Running Podcasts (Plodcasts?)

The Running Lounge, a running blog network I follow has this week launched a podcast all about running (http://blog.runnerslounge.com/files/episode1.mp3). The first episode is basically an interview with the creators of the Lounge, but in the future they plan to publish more of the reader-led discussions which fill their site with inspirational running chat.

The news of this podcast got me thinking about listening to podcasts whilst out running. I have actually tried this before. Once when I had a long, lonely run ahead of me and was bored of my music I decided to download some podcasts from radio 4, thinking some stimulating discussion or some comedy would make the time pass quickly. But it turned out this approach didn't work for me at all. It could have been the talk-heavy nature of the podcasts I chose, but I found the slow rhythm of the voices lulled me into a dull plod, and because each episode was only around 25 minutes long, having to stop and select the next one on my ipod was irritating and made the 90 minute run seem much longer. Perhaps running with podcasts would work for those people who like to workout in front of the Simpsons at the gym, but I would rather run to uplifting music or with nothing. Mostly I am quite happy drifting into my own dreamworld as I run and don't feel the need to be doing something else at the same time.

The exception could be running-centric podcasts, as I can imagine listening to other runners might be quite motivating. It could be like having a running pal who never expects you to break your breathing pattern to join in the conversation. Either way, I enjoyed listening to the Lounge podcast whilst making tea, and will keep listening out for their recordings and other running podcasts as they are yet another way to feel part of the ever-growing community of runners.