My Run

This is a very inspirational film that depicts the trials and tribulations of bringing up kids as a single parent. It's difficult enough with two let alone one, one that has been affected by a loving wife who has died from breast cancer at an early age. His interaction with his son who follows him throughout the country is encouraging. Terry's son stayed the course and followed his father from Minneapolis to Atlanta. It is amazing that you were able to continue your quest with so many distractions and maladies. Not only was your trip encouraging to many in your same situation but miraculous at your age.Terry, thank you for your selfish dedication to bring this important situation out into the open.

My Run is a documentary directed by Tim VandeSteeg (and narrated by Billy Bob Thornton), which centers around Terry Hitchcock, a 50+ year old man, who tragically loses his wife to breast cancer and struggles raising three kids on his own. One day, he gets an idea to accomplish the impossible—"run 75 consecutive marathons in 75 consecutive days," despite his health problems, to raise awareness for the plight of single parents and their kids. While on this journey, he brings inspiration to the community around him as well as his family and friends.

Remember that late 15 minute (or so) segment of Forrest Gump where Forrest is running all over the U.S. map, bumping into all kinds of people, and somehow inspiring them? I had always wondered, during that whole journey, what things did he take away from everything he saw along the way? I have to admit that that 15 minute segment seemed out of place because it could've been a whole other movie on its own (in fact, it felt like a different movie). Well, My Run is THAT movie and yes, answers that question I had. Of course, the difference, compared to Forrest Gump, being that this is a true story.

In essence, this is a road movie, except it is on foot. I've often said one of the most important elements of any good road movie is that it must be more about the inner journey of the character(s) than the external journey of going from point A-to-B. This film is just that kind of film. As Terry attempts his 2000-plus mile attempt, the camera follows wherever he runs to, the various places and people he encounters along the way. He also encounters many obstacles, weather conditions, along with physical and mental strain. What is unusual is that he isn't a marathon runner at all. He's 57, doesn't have a runner's body, and he has a heart condition. In the film, Terry explains to us that this particular journey has a symbolic parallel with his own life, faith, and struggles as a single parent.

It is always difficult for me to critique a documentary because I can't really blame the writer if the writing is bad and even the director is somewhat limited in control. Ultimately, I believe the quality should depend on how well the film presents the subject and how interesting the subject is. Terry Hitchcock, thankfully, is a fascinating personality, while still being very real. We feel his emotions, his imperfections, and his insight about life. The film is interspersed with interviews with his family members, friends, trainer, and Terry himself, with voice-over narration kept to a minimum.

What I particularly appreciated about this film was the organic nature. It wasn't static or overly facts-driven. There was humor, yet it wasn't sarcastic or cynical. I liked how we got to know more of Terry's insight from the people that he met. I liked how it wasn't voice-over heavy. The film is an emotional one, but is brought on by the people and their stories. We get to know a lot about his son, his biggest supporter, in subtle ways.

What's great about films like this, about regular people like Terry, is that ultimately, it is not all about him, or how great he is, but it is what he does with what he has, as well as the community support, that makes him an inspiration. Yes, he does accomplish his goal, but it was the journey that was more important—and how he reacted to those obstacles. While he may not be as physically fit, talented, or young as some of us may be, he reminds us that even we, who do have more, can achieve great heights. Yes, we could watch yet another documentary on Kobe Bryant or Michael Jackson, films that are there to mostly show how "human" they really are (and to sell more records and tickets). Terry, on the other hand, is already "human"—he is all of us (at one point or another) and like his friends, his family, and his community, we are journeying in our lives right along with him. I give My Run **** out of **** stars.

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I saw this documentary at the Austin Film Festival and really enjoyed it. It will change the way you live. It's the story of Terry Hitchcock, who lost his wife to cancer then raised his kids by himself. After the kids were grown he decided to run seventy-five marathons in a row to raise awareness for single-parent households. Once he decides to run the marathons, the story really takes off. You see how hard it was for him. He was already in his late fifties when he decided to do it, and he had a bad heart. The fact that he never gave up, no matter what was put before him, is what makes the documentary so great. It shows you that if you really put your mind to something and believe in yourself, you really can do amazing things.

Recently a friend of mine gave me something he had written and challenged me "I dare you not to cry at the end." At the time I thought it was a bit of a silly and maybe just a tad presumptuous of a challenge. But I find myself, while thinking about this film, wanting to invoke the same challenge (goes to show me I guess).

And the thing is not that this film is so sad or heartbreaking at the end that you can't help but weep. Quite the contrary. Though of course it has it's sad and really heartbreaking elements, for me "My Run" really turned out to be a story about hope, about human challenges, and about how we can really achieve almost the most impossible things just by making committing our minds and mostly our hearts to it. Maybe I weeped at the end because it put my daily excuses of why I can't do this or that to shame. Of course i am kidding. But, I did weep at the end, and most unexpectedly, and mostly because I had just seen one of the most touching stories I had seen in a long time about the resilience and strength of the human heart.

So I don't mean to be lugubrious in my words. But the point I am trying to make, in case i haven't said it many times over :-), is that I loved this film. And if you ever get the chance to see it...do!!!

(for confidentiality purposes and to protect the innocent, I won't stay weather I did cry at the end of my friends project :-)... Cheers

I'm not a runner but, then again, neither is the subject of this documentary. The challenge for the filmmakers is how to this tell this story, even though we already know how it ends, he makes it to Atlanta. But the real "story" of course, is his journey, personally but also with his family. I had the chance to see the world premiere at the Austin Film Festival and recently again at the Minneapolis/St Paul International Film Festival. The footage used from his original run in 1996 adds tremendously to the authenticity of the story. This film is truly a triumph of the spirit. I recommend it highly. You will laugh and you will probably also cry. When the house lights in Austin went up, people were on their feet, there wasn't a dry eye in the house and everyone was smiling,