In 2019, scrolling down on Instagram or Facebook has become a common pastime. Literally. We let ourselves be inspired by runners-influencers, we zyeute them stories strangers, see if they ran today, we dream of running in all the paradisiacal places that pass on our news feed ... But today, we are turning to a most classic pastime and which is ideal for the day of the plan marked rest day, that is to say: listen to a movie. Media that can be just as inspiring as the #gram.
And although it is sometimes laborious for a runner to respect this so-called recovery day (essential), the films presented below will prove this day right. These are 5 films that have particularly marked me in recent years and that I really wanted to share with you. # 5 is the one that completely changed my mindset this year.
Runner, prepare your pop cornswap your polyester dry-fit for big, soft cotton, lift your legs and let yourself be inspired by one of these movies.
10 seconds of freedom (Race) 2014, 2h14m:
Inspired by real life experiences, we travel to 1934 with the African-American runner Jesse Owens. A period when racial segregation dominated, except for coach Larry Snyder who will lead Jesse to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. It is under Hitler's eyes that Jesse will win 4 gold medals.
This film reminds us of a portion of this history which was the beginning of a long fight (still not won) to counter racial discrimination. Several times, I wanted to get up from my sofa to cry injustice. Followed by chills and tears in my eyes, this film is simply worth seeing.
Available on Netflix and trailer: https://bit.ly/2TuHv8g
Saint Ralph, 2004, 1h38:
This film tells the story of the turbulent Ralph wishing to win the Boston Marathon in 1954. At the age of 14, winning this marathon would be the miracle necessary for his mother to wake up from a coma.
A light, funny and inspiring film, I had no expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. The Fearless contagious of the main character reminds us that nothing is impossible. I had said to myself: "the Boston Marathon, nothing less eh", but in the end, why couldn't such a grand idea become real? For him, there was no excuse.
Available for rent on youtube, Amazon
Trailer : https://bit.ly/2N2w9Hh
Gun runners, 2015, 1h29m:
Trading their guns for running shoes to save their lives is the reality of the two runners aspiring to become professional marathoners featured in this documentary. The harsh reality of Kenya is striking and opens our eyes to the lives of these legendary runners.
They have the American dream in their sights, but not necessarily for the same reasons many runners do. And that's what struck me the most, they have a motivation that we will never know.
Available on Netflix and trailer: https://bit.ly/2Mica8e
The Barkley Marathons: The race that eats its young, 2014, 1h29:
This race created by Lazarus Lake (Garry Cantrell) is anything but common and accessible. It tests the mental and physical limits of runners. The latter must attempt to complete 5 loops of 20 miles (32km) for a total of 100 miles (160km) with more than 18 D + in 000 hours. The race has existed since 60, 1986 participants each year and there are only 40 finishers nowadays.
A most impressive event, this marathon intrigued me for a long time. This is impossible and the documentary demonstrates it well. There is another just as interesting (Where Dreams go to die) presented by Gary Robbins. A participant who tried three times to complete the 5 loops. The second time, he passed the 2 hours of 60 seconds… Definitely a documentary which made my long weekend race less painful!
Available for rent on Vimeo, Amazon
Trailer : https://bit.ly/OjAbsL
For the love of Mary, 2018, 6m17s:
This short film features George Etzweiler, 97 years old (now 99 years old) who since he was 69 years old, completed the 12.2km race to the top of Mount Washington in memory of his wife Mary.
Completely the opposite of the Barkley Marathon, this 6 minutes and 17 seconds demonstrates another kind of impossibility: that of running until the age of 99. Personally, this short film had a strong impact on me since since I watched it for the first time, I am unable to take my mind off that I also want to run until this age. We will not hide the fact that accumulating PB through racing seasons each more intense than the other has an impact, not always positive, on aging. As harmless as it sounds, 1 minutes, a reflection and a change of mindset which wants to be for the better later, I now see my practice of running in a completely different way!
Available via this link: https://bit.ly/2yWJyIM
Enjoy the viewing and above all, have a good day off!
Very inspiring the last on the list. Have you seen the movie Prefontaine (USA 1997)? Inspiring too.