Marathon By Band Rush: Song Analysis

Most people, at one point in their lives, have been pushed to their absolute limits. Many times people are pushed by pure determination to reach their limits. Often times people are determined to overcome something whether it be mental, like education, or physical, like becoming strong. It is generally not the skill of the person but their willpower that helps them succeed. In the song “Marathon”, by the band Rush, the idea of a marathon is compared to life in the way that challenges you have to overcome. One of the ways they compare life to a Marathon is the way that determination can push people. In the song the second verse says that you “Got pick up the pace if you want to stay in the race”(l.11-12) and that “It’s the test of ultimate will”(l.9).
When I entered sixth grade I chose to do band as my musical elective. The instrument I chose to play was the trumpet. Many people, when they start a instrument, quickly become very proficient at using that instrument and don't need as much practice using that instrument. Due to the fact I am not musically adept I struggled with the trumpet. I could not form most of the notes and struggled to keep up with the class when we played songs that were at faster paces. I did not give up, however, and started practicing many minutes a night so that I could get a passing grade in that class. I worked very hard to catch up with the class as I was determined to be good at the trumpet. Eventually, after many long hours of work, I became a proficient trumpet player and was able to keep up with the class. Determination pushed me to my limits by making me practice much more that I was required. Many times I almost gave up because I thought I couldn’t do it but I was determined to do so. Some nights I worked for 1-2 hours just to succeed as a trumpet player. Despite many times breaking down because I had been pushed to my absolute limits I persevered and due to my hard work