“Be check'd for silence, but never tax'd for speech.” (AWTEW 1:1)

[Shake-and-run]

Today my plan was for 14k. I was going out alone and, as usual for my endurance run, I was heading down (and back up) the Stratford Greenway.

I have read of many runners who praise the podcast as a way to keep them entertained on their runs. I have always shied away as I feel I won’t be able to concentrate as I cross roads and negotiate traffic. But the greenway is traffic free (apart from walkers and cyclists) and I thought I would give it a go. I chose ‘Empire’ featuring William Dalrymple and Anita Anand and listened to the first two episodes. I enjoyed it very much, great storytelling and not too much idle chatter. The running was ok, the headwind going out was a bit of a pain and my legs were tired on the way back. I jeffed (5:2 mins run/walk for most but it did get a bit ragged on the way back) stopped to munch an energy bar at the turn around and took a few pictures. Numbers are not to shabby for me ( I did it in under 2 hours) but I would like to get my legs feeling stronger. There are a few more long runs to come in the HM plan, I hope to have the opportunity to listen to more stories about the Empire and India.

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Looks like you've had better weather than we had today in Manchester. 🌧

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

The sunshine and blue sky was delightful.

[Chickenears Marathon]

Lovely photos and it sounds like you had a good run. I’ll have to give Empire a listen.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Chickenears]

Thank you. Oh do! I was entertained and informed. I found the programme well balanced (politically speaking) too.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

I would add How to be 60, which is really fun!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Not sure I could cope with something that makes me laugh, breathing is hard enough as it is.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Or The Rest is History

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Looks like a lovely place to lose yourself in a run and a podcast. The one time I tried a podcast I realised that I don't listen , music is background, guided runs are just guides, unless intervals they too are background, I came back wondering what it was all about. I can see that podcasts could pass the time on longer runs. Mind you....now you've got me thinking....might be good on the river run, no traffic and kerbs to concentrate on 😁, thank you

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

The Greenway can get boring (the photos show its finer features, I didn’t snap the sewage farm!) but it is flat and traffic free. I shall definitely be selecting a podcast next time I’m down it.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Shake-and-run]

Bit like my river then, beautiful but a bit samey

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Sounds a lovely run Shakes. It was definitely the day to do a long one. The rain has just been so relentless.

I’m glad you enjoyed the podcast while you ran. There are some interesting ones on NRC too, if you want some running inspiration. I particularly enjoyed the lost boys (3 x 30 mins or 90 mins) and running with Joanie.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Thanks Dexy, I picked a podcast to help take my mind off the running. It worked a bit, but not as much as I hoped 🤣🤣.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I have never listened to a podcast Shake but well done on the run 👍 Exercise for the mind as well as the body 💪

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I was a podcast virgin until this run. I still have concerns about listening to one when running where there are many distractions, music works for those types of run. But for these runs it was ok.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

That sounds like a really enjoyable run. I think I need something in my ears which helps me to concentrate on the run rather than provide a pleasant distraction, hence the NRC stuff. Must be my age!!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

We are all different, good to find what works for you.