By Jay Kumar
On The Run
Jay Kumar
If you run with an MP3 player, chances are you're constantly looking for something interesting to listen to on your runs. Many folks are content to run with music, but there's much more audio content out there to check out courtesy of podcasts.
For the uninitiated, a podcast is an audio program that can be downloaded via the Internet and transferred onto your MP3 player; you can also listen to them on your computer or burn them onto a CD. There are thousands of podcasts available for free on just about any subject, but why not listen to some podcasts about running? These are programs created by fellow runners talking about their training, goals, triumphs and failures.
As social media grows in popularity, podcasts have become a way for everyday folks to create their own programming. You can also get podcasts from major media entities such as ESPN, The New York Times and CNN, but there are some real gems out there created by "amateurs."
Podcasts can run anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour or more in length. They operate on the same "time-shifting" premise as your digital video recorder: you can pause, rewind and fast-forward them. If you finish your run and you haven't listened to an entire episode, you can stop it at that point and continue listening to it later.
A great place to start is by visiting www.RunningPodcasts.org, a directory that features nearly 60 podcasts about running and triathlons. The site lists the latest podcast episodes posted and provides links to download them. It also highlights different shows with descriptions and interviews.
You can also find running podcasts through the iTunes podcast directory, which lists shows by category. You can download individual episodes or subscribe to a show's feed, which means new episodes will turn up as they are posted.
One of the first running podcasts was Phedippidations, a show hosted by a fellow named Steve Runner from Oxford. He started the show in 2005 and has created more than 200 weekly episodes discussing training methods, his pursuit of a sub 4-hour marathon, injury recovery, running legends, and much more. Visit www.steverunner.com for more information.
The Runners Roundtable is a weekly program that features a different group of runners each week participating from around the world via Skype, a software program that allows computer users to speak to each other directly without using a telephone line. The show covers a different topic each week and participants offer tips, advice and encouragement. Visit http://runnersroundtable.com for more information.
Runners for the most part seem to enjoy a sense of community with each other, and listening to running podcasts is just another way to experience that while on the road.
Starts and stops
Thanksgiving is next week, which means local runners can choose from some big local road races on Turkey Day. There's the sixth annual Wild Turkey 5-Mile Run at 8 a.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 13 Hawthorne Blvd. For more information, call the Salem Parks, Recreation and Community Development at 978-744-0180 or e-mail Doug Bollen at dbollen@salem.com. There's also the 22nd annual Feaster Five is a multi-race event in Andover; a children's fun run starts at 7:45 a.m., followed by a 5-mile run and 5K. Visit www.feasterfive.com for more information and to register online.
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For those of you looking to run off some of those Thanksgiving calories, the second annual Gabe's Run 5K takes place at Patton Park in Hamilton next Friday. There's also a 1-mile fun run and cross country team challenge. The event raises money for the Gabriel Pacione Memorial Scholarship Fund. Visit www.gabesrun.org for more information and online registration.
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On the Run is a biweekly column about the North Shore running scene. Send any questions, comments, or news to jay.kumar@gmail.com.
Upcoming races
Wednesday, Nov. 25, Dec. 2
Danvers 5K Fun Run, Sweet William's Garden Center, 141 Pine St., Danvers, 7 p.m. Free, timed run. All welcome. These events are part of a weekly 52-race series. E-mail adam@danvers5k.com.
Saturday, Dec. 5
Fourth annual Reindeer Run 5K, Cabot Street YMCA, Beverly, 10 a.m. Holiday costumes encouraged. Cost is $17 before Dec. 2, $22 after. Visit www.northshoreymca.org to register online or download an application.
Sunday, Dec. 6
Danvers Jolly Jaunt 5K Run/Walk to benefit Special Olympics Massachusetts,
Beverly Hospital at Danvers, 480 Maple St., Danvers, 11 a.m. Event includes 1K Kids Fun Run and post-race party. Participants get a free long sleeve shirt. Contact: Diane Agganis (Special Olympics) at 978-223-6004 or e-mail diane.agganis@specialolympicsma.org.
Visit http://coolrunning.com/eventcal/index.php for more race listings.
