Embrace Running

Trails in Motion Film Festival is a compilation of short films related to trail running. The film tour started off in South Africa and is now in its third edition. We were fortunate to be there for its first US showing of 2015. There are nine films that range from three minutes to 56 minutes in duration. With the featured film “Finding Traction” being the longest. This particular film features the great ultrarunner Nikki Kimball as she goes for an FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the 273 mile Long Trail in Vermont. Nikki Kimball is a long time endurance athlete and very successful ultrarunner, having won Western States Endurance Run three times and most recently winning the 150 mile Marathon de Sables in 2014. The film follows Nikki as she prepares for this endeavor and through her ups and downs while out on the trail. Aside from going for an FKT on American’s oldest trail, she also had the goal of raising awareness of trail running and other outdoor activities with this venture. With this goal in mind she partnered with Girls on the Run in Vermont and She Can! in Montana to raise money for the work these groups do with children and young adults in exploring nature and participating in endurance sports. The film captured our attention right from the beginning and kept us enthralled the entire time.
The films are international, coming from countries such as Japan, Mexico and New Zealand.  They take viewers to places we may have heard of but have not been able to experience in person such as southern Patagonia in the film “Around Patagonia” featuring Jason Schlarb and Jeremy Wolfe. One of the goals of the film festival is to bring people together from around the globe to enjoy the sport of trail running and I think they are doing a good job at accomplishing that goal. “Triple Corona” gives us a peek into the toughest mountain trail running circuit in Mexico that is ‘only for savages’. It’s a challenging trilogy of races over difficult terrain and accompanied by some amazing views.
One of the films “Why We Run” really makes you think. It makes you think about running, about trail running, about life. It features biologist and ultrarunner Bernd Heinrich who has written a book by the same title, although originally it was titled “Racing the Antelope”. The book deals with our primal drive to win and how that relates to humans being a running species. The 15 minute film includes insights from Bernd about what running has meant to him and the role it continues to play in his life.
After watching the first couple of films I was ready to go out on the trails and run and I’m sure others felt the same. However I don’t recommend leaving early as you will miss out on some great films. With the film tour being international there are opportunites for many people to catch a viewing. I recommend checking their website for a showing near you.

Trails in Motion

This week, we talk about the new medal for Ragnar Trail races. Our race plans for 2015 are coming together. Under Armour has acquired MyFitnessPal and Endomondo. The “dangers” of running too much. Gorillas running in Austin. The cost of a running shoe per mile. And our week in training.

Supposed Dangers of Running Too Much 
Austin Gorilla Run 
Under Armour Buys MyFitnessPal and Endomondo

Save $50 off Ragnar Trail Tahoe with code TT15MCOSTA

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As you all know we are excited that Ragnar Trail Tahoe is back this year. But there is more exciting news to share. They released the design for this years’ medal and it is awesome! If you do any Ragnar Trail Relay event this year you will get this amazing medal.

You know how interested we are in our race “bling”, even having a category for the best race bling during our year end wrap up episodes so it’s only natural that we would write about this.
 
Historically Ragnar Relay Series, the parent company for Ragnar Trail, is known for some great medals. Medals for their road relays typically double as a bottle opener. Their double medals awarded for running two specific races in their series are unique, big and have great designs. With the series expanding to the trails the last couple of years as Ragnar Trail Relay they have had wooden medals the last two years, more in line with trail running.

The new medal design this year is unique. Unlike previous trail medals it is made entirely of metal and is actually a multi-tool. Staying true to what their medals are known for, it does incorporate a bottle opener. However it also includes a nut and bolt wrench, a flex wrench, a serrated edge labeled as a saw and more! It even has their new catchphrase etched on the back “find your inner wild”.

Who  knows if the TSA will let you take this on the plane. But if they don’t, put it in your checked lugagge or your other option is to use one of the envelopes Ragnar Trail will have available at each venue to ship the medal home to yourself.

You’ll definitely want to get this medal and make your friends jealous so register now for any or many Ragnar Trail races. We are fortunate enough to have a discount code to share with the Embrace Running community for the Tahoe event that will be taking place August 14-15. The code is TT15MCOSTA for $50 off of a team entry. See you there.

Ragnar Trail Tahoe