Phedippidations

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 t

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 decis

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

I’m here with my family and friends…at place we consider to be the happiest place on earth. This is Key West. Why this is our happy place is the focus of this episode, and before you get the wrong idea: this show wasn’t sponsored by the Key West Travel Bureau…I understand that many of you have your own personal paradise’s…but this is mine. I’ve only been here once before, about a year ago, in March of 2012, for only three days. Long time listeners to Phedippidations might remember episode 287 titled “Hemingway’s Key and Life to its Top”.  We’ll I’m back again, and this time we’re spending a full week.Key West is 129 miles southwest of Miami, and 94 statute miles north of Cuba.  The city is smaller than New York’s Central Park and it’s official motto is “One Human Family”. Mile marker zero of US route 1 is located at 490 Whitehead Street, here in Key West, Florida. It’s the beginning of the road for this major east coast US Highway which runs 2,369 miles (or 3,813 km) all the way north to Fort Kent, Maine…th

I see the act of running as a pathway to a special state of consciousness that allows us to "expose and undo our hidden fears and hopes", to "befriend who we are are". Doctor George Sheehan knew alot about this...but you have to really listen carefully to what he's actually saying in order to understand. I'm about to read from you one of the most controversial, in my opinion anyway, chapters of his now classic book "Running and Being - The Total Experience" published by Second Wind II LLC.  It’s a book that you simply must own. The chapter I’ll read is titled "Meditating"...and as you start to listen to it many of your are going to disagree completely with his premise. That's why you have to listen carefully...you have to think about what he's saying and look for yourself in those words.  He begins talking about the importance of solitude and how, on the road, we remove ourselves from the influence of both love and hate. On the surface, that seems somehow selfish and anti-social; and to that Dr. Sheehan w

While faith is, by definition, unwavering; scientific understanding often and sometimes frequently changes, as new observations about our universe are uncovered and demonstrated. Conventional wisdom, those faith sourced ideas that are so greatly accepted that they go unquestioned, is an  oxymoron...that is, a conjoining contradictory term.  In the case of running shoes and pronation we have long accepted the idea that: neutral or cushioned shoes are helpful for those with high arches,  stability shoes are best for those who over-pronote moderately and  motion control shoes are best for runners with low arches and moderate to severe over-pronation.  But the latest science...that is, the most recent clinical, organized observations, show that this is not true. Critics against science will point to the ever changing theories and hypothesis that make the practice untrustfull and suspicious, while those with deep religious convictions will point out how their belief is something does not change in light of n

Oxford Massachusetts is typical quaint New England Village, in the Heart of Central Massachusetts that remains, after 300 years, a quaint country town with a long American history.   The Europeans settlers from France and England were not the first to live here; but since it’s founding the town has managed to maintain both it’s charm and terroir; a less known gem in the commonwealth of Massachusetts and a place that I call home. Last month, on July 31st, Massachusetts state representatives Paul Frost and Ryan Fattman announced that Bill H.3465, “an Act validating the date of incorporation of the Town of Oxford” had been passed. “Nothwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the date of July 8, 1713 is hereby ratified and confirmed and declared the legal and valid date of incorporation of the Town of Oxford.” It was signed by Governor Deval Patrick on August 7th. Oxford is a town, as it be needful.

With this episode I’m off and running on my 9th year of podcasting.  Did I think that I’d still be at it after all this time?  To be honest I didn’t really think about it...I just kept on producing the shows.  Clearly, this isn’t the same Phedippidations that it was back in 2005...alot has changed with the writing, recording, production, sound quality, processing, sound effects, music sounders and beds...not to mention the changes in the life of the host.  We homo sapiens are funny when it comes to change, and I’m not talking about “Funny Ha Ha”.  I think to a certain extent, many of us go through the course of our lives in blissful or less denial on the topic of change...I know I’m guilty of that...so I’ll speak for myself. Intellectually I understand that change is constant, but in my heart I try to ignore that truth.  I have always preferred to belive that I live in a secure, understandable, familiar and unchanging life and lifestyle...but that’s a fantasy...the truth is that every day and every hour bring

Over the years, I have spoken to you about all of the many benifits as to why running is good for you.  I’ve talked about the physical, psychological and even the spiritual benefits of this sport...but  I’ve also tried to get across this point: that running is just one of the ways to improve your health, increase your level of happiness and extend the duration of your life.  I’ve told you that “Runners are special” but I’ve always been quick to admit that I’m not saying we’re better than  non-runners...we’re just different.  Think about some of the times you’ve run incredibly long distances, or gotten your miles in during a blizzard or heat wave...some might call us crazy, I prefer the word “special”. But obviously there are other physical activities that can bring you similar benefits: for the purpose of today’s discussion we will consider the act of walking.  And the question to be asked and answered here is simply this: which is better for you, running or walking? Now, look...let’s be reasonable...I hav

It was on April 19th, in the year of our Lord 2000, that I first registered the domain name of SteveRunner.com. It wasn’t my idea.  It was that of a good friend of mine, Jim, who I had attended the University of Lowell with in the early 1980’s, and worked with for over 20 years.   It was on that 19th day of April, 13 years ago that he suggested I reserve a domain name for my running blog.  I had been posting my running related essays on a website hosted at CompuServe, but the only way you could read my running words was if you knew the complicated numerical universal resource locator that pointed to it. Today, I’d like to read for you some of the essays I wrote back then.  They are written from the perspective of a new and very enthusiastic runner of 38 years old. We are quite often oblivious to the way our lives change, and how we change through the year.  Your perspective will vary, but for me: 13 years wasn’t all that long ago. It was the peak of the Dot Com bubble, President Clinton was serving his

We wish you could have been here.   The Cinco Loco was a never to be duplicared in the history of the universe event; a run with a unique group of good people who came together to share their time; to be there for a friend who had lost his precious child, to be there at the finish line of an event that hatred tried to ruin; to celebrate the friendships that we had made on line, through podcasts and the social media tubes of the Interwebs...and to enjoy a victory cupcake, in person, together...side by side, in the flesh...real people, real friends and fellow runners. We all wish you could have been here; and we look forward to the day when we will:  standing at an arbitrary starting line to run some arbitrary distance, without earbuds, downloads and RSS subscriptions, without tweets, and facebook updates or blog posts...but in person, you and I and some incredibly cool people. That is the spirit of the Mojo Loco movement...that’s what’s real, significant and important. We should run together, at the same t

My name is Steve, I’m from Boston, and I am Boston Strong.   There’s a certain amount of pride that I have, in saying that.  But the truth is, we’re all from Boston.  Boston...is more than just a city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...for runners like you and I, it’s a idea...it’s a place where dreams come true.   The course from the Hopkinton Bandstand to Boylston Street is more than just a paved roadway...it’s a course.  Wherever you’re hearing me right now, that course is connected to you.  When you lace up your shoes and open your own squeaky front door, you’re taking to the same road, on the same planet as I.  The phrase “Think Global, Run Local” has never been so true as it was on the afternoon of April 15th, Patriots Day...a day of heros. I am now going to say something that is well overdue...I’m going to admit that I was wrong about something.  I’m wrong about alot of things, but I’m stubborn too, I’m a cranky New Englander...but when faced with the truth...I have no alternative but to accept

Thousands of candles  can be lighted  from a single candle,  and the life of the candle  will not be shortened.  The Buddah The world is a better place for the life of a young man by the name of Jacob Tinkoff.   If you haven’t heard, it breaks my heart to tell you of this worlds loss of my friend Adam Tinkoff’s son, Jacob.   No parent should have to endure such tragedy alone.  So now you know, and now together, we mourn. Jacob, or Jake to his friends,  was a good, kind and sweet young man.   He was also a  passionately talented musician. He was an accomplished string bassist. The music you'll hear on this podcast was from a series of youtube videos Adam had posted over the past few yeasr, featuring  Jacob playing bass in his orchestra. Not long ago, Adam spoke to me about the very real and powerful phenomenon of creating waves of love and joy in the world.   As humans, we create content, thoughts and beauty...which spread out like ripples in a pond, touching the hearts and souls of other people, who

How fast can the fastest human being run?  We know that Usain Bolt of Jamacia ran at a top speed of  27.78 miles per hour (44.72 km/h) between the 60 to 80 meter segment of the 100 meter sprint in 1.61 seconds on August 16th, 2009 at the Berlin World Championships.   But what I want to know, is how fast could the fastest human being ever really run.  I’m not talking about Usain...the guy is amazing...but we are human beings, and we have evolved with this particular physicolgy.  What would it take for one of us to run the fastest that is possible as a member of our species? It turns out that, according to the latest science, there are two contending factors which affect the speed of human beings: first the amount of force that our bodies can handle as we smash our limbs upon the ground, and second the speed at which our muscles can contract and pull on our tendons.  Only one of these is the primary factor, and it will become obvious as we go through the science which matters most. We need to consider the mec

If you’re a new runner, or know someone who is...or even if you are a runner who has packed away your running shoes because you’re in some kind of a slump, or gave up running due to reasonable health reasons...I’m here to tell you that you are not alone. You’re not the first runner to quit, and you won’t be the last.   I know, because I’ve been there...and todays epsiode of Phedippidations is a shout of encouragement...it’s my attempt to say to you that even if you’ve hung up your shoes: you’re not a quitter.  Stop thinking of your running in terms of that. Whatever your goals are..whatever the reason it was that made you first lace up your shoes...they’re still valid reasons; the only thing you really have to do is change those short term goals into long term goals...and recognize the signs of improvement. You really are, a runner.  Sometimes we don’t feel that way, sometimes we feel like giving up, crawing into our darkened subterrainan dens and disassociating ourselves from that aweful activity...but if

I’ve had alot of time to think about how I’d conclude, this: my 300th episode...and I guess it makes sense for me to briefly comment on something I said in episode 1: When I talked about the horrible feeling of dropping the ball and losing the 1977 championship baseball game of the Weymouth Farm League for my team, The Red Barons. The essay I wrote and read was my way of explaining why, after that crushing loss, I sought to involve myself only in sports that celebrated individual achievement.  I wrote: “It's probably no coincidence that I've never played in a team sport since.  I chose, instead, to direct my athletic attentions to the Cross Country and Track teams, as well as the individual medley events on the swim team.  I involved myself in sports that didn't require team camaraderie; I selected athletics that rewarded individual success without the dependency of others.” Seven years and 300 episodes later; I’ve come to realize how wrong I was....that this sport I love so much, this running is one that dep

The next episode of Phedippidations is a celebration of this podcast and the community of which it is a part...we’re celebrating not because of anything I've ever recorded, presented or produced...but because you stepped up and said you would participate...that you’d jam some ear buds in your head and at least go for a run with me....whether you've been listening since episode one or if this is your first; the honor to run with you is mine. Thank you for that honor, for being a friend and a fellow runner. Links: “Further” by Long-View  http://www.longviewmusic.com "Baby Can I Hold You" by Tracy Chapman Get some social perspective: ONLY IF YOU LIKE IT: (But only if you can afford it) Phedippidations is supported every month through the very kind and sincerely generous financial support of 51 fellow runners: William, Vera, Katie, Heather, Ryan, Chaise, Andie, Gordon, Scott, Mike, David, Jeff, Colin, Jason, Diane, Al, Cheryl, Ron, Mark, Martha, Greg, Jim, Maddy, Tim, Bill, Kevin, Michael, David, Doug, Vanc

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs are a class of medicine used to reduce fever and treat acute or chronic conditions where pain and inflammation are present.  They are used, generally for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthropathies, gout, menstrual pain, headaches, post operative pain, and fever. Side effects include: myocardial infarction, stroke, erectile dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, gastric ulceration, diarrhea, acute renal failure, tubular necrosis, broncospasm, rash, IBS symptoms, and even photosensitivity. BUT…NSAID’s are effective for the relief of pain…as runners we know this. As runners many or most of us rely on ibuprofen or naproxen sodium to recover from injuries.  So what does science tell us about the efficacy of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs?    How are we to deal with the problem with NSAID’s? Links: http://fellrnr.com http://fellrnr.com/wiki/NSAIDs_and_Running http://www.monteladner.com The song “The Day” was by Moby  http://www.m

Love, is a many splendored thing, it’s all that matters, it’s all around, it moves in mysterious ways, it’s the answer, it makes no promises, it’s blind, you can’t buy it, it’s not for sale, it takes it toll, you can’t hurry it, it’s not a game, it’s a battlefield, it will keep us together, you can’t help falling in it, it doesn’t ask why, it hurts, and: “I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that”. Whatever “that” is. As runners, we say that we “love to run”, as husbands, wives and partners we most certainly love our significant others, we love people, friends, family, parents, children, all creatures great and small, and we love things…our magical revolutionary iThings, good wine, our running shoes, our town, our little blue bubble in space…and of course, we love more ethereal things such as situations and experiences.  But what is this thing called love?  When the alien robot overlords invade our planet, and they ask about this emotional connection we have to people, things and experiences…what w

I’m going to talk about four specific gadgets on our run today, physical devices that are said to help motivate you to live a healthier life. Show notes available at SteveRunner.com