Here's something you might be interested in.
The San Diego Rock 'n' Roll marathon went off today. I had forgotten about it until I went for a run last night at East Mission Bay and stumbled upon the finish area.
I lamely explained to the security guard, "I didn't realize this was all set up here."
I'm not sure how much damage I could have done wearing just a pair of shorts but he made me turn around before my normal turn back point which was all of 100 yards past the finish zone.
Ah, security guards, they're just doing their job — which is probably why they can be so irritating. "I'm just doing my job/just following orders," might be one of the most damaging phrases in human history. Think about it.
I tried to think of a musical experience that is akin to running a marathon.
Gotterdamerung it is.
I've run three marathons but only sat through Gotterdamerung once.
It's difficult to say which is more challenging and rewarding.
The similarities are striking.
The opening of Gotterdammerung is filled by The Norns recapping everything that has happened in the previous THREE operas of The Ring Cycle. Please, just get the damn thing started.
This is similar to the first few miles of a major marathon. With tens of thousands of people all starting at the same time, finding your pace is impossible. You get stuck behind slow groups of friends, squeezed onto sidewalks and are constantly slowing down or speeding up. Please, just get the damn thing started.
In Gotterdammerung, Siegfried and his informal-bride, Brunnhilde, finally emerge from their cave of love and Siegfried takes off on his Rhine journey. It's like finally finding room for your ideal pace. You settle down and begin to journey through the miles.
Everything goes fairly well with some drama and then Siegfried gets a spear in the back and as he dies, Wagner intones his solemn funeral march. In the marathon, you just hit the wall and feel like you're marching to your own funeral.
Coming down the home stretch of The Ring Cycle, Brunnhilde sings The Immolation Scene and sets Valhalla on fire which collapses in wreck and ruin. From mile 20 to 25, you want to set yourself of fire and some runners do collapse in wreck and ruin.
Out of the conflagration of Valhalla, the theme of "Redemption Through Love" floats out of Wagner's orchestra. Suddenly, the last four hours seem a small price to pay for the beauty of experiencing this music in context.
The last 1.2 miles of a marathon are about redemption. Runners who have collapsed gather themselves and find a way to complete a lifetime goal. Suddenly, the last 25 miles (on average about four hours) are a small price to pay for experiencing the beauty of a new context in which to live.
As Dean Karnazes says in his book about running 50 marathons in 50 days, "The marathon is not about running; it is about salvation."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SnLaQfo5u0
The San Diego Rock 'n' Roll marathon went off today. I had forgotten about it until I went for a run last night at East Mission Bay and stumbled upon the finish area.
I lamely explained to the security guard, "I didn't realize this was all set up here."
I'm not sure how much damage I could have done wearing just a pair of shorts but he made me turn around before my normal turn back point which was all of 100 yards past the finish zone.
Ah, security guards, they're just doing their job — which is probably why they can be so irritating. "I'm just doing my job/just following orders," might be one of the most damaging phrases in human history. Think about it.
I tried to think of a musical experience that is akin to running a marathon.
Gotterdamerung it is.
I've run three marathons but only sat through Gotterdamerung once.
It's difficult to say which is more challenging and rewarding.
The similarities are striking.
The opening of Gotterdammerung is filled by The Norns recapping everything that has happened in the previous THREE operas of The Ring Cycle. Please, just get the damn thing started.
This is similar to the first few miles of a major marathon. With tens of thousands of people all starting at the same time, finding your pace is impossible. You get stuck behind slow groups of friends, squeezed onto sidewalks and are constantly slowing down or speeding up. Please, just get the damn thing started.
In Gotterdammerung, Siegfried and his informal-bride, Brunnhilde, finally emerge from their cave of love and Siegfried takes off on his Rhine journey. It's like finally finding room for your ideal pace. You settle down and begin to journey through the miles.
Everything goes fairly well with some drama and then Siegfried gets a spear in the back and as he dies, Wagner intones his solemn funeral march. In the marathon, you just hit the wall and feel like you're marching to your own funeral.
Coming down the home stretch of The Ring Cycle, Brunnhilde sings The Immolation Scene and sets Valhalla on fire which collapses in wreck and ruin. From mile 20 to 25, you want to set yourself of fire and some runners do collapse in wreck and ruin.
Out of the conflagration of Valhalla, the theme of "Redemption Through Love" floats out of Wagner's orchestra. Suddenly, the last four hours seem a small price to pay for the beauty of experiencing this music in context.
The last 1.2 miles of a marathon are about redemption. Runners who have collapsed gather themselves and find a way to complete a lifetime goal. Suddenly, the last 25 miles (on average about four hours) are a small price to pay for experiencing the beauty of a new context in which to live.
As Dean Karnazes says in his book about running 50 marathons in 50 days, "The marathon is not about running; it is about salvation."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SnLaQfo5u0