Phedippidations

The Bunion Derby was an event like no other, and there will never be another like it. While there have been many cross continental races since 1928, none were organized in the way that C.C. Pyle had organized the event: it was an endurance race, a circus and a harsh and unforgiving competition. In his book “C. C. Pyles Amazing Foot Race: the true story of the 1928 coast to coast run across America, by Geoff Williams, published by Rodale Press…the author writes “As difficult as his amazing foot race was, for all the car collisions and nervous breakdowns involved, calling it the Bunion Derby was never quite accurate. As winter turned to spring in 1928, the runners suffered blisters, brusies, boils, shin splints, charley horses, sore toes, broken and fallen arches, corns and calluses: but not one of them developed a bunion.” Show Links:Fdip Blog of the Week: http://rojrunning.blogspot.comhttp://www.amilewith.me.ukhttp://shockofthenews.comThe song “Human Race” was by Darius Lux http://www.dariuslux.com

There’s this rumor going around that distance runners are more prone to developing arthritis, a medical condition from by the Greek word “arthro” meaning joint and “itis” meaning inflammation. Many non-runners and medical laypersons have assumed that the constant repetitive pounding forces on our joints, especially in the knees, as we run are too much for our bodies to absorb. In this weeks episode I’ll go through some of the scientific medical research on the subject and present an answer to the question: are runners at higher risk for developing arthritis? NOTE: I didn’t want to make a huge deal out of it during this episode, but this marks my fourth year producing Phedippidations and I wanted to be sure to thank you, at least here in the show notes, for your friendship, kindness and support over these past 1,461 days since episode #1. It continues to be an honor to run with you. Run long and taper! - Steve Show Links:http://www.drlarrysmith.comhttp://edmundy.blogspot.comFdip Blog of the Week: http://runbif.blogspot.comFeatured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: “Run Yank Run”http://twitter.com/wwforhttp://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.comThe song “Down to the Bone” by Edwin Holt http://topcatrecords.comhttp://winefornewbies.net

From a small island in the middle of southern Maine’s Sebago Lake, I present for you my annual review of some of my favorite songs from the past year of Phedippidation episodes. This week, I’m on vacation: giving my ankle a chance to heal and my soul a break from stress as I enjoy my family, lapping waves, a few good books and delicious wine. “Veni, Vidi, Vici” Show Links:“Terra Nova” by Jim Fidler at jimfidler.com.“Be Okay” by Ingrid Michelson at http://www.ingridmichaelson.com “Pizza Day” by Jonathan Coulton at http://www.jonathancoulton.com“I Know You’re There” and “A Cautionary Tail” by Matthew Ebel at http://matthewebel.com“Win At All Costs” by Man Bites God at http://www.manbitesgod.com“Run to Your Grave” by The Mae Shi at http://www.mae-shi.com“Ones and Os” by Geoff Smith at http://thegeoffsmith.com“Broken Heart” by “Black Lab” at http://blacklabworld.com

Beware the contents of this episode, ye who come here to listen to the runner boy run! In this episode, I go out for a run and just let my mind flow, talking about a few things that may or may not have to do with running. Of particular interest (to me at least) is the contemplation of the ship of Theseus’s, the discussion of which might may you say “Huh?” We are made of stuff that has a limited shelf-life, but most of the atoms in your body will be completely replaced in just 10 years time, and if you believe in an eternal life after this stuff we wear is gone; then you’ll not worry so much about these bodies of ours breaking down over time: because time is just a construct and we all have a limitless warrantee. Show Links:http://the22miler.blogspot.com/http://www.teampointtwo.com Fdip Blog of the Week: http://lacyhansen.blogspot.comThe song “What Are We?” by “Candygram for Mongo” http://www.candygramformongo.com

This episode is a review of a study published last month in the American Journal of Cardiology titled “Relation of Biomarkers and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging After Marathon Running”. We use terms and phrases such as “you’ve got to have heart” and “don’t go breakin’ my heart” as a reference to the symbolic vessel we have within us to harbor our capacity to love. In reality the heart is an important organ, strategically located in the center of our bodies to provide oxygen rich blood throughout the vessels of our body as a means to sustain life. While these bodies we inhabit are amazing creations, capable of running great distances…it’s important to take care. We’re all soft and squishy creatures; resilient yet fragile, strong yet capable of suffering injury…when you pull a leg muscle or sprain an ankle: you can apply ice and deep massage: it’s not so easy to do that with our hearts. Training for any distance, any kind of race event: especially for distances like a marathon requires proper training; many of the experts suggest that you don’t even start training to run a marathon until you’ve been out on the road consistently for a full year. Never, EVER start a marathon training program until you’re doctor gives you the green light…it’s one thing to have to deal with shin splints and muscle soreness, but your heart needs to be prepared for the stress you’ll put it under; out there on the road. Show Links:http://the22miler.blogspot.com/http://www.duffrunner.blogspot.comhttp://www.teampointtwo.comhttp://worldwidefestivalofraces.comhttp://runnersroundtable.comhttp://twitter.com/steverunnerFdip Blog of the Week: http://highheelrunner.blogspot.comFeatured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: Fusion ViewThe song “Listen to Your Heartbeat” by Lance Larson (with Bon Jovi) http://www.lancelarsonmusic.com

As simple and exhausting as it sounds: running can be your purpose in life; and if you’re already a runner as I suspect you are: then running can be a purpose you can give to others, by asking them to join us: by making this sport a game, by thinking of it as play and by embracing a lifestyle that helps you to improve the duration and quality of your life. It’s short fellow runners, this life of ours is far too short…but it should be long enough; and when you find yourself with a purpose to live it, you’ll have savored each experience: you’ll have lived your life to the top, and you’ll have achieved the satisfaction of knowing that your life is not ruled by the random and chaos: your life has meaning, and above all your life has purpose. Show Links:http://the22miler.blogspot.com/http://www.irunformylife.blogspot.com/http://www.teampointtwo.comhttp://worldwidefestivalofraces.comhttps://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=156947&supid=183491774http://www.challengedathletes.org/The song “Buying Time” was by Great Big Sea http://greatbigsea.com

They called him Arthur “Greatheart” Newton. He had been a runner in his twenties, but gave it up after a time, taking to the road again 12 years later when, at the age of 38, he ran his first Comrades Marathon. His contribution to distance running is great in that he chose to use common sense to guide his training methods, rather than formulas found in books on the subject of running. Dr. Tim Noakes, in his book “Lore of Running” outlines 9 of his principles of training that helped to guide Newton’s success in our sport, and revolutionized the way that coaches trained their athletes Show Links:http://wyotri.blogspot.comhttp://www.teampointtwo.comhttp://worldwidefestivalofraces.comFdip Blog of the Week: http://www.seegirlrun.comFeatured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: Run Vegan RunThe song “Ghost In Your Mind” was by Black Lab http://blacklabworld.com

This is one of those strange podcast episodes that merges a little of my personal life (you’ll hear us picking up our new Dog Indiana and bringing him home) along with some practical tips about exercising your dog and this history of the beagle. It goes without saying that I have a lot to learn about dogs; and puppies specifically. While my wife has always owned a dog, growing up: this experience is new to the rest of us in my household. Will I make mistakes: count on it: he’ll end up chewing all my running shoes, leaving squishy wet mementoes as he marks his territory around the house: both inside and out and will undoubtedly follow me around the house as I try to get some work done with the less than few hours that he’ll allow me to sleep, which might beg the question: is this all worth it? It is worth it to share your day with a creature who loves you unconditionally with all his heart, it is worth it to welcome into your home a being who constantly reminds you that it’s not the stress of life and work that is important it’s play: PLAY is all that really matters, and play is the most important thing we’ll do today and every day. Is it worth it to suffer the weariness of sleep deprivation, the indignation of having to take a puppy out to pee at 2 in the morning, the incontinence of veterinary visits thousands on food, care, crates, accessories and medication? Is it worth it to have what was starting to be a fairly comfortable life of leisure usurped by an animal that demands attention while giving devotion? Yeah, I’d say that’s a pretty good deal. Show Links:http://twitter.com/bladerunhttp://www.hockomockswamp.comhttp://runningthenarrowpath.blogspot.comCONGRATULATIONS!: http://itsarunningthing.blogspot.comhttp://www.teampointtwo.comhttp://worldwidefestivalofraces.comFdip Blog of the Week: http://lifeisagift-run.blogspot.comFeatured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: A Mile with MeThe song “Talkin’ Bout My Dogs” was by Boo Boo Davis http://www.booboodavis.com

In this episode I present for you the major findings of Professor Daniel Lieberman of the Biological Anthropology department at Harvard University and Professor Dennis Bramble from the University of Utah in their 2004 paper published in the journal Nature titled “Endurance running and the evolution of Homo”. In this paper, they make the powerful case that “The fossil evidence suggests that endurance running is a derived capability of the genus Homo, originating about 2 million years ago, and may have been instrumental in the evolution of the human body form.” We are by our very nature: endurance runners, meant to run for long distances. The evidence is overwhelming and conclusive: you and I were born to run. Show Links:http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-11/uou-hrm111204.phphttp://www.fas.harvard.edu/~skeleton/pdfs/2004e.pdfhttp://www.smh.com.au/national/dead-babys-parents-ignored-advice-qc-20090504-asmt.html?page=1http://whatstheharm.net/homeopathy.htmlhttp://ihatetheapft.com/http://www.runningbebe.comhttp://www.teampointtwo.comFdip Blog of the Week: http://yumkerun.blogspot.com/Featured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: Fifty Counting DownThe song “Evolution Rocks” was by Overman http://www.overman.info

A runner lives for the moment, and can rise to call of her or his own character to do what we know we have to do, for our bodies, for our training, for the promise we made to ourselves some time ago. We will have bad days, we will be haunted by the memories of a 4:01:31 finish in Philadelphia back in November of 2007, and we’ll look to our next marathons where we dream of running a sub four…but still, on those icy, rainy, blisteringly hot and humid days when work was a nightmare and everyone wants to carve a little chunk out of us...we find ourselves lacing up our shoes and living the life of a runner: a life nothing short: of present defense. Show Links:http://www.redhairedgirl.comhttp://www.yarnharlot.cahttp://sjtony.blogspot.comhttp://www.teampointtwo.comhttp://www.runningpodcasts.orghttp://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.comhttp://www.sciencebasedmedicine.comFdip Blog of the Week: http://longrunblog.blogspot.comFeatured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: Lagan Runner PodcastThe song “The Life I Am Trying to Find” was by Adam and the Walter Boys http://www.myspace.com/adamandthewalterboys