The 20MR Episode 54: Day Trip

Thanks for stopping by to check out Episode 54. In this show, you go along with me on a day trip to the mountains of NC. We eat a wonderful country meal at Shatley Springs, go by the cheese factory in Ashe County and finish with a visit to the Frescoes by Ben Long at two area Episcopal churches. From there, we soon head home. While much of this episode is about the trip, we do manage to discuss things while we run as well. If you like good food, art and/or both, then you will enjoy this episode. Ben Long is a world renowned Fresco artist from NC. He trained in Italy with a master artist and has since graced many buildings--churches and otherwise--with his realistic and beautiful art. Fresco is a form of art that is done on wet plaster. Due to the medium used, it requires a lot of patience--and technique. Check out the links below for a view of his art.

Also, follow the link to Shatley Springs. If you are even in the NC mountains, Shatley is a must stop. The food is great and the atmosphere rustic, yet comfortable. Listen in as I go to the spring and share information about its history and alleged healing qualities. Bring a few jugs if you come and plan to take away some of the purest water on planet earth.

We close things out with a visit to the cheese factory. Many of the cheeses and goodies in their store are made right on the premises, across the road to be exact.

The portrait above is of Long himself, while the one below is from one of the churches we visited. You can find more of his work at the websites linked below. So, while this is still a running podcast, remember that it is just as much a podcast about life that we happen to do while running. Slip on your running shoes, prepare your nose for great food and your eyes for beautiful art. You will enjoy the trip I believe. And as always,

Thanks for sharing some of the road with me,

The 20 Minute Runner

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Links for this show

Shatley Springs homepage

Ben Long homepage

NC visitor page for Ben Long

Ashe County Cheese homepage

The opening and closing music is entitled "Point of No Return" and is from the album by the same name by Roger Subirana. Check it out at Jamendo.

The background music is entitled "Second Half" by John Williams. Check it out at Magnatune.

The music heard in the body of the podcast is entitled "Clair de lune" by Debussy, played by Linda Holzer. Check it out at Music Alley.

The 20MR Episode 53: Where we run

Good to have you along for this edition of the podcast, Episode 53. We begin by greeting Tigger and sharing very briefly about how this small creature has worked her way into our hearts. While we did not intend to get closer to her, some things simply cannot be denied.

Soon on the road, I share about the state I live in: North Carolina. While I am sure your locale is great, I also enjoy calling NC home. Though I have lived in other areas, none feel quite the same. So, in this episode, I give a bit of information about our state and the regions that make it up.

1) The Coastal Region: I grew up here and called the Outer Banks and the Crystal Coast home.
2) The Piedmont Region: This is where we presently live, work and run. It is home to the NC zoo--one of the best in the world--and the Uwharrie Mountains, some of the oldest in the country.
3) The Mountain Region: The region of the foothills, Cherokee Indians and the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, not forgetting the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I am asking you to send me information about where you live and run: emails, photos, audio files; it doesn't matter. Just send me something and I will share it on an upcoming episode and post the information at the blog. I would like to know what makes your area so special and why you enjoy running there.

If you are even in the Piedmont region of NC, the triad especially, please email me ahead of time so that we can get together for a run. I can meet you in Greensboro, High Point, or even Thomasville for that matter. I would love to run with you and perhaps record some for an upcoming episode. Let me hear from you.

Finally, welcome to all of our new listeners. I am glad you have tuned in and welcome your feedback and comments about the podcast. And as always,

Thanks for sharing some of the road with me,
The 20 Minute Runner

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Links for this show

Visit NC website

Captain Tom's Seafood, Staley, NC

Uwharrie National Forest

Running Podcasts website

Powerfit blog/podcasts with Coach Jeff

Running from the Reaper podcast

The opening and closing music is entitled "Point of No Return" and is from the album by the same name by Roger Subirana. Check it out at Jamendo.

The background music is entitled "Second Half" by John Williams. Check it out at Magnatune.

The music heard in the body of the podcast is entitled "North Carolina" by Mission 5. Check it out at Music Alley.

The 20MR Episode 52: Signs of Summer/Shoe Talk

Great to have you along for Episode 52 of the podcast. The signs of the approaching summer are everywhere, especially in the roses in our yard--as the two bushes above show. In this episode, we talk about our new "outside cat", Tigger. Yes, the orphan of the community is now living with us (mostly anyway) and eating on our porch. I will get a picture of her on the blog in the future. Anyway, "Welcome, Tigger!"

We talk about the week's running, which has gone well, as we move up to ever slightly longer runs. We also give a short update on my step-father as he continues to deal with Leukemia. He is doing well, but could be doing better. Your prayers are appreciated.

But the main part of this episode is shoes. We talk about the importance of rotating them, and offer the reasons for doing so. We also discuss the different types of shoes: cushioned, stability, motion control, racing flats and the newest category: minimalist. And just in case you are wondering what type of shoe might work best for you--and how to find out your foot type--we discuss that also. But remember: you really need to visit a running shoe store and let a specialist evaluate your individual needs, especially if you are new to running. I hope the information we talk about is helpful.

We begin training for The Fun Fourth 10K in Greensboro in a few days as well. I do plan speedwork and possibly hill work as a part of the training. I will keep you updated.

Finally, we touch briefly on the benefits of shortening our stride as we run. I am trying to do that just a bit, 10% or so. The claim is that it can help reduce injuries. With my history of knee and hip injuries, I am trying it out. I will also keep you updated on that as well.

If you are new to the program, WELCOME. If you would, send the link to the show to a friend or two and invite them to download and catch a couple of recent episodes. I appreciate it. And as always,

Thanks for sharing some of the road with me,
The 20 Minute Runner

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Links for this show

Our State magazine

Road ID

Fun Fourth 10K in Greensboro, NC

The opening and closing music is entitled "Point of No Return" and is from the album by the same name by Roger Subirana. Check it out at Jamendo.

The background music is entitled "Second Half" by John Williams. Check it out at Magnatune.

The music heard in the body of the podcast is entitled "Crazy As" by Julandrew. Check it out at Jamendo.

The 20MR Episode 51: Planting time/Listener race reoprt

Welcome to Episode 51 of the podcast. It's really great having you along for the ride. In this episode, we talk about what's going on in our yard and you get to listen in for a bit as Cindy and I work with the plants we recently planted, including peppers, tomatoes, and flowers, oh my! Also, the blackberries are back this year after a cold--yet very wet winter and Spring.

We also share a race report from Connie, aka, OHcowgirl. Check out the photos of Connie from The Country Music Marathon and Half-Marathon at the left (blogspot page only). You can also read the full report by going to the sister blog found at the link to the left. Connie, you ran a great race, especially with all of the obsticles and distractions you faced. Don't be discouraged; there will always be another race and eventually you will hit that race where everything comes together perfectly: training, weather, and rest. Thank you for the report and the photos.

We talk about some observations she made in her report that are worth mentioning here as well:
1) If you plan to walk any during a race, make sure you are to the side so that runners can pass and not stumble over you. It's shows courtesy and keeps everyone safe.
2) Get an accurate GPS device to use. Make sure you can trust it and are familiar with it. More about that in the podcast, plus check out what I use at the link below.

In spite of the weather issue, the race director did issue a nice apology. We include it in the podcast as well. Again, there's always another race, though I know how frustrating it is to peak for a specific race only to have things go awry. But, that's life.

We also talk a bit about this Run Net Community. Without Twitter, podcasts and other social media, our runs would be a bit lonlier. I encourage you to become more familiar with all of the informative and encouarging ways we runners can connect. We are truly a global community.
Please feel free to email me your race reports and include a photo or two. Also, send me an audio file of your race or any other topic. I will be glad to share it in an upcoming episode.

Finally, another thanks to Bill Lynn, Matt (Run Digger Run podcast), Coach Jeff (Powerfit, The Running podcast) and Nigel (Running from the Reaper) for helping make the last episode so much fun. It illustrates perfectly how this virtual community is growing...and continues to do so.

And most of all, thank YOU for downloading and listening each week. I would personally appreciate it if you would email the link to this blog to other running friends and share the podcast with them. You are why I do this and your feedback is so critical. And as always,

Thanks for sharing some of the road with me,
The 20 Minute Runner

Download this episode (right click and save)



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Links for this show

Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon

Runcast TV (link is also to the left)

Timex GPS device (the one I use, you need a watch to go with it)

Twitter

Buckeye Outdoors

Running Podcasts.org

Facebook

Photo is courtesy of PhotoXpress.

The opening and closing music is entitled "Point of No Return" and is from the

album by the same name by Roger Subirana. Check it out at Jamendo.

The transitional piece is entitled "The Long Goodbye" by Wendy Wall. Check it

out at Music Alley.

The music heard in the body of the podcast is entitled "Tropical Night" by

Alessandro Botturo. Check it out at Music Alley.

The background music is entitled "Second Half" by John Williams.

Check it out at Magnatune.