I waited to post about all of the exciting things that happened to me this week until my random post. And now I'm thinking it's too little, too late. The moment has passed. The adrenaline is expired. I've come down from my high.
And now I don't feel like it.
I woke up this morning with a sick feeling in my stomach. (No, not morning sickness). It's just that gnawing feeling. I don't know. Feels like anxiety...or that sense that you've forgotten something really, really important. But what?
Maybe its the rain today. Maybe it's the fact that our 3 year old house just sprung a leak from the roof into our family room. Maybe it's all of the stuff I've been involved with lately. Maybe it's stress. Maybe it's the guilt I'm feeling because I've been spending so much time away from my family, and my wonderful husband has been picking up the slack without complaint. He has a lot of stuff going on at work, he has every reason to be stressed, but he is getting off early, coming home, and doing my job after doing his, and all with a great attitude, just so I can go out and live my pipe dream. I seriously love that man! What did I do to deserve him?
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I suppose I'll give you a synopsis of my week anyway, and maybe some of the excitement will return.
Friday:
A little history--Greg was my seminary teacher in high school, many moons ago. At that time, he was just starting his music career (I think he had one record out). I had a major music crush on him. Not a real crush, because he was my seminary teacher, he was married, and I was a good girl. But, he was living the dream I'd always wanted. And Veronica's husband is Greg's cousin--thanks to her he agreed to record our song for cheap!
Well, if you remember it rained a lot last Friday night in Weber county. We arrived to Greg's studio, and the power was out. So, we loaded the piano out of my car (thanks to my SIL for letting me borrow her electric piano--I need one of those), and into his basement. While he tried to figure out what to do about no power, V and I went to the Ogden marathon expo.
Bless her heart, Veronica had signed up for the half marathon, and gave me her #, because I missed the boat, signing up. So at the expo, I signed her up for the 5k under my name. At the time, it seemed hilariously funny that we were switching places.
After the expo, we headed back to Greg's. Thankfully the power was back on, and he had everything set up and ready to go. I recorded the piano part in one take. I guess it comes that easy when you eat, sleep, breath and live one song for 2 months. V recorded a scratch track with the intention of coming back later the next week to record it for reals, with the violin part.
Greg played us a couple of his new songs, and it was fun just shooting the breeze with him.
Afterwards, we stopped at Pizza Factory for some carb loading.
Didn't get home till 11 pm.
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Saturday:
Woke up at 4:30 am. Surprisingly refreshed considering I didn't go to bed until midnight. There's always a certain excitement that comes on race day. I got dressed, got my things together, and drove with my SIL, Shannon, up to meet my running group to ride together to the start line.
This would be my third time running the Ogden marathon. Only this year is the first time I was running the half instead of the full. Part of me felt a little sadness that I wasn't running the whole thing. But I was surrounded by good friends, and the energy in the crowd got me pumped. Most of my friends in my running group have run the full marathon, so it became the joke, every time we'd pass a certain land mark, we'd say "If we were running the full, we'd be at mile 20." It felt good, knowing I only had to do 13 instead of 26 miles.
I went in thinking I'd be slow. I felt a little defeated after running the Thanksgiving Point half three weeks ago, and getting my slowing half marathon time ever. So, I went into this race, hoping to beat my 2:15 time, but not expecting much more.
A group of my friends before the race.Now, I know why I call myself a social runner. A few of my friends were running close to me for while, and I just couldn't allow myself, no matter how much I wanted to, to slow down, and let them get away from me. My dear friend, KO, stuck with me, and pushed me the whole way.
In the end, he beat me by a full minute, but I'm grateful to have someone pulling me along, because I finished with my 2nd best half marathon time ever! 1:59. Talk about a rush! And I loved every minute of the race. Every year that I run the Ogden marathon, I am swept away by the beauty of the canyon, the awesome downhill course, and the energy of the crowd.
I hope to be doing this race every year for as long as I'm still breathing.
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For Mother's Day, C gave me a gift certificate for a massage, and tickets to Hale Center Theater for Saturday night. He even made the massage appointment for me!
Right after the race, C and I went to the spa for a couples massage, then had an awesome date night and saw The Three Musketeers at HCT.
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Sunday night, I participated in an amazing production of Bryce Neubert and Michael McLean's "The Garden." If you're not familiar with it, it's an oratorio about the Atonement. I was asked to be the accompanist. We had two rehearsals. These singers are absolutely amazing! And the music was so beautiful and inspiring (and fun to play).
The director asked me to play a medley of hymns on the piano in the middle of the performance. So, I spent all Sunday afternoon writing an arrangement about Christ. I used
Jesus, Once of Humble Birth; I Stand All Amazed; I Know That My Redeemer Lives; and He is Risen. I was really nervous that it would sound thrown together (cuz it kinda was). But, as I was playing, I could here sniffles in the audience. That sound is music to my ears, when I know something I've written and/or performed has touched someone emotionally. That is the greatest payoff for my music.
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Tuesday, I brought my brother, Mason back into the studio to record a violin part for my song. He is amazing. Seriously amazing. Veronica couldn't come to record the vocal part on account of her poor daughter's unfortunate accident. So, on a whim, we decided to have me record the vocals, just for fun.
How exhilarating! I was shy, and timid at first. I'm not comfortable with my solo singing voice. I know I have singing strengths. I have a wide range, I can sight read anything, and I can pick out parts like it's nobody's business. But, I've never been really confident as a soloist. It was a huge self esteem booster to be able to sing my own song, and have a professional musician tell me he thought it was good. I was on a total high the whole way home after that.
Don't worry, V, I'm not firing you. But, I just might keep a version of me singing it to give to my Mom.
V and I will be wrapping things up in the studio this week. I'm really excited for you to hear it!
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Sorry for the novel. And sorry it's not that interesting. At this point, I'm just trying to get it down. Oh well.
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That's it for me this week.
I'll see y'all at the CBC!
Look for a coupon from me for a discounted download of my album in your swag bag!
A group of my friends before the race.
The director asked me to play a medley of hymns on the piano in the middle of the performance. So, I spent all Sunday afternoon writing an arrangement about Christ. I used Jesus, Once of Humble Birth; I Stand All Amazed; I Know That My Redeemer Lives; and He is Risen. I was really nervous that it would sound thrown together (cuz it kinda was). But, as I was playing, I could here sniffles in the audience. That sound is music to my ears, when I know something I've written and/or performed has touched someone emotionally. That is the greatest payoff for my music.
12 comments:
What a week! Your oomph might be gone from it, but I was all goosebumpy from reading it! Wow and wow and wow! Can't wait to see you and NOT hug you. Or touch you.
Look at you go! You are such a pretty runner.
That sounds like such a great week, Sherrie. I'm so excited to hear the song! I totally hear you about having a crush but not a real crush. I had a high school drama teacher (female!!!) and it was sort of similar. Very platonic, but lots of admiration.
That is a huge week! I am excited to hear your new work of art.
Man, if THAT constitutes a 'not that interesting' week, I'd love to see what a REALLY interesting week entails! LOL! Congratulations on all your successes. This is going to be a fun week too.
Sounds like a lot of fun! Can't wait to see you friday!
Loved your post Sherrie! You look like you totally LOVE running.
I wish I did.
I think your song sounds amazing.
Looking forward to seeing you at CBC.
You've been busy. I miss Pizza Factory.
Hey, do you have your sheet music book for sale without the CD? (because I already have that).
I may have said this before, but it deserves to be said again. 13 miles is amazing. AMAZING. Just so you know.
I never thought I'd WANT to run, but now that I really can't, I do want to.
Grass is always greener, I guess.
I'm constantly amazed at how much you do!
(Can't wait to see you this weekend!)
You look hot when you run. Does that sound like a come on?
Wow, you're a busy busy gal! This was a fun post for me... KO was my bishop in one of the Singles Wards that I was in up at WSU. Fun to see that you guys ran together! And it's awesome that you've been able to hook up with Bro. Simpson - he was one of my most favorite seminary teachers! You're an inspiration with all of the good things you're up to! :)
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