I have just watched the inspiring running film, Saint Ralph, for the second time and it still rocks…and my wife agrees.

What is it about?

Saint Ralph follows the journey of youthful (age 14) and spunky, Ralph Walker, who lives by the beat of his own drum. After hearing that a miracle would be required to help his mom return to health, Ralph attempts to create one…by winning the Boston marathon.

Simple and kind of odd premise, but a rich and entertaining story follows.

Check out the film’s trailer:

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

Why it Rocks

For starters, Saint Ralph has solid dialog and acting. What is said, how it is said, will have you giggling like a 14 year old, listening intently, or shedding a tear. Include running as the central theme, and you have yourself an entertaining couple hours for most endurance athletes.

The film also has a variety of inspiring concepts useful for endurance sports and life, but the most important one may be the belief in self. This belief in self, allows one to dream big, take action, and experience life. Experience life is not based on the binary result of success or failure but the willingness to engage in that which is meaningful to you.

One bummer that Boston enthusiasts will recognize is the Boston marathon is not ran on the actual course. I was willing to mostly forgive them for that.

Saint Ralph is a light-hearted yet captivating film that wakens your emotions and takes you on one heck of an interesting long run. Good, good, good film.

Family Stuff

The film is rating PG-13 and includes a few colorful words, a bumper (the non-car kind), and the percolating hormones of junior high youth.

Ways to Check it Out

There are a couple ways to check out the film if interested.

• Rent it
• Buy it – Amazon has both DVD and Streaming/Direct-download.

Who else has watched it? What did you think?

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

[This article contains links that may support Endurance Buzz.]

Related Articles:

• Running Film Review: Without Limits
• Running Film Review: Ultramarathon Man: 50 Marathons – 50 States – 50 Days

Without Limits is a running film based on the legendary years of University of Oregon runner, Steve Prefontaine.

What are some of the running stats of this man affectionately known as “Pre”?

• Once held the American record in seven track events ranging from the 2000 meter to 10,000 meter.
• Lost only three races in his college career.
• Won three straight Division I NCAA Cross Country Championships.
• Represented the United States in the 1972 Olympics in the 5000 meter.

The Film

The film focuses on the relationship between the University of Oregon Cross Country coach, Bill Bowerman (eventual co-founder of NIKE),  and Prefontaine. Watching Bowerman sketch around a runner’s foot in order to make custom shoes to save weight and the waffle iron used to create a new sole for running shoes – classic stuff.

There is also plenty of running/racing that includes some actual footage of “Pre” from the 70s. Extremely fun, intense, edge-of-your-seat kind of stuff.

Finally, there is a cat and mouse love-interest story between Prefontaine and a fellow female college student.

The film is rated PG-13 which is probably due to a rollin’ in the hay scene. Language is tame.

Film Trailer

Note, the video has OK quality.

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

My Thoughts

Fluid moving story line – Solid acting – Running – A message that transcends sport

Inspiring! Since this is a film and not a documentary, what you see is not all completely factual, but that is understood coming into watching such a film. That doesn’t diminish the impact and in fact is irrelevant.

In Without Limits, Prefontaine embodied a passion and a message of individual excellence that can directly pertain to each one of us, in all areas of our life that we deem important. Simply, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift.”

Soak on that for a while…

Huge.

If you would like to learn more about Steve Prefontaine:

• Fire on the Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story – DVD Documentary
• Pre: The Story of America’s Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine – Book
• Official Website

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Saint Ralph – Running Film Review

Overview

To personally deliver this message throughout the entire country, Karnazes decides to challenge himself in a way only fitting for an ultrarunner; run 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 days. Each marathon would be ran on a certified marathon course. Most of the 26.2 miles were not during the actual official marathon but eight of them were, including Chicago and New York City.

For each marathon, a number of athletes would join Karnazes for a portion or the entire marathon. Karnazes didn’t want this challenge to be a solo endeavor but an inclusive opportunity for any of us to stand along side him and support the message.

The film attempts to capture the miles, challenges, and amazing people throughout the 50 day adventure.

Here are some moments from the film.

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

My Thoughts

One of my first thoughts on the film was that it had to be a bit of a challenge to create. How do you make running on the road in a non-race environment interesting for nearly two hours? They were able to find a way.

Both my wife and I felt the film was interesting, entertaining, and inspiring. Besides the crazy physical feat and of even greater value, the film provides an opportunity to see the amazing power we as individuals have to make a positive difference in our personal micro-world and greater macro-world if we so choose. This is one of my greatest take-aways from the film.

Yes, the film is filled with Karnazes which should seem reasonable for a film based on his adventure. If you have difficulty with that I would recommend you look beyond the man and see the message. If you still don’t like what you see, then happily move on.

Karnazes has a simple, yet powerful message – be active. How can one not commend him for that. Simply look around your neighborhood and community for the answer why. If he receives attention for his message, all the better.

For some, this film may just be the spark that changes their life for the better.

The beauty is, each one of us can also be that spark. How big a fire can we make?

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Saint Ralph – Running Film Review
• Dean Karnazes And The Spiritual Dimension Of Ultrarunning

Blisters at 35 miles, Vomit, Open-toed shoes, Wind, Rain, IV’s, Sleep deprivation, Desert, Mountains, 100+ degree temperatures, 135 miles, Perseverance, and WOW! My wife would add insane to the list!

These are all keywords that come to mind as my wife and I watched the Badwater ultramarathon documentary called Running On The Sun.

So what is the Badwater ultramarathon? The Badwater website sums it up nicely.

Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA, the Badwater Ultramarathon is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet. The start line is at Badwater, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in the Western Hemisphere at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at the Mt. Whitney Portals at nearly 8,300’ (2530m). The Badwater course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 13,000’ (3962m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 4,700’ (1433m) of cumulative descent.

The completion time limit is 60 hours with an average finish of around 48 hours!

This film followed a handful of athletes from beginning to end and really provided some great insight into this unique and very demanding race. This is not a weekend warrior type of event. I thought the filming was excellent!

We also were provided a glimpse into some of the individuals unique training techniques as they prepared for the race. This is not your typical marathon training program folks. It included running with a car tire tied to a rope connected to your waist. Now that is a bit of resistance training! Also toss in a little running in the sauna for heat training and you get a glimpse of the dedication and preparation required for such an event.

You may think that the athletes that participate in this event are some mutant physical specimens that live in the gym. Actually they appeared were very much like you and I physically. Obviously they all got themselves into good shape but there were not the X-Men either. They seemed to be simply some people with a goal and willing to do the work and try their best to get it. Some succeed, some fail, but the true growth experience is in the journey, not the final result.

This is a high quality ultrarunning documentary that was a real treat to watch, just don’t do it while eating dinner.

Related Articles:

• Badwater Ultramarathon – 2010 TALON Result
• Running America – Special Texas Screening June 3rd
• Badwater Ultramarathon Starts Monday