Two posts today - I finally managed to upload the pix taken during the holidays, they are in the post below.
We went to see Spirit of the Marathon today, a documentary about six people participating in the Chicago Marathon in 2005, two athletes, two marathon veterans and two newbies.
There is a bit of hype associated with the movie and I can't say it is inspirational. What it does, and does well, is to show that running a marathon has a lot to do with how one chooses to live life and what comes with it. It's about the journey, not just the finish.
There are a number of good moments, like the 70 year old who started running at 65 and has done a couple of marathons: "why do I run marathons? Cos of the T-Shirt, of course!" or the motivational speaker (whose name I forget) to the newbies on the morning of race day: "Don't rush it, remember, the longer you take, the more you get out of the money you spend on entering the race."
Some of the historical information is very interesting - especially how the first woman got to run the Boston Marathon - won't spoil it for anyone who wants to see the movie.
I think that someone who has run a marathon can easily identify with a lot of things that come up, but someone who has not, will not be inspired to do it, unless that thought has been lurking anyway.
My better half thought it was ok: she still does not understand why I do what I do and it did not make her get itchy to put her shoes on.
There are more inspirational films out there, the show on a number of people training for the Boston Marathon on ABC recently was similar and in parts better.
The non-plus-ultra remains "Running on the Sun" about Badwater. That is a captivating movie that makes you want to go out there and push yourself.
Now, about that.
I have not been pushing myself at all the last two weeks, just taking the time not do anything sports-related. I went for a ride a couple of days after the marathon, but that was it.
At Epi's suggestion I joined him and Clown for part of their long run today and that was good to get the system turning over again.
Still have to teach Clown the meaning of the word "slow" - a short, but very important word...
I hope I did not hold you guys up too much, no doubt you could indulge in some more speedy work on the remaining 20ks.
Thanks for dragging me along.
For my part, I must have overdone it a bit as on the way back my lower left leg started to cramp up and I had to walk for a fair bit. Not sure whether I'll join you next Sunday (you might be doing the Founder's 10 miler anyway).
At least I found the way out of Bold Park! That's a start, I suppose.
Over the next few days I will work out what I want to do the next season and how I am going to go about it. What I do know is that Six Inch is definitely out of the question.
Even without this morning stop and go incident, I was wondering all the way how I had managed to do a marathon only a couple of weeks ago.
Clown - thanks for letting me know about Sling Runner's Seoul effort - I am waiting to read his blog. A good effort given the limited preparation he had!
