORKOUT 

I love kettle bell workouts and this is a great one from Pumps & Iron (Sorry if I’ve shared this twice I love it!) 

I’ll be back at the beach in July and August so here’s a great workout to get yourself toned for the beach! 

Who doesn’t love an ab workout?! Here are some flat ab secrets! 

MOTIVATION 

Mileage – 4 miles, vacation workout challenge, stretching

QOD – “For me, running is both exercise and a metaphor. Running day after day, piling up the races, bit by bit I raise the bar, and by clearing each level I elevate myself. At least that’s why I’ve put in the effort day after day: to raise my own level. I’m no great runner, by any means. I’m at an ordinary – or perhaps more like mediocre – level. But that’s not the point. The point is whether or not I improved over yesterday. In long-distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be.” Haruki Marukami

Wordless Wednesday in Paris!

Fitness Friday!

Hey all! 

I’ve stocked up on my Fitness Friday articles and workouts so I’ll have plenty to share while I’m out drinking eating running my way through Europe! And of course I’ll be playing plenty of bass. But here are today’s picks coming to you LIVE while I lay on the ground pretending to stretch after my run… (I promise I’ll do my yoga later!)

YOGA 

As a musician and someone who has had surgery on both wrists I love this – especially for difficult balance poses like crow! How to protect your wrists in yoga!

WORKOUTS 

Another great workout from Pumps & Iron for stairs/stadiums – think they’ll let me do this workout in the Colosseum?! 

I haven’t tried many but I love the concept of these 30 minute video workouts – Bikini Workout from FitSugar! 

RUNNING

Here’s an AMAZING plethora of motivational posters from Runner’s World… I have to share but I will probably be using some of these again and again! 

MOTIVATION 

Mileage – 7.15 miles, Yoga for Runners, foam roll 

QOD – Running should be a lifelong activity. Approach it patiently and intelligently, and it will reward you for a long, long time.