A mile with me

Maths Club Massacre

2011-11-19T22:12:00.000Z

A great little video with some of your podcasting friends, thanks to David Smith for creating this (after seeing my movember picture)

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Video Ho Ho Loco

2011-11-06T22:18:00.000Z

A silly run around Christchurch talking about the HoHo Loco!

Mile-058 The Maratona d'Italia

2011-10-25T21:06:00.003+01:00

Its the Mezzo Maratona d'Italia edition of the "A Mile with Me" Podcast!

Join Phil Moneypenny and I in Italy as we run the Ferrari Half Marathon, from Maranello to Modena

Find out how Phil and I managed to avoid a "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" bed sharing incident, catch up with us as we run the race and afterwards in Florence

We also hear from the winner of the womens half marathon and a number of runners along the way

We meet up with some great guys from Malta, some Canadian Polish folks, some Finnish runners and of course a heap of Italians!

We also catch up with Janis, who literally ran away from her spectacular Italian wedding day exactly 10 years ago. She was celebrating her "non-anniversary" that weekend with all her friends - they were all running at various places around the world that weekend including Janis herself running the Ferrari Half!

Also join me on board Connie as I ride through Wimborne telling you all about the Studland Stampede!

Its a packed show so download and enjoy!

Catch me across all the main social networks
@SteveChopper
http://www.amilewith.me/
steve@amilewith.me

Mile-057-Enduro Challenge London to Paris Triathlon

2011-09-18T20:30:00.005+01:00

Hello everyone and welcome to todays show. It follows us on an amazing 460km adventure as Team Virtualis run, swim and bike 460km from London to Paris

Its the 7th annual "Enduro Challenge a 6 person team relay event that takes place between teams in the finance sector in London. The challenge is to:

Run 120 km from London to Dover
Swim 40 km from Dover to Calais in France
Cycle 300 km from Calais to Paris

We are onboard with Team Virtualis as I was handling logistics, driving and website / tracking for the team.

Follow our adventure through the hillsides of Kent, find out more about the infamous "Bucket Club" and on to the finish at the Eiffel Tower.

The team came together from friends across Price Waterhouse, Goldman Sachs, Citadel LLC, Credit Suisse, Serpentine Running Club and JPMorgan and we took on UBS, Barclays Capital, Credit Suisse and Accenture in the frantic race through day and night to Paris

Follow the adventure as the team (to strict Channel Swimming rules) have to swim in the cold English Channel in just their speedos and then time trial to the City of Light.

Its a great an unusual adventure.

Find out more about us all at:
http://www.teamvirtualis.blogspot.com/
http://dangreenallphoto.blogspot.com/

Other links mentioned in todays show
http://www.stuarthallcycling.co.uk/
http://www.serpentine.org.uk/
http://www.socialhiking.org.uk/

Music from the podsafe music network this week:

Phoebe Le Gere - Under Paris Skies
Andrew Lubman - Swim

It would be great to hear from you - mail me at steve@amilewith.me.uk
Check out the show notes and back catalogue at http://www.amilewith.me/

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Mile-056 Running in Ibiza

2011-09-03T08:25:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone

On this edition of the A Mile with Me podcast you join me running the trails and towns of the beautiful white island of Ibiza.

Set in the azure waters of the Mediterranean Ibiza has been home to hippies, holidaymakers and of course the global clubbing scene deposits itself on the island during the summertime

I run through the hippy market at Es Canar and along the lovely rocky coastal paths.

I also tell you about a great edition coming up!

Its always great to hear from you. if you enjoy the show then why not drop me a line at Steve@amilewith.me

Mile-055-Three Men and a Boat (to say nothing of the dog)

2011-08-04T20:14:00.000+01:00

In 1889, Jerome K. Jerome published his famous book about life on the Thames, Three Men in a Boat (to say nothing of the dog).

It was part travelogue, part novel.

122 years later three running friends ran along the same part of the river having a good chat and enjoying some adventures along the way.

We saw plenty of boat action, including a homemade raft race, a more professional wooden Sciff race and had an interesting encounter with a dog.

The run took us from Richmond to Hampton Court Palace and back a distance of around 18 miles, and with a few breaks thrown in we ran exactly a half marathon of it

So, let me introduce my friends .. On my left in the above picture is Colin Clews (@Clewsy) one of the hosts of the fabulous Velo Club Don Logan cycling podcast (http://www.veloclubdonlogan.co.uk/). On my right is Paul Abrelat (@Pabrelat) from the Run Yank Run podcast . http://www.runyankrun.blogspot.com/

Join me running in Ibiza as I introduce this episode. Music this week snippets of original classics from the Trojan record label - "Kingston Town" by Lord Creator, Desmond Dekker's "007" and "Feel the Riddem" by Clancy Eccles, something very cool for the hot days of Summer.

Mile-054-Running with Karnazes

2011-07-13T23:33:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,

This week we have a great edition as I run round Hyde Park in London with the great Dean Karnazes!

It was a great adventure as Dean was over launching his book and running with one of the worlds biggest and best running clubs - The Serpentine.

The club is named after the main lake in Hyde Park which you can see in the picture here.

I had a good chat with Dean as we ran around and also you can hear from Robin Harvie, author of the great new book "Why We Run"

Theres some excerpts from the run and also find out about the Istanbul Marathon which I am running this year - from a Turkish member of our running group who has done the race.

http://www.ultramarathonman.com/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-We-Run-Robin-Harvie/dp/1848541767/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310596150&sr=1-1

http://www.serpentine.org.uk/

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Mile-053-Upon Tuscan Shore

2011-06-08T22:16:00.000+01:00

Join me this time in the beautiful Italian region of Tuscany, in Lucca, Pisa and Florence.

Come along on a walk around the walls of Lucca, an exceptional city protected with a 4km belt of earth and brick walls from the 16th century and home to some tremendous buildings

Im running at lunchtime as we talk about the English Romantic poet Percy Shelley whose heart beats no more, but lives on next to his wife Mary, author of Frankenstein, in a Bournemouth graveyard.

Shelley had a very strong connection with Italy and the region I was in.

I read from "Ode to a Skylark", one of his most famous poems, about the freedom of the birds in the sky and what they must see. As runners we also experience these freedoms, and believe we see more of the woprld than those who spend their time indoors.

Its a packed show, so come along for a mile with me in the sunshine!

Mile052-Chrissie

2011-05-16T23:01:00.000+01:00

Join me on Mile52 of the podcast at the TCR show (Triathlon, Cycle and Run show) at Sandown Park racecourse in Esher.

Its a great event attracting thw worlds top athletes, bike manufacturers and equipment suppliers to the UKs premier event.

Listen to a feww snippets from Chrissie Wellington, World Iron distance record holder and 3 x Kona champion.

http://www.amilewith.me/

http://www.tcrshow.com/

Mojo London 2011

2011-05-02T20:29:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, just a quick post about the Mojo London. A great response so far for this free "Mojo Loco series" run from the Royal Observatory Greenwich in London, where all time on earth is measured.

I will send out a further mail this week to those who have sent in registration details. If you havent yet then there is still time. Check out the separate tab at the top of this site which will give you more details!

A Ride Through the Purbecks

2011-04-09T20:36:00.000+01:00

A great 45 mile cycle ride across the Purbeck Hills in Dorset

Mile-051-The Blackmore Value Half Marathon

2011-03-28T22:34:00.000+01:00

Welcome to Mile 51 of the A Mile with me Podcast!

On todays show we go out into the lush countryside of North Dorset, previously home to Douglas Adams the author of "The Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy", Alan Turing, the god father of computing and King Alfred the Great.

Join Justin and I as we run the Blackmore Vale Lions Club Half Marathon across the olling valley of the River Stour

Also I tell the story of The King James Version of the Bible which is 400 years old this year and originated from a session at Hampton Court Palace which is just one place we run through during the Mojo London!

Mile-050-100 Miles By-Cycle

2011-01-31T22:41:00.001Z

Hi and welcome to Mile 050 of the podcast. It was a crisp winters day when I wheeled my trustee Cube Agree SL bicycle out through the doors of my summerhouse .. it emerging like the space shuttle moving out of the assemby building.

It was cold but the sky was a glorious deep blue as we made our way from the South Coast up through Salisbury to and it's majestic catherdral (pictured above).

Around 10 miles further is the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge, one of the most famous monuments in the world. I stopped there and recorded some thoughts before dropping back down through the New Forest as dusk swept its way rapidly westward across me.

100 miles were covered in 7 hours of cycling. So join me from the ride in this edition.

Im also in Greenwich at the start of the show, up by the Royal Observatory talking about the Mojo London.

Its a packed episode so why not come along for the ride!

Mile-049-Running to Work

2011-01-16T20:51:00.001Z

Welcome to Mile 49 of the A Mile with me podcast.

Join me as I walk across the south of London from Waterloo to Blackfriars, taking the tried and tested "quickest route" to my office! Hear about the church cross that fell during the Blitz in 1941 and scorched the earth as we cross the pasth of the Mojo London.

Theres a longer segment where I run to work through the centre of Boscombe and Bournemouth taking in the early morning commute ambience and tell you a bit more about the Mojo London run

Music this week, from the podsafe music network, is London or Berlin by Alan Lauris.

I have joined Daily Mile and will talk about that (and the terrific feedback I've received recently) on Mile050 coming soon.

If you enjoy the show then please let me know!

Steve@amilewith.me

"SteveChopper" on Twitter, Facebook and Daily Mile social networks

See you out there!

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Vidcast - Riding on 10 Jan and Mojo Loco

2011-01-11T22:32:00.000Z

Join me as I cycle along the seafront on a lovely crisp, sunny winters morning. Also I tell you a bit about the Mojo London

Mile-048-Daytona Beach

2011-01-09T21:22:00.000Z

In this episode of the A Mile with Me podcast you join me on a run along the sea shore at Daytona Beach in Florida. It was a lovely early morning, with the sun shining brightly and a number of runners out for a breakfast run session

Then you join me aboard "Konnie" my dark and beautiful bicycle (named after Konnie Huq!) during a section of a 56 mile bike ride we took on on New Years Day to blow off the cobwebs. We are in the New Forest amongst the ponies, donkeys and pubs, we even overtake an old mini steam-driven Traction Engine that was taking a couple of familiies out for a little jaunt in the forest.

On the next edition I will talk about the plans for the Mojo London in June this year, where you acn join us in person for a run from the zero degrees longitude line and across 2000 years of London history to the glorious grounds of Windsor Castle. Its a 50 mile "hop on hop off" relay adventure for up to 20 of us. If you are interested in this drop me a mail at the address below!

Music today from the Podsafe Music Network is:
Florida Song by Lucky Linda
Country Florida Sky by Robin and the Giant
Lifes a Beach by Monkeyshine

Catch me live across all main social networks!
Smailto:Steve@amilewith.me
http://www.amilewith.me/

Mile-047-Going Loco in Florida

2010-12-20T21:36:00.002Z

On 11th December I met up with a number of my podcasting and blogging friends for an amazing run down the sun-drenched coast of Florida, between St Augustine and Daytona Beach.

This episode follows some of the story of that run, intertwined with a walk in St Augustine and some background history of the area.

The run was broadcast live on the internet and videos etc can be found, alongside runner profiles etc at http://www.teammojoloco.blogspot.com/

Steve Runner produced a fabulous episode of his podcast Phedippidations on the run, episode 257 at http://www.steverunner.com/

Watch out for more runs as the Mojo Loco spreads across the world in 2011!

Join me across social networks!

** Apologies for my freaking awful singing! **

My site: http://www.amilewith.me/
My mail: steve@amilewith.me
Twitter: www.twitter.com/stevechopper
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stevechopper

See you out there!

Mile-046-In the Buff

2010-10-31T20:28:00.000Z

A simple show this week as I try out two new toys.

One is my new Zoom H1 stereo audio recorder as my Olympus has died, and second is my new Buff headwear.

Im out and about on a blustery, overcast Hallow'een evening as we also discuss some amazing old cinemas, the Trailplus Adventure Racing series and the Worldwide Festival of Races run in Lincolnshire

Today's links

www.cinemaleregent.com/
http://www.thekinemainthewoods.co.uk/
www.buff.es/
www.trailplus.com/adventure-challenge-series.php
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=2053

Mile-045-Jeanne D'Arc and Robin Hood

2010-09-26T18:31:00.002+01:00

On this edition of the podcast you join me in 3 different places;
first running at lunchtime along the coast in Bournemouth, at the Nottingham Robin Hood Marathon and in the countryside of the Loire Valley in France

In France we hear about the countryside around the farm I was staying on and the nuances of driving a right hand drive car on the wrong side of the road!

In Nottingham we join the atmosphere at the MarathonTalk Motivation Station at mile 19.5 of the Robin Hood Marathon. I helped out on this and it was a great weekend and adventure. Ahead of every runner arriving there was a 1/2 mile straight, which gave the opportunity to look up their name on the race sheet and welcome them personally. The station was supported by Lucozade Sport and the BPM linked soundtrack was by AudioFuels

http://www.marathontalk.com/
http://www.audiofuel.co.uk/

Podsafe Music on today's show is "Back Again - So Damn Smart" by Chris Townsend

New Designs and T Shirts Available Soon!

2010-09-19T19:47:00.001+01:00

If you are a podcast fan then you will soon be able to egt your very own "Powered By Podcasts" technical running shirts. More info soon but some designs below. Ping me a mail if you want any more detail in the meantime

Mile-044-24 Heures du Mans

2010-09-06T23:46:00.001+01:00

Hi and welcome to Mile 44 of the A Mile with Me podcast. On this edition you join me exploring 24 hours in Le Mans as I stay over and run in this great medieval city en-route to the Loire Valley.

They have an excellent example of the "Son et Lumiere", which is French for "Sound and Light". These days it refers to bright multicoloured laser shows which transform the walls of buildings into bright screens, where moving projections dance in tune to evocative music.

http://www.lemansnights.com/

It was a fabulous spectacle and there are some great pics and video on the website above.

We run alongside the river Sarthe and find out a little of the history of Le Mans, talk about trams and Geoffrey Plantagenet

You can contact me Steve@amilewith.me
Twitter/Facebook/Skype - SteveChopper
Web - http://www.amilewith.me/

Look out for the next edition of the A Mile with Me podcast where I visit the world famous race track, several chateaux and run through the sunflower fields of rural central France!

Mile-043-Une Petite "Tour de France"

2010-08-17T22:25:00.000+01:00

Bienvenue a France - avec le podcast "Un Mille Avec Moi"!

Join me on my bicycle as I cycle through Normandy to the Utah Beach and St Mere Eglise, the first town in Europe liberated after D Day in 1944.

I start my cycle with around 8 miles down to Poole Harbour to get the fast cat ferry to Cherbourg and then cycle down the east coast of the Normandy penisular. We find out the story of John Steele a paratrooper who is immortalised on the church at St Mere Eglise (left). Its a great little day trip on the continent and a nice ride of around 85 miles.

www.normandy1944.org.uk/ste_mere_eglise.htm

Nearer to home, join me as we run to the lighthouse at Hurst Castle to watch the yachts in one of the world's biggest yacht races - the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.

Its a 50 mile circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight which sits just a couple of miles off the south coast of England around 10 miles as the crow flies from where I live in the Bournemouth area.

www.roundtheisland.org.uk/

left: the Condor Vitesse

My contacts

http://www.amilewith.me/
steve@amilewith.me
stevechopper on Twitter, Facebook and Skype

Vidcast- An Anarchy in the UK Cycle

2010-07-25T14:20:00.000+01:00

A ride through Burley in Hampshire, amongst the famous New Forest Ponies. The soundtrack is from my video from The Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, featuring The Bad Shepherds led by the famous actor and comedian Adrian Edmonson

http://www.thebadshepherds.com/

VidCast - At Milton Abbey, saluting 5 years of Phedippidations

2010-07-04T09:45:00.000+01:00

In the early days of podcasting, a former radio engineer started recording his thoughts, opinions, observations and rambling diatribes that he composed during long runs. One of the original, and in many people's view still the best running podcast was born.

5 years later Phedippidations is still going strong and in my opinion up there in the top 5 or 6 running podcasts that I class as "The Premier League".

Who can doubt that:

Phedippidations
RunRunLive
MarathonTalk
Runners Roundtable
The Extra Mile
Zen and the Art of Triathlon

provide an exceptional level of research, listener driven content, quality and dedication by their hosts. These efforts are very much admired by those who just dabble a little in this ourselves!

Congratulations Steve and heres to another 5 years of Phedippidations!

Mile-042-Running With Friends Again

2010-06-20T21:03:00.000+01:00

The White Peak Half Marathon is nicknamed the "swift half" because 3 miles from the end the run takes you a fast 1000ft down the huge inclines built for the High Peak Railway.

It was a great opportunity to meet up with a few friends from the online running community on a glorious weekend.

This is also the story of running through Liverpool the same weekend and a nice run through the meadows at Wick in the sunshine.

http://www.runnersroundtable.com/
http://www.youdonthavetorunalone.blogspot.com/
http://www.fusionview.co.uk/

Web: http://www.amilewith.me/
Mail: steve@amilewith.me
Twitter: SteveChopper

Hometown Duathlon

2010-06-14T20:11:00.000+01:00

Heres a bike and run through my hometown here on the South Coast of England. Think Global, Run local! www.worldwidefestivalofraces.com

White Peak Half Marathon

2010-06-14T19:39:00.000+01:00

Heres a video from the White Peak Half Marathon in Matlock, Derbyshire. A new AMWM pocast on this subject out soon!

Mile-041-Shakespeare Half Marathon

2010-05-30T20:59:00.000+01:00

Stratford upon Avon nestles at heart of England - both it's geographical and literary centre, due to the world famous works of it's son William Shakespeare.

He was born and died on 23 April and the weekend nearest that date each year hosts both a celebration attended by people from all over the world and a marathon run.

Join me as I run the Shakespeare Half Marathon through Stratford on a glorious late Spring day. Hear the sounds of the race and some history of Stratford and Shakespeare.

Also join me on a run through the forested hills to the north of Poole Bay as I tell you some stories from my recent chat with Dame Kelly Holmes, the 2004 Olympic 800 and 1500m gold medalist.

We also look forward to the Runners Roundtable edition on Half Marathons which I'm hosting on Wed 2nd June at 4pm EDT. 9pm BST and 10pm in central Europe. Join us LIVE!

http://www.runnersroundtable.com/
http://www.doublegold.co.uk/
www.shakespearemarathon.org.uk/
http://www.talkshoe.com/

Mile-040-Rosie Runs the World

2010-05-03T13:33:00.000+01:00

In 2003, Rosie Swale Pope ran around the world solo and unsupported in the spirit of adventure and also to raise funds for cancer and children's charities.

It was one in a whole series of amazing challenges that she has set herself and successfully completed over the years. We hear about some of these on today's episode of the A Mile with Me podcast.

Her latest target is to run 27 marathons in 27 days around the south of England and Wales to raise money for children's hospices

I joined up with her as she ran through Portsmouth a great naval city on the South Coast of England. It was a glorious sunny day although quite windy. Join us as we run through the beach area of Southsea amongst the holidaymakers.

http://blog.rosies26marathonsin26days.co.uk/
www.rosiearoundtheworld.co.uk/

Mile-029-The Grizzly 2010

2010-03-22T22:27:00.000Z

Hi and welcome to Mile 39 of the A Mile with Me podcast!

Today you join me at The Grizzly 2010 - Beauty and the Beach, an annual 20 mile all terrain run along the South Devon coast at Seaton.

It was lovely weather as I joined my Twitter friend and AMWM listener Iain, from the North Devon Triathlon Club (left).

Iain is going to Kona later this year as a qualified age grouper at the Ironman Hawaii world championships so hes a true athlete!

Join me as we run along the beach, through rivers, fields of slurry, tough wooded hills and the infamous river bogs of Branscombe on this fantastic race put on by the Axe Valley Runners. Its testament to the route and the organisers that many of the people I spoke to on this race have all run 9 or more Grizzlys - it really is an experience.

Around every corner is a new hazzard and the sound on the wind of music of many types. How many races have a Scottish piper at the top of one tough hill, followed by a Tibetan temple with bongos and diggeridoo - then as you run through the fields you pass a lonely house with a beautiful girl sat playing a solo fiddle in the garden? Its this spirit of community involvement that makes this race special. Join us for the ambience and the run plus a chat with Iain about Kona.

http://www.axevalleyrunners.org.uk/
http://www.northdevontri.co.uk/
Follow Iain on Twitter @Devoniain
Chris Russel appears courtesy of http://www.runrunlive.com/
Music is Black Rum by The Big Sea thanks to the podsafe music network music.podshow.com

Mile-038-New York to Boston

2010-03-10T22:32:00.000Z

On this edition of A Mile with Me we run from New York to Boston in less than an hour and a half! Yes join me as I run between the two towns in Lincolnshire, England.

We tell the story of the Prime Meridan as I straddle the Western and Eastern Hemispheres and we talk about Longitude.

There's an embarrasing toilet moment and a visit to a Fish and Chip shop.

Web: http://www.amilewith.me/ Mail: steve@amilewith.me Twitter: SteveChopper@twitter.com

Download this episode (right click and save)

Mile-037-Magna Carta

2010-02-07T21:20:00.000Z

Welcome to Mile 037 of A Mile with Me.
Join me in Runnymede near Windsor, a pleasant meadow on the side of the River Thames where in 1215, King John under pressure and needing the support of his barons, signed over over to them significant rights.

These included the concept of habeas corpus or the ability to appeal against unlawful imprisonment. It also enshrined the concept of sentence proportionate to offence and led to trial by Jury.

It is seen as one of the most important documents in the English speaking world and key elements are in the constitution of Commonwealth nations and that of the United States and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

At Runnymede there is a large memorial to President Kennedy and a monument to Magna Carta put up by the American Bar Association.

We also run in Windsor Great Park and visit the fishing village of Beer. Hear from Tineke as she talks about the Run for Phil and the Extra Mile Podcast.

Join runners across the planet on The Extra Mile podcast: http://theextramilepodcast.blogspot.com/
Find out more about Tineke's run: http://www.justgiving.com/CSCRunForPhil
Runnymede: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-runnymede/w-runnymede-history.htm

Chopper@amilewith.me.uk www.twitter.com/stevechopper

Mile-036-Athens Classic Marathon

2009-12-30T00:30:00.000Z

The Athens Classic Marathon follows the route between the town of Marathon itself and Athens in Greece.

In 490BC a great battle took place on the Plains of Marathon that altered world history. The Athenians defeated a much larger Persian army in a real turning point. If they had lost then there would have been no Classical Greek civilisation and western world as we know it.

According to legend, a messenger called Phedippides ran the 26 miles to Athens to proclaim the victory and the Marathon run was born!

Its a packed edition - I am in Marathon for the opening ceremony of the Athens Classic Marathon and the start of the celebrations of the 2500th anniversary year in 2010. We hear from the Mayor of Marathon is a special wish exclusively recorded for the listeners to this podcast. We also catch up with a few of the participants and hear the sounds of Athens and my explorations, plus of course my report from the race.

The chap above is Gregoris Lambrakis, a Greek athlete and democracy campaigner who started a Peace Marathon along the same route in 1963. He was assassinated shortly afterwards but through his actions inspired modern democracy in Greece. We hear his inspirational story as we explore the terrific new running musuem at Marathon.

Many thanks to Spyridon Zagaris, Mayor of the Municipality of Marathon, Greece for his message and to his nephew for telling us the story of Gregoris Lambrakis.
Also thanks to T.Batjargal and Jantsan Batbayasgalan representing the marathon and the city of Ulaanbaatar for telling us about the Mongolian International Marathon.

Thanks also to Roy Pirrung for a great chat and sharing the bus ride to the start line!

http://www.athensclassicmarathon.gr/ site of the Athens Classic Marathon
http://www.mongoliamarathon.com/ the first Mongolian International Marathon

To the organisers of the Athens Classic Marathon for putting on such a unique and inspirational event

Feel free to mail me chopper@amilewith.me.uk, visit my website for all the previous editions and shownotes at http://www.amilewith.me.uk/ and follow me on Twitter @SteveChopper

Download this episode (right click and save)

Mile-035-Antarctica, Goodwill to all Men

2009-12-21T13:14:00.000Z

In this special Christmas edition of the A Mile with Me podcast we catch up with Phil Moneypenny, a good friend of mine and owner of RuncastTV.

I have been lucky enough to run with Phil several times this year as the Run Net Community in the UK have gathered to meet for real.

One of these occasions was on Midsummers Day in June as Phil, our friend Ciemon and I ran together across the fields of Wiltshire to see the dawn rise at Stonehenge which we recorded for an earlier episode of this podcast. It occurred to me that as I was recording this edition of the podcast today that it is actually Midsummers Day in Antarctica, so its quite apt to hear from Phil and to send the good wishes from around the world to Phil for Xmas Day. The above picture is not doctored, its the aurora and part of the Halley IV base where Phil is right now.

So on todays episode we talk about people, community, the Antarctic - and how in this sometimes difficult world people are still building and sharing and making connections and things happen.
Contributions from:

Phil Moneypenny http://www.runcast.tv/ http://runderland.posterous.com/
Gary Wall http://www.kinverkid.blogspot.com/
Harry Burns http://www.runningtothelight.net/
Krister http://www.runningthenarrowpath.blogspot.com/
Nigel http://www.runningfromthereaper.com/
Paul http://www.runyankrun.blogspot.com/
Tineke @tinebeest on Twitter
Toni Harvey http://www.drusy.blogspot.com/
Steve Runner http://www.steverunner.com/
Adam Tinkoff @Zenrunner
Charlie http://www.cewtwo.com/
Barb, Kelownagurl http://kelownagurl.blogspot.com/

Thanks to Harry (above) from the Dream Inspires team for coming up with the idea of sending Phil a Christmas message and sending out the initial email.

Merry Christmas to you all and thanks for your support in 2009.

You can contact me Chopper@amilewith.me.uk

Twitter @SteveChopper

http://www.amilewith.me.uk/

Download this episode (right click and save)

Mile-033/34- The Dream Inspires Parts 1 and 2

2009-11-29T21:32:00.000Z

Join us as we run the Dream Inspires Oxford run as part of the Worldwide Festival of Races.

A group of UK podcasters, bloggers and runners came together on 11th October to run our WWFOR together amongst the "dreaming spires" of Oxford University.

It was a fantastic adventure! Listen to the two A Mile with Me episodes (33 and 34) and join us in spirit.

Also check out the Runners Roundtable http://www.runnersroundtable.com/ for the special edition where we discussed this run with many of the particpants. Krister also put out an excellent edition of his Running The Narrow Path show (http://www.runningthenarrowpath.blogspot.com/) which was a documentary of the event and his experiences doing it.

I'd love you to mail me chopper@amilewith.me.uk if you have any comments on any episode or alternatively you can find me @SteveChopper on Twitter

I am proud to support the Run Net Community which aims to provide a link into the world of independent running podcasts, blogs and other ways the global online running community motivate each other. Find out more at http://www.runnetcommunity.org/

If you are interrestd in gettin involved in a similar Dream Inspires event next year wherever you live, contact me by mail and we will try and make it happen!

Athens Classic Marathon

2009-11-21T23:00:00.000Z

On Sunday November 8th 2009, I ran the Athens Classic Marathon along the classic route in legend taken by Phedippeides in 490 BC. The Athenians had just scored a comprehensive victory over the Persian forces on the plains of Marathon, an event which is seen as a turning point for the continued evolution of democracy and hence Western civilisation as we know it today.

I met some incredible people and had some amazing experiences during my 5 days in Greece, and these will be the subject of a podcast in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime I have posted a little "taster" vidcast on Runcast.tv and the A Mile with Me podcast feed, so if you are a subscriber you will get this delivered to your Ipod or MP3 player automatically. If not you can get it from the podcast player on the right of this webpage.

From the city of Marathon to the finish in the Panatheniac Stadium (above) built in the 4th century BC for the Panatheniac Games and restored in 1895 to host the games of the 1st Olympiad of the modern era it was a great adventure.

The next edition of the A Mile with Me podcast will complete another journey following a historical running story, as we travel with the runners on The Dream Inspires into Oxford to finish their run at Iffley Road Stadium, venue of the first 4 minute mile. Look out for that in the next few days. Until next time my friends, thanks for listening and see you then!

Watch this episode

The Dream Inspires!

2009-10-18T15:56:00.001+01:00

We had a great time last weekend as we ran The Dream Inspires - Oxford in celebration of The Worldwide Festival of Races (WWFOR)

With several running podcasters taking part plus Phil from Runcast.tv there should be no shortage of audio and video material available shortly, including on the next A Mile with Me podcast! In the meantime you can find more pictures from the day here:

http://eurorunnet.blogspot.com/

Also we wll be reliving the event on the next Runners Roundtable. Join us live on Talkshoe.com for the recording of the show at 4pm EDT, 9pm BST, 10PM CET more details on www.runnersroundtable.com

Mile-032-Fit Christchurch

2009-09-23T22:35:00.000+01:00

The ancient town of Christchurch has a long history going back to before 800a.d.. It's residents also have an equal history of good health and longievity - with the 3rd highest life expectancy in the UK.

The borough council has partnered with a number of organisations in a project called Fit Christchurch. Its aims are to promote fitness for all residents. Its an ongoing project which you can find out more about at:

http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=390576

But one of its aims is to have an event each year for residents and visitors to the town to showcase the clubs and resources available in the area. This took place last Saturday and was a great event on a glorious sunny day. I popped along and caught up with the organisers and representatives of some of the sport related clubs that were at the event. Here are some of the links for the voices you will hear on this week's show:

http://www.newforestrunners.co.uk/
http://www.thesillyarmy.org.uk/
http://www.womensrunningnetwork.co.uk/
http://www.aecc.ac.uk/
http://www.re-discover.co.uk/
http://www.seagullssc.org.uk/
http://www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/
http://www.christchurchrc.org.uk/
http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/
http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/
http://www.poolerunners.com/

Also check out the Worldwide Festival of Races at - its free and taking place everywhere including Christchurch - THINK GLOBAL - RUN LOCAL!

http://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.com/

If you are in the UK then why not join me and some of the UK online running community at Oxford University in the footsteps of Sir Roger Bannister. See earlier posts for details!

As the show is about 1:20 long Ive reduced the MP3 rate so quality is slightly reduced over normal - but makes it quicker for you to download and also will not take up so much space on your ipod!

Mail: Chopper@amilewith.me.uk

Facebook: SteveChopper

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SteveChopper @stevechopper

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2009-09-18T23:32:00.000+01:00

Hi, if you are joining us from the Fit Christchurch Event then welcome to the A Mile with Me Podcast website.

A Mile with Me follows my running adventures with interviews, events and music.

To subscribe to the show Free in iTunes follow the "Subscribe" Link. This will guarantee you automatically receive all future editions of A Mile with Me and they will be updated when you synch your ipod with iTunes.

If you dont use iTunes, then you can download to your PC each episode direct using the download bar against each edition. I hope you enjoy the A Mile with Me podcast. Dont forget to join us running with the world on October 10/11 in the Worldwide Festival of Races http://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.com/. If you are near Oxford, then why not drop me a mail or follow the instructions on this site to join us for The Dream Inspires run with Oxford University .

http://www.runningpodcasts.org/ will give you free access to around 50 free fitness podcasts
http://www.runnersroundtable.com/ join some of my running friends around the world live for an hour of interviews and chat every week -as we record the "Runners Roundtable" podcast.

Happy running! -Steve

Mile-030- The World in Union!

2009-08-29T00:02:00.000+01:00

Its 175 years this year since a turning point in the world of worker and human rights in the UK. This revolution led to the legitimisation of workers forming unions and led us on the path to wider access to the vote, and ultimately towards the welfare state and the National Health Service, which was 60 last year. Whatever your views of the NHS, its philosophy of "access to medical treatment based upon need and not the ability to pay" was revolutionary and a model for many other countries and of course this agenda is current in the US right now.

It is on the surface strange that this story was played out in the rural area of Dorset not the industrial midlands, however although the stone was metaphorically dropped into the water at Tolpuddle, the ripples were felt across Britain, Australia and Canada. Join Lybbe from the fiftycountingdown podcast (http://www.fiftycountingdown.blogspot.com/) as she picks up the Tolpuddle Trail through to a cemetary in London, Canada (she took the pic above!)

Come with us then on this inspirational story in Mile 31, as we have music and atmosphere from the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival 2009, music from Billy Bragg and hear from Tony Benn, a stalwart of British Politics as he describes the importance of the Martyrs story through to today.

I also tell you about the Dream Inspires, a unique opportunity for YOU to literally follow in the footsteps of Sir Roger Bannister in October, and hear about how I will be following the footsteps of Pheidippidies by running from Marathon to Athens in Greece in November.

Excerpts from:

Paul Van Dyke - Time of our Lives

Graham Moore - Tolpuddle Man

Ladysmith Black Mambaso - Word in Union

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2009-07-11T16:29:00.000+01:00

On October 10th and 11th around the world runners will be celebrating the 4th Annual Worldwide Festival of Races. This completely free event invites everyone to "Think Global, Run Local" by taking part in a running event in their own area on the same weekend and then share their experiences with the world.

In celebration of this global happening, we are setting up a run in Oxford, England on the 11th October 2009 that will enable runners within travelling distance to gather and enjoy the experience together in beautiful surroundings.

Its an ancient city in the shadow of the famous "dreaming spires" of the University of Oxford, one of the greatest seats of learning in the world and home of the Iffley Road track where Sir Roger Bannister ran the first sub-4 minute mile in 1954. We are now honored to be working directly with the university to put together a unique event for you, linked closely into the University's amazing running heritage.

I've called this run "The Dream Inspires" both as a play on words in homage to the run location and history, but also due to the capacity of Dreams to Inspire us to join together and achieve the impossible. There will be "Phedippidations Worldwide" 1/2 marathon, "Zen" 10k and "kick the Couch" 5k distances available on the day.

I thus welcome YOU and your friends to Oxford to celebrate the Worldwide Festival of Races with us - its completely free but you will need to register!

To begin with go to http://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.com/ and register for the WWFoR there. I will shortly publish details of how to additionally place your name on the "guest list" for the Oxford event. In the meantime feel free to comment here with any questions or to send me a mail Chopper@amilewith.me.uk

Oxford is just like the Worldwide Festival of Races - it has spread across the world; From Oxford Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the towns of Oxford in 21 US different states we welcome you all to join us in spirit (or in person!) at the original Oxford in England for - the Worldwide Festival of Races and "The Dream Inspires"

MIle-029-Dawn Chaser to Stonehenge

2009-07-03T01:27:00.000+01:00

Join Ciemon, Snowshadow and I as we chase the dawn as its first light runs across Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England towards Stonehenge. Ciemon is a Pagan, so we find out on the DawnChaser run all about the close connection with the landscape and how he celebrates his beliefs through the act of running.

Its a beautiful area of the country and we take you with us as we run into Stonehenge for dawn and listen to ambience and interviews within the Stone Circle itself on Midsummers morning! Its a unique atmosphere and by closing your eyes and listening you can be whisked into the celebrations.

Check out Ciemon’s blog at http://www.plainrunner.com/ and follow him at www.Twitter.com/Ciemon

Todays soundtrack snippets are from The Beloved “The Sun Rising”, Spinal Tap “Stonehenge”, Muse “Feeling Good” and Asian Dub Foundation “Buzzing”

Mail chopper@amilewith.me.uk web http://www.amilewith.me.uk/ and follow me at www.Twitter.com/SteveChopper

Check out video from this run at Runcast.tv - search “Stonehenge”

Mile-028-The Run to Pegasus

2009-06-22T22:24:00.000+01:00

Just before midnight on the 5th June 1944, three gliders were released above the coast of France and drifted silently towards Normandy. At 00:16 on 6th June, the gliders crash landed and skidded to a halt. The complement of men poured through the doors and through rips torn in the fuselage and headed out on their mission. Theirs was among the first of D-Day, to capture a couple of key bridges, to stop the Germans bringing through reinforcements.

It was a great success and the bridge became named after the symbol of the British 6th Airborne,; Pegasus the winged horse.

65 years later following 3 years of planning an Ultra run took place to commemorate this with a run from the airfield in Dorset which launched the gliders down to finish on the Pegasus Bridge itself. Around 200 runners took part in the 65 mile run - all respresenting a specific individual soldier on the original mission.

I joined the run at the halfway point as the runners arrived for refreshments at The New Forest Hotel in Ashurst, Hampshire. Theres some interesting stories so join me with the runners to Pegasus.

Thanks to Danny Greeno, organiser of The Run to Pegasus and all the folks you will hear from in this episode.

http://www.project65.net/

Music from the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com
The Essentials - Bells of Freedom

Play or download this episode to your ipod or mp3 player here:

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Mile-027-White Peaks Half Marathon

2009-06-07T15:21:00.000+01:00

Join the fun at the White Peaks Half Marathon in Matlock, Derbyshire, England as some of the UK online running community got together to run a race. Hear us enjoying the day, plus the story of the trail the half marathon is run along and why its called the “Swift Half”

Phil Moneypenny http://www.runcast.tv/
Gary Wall http://www.kinverkid.blogspot.com/rkid.blogspot.com
Steve Chopper http://www.amilewith.me.uk/
Mark “Wheelo” http://mytimetorun.blogspot.com/
Toni Harvey http://www.drusy.blogspot.com/
Petra Runs http://www.petraruns.blogspot.com/
Paul ”xjr4buddha” www.twitter.com/xjr4buddha

Also mentioned: http://www.project65.net/ interviews will feature on the next edition!

View from the gardens at Milton Lodge across the Vale of Avalon to Glastonbury Tor

Music, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com
Amb26 - Summers Day (theme)
Dona Oxford - Change the World

Join us on 10th & 11th October 2009 for the 4th annual Worldwide Festival of Races at http://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.com/
Follow me on Twitter “SteveChopper”

White Peaks "Swift Half" Marathon

2009-05-16T20:59:00.000+01:00

Great day at the Swift Half Marathon in Matlock, meeting up with a whole load of interesting people including some members of the UK podcast/ blog family!

Check out Edition 30 of The Runners Roundtable at http://www.runner sroundtable.com/ where all the crew above gathered again to talk about this race (individual pics above left to right)

Top Row

Phil Moneypenny www.runcast.tv

Gary Wall www.kinve rkid.blogspot.com

Steve Chopper www.amilewith.me.uk

Mark "Wheelo" http://mytimetorun.blogspot.com/

Bottom Row

Toni Harvey www.drusy.blogspot.com

Boo

Petra Runs http://www.petraruns.blogspot.com/

Click here for my Garmin track - extra couple of km due to navigation error!

Mile-26- "Born to Run", in conversation with Christopher McDougall

2009-05-14T21:30:00.000+01:00

"Born to Run" is the fabulous new book by Christopher McDougall, a journalist who has written extensively for Runners World and Mens Health.

Its in part "Boys Own" adventure story, part a guide to the ultrarunning phenomena and part anthropological exploration of how we as human beings are quite literally Born to Run.

Chris's adventures take him ultrarunning with the remote Tarahumara tribe in Mexico, probably the greatest ultrarunners on the planet. We find out through the evolution of his story that distance running is what YOUR body was actually DESIGNED to do.. its its purpose!

Its a great book with the stories of some of amazing running companions, the greatest US ultraunners alive, who pit themselves against the Tarahumara in the Copper Canyons of Mexico. No less than Lloyd Bradley, author of The Rough Guide to Running describes it as "Quite simply the best book you'll ever read about running.. brilliant and brilliantly life affirming"

I was lucky enough to meet up and run with Chris recently across central London and through the Royal Parks. Join us and share our conversation about the creation of Born to Run and some of his great running stories.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1861978235/ref=s9_csim_gw_s6_p14_t1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0T9A095T4H0KAY4DXAW9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467198433&pf_rd_i=468294

The version of Springsteen's "Born to Run" was by Frankie Goes to Hollywood

http://www.amilewith.me.uk/

chopper@amilewith.me.uk

www.twitter.com/SteveChopper

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Mile-025-Riders on the Storm - the story of the OMM - the worlds first, biggest and most famous mountain marathon

2009-04-26T20:27:00.000+01:00

The Original Mountain Marathon (OMM, formerly known as the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon) is the world's first, biggest and most famous mountain marathon. An annual event since 1968, it is also widely regarded as the worlds first adventure race. From origins in the north of England, the team have since taken the event and philosophy all over the world.

Its a tough event comprising of 2 marathon distances over the most punishing terrain. Competitors must be highly skilled in navigation and survival skills as well as being athletes, and the event owners take no chances and run adventure training courses. Participants must also comply with strict equipment and basc skill rules. In 2008, the event was called off midway through for the first time in its history following torrential rain. The county of Cumbria invoked its emergency response protocol after being called by parties that perhaps had their own interests, who stated that 1000s of people were unaccounted for. This was the main headline on the national news and on the front page of all the main national papers.

On Edition 25 of the A Mile with Me podcast I'm joined by Mike Parsons, a member of the family who founded the Karrimor brand who has been involved in the OMM from the start and now owns the event, for a unique discussion. We talk about the history of the event, the innovations it has brought to equipment design and mapping globally, plus of course discuss the events last year. Its clear from Mike and the voices of particpants that they were all trained and equiped to take part, and that the response from those who were not close to the event was a big overreaction. Whilst nobody blames the emergency services and those members of the public who answered the call for assistance in good faith, there are still unanswered questions as to who called them in.

Join me as we hear the exciting story of the OMM, and the true strory of the event that knocked Obama and the recession off the headlines for a day!

www.theOMM.com

Mile-024 - In Pursuit of Drambuie

2009-03-29T21:07:00.000+01:00

So whats all this about?

This is me in my garden! Phil Moneypenny from Runcast.tv and I have lovingly recreated the video for "Take on Me" by "Aha" to aim to win ourselves a place in the famous "Drambuie Pursuit" event and we need your help!

We need your votes for our video at www.DrambuiePursuit.com/teams/ and vote 5 stars for our team's video based upon the above song. Our team is called "Living the Dram". The top 10 teams go to the event and we would love to be able to bring you the experience of that weekend on Runcast.tv and the A Mile with Me Podcast. The more of you vote for us the better our chances of getting in to the event!

On mile 24 we also hear from Ciemon running across Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England and I also mention Krister from "Running the Narrow Path" podcast. This week I was on ForestFM http://www.forestfm.co.uk/ for an hour discussing running, the podcast and people I've interviewed whilst they played my favourite tracks.

Also I talk about the great interviews conducted by Adam at

http://lonewolf-runner.blogspot.com/

Music courtesy of the Podsafe music network at music.podshow.com is

Amb26 - Summers Day

Colie Brice - A planetary Lapse of Reason

DJ Nexus - Only in my Dreams

www.amilewith.me.uk

Twitter.com/SteveChopper

Chopper@amilewith.me.uk

Itunes: amilewithme

1 by 1 Edition 6 - The Wall

2009-03-18T22:40:00.001Z

On today's show I'm joined by friend of the podcasters and regular Extramile contributor Gary Wall, aka The Kinverkid.

Gary was on holiday down here in Bournemouth, so (naturally!) we go for a run along the seafront and chat about our running and plans.

We discuss the Swift Half Marathon, which Gary and I (plus a host of other UK podcasters and bloggers) have signed up to run in Matlock, Derbyshire in May. We also discuss brewery tours, "CSI Kinver", the places hes visited in my local area plus the story of an amazing challenge Gary and his pals have set themselves; soon they will be running the 85 mile length of Hadrians Wall (think Great Wall of China on a smaller scale!). The wall marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire and for them the end point of civilisation, but as Gary and I love the Scottish we dont draw any modern conclusions on that!!! ;o) Gary and his team are doing the event for a good cause so pop on over to http://www.kinverkid.blogspot.com/ and find out more.

Todays Classic Run Track is Comfortably Numb from (of course) the terrific Pink Floyd album "The Wall"

All other music is supplied courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com

Chopper@amilewith.me.uk

Twitter - SteveChopper@Twitter.com

http://www.amilewith.me.uk/

Mile-023-The Beach

2009-03-15T22:39:00.000Z

In a special one-off edition of the A Mile with Me Podcast join me in the mix and run with me to some of my favourite tunes. I'm running in the lovely sunshine of Bournemouth seafront with some chilled songs in my head. Through the magic of podcasting you can share this moment with me

Excerpts from:

The Beach - Orbital with Leonardo De Caprio

Nothing butYou - Paul Van Dyke

Everytime - Lustral

Voices - Dario G

Cool The Engines - Boston

Lazy - Suede

Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve

1 by 1 - Edition 5 - Another Avon Valley Sunday-ayay

2009-03-08T20:13:00.000Z

Around the Avon valley and alongside the River Stour - as I contemplate buying a road bike and we find out what a "Bailey Bridge" is!

A couple of warm spring Sunday afternoons recently, so lay back with the Sunday papers and join me on the riverbank of the Stour in the shade of a Willow tree. Ratty and Mole were on the bench with me!! This week's music, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network at Music.Podshow.comFluid Boys - Melody of Life (1 by 1 Theme Tune)

.. and courtesy of Podsafeaudio.com

Chris Townsend - Bring me Back Again

Mile 022 Part2 More Spirit of Adventure!

2009-02-15T23:05:00.000Z

Part 2 of the Spirit of Adventure as we tell the story of the “Helly Hansen Adventure Challenge”
I talk also about Matt and Stephanie who are running a marathon a day for a year to cover 11000 miles around the US and Canada. We spoke with Matt on The Runners Roundtable last week. I also discuss my training and upcoming events.

Links
The Runners Roundtable - http://runnersroundtable.com/
Matt and Stephanie’s web site - http://www.runforoneplanet.com/
Music. Some of the music in today’s show was courtesy of the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com
Amb26 - Summers Day (A Mile with Me Theme)
Fluid Boys - Melody of LIfe (1by1 Podcast themne and closing titles)
Dreadzone - Moving on
The Stone Roses - Waterfall
The Mantee Man - Paddlin my Canoe

Web: http://www.amilewith.me.uk/
Twitter: Steve Chopper
mail: chopper@amilewith.me.uk
If you enjoy the podcast please leave a comment on iTunes!!

Mile022 - The Spirit of Adventure

2009-02-12T03:52:00.000Z

The Helly Hansen Adventure Challenge is a Sprint Adventure Race that we took part in on 1st February.

The disciplines of Run, MTB and Canoe were approached in a fun way by all 250 or so teams of 3. “The Village People” (explanation in the podcast) had ticked the box “have fun and get round” and thats what we did. So join us as we throw ourselves into these events.

Also on Mile022, we have a recording from the making of A Mile with Me that will shock! plus we discuss the history of Adventure Racing. I also pay tribute to the people of Iceland, Luxembourg and Hull .. how are they linked .. find out in this edition!
Also an update on the training miles put in during January

You can leave comments on http://www.amilewith.me.uk/ or ITunes “amilwithme”
Give me a shout on Twitter - “SteveChopper”
EMail - Chopper@amilewith.me.uk
http://www.trailplus.com/ for other Adventure Races

Part2 out shortly !

1by1 - Episode 4 - Stocks and Chairs!

2009-01-24T22:17:00.000Z

I'm trading the "stocks and shares" of my regular work in investment banking this week, for "Stocks and Chairs"! .. as I take you for a trip around Christchurch along some of my favourite running routes.

We start at Christchurch Castle, built by the Normans in the 11th century and join me on the top of the "Motte" (a man made hill on which stands the ruins of the keep - see pic) as I survey the rooftops of the town.

I avoid tomatoes and swedes, as we go past the old wooden Stocks. The chair is actually a "stool", as we visit Christchurch's Ducking Stool and tell you about the crimes that led to a Ducking in the past. One for the ladies!!

I also talk about Bob Wilson (Arsenal FC and BBC legend)'s book "Life in the Beautiful Game". I met Bob last week and he recorded a message exclusively for YOU ...the subscribers to this podcast. I talk about Burns Night, listen to a lone piper who I met in the High Street and discuss a Little sporting psychology. I also review "Slumdog Millionaire". Its all on this weeks edition of 1 by 1.

Opening theme, courtesy of the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com is "Melody of Life" by the Fluid Boys. "A Man's a man for a'that" by Robert Burns was performed by Lionel McClellend (from YouTube).

There is a brief snippet from the fabulous song "Paper Planes" by MIA which is on the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack.

Bob Wilsons book is available here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Beautiful-Game-Bob-Wilson/dp/1848310188/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232836819&sr=8-1

1 by 1 Episode 3 - Beyond the [front] Doors of Perception!

2009-01-12T22:18:00.000Z

On edition 3 of One by One, join me as the weather thaws a little here in the south of England after the coldest December for many years.
Training has been going well and the swimming sessions are starting to pay off pay dividends, but still a long way to go!
I discuss my training, some “interesting” observations on front doors and the dormant vigor that resides in all of us, so even if you are feeling like “January” right now, awaken your inner “June”!!

I also discuss the new Kelownagurl podcast
http://www.kelownagurl.blogspot.com/
http://kelownagurltris.blogspot.com/

1 by 1 - Episode 2 - 2009 Christmas Tree Sized Goals

2009-01-05T23:22:00.000Z

Some of my goals and events for 2009 to share with you!
Join me on Southbourne Beach at sunset in Winter and find out about the Christmas tree thats too big for the house, in a story of ambition and achieving the seemingly unachievable!

Some of my 2009 Goals

Learn to swim properly and be capable of swimming 1000m comfortably with bilateral breathing etc

Complete my first Triathalon

Help add to the £70,000 we have already raised for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust through running Trailwalker the last couple of years

To "be here now" in the moment and not "multitask" so much

To complete another foreign marathon and head back towards by PB times

To be happy with whatever life throws

Heres a link to an article about the tree in my photo and description!

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/search/3980787.How_Bournemouth_Christmas_tree_raised_the_roof/
1 by 1 music is the "Fluid Boys" with "Melody of Life", courtesy of the "podsafe music network" at music.podshow.com

1 by 1 - Episode 1 - Big Ben

2009-01-02T11:15:00.000Z

Hi everyone and welcome to Edition 1 of One by One, the podcast that looks at achieving your goals, one mile at a time ! Its the shorter, more frequent podcast from me!

Click on the roadsign bright if you want to see more about this podcast Join me on a cycle as I talk about the podcast, the New Year and we hear from Big Ben, Gordon and Toni

Toni's Blog: http://www.drusy.blogspot.com/

Gordon's Blog: http://www.tiree.blogspot.com/

This podcast willhave its own iTunes channel shortly but in the meantime

http://1by1.mypodcast.com/

Mile 021 - One Vision

2008-12-23T21:47:00.000Z

Its Christmas and ignoring my "fake misery" and BAH HUMBUG hat (left) its the time of goodwill to all men .. and we have a packed edition of the A Mile With Me Podcast this time.

Join us live at the finals of "Helium Idol" where you can select your 2008 champion, Royson or Keith. Listen to them perform their songs whilst inhaling helium from a balloon! Send in your votes and/or your own audition "tapes" for 2009 to the mail address below.

Also find out some secrets from the host of this podcast as we have possibly the most insightful interview ever.

This edition is called "One Vision" and is dedicated to human beings collaborating to achieve more than they could individually. We discuss "synergy" and the roles of Chris Chataway, Chris Brasher and Franz Stampf as I tell the story of these unsung but very successful heroes in propelling Roger Bannister to the first sub-4 minute mile in 1954.

Chataway paced both Bannister to the first 4 min mile and also John Landy to 3:57.8 a few weeks later, he went on to break the world record at 5000m. Brasher won Olympic Gold in the Steeplechase in 1956 and set up both the "Sweatshop" retail chain and the London Marathon.

We also hear Christmas greetings in several languages and hear a clip from a conference call where we listen to carol singing from the incredible city of Mumbai, India.

Join me in the search for bagpipe music in my local area, plus hear as Christmas comes to Christchurch. Theres a lot going on, so please lace up your shoes and come a mile with me!

Music on today's show

Amb26 - Summers Day (A Mile with Me Theme)
Jerry Lee Surber - Try and Go the Distance Together!
Jakki Jelene - Silent Night

Links

A great feature on the 4 Minute Mile http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/features/360/bannister.shtml
John Bryants Book
http://www.amazon.com/3-59-4-Quest-Break-Minute/dp/0099469081/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230070493&sr=8-14
Charity project supported by Chris Chataway and featuring him running with Haile Gebreselassie
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lS0i01gRfVQ

Email: Chopper@amilewith.me.uk Web: www.amilewith.me.uk Twitte
r: SteveChopper

Join runners from around the world at "The Table"

2008-12-11T22:25:00.000Z

Theres a place where runners from around the world gather to discuss their running in a global podcast thats recorded live and then saved so those that cant make the live recording can listen later.

"The Runners' Roundtable" is hosted by the world famous podcasters Steve Runner, Nigel Runner, Zen Runner, Nik and Dan Runner and Toni Runner. Its by absolute luck that they all have the same surname and amazingly, when they grew up, they all became .... well... runners! - what are the chances of that!!!!

I was lucky enough to be invited to the table this week to chat about my running and podcasting and thoroughly enjoyed the banter. You can find the Runners' Roundtable at http://runnersroundtable.blogspot.com/2008/12/runners-roundtable-episode-11.html

Mile 020 The Power of Music!

2008-11-29T22:27:00.000Z

Music can be a powerful motivational tool for runners. With the advent of small MP3 players (with no moving parts to jog about!) it is now very easy to take our favourite sounds (including podcasts) on the run with us. We make our own playlists of songs we like, or ones that have meaning for us. We can however now utilise the latest scientific research to help us to use music to its maximum effect. On Mile 020, Dr Costas Karageorgis from Brunel University in London explains how through his world leading research we can all select better music for our runs.

Dr Karageorgis (above) is one of the world leaders in this area of research and explains how his studies have shown that the correct music can increase exercise output by 15% at the same time as our believed exertion falling by 10%. Dr Karageorgis was also previously an accomplished athlete and has worked with many established and rising sports stars.

I discuss all this with Dr Costas, and also tell how (whilst I shelter from the rain during a run) you can link your pace to music. I also talk about some online resources that can help you work out what music will best fit you and check the BPM of your own music library.

We discuss what unexpected track Haille Gabrselassie uses to motivate him in training, some other famous uses of music in sport, and even if you dont listen to music during your run how you can still use music BEFORE a run to good effect.

We talk about Run to the Beat http://www.runtothebeat.co.uk/ a recent event in Greenwich London, that linked music and a 1/2 marathon. Dr Costas programmed the live music for this.

Music on today's show courtesy of the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com is:

Summers Day - Amb26 (A Mile with Me theme)
Secret of Sound - Polished Chrome
The Music - David Usher
Reasonings in Dub - Messian Dread

Also a brief excerpt from "Scatman" by Scatman John who died in 1999. Born with a severe stutter, John Larkin had grown up on "Scat" singing style popularised by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. His wife Judy convinced him to not hide from his stutter but to use it in his music as an inspiration for those impacted by the ailment.

Links
http://www.runtothebeat.co.uk/ Check out some of the science and register for next year!
http://www.run2r.com/running-music-store.aspx - Running to Rhythm. Check out the BPM calculators and links to software downloads
http://www.download.com/BPM-Calculator/3000-2356_4-10193282.html Calculate the BPM of your favourite tracks!
http://www.mixmeister.com/download_freestuff.html BPM calculator and free Mix /Scratching "all this music's making me itch!"
http://www.runcast.tv/ for the video showing where I run, the church in the pictures is where I am sheltering in the porch
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1731941 check out Pachelbels Canon sketch by Rob Paravonian
http://www.robprocks.com/ ... and other great satirical songs by Rob, at his website and blog

http://www.amilewith.me.uk/ my website
SteveChopper - on Twitter
Chopper - on Runcast.tv
chopper@amilewith.me.uk Dont be shy to email me with any comments on this or other episodes!

Mile019b Where I Run

2008-11-27T23:03:00.000Z

Whilst I am finishing the next episode "Mile020 - The Power of Music", I have loaded a short video showing the area in which I live and run. This is compiled from some of my photos and short movie clips. Its only using a trial version of a wmv to MP4 converter but hopefully you can get an idea of the scenery I run through and describe on the podcasts!

You will get the video delivered by itunes as usual if you are a subscriber to "A Mile With Me" (if not click "subscribe" on the right, to get each edition downloaded free as soon as its ready). To watch the video on this site, click the play button on the player in the righthand section against mile019b.

Also, look out for Mile020, out this weekend, as I talk with a professor who is the worlds leading authority on the science of Music and Running!

A Mile with Me .. Get Motivated

2008-11-04T22:50:00.003Z

002
Originally uploaded by SteveChopper

What is "A Mile with Me"? Its my personal Blog and also the home of a podcast. The podcast is amateur and designed to be downloaded and taken on your ipod so I can keep you company during your long runs. On it you can hear me running about around the countryside, hear my race reports and me generally chatting with people who have done inspiring things in their running, along with a bit of music to keep the cadence up!!. On recent episodes I have spoken with Danny Dreyer, author of Chi-Running, Carole who has just run from Lands End to John O'Groats solo, Sam Whittingham at 81mph the worlds fastest self-propelled man, plus Steve, an ex-team mate of Laurent Fignon who tells us all about the crossover between cycling and running training. In the current edition (below) I tell the story of when I recently met Tommie Smith, the 1968 200m Olympic Gold Medalist and multiple world record holder. Its all free and totally "unprofessional" but thats half the fun !! - so why not come "a mile with me" ?!!

Find out more as A Mile with Me is featured on Page 74 of this months "Runners World" in the UK

Pick up a copy of the mag or click the link below to read the article if you are not in the UK, (select "all sizes" in flickr to get a large readable image)www.flickr.com/photos/32101715@N07/sets/72157608653897298/

See Mile 019 (below) for how to download the latest episode and join the online running community!

Mile 019 - Tommie Smith, the Sound of Silence

2008-11-02T21:57:00.000Z

As any salesman knows, there is nothing as powerful as silence, and silence plus an image can convey more than many pages of text.

In Mile 019 of the A Mile with Me podcast, we will discuss the story of Tommie Smith who I met a few weeks ago at a charity event. Tommie took his platform and moment in time to make a stand for human rights, a stand for which he was to pay a heavy price. Olympic Champion and holder of 11 track and field World Records simultaneously by the age of 24, his stand at the 1968 Olympics led to a life of death threats. 40 years on there are many who hate him for this, but still more who have come to realise the importance of what he did and its resonance today.

Described (by a fan who had travelled 40 years and across the globe to be at the dinner) as the "greatest sprinter of all time", listen as I tell Tommies story interlaced with contemporary clips and also sounds from the dinner as Tommie answers a couple of key questions.

Its a long podcast, but I wanted to do Tommie's story justice, so take me on your long run and hear me as I run in various locations and explore the reasons behind the satnd and why Tommie has received so many human rights honours for it

Music excerpts in todays show, some supplied courtesy of the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com

Neville Brothers - God on Our Side
Boston - Star Spangled Banner
Michael W Burgess - Silence
Flocabulary - Let Freedom Ring
Youssou N' Dour - Chimes of Freedom
Frankie Goes to Hollywood - San Jose
AMB26 - Summers Day (a mile with me theme)

Links

http://www.tommiesmith.com/
http://www.100bmol.org.uk/

Thanks to Ron Daniel for the link to the charity work of the 100 Black Men of London
Tommie's Book is "Silent Gesture"

http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Gesture-Autobiography-Tommie-Sporting/dp/1592136397

Click here to get each "A Mile with Me" delivered free to you by ITunes!

Mile-018 Soundtrack to the 3rd Annual Worldwide Festival of Races

2008-10-23T20:06:00.000+01:00

The Worldwide Festival of Races comprises of 3 events; The Pheddipidations Worldwide Half Marathon, the Zen-10k and the Kick the Couch 5k

I have broken my runcast recording equipment this week (bah!) so whilst I await for my new kit to arrive in the next couple of days here is a "change to the featured programme!"

Here is a "short-format soundscape" with the material Id already recorded following my run on the WWFoR remixed with some other material. So I hope you enjoy this interlude, ahead of Mile 19 The Sound of Silence, next week!

Picture above - the mirrored glaze of the beach at Hengistbury discussed in the podcast.

Music, courtesy of the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com

Amb26 - Summers Day (the A Mile with Me theme)
Damh The Bard - Land, Sky and Sea
Adam Zampino - At the Sea
Who is this Poet - Being Strong Always

The poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling, performed by Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal as part of a BBC lead-in ahead of the 2008 Wimbledon final

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jDC_S4zTGyY

I'd love to hear from you if you can spare the time to write:

Email: Chopper@amilewith.me.uk
Itunes: amilewithme
Web: http://www.amilewith.me.uk/

In the next few days...

2008-10-17T09:50:00.000+01:00

Join me on the next edition of A Mile With Me, as I meet an American Olympic Gold medalist, one of the greatest sprinters of all time - the only person to hold 11 world records in track and field simultaneously. But if that was not enough, he was also the key player in one of the most iconic sporting moments in history which changed his life and impacted that of millions. Hear his story and the enduring humanitarian work hes been involved in since, on Mile 18 - "The Sound of Silence". Subscribe below and I'll look forward to running with you in a day or two when Ive finished the episode... All the best, Steve "Chopper"

"Time waits for no man" - Click here to get each "A Mile with Me" delivered free to you by ITunes!

Mile 017 - Reach for the Stars

2008-10-04T17:24:00.000+01:00

"Why is it the ship beats the waves when the waves are so many and the ship is one?
The reason is that a ship has a purpose" - Winston Churchill

The builders of England's medieval cathedrals had ambition, drive and belief: all qualities of a successful runner! They felt that building tall brought them closer to god. Whatever spirituality you have, there can be no doubting their endeavour and the sheer beauty that they left behind. Join me as I discuss how human beings have always "reached for the stars", from the Pyramids of Egypt to the Burj Dubai.

Join me on a late evening run alongside the medieval walls surrounding the historic city of Southampton as we discover how the two most famous ships in history (separated by 300 years) both departed from the same dock as I run along it.

This week I was also in Salisbury, where the cathedral (above) is celebrating its 750th anniversary this year. It is the tallest structure from the 15th century or earlier that remains standing. Another English church, Lincoln Cathedral, was the tallest structure in the world for 250 years from 1300 until its spire toppled in 1549. Its a testament to the amazing ambition of its creators that its original height was not surpassed for almost 600 years (by the building of the Washington Memorial in 1884)

People are still reaching for the stars .. its the old saying "Reach for the stars and you may hit the moon". Join one person, Carole Loader, who has just done that and decided she would run the full length of Great Britain, 1250 miles, at the pace of just under a marathon a day for 10 weeks. Hear her incredible story and the planning that goes into it, as Carole and I run round a local golf course and talk about her achievement. Find out how she was fueled by sugary tea and the same special diet as Michael Phelps (on occasion)!!

Its all on Mile 17 of the A Mile With Me podcast

Music on today's show, some of this courtesy of the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com

Amb26 - Summers Day (Intro and Outros)

Jerusalem - Billy Bragg

Antanas - Eastern World

Howard Jones - Building Our own Future

1250 miles in one Blog!! - More of Carole's amazing story, and a link to help her cause!

http://endtoendrunner.blogspot.com/

"Bournemouth Joggers" Running Club

http://www.bournemouthjoggers.co.uk/public/index.html

Email: Chopper@amilewith.me.uk Itunes: "amilewithme" Web: http://www.amilewithme.uk/

Download this episode (right click and save)

Mile 016 - What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

2008-09-22T21:47:00.000+01:00

"What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" is the new book by Haruki Murakami, the Japanese novelist which in my view is the literary equivalent of a running podcast. Murakami is not only a top writer but also a seasoned marathoner and triathlete. We join him in spirit on a "long run" as his book shares his life in running and thoughts with us. I talk about the book whilst travelling along the banks of the River Stour

Murakami feels he is in the Autumn of his running and I celebrate this season which reaches it equinox today (22nd September) by looking at the origins of the words "Autumn" and "Fall" nd how they diverged. Join me on an Autumn run to the local dump for the "Dump Runners Club" as we kick through the leaves! See the scene I describe of the River Avon, Christchurch Priory and Castle below!

I have a report from the New Forest Half Marathon on Sunday 21st September (below). It was a beautiful weekend, very reminiscent of the summer with a free hog roast and music festival afterwards at a pub. 12 of us from my department took part so it was a great day.

Also last Friday (19th) was "International Talk Like A Pirate Day" so I encourage (bully) some "landlubbers" (members of my team) to talk like pirates or walk the plank at appraisal time!

Its all on Mile 16 of the A Mile With Me podcast

Music and links

Amb26 - Summers Day (theme)
Air5- Write my Story
Antanas - Eastern World

Murakami's book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Talk-About-When-Running/dp/1846552206/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222117815&sr=8-1

Link to Rich Scott's incredible running club
http://www.sharedvisiontrackclub.org/

Mile 015 - Faster, Higher, Stronger!

2008-09-02T22:22:00.000+01:00

Faster, Higher, Stronger is the motto of the Olympic Games and the theme of today's show:

HIGHER: As we leave Beijing, follow the Olympic spirit to London, home of the 2012 games as we run the Nike+ Human Race from Wembley Stadium, London. This event is aiming HIGH - to get 1 million people running 10k on the same day. Listen to my report from a rainsoaked London (pics above).

FASTER: The worlds fastest self-propelled human being is Sam Whittingham, who has piloted his streamlined bike to 81mph (130.34kph). Sam joins me on the show and we talk about his records, the events he takes part in, the remarkable machines involved and the crazy way he has to accomodate his frame within the... er... frame! We also discuss his recent bike ride with Lance Armstrong and Gary Fischer.

STRONGER: I share my "Top 5 Olympic Oddities", and the incredible story of Betty Robinson, the first ever female Olympic medalist and her amazing survival from near death, coma and disablement to mount an Olympic comback. Its a tale of immense strength.

As I run around RAF Coningsby, I talk about the Eurofighters that are based there, its one of the worlds fastest, powerful and nimble aircraft

All this on Edition 15 of the A Mile With Me podcast. Set your dial to 11 and off we go!

Music interwined in todays show, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network at Music.Podshow.com

Amb26 - Summers Day (Intro / Outro)

Randall Cousins - Euphoric Aftermath

Klavar - Do You Believe?

uGene - Sunlight Euphoria

Peter, Bjorn and John - 100 Metres of Hurdles

If you have a comment on the show, then please leave it at iTUnes, on www.amilewith.me.uk or email chopper@amilewith.me.uk

Mile 014 - Revolutions

2008-08-23T00:12:00.000+01:00

There has been a revolution in cycling over the last 20 years, on edition 14 of a mile with me we explore how cycling training techniques and thinking can improve our running.

Im joined on the show by Steve Moss, an ex international cyclist, who was a former team-mate of Laurent Fignon, 2 time winner of the Tour de France. Steve is now a cycling coach and also a committed runner - so we compare and contrast running and top level cycling training.

Come with me on a local cycle as we explore the revolution in literature in the last 150 years and how many famous authors who lived and wrote in Bournemouth, from JRR Tolkein and Robert Louis Stephenson to Thomas Hardy. Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein is buried here, alongside the heart of her husband, the romantic poet Percy Shelley. Wilde and Henry James also visited so we go on a literary cycle tour and I tell you about all these connections. Find out why the residents of Bournemouth are not today running into the sea to drown like they did in the James Herbert book "The Fog"

Its a feature packed edition of the podcast

Podsafe music courtesy of music.podshow.com:
Amb26 - Summers Day (a Mile with Me theme)
Scanlan - Bike Ride
Jeff Rosiana - Another Trip Home

Website: http://www.amilewith.me.uk/
Email: Chopper@amilewith.me.uk
ITunes: amilewithme

Mile-013 William Penny Brookes - Olympic Champion

2008-08-08T02:30:00.000+01:00

William Penny Brookes has been widely recognised as the founding father of the modern Olympic Games, but surprisingly not that many people are aware of him or his remarkable life.

Born in Much Wenlock in Shropshire, England in 1809 he was a local doctor, played a major part in bringing the railway to town and also introduced both a reading and an Olympian class into his newly created library.

In 1850 he set up his first Olympian Games and 40 years later a visit to those very games by the French aristocrat Baron Pierre Coubertin was destined to change both their lives. The Baron stayed at Brookes's house for some time and inspired by what he had seen Coubertin went on to launch the modern Olympic movement in 1894.

In 1994 the President of the IOC visited Much Wenlock to celebrate a century of the modern Olympic movement and in a moving speech said "I came to pay homage to Dr Brookes, who really was the founder of the modern Olympic Games"

Find out more about his extraordinary life and the Much Wenlock Olympian Games as I chat with Helen Cromarty, historian of the Wenlock Olympian Society on Mile 13 of the "A Mile With Me" podcast.

To find out more visit

http://www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk/

Music on this edition, supplied courtesy of the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com:

Amb26 - Summers Day (A Mile With Me theme)
Psykosoul - So Deep Orgasm Medley
Jakit Patrick - Go for it

Email: Chopper@amilewith.me.uk

Itunes "amilewithme"

Mile-012 Digging Deep

2008-08-03T22:37:00.001+01:00

Sometimes raw grit is what is necessary to get through!

On Mile 12 of the "A Mile With Me" podcast we look at digging deep, which is what the 2000 participants of Trailwalker needed to do to get through 100km of tough hills within a day. Hear my report from the event which will raise over £1m for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. A few pics of me on the run are above. Find out one of the 1000 unusual uses for an umbrella!

Also hear me off the coast talking about how Bournemouth Council is literally digging deep in the sandy seabed off the coast to create the northern hemisphere's first artificial surf reef. Bournemouth is sheltered from the Atlantic by the Purbeck peninsular and thats one reason why its beaches are regularly voted the best in the UK. Once the reef is open in the autumn it will provide an excellent 400 metre wide surf beach within 1.5 hours of London for the first time. Its even claimed it will be good for the local fish stocks. Hear about what you can see from the Bournemouth Eye and also about the designer developing the "best beach huts in the world".

http://www.bournemouthreef.com/
http://www.pooleandbournemouth.co.uk/content/view/88/55/

I also explore how focussing on improving concentration can help when you need to dig deep at that crucial point.

Music this episode from music.podshow.com

Amb26 - Summers Day (A Mile With Me theme)

Psychosoul - So Deep Orgasm Medley

Mangomad - Simple Theory

"Shafty" in his makeshift tent

Mile-011 Inner Strength

2008-07-13T22:19:00.000+01:00

In this edition of the A Mile with Me podcast, a conversation with Danny Dreyer, founder of Chi-Running about the philosphy, benefits and next stages in the programme. Its been described as "the most exciting and revolutionary book to hit the running community this decade" by Toby Tanser, author of "Train Hard Win Easy". Danny shows us how we should emulate the speed and grace of the Cheetah by focussing on inner strength and flexibility of our core muscles in our trunk and spine and less on bulking up our legs. Danny's work has helped hundreds of thousands of people become more injury free and "glide" rather than "pound" the streets.

We also talk about Danny's forthcoming Chi-Running Marathon training programme.

Chirunning can be found at http://www.chirunning.com/

Another form of Inner Strength is demonstrated by Nelson Mandela who has not only forgiven his enemies but embraced them and helped forge a future together. Join me at Hyde park in London for his 90th Birthday Celebration concert and hear words of wisdom from the great man.
I'm on a couple of runs in the countryside an villages of the Avon and Stour Valleys and find out along the way in what race I survived longer than Louis Hamilton and why there are some strange new residents in the village of Holdenhurst. The above photo is taken on my cycle in the podcast and shows the Avon Valley from the top of St Catherines Hill with the Isle of Wight in the distance.

Its all on the A mile with Me podcast, Mile 011

Music from the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com

Amb26 - Summers Day (Mile with Me theme)
Whoisthispoet - Being Strong Always

For other great running podcasts see http://www.runningpodcasts.org/

For the Wordwide Festival of Running (more about this next time) see http://worldwideraces.blogspot.com/

This includes the Wordwide Half Marathon at http://www.worldwidehalf.com/

Mudeford Spit and Christchurch Harbour

2008-06-26T21:58:00.000+01:00

Heres some pics from the location of the Iron Man podcast (009)

The Telectroscope .. Hello New York, this is London!

Mile10 Please Adjust Your Altitude!

2008-06-24T23:09:00.000+01:00

Stonehenge on the Solstice and some members of our Trailwalker teams with the Queens Gurkha Signals PT team

Podcast:
http://www.amilewith.me.uk/ mail chopper@amilewith.me.uk iTunes "amilewithme"

The Sun reaches it maximum altitude on Mid-Summers Day so join me for the next edition of the A Mile with Me as we podcast at dawn on 21st June from Stonehenge in England for the Summer Solstice.

Also we explore the effects of Altitude on our bodies and how altitude training can help runners and why.

Join me as I run alongside the River Avon, that flows past Stonehenge and into the Sea at Christchurch.

Find out more about the people from Nepal as I go on the run with a Gurkha team and I understand after 2 miles why they are the living proof of the live high : train low strategy!!

Music in today's show (courtesy of the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com:
Amb26 - Summers Day (A Mile with Me Theme)

Blood Ruby - Midsummer Fires

Pitch Lab - Just like 2091

http://www.altitude.org/index.htm for some articles on Altitude

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.876 further information on Stonehenge

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/fundraise/trailwalker/history.html Trailwalker whats it all about

www.justgiving.com/atrailwithme Please help me if you can towards my team's target of £2000 to help Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust fight poverty in the world, thank you!

Mile009 Iron Man

2008-06-02T21:40:00.001+01:00

Welcome to Mile 009 of the "a mile with me" podcast - IRONMAN.

This show is not about the triathalon series or even the recent movie but about the important part the mineral Iron has played in the development of the world as we know it today and also its role as a key nutrient for us as human beings.

3.5 Billion people today have an iron deficiency that directly impacts their lives - the World Health Organisation and Harvard University state that iron deficiency has an overall cost to humanity that is higher than any other ailment apart from TB. We look at why we need Iron and how we can improve nutrician to support our running and how fortification is helping in the developing world.

The improvement of smelting of Iron using coke rather than charcoal in 1709 was a major catalyst for the Industrial Revolution which began in England and has changed the world forever. Join me in Ironbridge in Shropshire where this began as we explore how Iron gave us the world we know today.

We also tackle the Wrekin, a famous hill in Shropshire and hear the legend of that and also you can hear me as I run to the Brooklyn Bridge in my lunch hour via an invention called the Telectrosope!

We are now in the Information Revolution and the exponential increase in technology allows us to share knowledge and solve the Iron deficiency problems. So join me on a 300 year journey from Iron-Bridge to Iron-Fortification. Some of us move at a slow pace on our runs, however the pace of change in the world is increasing dramatically, watch the video below that gives an idea of this, and then join me on Mile009 of the A Mile with me Podcast - click right to download/ listen!

Mile 008 Jurassic Forest Hills

2008-05-19T21:57:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the Jurassic Coast, 190 Million Years in 95 miles!

On Mile 008 of the A Mile with Me Podcast we learn more about the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site on my doorstep and follow us on a 21 mile tough hill training challenge between Lulworth Cove and Weymouth.

Also join me on St Catherines Hill for some Hill Training practice where we explore the techniques for hill sessions and on Warren Head surveying the panorama of Christchurch Harbour in the Sunshine.

Lets explore The Mall on a lunchtime run from my office in The City to Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch

Find out more about the Pheddipidations Worldwide Half Marathon Challenge and how you can take part with others in the online running community wherever you may be in the world. Think Global - Run Local!

Links for today's show:

http://www.jurassiccoast.com/ to find out more about this unique area

Music from the Podsafe Music Network at http://music.podshow.com/

Amb26 - "Summers Day" (A mile with Me opening and closing theme)
Mangomad - "So Pure"
Junction Pool - "Cheetham Hill"
Damh The Bard - "The Hills they are Hollow"

You can mail me at Chopper@amilewith.me.uk or visit www.amilewith.me.uk for more details

Mile 007 - Freedom of the Soul

2008-05-06T06:56:00.000+01:00

For many of us running is a way of achieving freedom, there is the lure of the open road and beautiful countryside. We need these open spaces for Freedom of the Soul

Join me on Mile 007 of the “a mile with me” podcast, as we explore this freedom in more detail and look at the pleasures of running in the countryside, on both sides of the Atlantic.

Its May Day here in the UK, which is both the celebration of labour rights and also of traditional festivals of Spring, including Beltane which gave us the May Poles! Find out what a May Pole is and join me as we visit a “new age” style retreat for May Day weekend.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (www.cpre.org.uk) has for over 80 years been supporting the English countryside. This site has details of the “Quiet Conference” which is mentioned in the podcast. We have an interview with Christopher Napier, Vice Chairman of the CPRE about the work they are doing to protect the countryside.

We also look at the origins of Central Park in New York City which has a direct connection to the English landscape - find out how and why on the “a mile with me” podcast. I speak with Sarah-Cedar Miller, the official historian and photographer of the Central Park Conservancy in New York City about the history of the park which is 150 years old this week. We also find out how runners worldwide can support the park and gain a free place in the ING NYC Marathon or Nike Half Marathon this year. Check out the great work the Central Park Conservancy does at www.centralparknyc.org.

As we are discussing quietness, join me on the banks of the River Stour as we discuss some comments from Quiet Mind: One-Minute Retreats from a Busy World by David Kundtz (2000).

Find out more about the Quiet Organisation at

http://www.quiet.org/faq.htm

... but sssssshhhh keep it to yourself !!!

The countryside gives us Freedom for our Soul … stop and think for a moment about it on your next run.

Find more great running podcasts at

www.runningpodcasts.org

Remember we welcome your comments at www.amilewith.me.uk, you can email me at chopper@amilewith.me.uk If you enjoy the show please vote for us at www.podcastalley.com or leave a comment on itunes.

Music in this week’s edition, supplied by the podsafe music network at http://music.podshow.com

Open and Closing titles - “Summers Day” – Amb26
“Arrival” and “Do You Believe?” by Kalvar
“Freedom for my Soul” by Mark Harold
“Freedom” by Joshua Koback and Swim

Mile006 London Marathon Special

2008-04-21T21:47:00.000+01:00

This is London, home of the biggest fundraising event in the world, the London Marathon.

Join us on the A Mile with Me - London Marathon special as we tell the history of the London Marathon and how the 26.2 mile distance came about in London, exactly 100 years ago.

Hear the story of Dorando Pietri, who drank wine along the way and was still the first man over the line in the 1908 Olympic marathon.

Also we are at the British Academy overlooking the finish line at The Mall and hear about the work of Oxfam in Liberia directly from Abraham, a local worker on the ground. We also hear a heart warming personal account of this year’s race from a lovely young lady called Alex, who ran through her tears to achieve the title of “Marathoner”!

Join me on the run along the Beaulieu River in Hampshire, and join “Team Pingu” on their Trail training on the Solent Way path. Also join my Trailwalker team as we get caught in a blizzard on an exposed headland in the Purbecks. The snow was blowing horizontally into the side of our faces. In direct contrast, join me for a gentle evening run on a Spring Evening.

Its all in Edition Mile006 of A Mile with Me podcast

Music this time:

Summers Day – Amb26 – The A Mile with Me opening and closing theme
Arrival by Kalvar
Walk in London by Null Device
Marathon by Loving the Sun

I look forward to hearing your feedback on www.amilewith.me.uk or email me Chopper@amilewith.me.uk. If you enjoy the podcast then please tell your friends and subscribe via iTunes.

Mile 005 - A Fresh Start

2008-04-04T08:58:00.000+01:00

"A mile with me", the podcast you can take in your stride!
Episode 005 - A Fresh Start

Welcome to Episode 5, which is all about about fresh starts.

Its Spring up here in the northern hemisphere and nature is coming to life, so lets come to life also - its time for our own fresh start ! Join me on the run around St Catherines Hill overlooking the beautiful Avon Valley and Christchurch Harbour.

Its Spring but as Easter was early it was very snowy on my trip up to Lincolnshire. The contrast was stark between the snow and the flowers in bloom. Join me on a theoretical Boston Marathon as we explore the strong links between the Boston Lincolnshire area and Boston MA. I'm in the small village of Tattershall exploring in the snow and taking pictures of the castle (above) and talking about sons and daughters of the area who played a crucial role in the formation of Boston USA

Theres another type of fresh start on a very early morning start on the Trailwalker training on the Isle of Purbeck, with the deer, sunshine and driving rain to contend with over a 22 mile trek. Join Chloe who tells us about her special "mile with me" between Broom and Darwin in Australia

Music in this edition courtesy of the podsafe music network at http://www.music.podshow.com/:

Summers Day by Amb26 (opening and closing sequences)
Dark Days of August by Amb26
Barbers Adagio for Strings by Tiesto remixed by Makrolon
Dream by CoreyCosmo
Star Fly by D Fast

Dont forget to leave any feedback at www.amilewith.me.uk or Email: Chopper@amilewith.me.uk

The Big Wave - Help make a difference

2008-03-17T08:59:00.000Z

Surfs Up Dudes! ... The Big Wave is Coming!

Over the weekend of 11/12 October 2008, runners of all abilities from around the world will come together to run a half marathon or 5km distance in their local area as part of the 3rd annual Phedippidations Worldwide Half Marathon.

The sole purpose of the World Wide Half is to remove the barriers to camaraderie, with the intention that like minded athletes who harbour this passion for running, could share a single experience of competing in a world-wide event whilst running in their own area. This is a free, non-commercial event where everyone is invited to register, train and run in the spirit of friendship. More details of how to register free at http://www.worldwidehalf.com/

As you participate in this exciting event, you will truly feel that you are part of a community of friends all over the globe, who will support you, encourage you, and are sharing this experience with you.

In the UK the "a mile with me" podcast is also arranging "The Big Wave", which will be a unique opportunity for runners run their Worldwide Half or 5K together (if they choose) and also help to raise valuable funds for the Ellen MacArthur Trust.

At 10am on Saturday 11th October we are looking for runners for concurrent 13.1 mile stages along the entire south coast of the UK (500 miles). This distance from Lands End to Dover will thus be covered in less than 3 hours making it the worlds largest simultaneous half marathon !!

If you would like to take part in this event please email me chopper@amilewith.me.uk or leave a message on this site... its so mad and ambitious its our sworn duty to make it happen!

So ... if you have a heart and the desire to make things happen why not Think Global and Run Local .. and make a difference to the lives of children and young adults suffering with long term illnesses. If you cant be there in person then you can of course still help the trust by donating using the links on this site!

Mile 004 The Long Trek

2008-03-16T21:36:00.000Z

Welcome to Mile 004 - The Long Trek.

Good news! ... I have shed 8lbs so far, so almost on target but a little way to go yet !!

This edition covers the Trailwalker event and some of the training runs we are doingYou will get an introduction to Team Pingu ,, why are they named after a cartoon penguin?- find out in the cast. Join us in the New Forest for a long run racing a few ponies!

Music from the show:
Walk Away by My Little RadioWalking the Universe by The PuffinsTides and Sandcastles by Hugh Campbell
Opening and closing themes from a Summers Day by amb26
All from www.music.podshow.com

For more information on Trailwalker UK www.oxfam.org.uk/Trailalker
For Trailwalker events worldwide http://www.oxfam.org/en/getinvolved/
For the Pheddipidations Worldwide Half Marathon www.worldwidehalf.com
To find out more about the Big Wave www.amilewith.me.uk

I welcome your feedback and audio comments at chopper@amilewith.me.uk
Thanks for listening!Steve Chopper.

4 Feet and "Ruining"!

2008-03-06T23:08:00.000Z

Heres Chris's shoes before and after our run as featured in Mile-003. My socks ended up in the bin!

Until Saturday he had two pairs of identical running shoes - they dont look so identical now !!! .. but every cloud has a silver lining - he now has a designated on-road and off-road pair !!!

Mile-003-You Need Only be Human to Take Part!

2008-03-03T00:48:00.000Z

Hi everybody and welcome to Mile-003 of the A Mile with Me podcast. This time we have a really packed edition featuring the Winchester 10k roadrace, training in boggy conditions for Trailwalker and some interviews with new runners.

The theme this time is Running and Poetry and we look at "Great North", a 1000 line poem by Andy Croft which brings us the atmosphere of the Great North Run, the largest 1/2 marathon race in the world. Andy was the poet in residence at the race for a few years and we talk to him in depth about the poem and the sorts of things that come into our heads as we run, whilst listening to a few excepts. You can also find out why my running partner Chris will be suing me for a new pair of training shoes!

We look at the history and architecture of Winchester and talk to some of the guys and girls from Fareham Crusaders running club.

Music this time (from as always the podsafe music network at www.music.podshow.com)
Drum Dub by Lion of Joppa Sound System

Losing Time (Dub) by Satori
Be the Change you want to see in the World by 37Hz
Young Folks by Peter, Bjorn and John
Gotta Keep on Movin' by Urban Clearway

Check out Andy Crofts books on www.Amazon.com

Winchester 10k and stuff

2008-02-26T21:25:00.000Z

Hi everyone, I hope you are well!
Got round the Winchester 10k at the weekend successfully and recorded a few bits for Episode 3 of the podcast along the way - this is out at the end of the week and you can find out all about Winchester the ancient capital of Wessex and England. I know its really episode 2 as the first was a test trailer if you like, but it will be easier if I keep the episode numbers in line with the Mile-xxx references - or I will become very confused!!

Got round in 49 mins which wasnt too bad as stopped to change from recording to Nike+ on the Nano and started from the back. Start weight 2 weeks ago 95kgs, weight now 93kgs so largely to plan. Need to lose a another 8kgs try to get to my PB from about 4 years ago (41:07) and try and dip under 40 mins by the end of the year... you've got to dream right :o) !!!

a mile with me launched!

2008-02-19T02:20:00.000Z

In this show you can join me for a couple of lunchtime runs away from the office and down to the beach. On a windy day you can also join our team during our training for the Trailwalker event. More details about this in future episodes.

Find out a little more about the area in which we live and run and also about setting some SMARTER goals for your activities. Avoid letting the mind “demons” in as we “Search for your Zen” courtesy of the band Mangomad and race the final sprint with me to the sounds of Federico Fasce and his instrumental track “Speed Limit”

The opening and closing sequences use the track “Summers Day” by amb26.
These great songs and some of the others we will feature are supplied under creative commons licence, courtesy of the podsafe podshow network at www.music.podshow.com
Please send in your audio clips or emails about your favourite miles to chopper@amilewith.me.uk and we will get YOU on the show!

Podcast coming soon!

2008-02-13T09:27:00.000Z

A nice run down to the beach and back yesterday from the office - around 6 miles. The weather has been great for the time of year, about 11 degrees C, bright skies and little wind, was the perfect running weather. Made a couple of recordings for the podcast which will be here very soon. A few things to tie up and then will post Edition 1 at the end of next week.
It will be available here and on iTunes - search "amilewithme". I'm looking for your favourite mile - is it a place you regularly run, or a mile you did in a race where you felt a particular buzz. Through the cast Im looking to find out the places that people are passionate about.
"Without Emotion there is no Motion"

A Brief Session in a Gale

2008-02-07T17:46:00.000Z

The team for Trailwalker met up for the first time last Sunday. More of Trailwalker in a later entry but essentially you need a team of four who are willing to do something quite mad! We had a run along the seafront in gale force conditions, so the order of the day was slow but steady. Saturday did a just under 2 hour dreadmill session covering a half marathon distance, Sunday was a bit more refined at about 10k, nice and steady in just over an hour battling the severe winds. The sun was out and it was about 5 degrees Celsius so not bad at all - and we all felt refreshed for sure. Recorded some basic intros for the podcast which is coming on slowly but steady with other commitments!

Introductions

2008-01-25T08:17:00.000Z

What is a mile? Its not simply a measure of distance, it truly transcends that definition.
A mile exists in its own space and in the minds of everyone. It can seem a long way as in "going the extra mile" and "miles away", but for the long distance runner it is like atoms are to the universe, the basic building blocks of our world. We use it to define how far or how fast we can go and whatever distance we run, its a multiple of a mile. A mile is thus both the reality of distance and a concept of progress and ambition for us.

So what is "a mile with me" about? Firstly inspired by some of the great running podcasts out there I thought it would be good fun to experiment with a show that will hopefully add to that existing body of content. These all help us through the famed "loneliness of a long distance runner"!

I also need to lose about 10Kg (22lbs) so this blog and the podcast will (hopefully!) follow that progress. I'm training for some great events during 2008, so the show will also cover that and listeners will get to hear about some activities and places that they may not know too much about. We'll talk with the organisers and the competitors and find out about the location itself - a type of travelogue.

With a mile having a place in the collective consciousness there are two additional elements that will be part of the show, and are the reason its called a mile with me.

Firstly I want the show to have an element of inspiration to help us on those long outings, so as part of each episode I plan to interview a person who has achieved something specific. By running a gentle mile with them, through the chat we can find out about their inspirations, goals and some tips.

Secondly, with the idea of a mile in mind, I want YOU to send in email and/or audio clip talking about your favourite mile of this planet. It will be great to hear about the mile that is special to you, whether it be a mile at a point in time (e.g. that last mile of your latest PR!) or a place you like to run, a course or a location that has a special resonance for any reason. By hearing these we will truly be sharing our miles together worldwide - quite literally keeping the world running !

Whilst we're doing this I also thought it would be great to try and raise some money for charity and hope that you will be able to help me in this! It would be great along with collecting miles and experiences to try and also use this collective effort for a good cause. More about this in future postings, but my objective will be to raise a $ for every mile around the world.

So the idea is now out there and its up to us to embrace it and make it grow. I hope you will enjoy the first "a mile with me" podcast when its posted shortly and send in your own miles. Each mile will help our global community on their long runs. With the charity aspect we can hopefully help others - for whom the leisure and sport we enjoy is a luxury they cant afford.

Thanks for listening and welcome to "a mile with me"

Starting the Blog

2008-01-20T20:08:00.000Z

This is the first post. Please see my website at www.amilewith.me.uk The first podcast will be available shortly. This is an experiment, producing an audio accompaniment to long distance runs whilst sharing other people's inspirations. I hope you enjoy it when it's published!