Mile-036-Athens Classic Marathon

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

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Mile-035-Antarctica, Goodwill to all Men

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/

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

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

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!

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

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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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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!

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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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

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

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

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Mile-027-White Peaks Half Marathon

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

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.runnersroundtable.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.kinverkid.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

"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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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!

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!

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

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

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/