The IWNCN guys meet special guest (real runner, real stand-up comedian, real author) Paul Tonkinson and also discuss how to manage aches, pains and injuries. Award winning (for both performing and writing) Paul talks about returning to running in middle age after taking it seriously in his youth, which has culminated in him writing two books documenting his adventures. A late appearance from Paul's dog adds to the fun as he reveals whether he managed a 3 hour marathon as an "older runner". Spoiler alert: of course he did! The guy's a running machine! :)
In this episode we talk to James who is roughly our age but only started running this year and is already faster than both of us! Now we all know that being a runner is not all about how fast you are, but James's trajectory is pretty impressive! He chats to us about how he got into running and what he has found out on the way. Also, with the nights drawing in, we talk about how we enjoy the change of the seasons and give some tips about running in the dark and cold. Spoiler alert: our message is, keep running!
As pretentious as this title might sound both of us feel that apart all the other things we define ourselves as, we are "runners" now! In this episode we talk about how running has genuinely changed our lives, whilst trying not to be too soft about it. Broadly, we tackle how are minds, bodies and souls have felt the benefit of getting out there, strapping on the old pumps and running. We end up struggling to find reasons to not take up this rather brilliant activity which gives so much more than it takes. Are you a runner? Go on!
Ok so we all have setbacks, from realising we are not Eliud Kipchoge to being reminded that calf muscles have an elastic limit to frankly, not being arsed to go out into the cold. In this episode we go through all that nonsense and more and give some hints that worked for us as we powered on though!
This time we take about the serious subject of "fun". We have decided we want to run and have managed it, but there is nothing to say we can't actually enjoy it. It might come as a surprise to those of us who remember huffing and puffing around grim woods during school "Cross Country" sessions, where we were told to "get back here as fast as possible!", that running can actually be enjoyed! This can be as simple as feeling one is using one's body, taking time to clear one's mind or even - without getting too hippy dippy about it - "commune with nature". There's always something in it for the nerds of us too with gadgets, stats, kit and groups galore to keep you enthused about what all this is doing to your body, mind and possibly soul.
An episode with a working title of "Books, blogs, pods, apps, stats, gadgets, groups, channels, clubs and tips" has been sensibly renamed "What's Next?". In it we cover how we became runners and how it is important to remember that everyone is different in terms of motivation, ability and desired outcomes. What seems to bind us all is that we all seem to get something profound out of putting one foot in front of each other at a rhythm rather faster than walking. We give some great tips but conclude that if your moving and it doesn't hurt: you're winning!
In this episode we talk about just getting out there and doing it. And then doing it again until it becomes a habit and, unbelievably, something you look forward and miss if you don't get a run in! We also look at two of the things that we have discovered which have really inspired us. One is a book called "Born to Run" and one is a phenomenon called "parkrun". We love them both dearly!
For six solid years Andrew badgered Oliver to change his life, body and mind by taking up running. It is fair to say that this was not an easy sell: the usual excuses for an overweight, middle aged, desk-bound male came trotting - or rather sauntering - out: "it's not good for the knees"; "I was rubbish at school"; "I am too fat"; "I get out of breath standing up"; "I will look ridiculous"; "it sounds bloody awful" etc. etc. And yet, some how, eventually, Oliver cracked and enrolled in the miraculous Couch to 5K, graduated, and then carried on past the finishing line. Slowly. Join Andrew and Oliver and Andrew for the start of the process which turned them both from blobby, red-faced cynics into bona fide runners. If they don't get you off your rotund backsides, no-one will.