Training for the ½ marathon became my new addiction. If I didn’t get a run in, I didn’t feel the same. But when I did run, my thoughts and emotions soared to new heights. On one occasion, I was listening to a deliciously dark version of “Ghost” (from the Hampton show earlier in ‘09). I looked up in the sky, and there was a cloud in the exact shape of those Ghosts from the Pac-Man video game staring me in the face (remember Blinky?). I couldn’t believe it. It was as if all space and time was created just for me and my running. I smiled up at him, and after realizing how perfect the speed and cadence of Ghost was for my running style, I contemplated running the entire ½ marathon with an all Ghost playlist. I later reconsidered; that would take all the fun out of creating the playlist, but this Ghost was definitely going to make the final cut.
It’s now 2 weeks before the ½ marathon, and I’m without a doubt in the best shape of my life. I’m tinkering with my playlist almost daily, trying to match the marathon course’s hills with the uplifting jams I’ll need. I tried listening to other bands for my runs, but they didn’t quite work the same way Phish did. While Phish was on hiatus, I got pretty deep with the music of Umphrey’s McGee. And while “Wappy Sprayberry” worked pretty well for me, UM’s frenetic style seemed more likely to cause a heart attack than prevent one (sorry Jake & Brendan – I mean that in the best possible way, you guys rock!) Sticking with only Phish was still a daunting task. Sifting through all the live Phish I have in my library from the last 20 years would be an exercise in futility to narrow it down to 2.5 hours of music. Ultimately, I decided to write the playlist with the songs that started this whole thing, the Festival 8 sets.
The rest is history. Yes, I finished. No, I’m not even going to consider a full marathon; those are for freaks of nature, not Phish phreaks.
As I ponder what I’ve accomplished (so far), I realize that I couldn’t have done this without Phish. I became a member of the band, and they became runners. They were a part of me every step of the way. Mike was my backbone. Page was my brain. Fishman was the hop in my step and Trey was my heart. And considering how much of Festival 8 got me through this, Sharon Jones deserves credit for the hair on the back of my neck. With those versions of Loving Cup and Suzy Greenberg in my pocket, I can do anything.
So now it’s my time to say thank you. Music can do so many things for so many people. For me, it has inspired me to a better, healthier life. Thank you to rock-n-roll. Thank you to Trey, Mike, Page, and Jon. Thank you for Phish. I love you guys.
By the way, if anyone gets motivated to run a half marathon, here’s the playlist I went with (all from Festival 8, except the Hampton Ghost). While I certainly would encourage everyone to make their own playlist, this one is guaranteed to get you through.
1. AC/DC Bag – lets get this show on the road.
2. Punch You in the Eye – dedicated to my own little duke of lizards, my son Wilson.
3. Down with Disease – waiting for the time when I can finally say, this has all been wonderful, but now I’m on my way.
4. Kill Devil Falls – pure rocker, needed it for the first incline, this time will be different.
5. Possum – right after the hill, the words “I come from atop the mountain baby, where the people come to pray” couldn’t mean more.
6. Loving Cup – biggest hill of the course needs a beautiful buzz to get me through.
7. You Enjoy Myself – had to fast forward the voice jam at the end though, too freaky to stay focused on my run.
8. Ghost – halfway home now, time to settle in to my Ghost groove.
9. Tweezer – starting to realize I’m going to make it, sets up the finale.
10. Mike’s Song – a complete ripper, made me forget I had already run 9 miles.
11. Suzy Greenberg – Maybe the best Suzy G of all time, this is what rock-n-roll in heaven is like.
12. Run Like an Antelope – set the gear shift for the high gear of your soul, my ½ marathon theme song.
13. Tweezer Reprise – the finest set ender ever created is the perfect finish to my big day.
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