Trombone has been ok lately...but has it ever been great? Hahah. I guess its just part of being a student. I just sent off a tape today for a solo comp. It is notorious for having very flawed and questionable judging, however. One of my friends has entered 3 times in the past and he has yet to be invited to the finals...and I he plays in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra...while the kids who made it to the finals of this competition over him are delivering pizzas. Nevertheless, despite sketchy judging, i wanted to send a tape and try to get an opportunity to compete...the judging is not under my control, however. The tape was pretty good for only having recorded it for about two total hours. My pianist was amazing and she was very inspiring for me...quite possibly the best accompanist in town- a Juilliard and Yale graduate and married to the Houston Symphony's Asisstant Principal Horn player. She really liked how I played and I'll be happy about that. My next recording project is goign to be for the taped audition of a summer music festival called Music Academy of The West in Santa Barbara, CA. I really want to go to this one!
Throws training lately has been...ehhhhh. I've been focusing an lot on shot-put lately because indoor season is coming up and discus isnt held until March when outdoor season begins. I did hit 55 ft one day whitch is a personal best for me but it was very short-lived. The following days I could only pull a 53-54ft at best. Then most recently, today, I would onyl get 51 ft- an obvious sign that my body needs rest as I am sustaining a sprained index fingure and a sore left calf. 60 ft would put me in place to make nationals and I think I am well capable of that by Janurary. All of us at UH are well capable of it... but boy, I cant wait for discus!
I have found a modeal thrower in Lithuanian Virgilius Alekna. He is the bes thrower in the world and gold medalist of the past two olympics in Sudney and Athens. I am looking up to him and we are pretty much identical in size. 6'7'' 285lbs- of course, he has more msucle, however...something I am working on! But yeh, Ive been really trying to model my appraoach after his.
On friday I did a plyo-circuit with my coach and he absolutely kicked my ass. This revealed a few very sore weaknesses of mine whitch is cardiovascular strength and mental toughness to remained focused even when extremely fatigued...and also some much more needed muscle gain for to promote consistency and strength. These will be other goals of mine going into the Holiday training period alogn with my goals of trimming body fat and becoming a bit more lean.
As soon as school ends, itll be about 3-4 free days then BOOM...im back into it takign 2 mini-mester courses ((2)3 hrs courses everyday), training, and maintaining a trombone practice schedule. I will have no winter break...its ok thogh...ive been eating enough cookies to keep me happy. I always have abox of cookies in my car.
Ok guys, ill hit yall up later
-JL
