Friday, August 20, 2010

Profiling HURT (DVD Review)

Profiling HURT is a new documentary DVD that follows ultrarunners through Hawaii's grueling HURT 100, arguably one of the world's most difficult 100-milers. It's a great taste of the people, spirit, and challenge behind this monumental challenge, and it's already become a staple in my DVD library (now getting plenty of 5am cycling trainer use). I would highly recommend it.


Profiling HURT (FINAL) from Barry Walton on Vimeo.

Ultrarunner Mark Gilligan (known to many as the co-founder of ultrasignup.com) is the energetic and self-professed bordeline-attention-deficit-disorder athlete at the center of the story. We catch up with him training for his 2nd HURT 100 after a great 6th place debut the previous year. He soon ropes in his rookie friend, Scott Guild, and we follow them through a season of training and reflection. Much of their day-to-day shows the kind of drive and dedication that 100-milers must have to tackle such a huge adventure, whether it's running flights of stairs daily in his office building, taking a 4am 40-mile fun run with friends on a freezing beach, the endless food and caffiene abuse, dealing with injuries, and a positive attitude that pervades everything. The HURT 100 is his great white whale, his fixation that allows him to take his training to the limits of injury and mental exhaustion just for the challenge. I chuckled at many of the scenes, realizing how many people must see me in a similar shade of insanity. All this for a belt buckle?

The HURT 100 course, beautifully captured by film maker Barry Walton, is staggeringly difficult. There are roots, mud, and vertical at every turn, heat that barely subsides in the night, and rarely a section long enough to actually run. I found myself pausing the video on many occasions and just shaking my head...how in the world are these guys doing this?!? The aid station volunteers, manned by the always-smiling Hawaii Ultra Running Team (HURT), are like angels in the hills. It really gives you an appreciation for this well-respected race.

HURT from Barry Walton on Vimeo.

You can check out more at the Profiling HURT Web site, or buy it at Ultrasignup.com. I think you will like it!

- SD

8 comments:

  1. I love the website, go day to see him ever again post. Congratulations and published as yet.
    How about the article, is that other, very interesting.Maybe you'd let you comment on my site.
    Anyway, blog is great. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the reco Scott. Since I'll most likely be out there to pace my buddy, I'll def consider buying this.

    Know the length of this documentary btw?

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  3. Billy - I believe it was 1 hour 15 min - just enough for a long run on the treadmill.

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  4. I ordered the DVD when I signed for HURT. And once the Grand Teton Races 100 (last running ever of the 100, they say) is over, I'll watch it (especially since I got into HURT). Glad it's good.

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  5. thats funny you mention the treadmill. i think i watch my running dvds 100 times a year when it gets cold.

    what other DVD's do you recommend for trail running? any other favorites?

    ReplyDelete
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  7. Amazing videos. I enjoy watching it. Do you have some more related videos to share?

    ReplyDelete
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