LIVEALITTLE

There's less than one month to go and I feel totally unprepared for this 42k run on September 23rd. I had only run 20k 2 weeks ago. So, I decided to put in a big effort today and do a huge run. I ran 31k today in 3 hours and 40 minutes. I really stopped due to sheer exhaustion. That averages out to just about 6 hours if I even survived to complete the marathon. The cut off time is 5.5 hours to do the run. I need to speedy myself up if I don't want to be disqualified...
So, hoping to give myself a little boost in the run, I mustered some energy and mossied over to Running Science, a sneaker store with an in-house treadmill and podiatrists to assess your step as well as recommend an appropriate shoe. In a matter of seconds on the treadmill, I was assessed to have proper heel strike (outer edges of my foot) but over-pronation (I was rolling inward too much). I was given a couple of "stability" sneakers to try and decided the New Balance 757s ($180AU!!) were the most comfortable for my size 7.5 and D width feet. Typically women are B width so D is a bit exceptional. So I wonder if I am possibly made for running ... or wading ... in swimming pools. Regardless, hopefully I am fully equipped now with my hat, my yummy vanilla GU energy bars (they actually boost me for about 7k of running each time!), my new sneakers and my roommate's ipod.
Seriously, the ipod has really assisted me in forgetting about my running pain and encouraging me to forge ahead. Recently I was recommended a podcast for runners called Phedippidations (Thanks Shorty!). The host, Steve Runner, gives great information about how to run, how to take care of your feet, etc. Amazingly, he recommended a book to read called "The Runners Repair Manual" which I just so happened to have looked at at an Op Shop ONE DAY BEFORE listening to the podcast but disregarded because it was written in the 80s.

The following is my list of frequently listened to podcasts for running:
Discovery Channel's Vital Signs
The Dashing Doctor
ABC's The Health Report
BBC Newspod
The Best of National Geographic Magazine
TVO's Big Ideas
ChinesePod - Learn Chinese
Phedippidations
United Nations Radio
Great Speeches in History

You know, there's no need to own an ipod to download podcasts. If you download iTunes, the program will help you organize automatic downloading and organizing. It's great.
Let me know if there is a podcast you love listening to. I tend to whittle away at my list quite quickly even though they update on a weekly basis!