Run Yank Run 023: Take Three

Wow, two episodes in a week! Well, I really wasn't pleased with the way the Olympus directional mic sounded so I went to a local store and picked up a headset microphone and a windscreen. On the next commute run I recorded more material with the new mic and found I had enough for a whole other episode, so there you are.

While this new mic has even less car noise than the directional one, I have to work on where it is positioned because I am huffing and puffing right into it. I did my best to minimize the breath sounds but they are still there for this episode (sorry). I also look like an aerobics instructor. Whatever.

So my Christmas present arrived early! I ordered an Altura Night Vision Evo rain jacket for running and even with free shipping it arrived the very next day! Gotta love that. I wore it for the first time this morning and it fits and runs well. It is covered in reflective tape and even comes with a detachable strobing light, so I should be plenty visible on those pitch-dark evening commute runs.

In this episode I speak about the Run Net Community, a concept around this emerging group of Internet-connected runners who are active in blogs, podcasting, Twitter, etc. To learn more about it, check this link: Run Net Community

Music from the Podsafe Music Network

Featured Song:

"Apathy and Empathy" by Uncle Meat and the Highway Children

Intro/Outro:

"You Start It" by The Monikers

Download Episode 23

Run Yank Run 022: Blustery Day

Greetings! This podcast episode was recorded with the new microphone I mentioned last time. I have to say that while it DID lower the car noise, it is much more susceptible to wind and also overdrives my recorder, leading to distorted audio sometimes. Sigh. Out of the frying pan into the fire!

In this episode I mention something very important: a relative of a dear friend of mine is missing. His name is Devon Hollahan, American, 22 years old, last seen leaving a concert in Frankfurt Germany. I am attaching a link to news coverage of this below. Please, if you have any information about Devon, contact the Frankfurt police.

Link to the news article

Music from the Podsafe Music Network

Featured Song:

"I Was The Riot At The Art School Last Night" by The King Hats

Intro/Outro:

"You Start It" by The Monikers

Download Episode 22

Run Yank Run 021: New Route

Update: Whoops, I missed that the audio for this episode had major issues. Sorry folks! I have re-published a new version of the podcast audio file....

Another short podcast this time, but I want to keep the frequency of the episodes up and this was the day to record another episode.

In this one I discuss the running and lack thereof over the last week and a half, a new route for my commute runs, a new noise canceling microphone that should help with commute run recordings, and some potential races for 2010.

Here's the new microphone:

Music from the Podsafe Music Network

Featured Song:

Accordian music by an old man on the Paris Metro

Intro/Outro:

"You Start It" by The Monikers

Download Episode 21

Run Yank Run 020: Keepin' On

Well, the hits just keep on coming, except when it comes to producing this podcast! I want to apologize to those of you still checking in on me for the lack of episodes or updates lately. Life has just kept on being crazy.

I have good news though! I have been running again and it feels great. Last Saturday I did an 8+ miler then got in a 6.6 and a 10K. My legs feel strong and it was great to be moving again!

The time change happened and now it is pitch dark by 4:45 every day, so my evening commute runs are done in darkness. I have kitted out with a headlamp, red blinker light facing backwards on my backpack, a reflective anklet and the ubiquitous hi-viz flourescent green jacket with reflective bits. If cars can't see me this way I don't know what else would work!! I feel a little silly like a gaudy Christmas tree or something, but safety first.

No runs this weekend although I had planned to. Two of the kids were sick and my wife Rebecca as well, so we all holed up in the house and watched movies basically all weekend.

Needless to say I'm ready to run.

This weekend and most of today has seen some pretty impressive weather rolling through, with wind gusts of 75mph and even a bit of hail one morning. Thankfully the wind has died down now so it shouldn't be too gusty for me on tonight's run.

I have been chipping away at producing a podcast about the World Festival of Races Dream Inspires run we did in Oxford, but the anount of material to edit and the required voiceover to explain what the heck is going on at any given time has really slowed that down... perhaps I'll rethink how I am approaching coverage of that excellent event.

Stay well, stay happy, stay running!

Music from the Podsafe Music Network

Featured Song:

"Psycle Pswami" by Satan's Pilgrims

Intro/Outro:

"You Start It" by The Monikers

Download Episode 20

Run Yank Run 019: Still Alive!

Hiya, this short episode is mostly to prove that I am still alive and kicking, despite all rumours to the contrary.

After running the WWFOR Half Mara two Sundays ago work simply exploded and I put in nights and days to solve a big problem with a project. At any given time day or night you could find me coding away with my headphones on building a prototype for a next-generation set top box TV interface.

No running at all since the half marathon, but I am all fired up to resume running now that the storm has passed.

Stay tuned for a proper episode about the Dream Inspires team run for the Worldwide Festival of Races in Oxford, UK. I have literally hours of material to go through to produce the episode, so it should be done in the next week.

Music from the Podsafe Music Network

Featured Song:

"Firetrain" by BORS23

Intro/Outro:

"You Start It" by The Monikers

Download Episode 19

Hey, I thought I was a runner?

So, September has seen some amazing 12 mile training runs.... and not much else on the running front. Oh and October hasn't seen many training runs at all....

A new pair of Nike Vomero shoes and some new technical clothes arrived by post today and I feel kinda guilty - who are these for? Certainly not ME, I don't run any more! Ha

Well, work has been hellish lately and my schedule hasn't been that accomodating, but that's lame. Runners like RunDigger are waking up at 4:00am to run. I could too.

Also, my sincere apologies for the last episode of the podcast, my own family told me that it was hard to listen to due to the car noise. Well, I have figured out some things and gotten some advice from fellow running podcasters, so once I get my act together and actually record another episode it should sound better!

This weekend is the WWFOR in Oxford UK and I am really looking forward to it. This Sunday I will pack up my kit and drive to Oxford to meet with with a group of UK runners and podcasters. So here's the question - half marathon or 10K? I could do the half, but would I injure myself? Just how fast will these people be running?

Well, I will see how I feel on Sunday I guess.

See you soon on iTunes. Thanks for sticking with me!

Run Yank Run 018: Hustle Bustle

Hello again, sorry for the delay in getting this next episode out, I've been swamped at work!

In this episode I take you for another of my very noisy morning commute runs from Chiswick to my office near Paddington.

I talk about the upcoming half marathon in Oxford for the Worldwide Festival of Races, how busy I am, training and the lack thereof, ramble on about food cravings and such.

Well c'mon then, let's get out there and run!

Music from the Podsafe Music Network

Featured Song:

"Dreambeans" by Roy Rieck and the Medley Band

Intro/Outro:

"You Start It" by The Monikers

Download Episode 18