Music is very powerful for me as a musician. When I hear music, it is not just the enjoyment factor, but it transports me to memories, performances, and concerts heard; it is almost a curse and a blessing at the same time. I am thankful for that power because life is seen so many different colors. I started my Gobi Desert playlist today. For the description, I said, keep going! And I included a photo, one of the very few I took at the Atacama. The desert race in 2018 was a moment and a memory laced with music that is probably in my top 10. I have always been one to work out without tech, meaning new music and just the thoughts in my head rolling around. I have found over the years that it balances me, helps me work through challenges, and, more importantly, sparks my creativity, optimism, and happiness. So back to Atacama… This was about day three and I’m in the middle of yet another vast desert that seems endless. It was hot. and I was alone on the road. I was literally at the bottom of my gas tank and just wanted to curl up on the road and die. In my head, I was crafting my final blog describing how I felt and that it was OK not to finish, which is still true; I carry that with me on every race and adventure. For the entire training and race, I did not touch my phone for music, pictures, etc. That follows the race rules (“NO PHONES”) and I was determined to abide by it. The tech detox was an incredible side benefit I didn’t expect. (but that’s for another blog.) So there I am, ready to curl up and die, my pace slowing. I pulled out my phone and yelled at Siri, which I had never done, to play some music, hoping that whatever might be queued up would help my mood. Sure enough, I see the wheel spinning, and I wait to see what tunes will lighten my step. Lo and behold, Barber’s Adagio for Strings begins. For those who are not familiar, it is the classic funeral or extremely sad piece of music for every movie you’ve ever seen (sorry, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but….) when I heard those first Weepies strings chords through my ears, I started laughing like a medical woman. I found the dark humor so funny and the laughter so infusing that I immediately challenged myself. Dammit, you’re not stopping. I squinted at my phone, tap, tap, tap, and found bye-bye American pie. It’s not something ever on my playlist, but for some reason, there it was. That incredible energy of music came through my ears, pushing me to drum my hands on my legs as my steps started to pick up. And sorry to be cliché, but a rainbow appeared in the distance – IT DID! I took a picture because I couldn’t believe it was