I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
Words and music by U2 – May 1987 (live in Washington DC, August 1993).
Two great cities, two great marathons. And if a marathon is a journey, which I firmly believe it is, then perhaps in all I’ve made seven journeys to come this far.
In all that time, I’ve run more than twice the distance of 3 952 miles which separates London and Chicago. And I’ve crossed that ocean which separates us, several times.
A marathon is the same distance, anywhere in the world. The experience of running one, or training for one, is a defining moment in anyone’s lifetime. The joy, the pain, the aspiration, the achievement and the exhilaration – these are aspects which unite all of us, runners right across the world.
This is a view from here in London. It’s a view of the world as seen on the streets, in the parks and across the fields of this small island of ours, perched at the edge of Europe and facing out across that vast ocean. It is just one view, from one country, in one lifetime. It’s a view through running.
Running is broadly the same, wherever you do it. But the view is different, every time. The thoughts are different, too, constantly refreshing themselves with the scenery.
In reality, I can see now that it’s been just one single journey. Eight thousand miles of running, of thinking, and of living. It’s been a long way.
I still haven’t found what I’m looking for – these are words and music to accompany me on my longest trails. The rhythm of the longest soundtrack, of life and the world unfolding. I don’t know where life and running will take me next, but I’ll keep looking.
Guildford, UK – August 2006.
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