He’s not Superman, not Batman, not Spiderman, not Captain Kirk and not Rocky Balboa. In fact, he isn’t a hero of the fictional variety at all. My new hero was an actual person. An american runner named Steve Prefontaine.
It’s 11:50 p.m. and I’ve just finished watching Without Limits – a movie about the tragically short life of a truly great runner and a man of indomitable spirit.
Without Limits inspired and overwhelmed me. I’d heard the story and read short snippets about “Pre” but this movie brought the man to life and gave me a lot to think about.
He was the embodiment of tenacity. He refused to quit. He hated doing anything less than his absolute best and he fought tooth and nail for every step of every race he ran.
The movie was produced by Tom Cruise so you know the production is top-notch. Plus, there are some other great stories in it in addition to Prefontaine’s. Most notably, the character of Bill Bowerman (played by Donald Sutherland) is quite compelling. Bowerman was Steve Prefontaine’s famous coach (he coached many other runners), and the man who eventually founded Nike.
I really wish this post could do the movie and Steve Prefontaine justice but it can’t so I’ll just say this: If you like being inspired – especially when it comes to running and reaching your potential, do yourself a favour and see this movie because it’s GREAT!
“Pre” joins Zatopek on a list of runners I admire. I wonder who will be next!
in what is rapidly becoming one of my favorite places to haunt and it immediately made me think of Adeel – a fellow Canadian from “tuh-rah-nah” who happens to be the fastest runner I “know”.
