Extraordinary Strides
Welcome to Extraordinary Strides, the podcast that celebrates the spirit of running and the inspiring stories of those who lace up their shoes and hit the pavement.
Here, we dive into the heart of what makes running an extraordinary adventure.
Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just starting out, Extraordinary Strides is your go-to source for expert tips, motivational stories, and the camaraderie of the running community.
Our episodes feature seasoned runners, coaches, and everyday athletes sharing their triumphs, challenges, and the joy they find in every run.
Join us for casual, uplifting conversations that will leave you excited to put on your running shoes and hit the road. We believe that every run, no matter the distance, is a step towards something greater.
So, subscribe now and join our community of runners who are making every stride extraordinary.
At Extraordinary Strides, we're here to inspire, motivate, and celebrate with you every step of the way!
Extraordinary Strides
Popcorn & PRs: The Runner's Movie Marathon Guide
We celebrate National Classic Movie Day with a runner's twist, exploring must-watch running films that capture what makes our sport so transformative and inspiring.
• Inspirational narrative features including classics like Chariots of Fire and personal favorites like Brittany Runs a Marathon
• Running documentaries that showcase real stories from Spirit of the Marathon to the cult favorite Barkley Marathons
• Ultra and trail running films that capture the extreme side of endurance sports
• Films that highlight running as a tool for social change, redemption, and personal transformation
• Movies that capture both the physical and mental journey of becoming a runner regardless of pace or distance
Join our six-week running program "Main Character Miles" starting June 2nd. Choose from three empowering training tracks tailored to your experience level, with structured workouts, strength training, mindset prompts, and community support. Use this link to learn more and grab your spot and start the next chapter of your running journey.
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Welcome, friends, to Extraordinary Strides, the podcast where everyday runners lace up with big dreams, bold goals and a dash of sparkle. I'm your host, coach Christine, and today we're going full-on popcorn and movie mode because, if you're tuning in, today it's National Classic Movie Day. But with a twist, because we're not going to do Gone with the Wind, it's going to be Gone on a Long Run. Not Casablanca, but Chariots of Fire. My friend, this is going to be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the ultimate genre in all of our hearts running films. Whether you love an inspiring documentary or a good underdog drama, this episode is a love letter to the movies that have made us run harder. This episode is a love letter to the movies that have made us run harder, cry faster and believe more deeply in what we can do. But before we go on full on feature presentation, let me set the scene for your next great chapter Because, my friend, whether you're returning to the road, chasing a new PR or just need a spark to feel like you again, main character miles is your next chapter. This is going to be a six week running experience that blends smart, structured training with daily mindset prompts and a little paperback magic inspired by the book series that you could not put down in the bold story that you're still writing. Each week is going to deliver workouts, reflections and momentum that builds stronger with every single mile. You'll choose from three empowering tracks, each with its own vibe, but all fueled by the undeniable main character energy. You'll have the option of starting off with plot starters that's three runs per week, two strength and mobility sessions and this is great for runners that are starting fresh or coming back after a break or maybe need to interject a little plot twist into their storyline. We're going to help you build consistency, confidence and strong pacing habits, all at your rhythm. The next option is pacemakers four runs per week with two strength and mobility sessions Perfect if you're ready to level up endurance and dial in your pacing and speed. And last but certainly not least, we'll have chapter champs Five runs per week with three strength and mobility sessions.
Speaker 1:This one's for the experienced runners craving volume, challenge and a bold, goal-driven arc. And it's not just workouts, my friends, it's a whole vibe, as the young kids say. Here's what's included A full six week plan tailored to each level. Weekly guided audio runs to coach you through pacing, mindset and form. Strength and mobility workouts, again, two to three times per week, with recovery sessions for staying strong and injury free, getting in that mobility. We'll have daily journal prompts, mantras and mindset focus really to make sure that we do bring in that mobility. We'll have daily journal prompts, mantras and mindset focus really to make sure that we do bring in that main character vibe throughout the entire six weeks. We'll have weekly surprise challenges, curated playlists and fun prizes.
Speaker 1:Of course you get direct access to me, coach Christine, through Final Surge email and regular check-ins. And, of course, support from our incredible the League training community. And I'm telling you this is the girl gang that you read about in maybe those books from like Nancy Drew all the way to Babysitter's Club that you absolutely want in your corner. So we kick off June 2nd and I promise this won't just train your legs. It's going to shift your entire story because, no matter your pace or place in your journey, you have always been the main character and it's time to run like it. So head to the link that's in the show notes to grab your spot for main character miles. Let's start the next chapter together to bring back that spark to the very soul of your story. All right, my friend with.
Speaker 1:That said, it is time for us to get back to our feature presentation, because if you've ever crossed a finish line with tears in your eyes or lay stepped after a tough day because you just needed to move, these movies are for you. They're not all blockbusters, but each one captures something about what it means to be a runner. So we've got biopics, gritty thrillers, documentaries and even some really big budget Hollywood productions. All of these are perfect to get you run-spired, to get out the door for your run, or the perfect way to recover after getting in those long run day miles. And listen, whether you're new to running or have hundreds of miles behind you, there's something powerful about seeing your experience reflected on the big screen or the little screen at home.
Speaker 1:I've compiled a list of must-watch running movies narrative features, documentaries and wild ultra running adventures. Let's kick it off with the category Now. While they're all inspirational, these are going to be inspirational narrative features. Well, they're all inspirational. These are going to be inspirational narrative features. We could not have this list without kicking it off without Chariots of Fire from 1981. You can catch this on Prime Video or Apple TV.
Speaker 1:This Academy Award winning masterpiece tells the true story of two British runners in the 1924 Olympics. It's fueled by faith, pride and purpose. It features one of the most iconic scores in cinematic history. Next on this list, one of my personal favorites is McFarland USA. It came out in 2015, but you can watch it on Disney Plus or Prime Video. It's a heartfelt story of a predominantly Latino high school cross-country team that overcomes socioeconomic obstacles to become state champions. Based on real events, this is absolutely a heartwarming story. Also gives a whole new meaning of Hills Prince too. Next on this list is St Ralph from 2004. You can watch it on Apple TV or Google Play, and it's a teenage boy believes that winning the Boston Marathon is the miracle that will wake his mother from a coma. It's a bit of an oddball, but there is a lot of underdog magic. It's definitely a heartfelt film. We're going to take it to the Jericho Mile. You can watch this one from 1979 on YouTube or Apple TV. From 1979 on YouTube or Apple TV.
Speaker 1:Filmed in Folsom Prison, this Emmy-winning film follows a convict with Olympic-level talent training within prison walls Personal best from 1982. This was pretty interesting, actually, because it is maybe a little ahead of its time. It was groundbreaking for its era, especially in its portrayal of relationships and ambition. It explores the physical and emotional toll of elite women's track and field. You should be able to catch that one on Apple TV or Amazon as well, my friend. Now I think this particular one is a. It's probably top of the list for every single female runner. Brittany runs a marathon from 2019. I still remember being in the actual theater sobbing because I felt so seen and represented on the big screen. You can watch this on Prime Video. And a woman reclaims her health and life by training for a marathon. In this comedy drama inspired by a true story Real talk. When the actual Britney liked my post that I said about how great this movie was, I felt like I had just won the lottery, because you know, it's a little things. It was super exciting.
Speaker 1:Without Limits 1998, you can watch on Apple TV or Google Play is an intimate portrayal of Steve Prefontaine and his complex bond with his coach, bill Bowerman. Now, of course, if you're going to watch that, you got to watch the actual Prefontaine with a little bit of Jared Leto on the side. I mean, he is quite the hottie. Still, you can watch on Prime Video or YouTube and it's a grittier depiction of the running legend's life, focusing on his rise and, unfortunately, his untimely and tragic death. You've probably heard me talk about this next movie Run Fat Boy Run from 2007. A lovable loser hey, I didn't come up with these synopsis, this is what they actually describe it as. But a lovable gentleman, I'll say, trains for a marathon to prove himself and win back his ex. It's a fun, uplifting and a little funny ride.
Speaker 1:On to the next one on this list, my friend we're going to go to On the Edge from 1986. You can watch this on YouTube. An aging runner, banned from competition, enters an unsanctioned race for redemption. Gritty and underrated Definitely think you should catch that one as well. Now, another one on this list is the Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. We all probably can feel that at times when we're on our runs. It's an older one, from 1962, but hey, it is a classic running movie. A young man in a British reform school finds freedom in long distance running. Poetic, rebellious and definitely relatable. On this list we have Marathon man from 1976, more thriller than sports film, but the cheat scenes make this cult classic for endurance fans. Sports film, but the chase scenes make this cult classic for endurance fans.
Speaker 1:We've got Race from 2016. It is a fantastic must-watch movie. You can find it on Netflix or Apple TV. It's the story of Jesse Owens and his defiant triumph at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Of course, the movie that inspired me to sign up for my very first marathon was Spirit of the Marathon from 2007. Structured like a feature film, this documentary follows everyday runners and elite runners maybe a couple that you'll recognize training for the Chicago Marathon. Now we're going to make it our way to keeping that list going with Spirit of the Marathon 2, inspiring, an educational documentary, of course, from 2013. You can see it on Amazon. It's a global perspective on the marathon through the lens of the marathon and Rome, of course.
Speaker 1:Anyone who has dabbled into social media with ultra running likely knows all about the Barkley Marathons. Well, this movie the Barkley Marathons the Race that Eats Its Young 2014, and again a little bit about their race director Laz has become a cult classic. It reveals the bizarre, brutal world of the Barclay Marathons. Now there are several other movies that have come up, cropped up, or shorts that you can find on YouTube about the Barclay Marathons. You could go down a rabbit hole of this, one of itself Definitely very inspiring.
Speaker 1:Breaking 2 from 2017, where you can watch this Disney Plus and YouTube. Nike's groundbreaking effort to run a sub two-hour marathon starring none other than Kipchoge. So, of course, next on the list is Kipchoge. The last milestone from 2021. You can watch this one on Apple TV. It's a beautiful introspective look at the man behind the greatest marathon ever run. He just has a really wonderfully beautiful perspective on life and running, so I think that it's a must watch for sure.
Speaker 1:On this list is Free to Run from 2016. You can see it on Prime Video. It explores how running becomes a tool for social change and inclusion, continuing to get down into this list, talking about how it can be such a big, pivotal social change for so many gun runners from 2016. You can watch it on Netflix. Former warriors in Kenya abandoned violence and pursue elite distance running. We also have desert runners 2013. You can watch this on Amazon Tubi. You can probably find it on YouTube as well. Four amateur runners tackle four brutal ultra marathons across the globe.
Speaker 1:Friends, just to kind of date myself, when Netflix first came out and you had to have like a DVD subscription where they would mail it to you for you youngins you may not even know this existed. You would pop it in and then you'd mail it back. This was one of the ones that I really enjoyed having a little look-see at. So Boston, the documentary from 2017. I also remember going to see this at the movie theater and again just crying. It's an on-prime video now, though, on Apple TV, and it's a comprehensive history of the world's oldest marathon Run for your Life 2008. We're going to watch it. Youtube love this Really really highly recommend this particular documentary.
Speaker 1:It's the story of Fred LeBeau, founder of the NYC Marathon, new York Roadrunners and his lasting legacy Finding Traction also a fantastic must-watch, from 2014. You can watch this on Tubi, youtube, amazon. It follows ultra runner Nikki Kimball's attempt to set the speed record on Vermont's Long Trail, checking out 100 Meters from 2016. Now you can find this on Netflix. It's based on the true story of a man diagnosed with MS who trains for Ironman Triathlon. We're going to keep that inspiration going with a mile an hour from 2018. One man runs one mile every hour for 24 hours, completing projects in between. It's a little wholesome, it's a short, it's joyful, it's genius, it's a great one to catch, just to kind of give you some different insights and perspectives.
Speaker 1:Keeping this list going was Human Race from 2019. You can watch this on Amazon. Six runners over the age of 50 prove it's never too late to push limits, my friends. 50, come on, that's not even. That's not even old. So Transcend 2014,. Word of watches on Amazon. You're going to follow Wesley Corder's journey from a Kenyan village to Boston marathon champ and onto Parliament, telling you there is some inspiration here, rock stars. We're going to keep it going with the Infinite Race.
Speaker 1:Now this one you can watch on ESPN Plus, looking at ultra runners, exploitation of the Terra, humera culture. So it's a little. This one gives kind of food for thought, a little bit of some pondering here and there. The Unknown Runner from 2014, where to watch on YouTube? It's an inside look at how Kenya produces so many elite marathoners, one of my personal favorites because it has so much beautiful redemption and I think when we come to running we feel that connection to redemption in so many ways where we rewrite our story, a little shout out to that main character Miles, a little energy of kind of what we're doing, rewriting our narrative. But Skid Row Marathon from 2017, you can see it on Amazon. A judge, a criminal judge trains a group from LA's Skid Row Marathon from 2017. You can see it on Amazon. A judge a criminal judge trains a group from LA's Skid Row to run international marathons. I sobbed. It's truly, it's just so beautiful.
Speaker 1:Run While you Can. From 2023. Now this one's still making the rounds. It may be a little bit harder to find. You may need to search a little bit more, but it talks about Kyle Peasy, born with cerebral palsy and is pushed through endurance races by his brother, brent. You'll learn more about their foundation and all of the great work they do, so definitely check that one out as well.
Speaker 1:Running for Good 2018. Where to watch? Tubi or Amazon? You're going to follow vegan ultra runner Fiona Oakes as she sets world records while running for animal rights. Lead man the Dave Mackey story from 2018. After losing his leg, dave Mackey attempts the grueling Ledman ultra running series, so you're going to definitely want to check that out.
Speaker 1:Into the Wind I told you we weren't going to have Gone with the Wind, but Into the Wind from 2010. Espn Plus is where you're going to catch this Terry Fox's inspiring story as he runs across Canada with a prosthetic leg to raise money for cancer. Continuing this list of inspiration, we are going to watch the Long Green Line from 2008. You can find this on Amazon or Vimeo. It's a documentary about legendary coach Joe Newton and his record-breaking high school cross-country team, my friends, every Street from 2019. You can see it on YouTube.
Speaker 1:Ricky Gates runs every street in San Francisco to explore the soul of a city. Now, real talk, when you go somewhere new or you're vacationing, or you're maybe even trying to explore your own neighborhood. Have you not found the best way to really get to the heart and soul pun intended again of the area is to run it. It just feels completely different. So this is exactly what you will uncover in this particular short that I think you will absolutely enjoy. Just one step from 2017. You're going to explore why we run, blending science, psychology and personal stories. Find that on Prime Video, of course.
Speaker 1:Now this next one isn't specifically running, but come on, we're going to go ahead and give it a little honorable mention at. It's the list rising from the ashes from 2012. You can see this on Amazon, though it's focused on cycling. It's about a doctor with Rwandan athletes overcoming genocide, and it resonates with any endurance athlete. I mean, us runners are going to say that we are the best endurance athletes. But let's be honest, all the way around, however move or groove, these endurance events really do shape us, so it's a great inspiring film as well. Now, we've already touched on quite a bit of ultra and trail and adventure running focus, but this next portion of the list is just about that. So where dreams go to die 2018.
Speaker 1:I told you guys, there's lots out there about the Barkley Marathons, and this one in particular on YouTube is about Gary Robbins, who chases the elusive finish at the Barkley Marathons. It's emotional, it's epic and it's unforgettable. Unbreakable. Now there is Unbreakable. It's a big Hollywood production with director Angelina Jolie, but Unbreakable the Western States 100 from 2012. It follows four elite ultra runners battling for glory in one of the toughest 100 mile races. Which brings us to the next one on the list how to run 100 miles from 2018. You can watch it on YouTube. It's a short but it's a powerful story of two friends running through emotional and, let's be honest, a little bit of physical discomfort and pain. Speaking of we're going to get into game changes from 2018. You can see this on Netflix. It features plant-based elite athletes in their peak performance, including endurance competitors. And talking about endurance competitors, you can't have this list without peeking into the finisher, with Jasmine Paris, of course, the first woman to finish the Barkley Marathons. This film explores her three-year attempt, featuring interviews with other Barkley legends. Of course, like the race director Laz, courtney DeWalter and Amelia Boone, you should be able to find it on YouTube, but if you can't keep looking, my friend, it's a must watch for sure. Which brings us to Made to be Broken from 2017. It's something you could find also on YouTube, produced by Red Bull TV Ultra runner, carl Meltzer.
Speaker 1:Chases the Appalachian or Appalachian. Which one do you pronounce it? I've heard it pronounced a couple of different ways. How do you pronounce it? Just out of curiosity, but Appalachian trail F K T, which stands for fastest known time Spoiler. It's not just about speed. It's definitely going to be inspiring Alone through Iran, a hundred Ooh, 1,144 miles of trust from 2017. You're going to watch this on Vimeo On Demand. It's a solo female runner challenges stereotypes while crossing Iran on foot, keeping that inspiration going Frosty, the Fearless Life of Anna Frost 2017. It's a peek into the world of elite mountain running through the eyes of a free-spirited legend. We can keep this, all this for inspiration for days and days, with Life in a Day from 2021. You can find it on YouTube for elite women tackle the 2021 Western States 100 in a story of an endurance and strength.
Speaker 1:Next on this list is Running the Wainwrights from 2020. Also about an FKT attempt through the 214 Lake District summits. It's breathtaking and, as running can often be, this also is a bit humbling. Keeping this going with Run the Line 2024, where to watch? It's an independent release and a digital screening, but you should be able to maybe get some advanced screenings. You should be able to find it here and there.
Speaker 1:Now it's a new ultra distance film following the unsanctioned chicago to new york city endurance run. So again, my friends, we've covered quite a bit of some. Pop the popcorn, get into your cozy jammies and get run inspired here, because whether you love a good underdog story or a deep dive into endurance, a film that lights your inner fire, this list delivered something for every runner and movie lover. But if I left one of your favorite running movies off this list, I ask you to jump into the Stride Collective podcast group page and let me know what I missed. So don't forget to get those shoes laced up so you can go out for your run after you've been run-spired with this national classic movie day, the Runner's Way.
Speaker 1:Now, my friend, I want to remind you yet again, before we officially finish up, that every one of these stories on this incredible movie list started with the decision to try to trust, to move forward even when it's hard, and really bringing it back to. That's what main character miles. The six week program, is really all about. So you don't need a film crew or a training montage. You just need a plan, a purpose and a community. We've got all three. I'd love to have you join us Again starting June 2nd. Six weeks of showing up, running strong and writing your new narrative, one where you get to be the lead and main character.
Speaker 1:I want to thank you so much for tuning in to this special episode of Extraordinary Strides. Whether you're streaming a running movie tonight, signing up for main character miles or lacing up for your next run, I am so inspired by you. Don't forget to share your favorite running movie with me on Instagram. You can tag me at leadcoachchristine or extraordinarystridespod or, you know, maybe just invite me over for a good run and a movie watching evening. This is not just a podcast, my friend. It's a place for stories, yours included, and I definitely want to hear it. I want to hear what inspires you and I'm going to ask you to keep striding strong. Friends, I'll see you on the road. Stay extraordinary.
