Far From Flabby February

[El Gordo]

Sweating on the boss.

With the temperature nudging 30C and the humidity rising to continuous sweat point, it was with grateful heart that I took to my trusty treadmill Thunder Road in the relative cool of indoors for today's scheduled short run......

........Speaking of which, it's about time the boss was given his due. Today's TdJ is another beauty, and the song from which my treadmill has taken its name. At least, until something better comes along.

Oh, before we get to that, I should mention that today's run completed a 33km week for me; my first 30+km week of training for way too long. It's good to be back!

One evening in 1975, my older brother staggered in, late one night, and told me he'd just seen the greatest gig of his life. This was some claim as he was a veteran of the Isle of Wight festivals -- including, in 1970, one of Jimi Hendrix's very last performances.

"This guy will burn himself out", he croaked. Go and see him somewhere while you can. He's called Bruce Springsteen." But I never did.

Then a month or so ago, 2016, I was sitting at home one rainy Saturday evening, and read on some expat forum that Springsteen was appearing the very next day in Zurich. Unbelievably, there were some standing tickets still available, and about 20 hours later, I found myself standing there, watching one of the best gigs ever. 

Without a single break, The Boss played for 4 and a half solid hours, And unlike Dylan, who gave up years ago, despite still touring non-stop, Springsteen's renditions of all his greatest songs sounded note perfect, including the vocals. He performed with the passion of someone who was just starting out, or as if it was the last gig he would ever do, and wanted to give it his all. I can barely remember a gig delivered with such energy and conviction. Just on the 4 hour 15 mark, we finally had Born To Run. Placed end to end, that song had kept me going through countless hours and countless slogs along towpath and track and pavement and treadmill. It was enough. My life felt complete. I ran for my tram, brushing the tears from my cheeks as I went. 

It had taken 41 years, but I finally made it.