Well, I loved it. The individuals they followed during their training and running of the Chicago Marathon were varied in their experience and personalities but all were very likeable and you really wanted them to do well. It also didn't focus exclusively on these individuals but in addition went into the history and progression of marathon running, the rise in popularity of marathons, the history of women and marathons and the very unique way this sport combines amateur and professional athletes in the same event. The film makers were also able to put it all together in a very cohesive and smooth manner that made it easy to watch.
They followed both a male and female elite runner who were predicted to be contenders to win the race. The female elite athlete Deena Kastor was the 2004 Olympic Bronze Metalist and was the tinest little thing I had ever seen but amazingly tough. During her training she broke her foot and had to stop running for 6 weeks while it healed. During the race she battled with the defending champion the entire way and despite her training setback ended up taking it by a mere seconds (I was on the edge of my seat, biting my nails). The elite male was a Kenyan, Daniel Njenga. He had a heartbreaking backstory and had run this race 3 times where he placed 3rd twice and 2nd once so you know everyone wanted him to take it and we were almost as heartbroken as he was when he placed 3rd (the following year he placed 2nd). It was, as always, amazing to see elite athletes race. Anyone who can run a 5 minute mile for 26.2 miles is awe inspiring and possibly a freak of nature in my opinion.
Then they followed a couple who were both training to qualify for Boston. For those of you who don't know, to qualify for the Boston Marathon, athletes must meet the designated time standard which corresponds to their age group and sex. So I would need to run a 3:40 marathon to qualify (about an hour off my last time). The man hurt his knee during training and was unable to run but his wife did and she qualified. They were a funny couple and the parents of a young baby so I am even more impressed that the wife and mother was able to accomplish that so soon after giving birth.
Next they followed two first time marathoners, both were female and both had different approaches to their training. One trained alone and the other trained with a group . I could completely relate to both of them, their struggles and the roller coaster ride that you experience when training for your first time. My favorite individual though was 70 year old Gerald Meyers who was running his 4th marathon (he ran his first when he was 65). He was a hilarious and I fell in love with him when the frist thing he said was that he runs marathons for "the free t-shirt of course".
What I really loved about this film is that it did a great job of showcasing why marathons are so wonderful and unique. There really isn't any other sporting event where amateur athletes compete with elite athletes at the same time on the same course. The runners in the back of pack literally follow the in the footsteps of the elite athletes that came before them. It is also something that almost anyone can do if they put the time and the hard work into it. Most people don't think they can ever run 26.2 miles and when they do it is one of the most incredible feelings in the world. You see a lot of tears at the finish line but you shouldn't assume those are tears of pain. Often times they are tears of joy and pride and of accomplishment. The film captured those moments wonderfully.
When this film is reeased it is certainly going into my (somewhat odd and eclectic) collection of dvds. It really has pysched me up to run the Train of Two Cities Marathon in November. I have only run marathons and half marathons in large cities where there are a lot of specators and I am unfamilar with the course and the area so I am excited to run something in my own backyard. Hopefully this becomes an annual event for me.
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