Never run alone – running with virtual friends

I love my running time but on most days I don’t want to just run. I want something to listen to as well. The sounds of my breathing puts my stride off or something. I’m not that keen on listening to music unless I want something quiet in the background while I ponder some problem or suchlike. Normally though, I listen to a podcast. I’ve just had a quick look in my itunes podcast directory and these are the podcasts I’m currently subscribed to:

Phedippidations is my favourite running podcast. Steve is a middle aged, back of the pack runner who talks about many interesting running topics such as famous runners, races, his training and other rambling diatribes.

Burning 2010 is a new podcast by the Zenrunner. This podcast is nominally about his aim to lose 20 pounds in 20 weeks this year but he talks about all sorts of weird and interesting stuff. The naked weigh-ins are not to be missed!

Two fit chicks and a microphone is hosted by everyone’s favourite Mizfit and Shauna the Amazing Dietgirl!

The Runners Round Table is where runners from around the world share tips, tell stories, and keep each other motivated. Sometimes this is great, sometimes it’s just good.

Running with Ghosts is another podcast about a runner but this one is following a lower carb lifestyle and doing crossfit.

4 Feet Running is a biweekly podcast with Nik and Dan! She’s a marathon runner training for her 6th. He’s a beginning runner who finished the C25K program and just ran his first half-marathon. I find it very entertaining.

Run Run Live is a podcast that I have loaded up but I haven’t actually listened to yet. Still working my way through the others! I have heard good things about it though.

WNYC’s Radio Lab is a science podcast that I absolutely love. They cover all sorts of interesting topics and I always feel smarter after listening to it.

I’ve also got a bunch of language lesson podcasts that I’m going to listen to (someday I’m sure) as I would like to learn a bit more Mandarin.

This morning I did a great 10.2K run in the Auckland Domain and I was listening to Two Fit Chicks and a Microphone. I got caught in a very wet shower for about ten minutes but the sun came out and dried me off very quickly.

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January 12, 2010 | Filed Under fun, Inspirational Bloggers, running

Comments

18 Responses to “Never run alone – running with virtual friends”

suzee on January 12th, 2010 2:11 pm

I’m a big podcast-while-running fan, too! Thanks for the recommendations.
.-= suzee´s last blog ..Santa Barbara Run and One Goal =-.
Scott Keeps Running on January 12th, 2010 3:35 pm

I’m just the opposite when I run. But thanks for the tips — I’ll take a look when I’m at work and get too busy.
Greg on January 12th, 2010 5:16 pm

So far I don’t mind the quite alone time with my thoughts while running but my co-worker is also a big podcast and audio book fan while running. Truth be told I might be the last person on the face of the Earth who does not have an iPod. And considering I just blew some money on a new gadget (I’ll post about it in a couple of days) I don’t have the funds or the permission of the wife to buy more stuff for a while.
.-= Greg´s last blog ..Photo Update =-.
Twitter: gregstransform
FLG on January 12th, 2010 8:23 pm

I love the Two Fit Chicks and a Microphone podcast! (And not just because I named it and was on it once or twice ).

I’m more of a music person when I run. Although I haven’t tried running with a podcast yet. I may have to. I just like it when I know I’m coming towards the end of my run and a song pops on that makes me want to finish hard, something that spurs me on.
.-= FLG´s last blog ..One Small Step, 10 Giant Leaps =-.
MizFit on January 12th, 2010 10:19 pm

I need to get into the podcasts while running (love em while just….living thanks for the shoutout, Andrew).
I have a shuffle so I dont think they work on there do they?

now that I type that I think shauna has a TRICK that makes them cease the shufflin’

need to find out.
.-= MizFit´s last blog ..2010 in one word (giveaway post). =-.
josie on January 12th, 2010 11:35 pm

Those sound like great podcasts…and what a great idea. I like to listen to music but it would be nice to hear an audio book or podcast sometime.
.-= josie´s last blog ..A Thank You and Progress Pictures =-.
Twitter: startlinejosie
Greg on January 13th, 2010 3:52 am

I’ll definitely check out the Radio Lab podcast. I don’t usually listen to music either. Get bored with it.
Twitter: livefitblog
Andrew on January 13th, 2010 4:15 am

I have recently got a shuffle for running as my iPod Touch is a bit big and it works great.
Twitter: AndrewENZ
Tim Wilson on January 13th, 2010 4:30 am

Andrew –

Thanks for posting these. I have heard about most of them but have not yet ventured into listening to them when running. I can’t stand to listen to a podcast part way through and then have my run/drive finish. I guess I am kinda OCD about it. I need some that are specifically timed for my specific runs or commute

That being said, I like to run with tunes just basically to drown out my heavy breathing, but have found that I have been running much more with my daughters lately and we just talk and don’t run with tunes. If my daughters ever decided to run with tunes while running with me I will have to think about our relationship

Thanks again – now I will get to listening!
.-= Tim Wilson´s last blog ..It Sure Has Been Cold Running Weather! =-.
Twitter: virtual4now
Tony on January 13th, 2010 4:58 am

Two chicks and a microphone is a great podcast.
.-= Tony´s last blog ..A Taste of Asia =-.
cammy on January 13th, 2010 5:53 am

I finally canceled my subscription to “Coffee Break Spanish.” After 117 lessons queued up, I realized I probably wasn’t going to listen to them.
.-= cammy´s last blog ..Guilty Pleasures =-.
Twitter: tippytoediet
Sean Anderson on January 13th, 2010 6:49 am

Andrew,

Great blog my friend! I hope to someday visit New Zealand. It’s beautiful! You’re a wonderful inspiration—Do you ever have to pinch yourself to make sure it isn’t a dream? This is really happening. You’re a runner! I want to be a runner too!

My best always,
Sean
Andrew on January 13th, 2010 8:57 am

I so know that feeling.
Twitter: AndrewENZ
Michelle on January 13th, 2010 9:35 am

I love listening to audio books while I am running and just borrow them from the library. I managed to get through a lot of books when training for the marathon and they give you an incentive to run every day as you want to finish the book
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Body Blitz =-.
shauna on January 13th, 2010 11:38 pm

Oh man I did the same thing with the Spanish. I also have a mighty backlog of a Daily Yoga podcast!

Thank you kindly for the shout out!
.-= shauna´s last blog ..Two Fit Chicks Episode 07 – Getting STARTed in 2010 =-.
Diane Fit to the Finish on January 14th, 2010 1:02 am

I generally either listen to music or nothing. With all my kids sometimes it’s just nice to have some time by myself with no one in my ears!!
.-= Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..Best Time To Workout =-.
Twitter: fittothefinish
Erin on January 14th, 2010 3:10 am

I am not big on podcasts…gotta have my music to run, though. I need something to jam with!
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Happy Monday! =-.
Twitter: ewies84
Musiker Pirmasens on January 26th, 2010 11:27 am

Hello just thought i would tell you something.. This is twice now i’ve landed on your blog in the last 3 weeks searching for totally unrelated things. Spooky or what?