Church of the Long Run

Sunday mornings are a time for reflection. In the congregation of runners, we often single out that day as the one where we too pay our penance. The Sunday long run becomes a weekly ritual where we allow for the time it takes. Whether in a group or solitude, we carve out the space necessary to participate in physical communion. One received only through prolonged effort. Done correctly, it’s a truly hypnotic, meditative experience built at the altar of another week's worth of showing up. For the runner, this is deliverance. This is church.
Director Emily Maye
Color and Cinematographer Dustin Miller
Assistant Cinematographer Asa Reed
Original Score Michael A. Muller
Editor Chris Milliman
VFX Andrew Fallon
Precision Driver Colin Floom
Arm Operator Luke Askelson
Gimbal Technician Doug Hrdlicka

[@danieldiehr926]

Not sure what the intention of the video was, but after watching the entire run on Saturday and observing the runner's form, cadence, and steady pace in addition to the effort she showed, the next day I went out for my "long run" and found my self visualizing and "in my mind" duplicating the runner in the video. I had one of my best long steady efforts in a long time! Thank you for posting this video Tracksmith! It might benefit runners in ways you did not think of.

[@VirtualTrailRunning]

That’s really fascinating, well done!

[@classicalwit]

Thank you Tracksmith! Only distance runners will truly appreciate this: peace. I can feel everything that's happening to Sam. Beautiful, lonely miles. Perfect.

[@ricardojoseriverajustinian741]

At some point, like a bit more of the halfway, my heart starts to feel very emotional. Wow! I don’t know if I’m the only one. That feeling is unique and only runners know.

[@VirtualTrailRunning]

I know the feeling, too!

[@CFSMTRAINING]

I am glad you posted because I felt very moved as well - almost to tears. Been there so many times I guess it becomes spiritual to watch with just a soundtrack

[@kevinradzinski5358]

When I first heard the term "Church of the Long Run" I thought it sacrilegious. I was a young christian and was caught up more in the optics of being a good person than I was interested in really finding myself and experiencing God on a deep level. Now that I'm older I'm realizing that it's only in the solitude of being out there, all alone, exposed to the elements, that my mind can truly empty itself of the self inflicted torment caused by my stubbornness to hold onto things outside of my control. Something happens after 2-3 miles. My body settles in like a ball of clay being made amiable by warmth from the potters hand. I don't feel anything. I'm seemingly floating above the ground as my mind begins to relax. I stop thinking about thinking, and it's there where He meets me on the side of the road. Most times he doesn't speak. He's just there, a calming and fulfilling presence. ...It's like that poem "footprints in the sand." When I make the turn and head back home I'm made aware that he hasn't met me on the road. His presence reminds me that He's always with me and that it's my unwillingness to let go that makes me feel as though He's leaving me to re-enter the grind of daily life... On this New Years Day my hope is that you get a chance to get out there. ...Wherever "out there" is for you... Take some time to let your mind rest. Take some time to forget about everything you've ever been taught or think you have learned about who or what God is. Take some time to once again become like a young child and honestly and humbly let yourself be made aware of His eternal presence in your life. Happy New Year Everyone!

[@cartertate1916]

Amazing stuff, Kevin. Can’t agree more.

[@blandyroo]

I used to feel conflicted about "skipping" church to do a long run on a Sunday morning.. But after time, and several years of skipping church, I realized the long run was my true place of connection. Now, if I actually go to church and skip my run, I feel anxiety and disappointment. The long run feeds the soul. The long run brings all things back to center. Like church should. Like church (for me) didn't / doesn't.

[@rahulbarca4112]

Poetry in the motion. ❤️Out of this world. Thank you Tracksmith

[@labrearunningcompany4140]

THE BEST COMMENT IN THIS THREAD, "BEST SUPERHERO FILM EVER!". I love this video. I don't know why but, I found tears streaming down my face profusely as I watched - it moves me. The runner is courageous and strong and her focus is inspiring! This is art. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS!

[@outdoors2476]

THIS!!!! but my long run is on a Sat. Dirt roads and rolling hills in western MA does so much for the soul. Many times its work, but on those occasions where everything just hits......I can go for miles and miles and miles. Spring brings the porkies, summer the bears, fall the leaves, winter that frozen dirt that hits like concrete, and each and every time a feeling of gratitude.

[@MattShubert]

I've come back and watched this video at least once every couple weeks because it just truly embodies that distance running spirit so well. Masterful job. I'd love to see more of these long-form types of videos on the channel!

[@peterlee208]

It's life in 90 minutes. So simple yet profound...thank you.

[@timdonovan2802]

This film is spellbinding! Bravo! What a memorable gift today!

[@DanteCiolfi]

Emotional, beautiful, spiritual. Thank you for this wonderful gift.

[@newsoap4564]

This is amazing. I love it! But I found myself wanting to hear the footsteps and the sounds around her. I find that very meditative when running.

[@Parraka]

I stepped away for 10 mins without hitting pause and had to rewind. it's a calming spectacle of humanity.

[@deanpagani6772]

Amazingly simple, emotional, and inspiring. Great job. Thanks Tracksmith for backing the project.

[@YeahRightWm3]

I ran a 1:40:00 today in Dillion, CO. It reminded me of this video. Cold, Mountains, snow, silence, pain, and peace.

[@srenehan80]

Reading the comments it's clearly evident this film perfectly summarises running, it's simplistic beauty and why so many are addicted to this natural form of movement. Film of the year for me and I'm downloading this for when my motivation levels start to drop 💪

[@tripppleDaddy]

This is by far the most beutiful thing I ever seen on YT

[@roustabout4fun]

Thumbs up and feet down. A nature bath with clean air. Gotta love it~ Oh what a feeling

[@jkhoudini]

This was perfect for my treadmill long run. Very meditative.

[@thedavidjscott_]

As a filmmaker and a runner, how you guys are doing content is just perfect.

[@stephanwieser]

as a runner, yes but I am totally missing the atmosphere sounds, footsteps, breathing, nature. also the audio is kind of annyoing after a few minutes. but yes. as a runner, I totally dig the vibes!

[@user-ft8bn8vc9r]

There's no reason I should like this video. It's just someone running. But it's calming, tranquil, inspiring, beautiful. I love this video. Thank you for this.

[@jimbo913]

Happy New Year! Love my weekly long runs. I do mine on Saturdays but largely have the same experience. Sundays have become my recovery runs.

[@christiankolstad7685]

Awesome! I am not the only one?! There's no greater feeling than being done with the long run on Saturday and having much of the weekend still ahead.

[@TheLondonRunner]

Synagogue of the Long Run

[@VirtualTrailRunning]

I feel the same way!

[@StevenSchechter-yq8tc]

Spectacular!! Love all that it captures! So inspiring and emotional! Perfection!

[@PaulSailer]

Wonderfully meditative. It's the perfect film to have on in the background as I work. Great work by all involved to make this come together!

[@niko.k]

Such a spiritual experience, I’m in awe!!!

[@francheetham]

This captures it, in all it's pureness !

[@armand45]

What a beautiful film and representation of running. It brought back so many memories of why I loved to run. The desire and passion is still there though I can no longer do it. Thank you to all of the participants who made this film and you all deserve whatever rewards come your way. This was a very meditative experience. Thank you.

[@SergiuSalcau00]

This should get an award

[@jonathantrotter715]

Congratulations on a superb film.

[@astroross]

Meditation for the Mind. Very happy I found this... kind of makes me want to run far, to run in nature, to experience the silence and sounds of soloing. #thisisrunning

[@marklewis7484]

Thank you this is wonderful

[@eloyanzola]

Ok, so this is very very very good.

[@DrProfX]

Awesome! Ode to the long run!

[@ksteege]

Pure epic run.

[@conoracutt]

Truly an amazing piece of work

[@philrouleaufilms4972]

This is pure and simply perfect. good job to the video production team

[@suncluster]

Run easy, run long

[@maxbernhardt3340]

More of them please🎉

[@rajkumarraosinhji1397]

Much thanks! Was waiting for it. Super proud of Sam and rest of Tracksmith team. Very inspiring IMHO. Happy New Year. Great start for me.

[@ewabbott]

This is lovely. Absolutely lovely.

[@ptobin]

Simply amazing…!

[@Himlovesrunning]

This is poetry.

[@LiamPaschen]

A summer one would be awesome. Just quietly on a rural road, full sun exposure

[@VirtualTrailRunning]

Absolutely loved this

[@wnegrini]

Amazing video

[@trentDelwah]

Best superhero film ever

[@RK-rf8rc]

This makes me want to run. Great work.

[@ToxicLucidity]

Divine

[@fett84]

I really enjoyed this. Would love to see this in other locations and seasons.

[@oyesiamtomsawyer2]

This rules. Heard an interview with the films director on the Runners World UK podcast. Keep making cool stuff like this. So great that it’s meditative with no VO.

[@leg_snapper]

She wears the serious runner costume, cool!

[@thomasmcauliffe1064]

Please do MORE of this long form…

[@RcruzLA]

Brilliant

[@cowboydanl]

A long Sunday run in the mountains breathing in ATV exhaust. Take me to church.

[@carolinepalmer6922]

I’m obsessed! But I’m also type A and it’s driving me crazy that we don’t know her pace or how far she ran!! Yes, yes I know that’s not the point don’t come at me lol

[@Safari87]

Ok now i need the soundtrack!

[@NotedArchived]

the bulk of the music from this film is available on all streaming platforms: Michael A. Muller - "Lower River"

[@VirtualTrailRunning]

Thank you, the music was indeed mesmerizing!

[@davidw.pursley6474]

Like watching Norwegian train videos. Meditative.

[@VirtualTrailRunning]

You might enjoy my channel, David. Certainly not the same, but you may find similarities. Cheers

[@gregmacgowan6614]

I am going to have to find this road the next time I'm in CO. Maybe we can make it the new Mags.

[@stephenhinkel2100]

Rollinsville, CO to Moffat Tunnel trailhead | East Portal Road

[@TheSeriousRunner]

🔥🔥🔥 epic content.

[@WSTuning]

Agreed. There's nothing more epic than watching somebody running from the serene solitude and silence of the great indoors 🔥

[@A.ShogunNamedDave]

This inspired me.

[@KelpandFern]

Shameless plug, but if anyone is interested in ultra running documentaries, i make them in a similar vein to this. Here is a review of one of my films: "This was a fantastic meditation on an ultra marathon. Absolutely beautiful. This is why I love British racing so much - no flashy checkpoints, no yelling spectators - just raw land and sheer effort."

[@avinashbhogun]

Something very therapeutic about this, although if there was no music would have appealed to asmr community too 😊

[@christianrasmussen3351]

Beautiful! Really missing that 4k on this!

[@PelariGalau]

Wah gila sih ini 🎉

[@brotherdustin9363]

Impressive

[@MarkGriffith]

Well that WAS long!

[@fidenzio]

Where was it filmed? Fabulous sceneries.

[@pdxrunner7364]

For those of us that might like to experience this idyllic run some day, can anyone tell us what road names/numbers this was? I’ve run Magnolia Rd a few times (I live in the Portland, OR area), but this route looked phenomenal! Thanks for any guidance.

[@nicatkinson]

Route starts at the South Boulder Creek Interpretive Site and heads west on E Portal Rd.

[@pdxrunner7364]

@@nicatkinson Thank you, sir!

[@Himlovesrunning]

Where is this filmed? Absolutely breathtaking

[@charlieschattgen602]

Does watching this count as going for a long run because I now have no time left to run my own long run

[@brianway4240]

I think there were a few more people at the bar on the way down than there were on the way up.

[@envirolambert]

There was an out-and-back race on this road years ago that I ran - is that still a thing? Haven't heard of it in a long time and completely forgot the name.

[@progbass56]

Is this audio available anywhere? I could sleep to it, run to it or meditate to it!

[@user-fs6ri8zf1x]

🥹😶‍🌫️yes

[@tiffcarey]

I'd love this music for my own runs. Is it available anywhere?

[@NotedArchived]

Most of it is from an album by Michael A. Muller called "Lower River". Available on all streaming platforms.

[@deepakram8421]

I didnt mind skipping and checking out the change in snow cover, the change in foliage, in general how the terrain moved. It was also nice to see how the pace itself varied, got more confident etc. But i would definitely not be able to watch it for the whole 1:23!! It also left me with an open question which i assume most runners would be curious about - the end shows the elapsed time, but what about distance/pace? Would have been great to know those as well :-). Thanks!

[@General_Puffball]

Chantal Akerman x Tracksmith.

[@dnice4335]

did she hydrate at all?

[@stevemaynes1360]

How far did she run?

[@scottwilson4781]

Looks like 11 miles or so. She paced it at 7:10 if my math is correct. At 8,600+ altitude. Incredible!

[@signalmountain2315]

How do your toes not fall off?

[@nicholaseaton8768]

Because she's not landing on her heel, her toes don't slap the ground. Works the calves more, but the muscles can take a beating. She's an excellent runner, for sure.

[@RedSeaChallenger]

Running feet produce warmth. Even runnable in 5-Finger barefoot shoes. Just hang on, go!

[@SergiuSalcau00]

Is she limping? Right leg.

[@ToxicLucidity]

Some of us are bit ‘crooked’ when it comes to running. 😇

[@SergiuSalcau00]

Who s the runner

[@tab5731]

Sam R

[@SergiuSalcau00]

Yep, tracked her down eventually. Thanks. Actually her name is in the opening credits :)). Anyways.

[@Gasperracing]

Shot out to everyone who watched this in its entirety 🫡 this is great for a treadmill long run visual! Something to connect to 😵‍💫

[@VirtualTrailRunning]

This was beautiful… a different way of doing treadmill run videos, which is what I create on my channel.