January 17, 2008

ITS A GOOD, PERHAPS GREAT, TIME for running videos and movies. I don't know anything about the mechanics of video production, but it's obvious that relatively light and inexpensive digital video cams have given every would-be Martin Scorsese a chance to develop their skills. At the same time, YouTube and all its clones offer a vast potential audience. You don't have to look very hard or far on the Internet to find a range of running-related videos, including those on the RunnersWorld.com home page

Meanwhile, running continues to find its way into big-screen movies. I wrote recently about the funny running scenes--and even geekier shorts--in the hit comedy "Juno." Yesterday, one of USA Today's movie reviewers, Mike Clark, noted that the 1982 feature film "Personal Best" is now available on DVD. Parts of that movie were filmed at Eugene's Hayward Field during an off day at the 1980 Olympic Track Trials. I remember looking on as Mariel Hemingway struggled to clear a few hurdles. But what I seem to recall most of the finished film is a steamy--as in hot water fogging the camera lens--scene in the women's locker room. My  wife says she doesn't remember that scene, but she can go on at great length about Kenny Moore's brief appearance in the altogether. Funny how the sexes see things differently.