The 20MR Episode 78: The Christmas Show

 

I trust your Christmas was a good one. By the time you read this, Christmas Day will be past. Thanks for checking out the show and listening to Episode 78. While we are in the Christmas season, this show is more about wrapping up the year than presents I guess.

We cover:

1. Aquarium update
2. New shoes on the way just in time for Christmas
3. Plans for Christmas (the crowd has been sick)
4. How I could have probably PRd at the half without much difficulty. It's about strategy, not speed.
5. My New Year's resolutions, or better yet, goals for running

The goals include plans for another half and a sub 4 marathon. Time will tell how we do, but stay tuned as we see how it all pans out. We close the episode with a reading of the Christmas Story and some cool Christmas tunes. Check out the links below to the music.

Thank you for your support of the show over the last 12 months. I hope to do another year, Lord willing. Again, you are the reason I do this. Your emails, tweets, FB comments and general encouragement about the endeavor make it worthwhile.

Here's to a wonderful Christmas season and a Happy New Year. And as always,

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

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The photo above is courtesy of PhotoXpress

The opening music is entitled "Point of No Return" and is from the album by the same name by Roger Subirana Mata. Check it out at Jamendo.
The opening song is "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" by Rusty Bladen. Check it out at Music Alley.

The song in the body of the show is "Grown Up Christmas List" by Ayla Brown. Check it out at Music Alley.

The underscore at the end of the show is Away in a Manger - Traditional Christmas Carol for Piano by Mario Ajero. Check it out at Music Alley.

The 20MR Episode 77: Victory Junction Half Coverage

Victory Junction "Run to Victory Half" Finish - 1:43:11

It's hard to believe, but we have finished the half and boy does it feel good to have another one--just my second--under my belt, as it were. Thanks for listening to the coverage in this, Episode 77. We begin the show with me packing up my stuff for the race (the night before). I also did an impersonation of Bing Crosby (called "Crosby Bing") for our church's Christmas program the night before. Check out that jacket...and pipe, no less. And no, um, it was not lit.

"Crosby Bing"

In the midst of packing, we were concerned about the weather. But it really wasn't that big of an issue. Other issues we talk about:

1. What I've eaten...(I know, exciting)
2. Plans for race day
3. The change in the date for next year's half.

We close with race day coverage, including how we did. Bert and I also had a short discussion in the midst of the rain as we waited for the race group to begin to get together near the starting line. And it is all provided for free!

Seriously, thank you for listening. Your encouraging emails both before and after the event meant a lot to me. We all can use that kind of support. Also, thank you for your support of the podcast itself. Without you, it just wouldn't be the same. Really. Send me a message at the email link, or ask to be my friend on FB. Both links are at the right. And as always,

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

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Links for this episode

Bert Reed photography website

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

The song heard in the body of the podcast is entitled "Rainy Days and Mondays" by Teresa Carpis. Check it out at Music Alley.

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

The 20MR Episode 76: Final Thoughts Before the Half

As of the publishing of this, Episode 76, the Half Marathon is only three days away. After all of the hard work and the training, I am in taper mode--and it feels good. I admit that I still have questions about how I will do come race day (don't we all?), but I know I have trained smart, hard and adequately. Now, it's a matter of seeing how it all comes together. We will let you know next week.

This episode of the program was recorded on what for me was a very cold morning: 15 degrees F, with a breeze no less. My late step-father would have called it not cold weather, but "butt cold" weather. Not sure what that means? Me either. But we do talk about it in this show. Actually, I recently came across information that said it only gets dangerous when it hits 0 degrees F, as long as you are adequately prepared. There are benefits to running in the cold and we talk about a few in this episode.

Along with the training update, we share an email from Craig. Thanks again Craig and keep working the Chi. I can testify to its effectiveness. It does take a while to get it down, but with continued practice, I feel confident that you will succeed with it. Don't give up!

Not sure how we will do in the race December 12th, but know that I have been struggling with sinus evidently. And while my head is not terribly congested, I have not been quite myself in about 10 days. But I do seem to feel a little better as I write this. Hopefully it won't interfere with the effort Sunday.

We close with a funny story about what happened to one of the fish in my aquarium. I hate it happened, but that's life. And then I round things out by sharing my hopes for the half. Will I PR? I don't know, but don't count on it; stay tuned for the next episode to find out. Regardless, I want to have fun and enjoy the experience. I'm just praying that the weather will cooperate. That too, is to be seen. Thanks for your faithfulness to this show. YOU are why I enjoy it so much. And as always,

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

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

The song heard in the body of the podcast is entitled "Santa's Last Stop" by David Cahalan. Check it out at Music Alley.

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

The 20MR Episode 75: Beginning the Half-Marathon Taper

 

Tapering is good...

Welcome to this, Episode 75 of the podcast. I feel like we need to have trumpets or balloons or something. Anyway, it's hard to believe we are this deep into this endeavor, but it has been a real blast and lots of fun. I was reminded this week again how that this is truly a record of my life that happens to be done while we are running. While we cover running topics, we also cover life.

The show starts with a couple of email questions that I attempt to answer. They may apply to you as well:

1. How can you get all of the episodes of the podcast to download?
2. What, if anything, can be done about anterior shinsplints.

Thanks to Randy for the questions. Send me your questions/comments here.

As I run in High Point, we actually cover part of the NC marathon course. It's been a while since I've run in this area, and the wind did not help, but the run turns out well as you will hear. During the run, I discuss how things went Thanksgiving, give you the survey results (go to the survey on the right to take this month's new one), and give you a training update. I also tell you what I am doing this week and what I plan to do the week of the half-marathon (only 9 days away as of this post).

We close things out for this 9 mile run with a 21 minute tempo session. One hint: it went well. The last 3 miles were 7:38, 7:38 and 8:00. The last one was not really even tempo. All of this tells me that the plan we have been working on over the last several months has been working. How will we do December 12th? I don't know. But I have prepared hard and now hope to rest well. I trust your running and possible race plans are going well also. And as always,

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

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

The song heard in the body of the podcast is entitled "BLUES WITH ANCIENT GUITAR AMP" by Mormon Headgear. Check it out at Music Alley.

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

The transitional piece is entitled "Our Moon" and is from the album of the same name by Roger Subirana Mata. Check it out at Jamendo.

The photo is courtesy of PhotoXpress.