Phedippidations

Ours is a social network of fellow runners who are using new media and the power of what has become known as Web 2.0 – a second generation of web development and design that facilitates communication, collaboration and above all: sharing of thoughts, opinions, observations and yes, even rambling diatribes. There’s this question that philosophers and scientists, artists, writers and dreamers have asked for many centuries when they looked above into the heavens. That question is this: ARE WE ALONE? The question is intended to inquire about the validity of the Drake equation and the possibility of intelligent life, or any life on worlds other than our own. It’s a question that, in it’s asking, evokes a sense of loneliness, as if we are adrift on a tiny blue bubble in space, far from communities in distant galaxies. If I had to guess, I’d say that there is life out there, and very likely intelligent life of some kind: I just don’t think our world and even the life that swarms upon it is entirely unique and special. If life got started here, it has to have started elsewhere, that’s just good science in search of good evidence. But the notion that we are alone? That’s just silly, because as long as we have each other…as long as there are ways for us to experience a community together: no matter where on the tiny blue bubble we stand, we cannot and will not be alone. That’s more than just good science and logical reasoning: that’s a functioning reality based on many lines of evidence, not the least of which is found in the obvious fact that you’re listening to me right now on a podcast called Phedippidations, and many of us are running, together. Show Links:http://completerunning.comhttp://runningfromthereaper.comhttp://www.runningpodcasts.orghttp://theextramilepodcast.comhttp://www.runnersroundtable.comhttp://www.drusy.blogspot.comhttp://www.buckeyeoutdoors.comhttp://gowagon.comwww.worldwidefestivalofraces.comwww.runcast.tvhttp://www.racewithpurpose.orghttp://www.planet3rry.comhttp://unholylandnews.blogspot.comhttp://point1of1percent.blogspot.comhttp://the22miler.blogspot.comhttp://www.teampointtwo.comhttp://catholiccitywithzina.blogspot.comwww.rundervrun.blogspot.comFdip Blog of the Week: http://copiaverborum.wordpress.comFeatured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: Lagan Runner PodcastThe song “Foot in Your Door” was by Geoff Smith at http://thegeoffsmith.com

In this episode I will be completely honest and open up a little to tell you some things I’ve not previously revealed about me, and will run the 113th Boston Marathon with you. A marathon is a very open, public and sincere physical event that puts you out there: for better or worse, revealing all of your weaknesses, as well as physical and mental pressure points. A marathon forces you to face yourself in a very public and very introspective way. I wasn’t supposed to run this race, and when I was a child the kids on the playground who once laughed at me when I dropped the ball said that I could never do such a thing. But today, I’m running a marathon…an event that is as much an analogy for life as anything you could cover in 26.2 miles. It correlates perfectly mile after mile for every period of your life, from cradle to grave: and it gives you the opportunity to do something special, amazing, inspirational and impressive. Show Links:http://www.bostonmarathon.orghttp://www.teampointtwo.comhttp://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.comThe song “Curra Road” was by Ger Wolfe http://www.gerwolfe.comThe song “I’m Shipping up to Boston” was by The Dropkick Murphy’s http://www.dropkickmurphys.com

I do not make my case here with an elitist attitude. I make my case with sound facts which, from my perspective, lends evidence to the fact that the Boston Marathon is, without a doubt and lacking hesitation from my lips to your ears: THE WORLDS GREATEST MARATHON.I made a statement on this podcast, three years or so ago regarding why it is that I’m a runner. Many reasons come to mind; but the one that always rises first and foremost in my thinking might not be one that others would expect from a soon to be twenty-time marathoner: I run because I love pizza and with Boston’s North End of wonderful Italian neighborhoods, from which my family is descended, I run towards Boston with the hope that there’s a slice waiting for me at the end.Show Links:www.americasbestonline.net/marathon.htmlhttp://www.bostonmarathon.orghttp://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.comFdip Blog of the Week: http://keepmovingkate.blogspot.com/Featured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: Adam 20The song “Pizza Day” was by Jonathan Coulton http://www.jonathancoulton.com

There’s something special that marks an elite athlete as a true running legend. It’s more than just their athletic appearance, their healthy bodies and the way they carry themselves when they enter a room. A running legend is someone who has a very humble confidence. Their eyes, voices and motions speak of having worked harder than most of us could ever imagine to reach a brief moment in their lives where they understood that they were experiencing something that only the very dedicated and passionate person could ever hope to experience. They are living examples of what we could be as good animals and good human beings. Jacqueline Gareau is a running legend because she had that moment of glory stolen from her; but in her heart she knew what she had done that day. Her running is her art, and she showed us on a Spring day in Boston the a true champion celebrates victory in her heart, holds nothing back, and forgives silly transgressions…and when it came to her sport, Jacqueline Gareau made running seem effortless. Show Links:http://www.davidblaikie.com/david_blaikie/boston/baa_1980.htmhttp://michiganrunner.tvhttp://www.runningpodcasts.org/http://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.comhttp://theextramilepodcast.comProgram your phone for The Extra Mile: (513)-397-0525http://www.cff.orghttp://www.prolifedallas.orghttp://rawendurance.blogspot.comFdip Blog of the Week: http://edmundy.blogspot.comFeatured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: RunwayThe song “Effortless” was by Allison Crowe. http://www.allisoncrowe.com

Two key messages about the Boston Marathon Course: Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, Boston.Head Away From Nature West Near Ballpark Boston. and Only 17% of the course climbs at a rate of greater than 1%.I’ve learned many lessons from this course. The Boston Marathon has taught me to conserve on the downhills, and pace myself on the uphills. It’s taught me to have humility amid the cheering crowds, to smile despite the pain gastronomical discomfort, to savor the race as if it were my last, and to celebrate the achievement no matter how physically and mentally exhausted I might be at the end. I’m not expecting to set a course PR or even come close to 4 hours in the 113th Boston Marathon. I am expecting to enjoy the day, and appreciate my life all the more. Patriots Day will be a day to celebrate the successful completion of my 20th Marathon…a milestone of sorts that I can quite honestly feel proud of despite all the pain and weariness I’ve had to overcome. Life is short, but it should be long enough: and I am grateful for my life and the time I’ve had and whatever happens to me on Marathon Monday will only add to my experience of this course, both of the Boston Marathon and the road of life. Show Links:http://www.runningpodcasts.org/http://www.the22miler.blogspot.comhttp://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.comFdip Blog of the Week: http://returnrunners.wordpress.comFeatured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: The Neuman ShowThe Song “Dirty Water” was by the Standells

To run the 113th Boston Marathon with minimal preparation I have to condition my body for constant and repetitive motion for at least five hours. What’s more, I must be able to carry the weight of my body on a gradual 16 mile course into Newton Lower Falls, up the hills of Newton and over a goofy little speed-bump, and finally down the other side past mile 22 with as much strength as I have left. Traditional marathon training programs begin with a base and gradually work up to build strength and endurance, so this training program, more than the race itself, is the real test of how well the maintenance miles I’ve been running can prepare me for a race like the Boston Marathon. Boston is more than just a race, and my efforts in these five weeks will be exhausting, painful, time consuming and demanding: but that’s what I’m compelled to do…and if there is such a thing as a siren song from the island of Sirenum Scopuli…the song I hear is coming from Hopkinton Massachusetts and I can’t help but show up on Patriots Day, ready to run as best I can. Show Links:http://www.the22miler.blogspot.comhttp://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.comhttp://www.mountain-top.orgFdip Blog of the Week: http://sotallytoberrunning.blogspot.com/Featured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: Early Morning Runner“A Cautionary Tail” by Matthew Ebel at http://www.matthewebel.com

Despite the scientific rational to the contrary, running in the morning as opposed to other times in the day has many personal benefits which may not seem obvious. We are human beings, called to embrace each day with a vigor and enthusiasm that demands hard work and strenuous effort. We are good animals, moving across the planets surface with purpose and power from the moment the sun rises over the horizon to enlighten our day. We are runners, and the world is our race course: and once they turn on the lights with the rising of that big yellow star in the sky, it’s time to start the whole human race. Show Links:http://myhealthychallenge.wordpress.comhttp://theextramilepodcast.comhttp://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.comhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Runnerhttp://sqpn.com/2009/02/25/the-sqpn-giving-campaign-2009Fdip Blog of the Week: http://runningteamflash.com Featured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: The Quad Cast“Crazy in the Morning” by Brene Wilson at http://www.brenewilson.com

The phrase “Taking it all in stride” means to get all you can get within a single step. As runners, we have a special appreciation for longer, stronger strides in that they ensure faster speeds on the open road, and combined with more frequent strides, can turn our back and middle of the pack efforts into something closer to the front. When we train, we are already prepared and pre-conditioned to expect speed work and strength work, long runs and the building on endurance: but within those efforts we also need to focus and dedicate ourselves to improving the quality of our natural strides…because it is in doing so that we improve our efficiency and speed in races and on the road. Show Links:http://theextramilepodcast.comhttp://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.comFdip Blog of the Week: http://runningteamflash.com Featured http://www.runningpodcasts.org PodCast: Dirt Dawgs Rambling Diatribe Podcast“Highway Run” by Charlie Wheeler Band http://www.charliewheelerband.com

This week I present for you the short story “The Winning Bug” written by Jackson Volney Scholz also known as the “New York Thunderbolt”. Jackson Scholz was an American track and field athlete who specialized in the sprint, was born in 1897 and died on October 26th, 1986. In the 1920s, he became the first person to appear in an Olympic sprint final in three different Olympic Games. He won the gold in Antwerp for the American 4x100 meter relay, he won the silver in the 100m race in the 1924 Paris games, losing to Britains Harold Abrahams as depicted in the movie Chariots of Fire, and he won the gold in those games in the 200 meter race. He also ran in the 1928 games in Amsterdam, finishing 4th in the 200 meters. After his running career had ended, Jackson Scholz became well known for his writing, and today I’m going to read you one of his best short stories, an excellent first reading for what I intend to have as an ongoing feature of this podcast. “The Winning Bug”. Show Links: http://www.the22miler.blogspot.com Fdip Blog of the Week: http://mwrunfar.blogspot.com “Winners” by Solare http://www.solare3.net

The greatest reward for producing a podcast like Phedippidations is the electronic messages that you are kind enough to send me, but there’s an old Scottish proverb that reads “What may be done at any time will be done at no time.” Today I’m making an effort to find some time to go through my email inbox to answer some of the messages you’ve been kind enough to send me over the past three months. Despite good reason and a stressfully increasing workload, I’ve felt guilty for not answering your messages to me, and while I have read every email that I’ve received; my inability to find time to respond to you has been on my mind for quite some time. If I can’t answer every email the least I can do is produce this podcast every week and go for a run with you. I can’t promise everything I’ll have to say here will be worthy of your listening; but I can promise to follow the same compass as you…heading in the same direction to better health and becoming a good animal. Show Links:http://winefornewbies.nethttp://[email protected]://milebymile.wordpress.comThe story “Patience” was read with permission of the author: Jessica Bold [email protected] Fdip Blog of the Week: http://the22miler.blogspot.com“Do They Have E-Mail in Heaven” by Jim Terr http://jimterr.com