One final note on my run yesterday in Seabrook — I saw a ton of other runners. I saw some of them repeatedly. Since it’s only a 6-mile out-and-back I can only imagine that many of them were out doing the same thing as me — training for the Half or Marathon. It was nice to think that we were all in it together!
Today Jen posted one of my favorite shots even taken of me on her photoblog today. I’m sitting on a large rock on the edge of Chasm Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park and looking up at the face of Longs Peak. I love shots of me camping. Somehow they seem more gritty and real.
That sounds weird — “favorite shots of me.” I know a lot of people don’t like to have their photo taken, but I don’t mind very much. In fact, I sort of like it, if I think it’s going to be a good shot. I’m not sure if that makes me vain or not; it’s just a personality trait, or something. Anyway. That shot is one of my favorites ever taken of me.
I downloaded the soundtrack for “The Chronicles of Narnia” and have been listening to it all weekend. I have many varied tastes in music, but I always have a soft spot for good, inspiring instrumental pieces. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s a result of my many years of band.
Instrumental music can get me going in a way that other music can’t. I put a couple movie soundtrack songs (from my two most recent movie soundtrack purchases, “Narnia” and “Serenity”) on my mp3 player as I headed out for my long run yesterday. By the time I hit 10 miles I was ready to stop, but suddenly the battle song from “Narnia” came up. Perhaps I should put more good instrumental stuff on my running playlist, because it really got me going! I probably ran the last half mile faster than anything else, though I was slowed slightly by my need to wave my arms as if I were conducting the really good parts…
I suppose I’ll know that I’ve found the guy for me when I can conduct in the air without feeling embarassed. Because that’s what I do when I’m alone and a song comes on and I want to emphasize all the good notes. You’ve heard of air-guitar; well, I air-conduct. I spent too much time following a drum major to not find myself wanting to direct the orchestra in my mp3 player.
I’m sure I was quite a sight — running down the last bit of the trail towards the pool sweaty, breathless, and waving my arms like a lunatic.
Sarah air-conducting, now _that_ would be a good photo. 🙂 Glad you liked the one on our blog.
I don’t do that often, but every once in a while. I was conducting in my car to the radio just last week. I don’t know that I’ve ever done it in front of Gavin, though. Hmmm… I guess some things are just private. 🙂
You were a drum major?
Songs of the day:
Smetana . Die Moldau
Rimsky-Korsakov . Flight of the Bumblebee
Procession of the NObles from Mlada
Sabre Dance
Dude, I totally do that, and if the song has words, I’m singing. Then I realize I’m on the eliptical in the middle of the gym doing it and probably bothering the people around me…
Have you tried Beethoven’s Ninth? If I ran with music, I’d probably be out conducting that.
Hm. Did you find the soundtrack to Narnia on iTunes? I went looking for it last week and all I found was a CD call “Songs Inspired by Narnia” which was full of Christian rock. Maybe they just released it..
That Chasm Lake rock really rocks. I haven’t tried the mp3 running combo but maybe some day. Sometimes when I practice my auction chant in my car I use the alternating arm motions (stopped at the light of course) that are a little like conducting, which probably makes nearby cars wonder who’s behind the wheel.