Thank You

Some of you know of my predilection for high-fives, particularly while on solo runs. Tuesday back in Ann Arbor, all 14 folks that I raised my hand to slapped back in solidarity. All 12 did today. Thank you.

Flag at half-mast on Saturday April 20, 2013 on the Diag at UMich

This has been a frustrating, confusing, anger-filled, yet empowering week for the running community (and I do mean both runners & spectators). Patriot's Day (AKA Marathon Monday) is one of my favorite days, if you couldn't tell from the previous post... And like many who were along the Boston course that day, in person or via broadcast, the cowardly acts that physically hurt many also emotionally hurt us. For a day, a sport and a race that celebrates the community and perseverance of the human spirit, this attack felt personal to so many. Crestfallen.

Above: 2nd to last turn in the Marathon at Comm Ave & Hereford 2:13pm
Below: runners halted before the Mass Ave overpass 2:59pm

Yet the resolve of the Boston community, the running community, and citizens believing in the freedom of the human spirit is stronger. I don't want to belabor the point... We know what we are. We know what we do. We show up, push through the wall and we pound the pavement. We will not back down. We will be back next year and next week and tomorrow: logging the miles and cheering the human will to go further.

The Boston Running Film Festival highlighted this attitude in so many ways. I was honored to share the screen with some really great stories and storytellers, and regular people, making things happen. Thank you to all who came out to show RTR some love (some for the n^th time!) You are great!

Compete Every Day

Thanks for all your support! Two quick updates/announcements.

1) Big shout outs to Compete Every Day and Amanda Fakhreddine for this great article:

...Running the Rockpile is based on the famous Mount Washington Road Race that takes place every June. The 7.6 mile, all uphill, run up the tallest mountain in the Northeast captivated Avery from the get go. However, it would be a long, winding road before her vision became a reality... [read more] 

2) Boston Running Film Festival has a great line up here for its inaugural showing. Catch RUNNING THE ROCKPILE on Saturday April 13 in the 5pm block of short New England centric films. It's gonna be great! See you there!! Cheers all!

Boston Running Film Festival

Ahoy all! Hope you all have a lovely St Patty's day fun run under your belts by now! (shout out to South Boston Boys & Girls Club 5k!)

Pretty exciting news on the screening circuit to fill ya'll in on today. We're official!

Are you going to be in Boston to run (or watch) one of the greatest Marathons of all time?!? I hope so! I will be! :) I'll be there to cheer on the running community (Patriots Day is my favorite!) and I'll also be there supporting this great film fest nod to the active lifestyle. Running the Rockpile has been selected to screen along with some other great running-themed docs. If you're around, you should consider taking some time to swing by the Hynes Convention Center--right at the finish line of the Boston Marathon--and catching a flick or two. More details to come as to actual screening days and times, but suffice to say, the whole weekend will be AWESOME. Running legends EVERYWHERE. Inspiration EVERYWHERE. Patriots EVERYWHERE!!!

See you in Boston, friends!

Flagstaff, AZ

Get ready, Southwest! Running the Rockpile is coming your way!

RTR continues to support There Is No Finish Line as a part of its national debut tour. Next stop: Flagstaff, Arizona. This time the event (also including short film A Runner's Life) will benefit Girls on the Run-- a really cool organization in the more movement movement. If you or anyone you know is in the lovely Grand Canyon state, best wind your way over to the Orpheum Theatre...

Thursday, March 21, 2013 @ 7pm (MST)
More details on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/201796649963316/


Also in the works: Colorado Springs, CO screening April 24, 2013... stay tuned.

News for 2013

Hi All,

Happy New Year! Just thought I'd drop a line to let you all know: Running the Rockpile is headed West! The short has been selected to serve as an "opening act" for the Joan Benoit Samuelson bio-pic There Is No Finish Line. Dates are building, but so far we've got two screenings lined up:

• Boulder, CO (Jan 16): https://www.facebook.com/events/360603864037060/
• Minneapolis, MN (Feb 27): https://www.facebook.com/events/385659354857112/

If you or anyone you know is in the area, tell 'em to kick their New Years resolutions into high gear and catch these two short films! :)

Stay tuned for more dates/cities on the screenings tab as they become available.

Thanks for all your support for this mountainous epic & running films in general! :)

Cheers!

NewEnglandFilm.com Online Film Festival

Alright runners! We're in the homestretch of viewing Running the Rockpile for FREE at the NewEnglandFilm.com Online Film Festival.  Check out the 22-minute short documentary on New England's tallest peak and arguably most challenging footrace before the festival ends October 15. Rumor has it that there is an audience choice prize going to the film with the most views at the end of the festival. Tell your friends! Tell your co-workers! Tell your grandmother! Click Refresh! :)

Fall temps mean fall training runs crunching over leaves and wearing reflective strips on your t-shirt due to waning sunlight. Hope you're enjoying some of this fresh air and beautiful scenery. It's a runner's world out there, truly.

red cedar river, east lansing, michigan

Run on, my friends

Two opportunities to watch!

Ahoy runners!

I've got two viewing opportunities for you this Fall, already!

On Sept 12 the Howe Library in Hanover, NH will be screening RTR as a part of the Inspire Active Living Series brought to you by Upper Valley Running Club member and New London Recreation Director Chad Denning (of Team Amp). Many thanks to Nancy Dunbar, also, for her help organizing this event. Along with the screening, members of the UVRC will be in attendance to talk about their experiences with the race. The night promises to be a great resource for not only mountain running enthusiasts interested in the big hill, but also for those interested in New Hampshire and race history. Very cool event series here. Great ideas on how to get active--maybe there are more folks out there like me who had no idea there even was such a thing as mountain running. And all of a sudden: a whole new challenge.

If Hanover is a little out of your way and you won't be able to make that screening, I've got great news for you. Last month this filmmaker was approached by the folks at NewEnglandFilm.com to be a part of their 4th Annual Online Film Festival. To say I was surprised and humbled by this invitation is an understatement. NewEnglandFilm.com is a really great resource for filmmakers in New England, and I suspect even farther afield. I used the website while making my film for tips, techniques and advice on a whole array of filmmaking topics. The site also maintains a job posting board that, for anyone in the film scene--or trying to break into it-- proves a great way to stay connected to New England opportunities. I was pumped to be able to submit Running The Rockpile to this festival. Big Shout Outs to the SNOB (Somewhat North of Boston) Festival for nominating RTR for this honor!

The Fest is running from Sept 1-Oct 15 and you can watch as many films as you want (all for free, by the way). There seems to be an "audience choice" prize going to the film that garners the most views...so tell your friends!! :)

Check out NewEnglandFilm.com's Online festival here! Or go right to the Running the Rockpile page (you know you want to!!)

Thanks, again, to all those followers who've waited patiently to see the film up online. Don't miss your chance to see it!

Cheers!