Phedippidations

With this episode I’m off and running on my 9th year of podcasting.  Did I think that I’d still be at it after all this time?  To be honest I didn’t really think about it...I just kept on producing the shows.  Clearly, this isn’t the same Phedippidations that it was back in 2005...alot has changed with the writing, recording, production, sound quality, processing, sound effects, music sounders and beds...not to mention the changes in the life of the host.  We homo sapiens are funny when it comes to change, and I’m not talking about “Funny Ha Ha”.  I think to a certain extent, many of us go through the course of our lives in blissful or less denial on the topic of change...I know I’m guilty of that...so I’ll speak for myself. Intellectually I understand that change is constant, but in my heart I try to ignore that truth.  I have always preferred to belive that I live in a secure, understandable, familiar and unchanging life and lifestyle...but that’s a fantasy...the truth is that every day and every hour brings change. The way to become happy in life, is to be mindful of this change. Parents with young children experience such change to the extreme.   Those of you with new born and young kids must cherish these moments...for when I warn you that they will pass by much faster than you can possibly imagine, you have to belive me.  I don’t mean to bum you out...but almost literally tomorrow your babies will be full fledged adults, and you’ll have the nest to yourselves...it’s a little freaky at first, but it gets better...it really does. It’s these transitions in our lives that shock and awe us...but they shouldn’t.  I’m talking about our “fear of change” here, something that the buddist nun Pema Chodron writes about in her book “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times” She writes: “We’re always trying to deny that it’s a natural occurrence that things change, that the sand is slipping through our fingers. Time is passing. It’s as natural as the seasons changing and day turning into night.  But getting old, getting sick, losing what we love—we don’t see those events as natural occurrences. We want to ward off that sense of death, no matter what.  When we have reminders of death, we panic. It isn’t just that we cut our finger, blood begins to flow, and we put on a Band-Aid. We add something extra—our style.  Some of us just sit there stoically and bleed all over our clothes. Some of us get hysterical; we don’t just get a Band-Aid, we call the ambulance and go to the hospital. Some of us put on designer Band-Aids. But whatever our style is, it’s not simple. It’s not bare bones.  Can’t we just return to the bare bones? Can’t we just come back? That’s the beginning of the beginning.  Bare bones, good old self.  Bare bones, good old bloody finger.  Come back to square one, just the minimum bare bones.  Relaxing with the present moment, relaxing with hopelessness, relaxing with death, not resisting the fact that things end, that things pass, that things have no lasting substance,that everything is changing all the time...” She’s right of course...I’m hardly an enlightened soul, but I do understand that everything is changing all the time...and that includes Phedippidations. I’ve recieved thousands of comments about this show over the years, and one of the common subject lines mentions a listeners unhappiness with the many changes that I’ve made with the show.  I cannot, and will not apologize for that, because it’s not something that I have control over...part of the reason I have no control over this is because we’re going through a journey here, together. Like it or not, you’ve been listening not only to my rambling diatribes and presentation of road races and running related topics...but you’ve been listening to the story of my life, and the lives of my friends and family.  I could have made a better effort to sheild you from all that...having worked in commercial radio broadcasting, I know first hand how the private lives of Dee-Jays and Talk Show Hosts are often hidden from the audience. But I didn’t want to do that here, because this is a conversation for and about runners. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Too many of the professional and corporate production houses who have entered this space...as I knew they one day would...continue to follow the tired, old way of broadcasting content.  Many or most are afraid of being complely open and honest, and until they do...they’re always just going to be a radio show pretending to be a podcast...or netcast...or RSS driven audio enclosure....whatever you want to call it.   Can we agree that the “pod” in “podcasting” is no longer relevent?  As my life has changed, this show has changed.  As this show has changed, our relationship as host and listener has changed...and I like to think that this change is, or will be, for the better. Someone asked me recently “How long will you continue to produce Phedippidations”...and there is an answer to that: “until I’m finished”.   That could mean until I’m physically unable to produce the show, or it could mean until I’ve reached the end of our journey together...it doesn’t really matter.  I’ll miss you, you might miss me...but rest assured, somewhere up ahead of us in the near or far flung future, is the last episode of this podcast. We should find comfort in that as we should find comfort in all the alpha and omega moments of our lives.   When Ani Pema Chodron suggests that we return to the “bare bones” in our response to change, she is suggesting that we live for the moment, every moment...that we learn to relax and not resist the fact that change is constant and that everything comes to an end.  Nothing in our lives remains the same, ever...so if you like something, hell...if you LOVE something or someone, an experience you’re having or once had...cherish that thing, person or moment, now...right now...and relax...be better for the experience and move on as the world moves on. And yes, I am the pot pointing out that the kettle is of a darkened hue...but as runners we have an opportunity to think deeply about change...change in our lives, change in our friends and families lives...and even something as goofy as the changes with a podcast. Links: Friend, Fellow Runner & Wine Freak: Song Episode Date Published Song Title Artist 1 Fdip295: Dr. George Sheehan – Facing the Future Sept 8th, 2012 All My Days Alexi Murdoch 2 Fdip296: Motivational Gadgetry Sept 20th, 2012 Let Them Feel Your Heart Beat A Silent Film 3 Fdip297: What is this thing called, Love? Oct 13th, 2012 Tomorrow Black Lab 4 Fdip298: The Problem with NSAIDs Nov 10th, 2012 The Day Moby 5 Fdip299: An Honor to Run with You Dec 2nd, 2012 Further Long-View 6 Fdip300: A New Hope Feb 1, 2013 Run, Run The Rivals 7 Fdip301: Unwrinkling the Runners Soul Feb 28th, 2013 Good Men A Boy and His Kite 8 Fdip302: As Fast as We Can March 22nd, 2013 As Fast as You Can Our Lady Peace 9 Bonus Track Learn to Dance Andrew McMahon Intervals between episodes can be found at steverunnerblog.com In Vino Veritas with at ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But PLEASE, only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 70 friends and fellow runners: William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Brad, Marcelo, Shawn, Roberto, Zaki, Jan, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Albert, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Teresa, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Matt, Eric, Claudia, Jim, Kara, Robert, Dino, Joe, Martin, Rich, Sarah, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea and one Anonymous fellow runner! THANK YOU! {} Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:

Over the years, I have spoken to you about all of the many benifits as to why running is good for you.  I’ve talked about the physical, psychological and even the spiritual benefits of this sport...but  I’ve also tried to get across this point: that running is just one of the ways to improve your health, increase your level of happiness and extend the duration of your life.  I’ve told you that “Runners are special” but I’ve always been quick to admit that I’m not saying we’re better than  non-runners...we’re just different.  Think about some of the times you’ve run incredibly long distances, or gotten your miles in during a blizzard or heat wave...some might call us crazy, I prefer the word “special”. But obviously there are other physical activities that can bring you similar benefits: for the purpose of today’s discussion we will consider the act of walking.  And the question to be asked and answered here is simply this: which is better for you, running or walking? Now, look...let’s be reasonable...I have dedicated the last 8 years of my life...over 300 episodes answering the question with the choice to run.  I call myself “Steve Runner” I have drawers full of running Tee-Shirts and boxes of old running shoes that I keep hidden in my attick for the “Steve Runner Memorial Library” by grandaughters will no doubt, one day open...but if we’re going to consider Running versus Walking...we’d better turn to “SCIENCE”. Links: Special Olympics: A New Project: Gud Musik? Fuhgeddahboudid: I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” was by The Proclaimers at Intervals between episodes can be found at steverunnerblog.com In Vino Veritas with at PHEDIPPIDATIONS SITE OF THE RUN: ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But PLEASE, only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 67 friends and fellow runners: William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Brad, Marcelo, Shawn, Roberto, Zaki, Jan, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Albert, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Teresa, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Matt, Eric, Claudia, Jim, Kara, Robert, Dino, Joe, Martin, Rich, Sarah, Tom, David, Pierre and one Anonymous fellow runner! THANK YOU! {} Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:

It was on April 19th, in the year of our Lord 2000, that I first registered the domain name of SteveRunner.com. It wasn’t my idea.  It was that of a good friend of mine, Jim, who I had attended the University of Lowell with in the early 1980’s, and worked with for over 20 years.   It was on that 19th day of April, 13 years ago that he suggested I reserve a domain name for my running blog.  I had been posting my running related essays on a website hosted at CompuServe, but the only way you could read my running words was if you knew the complicated numerical universal resource locator that pointed to it. Today, I’d like to read for you some of the essays I wrote back then.  They are written from the perspective of a new and very enthusiastic runner of 38 years old. We are quite often oblivious to the way our lives change, and how we change through the year.  Your perspective will vary, but for me: 13 years wasn’t all that long ago. It was the peak of the Dot Com bubble, President Clinton was serving his last year in office, and I had just lost over 50 pounds.  Running had become one of my greatest passions.  I had started in December of ’98, ran my first marathon in October of ’99 and now I had a blog where I could write about the experience.  Inspired and enlightened by the cardiologist, fellow runner, philosopher and author, Dr. George Sheehan...I began writing about my running lifestyle and how it had brought me joy. My life has changed drastically since I first created the SteveRunner.com website.  The essays you’ll hear today are from a person who no longer exists, a younger version of myself that was filled with hope, excitement, opptomism and enthusiam for the act of running. This isn’t to say that I’m worse off today than I was back then...it’s just that I never expected to be where I am today; none of us do.  Go back into your own 13 year old past and it’s likely that you’ll experience the same revelation.  You aren’t who and where you expected to be. Life is an uncharted, unscripted reality.  It’s not always dramatic, and it’s not all sad or happy endings.  We lace up our shoes and we open our squeaky doors to roads that lead to an unknowable future.  Who you are today is nothing at all like the who you’ll be in ten, twenty or even thirty years, God willing.   One thing is for sure, that despite your best plans, despite whatever goals you’re aiming for; when and if you get there...everything will be different. This is who I was 13 years ago....what I was thinking about, what I was writing about.  It’s a revealing and personal cause for introspection...but it’s also an example for you to contemplate your long ago and far to come. Links: Hark the Herald Boom-Box sings: Featured Site of the Run: The song “Stereo” was by “The Watchmen” Intervals between episodes can be found at steverunnerblog.com In Vino Veritas with at PHEDIPPIDATIONS SITE OF THE RUN: ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But PLEASE, only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 68 friends and fellow runners: William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Brad, Marcelo, Shawn, Roberto, Zaki, Ria, Jan, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Albert, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Teresa, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Matt, Eric, Claudia, Jim, Kara, Robert, Dino, Joe, Martin, Rich, Sarah, Tom, David, Pierre and one Anonymous fellow runner! THANK YOU! {} Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:

We wish you could have been here.   The Cinco Loco was a never to be duplicared in the history of the universe event; a run with a unique group of good people who came together to share their time; to be there for a friend who had lost his precious child, to be there at the finish line of an event that hatred tried to ruin; to celebrate the friendships that we had made on line, through podcasts and the social media tubes of the Interwebs...and to enjoy a victory cupcake, in person, together...side by side, in the flesh...real people, real friends and fellow runners. We all wish you could have been here; and we look forward to the day when we will:  standing at an arbitrary starting line to run some arbitrary distance, without earbuds, downloads and RSS subscriptions, without tweets, and facebook updates or blog posts...but in person, you and I and some incredibly cool people. That is the spirit of the Mojo Loco movement...that’s what’s real, significant and important. We should run together, at the same time in the same place at some point during our brief lives.  Because that’s all that matters.  You and I are friends and fellow runners, but as I said before: our friendship is confirmed and reinforced upon meeting each other in physical person. If we are to make the world a better place, we have to promote respect, admiration and friendship with people all over the world.  Runners have a special way of doing that, because it doesn’t matter who you are, where you live, what you belive in, how you dress, what you look like, how old you are, or any of the other wonderful and infinite persuasions that define you: we have this one thing in common; we run...and that physical act can be the rock solid foundation for a friendship that can make the world understand and appreciate each other, and bring us all together. I wish you had been here, and I hope that one day we’ll go our for a run.

My name is Steve, I’m from Boston, and I am Boston Strong.   There’s a certain amount of pride that I have, in saying that.  But the truth is, we’re all from Boston.  Boston...is more than just a city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...for runners like you and I, it’s a idea...it’s a place where dreams come true.   The course from the Hopkinton Bandstand to Boylston Street is more than just a paved roadway...it’s a course.  Wherever you’re hearing me right now, that course is connected to you.  When you lace up your shoes and open your own squeaky front door, you’re taking to the same road, on the same planet as I.  The phrase “Think Global, Run Local” has never been so true as it was on the afternoon of April 15th, Patriots Day...a day of heros. I am now going to say something that is well overdue...I’m going to admit that I was wrong about something.  I’m wrong about alot of things, but I’m stubborn too, I’m a cranky New Englander...but when faced with the truth...I have no alternative but to accept my our fault. I once said, on this podcast, that it doesn’t take courage to run, in fact I dedicated an entire episode to that silly notion back in December of 2008, episode 166 “It’s Not About Courage”.   In that episode I said that “Just because someone says that it takes courage for you to run your first mile, does not make it so.  It does not make noble the action by affixing such terms to explain how you came to be.”    Fellow runners, don’t you belive that.  I was wrong, and I apologize with all my heart.   You know how much the Boston Marathon means to me; you know how much this city means to me...but the fact is, that we all have courage...the first responders, the fire, police and emergency crews who responded at risk to their own lives, and the many, MANY fellow runners who did exactly what any of you would have done: we are indomitable, we overcome pain, we use our bodies as they were meant to be used, and we sacrifice for the good of this world. It is about courage, afterall.  When you take to the road, you’re becoming a hero...a hero who would gladly help other runners by passing out bottles of water, a hero who would walk into a little burger joint near the finish line and grab a couple of big trash bags to give to a complete stranger for warmth, a hero who would risk being with other people in an area where the attacks took place, as a way to offer fellowship and comfort. Oh, yes, there are so many hero’s in our community...so many fellow runners willing to sacrifice, help and fight for what’s right.  The cowardly terrorists who dropped those backpacks with pressure cooker bombs thought they could scare you, they thought they could end the marathon, frighten the world and send a message of hatred that would force us to cower in the darkness. All they did was kill and hurt some good people, and make a bloody mess of Boylston Street.  There’s a concept in physics discovered by Sirl Issac Newton as his third law of motion. “Actioni contrariam semper et æqualem esse reactionem” To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction Fellow runners, we could be heros.  We could respond to this act of terror, with acts of heroism; armed with, as weapons, kindness, respect, sacrifice and wave after wave of love. Of course it takes courage to run, it’s something that those who would stop us most clearly don’t understand.  Instead of defeating us on Boylston Street, the terrorist’s empowered us all over the world, to set postive examples for others on how to be good animals, better people, and brave heros. Links: On Monday, May 5th, join my friends and fellow runners, and I, in Boston as we celebrate the life of Jacob Tinkoff and run to the finish line of the Boston Marathon. We are waves of love, and Boston Strong: el Cinco Loco: Thanks for the music: The song “All Roads Lead Home” was by Golden State at Intervals between episodes can be found at steverunnerblog.com In Vino Veritas with at ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But only if you can afford it) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 66 friends and fellow runners: William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Brad, Marcelo, Shawn, Roberto, Zaki, Ria, Jan, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Albert, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Teresa, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Matt, Eric, Claudia, Jim, Kara, Robert, Dino, Joe, Martin, Rich, Sarah, Tom and one Anonymous fellow runner! THANK YOU! {} Follow me on: Blog: Twitter:   Facebook:   Plus: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:

Thousands of candles  can be lighted  from a single candle,  and the life of the candle  will not be shortened.  The Buddah The world is a better place for the life of a young man by the name of Jacob Tinkoff.   If you haven’t heard, it breaks my heart to tell you of this worlds loss of my friend Adam Tinkoff’s son, Jacob.   No parent should have to endure such tragedy alone.  So now you know, and now together, we mourn. Jacob, or Jake to his friends,  was a good, kind and sweet young man.   He was also a  passionately talented musician. He was an accomplished string bassist. The music you'll hear on this podcast was from a series of youtube videos Adam had posted over the past few yeasr, featuring  Jacob playing bass in his orchestra. Not long ago, Adam spoke to me about the very real and powerful phenomenon of creating waves of love and joy in the world.   As humans, we create content, thoughts and beauty...which spread out like ripples in a pond, touching the hearts and souls of other people, who in turn are inspired, or infused with a need to create their own positive waves of love and joy. The Buddha said “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.”   These waves of light, love and beauty are generated by a single source, and spread throughout the universe of people in ways that we can hardly understand, but are deeply effected by...and as long as that light shines, as long as that love propagates, the life of the source cannot be shortened. Jacob Tinkoff is a beautiful soul, who has touched the lives of many people...and today, through this music, his love will touch you and change you in meaningful and subtle waves. “To Write Love on Her Arms” is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.   Adam and his family asks that in lieu of flowers you make a donation "To Write Love On Her Arms".   You can find them online at Please keep Jacob, Adam and the Tinkoff family in your prayers. The Buddha wrote that: “All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.”

How fast can the fastest human being run?  We know that Usain Bolt of Jamacia ran at a top speed of  27.78 miles per hour (44.72 km/h) between the 60 to 80 meter segment of the 100 meter sprint in 1.61 seconds on August 16th, 2009 at the Berlin World Championships.   But what I want to know, is how fast could the fastest human being ever really run.  I’m not talking about Usain...the guy is amazing...but we are human beings, and we have evolved with this particular physicolgy.  What would it take for one of us to run the fastest that is possible as a member of our species? It turns out that, according to the latest science, there are two contending factors which affect the speed of human beings: first the amount of force that our bodies can handle as we smash our limbs upon the ground, and second the speed at which our muscles can contract and pull on our tendons.  Only one of these is the primary factor, and it will become obvious as we go through the science which matters most. We need to consider the mechanics here to come up with a theoretical limit to human speed, and as we do you need to keep Usain Bolt’s 28 miles per hour in mind. This is an episode about the theoretical limits to the speed of a human being. The answer to “How Fast Can We Run”, as a species, may surprise you! Links: It’ll be WICKED PISSA: el Cinco Loco: Run with Jason: Huff Po likes me! They really like me! slide=1952271 The musical voice inside my head: Featured Site of the Run: Tell @mccarthy_roy I said “hi”.  The song “As Fast As You Can” was by Our Lady Peace off the album “Curve” which you can buy right now on iTunes or at Intervals between episodes can be found at steverunnerblog.com In Vino Veritas with at PHEDIPPIDATIONS SITE OF THE RUN: ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But only if you can afford it) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 63 friends and fellow runners: William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Brad, Marcelo, Shawn, Roberto, Zaki, Ria, Jan, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Albert, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Chris, Teresa, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Matt, Eric, Claudia, Jim, Kara, Robert, Dino, Joe and one Anonymous fellow runner! THANK YOU! {} Follow me on: Blog: Twitter:   Facebook:   Plus: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:

If you’re a new runner, or know someone who is...or even if you are a runner who has packed away your running shoes because you’re in some kind of a slump, or gave up running due to reasonable health reasons...I’m here to tell you that you are not alone. You’re not the first runner to quit, and you won’t be the last.   I know, because I’ve been there...and todays epsiode of Phedippidations is a shout of encouragement...it’s my attempt to say to you that even if you’ve hung up your shoes: you’re not a quitter.  Stop thinking of your running in terms of that. Whatever your goals are..whatever the reason it was that made you first lace up your shoes...they’re still valid reasons; the only thing you really have to do is change those short term goals into long term goals...and recognize the signs of improvement. You really are, a runner.  Sometimes we don’t feel that way, sometimes we feel like giving up, crawing into our darkened subterrainan dens and disassociating ourselves from that aweful activity...but if we can think it through clearly, and unwrinkle our damaged souls...we’ll all realize that we have evolved to be runners, and that happiness can be found in accepting that truth and becoming what we were meant to be.

I’ve had alot of time to think about how I’d conclude, this: my 300th episode...and I guess it makes sense for me to briefly comment on something I said in episode 1: When I talked about the horrible feeling of dropping the ball and losing the 1977 championship baseball game of the Weymouth Farm League for my team, The Red Barons. The essay I wrote and read was my way of explaining why, after that crushing loss, I sought to involve myself only in sports that celebrated individual achievement.  I wrote: “It's probably no coincidence that I've never played in a team sport since.  I chose, instead, to direct my athletic attentions to the Cross Country and Track teams, as well as the individual medley events on the swim team.  I involved myself in sports that didn't require team camaraderie; I selected athletics that rewarded individual success without the dependency of others.” Seven years and 300 episodes later; I’ve come to realize how wrong I was....that this sport I love so much, this running is one that depends on camaraderie, it thrives on the dependency of others, it improves with friendship. We’re all going to experience bad days.  Life is pain...but life is also filled with such beauty and hope.  As runners, we share a common experience and this is not something we should keep for ourselves...there’s no good that can come by keeping for ourselves. I have a New Hope...a certain longing for a better world, a dream that we can all be happy, healthy and loved. John Lennon wrote that he was a dreamer...but he’s not the only one...Martin Luther King Jr. wrote about his dream for justice and equality, Mahatma Ghandi wrote "What is true of the individual will be tomorrow true of the whole nation if individuals will but refuse to lose heart and hope." Running, as with life, is not an individual sport.  It is my new hope that you and I can inspire others to become fellow runners...to become better human beings and friends.   For my part, I’ll use Phedippidations to promote that agenda.  I may drop the ball from time to time, but this is no longer an individual sport, and with you on my team...our new hope will become a new reality. I’m Steve Runner, reminding you to run long and taper.

The next episode of Phedippidations is a celebration of this podcast and the community of which it is a part...we’re celebrating not because of anything I've ever recorded, presented or produced...but because you stepped up and said you would participate...that you’d jam some ear buds in your head and at least go for a run with me....whether you've been listening since episode one or if this is your first; the honor to run with you is mine. Thank you for that honor, for being a friend and a fellow runner. Links: “Further” by Long-View  http://www.longviewmusic.com "Baby Can I Hold You" by Tracy Chapman Get some social perspective: ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But only if you can afford it) Phedippidations is supported every month through the very kind and sincerely generous financial support of 51 fellow runners: William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Andie, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Al, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Maddy, Tim, Bill, Kevin, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Brad, Rob, Marcelo, Andrew, Shawn, Roberto, Zaki, Ria, Jan, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Albert, Janice, Dan, Pam, Rob , Chris, Teresa and one Anonymous fellow runner! THANK YOU! {http://support.steverunner.com} Follow me on: Blog: http://steverunnerblog.com Twitter:   Facebook:   Plus: http://plus.steverunner.com Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs are a class of medicine used to reduce fever and treat acute or chronic conditions where pain and inflammation are present.  They are used, generally for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthropathies, gout, menstrual pain, headaches, post operative pain, and fever. Side effects include: myocardial infarction, stroke, erectile dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, gastric ulceration, diarrhea, acute renal failure, tubular necrosis, broncospasm, rash, IBS symptoms, and even photosensitivity. BUT…NSAID’s are effective for the relief of pain…as runners we know this. As runners many or most of us rely on ibuprofen or naproxen sodium to recover from injuries.  So what does science tell us about the efficacy of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs?    How are we to deal with the problem with NSAID’s? Links: http://fellrnr.com http://fellrnr.com/wiki/NSAIDs_and_Running http://www.monteladner.com The song “The Day” was by Moby  http://www.moby.com/ Presenting Mr. Robin Bearse: http://neilbearse.com ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported every month through the very kind and sincerely generous financial support of 42 fellow runners:  William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Andie, Gordon,  Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Al, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Maddy, Tim, Bill, Kevin, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Brad, Rob, Marcelo, Andrew, Shawn, Roberto, Zaki, Ria, Jan, Margaret, James and one Anonymous fellow runner! THANK YOU! {http://support.steverunner.com} Follow me on:  Blog: http://steverunnerblog.com Twitter: http://twitter.steverunner.com Facebook: http://facebook.steverunner.com Plus: http://plus.steverunner.com Stream: http://stitcher.steverunner.com Apple App: http://iapp.steverunner.com Android App: http://android.steverunner.com Support: http://support.steverunner.com

Love, is a many splendored thing, it’s all that matters, it’s all around, it moves in mysterious ways, it’s the answer, it makes no promises, it’s blind, you can’t buy it, it’s not for sale, it takes it toll, you can’t hurry it, it’s not a game, it’s a battlefield, it will keep us together, you can’t help falling in it, it doesn’t ask why, it hurts, and: “I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that”. Whatever “that” is. As runners, we say that we “love to run”, as husbands, wives and partners we most certainly love our significant others, we love people, friends, family, parents, children, all creatures great and small, and we love things…our magical revolutionary iThings, good wine, our running shoes, our town, our little blue bubble in space…and of course, we love more ethereal things such as situations and experiences.  But what is this thing called love?  When the alien robot overlords invade our planet, and they ask about this emotional connection we have to people, things and experiences…what will we tell them? Links: October 27th and 28th: Join us for the http://worldwidefestivalofraces.wordpress.com  The song  “Tomorrow” was by Black Lab off their album “Unplugged”. It’s one of my all time favorite albums and I HIGHLY recommend it: Go to http://blacklabworld.com  Please help Kim fight CANCER: http://ogden.kintera.org/kimcowart “Love gives us a fairy tale”: http://neilbearse.com ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported every month through the very kind and sincerely generous financial support of 39 fellow runners:  William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Andie, Gordon,  Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Al, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Maddy, Tim, Bill, Kevin,  Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Brad, Rob, Marcelo, Andrew,  Shawn, Roberto, Zaki, Ria  and one fellow runner who asked that I not mention their name. THANK YOU! {http://support.steverunner.com} Follow me on:  Blog: http://steverunnerblog.com Twitter: http://twitter.steverunner.com Facebook: http://facebook.steverunner.com Plus: http://plus.steverunner.com Stream: http://stitcher.steverunner.com Apple App: http://iapp.steverunner.com Android App: http://android.steverunner.com Support: http://support.steverunner.com

I’m going to talk about four specific gadgets on our run today, physical devices that are said to help motivate you to live a healthier life. Show notes available at SteveRunner.com

It’s been almost two years since I produced an episode of this goofy little podcast featuring the thoughts and words of a man I admire a great deal: Dr. George Sheehan.  There’s no specific reason for that…episode 258 titled “Dr. George Sheehan: Seeing” was my reading of the final chapter of his book “Running and Being – The Total Experience”, probably his best known work. Cardiologist, Philosopher, author and record setting marathoner, Dr. George Sheehan was diagnosed, in 1986, with inoperable prostate cancer.  By the time it was discovered, it had already spread to his bones.  He fought with the disease for seven years, living each day to it’s top.  His last book “Going the Distance: One Man’s Journey to the end of his life” was all about the experience of dying from the perspective of a runner…or better put, someone like us who sees value in our life and accepts pain, sweat and exhaustion as a way to live well. “Going the Distance” was published shortly after his death. Today I’m going to read for you a chapter from this book titled “Facing the Future”.  We seem to talk about death quite a bit on this podcast, which means that at least during your listening of such episodes as Fdip286 “The Rationality of Fear and Road Races”, you and I are exploring the idea of death.  I maintain that death is not something that we can rationally fear: and Dr. Sheehen agrees. You can find a copy of “Going the Distance” on Amazon.com I’ll have the link in the show notes. I really feel that this chapter is one that you should be listening to when you’re out on the road getting your miles in, if possible.  I understand that some of you can’t do that, but if you can…I want to urge you to hold off on listening further until you’re lacing up your shoes and opening up your own squeaky front door.   This is a chapter about pain and the agonizing pursuit of the self.  It’s a deeply personal chapter that reveals a lot of the inner philosophy that Dr. Sheehan held dear.  He talks about religion, his perception of Christ, and about his life, beyond death, facing the future. Links: Join us for the http://worldwidefestivalofraces.wordpress.com  The song  “All My Days” was by Alexi Murdoch off the album “Time Without Consequence”  http://www.aleximurdoch.com    Happily Ever After: http://neilbearse.com ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported every month through the very kind and sincerely generous financial support of 32 fellow runners:  William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Andie, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Al, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Maddy, Tim, Bill, Kevin, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Brad and Rob. THANK YOU! {http://support.steverunner.com} Follow me on:  Blog: http://steverunnerblog.com Twitter: http://twitter.steverunner.com Facebook: http://facebook.steverunner.com Plus: http://plus.steverunner.com Pinterest: http://pinterest.steverunner.com Stream: http://stitcher.steverunner.com Jux: http://jux.steverunner.com Apple App: http://iapp.steverunner.com Android App: http://android.steverunner.com Support: http://support.steverunner.com

Who are you?   When we contemplate those elements of our origins, personality and physical being…we have to consider our genetic history, the environment in which we were raised and live and, the behavior and stories of those who influenced our lives.   I come from a long line of farmers and fishermen, hard working people who worked the land and sea….growing potatoes, milking cows and living off the natural resources of a picturesque island named after the fourth son of King George the third, the father of Queen Victoria, and the Duke of Kent and Strathearn: Prince Edward. I am descended from dedicated, persistent laborers with indomitable spirits and everlasting endurance: who cleared rocky fields, sailed rough seas and overcame obstacles that we would consider enormous. They met adversity with acceptance, fortitude and faith. My ancestors were Scottish Catholics, devoted to their God and each other.  They had names like Angus, Theresa, Peter, Mary, Sarah, James, Donald, Ellen, Penelope, Allan, Johanna, Pius, Helena, and Glen. They were Maritimers from Down East: They lived on a beautiful island between the Northumberland Strait and the Gulf of Lawrence. Immigrating to the suburbs of Boston, where they came to work and raise their families. I am the 6th generation of a family of Scottish Catholic immigrants to the New World.    All that I am, all that I have, all that I trust, believe in and follow are a result of those people who raised me, encouraged me, and gave me the opportunity to succeed.    My parents, grandparents, Aunts and Uncles are my role models because of the way they were raised, and influenced by their parents, grand parents and long past ancestors who came to the new world from the old.  I owe them everything; and in so many ways I live my life in honor of theirs.  Who are you?  My guess is that we have a lot in common.  As fellow runners you take to the road in honor and celebration of those who made you who you are today.  It’s not a genetic thing, it’s an inspirational thing…it’s the stories of the people who lived their lives, overcoming adversity and setting a positive example for all of us.    These are our forerunners, the people who would go on to raise parents who would one day raise us: and we owe them everything.   Links:   The song “Prince Edward Island (Is Heaven to Me)” was performed by Mac Wiseman with words and music by Harold Breau. You can find the tune on iTunes.   Some of the traditional island music heard in this episode was from a live concert in Charlottetown performed by the Chaissons, featuring Tim Chaisson at   MUSIC LOCO:   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported every month through the very kind and sincerely generous financial support of 28 fellow runners: William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Jan, Chaise, Andie, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Manuel, Al, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Maddy, Tim, Bill and Kevin. THANK YOU! {}   Follow me on: Blog: Twitter: Facebook: Plus:  Pinterest: Stream: Jux: Apple App: Android App: Support: