Brain Damage - The Pink Floyd

I’ve heard many people over the years say they feel ‘lonely’, or they feel ‘alone’. Sure, the feeling of being on one’s own or removed from other people can make you feel very lonely indeed, but I can’t say I’ve ever felt that way myself as I’ve always had my inner self to explore and keep me company. Have you felt like that?

The feeling of isolation might become overwhelming for some, as not everyone’s happy living a hermit-like existence. You see, we’re pack animals by nature and need social interaction for mental stimulation and well-being. Historically where we lived, provided just that, in a community surrounded by family and familiar faces. People were more likely to live where they were born, and that was that for generations.

 

Fast forward to 2025, and however much the internet has opened the horizons to a much wider world to discover from the comfort of a keyboard, the Covid lockdown sent people searching introspectively onto a road of self-discovery, and into a period of inner thought.

 

I mean, you are never alone with your thoughts – that’s how I see it.

 

The beauty here of course, is that you only have yourself to please. One of the joys of running is the time it gives you for thought, or metacognition as I like to refer to it. Whilst running to Lisbon in 2004, I had 43 days on the road for thought and reflection. I can remember just about emptying my brain of all thoughts on that road trip and every year at the Marathon des Sables, I take time out to reconsider life, purpose and direction.

 

Clients often say, ‘What will people think?’ or ‘I’m tired of explaining myself’ – and I say, ‘As long as you are happy with what you are doing, then that’s all that matters.’ The ‘real’ people in your world will support you wherever you want your life to take you – it’s your life, it’s not theirs isn’t it? And if you don’t ask for comment or permission, then you won’t hear the words of doubt you don’t want to hear anyway.

 

And, if you are never sure of where the next turn will take you – take some time out for thought. Take your time and enjoy the thought process as sometimes that’s the best part of the journey.

1,205 Marathons - 285 Ultras - 17 MDS - 9 GWR - Single Minded

Echoes - The Pink Floyd

Music that defined the 70's

There are certain bands, albums and tracks that have accompanied my life’s ups and downs. No doubt you have your own back catalogue but here I’m going to tell you mine. And if you are a regular reader of my blog, you’ll know that the music of messers Gilmour, Mason, Waters & Wright aka ‘The Pink Floyd’, has topped my charts more times than any other band and I featured the tracks ‘Time’ or ‘Sheep’ on many occasions.

However, trying to pick one’s ‘Desert Island Discs’ from the bands peak period - that’s Meddle ’71, Dark Side of the Moon ’73, Wish you were here ’75, Animals ’77 and The Wall ’79 is a challenge too far I’m afraid and if you are a Pink Floyd fan of a similar age to me you’ll understand the impossible equation. You see, their music has played a huge role in developing my ‘Coleman-world’ and it’s the simple complexity of the music combined with acidic lyrics that I’ve always loved. Yes, the Gilmour Waters duo and their love hate relationship that’s given their music the edge. 

 

I first heard Dark Side at my friend’s house in 1973 (he had an older sister with a record deck) and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve bought ‘Wish you were here’ on tape, CD, Album, MP3, Apple & Spotify formats. Sadly, I missed the Animals tour in 1977, but I did buy The Wall on its release in November 1979 and saw their much-acclaimed world tour at Earls Court in August 1980 - where they only played thirty nights worldwide.

 

No wonder the band’s music is embedded in my DNA.

 

It’s permeated its way into my life in countless ways. It’s served as a backdrop to fifty years of life experiences. It’s shaped my moods, enhance my memories, and provided comfort during difficult times – (and boy I’ve had my fair share of those).

 

Jen calls it ‘depressing’ and says it’s ‘wrist slashing music’ but I think that’s what I like about it. I love the darkness, the anger, the pure vitriol but I also admire the unbelievable musicianship that shines out from every song. The two, yes two, guitar solos in Comfortably Numb will never be surpassed.

 

During the Marathon des Sables, I have a ‘Pink Floyd Day’ where I play the above albums in order in their entirety and listen deeply to the music as I wonder at the scenery around me in a complete-surround-sound-world. I’ve shed many tears in this heightened-state and I’d recommend this to anyone that wants to experience a special out-of-body audio-experience.

 

Could you get this listening to Genesis or Coldplay? - perhaps. There’s certainly not enough depth of field with these or other bands as it’s the whole Pink Floyd  emotional atmosphere that provides the ‘Ingredient X’, the catalyst to a higher state that makes the ordinary, feel extraordinary.

I recommend a good pair of headphones and listening in ‘Lossless’ studio sound quality for the full effect. 

 

Try, ‘Welcome to the Machine’ for an amazing sonic experience where you’ll be able to hear the full range of sound effects that a Pioneer CTF4040 Cassette Deck couldn’t deliver back in 1980. It still feels strange to hear this minus the added tornado of hiss that Dolby couldn’t suppress.

 

And for the record (no pun intended), I’ll be listening to Echoes when I’m at the gym - where twenty-two minutes of their amazing music, might just redefine my future once again. 

1,192 Marathons - 279 Ultras - 17 MDS - 9 GWR & Comfortably Numb