Champions

It has been a couple of weeks since I have blogged. In that time I have set a set a new PR for my fastest mile and had a long run or two, but I must admit last week I wasn't able to run as much as I should have, but in place of two of the missed runs weren't in vain.

I saw two OUTSTANDING movies that are helping me push through those days when I say to myself, "Man I don't want to run today". The first of the two is called, "The Long Run". Though one may be of the opinion that the name isn't very creative, but trust me, it fits. The movies is about a failed track coach who discovers a young woman who has extraordinary talent and with his coaching will be able to win the Comrades.

Briefly, The Comrades Marathon is the world's oldest and largest ultra marathon run over a distance of approximately 90 km (55.9 mi) between the capital of the Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa, Pietermaritzburg, and the coastal city of Durban. The direction of the race alternates each year between the up run starting from Durban and the down run starting from Pietermaritzburg.

Throughout the movie the young woman is able to conquer any obstacle, training wise, that is set in front of her. It is truly amazing, but when race day arrives you see the struggle that she goes through not necessarily because of the physical challenges, but the mental and emotional challenges. Fortunately, a close family friend of mine has actually ran the Comrades. I called him up to get a first hand account of the Mt. Everest of all races. He told me that of all his accomplishments in life (NY Marathon three times, traveled all over the world, a VERY successful attorney) finishing this race was his greatest achievement.

For those you keeping pace at home who are from or familiar with Memphis part of his training consisted of runs up the old Union Planters building downtown (roughly 40 -42 flights of stairs) then taking the elevator down...twice. The second variation of training was going to Shelby Forest and running the hills for 4.5 hours straight. The final stage of training was doing long runs of roughly 35 miles. WOW. I am impressed with just the training.

The second run that missed was because my cousin, my mom and I went say the Spirit of the Marathon. Six emotional stories of dedication, pain, emotion, and at the end triumph. Though the movie was shown only in limited releases around the country I would HIGHLY recommend that all who are interested in running see the movie.

What I most enjoyed from the movie was it's message. No matter if you are an elite distance runner or a single mom who wanted to change her life and running was the catalyst...the desire, dedication, emotion spent, and the final triumph is the same. You are a champion.

So lace 'em up and cross that finish line.

"We are the champions - my friends" - Queen