Extreme Running

How have I not seen these movies already? Salomon TV has produced some incredible trail running movies. Hitting the trails in Patagonia? Hell yes although the drop off on some of these made my stomach lurch a bit. Another high quality, inspiring film for this weekend adventures. I may not have Patagonia on my back doorstep but it does not mean I am limited in the adventure of my own surroundings. Get inspired and get out there.

Although this movie has been around a while (filmed in 2013) I love the inspiring scenery of the South Island trails. Truthfully I must say, I’m a fair weather runner, but the ‘hills’ in NZ are quite enticing in any weather really. They can feel very remote but they are just so incredibly accessible so there is little excuse not to test them all out. At just over 14 minutes this is a great quality film about completing a peak challenge – 52 1000 metre + peaks over 52 weeks. Anyone else feeling guilty about staying in bed a bit longer this Easter weekend instead of hitting the trails? Let Matthew inspire you on some trails – go on and get out there.

Previously we listed the Barkley Marathon movie. I suggest you start with that to inspire (or terrify) you for a more leisurely version this weekend?

Meanwhile here is a catch up on this years event, 2018, where the Barkley won against the competitors with no ‘completes’ this year. Crazy, crazy stuff. “It’s a lot of fun, but don’t do anything stupid” says legend Gary ‘Lazarus Lake’ Cantrell.

Clearly this event has received a lot of media attention since the Netflix documentary went up. I even read a request from someone asking for an easier option for those keen on doing the race but the current set up is too hard. Really???? Have they missed the point? It’s about pushing past pain, discomfort, fear, that mental darkness that creeps in after many hours on a trail. It’s about kicking it all to the ground and if it still beats you, knowing you did your utmost.

 

In French and has English subtitles, visually stunning.  A must see.

The 80 km of Mont-Blanc is a legendary trail running event in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley. With its 82 km and 6000m of elevation gain, it is recognized as one of the most technical trails of the French landscape.

Professional or passionate runner, volunteer or rescuer, each of these people waits patiently the day J.
This documentary traces through several portraits of very different experiences around this unique race of the 80km of Mont Blanc.

 

Once a year in late March, 40 athletes converge at Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee for the ultimate of ultra races where success is hoped for but failure is the expectation. The full course is 160 kilometers loop track, run by compass and map, directional changes and a limited time period of 60 hours. Unmanned tables with a book and water mark that you have been to the checkpoints. One must return with the correct and unique page number ripped from the differing books at each point so you better stay focused. No page, no finish. In an increasingly financially driven ultra running world this is a refreshing, humbling, and inspiring look at pushing ones athletic ability beyond mental and physical borders. Gone are the pacers, the high fees that ensure colourful tables of food and drinks assist you through the race, the coloured tape to keep you on track, the crowds to cheer you on when you are low. The Barkley is about you and every hard won hill, battling the voices in your head, accepting the likelihood of failure and just getting through. Excellent viewing to inspire the upcoming weekend adventures.

Lisa Tamati – The World’s Highest Running Race

If you have the chance to hear Lisa Tamati speak I highly recommend it. She is incredibly down to earth and just cracks on and gets the job done. An accomplished ultra runner, entrepreneurial jewelry designer and creator, public speaker and coach, is there anything else this inspiring woman intends to add to this adventurous list?

New Zealand does not have a huge number of ultra running Kiwi gals and to follow Lisa’s journey is inspiring as she heads out on incredible world adventures. This 52 minute documentary takes you through Lisa’s journey on the 222km Himalayas race in the Indian region of Ladakh. The distance alone is one aspect but to also be contending with altitude as well takes this extreme adventure to another level with issues of oxygen deprivation, body fueling, extreme heat and cold. When talking extreme running, this is one documentary not to be missed. An inspiring evening in tonight to get you thinking about your own pending weekend adventure.

 

Run Forever: The film of Nicky Spinks & The Double Bob Graham

 

The movie RUN FOREVER is the award-winning film about inspirational runner Nicky Spinks and her incredible attempt at the 132-mile Double Bob Graham Round.

A great watch that follows Nicky on the 132 mile Double Bob Graham Round in the Lake District, UK, in a push to complete in under 48 hours. A bright, light and fun running movie that takes you on Nicky’s journey across the run and a life changing breast cancer scare. Nicky’s attitude of “getting the job done” shines through in this movie in a no nonsense manner across everything she talks about. Watching her journey around the circuit interspersed with past history of the area and moving on with recovery was a pleasure to watch. Some great take away points noticed as well was the use of fueling choices, no gel packs in sight in this movie. Real food can get the job done too.