Video: Lose Yourself in Nature and Adventure

This video is a reminder to all of us of the importance of getting outside, communing with nature, and finding our own adventures, wherever they might take us. It is filled with amazing images from the world around us, including mountains, hills, and streams. But it is the words of the narration that will hopefully stick with you long after you've watched the three-and-a-half minute clip. Those words urge us to explore our planet, and they are wise words indeed.

Lose Yourself from The Monday Mountaineers on Vimeo.

Video: Trailer for An American Ascent

In June of 2013, a team of of all African-American climbers traveled to Alaska to climb the highest peak on the continent – Denali. That team would be the first of its kind on the mountain, and hoped to inspire others to follow in their footsteps in seeking outdoor adventure. A documentary film was made about that expedition called An American Ascent, and it is currently screening across the country. The video below is the trailer for that film, and will certainly give you the gist of what it is about. It will also compel you to seek out the film for yourself. Hopefully this comes to Netflix, as I'd very much like to see the whole thing.

 An American Ascent - Film Trailer from Distill Productions on Vimeo.

Video: In Current - Rowing the Grand Canyon

This video isn't just about rowing a boat down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. It is also about pursuing a dream. In order to earn a spot on the crew of a dory boat in the Canyon one must first pay their dues. That can take years to accomplish, and requires a great deal of experience. For Amber Shannon, the subject of this short film, it has been a nine year struggle toward achieving her goal of joining the team on the dory. This documentary shares that experience, along with what it is like to explore the Grand Canyon in a small wooden boat. Amazing stuff.

In Current from YETI Coolers on Vimeo.

92-Year Old Woman Becomes Oldest to Complete Marathon

Looking for a dose of inspiration before your run today? Then check out Harriet Thompson of Charlotte, NC. This past weekend, 92-year old Harriet became the oldest woman to complete a marathon when she crossed the finish line at the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. 

Harriet completed the event with a time of 7:24:36, which was more than two hours faster than the next oldest woman to finish a marathon. According to Runner's World, back in 2010, Gladys Burrell ran the Honolulu Marathon in a time of 9:53:16. At the time, she was 19 days past her 92nd birthday, which is 74 days younger than Harriet. 

The grandmother of 10 isn't new to running. This is actually the 16th time she has completed a marathon, running each of the Rock 'n" Roll races in San Diego over the years, save the 2013 even when she was battling cancer. She even olds the marathon record for 90-94 age group, which she set last year with a time of 7:07:42. That's pretty impressive all things considered. 

Harriet says that she has no intentions of slowing down either. She says she'll be back for future races as long as she can continue to run. Hopefully that will be for many more years to come, as I'm sure she serves as a great inspiration to many people who are much younger than her. 

Think about Harriet the next time you're considering skipping a training run. If she's out there on the road putting in her miles, we can be too. 

Video: Get Out and Live Your Life!

This video begins like many of our daily lives begin. The main character drags himself out of bed to head into work, even though he is clearly reluctant to go – something we are all probably familiar with at times. But just as it looks like his day is about to be ruined, he is transported to the Italian Dolomites to go mountain biking instead. The clip features some great shots of the mountains, while our intrepid hero rides impressive trails that look like they would be a lot of fun. The message here is to get out and live your life. Find some adventure wherever you can, and don't always get caught up in the drudgery. You'll find it is more fulfilling that way.

Live your Life from Ride the Dolomites on Vimeo.

Video: The Pale Blue Dot

Want to take a humbling look at our place in the Universe? Than watch this 4 minute animated clip which features Carl Sagan's famous "Pale Blue Dot" speech set to a series of images that help put his words into stirring context. Our planet is a small one, and really just a very insignificant place in the wide Universe. And yet, we still continue to have a hard time rising above our petty differences and just finding a way to get along. Sagan's words echo that sentiment so eloquently, and they hold as much meaning now as they did when he first wrote them more than 20 years ago. This Pale Blue Dot is our home, perhaps someday we'll all find a way to share it.

Pale Blue Dot from Chin Li Zhi on Vimeo.