Podcast appearances and mentions of jim fidler

MD 127 Music of the Desk # 7 Most music provided by the now defunked Mevio.com, Jamendo.com, Free Music Archive.org, Slip. Stream, The No Agenda Show, and Other clandestine sources. Some music Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. Songs Played- Avi Wisnia-new year, Tom Smith-baby new year, Tracy jane Comer-pathetic fallacy, Edwin Derricutt-new years day, Lisa Redford-new years day, Cyber Pr Holiday music-Denise Moser- it's a new years day, Maria Daines-new years eve, Bill Derome-new years resolution, Peeper Radio Theatre-a very peeper new years, Tracy Jane comer-the edge of tedjhara, set me free, Jim Fidler-number 1 hospitalitys pavileon, Helen Austin-so I sing to you, Freeky Cleen-now and then, 28-daylight, the Fump-Romeo responds to Taylor Swift by Moneyshot Cosmonauts, Colorectal Surgeon Song, any December-any December - Alora, Casey Desmond-taste it, The Lacivious Biddy'd- Betty, Jake Roche- Slow Time Down, Tom Smith-EULA Dancing, The Romantic Era-Teach me how to dance, Steve Robinson-Weight of the World, Indoven-Flirting with a Prince, Cheyl B Engelhart- Proof, Tom Smith- Barbie Doll, 28- In these Times.

And now it’s October: we’re more than 80% through the end of the year "getting back to where we once belonged”, and for me…I’ve come upon a bit of a road block.   To best understand this road block, we have to talk about the philosophy of Nietzsche…and I know, I know…I said I wasn’t going to talk about philosophy on Phedippidations…but there’s just no other way, and I promise you that this is related to running.   In order to understand the nature of this “road block”, we have to spend some time talking about Friedrich, since to a great extent it’s because of him that I’ve come to this.    I told you at the start that this year’s journey might not end so well…and there’s still plenty of time to finish strong, but getting past this point is proving to be…well, difficult at best, impossible at worst.  I’ve reached The Wall.   Links:   Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at “The Curra Road” was composed by Ger Wolfe at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind financial support of listeners who clicked on the ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT button at SteveRunner.com to subscribe to Amazon Payments or Paypal to send me a dollar a month for my podcasting efforts.      Thank you:   Deborah, Michael, David, Mary, Cheryl, Vance, Gordon, Scott, Roberto, Mark, Terence, Evelyn, Al, Brad, Joerg, Martha, Jill, Rob, Jim, Wendee, Tom, Katie, Joseph, Tony, Richard, Vera, Robert, Dino, Louis, William, Christiane, Erik, Trey, Margaret, Martin, James, Doug and Russ {}

#Octaver15 #Octaver15

I’m humbled.  What can I say?  I’m totally humbled here, reeling in fact from the kind words from so many friends and fellow runners, people whom I admire a great deal.   I’ll be honest with you…I’ve always been honest with you (for better or worse) …I’m not someone who thinks very highly of myself…and so, what you’re about to hear are some really special people saying some very incredible things about..well…me.   I’m not sure that I deserve the kindness, but you must…I beg you, you MUST understand how much I appreciate the kind words.   Ten years.  I really don’t have alot to say about the 10th anniversary of this podcast.  I’m happy about it; I’m glad that I’m still producing the show, and I’m very honored to have run with you for the last full decade of my life.   Obviously this show and I have changed quite alot since July 4th of 2005 and there's quite alot that you can say about change.  It's scary, it's sometimes sad, sometimes amazing, it's ongoing and ever constant.    Heraclitus of Ephesus, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher born in 535 BC said it best when he wrote “There is nothing permanent except change.”   One of the biggest changes with respect to this podcast isn’t so much the audio quality, format or content…it’s me.  Here’s something that I’ve learned after 10 years of podcasting: Although there is pain in life, I am NOT a man of constant sorrow.  I have NOT seen trouble all of my days.   I’ve seen injury, illness, tragedy and betrayal…yes, that’s true…but most of the past 3,652 days have been good days, most of the past 10 years have been filled with good times, amazing friends and pure joy. Life is pain, but it’s also beautiful. It’s easy to focus on the sorrow, but I take comfort in knowing that it isn’t constant.    “The Dude abides. I don’t know about you but I take comfort in that. It’s good knowin’ he’s out there. The Dude. Takin’ ‘er easy for all us sinners.”   That was a quote from the character “The Stranger” played by Sam Elliot from the cult classic movie “The Big Lebowski”.   What does that have to do with 10 years of podcasting, I suppose you’re asking.  It’s a good question, worthy of a good answer: which is this:    I, like the Dude…abide.  As I get older…as WE get older, our bodies will slowly loose the “vim and vigor” of our youth…but that doesn’t mean we have to go, as Dylan Thomas writes “gentle into that good night”.  Old age shouild burn and rave at close of day, rage, rage against the dying of the light.   This dude, this runner abides. I abide the lessons of these past ten years, of physical exhaustion, emotional tragedy, crushing defeat and betrayal.  I abide the love, joy and peace of living my life to the top. I abide and savor, like a fine Argentinian Malbec, or a classic Cotes du Rhone the friendships I've made thanks to this goofy little podcast.   Thank you Adam for reminding me that I'm better than I feel, and that no man is a failure who has friends.   Thank you, very much, for running with me fellow runners.   The dude abides.   Thank you Adam, Eddie, Jeff, Derek, Chris, Susan, Margaret, Peter, Donna, Norn, Kevin, Christina, Carlos, Tim, Neil and Jim.               Links:   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at “The Curra Road” was composed by Ger Wolfe at   The song “Man of Constant Sorrow” was by Rod Stewart.   Intervals between episodes can be found at   In Vino Veritas with at   Track my return to the road at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind financial support of fellow runners who clicked on the ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT button at SteveRunner.com to subscribe to Amazon Payments or Paypal to send me a dollar a month for my podcasting efforts.      Thank you:   Vera, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Trey, Steve, Angie, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Tom, David, Pierre, Andrea, Dave, Desiree, Jens, Claudia, Jill, Elizabeth, Pat, Marc, Chris, Dino, Michael, Clay, Matthew, Terence, Tom, Louis, Toni, Margaret, Janina, Joe, Fred, Joerg, Erik, Wendee, Evelyn, Nicolas, John, Christiane, Katie, Brad, Jim and Al.   {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:     Support:

It was a perfect day for a run in New England.  Presented by the Squannacook River Runners, this is the 24th running of the Groton Road Race.   Being a runner feels different for me now. The universe is undergoing entropy…and I’m a part of that universe. I can’t go home again, but I can get back to where I once belonged…even if, when I get there…I’m not the same runner I used to be.  That’s okay, that’s a good thing.   These people, this race, that feeling of being a participant in something great and fun… it’s so much of what I’ve missed about running.  Happiness is feeling accepted…it’s being with others who live their lives to the top.  It’s the charm, the spell or the mojo of a moment in time.   I had a fantastic time at the Groton Road Race, aka “The Mojo au Groton”.  It was great to get together with Deb, Doug, Donna, Kathy, Jay, John, and Jack.    “Start, Finish and Have Fun”. Is there a better way to describe the purpose of a road race? Medals and prizes, trophies and awards are wonderful to achieve, but at the core of it: the reason to run a race should have this higher purpose.   Links:   Intervals between episodes and the complete conversation with Coach Jeff can be heard over at   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at “The Curra Road” was composed by Ger Wolfe at   The song “Feels Like Coming Home” was performed by Jetta.   Intervals between episodes can be found at   In Vino Veritas with at   Track my return to the road at and .   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind financial support of fellow runners who clicked on the ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT button at SteveRunner.com to subscribe to Amazon Payments or Paypal to send me a dollar a month for my podcasting efforts.      Thank you:   Vera, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Trey, Steve, Angie, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Tom, David, Pierre, Andrea, Dave, Desiree, Jens, Claudia, Jill, Elizabeth, Pat, Marc, Chris, Dino, Michael, Clay, Matthew, Terence, Tom, Louis, Toni, Margaret, Janina, Joe, Fred, Joerg, Erik, Wendee, Evelyn, Nicolas, John, Christiane, Katie, Brad and Jim.   {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support: Health: Running: RunKeeper.SteveRunner.com Video: YouTube.SteveRunner.com    

Most runners could go out, right now and run a few miles under the morning sun.  We often do so without considering the power of the act. We take for granted the incredible advantage this gives us as situations arise which requires it.  We forget that running can sometimes be a means to an end and that aside from it’s impressive list of benefits, running and self ambulation gives us the means to explore.   Training is important and I’m not suggesting that we abandon our training…I’m just putting the idea out there that as runners we have a gift of motion that does not limit us to the road, or trail…it doesn’t require a certain pace or time for completion.  I’m proposing, that instead of punishing ourselves with devotion to a schedule…no matter how much we love adhering to said schedule…that we should instead look at our running as “playtime”.   Links:   Intervals between episodes and the complete conversation with Coach Jeff can be heard over at   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at “The Curra Road” was composed by Ger Wolfe at   The song “Lost and Found” was by the band Eve 6, from Southern California.  Check out all of their music over at http://www.eve6.com   Intervals between episodes can be found at   In Vino Veritas with at   Track my return to the road at and .   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind financial support of fellow runners who clicked on the ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT button at SteveRunner.com to subscribe to Amazon Payments or Paypal to send me a dollar a month for my podcasting efforts.      Thank you:   Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Trey, Steve, Angie, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Andrea, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens, Claudia, Jill, Elizabeth, Pat, Marc, Chris, Dino, Michael, Clay, George, Matthew, Terence, Tom, Louis, Toni, Margaret, Janina, Joe, Fred, Joerg, Erik, Wendee, Evelyn, Nicolas, John and Christiane.   {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support: Health: Running: RunKeeper.SteveRunner.com   Video: YouTube.SteveRunner.com

“The Young Man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions” wrote Oliver Wendell Holmes.   Coaches, Experts, Friends and Fellow Runners all seem to agree that “slowly and carefully ramping up your mileage” is a reasonable approach for our training. Just as the mighty oak begins it’s life as a weak and tiny acorn, my return to the road has to be rooted a slow and cautious increase in miles and duration. A tree isn’t ruled by a ten percent growth rate. I’m not trying to convince you to follow or ignore any rules but I do think that we should train with the patience, strength and persistence of a tree.  Maybe, the best way to increase my mileage is to just get out there, running down the road ignoring time and space, and focusing more on living my life the top. Links: Thanks to Coach Jeff Smith for sharing his thoughts on training and the 10% rule. You can hear much more from Jeff over at  Intervals between episodes and the complete conversation with Coach Jeff can be heard over at   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at “The Curra Road” was composed by Ger Wolfe at   The song “Run” was by Stephen Fretwell off the album Magpie.  Check him out at .   Intervals between episodes can be found at   In Vino Veritas with at   Track my return to the road at and .   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind financial support of fellow runners who clicked on the ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT button at SteveRunner.com to subscribe to Amazon Payments or Paypal to send me a dollar a month for my podcasting efforts.      Thank you:   Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Trey, Steve, Angie, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Andrea, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens, Claudia, Jill, Elizabeth, Pat, Marc, Evelyn, Chris, Dino, Michael, Clay, George, Matthew, Terence, Tom, Louis, Toni, Margaret, Janina, Joe, Fred, Joerg, Erik and Wendee.   {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support: Health: Running: RunKeeper.SteveRunner.com   Video: YouTube.SteveRunner.com

This is a transformative journey that we’re taking together, so it might help you to understand the context of this journey if you could understood a bit more about where I’ll be running.   In better understanding the mindset of the host and location of this podcast, you’ll better understand how your own terroir, or sense of place, affects your own journey.     You live where you do for reasons beyond mere choice or accident.  Maybe you’re there because of work, or family, or because you like the temperature of the Mojitos, but at some level you are where you are because you want to be there.     It’s not just because I’ve grown up in New England that makes me want to be here; it’s not just the people whom I care about: family and friends who for whatever reason call New England their home; it’s because this place has, to a great extent, made me who I am. I fit in well here, in fact: despite my complaining about the cold and snow, I actually thrive here.   Well, maybe “thrive” isn’t the right word, but I do feel that I “need” to be here, and maybe that’s enough.     This is “New” England, but it’s not just a state in the Unite, it’s a state of mind.   I am a New England runner. These rolling hills and colonial  pathways will be the stage for my return to the road, as I run through time and space to get back to where I once belonged:  living my life to it’s top, opening my squeaky door and finding comfort in a place I’ll call home.   Links:     Chris’s new book:     Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at “The Curra Road” was composed by Ger Wolfe at   The song “Choose to Be” was by Allison Crowe off her album “Little Light”, learn more over at   Intervals between episodes can be found at   In Vino Veritas with at   Track my return to the road at and .   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind financial support of fellow runners who clicked on the ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT button at SteveRunner.com to subscribe to Amazon Payments or Paypal to send me a dollar a month for my podcasting efforts.      Thank you:   Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Trey, Steve, Angie, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens, Claudia, Jill, Elizabeth, Pat, Marc, Evelyn, Chris, Dino, Michael, Clay, George, Matthew, Terence, Tom, Louis, Toni, Margaret, Janina, Joe, Fred and Joerg   {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support: Health: Running: RunKeeper.SteveRunner.com   Video: YouTube.SteveRunner.com

This is part one of a two part episode.  I’ll publish the second part at the end of the year.   In the last episode of Phedippidations I talked about getting back to a metaphysical place where I once belonged: a "home" where I was once happy and healthy.  For lack of a better term I called this a “transformative journey” and said that I wasn’t doing this to specifically lose weight or get healthier, but to regain that passion I once had for this sport and to feel like a member of the running community again.  In returning to the road, health and happiness will be a welcome side effect.   Today I'd like to talk a little bit about those side effects.   When you head out on a geographical journey, you can usually tell when you’ve arrived at your destination.  En route to Key West, I knew that I had arrived when Route 1A ended and the bartender at The Green Parrot handed me a cold margarita.   What does it mean to be happy and healthy?  What is the measure of such happiness and health? If this is a journey, I should know where I’m starting out so that when I get to the place where I once belonged, I’ll know that I’ve arrived.   A true measure of health has to involve more than just vital clinical statistics. It’s got to be a measure of internal and external physical conditions including: how active we are, how well we sleep, how well our mood is, how much energy we have, and probably most importantly: “the overall quality of our current life experience”.   In the Fall, we’ll look back on these measurements to see if I’ve improved in any areas of my health and happiness.    That's kind of a big IF by the way.  I’m going to be reminding you, as we go along, that life is not predictable.  I can wish, pray, burn incense, make offerings to my favorite magical beast or intergalactic ruler...but none of those things are going to ensure a beautiful future.   Hope is good, I hope that in a year from now I'm running with you at road races somewhere the world...but “if wishes were horses, beggars would ride” and if I want to be Steve Runner again, I'm going to have to make it happen myself.  No meaningless incantation or holistic paranormal make believe supernatural overlord is going to intercede in reality and grant me health and happiness.   Here I am, all 222 unhealthy pounds of me, ready to take the first step of many to return to the road, and it all starts with a measure of health.         Links:   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at “The Curra Road” was composed by Ger Wolfe at   The song “Ready” was by Kodaline off their new album “Coming Up For Air”, learn more over at http://www.kodaline.com   Intervals between episodes can be found at   In Vino Veritas with at   Track my return to the road at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind financial support of fellow runners who clicked on the ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT button at SteveRunner.com to subscribe to Amazon Payments or Paypal to send me a dollar a month for my podcasting efforts.      Thank you:   Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Trey, Steve, Angie, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens, Claudia, Jill, Elizabeth, Pat, Marc, Evelyn, Chris, Dino, Michael, Clay, George, Matthew, Pedro, Terence, Tom, Louis, Toni, Margaret, Janina, Joe and Fred.   {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:    

I “once belonged” to a community of fellow runners. I understand that many of you and this association have always considered me to be a member of the “run local, think global” team, but I haven’t felt that way for some time. That’s my problem, and it’s okay, that’s going to change.   I “once belonged” out on twelve mile long run around my town, through the hills of an Old New England farm trail, past the birthplace of the “Angel of the American Civil War Battlefield”, Clara Barton, past St. Roch’s Church and the Roman Catholic congregation that I left a few years ago, past our town library, built in eighteen sixty-nine where I wrote the first scripts for Phedippidations and then past the hearthstone marker of the Johnson homestead, where John Johnson and his three children were massacred in sixteen ninety-six.   I “once belonged” to a group of running podcasters and bloggers in a “run net community” of content creators who spoke and wrote about their passion for the sport.   I “once belonged” but I lost my way.   Here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to “get back to where I once belonged”.   So how is this going to work? How am I going to get back to where I once belonged?   One step at a time.   Phedippidations is now, in a way, a documentary about my getting back into running. The health, peace of mind and happiness is all a wonderful side effect: but the mission is clear. This is not going to be any kind of a “self help” podcast…If I make recommendations, it’s only because I’m following my own advice.   I’m not setting my sights on a marathon or even a specific finishing time in any duration road race…I simply want to get back to where I once was…where I couldn’t wait to lace up my shoes and get 5 in, where I counted the days until my next road race…not because I wanted to set a PR, that was the old home…the home I can’t go back to…this time, I want to run my next race to participate…to feel like I’m a part of something….to get back to where I once belonged.   Links:   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at “The Curra Road” was composed by Ger Wolfe at     The song “Welcome All Again” was by Collective Soul out of Stockbridge, Georgia.  Check out all of their amazing music over at   Intervals between episodes can be found at   In Vino Veritas with at   Track my return to the road at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind financial support of fellow runners who clicked on the ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT button at SteveRunner.com to subscribe to Amazon Payments or Paypal to send me a dollar a month for my podcasting efforts.      Thank you:   Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Trey, Steve, Angie, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens (@ScenicRunner), Claudia, Jill, Elizabeth, Pat, Marc, Evelyn, Chris, Dino, Michael, Clay, George, Matthew, Pedro, Terence, Tom, Louis and Toni.   {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:     Support:

Episode twenty-three of Phedippidations, which was published on December 18th, Anno domini 2005 was titled “Cold Weather Running”.     I guess you could consider this a bit of an update to that recording.  While some of the information I covered back then was useful, I think I my have missed some Key (West) points that should be made more clear...and furthermore, I think that the way that show was produced...specifically …WHERE it was recorded, could be improved upon.   Thus I can think of no better place to record an episode about running across the Frozen White Wasteland than from this barren, remote and isolated speck of an island at the end of the East Coast of the United States...a little place first known as "Bone Cay" for the littered piles of skeletal remains found here by Ponce de León in 1521.   And so while it might be a bit strange for me to talk about cold weather running from here in Key West, it may help to get you in the mood by listening to a nine year younger and significantly COLDER version of me giving you some basic tips about dressing for the tundra.     Links:   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at .   The song “Living on Key West Time” was by Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24 check out all of their Florida Keys style tropical tunes over at   Intervals between episodes can be found at   In Vino Veritas with at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind financial support of fellow runners who clicked on the ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT button at SteveRunner.com to subscribe to Amazon Payments or Paypal to send me a dollar a month for my podcasting efforts.      Thank you:   Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Trey, Steve, Angie, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens, Claudia, Jill, Elizabeth, Pat, Marc, Evelyn, Chris, Dino, Michael, Clay, George, Matthew, Pedro, Terence, Tom and Louis.   {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:     Support:

We live in the age of the selfie and self promotion.  Social media networks like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and even Podcasts: allow us to share so much of our lives, and we…in posting such content assume that there’s someone out there who cares…or maybe we just hope they do.   For better or worse, we’ve become a society of exhibitionists, sometimes even boastful of our situation and accomplishments.  I disagree with the Christian view that pride is one of the so called “seven deadly sins”  I agree with Aristotle that is is the crown of virtue, not to be confused with vanity…although…let’s be honest, sometimes there is a bit of vanity involved in the self promotion that all of this new technology allows us. But when it comes to fitness trackers, heath apps and the ability to record and sometimes share our every step, stride and vital statistics…I think there’s something else going on.  In a way, I think we’re looking to improve ourselves through technology by better understanding our behavior as a way to change our lives for the better. This is the self quantified life.  A way of using fitness trackers, smart phone applications and other accessories to constantly monitor and record the way you use your body with the goal of helping you to improve your behavior.  The quantified self is all about better understanding our physical behavior as a way to improve the physical condition of this organic machine we inhabit, as we experience the universe around us and live our lives to the top. So go ahead and tweet your progress, post your race results on Facebook, share physical improvements with your social media connected friends…and share with the world your quantified self. Links: Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse  Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at . The song - “Me the Machine” was by Imogen Heap off her 2011 album “Sparks”.  Check out all of her amazing contemporary goodness at Intervals between episodes can be found at In Vino Veritas with at ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 70 friends and fellow runners: Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Glenn, Trey, Steve, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens (@ScenicRunner), Claudia, Jill, Elizabeth, Pat, Marc, Evelyn, Chris, Dino, Michael, Clay, George, Matthew and Pedro.   THANK YOU! {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:     Support:

Something to contemplate on your long, slow run today: The Teleological argument in support of the existence of God says “that the universe is ordered towards some end or purpose, that it was created by an intelligent being in order to accomplish some purpose.” FACT: We live in a 13.7 Billion year old universe that will end in a “Heat Death” 100 Trillion years from now. The Scottish philosopher David Hume didn’t think much of the “Teleological Wish”…he wrote that:  “A very small part of this great system, during a very short time, is very imperfectly discovered to us, and do we thence pronounce decisively concerning the origin of the whole?” The Anthropic argument for or against God, misses and the Teleological argument is just something that we wish for. There are, generally speaking 5 arguments used to prove the existence of God: The Teleological, Cosmological, Ontologocal, Moral, Miracles and Religious Experience.  Today, we will focus on the Teleological, which leads to a discussion of the Anthropic. The teleological argument does not prove the existence of God, no matter what the apologist William Craig has to say…but to his credit, the argument doesn’t disprove Gods existence either….but whatever you do, I implore you NOT to take my word for it. I want to make it clear that in this episode I have not stated my position on the existence of God.  I’m not here to state an opinion…you have to decide for yourself.  Maybe you’ll decide not to think about it, and remain as spiritual or atheistic as you’ve ever been: that’s your decision.     But I want to think about it, I want to know…and it’s my opinion that you should as well…because the universe is an enormous, amazing, curious, exploding, inhospitable mess of a thing, and it’s likely just one of an infinite number of universes that exists through an infinite regression of universes. As truly insignificant as we are, we should be in awe of the consciousness that allows us to contemplate the origin and purpose…if there is one…of all that has ever or will ever be. Links:   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse  Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at . The song - “If there is a God” was by the Smashing Pumpkins off the album “Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music”.  Hear more at The song “Think for Yourself” was by George Hrab from http://www.geologicpodcast.com FitBit at . Intervals between episodes can be found at In Vino Veritas with at ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 68 friends and fellow runners: William, Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Glenn, Trey, Steve, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens (@ScenicRunner), Claudia, John, Jill, Elizabeth, Pat, Marc, Evelyn, Chris, Dino and Michael. THANK YOU! {} Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:    

On the Fox News website a few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Landa, wrote an article “How Endurance Running Can Damage Your Health”. Dr. Landa is an excellent physician.  She’s the Chief Medical Officer of BodyLogicMD, a franchise of doctors specializing in bioidentical hormone therapy.    In this episode of Phedippidations, I’m going to refute Dr. Landa’s arguments by applying a healthy dose of skepticism to her craftily…and well worded arguments.  But unlike my usual vitriolic attacks pointing out the blatant logical fallacies presented an article…and I must tell you, Dr. Landa has made many weak transgressions here…I’m going to try and be “fair and balanced”.   I say try…I’m not on par with Dr. Landa’s intelligence: but I think I’m pretty good at refutations…so, I’ll give it a shot.   It’s good to warn readers about the dangers of any activity…but you absolutely MUST comment on the validity of the proof.  That wasn’t done here, and that’s both egregious and misleading.   It’s important, to me at least, that I make the declaration that “I don’t know everything”.  I’ll defer to Dr. Landa on all of the subjects of which she is an expert…but if you’re making an argument with poor reasoning, then the burden of proof is with you….and that’s the truth no matter what FOX says.   Links:   Direct link to old episodes of Intervals:   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at .   The song - “Skeptic” was by the musician and fellow podcaster George Hrab, off the album “Vitriol”.  You can hear more from George over at     FitBit at .   Intervals between episodes can be found at   In Vino Veritas with at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But really, PLEASE, only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 68 friends and fellow runners:   William, Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Glenn, Trey, Steve, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens (@ScenicRunner), Claudia, John, Jill, Elizabeth, Pat, Marc, Evelyn, Chris, Dino and Michael.   THANK YOU! {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:    

I have this “other podcast”, that I call Intervals…and unlike the portmanteau title of Phedippidations…the title “Intervals” is a bit of a double entendre.  Whereas  Phedippidations usually has a theme to each episode…Intervals is themeless.  I “make it up as I go along”, and it has been a sort of “stream of consciousness” podcast that I put out there…because, why not?   Today we’ll go back to the year of our (Time) Lord 2010.  It was a good year; as years go.  Since then, so much has changed in my life…as it has with yours.     Back then I was still running road races and marathons, back then my weight was below 190 and my injuries were minor.     Now, I’m not telling you this as someone who laments the good old days…or to garner sympathy for the darks times we’ve experienced since…I’m simply putting this out there to remind you that the period of four years both seems like a long time ago, and yet it’s demonstrably not.     So what should we learn from this?  I think it’s best that we live in the present.  Assume that tomorrow will be a better day, but don’t dwell on it…don’t focus on what’s to come because: that’s for later; be here: now.   I am notoriously bad at living for the moment…the very exercise of producing this episode has forced me to relive my past…and that took me away from where I was as I listened to over 40 hours of podcasts, taking notes on bits to include here.  What a colossal waste of time…I only hope that I didn’t waste yours…and maybe, just maybe, my effort here will have forced us both to consider living in the present.   The Buddah said “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”    We can only truly experience the universe and our own lives, right now…in the present.  The past and future are nothing more than concepts…our brains retain the memories of what happened and create thoughts about what will be…but it’s the present that matters.  Right now, where ever you are, listening to my voice…which, interestingly was recorded in your past…this present moment is the thing we should concentrate on.     The problem with dwelling on the past and future is that you can easily get stuck there…and that’s not good because if you’re there and not here, you’re missing out on having a profound experience every day…you’re missing out on what’s happening all around you…you’re missing out on life.   The person who recorded these Intervals is gone forever…in his place, right now…is this new guy…facing not the future or lamenting the past: but trying as best he can…(and not going all that great of a job of it, may I point out) of living his life in the present.   It’s not easy…it seems like it should be, but it’s not.  You want to experience something more profound than the “Ice Bucket Challenge”?  I challenge you to sit quietly, somewhere…anywhere, and concentrate on just being there.   It takes practice, and it’s very, very hard to do…but if you can run a road race: a 5K, 10K or marathon, you already have an indomitable spirit to try anything.    I feel like I should make it clear, again, that I am not very good at living in the present.  I don’t believe in ghosts…but I’ve certainly been haunted by the events of the past four years. It’s time for all of us to move on…to where we are now.     The Buddhist monk “Thich Nhat Hanh” once wrote that:   “Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future.  If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay.  Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously.  Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky.  Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones.”   I wish I had lived more in the moment, through my past…but that doesn’t mean I can’t do so in my future…and maybe the best way for me to do that is to not worry about it.     Just be.   Links:   Direct link to old episodes of Intervals:   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at .   The song - “Part of Me” was another track off the new album “A Raven Has My Heart” by Black Lab at .   FitBit at .   Intervals between episodes can be found at   In Vino Veritas with at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But really, PLEASE, only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 70 friends and fellow runners:   William, Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens (@ScenicRunner), Claudia, William, John, Jill, Elizabeth, Kevin, Pat, Marc, Evelyn, Chris, and Dino.   THANK YOU! {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:     Support:

Today, on Phedippidations I’m going to teach you three things, and I mean REALLY teach you…you can’t flunk this course, and if you already know something (or a lot of things) about wine, then consider this a refresher.  Our syllabus is as follows:   In the first chapter I’ll tell you how to taste wine, nothing fancy: just the basics…and I know you probably think this is intuitive, but tasting wine takes practice, as we’ll discuss.   In the second chapter, I’ll tell you three important wine terms that you need to know when talking about wine…and finally   In the third and final chapter, I’ll tell you three rarely used, high level terms and concepts that when used in the right situation, will make those who you are talking to, believe that you are on par with a master sommelier…a wine expert…in other words, just by using these phrases convincingly, you will gain “wine cred”.   The thing about wine is that it’s really, just another thing in the universe to appreciate like music, art and nature.  In a way, this episode isn’t about promoting the consumption of wine: I understand all too well that there are many of you out there who can’t stand the taste of the stuff, and others who can’t or won’t drink it…fair enough: but there’s got to be something out there in this incredible universe you can experience on a deeper level.  I have many passions, running is just one of them…and so is the topic of wine.   But there’s much more to wine, than just wine…it’s a topic that’s complex and vast covering thousands of years of human history and a globalization that has changed the way that millions of people consume and experience it.  You need not be a wine expert to have an opinion about wine…you just need to know a few basic concepts and have a willingness to be open to the experience of wine, from the vineyard to the bottle and the glass. Wine is for geeks, wine is for experts wine is for newbies.   Links:   Wine for Newbies Podcast:   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at .   The song - “Out of Promises” was another track off the new album “A Raven Has My Heart” by Black Lab at   FitBit at .   Intervals between episodes can be found at   In Vino Veritas with at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But really, PLEASE, only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 74 friends and fellow runners:   William, Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Matt, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens (@ScenicRunner), Claudia, William, John, Jill, Elizabeth, Kevin, Pat, Marc, Evelyn, Chris, Dino and Lou.   THANK YOU! {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:    

The thing about human beings that strikes me as both wonderful and fascinating: is our capacity for change.  If you asked me ten years ago would I ever “own” a dog, I’d have laughed at the notion.   Today, the reality is that I do not “own” Eva…she owns me…or better put, we own and love each other.   Eva Jones is many things: but most of all, most importantly of all: she is, to me: an example of the good animal I could be.     She is a perfect example of love and joy…and she’ll always be that way for me.  People change…I’ve changed over the years in some ways for the worse, in some ways for the better…but Eva has…for the past four, been an important constant in my life.   This episode concludes with a eulogy for a friend.  The greatest biffer I’ve ever known, and someone who taught me the importance of living your life to the top.   Links:     Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at .   The song - “A Raven Has my Heart” at   FitBit at .   Intervals between episodes at steverunnerblog.com   In Vino Veritas with at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 74 friends and fellow runners:   William, Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Matt, Jen, Lou, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens (@ScenicRunner), Claudia, William, John, Jill, Elizabeth, Kevin, Pat, Marc, Evelyn and Chris. THANK YOU! {} Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:    

When you elevate something that is not important and dedicate some passion to it, you are living your life to the top.  I don’t care what it is: running, playing the guitar, tasting wine, watching a TV show about a mad man in a blue police box flying through space and time, cooking, eating, even podcasting.   I am, and have been since I was a small child, a fan of the Boston Red Sox.  The game is one of my passions.     The purpose of this episode; if there was a purpose, was to demonstrate the importance of passion in our lives and to highlight, for those who may not be fans of baseball or of my beloved Boston Red Sox, how it feels to not appreciate or understand another persons passion.  I’m not really into movies or theater, I don’t understand someone’s passion for dance, baking, T'ai chi ch’uan, floral arraignment, crochet or scrap-booking…but I can appreciate the passion someone might have for those things, and I’ll keep an open mind for my own possibly developing passion for those things and more.   Life is short, but it should be long enough…and the universe offers us so much to experience, enjoy and be passionate about.  Find your passion, whatever it is, and you’ll find your joy.   Play Ball!   Links:   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at .   The song - “Loud Like Love” was by the band Placebo from London.  Find all of their amazing alternative music and videos over at   FitBit at .   Intervals between episodes, and Burning 40 updates can be found at steverunnerblog.com   In Vino Veritas with at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But really, PLEASE, only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 71 friends and fellow runners:   William, Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Matt, Jen, Lou, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens (@ScenicRunner), Claudia, William, John, Jill, Elizabeth, Kevin and Pat.   THANK YOU! {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:     Support:

Today I want to talk about this trend for living like our “Old Stone Age” ancestors. What does recent science say about the benefits of minimalist running and the paleo-diet?  Are these practices something that we, as runners, should adopt?  Can “Paleo Running” and a “Paleo Diet” help us to live better, healthier lives?   Agriculture was a life changing advancement for early hominids.  It allowed us to spend more time together, in ever growing groups, to develop a civilization that would expand to all continents of the planet Earth.  You can try to live a Paleolithic, Mesolithic or Neolithic lifestyle if it suits you; but as Thomas Wolfe wrote “You can’t go home again”.  We are no longer “hunter gatherers” we are worker runners.  By virtue of your listening to this you have embraced a modern technology that our australopithecine ancestors from 2.6 million years ago could never have imagined.  I don’t know if we should eat and run like they did…but maybe you were born out of time and might find some benefits to taking Thoreau’s advice to “simplify, simplify simplify”.   We shouldn’t dismiss Paleo eating and running just because it’s the current fad.  Like any popular trend we should understand its benefits and try out certain aspects of it in our lives…so unlace your shoes sometime and try a short barefoot run, try avoiding the middle aisles of processed freeze-dried sugar coated consumables when you’re shopping for food and see what happens when you give up bread, rice, potatoes and non-green vegetables for a few weeks.  You might channel your inner caveman and improve your health in a stone age way.    Links:   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at .   The song - Unfamiliar Sky was off the brand new soon to be released album “A Raven Has My Heart” by Black Lab.  You’ll be hearing a lot about this album in the months to come.  Paul Durham’s music has become kind of the soundtrack of my life. Listen in, love the sounds at http://blacklabworld.com   FitBit at .   Intervals between episodes, and Burning 40 updates can be found at steverunnerblog.com   In Vino Veritas with at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But really, PLEASE, only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 70 friends and fellow runners:   William, Vera, Katie, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Jan, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Joe, Martin, Rich, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Matt, Jen, Lou, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Jens (@ScenicRunner), Claudia, Jonathan, John, Jill and Elizabeth.   THANK YOU! {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:    

In the course of our discussion today, we’re going to talk about many things: determination, dedication, will power, and wanting it.  What I will not be able to do, is convince you to meet your goal.  It wouldn’t matter if I made the most perfect, passionate, logical argument as to why you should train for and run a road race or marathon, why you should climb the tallest mountain, swim the widest ocean, win the most prestigious award or even drop 40 pounds.   I might make you feel guilty for not trying.  I might make you feel like a lump of poo because you refuse to rise off your COUCH OF DOOM…but you know how that old saying goes: You can lead a horse to water….but you can’t make him swim the backstroke.   What do you want…and do YOU, whatever YOU are, really want it…or is it, as science seems to suggest, merely a calculated process in the computer that is your brain, giving you the illusion that you want it?   If you say you want something….to finish your first 10K or lose 40 pounds, is it really your decision or is it some biologically programmed expression of “will” that is anything but “free”?   These are good and interesting questions, but the bigger question relative to what we want is this: If we are complex biological computers without free will, can we program ourselves to really want something?   Links:   Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse    Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at .   The song - “Arrows of Desire” was by Matthew Good at http://matthewgood.org   FitBit at .   Intervals between episodes, and Burning 40 updates can be found at steverunnerblog.com   In Vino Veritas with at   ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But really, PLEASE, only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 73 friends and fellow runners:   William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Jan, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Dino, Joe, Martin, Rich, Sarah, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Matt, Jen, Lou, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Joan, Jens (@ScenicRunner), Claudia, Jonathan, John and Jill.   THANK YOU! {}   Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:     Support:

This is my response to an article published in the November 12th edition of the “Wall Street Journal” titled “OK, You’re a Runner. Get Over It” by Chad Stafko…and while I’ll try to keep it civil, I can’t promise I won’t lean over the line of anger.  What I can promise, both you and Stafko is that I won’t make a single logical fallacy with anything I’ll have to say.  The burden of proof in the matter of Stafko vs. Fellow Runners is most completely with Chad: my place here is to merely point out what a really inexcusably bad argument he has made.  Keeping it civil will be my secondary priority.  Fat, stupid, lazy…these are just some of the words that best describes the embarrassing Chad Stafko.  Today’s episode will not only appease Stafko’s selfish need for attention visa-vi this insulting manifesto…but will demonstrate the complete lack of honesty, logic and rational thought from the pudgy grease stained author. I have a theory, supported by the hypothesis I will present in this podcast: That Chad Stafko is a sad and deluded person. Links: Melodious advice by Neil on Twitter @neilbearse  Both opening and closing themes songs were by Jim Fidler at . The song “Numbers” was by Great Northern find them on Facebook at FitBit Force at . He Who Listens to Music When He Runs: The song “Numbers” was by the band “Great Northern”   Intervals between episodes, and Burning 40 updates can be found at steverunnerblog.com In Vino Veritas with at ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But really, PLEASE, only if you can afford it!) Phedippidations is supported monthly through the kind and sincerely generous financial support of 75 friends and fellow runners: William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Tim, Bill, Michael, David, Doug, Vance, Marcelo, Roberto, Zaki, Jan, Margaret, James, Norm, Simon, Albert, Janice, Andrew, Pam, Rob, Glenn, Trey, Steve, John, Angie, Al, Toni, Martin, Lynn, Nancy, Eric, Jim, Dino, Joe, Martin, Rich, Sarah, Tom, David, Pierre, Maria, Hisham, Andrea, Matt, Jen, Lou, Shari, Brad, Dave, Desiree, Joan, Jens (@ScenicRunner), Claudia, Jonathan, and John. THANK YOU! {} Follow me on: Blog: Stream:   Apple App:   Android App:   Support:

Podcasting is a media so perfectly suited for the running lifestyle.  Just as we schedule our runs in advance, we can schedule what we listen to ON those runs, in advance.   We can multi-task the time we spend out on the roads and by listening to a podcast, exercise our brains and feel a camaraderie with the podcast host or producer: especially hosts and producers who are fellow runners like the podcasters you just heard: real people with a shared passion for this sport we love so well. When I first started producing this goofy little podcast about running, five years ago, the idea of clipping on a microphone and apparently talking to yourself while out on a long run seemed like a ridiculous idea; but today there are over 70 running podcasts listed on the runningpodcasts.org directory!  This idea of recording a podcast and listening to other podcasters completes a mode of communication and conversation not possible with traditional old media; such as radio (for example).   The other really cool thing about podcasting is that it allows for the artistic expression of thoughts, opinions, and observations of our lives.  You know me as a middle aged, middle of the pack, slightly asthmatic runner from New England who appreciates good wine, like Bordeaux, Malbec and Cab Franc, who enjoy’s a great baseball game with the Worcester Tornadoes or my beloved Boston Red Sox, and likes to rock out to amazing music, like that from Great Big Sea, Jim Fidler, Matthew Ebel or the amazing Paul Durham and Black Lab…these are all elements of my life that you’ve heard on this show: when I’m tasting or talking about wine and telling you about the grapes I’m trying to grow, when you hear me at the old ball park singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” or when I present for you some amazing creative commons pod-safe music on every episode of this show. I think that’s one of the things I most appreciate about running podcasts; that they’re NOT always just about running: they’re about the lives each of the podcasters are living: it’s better than so called reality TV because there’s no pretense involved: we are who we are, for better or worse: but we have this one thing in common: a love for running and for living our lives to the top. These podcasts we produce are a permanent record of these lives we are living; audio files that will be heard long after you and I have run our last road race, and shuffled off this mortal coil.  They are important because they document the way to live as the good animals we were meant to be; and it sets a good example to anyone who listens now, and in the far future: of how to live a life of meaningful joy. That’s why we produce these shows…because I’m telling you this fellow runner: something you already know deep in your heart but something that we have somehow GOT to get across to others, be it through personal examples or  a moving pictures expert group dash 1 audio layer 3 standard digital encoding formatted file downloaded to your iPod:  Life is short, but it should be long enough and to take to the roads and become a runner is one certain way to live that life to the top: which is exactly what is expected of us all. Show Links: The song “The Real You” was by Black Lab at

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 “Pizza Day” by Jonathan Coulton at “I Know You’re There” and “A Cautionary Tail” by Matthew Ebel at “Win At All Costs” by Man Bites God at “Run to Your Grave” by The Mae Shi at “Ones and Os” by Geoff Smith at “Broken Heart” by “Black Lab” at

I don’t want to make a big deal out of it, but the anniversary of my first breath on this planet’s ocean of oxygen takes place on the 19th of this month, just a few days after this show is available for download.  It was of course 9 full months prior that I first came to be; and have been growing into a more complex organism ever since. As my complexity increases, so do the ideas that get formed in my admittedly teeny tiny little brain…and like a balloon in the state of inflation, if I don’t get some of these ideas…both good, bad and frankly quite silly…out of the skull within which they are formed…well, like a balloon, something’s going to pop….and I don’t think you want to be left having to clean up the mess. Thus we have an episode of this goofy little podcast dedicated to things not necessarily related to running; but let’s go for a run today, you and I…and I’ll do the talking about things that I’m thinking about…the thoughts, opinions, and observations that a soon to be 47 year old fellow runner congers up on a long run. So let’s go for a run today.  Let’s forget, for a moment, that this is a podcast, and that you’re listening to me with your ear bugs jammed in your head…consider that I’m just like you: although I’m betting you’re a little bit faster, healthier and undoubtedly better looking….and that we’re just going out for a run together.  The world is moving on, increasing in velocity as the planet revolves, and orbits, and moves outward ever forward…bringing us specs of life with it; and while there’s no possibility or reason to ever stop that motion let’s go for a run today and create a little motion of our own….just you and me and that long road before us.  Let’s go for a run. Show Links:Fdip Blog of the Week: “Avalonia” was by Jim Fidler:

In the third episode of planet tunes we play music from Dive Index, Dubtra, Karmacoda, Forzo, Jim Fidler and Choppa. For more information about this podcast visit our website at http://planettunes.lifestylepodnetwork.com. If you're enjoying this podcast don't forget to subscribe and why not give us a review on iTunes as well. Thanks for listening

In the third episode of planet tunes we play music from Dive Index, Dubtra, Karmacoda, Forzo, Jim Fidler and Choppa. For more information about this podcast visit our website at http://planettunes.lifestylepodnetwork.com. If you're enjoying this podcast don't forget to subscribe and why not give us a review on iTunes as well. Thanks for listening

When you make a stand and decide to change the amount of natural resources you use, such as the oil and gas used by generators to produce electricity to run your water heaters, and lights, and when you install insulation in your home to keep the heat generated from escaping into the cold and low water use shower heads to reduce the amount of clean water used in the bathroom…you are reducing your dependency on the fuel and water needed by others and the next generation who will run across this planet in years to come, after we’re gone. The Earth does it’s best to heal itself from man made impact.  Given time and natural conditions, nature will reclaim what mankind has paved over and modified to suit our needs for resources and space.  There is such a thing as living in concert with nature, and a duty that each of us has to make the world just a little bit better for the next generation of runners to live in a world with clean fresh air, clean clear water and the beauty that can exist without impact of mankind. Show Links: Fdip featured blog: The song “Terra Nova” was by Jim Fidler

To push yourself past your zone of comfort you need to smile, think positively, focus on something other than the pain and weakness and dedicate yourself to a higher purpose other than “just finishing‿.  Most of all, you have to have the insatiable desire to reach your goal by making your efforts on the road more important than just yourself.  If you can do this you will find that you can accomplish great things through your running, and be the runner and human being you’ve always known you could be. This episode ends with an announcement about the future of Phedippidations. Show Links: The song “All I Really Wanted‿ was by Jim Fidler

Today we learn about the classic “Rock Of Ages”. There’s a surprising twist at the end of today’s narrative. Music The London Fox Singers “Rock Of Ages” (mp3) from “Hymn styles – Down-Home Gospel” (Classic Fox Records) Buy at Napster More On This Album Instrumental music was Jim Fidler’s “Lillian, A Portrait In Sound”. Rock...

News, a Gear Review, Viewer Mail, Crosstalk and we tweak the Stupid Knob! News: Ethan Winer's New Tele-Vision Video & Instructional DVD Reaper 2.0 Pro Tools 7.4 Is Coming! The video demonstration of the new Elastic Audio in Pro Tools 7.4: de la Mancha basic64 FREE Synth For Windows Digidesign Announces The Upcoming "Eleven" Guitar Amp Plugin Audio Ease Releases Speakerphone FREE Virtual Drum Kit! Gear Review: You might remember Stuart McClellan from an early episode of PSN, He's the magician that got a government grant to pursue a music create. Those wacky Canadians! His also a product tester for TC Helicon. This week he's done a guest review of the new iZotope RX noise reduction software for us. The iZotope RX Web Site Links About Stuart McClellan: http://www.SMPAudio.com http://www.MySpace.com/stumcl http://www.TC-Helicon.com Viewer Mail: Mark Rufino - Stillwell Audio's Spectro - Name Your Own Price Plugins The Van Halen Pitch Debacle: Suzie DeCree - King's Island Jobs Paul Bordenkirsher Of MesaSand.com Focusrite Trakmaster At American Musical Supply VM Sakai - Phil Dodds Has Passed Away. Who? You can see this Unsung Hero Of The Music Business in this video at the 1:05 mark where he says, "What are we saying to each other?" Slau - "There’s a known problem with the Edirol R-09 that might potentially affect listeners who own the machine. I was listening to Jim Fidler’s podcast, Republic of Avalon Radio, where, during his walk with his wife, he started talking about this problem where the side of the unit starts to come loose and buckle. It seems like a minor nuisance at first but it becomes a major problem if not fixed. I experienced the same thing and was surprised to find out that a lot of people are starting to see this. "Jim had one of the first units ever shipped and I followed suit about a week later. So, now that we’ve seen this effect, I bet more and more people will start to notice this. Thing is, our units are out of warranty but those people who see this now and bought their units a few months after us can still have it fixed under warranty. BTW, another issue that people have seen is that the back plate switches come loose very easily and just move freely without any effect. That was a problem that happened to both of us and is also a known issue. Edirol hasn’t done any recall or anything but I think they should. They’re replacing warranty units with a different polymer these days. Anyway, maybe this will help some folks. Jim Fidler talks about it in one of his recent episodes." Dadooz - Jars Of Clay Remix Big Al - AES Roundup At Sweetwater Crosstalk: Joey Bishop: 2/13/1918 - 10/17/2007 Did You Have A Special Music Teacher? The Stupid Knob Death Cab For Cutie VS Homeland Security FedEx Should Get The Pets Karaoke Violence & The Vacuum Hose Answer To Last Week's Trivia Question: Q: The original Woodstock was August 18, 1969. Within one dollar, what was the price of a ticket at the gate? A: $8 per day! A three-day advance ticket was $18. This week's big winner is Jose Vargas! He takes home a copy of Guitar And Drum Trainer courtesy of Ryan Smith over at GuitarAndDrumTrainer.com. Jose also sent us this great link with some pictures of original Woodstock tickets. And here's a great video to have in your collection and on your video iPod. It's the entire Woodstock performance of Jimi Hendrix. See you next week! Related Tags: music recording studio home studio project studio mixing protools plugin frappr creative commons digidesign pro tools mix it like a record project studio network bob brooks unsung heroes of the music business ethan winer a cello rondo tele-vision realtraps reaper elastique pro elastic audio avid de la mancha basic64 digidesign eleven vox fender marshall mesa boogie soldano audio ease speakerphone altiverb stuart mcclellan izotope rx tc helicon mark rufino spectro stillwell audio massey plugins radiohead van halen suzie decree kings island theme park paul bordenkirsher mesa sand production phil dodds arp 2500 arp 2600 arp chroma kurzweil close encounters of the third kind edirol r-09 slau dadooz jars of clay sweetwater joey bishop rat pack death cab for cutie kevin federline britney spears karaoke woodstock jimi hendrix

Song: Lillian A Portrait In Sound (4.09) Artist/Band: Jim Fidler Land: Canada Infuences: Bob Marley, christy Moore, J. S. Bach, Mike Oldfield, Supertramp... Artist-Website: http://www.jimfidler.com Artist Bio: Hi, I'm Alen. Please help yourself to my music. I am trying to make music using only the samples I create myself, and using real instruments as well. I love experimenting with stuff and techniques, and it's a mess here as a result If you feel the tracks are too quiet, go ahead and compress..

News, a Spotlight tip, a Featured Performance, a super-sized Stupid Knob and Viewer Mail! News: Steinberg Introduces Cubase 4 And Cubase Studio 4 Recording School Online Releases Funky Flanger Free VST Multi-Effect Plug-In Universal Audio Ships UAD v4.4 Software With New Neve Plug-In And Support For Intel-Mac Computers SRS iWOW Plugin for Mac iTunes Michael Kingston Productions Releases RetroBand And RetroBandLite VST Plug-Ins Spotlight: CDBaby.com = iTunes! CustomFlix.com = Amazon! Featured Performance: Arif Hodzic submits We Thank God For You for review. http://myspace.com/ad4records http://myspace.com/arifmusic http://myspace.com/olio Answer To Last Week's Trivia Question: Q: The longest title of an album that actually made the Billboard chart is made up of 90 words. The album is called, When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He'll Win the Whole Thing 'Fore He Enters the Ring There's No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You'll Know That You're Right. A: Fiona Apple! This week we had two winning entries that both came in an exactly the same time. One from Jord and one from Jim Fidler. Jord graciously deferred the prize of a copy of Guitar and Drum Trainer to Jim as he runs a Mac and it's only available for Windows at the moment. Honorable Mention also goes out to Patrick McNeal, Arif Hodzic, Ben Brasile, Mark Rufino, Kris Keyser and Bill Camarata. Thanks to Ryan Smith over at RenegadeMinds.com for providing our weekly prize. See you next week! Tags: music recording studio home studio project studio mixing protools plugin digidesign frappr creative commons digidesign guitar and drum trainer ssl solid state logic vst steinberg cubase srs iwow cdbaby customflix charles dye elton john jay leno rolling stones keith richards john ralston lava lamp billboard fiona apple willie nelson

I start the show by telling you what I have been up to the previous week. I describe my visit to Downtown at the Gardens, Johnny Rockets, and Cobb Theater. I then bitch a little bit about the fact that the Paralympics is not going to be televised in the U.S.. I then give you a few links regarding the Paralympics and the U.S. team and a Web site where you can watch some coverage of the Paralympics on the Internet. I ask for some feedback and play some music. All I Really Wanted by Jim Fidler and Really Really Happy by The Muffs. At some point during the podcast I talked about the fact that Murderball is being played by A&E in the month of March. They originally aired it on Tuesday February 28 at 10 PM Eastern time. They will air it again on Wednesday March 1 at 2 AM and then again on Sunday March 12 at 12 PM.Websites mentioned in the Podcast:International Paralympic Committee (IPC)ParalympicSport.TV (player to watch Paralympics coverage over the Internet)The Official Site of the U.S. Paralympic TeamPassion Lives Here (another Web site for the Paralympics with information on what events are when put it has very small print)A&E web site about Murderball with the times it is being shown

In this show I discuss how the disabled are portrayed in movies and TV. I specifically talked about ER and Blind Justice from television and on the movies side I discuss Million Dollar Baby, The Waterdance, and Rory O'Shea Was Here. For more information on these movies and TV programs I recommend looking them up on the Internet movie database at www.imdb.comI also play two songs from Jim Fidler who is a Canadian musician who is also blind. I played Trampled and Mr. Ambassador. You can get more information on Jim Fidler by visiting his Web site at www.jimfidler.com