Chopin, Diets and Asphalt

I come from musical stock so instruments and music in general have always come fairly easily to me.  I was once very gifted on the flute and even though piano was not my strongest subject would play church hymns for hours on end for my much beloved Papaw.  I was however a terrible piano student.  My piano teacher, God love her and may she rest in peace, more than likely cringed when she saw me coming up the path every Tuesday afternoon.  As much as I love and adore classical music, playing it was and is another matter all together.  This may be because the majority of my play time has always been spent with the Cumberland Presbyterian and Methodist hymnals.  

Playing the piano for my Papaw.  This piano now sits proudly in my living room.

I remember one time Mrs. B was determined for me to master a piece by Chopin, Fantaisie Impromptu.  I can’t remember exactly why she thought I was capable of such a lofty piece but in her delirium she handed the sheet music over and said this was what she wanted me to play at our next recital.  I’m sure the look of horror that crossed my face was epic. After more than a month of practice, tears, murmured curses and frustration, Mrs. B finally realized Chopin and I were not destined to be friends.  She declared I needed to go back to something “easy” like Mozart or Beethoven.  I’m sure if Mozart or Beethoven heard their names linked to the word “easy” they would have rolled over in their graves.  By the way, I did perform selections by Mozart and Beethoven at recital that year.

I never did or have mastered Fantaisie Impromptu although now I can truly appreciate how intricate and lovely a piece it truly is.  At age 11 it was one of the last things on my list to appreciate.  Give me a good old rousing Bringing in the Sheaves any day!

Now that I am grown up I adore listening to Chopin.  His work is so delicate and complicated all at the same time.  Airy, intricate, powerful, etc… so many adjectives and yet none truly capture the essence of his work, at least for me.  Often I find that Chopin is almost the soundtrack to my life, I listen to his works so often.  However I surprised myself yesterday when I decided to use him as my running soundtrack.

Impromptu mp3

Last week was a rough run week for me.  I struggled to get it done on all three of my run days.  The heat, fatigue and desire were all bitter adversaries.  Then along came Saturday and our long run of 9 miles.  YIKES!  It was a struggle but I did it.  It was also that run (and you runners will know exactly what I’m talking about) that could have easily been my last.  The one that is so hard, so frustrating that you think to yourself, I’m SO over this mess!  If I never run again, so what!?!?  I kept trudging along and got over the hump.  I was mentally and physically exhausted.

After a day of rest I was ready to tackle the next week’s running schedule to prepare for the overwhelming 10 miles coming up this Saturday.  The day didn’t exactly start off bright and shiny when I realized that my second mp3 player since I started this half training has more than likely bought the farm.  I don’t know how or why I’m so hard on them but there it is.  Luckily amazon has this cloud player app that allows me to listen to music I have previously downloaded via my phone.  I’m sure you have guessed one of the downloads, The 99 Most Essential Chopin Masterpieces.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XNI37E/ref=docs-os-doi_0

The 99 Most Essential Chopin Masterpieces is currently only $2.99 at amazon! 

Imagine my surprise at how well the change in music fueled my physical and mental run.  Instead of the usual mind numbing, thought blocking music that I often choose to shut everything out, the morning’s run was accompanied by a gentle yet invigorating soundtrack that left my mind free to think, resolve and plan.  Not a typical playlist for sure but one I think I’ll use again, especially on my early morning runs.

While I was running the Greenway Monday morning I thought about Mrs. B and my infamous attempt at Fantaisie Impromptu.  She might think her torture with me and my feeble attempts at Chopin were not in vain after all if she knew that over 30 years later a love for his music had flourished.

My diet has also been a struggle lately.  After a powwow with one of my MRC girls we have pulled out a different piece of music.  Today I have started a different approach to my diet by using the six small meals a day menu.  Basically it is the same food just eaten at different times.  I am hopeful this will get me back on track since I have been hugging and kissing these 1.5 pounds back and forth for the last month or so.  I need to get over this plateau and shed these last 15 or so pounds! 

The next few days will be the test.  A new approach and ever hopeful!  Just like Mrs. B was ever hopeful that one day I would learn to love Chopin.  She was right too, so I’m faithful the diet and training will not get the better of me.