K.T Simpson
If you’ve seen that episode of “How I Met Your Mother” where Barney Stinson decided to run the New York City Marathon without training, as it’s just a matter of ‘just running’ – then don’t be fooled. It is NOT that easy, and runners don’t just train their body, but also their minds, to run the most famous race in the world.
As a keen runner myself, I’ve only ever tackled the half-marathon, and though only half the distance, it’s still a mountain to climb and I truly admire those who manage to conquer the full 42.2km (26 miles if you’re from the US).
Enter Brittany Forgler (Jillian Bell). A 28-year old living the dream in New York City, she gets a wake-up call from a doctor when she discovers that her big personality isn’t going to take away from the health problems she faces if she doesn’t lose some weight and start eating better. So it sounds like reeks of a Weight Watchers commercial, but Brittany’s journey to getting her health back on track ventures far from just losing a few kilos.
She soon swaps partying for runners, and with the encouragement of her neighbour Catherine (Michaela Watkins) joins a running group where she – quite literally – begins with the smallest steps possible. After bonding with Seth (Micah Stock), another struggling runner, and Catherine, the trio start training together and eventually vow to run the New York City Marathon. Brittany also bonds with Jem (Utkarsh Ambudkar), a guy who she ends up housesitting with on a semi-permanent basis while the owners of a luxury townhouse are out of town.
While the title of the film suggests a journey to running the big race (and don’t get me wrong, it mostly is), it’s also quite poignant in the way it represents walking away from bad habits – whether it be one too many tacos, or just a friend who is influencing your life in a negative way.
The 21st Century is dominated by technology, and it’s hard not to be put off by ‘Social Media Influencers’, and people that appear to have the most perfect life. But here’s the kicker: it’s all just a lie. People that put only their best foot forward often have some pain to hide, and those with the most talent are often lurking in the shadows. Now that’s not a blanket rule, or generalisation, but more so an observation. The key to living your best life is exactly that: live YOUR best life.
“Brittany Runs a Marathon” is a prime example of this. For Brittany, changing her habits didn’t involve being the best person in the world, but rather improving her own self worth and being the best person SHE could be. And this doesn’t come without failure, or falling, but the point here is to get your arse back up again and don’t let life win. Don’t let it keep you at your lowest point. You don’t have to run a marathon to do this, but for Brittany – the aim to finish the marathon was her goal, the real inspiration to get up in the morning and run just that little bit further. Self-sabotage also plays a large part here, and I think we can all relate to that.
Brittany is a representation of all of us. You don’t have to be a runner to take something away from the movie, though if you are, you will relate HARD to what she goes through to meet her ultimate goal.
Go see this film and try not to be inspired to take that small step towards change – I dare you.
