I’ve been doing more running recently than in recent years, and even though I’m now 62 years old, it has been a great “experiment.” I’ve learned to deal with a whole new set of injuries! Those old blown rotator cuffs and the back surgery don’t seem such a big deal anymore, now that I have been battling plantar fasciitis and knee pain. The truth is, though, the biggest battle in running is not the injuries, it’s the boredom!

Running outdoors helps more than anything to avoid boredom. The fresh air, the sounds and sights, and the changing climates and terrain make running outdoors the best way to do it. Even then, running the same old route can get a little bit dreary, so I started looking for things to keep me enterained while running, and discovered podcasts. There are several podcasts on running and a few of them I highly recommend.

The beauty of running podcasts is that most of them–the better ones anyway–are NOT just about running. They are also about the people who do them, and it’s almost like moving next door to them if you listen long enough.  Each podcast is also accompanied by a website, where you can listen to samples, and also get an overview of who is doing it, why, and where. Most all running podcasts worth listening to actually have some running segments in them, and listening to someone else talk while they are running takes a little getting used to, but once you do get used to it, it is almost like having a couple of running partners along with you!

One of my favorites is 4feetrunning.  You can find it on Itunes and you can visit their website by going to http://4feetrunning.blogspot.com/  Nik and Dan are a couple from Massachusetts who produce a bi-weekly podcast on running and whatever great adventures or misfortunes that have occurred to them recently. I need to warn you–you have to listen to several before you will stop thinking “why are they telling me this?” They share their lives with you, and in a very engaging and humorous way, but it’s just not the usual way that production audio shows are done, so give it a few times, and go back and listen to some of their older podcasts so you can really get a sense of who they are and what they are up to. I promise you that if you stay with it you’ll be hooked. I find myself looking for the newest episode several days before it comes out.

Another good one is Pheddipidations and can be found at http://steverunner.com/ What else would you call yourself other than Steve Runner if your real name was Steve Walker?  Give him a listen, and like 4 Feet Running, you’ll need to listen to a few before you get hooked.  Steve’s site has a link to another website which has ALL the running podcasts assembled.

Are there regular fitness podcasts as well? Yes, but they just don’t have the fun touch that the running podcasts do. They are pretty dry! 

Well, that’s it. A little different than my usual fitness blog, but something I think you’ll really enjoy if you try it. All you need is a computer, and preferably an MP3 or Ipod and you’re on your way to exploring a whole new world!