Since I'm taking a few days off to rest my calf, I've found I have a couple extra hours to kill. I also need some material to blog about. So I've decided to do a movie review:
If you enjoy sentimentality, cliché, and advertising; then you'll love UltraMarathon Man. This film follows Dean Karnazes as he runs 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. Mostly, it seems to be about wearing The North Face gear, drinking Cytomax, eating GU, and I got a little bit of an idea that it was suppose to inspire America's youth to get out and run. It also gave a venue for people to quote whatever they read on their "Daily Inspiration" calendar that day.
I will say that Karnazes' story about discovering running is pretty cool, and he is definitely a positive force in the running community. It was just hard to really get into the story of the challenges and triumphs of his run when you're constantly seeing close-ups of his shoes, clothing logos, and fueling choices. At one point they're filming him preparing his breakfast, and the box of cereal with his picture on it is in the frame the whole time.
Hopefully, someone saw this film and was inspired to run and not just go out and buy the products featured in the film. I think that Karnazes is truly sincere about spreading the message of good health, but you have to pay for that message somehow. Let's face it, if you are able to do what you love and one way to do that is to pimp some gear, most of us would be all over it.
Advertising or not, 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states?? Whoa, I am going to have to rent that. And then explain to Clint why I feel the sudden urge to go buy all new stuff.
ReplyDeleteDo you think you will ever do the ultras with the 50 or 100 mile distances? I thought only crazy (like legitimately) people did those until I came across this link where I saw a girl who grew up next to me was doing the Leadville 100. (Link: http://anothermotherrunner.com/2011/08/18/follow-this-mother-65/).
She finished the 100! And she is totally normal. I still don't think even the marathon distance is in my future -- the half is the perfect challenge for me!
I got it at the library.
ReplyDeleteIt was an impressive feat, that's why I was disappointed with the distraction of product placement. I wanted to know more about what was going on with him.
I'm thinking of doing a 50k next year. I definitely want to do a 100 miler in the future.