I have always had an odd knack for liking theme songs for big things. I am not sure why; I just do. The LA Roadrunners never mentioned this.
Anyways, when this all started, I decided I needed one for my attempt to run a marathon. My life was really in tatters ... breakup, job loss, death of my uncle, niece being sick ... way too much, way too fast. It had been (and still is to a degree) a big struggle.
So, I thought and thought ...
Then it hit me. I chose a song I liked a lot. Coincidentally, the band is from my dad and uncle's hometown, Wigan, England. The song just spoke to me (well except the line about never praying ... I did and do). This was a song I played throughout preparing for the Los Angeles Marathon, before many weekday runs and before and after all the long runs with the Roadrunners. It was a lot different from the adrenaline-building ones I used in track and soccer.
I chose "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve. (see down for the video)
'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Try to make ends meet
You're a slave to money then you die
I'll take you down the only road
I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet yeah,
No change, I can change
I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mold
I am here in my mold
But I'm a million different people from one day to the next
I can't change my mold
No, no, no, no, no
Well I never pray
But tonight I'm on my knees yeah
I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now
But the airways are clean and there's nobody singing to me now
No change, I can change
I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mold
I am here in my mold
And I'm a million different people from one day to the next
I can't change my mold
No, no, no, no, no I can't change
I can't change
'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Try to make ends meet
Try to find some money then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the things meet yeah
You know I can change,
I can change I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mold
I am here in my mold
And I'm a million different people from one day to the next
I can't change my mold
No, no, no, no, no
I can't change my mold no, no, no, no, no,
I can't change
Can't change my body, no, no, no
I'll take you down the only road
I've ever been down
I'll take you down the only road
I've ever been down
Been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
Have you ever been down?
Have you've ever been down?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3lTQljbKLw
It is a song that has always struck me and seemed appropriate ... trying to make sense of life and trying to change. I have been trying to become better through all of this and it has been a long journey since the day in March 2009 on Wigan Pier. Hopefully, I have changed ... at the least, I ran the road.
Showing posts with label Wigan Pier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wigan Pier. Show all posts
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Monday, September 28, 2009
Week 3: No Pain, No Gain
It has been a bit odd being back in a sports uniform. The Roadrunners shirt is not exactly like being a player; but, it is kind of nice having that athletic team/club feeling again after so long. I have played in pickup and intramural games; but, nothing like the team feeling, that seems to be returning. It was almost exciting when I saw another runner last week at Clover Park in the same shirt! The GR8 Pace Leaders had suggested writing names on the shirt (I doubt mine would be too legible) or ... embroidery (Uh ....). I think that will wait; I do have an idea for March 21 ... old school method.
Well, I completed the third marathon training session, running five miles Saturday in a higher group, The LA Roadrunners Magnificent 7. It was a bit odd as the group ran at about the same pace as Eighth Army/GR8 had been running; but, it was probably a break for me as my knee was a bit sore and I have not been sleeping well. In the end, I managed to do pretty well and kept up easily and felt there was plenty of energy left. The group is a bit more subdued than GR8; but, they have some very knowledgeable coaches who are also ready to answer questions, just like GR8 ones. I will probably stick with Magnificent 7 for a bit and see how I fare. May be Pick Six will come; may be it will not.
This week's run started to the familiar north turning around just south of Santa Monica Pier. It was also the first run with two water loads (same station, just once outbound and once inbound). The new addition was heading past the start and south then through some alleys surrounded by condos and apartments, and hence quietly as possible, and towards the Venice Pier.
It was then back up the boardwalk to the start for stretching and also information on various running gadgets. After the now routine Gatorade, water and bananas, it was an interesting lecture on shoes (Zola Budd obviously not involved). I then spoke with the senior pace leader of Magnificent 7 a bit afterwards, particularly on how to move arms in distance running (answer being pump them like in track, just not as pronounced!).
I was fairly happy with the result. I had been sore all week and despite some actually decent times in midweek felt sluggish and struggling. My knee has been a tad bothersome and even quadriceps seemed tight. Yet, I got going and it all came together, which was a welcome relief.
I also thought a bit about the year just how it has been shown in of all things ... piers! There is Santa Monica Pier where I have been going a fair bit. There was the March trip to Wigan Pier, a place so very different and yet so very meaningful to me, despite its and the time's challenges. There was the pier on the Salvadoran coast I saw from my flight into San Salvador, a place I never quite reached, but at least could see from a distance. Now, there is Venice Pier, a new place for me, a place I have to find a meaning for as well.
It has been a year of change and challenge for me. Many things happened and caught me by surprise; yet, I have managed to go on, sometimes not knowing how. I hope these experiences will help me with the running, being able to go on despite "The Wall" or physical pain. The pain is not fun obviously; but, I am hoping God will keep giving me the will and enough health to make this happen March 21 at the Los Angeles Marathon. CREDO.
Well, I completed the third marathon training session, running five miles Saturday in a higher group, The LA Roadrunners Magnificent 7. It was a bit odd as the group ran at about the same pace as Eighth Army/GR8 had been running; but, it was probably a break for me as my knee was a bit sore and I have not been sleeping well. In the end, I managed to do pretty well and kept up easily and felt there was plenty of energy left. The group is a bit more subdued than GR8; but, they have some very knowledgeable coaches who are also ready to answer questions, just like GR8 ones. I will probably stick with Magnificent 7 for a bit and see how I fare. May be Pick Six will come; may be it will not.
This week's run started to the familiar north turning around just south of Santa Monica Pier. It was also the first run with two water loads (same station, just once outbound and once inbound). The new addition was heading past the start and south then through some alleys surrounded by condos and apartments, and hence quietly as possible, and towards the Venice Pier.
It was then back up the boardwalk to the start for stretching and also information on various running gadgets. After the now routine Gatorade, water and bananas, it was an interesting lecture on shoes (Zola Budd obviously not involved). I then spoke with the senior pace leader of Magnificent 7 a bit afterwards, particularly on how to move arms in distance running (answer being pump them like in track, just not as pronounced!).
I was fairly happy with the result. I had been sore all week and despite some actually decent times in midweek felt sluggish and struggling. My knee has been a tad bothersome and even quadriceps seemed tight. Yet, I got going and it all came together, which was a welcome relief.
I also thought a bit about the year just how it has been shown in of all things ... piers! There is Santa Monica Pier where I have been going a fair bit. There was the March trip to Wigan Pier, a place so very different and yet so very meaningful to me, despite its and the time's challenges. There was the pier on the Salvadoran coast I saw from my flight into San Salvador, a place I never quite reached, but at least could see from a distance. Now, there is Venice Pier, a new place for me, a place I have to find a meaning for as well.
It has been a year of change and challenge for me. Many things happened and caught me by surprise; yet, I have managed to go on, sometimes not knowing how. I hope these experiences will help me with the running, being able to go on despite "The Wall" or physical pain. The pain is not fun obviously; but, I am hoping God will keep giving me the will and enough health to make this happen March 21 at the Los Angeles Marathon. CREDO.
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