Endurance Sports Documentaries

Apr 2, 18 11:37

Post #1 of 31 (9791 views)

Thanks to you fine (??) people here, I've recently watched the Badwater documentary on YouTube (Thread) and the Barkley documentary on Amazon Prime (Thread).

What else should I watch in this vein?

Though I have no compunction to do these events myself, I'm sucked in by the drama/story/emotion of the edge of human performance.

ETA Icarus was also amazing

I wrote this, you should read it:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...n_Swimming_6700.html

Last edited by: tallswimmer: Apr 2, 18 15:19

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 13:47

Post #2 of 31 (9703 views)

I watched a documentary called "Finding Traction" on Netflix the other day. It chronicles Nikki Kimball's attempt to beat both the men's and women's world record on the 273 mile long Vermont Long Trail. I enjoyed it and would recommend it - it did a good job of conveying the emotional ups and downs felt throughout training and races.

https://www.netflix.com/title/80148409

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 13:53

Post #3 of 31 (9689 views)

If you haven't seen "Inspired to Ride" about the transcontinental bike race it is worth the watch.

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 14:02

Post #4 of 31 (9668 views)

Ride the Divide about riding the Continental Divide MTB race.
There were also two films about Leadville.

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 14:16

Post #5 of 31 (9650 views)

Check out Ride the Divide. MTB 'race' from Canada to Mexico, self-supported.

--------------------------------------------
TEAM F3 Undurance

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 14:46

Post #6 of 31 (9605 views)

Icarus on Netflix is definitely worth a watch.

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 15:13

Post #7 of 31 (9574 views)

Unbreakable, not the Bruce Willis one. The one about UltraRunning.

Subscribe to Billy Yang channel on YouTube. He’s got a lot of great stuff.

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [wcb] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 15:20

Post #8 of 31 (9563 views)

Ahh, can’t believe I forgot that in my original post. So good and terrifying

All- thanks for the great suggestions so far. I have a lot of viewing to do!

I wrote this, you should read it:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...n_Swimming_6700.html

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 16:19

Post #9 of 31 (9511 views)

"Touching the Void" Although it is about mountain climbing and not a competitive race, it illustrates human endurance and suffering better than anything else I have ever seen.

Andrew Inkpen

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 16:45

Post #10 of 31 (9493 views)

Riding Giants is also a good one - about surfing. Lots of good suggestions thus far.

Blog: http://262toboylstonstreet.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/NateThomasTri
Coaching: https://bybtricoaching.com/ - accepting athletes for 2023

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 16:59

Post #11 of 31 (9484 views)

"Where Dreams Go To Die," the most recent Barkley Marathons documentary

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 17:10

Post #12 of 31 (9469 views)

Slaying the Badger (from 30/30). Not sure if it's still on netflix. It's absolutely superb.

Also, on the Armstrong debacle, Stop at Nothing was good.

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 18:13

Post #13 of 31 (9414 views)

Just a few off the top of my head:

Bicycle Dreams (about RAAM)
Running on the Sun (about Badwater)
Endurance (Haile Gebreselassie)
Breaking2
Mont Blanc / CCC / UTMB by Billy Yang
Miller v Hawks TNF 50

Coach at TriForce Triathlon Team: https://www.triforceteam.com

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 18:53

Post #14 of 31 (9371 views)

Another mountaineering/climbing recommendation: Meru, absolutely awesome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdWzTqyMtSU (Trailer)

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [MikeM126] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 19:03

Post #15 of 31 (9353 views)

The Radiolab podcast called "Human Limits" is really great. They talk about ironman and Raam... It's free to listen and fascinating extreme stories

edit - this is the one...
http://www.radiolab.org/story/91710-limits-of-the-body/

Last edited by: lacticturkey: Apr 3, 18 1:07

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [MikeM126] [ In reply to ]

Apr 2, 18 19:05

Post #16 of 31 (9351 views)

Meru was exceptional.

Touch the Wall is popular recently with swimmers.

I watched The Longest Triathlon and The High recently. Some grassroots stuff that’s just endurance to its core.

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [cmd111183] [ In reply to ]

Apr 3, 18 4:01

Post #17 of 31 (9210 views)

Inspired to Ride and The Barkley Marathons are two of my favourites on Netflix. Billy Yang's Youtube channel is great, well filmed shorts on the ultra community.

What it Takes is quite old now, and I don't even know if you can still get it, but it chronicles the training year of Peter Reid, Luke Bell, Heather Fuhr and Lori Bowden. It was the year before Pete retired. http://www.witmovie.com

https://trigeek1969.blogspot.ca

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [novaboy] [ In reply to ]

Apr 3, 18 5:29

Post #18 of 31 (9161 views)

Overcoming

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 3, 18 5:57

Post #19 of 31 (9136 views)

looks like you'd have to pay for it on youTube -- but I am Bolt is worth it

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 3, 18 6:16

Post #20 of 31 (9113 views)

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 3, 18 6:25

Post #21 of 31 (9093 views)

Following this thread...

Just to throw in my suggestion - Chasing Legends. It follows the HTC team during the 2009 Tour. I wouldn't call it a documentary in the traditional sense. But it was insightful and entertaining.

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 3, 18 6:45

Post #22 of 31 (9054 views)

I know a few others have already brought it up, but Meru is one of the best documentaries I've ever watched. Just got added to Netflix a few weeks ago.

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 3, 18 6:49

Post #23 of 31 (9043 views)

I can't believe how many of these I've watched. Lots of great suggestions.

Here are a couple offbeat recs (both on Netflix):

Losing Sight of Shore - a group of women row unsupported from California to Australia
Impossible Dreamers - several older athletes accomplish some impressive physical feats

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 3, 18 8:10

Post #24 of 31 (8944 views)

"The Man Who Skied Down Everest"

"Triathlon: Through the Eyes of the Elite"

It's also fun to check out the list of short movies at a mountain film festival and then you can find a lot of them on vimeo or youtube.

Lots of good Salomon trail running films.

Unbroken - western states movie

Lots of other mentions of Meru but I will mention it again because it is that good.

Re: Endurance Sports Documentaries [tallswimmer] [ In reply to ]

Apr 3, 18 9:13

Post #25 of 31 (8880 views)

If you're into mountain biking, "Seven" and "Ten" are both fun. Only 30 minutes each but they chronicle the BC Bike Race (which is now on my bucket list thanks to the films).

There's also a cool film on Youtube about the Colorado Trail Race, a 500-mile self-supported mtb race.

Not a documentary and I'm not sure where to watch it since it's not on TV anymore but Boundless is fun.

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