One step and two ...

I really enjoyed Friday's long run. It was one of the easier weeks that Higdon builds into the eighteen-week programme and so I only  had to do six miles.  I just relaxed and sort of 'played' my way through it, allowing myself some long striding and a bit of speed from time to time. The end result was an average speed of 5:40k/h  which was good.  I enjoy those kind of speeds, but am not professional enough to guarantee that they can be produced at will on the day of the events.
Sometimes on my run, as you have read by now, I like to listen to music. The selection is usually a fairly random process.  Friday was no exception. Scanning through the list of albums on my player, I came across A Woman's Heart Ten Years On. Attracted by the variety of artists, songs and rhythms I decided to opt for this album. Both Black sisters are there (Frances and Mary), Sinéad O'Connor, Mary Coughlan, Maura O'Connell and even guest singer, Dolly Parton, as well as other well-established Irish artists. What is funny though, is the way in which I begin to change pace or step according to the rhythm of a particular song.  The chorus of one song in particular, Carrick-a-rede sung by Cathy Ryan, made me want to bounce a bit more than usual: 
"One Step and two hold tight, let go.
Twenty and four, hold tight, let go."
As the words of the chorus came home, I was sure the song was about a dance and I imagined a group of set dancers stepping in and out of a square formation, whirling and twirling in rhythm.  I was also reminded of my sister's latest post. Then, the next words came in,
"I'm nearly there, let go, let go"
and the song seemed to speak to me, the runner, as I faced into a straight stretch with my finish in view.  For a moment or two, the dance with Sarcoidosis, it's devilish hold, the hope it will 'let go' and my own training and striding were all apiece.
 "One step and two, hold tight, let go." 
Later in the car, I listened to the words more carefully and the song is clearly about a journey, a girl travelling to her lover. It took a bit of 'google research' to realise that the song is, in fact, about a girl fearfully crossing a rope bridge to a tiny island in the Northern part of Ireland where her fisherman boyfriend works.  Aware of the fragility of the structure between her and the crashing sea below, she is coaxing herself through her ordeal,  counting her steps and anticipating the joy of reunion. 
"We will tell our stories, love
And sing our songs out, every note.
One step and two, hold tight, let go."      

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N70lL35Ewsw