• “26.2 Marathon Stories”, by Kathrine Switzer and Roger Robinson: a book that combines marathon runner stories with images from renowned photographers all together in a hardcover edition that has recently been published. An early review here
• A sneak peak of “More fire!”, a new upcoming book from the author of “Train Hard, Win Easy”, Toby Tanser. Divided into four parts, the book, qualified as essential reading for runners of all levels and experience, provides answers to the Kenyan runners key to success: train harder than anyone.
• A short review of “Running Through the Wall: Personal Encounters with the Ultramarathon“, a book by Neal Jamison with 35 interviews with ultramarathoners for those who want to go further than 26.2 miles.
• For those of you active runners, an upcoming book about the ’seven deadly sins of running technique’, “Running Well“, by Sam Murphy and Sarah Connors

And a bonus link for those who like better a good movie instead of a good book: 10 Movies to Inspire the Inner Runner

-Ed-
trailrunningsoul.com

SINGAPORE (Team Geared Up) - Spotted on GO Blog, here’s a movie I will be queuing up to see. Blindsight the documentary/movie follows the gripping adventure of six Tibetan teenagers on their journey to climb a mountain in the shadow of Everest.

Lhakpa-Ri peak, the goal of the expedition, is 23,000 feet high. The expedition leader is blind climber Erik Weihenmayer. On May 25, 2001, Erik became the first blind man in history to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.

In 2002 I shared a pint with Erik’s climbing sherpa from that expedition in Kandersteg, Switzerland. He was on a hut exchange where he ran a swiss alpine hut for a summer while a swiss guide helped out in a Nepalese one. I can’t remember his name, but I swooned in awe when I saw his Everest Summiteers Association membership card. Not only had he helped Erik place his hands & feet up the Hillary step, but he had also carried the IMAX camera to the summit on his back during ‘Everest’ movie (and was wearing the cap to prove it in the bar!).

Watch the Blindsight trailer:

There’s a nice line in there by an American:

The difference between westerners and easterners, we want to stand on top… it’s just ingrained in our make up.

Eastern response:

Get one person to the summit and everyone succeeds.

Very true of the east from my experiences.

Nice… see you there with the popcorn.

www.blindsightthemovie.com

-Robin.

Outsider & The North Face would like to invite you to the launch of the TGR Ski and Snowboard movie in 4 Dame Lane, in Dublin city center. Tickets are FREE and there will be some FREE drink, and lots of The North Face goodies to give away. Take a look at the trailer athttp://www.tetongravity.com/viewer/Clip_LFT3.aspx

We are also showing the Beast of Ballyhoura Adventure Race documentary before the TRG movie.

Let us know if you go!

-Aisling-

LONDON, UK (Team Geared Up) - A film crew joined us at EC2K7 last April to film a promotional video for Scouting Ireland’s 2008 Jamboree.

I was asked to get their camera women up a very big tree and rig her & the camera up there ~ 25m high! They then did takes of some of the Scouts climbing, myself tying them in, and a bit of chat too. The whole video is actually excellent and I suggest you watch at least the first few mins of it to get a great idea of what outdoor adventure in Ireland means to youngsters. It is very professionally made.

I’ve embedded the video below, but to watch yours truly waffle about the challenge of scaling a 25m giant tree using the bark as handholds you should jump to 7m 57s (click).

You can watch the full Scouting Ireland Jamboree 2008 video here. Thanks to ex-TGU blogger Darran for arranging the online version.

-Robin-

(Video Credit: Scouting Ireland)

DUBLIN, IRELAND (Team Geared Up) This is a fascinating story, not just a gripping “true to life adventure story” but an amazing human drama which movie makers are looking for help in order to get backing. Via Lindie Naughton’s blog:

To get backing at the Sheffield Documentary Festival it needs LOTS of hits, so pass on the word (please!) and add your comments. We really need to get this film made soon, since the number of people of her generation who still remember Lady Mary is getting fewer by the minute.

World record breaking athlete and pioneering aviator, Lady Mary Heath is most famous for her solo flight from Cape Town to London in 1927. For more fascinating insight into an incredible life have a look here.

-Aisling-

From Movies.Com:

Dennis (Simon Pegg) is a little on the hefty side. He also, quite stupidly, leaves his fiancé at the alter on their wedding day. Several years later, he realizes he left the love of his life and becomes determined that the only way to win her back is to run a marathon, something he’s not quite in shape for.

Release date for the UK is 7th September. Do you reckon it’ll give Chariots of Fire a run for it’s money as the best running movie ever……;-) Any other sporty/ adventurous movies of note? Into Thin Air……is another classic. Here’s a website featuring Runnng Movies!

-Aisling-

Trailer from You Tube.