Podcasts for Running

This is a very good question. Podcasts are audio or video recordings posted online, much like a short radio show. Mine of course are audio recordings. The word "podcast" is derived from "iPod" and "broadcast" but other terms you might find are audioblogs or Vlogs. You can listen to podcasts online, download them to your computer or iPod or MP3 player. Finally, and to make it as easy as possible, you can subscribe to the podcast and receive a notification from your podcast software whenever a new episode is released.

Now that you have decided that my podcast sounds like a good idea, it is very easy to actually get one, download it, load it on your iPod or other MP3 player, and listen to it while you run.

Called "subscribing", to get my "Couch to 5K" podcasts simply means clicking the "Subscribe" button either on this site, or in iTunes. Then, you'll be notified each time I release a new episode, the "Couch to 5K" series has 9 episodes. My audio podcasts are free, as will be any PDF Guides which may accompany each week's program. In the future, I plan to offer other runner related podcasts for stretching, a plan for running a 10K and another for a half marathon.

If you subscribe to any magazine, you'll be aware of the new issue when it arrives in the mail. "Podcast software" - or "podcatchers" - keep track of "subscriptions" you make to podcasts that interest you. When the new release is made, the software will either let you know, and in some cases download the new episode for you so you can have it ready to listen to at your convenience.

There are several programs that do this, but use iTunes to keep track of your podcasts if you can. It's got an in-built "podcatching" function. However, if you can not, or would rather not use iTunes, there are several "podcatcher" programs (known technically as "aggregators") available depending on your operating ystem (windows, Macintosh, Linux, etc). "Juice" is an example of another program for managing podcasts. These programs are usually standalone programs and range from free to a nominal shareware fee. Some websites also have "podcatching" functions built-in, like Yahoo, Podnova and Odeo. You may need to register with these sites if you are not already registered.

The podcasts I have placed in iTunes are a special enhanced podcast that allows your iPod to display images for each run segment as well as links throughout the podcast. To do so, these podcasts are in a format called m4a which is not playable on many non apple mp3 players. However, I also offer an mp3 feed that can be used to listen to podcasts on most every type of player. If you are trying to decide on a player to purchase, as a runner, you will probably want a player that uses flash memory and not a hard drive like the iPod Nano or the Zen Player. Flash memory can take the abuse of running.

Yes. To hear a sample yo have two choices. .....

If your computer has speakers or headphones you can go to our recent podcasts page and click the "Listen" buttons to start right away. From there, you can also download PDF Guides to accompany each lesson. To be notified automatically each time we release a new podcast, click a link on the right-hand side of our podcasts page.

As easy as all this is supposed to be, it is computer stuff that relies on a lot of people getting things right, including me. So issues do come up and I hope I can answer your questions here. If not, please feel free to email me anytime with your issue here.

How do I download a mix from your website?

Select the mix you want and right-click (Mac: ctrl-click) its “download” button, then select “Save target as,” and save the mp3 file to your hard drive.

When I download a mix from your site, it doesn’t show up in iTunes

Open iTunes. Open your computer browser. Use the browser to drag the mix (an MP3 file) from wherever you downloaded it to on your hard drive to your iTunes Library.

What is “subscribing”?

There are programs called newsreaders (aka feed readers or aggregators) that regularly and automatically read certain Web pages and check to see when new items are updated. When you add a Web page to one of these newsreaders, it’s called “subscribing.” More info: What is RSS?

How do I subscribe?

The “subscribe” button links to a bunch of code called an RSS feed. There are programs called newsreaders (aka feed readers or aggregators) that read this code and check in automatically when new items are added. If you use iTunes, it’s the same as looking up a podcast and clicking “subscribe” Sometimes clicking the button will add it to your newsreader, sometimes you have to right-click it. It depends on the program you use. More info: What is RSS?

Does it cost me anything to subscribe?

Not a thing. It costs me a bit, though, which is why that “Donate” button over there on your left is looking all cute and shiny and appealing right about now.

I’d subscribe to your podcast or newsletter, but I don’t want to invite spam

None of your information will ever be shared in any way with anyone, period. When you subscribe to my newsletter, your email is automatically added to a password-protected list on my website. That list is used only by me, for the sole purpose of sending out my newsletter. I value your privacy and listenership too much to jeopardize either. Subscriptions to podcasts happen outside of my control and knowledge, and present little opportunity for spamming.