Defy Gravity!

This past weekend was a doosie... a Friday night date w/ some weights at the gym. Saturday: riding in the rain, again (made a bit more tolerable - thanks Matt!); followed by a long brick run. Running w/ tired legs on a Sunny Sunday - wondering why we never seem to get sunshine on Saturday?!

Anyway, I needed to spin my legs out on Sunday afternoon. Most of the time, I LOVE the hills here. Greenville is a fantastic place for cycling... but, sometimes you need flatland! Really, I just wanted to pedal - and not think about changing gears.

So, I set my bike up on the trainer on my porch. Plugged the iPod into it's speaker cradle, set it on shuffle, and turned the volume UP! The random song selection, cars coming and going, and puffy white clouds were enough to keep my mind occupied.

And then, just as I was finishing up... one of my favorite songs came on. The song I listen to before every race. A song that can instantly get me motivated on multiple levels. Now, I know most of you wouldn't normally consider a Broadway Show tune as your #1 pre-race-pump-up-jam... but, I can get jazzed by a variety of musical styles. This song has become one I turn to when I need that extra kick:

Read the lyrics, there's a great message. And, hey ELF - it references your "wizard"

*Wicked is an amazing show. If you get the chance, go see it! The soundtrack is fantastic.

WICKED

"Defying Gravity"

Glinda
(spoken) Elphaba - why couldn't you have stayed calm for
once, instead of flying off the handle!
(sung) I hope you're happy!
I hope you're happy now
I hope you're happy how you
Hurt your cause forever
I hope you think you're clever!

Elphaba
I hope you're happy
I hope you're happy, too
I hope you're proud how you
Would grovel in submission
To feed your own ambition

Both
So though I can't imagine how
I hope you're happy right now

Glinda
(spoken) Elphie, listen to me. Just say you're sorry:
(sung) You can still be with the Wizard
What you've worked and waited for
You can have all you ever wanted:

Elphaba
(spoken) I know:
(sung) But I don't want it...
No - I can't want it
Anymore:

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap!

It's time to try
Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you can't pull me down!

Glinda
Can't I make you understand?
You're having delusions of grandeur:

Elphaba
I'm through accepting limits
'Cuz someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost!
I'd sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
And you can't pull me down:
(spoken) Glinda - come with me.

Think of what we could do: together.

(sung) Unlimited
Together we're unlimited
Together we'll be the greatest team
There's ever been

Glinda
Dreams, the way we planned 'em

Glinda
If we work in tandem:

Both
There's no fight we cannot win
Just you and I
Defying gravity
With you and I
Defying gravity

Elphaba
They'll never bring us down!
(spoken) Well? Are you coming?

Glinda
I hope you're happy
Now that you're choosing this

Elphaba
(spoken) You too
(sung) I hope it brings you bliss

Both
I really hope you get it
And you don't live to regret it
I hope you're happy in the end
I hope you're happy, my friend:

Elphaba

So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately:
"Everyone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who'd ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity
I'm flying high
Defying gravity
And soon I'll match them in renown
And nobody in all of Oz
No Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!

Glinda
I hope you're happy!

CITIZENS OF OZ
Look at her, she's wicked!
Get her!

Elphaba
Bring me down!

CITIZENS OF OZ
No one mourns the wicked
So we've got to bring her

Elphaba
Ahhh!

CITIZENS OF OZ

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