Grab a dongle for your weights, and help yourself to a vegan Pukka pie—it's the Christmas episode. Don't want a vegan pie? Well have one anyway. We found time to chat about home gym set-ups, had a little festive chat, and uncovered yet more crippling social anxiety from Nick's past. Like the show? Show your support by supporting our favourite charities. As ever we're supporting [Shelter](https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runnerpod) whose work is never more important than it is now. We'd also want to highlight the importance of the work being done locally and nationally in the UK by the various charities that work with victims of domestic abuse—the Covid pandemic has seen an increase in demand for such services and they need support to continue delivering services to those who need them. Please consider making a gift this Christmas to a local organisation or a national one such as [Refuge](https://donate.refuge.org.uk/page/51133/donate/1)

HAPPY LOCKDOWN 2 BABY Nick is open to bribes, Jon is just trying to help, and we let it all go to our heads. * [We won an award](https://awards.discoverpods.com/winners-2020-discover-pods-awards/) — if you voted, thanks...also what were you thinking? But seriously though thanks * Leave us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, send us a screenshot, and be in the raffle to win some shit headphones * As ever, if you can, [donate to Shelter](https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runnerpod) - and yeah we still have stickers

Failing to read the country's mood, we met up once again to talk about fitness, running and tech. Nick has found a new dead format to worry about, Jon is putting it all on the plate, and we offer up a hot take on Zoom calls. Remember, if you don't use lockdown to learn a language, write that novel or work on your side hustle you're probably just trying to keep going as best as you can in pretty testing circumstances and in all honestly that's as worth clapping as anything else going on right now. You're doing great and we're proud of you. This week's links: * Nick bought a [Kano](https://kano.me/uk/store/products/computer-kit). It's probably worth looking for on ebay as the novelty wears of fast. * Tbh the Kano is a Raspbery Pi with bells on, so maybe just get one of those and get the same benefit of a one hour diversion for the kids for a few quid... Nick could use [this kit to make a speaker for his NFC cards](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/pirate-radio-pi-zero-w-project-kit). What a talking point that would be. * He also got a [Yoto speaker](https://www.yotoplay.com/) which he swears is worth it. * Jon isn't on Twitter except for when he does [this](https://twitter.com/jonhickman/status/1254428473805987840).

Stay safe, keep well, and don't let the bastards grind you down. Charities are getting fewer funds right now and yet it feels like we're being asked to help more and more so we're sorry in advance for asking you to dig into your pockets, but here we are. Thing is, if you're still working right now you haven't got anything to spend your money on so do have a think about doing what you can to help people who need it. Here's one thought. If you had gone out to town drinking this weekend, and had to get a taxi back, how much would you have paid for a ride home without even thinking about it? That's £10 or £20 you wouldn't have missed but still have in your bank because of the 'Rona. So why not chuck that money to a charity you think can make a difference? If you want, tell people about it, and ask them to do the same: #howmuchyouusuallypay If you're an absolute specimen, and therefore wouldn't have been out boozing, maybe send your gym subs or race fee for something you're not doing to charity instead. If we were going to pick three charities how about: * [Shelter](https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runnerpod): this is the regular Runner Pod charity, helping people access safe housing and lobbying for change in housing in the UK. * [Brum Baby Bank](https://www.gofundme.com/f/brum-baby-bank): helping families access nappies, formula and baby food in Birmingham. Ask around, there'll be a group like this round your ends. * [Refuge](https://campaign.refuge.org.uk/page/58366/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=EMER-landing): helping the victims of domestic abuse in the UK, which is an ever more acute issue during lockdown. We know some of you are on furlough or out of work right now and we really feel for you. If you are one of the lucky ones mostly unaffected financially, please do your best to reach out to help folk in need. However you've been affected by all of this keep running, keep cycling, keep exercising—it's the one thing we've still got and it's the one thing that will keep your head clear. But most of all remember, there's a cop watching you. Take care friends, Nick & Jon x

Help yourself to one of Daddy's sports biscuits and enter with us into the Book of Dreams, where we discuss the 2020 National Running Show, meet our idols (and immediately reject them) and try out yet another sports watch. Nick has been ghosting Jon, Jon has been giving Nick's home media set up short shrift, and both lads are asking: if the pants people are here then why aren't you? * [Spotify Kids](https://www.spotify.com/uk/kids) * [List Envy Podcast](https://listenvypod.com/) * [Jon's List Envy Episode](https://listenvypod.com/e/top-5-things-were-leaving-behind-37f292a20c5692/) * [National Running Show Birmingham](https://nationalrunningshowbirmingham.com/) * [Tailwind Nutrition](https://www.tailwindnutrition.co.uk/) * [Polar Vantage M Running Watch](https://amzn.to/2SRdHmi) * [Barkley Marathons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkley_Marathons) * Bad Boy Running: [Laz Lake Interview Part 1](http://badboyrunningpodcast.com/ep-151-lazarus-lake-aka-gary-cantrell-on-barkley-marathons-part-1) and [Part 2](http://badboyrunningpodcast.com/ep-152-laz-lake-on-barkley-marathons-and-other-races-part-2) * Join us on [Strava](https://www.strava.com/clubs/you-don-t-look-like-a-runner-445740) * Runner Pod stickers still available if you [donate to Shelter](https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runnerpod)

Nick is not well because he has eaten vegetarian takeaways for science. Links from this week's show: * [River Cottage Veg Everyday](https://amzn.to/2NYopWK) * [Veggie Lean in 15: 15-minute Veggie Meals with Workouts](https://amzn.to/2Gpnmut)

Merry New Year! This week we go deep on home automation tech. We talk about winning at Veganuary, Nick treats us to not one but two bluetooth headphone reviews, Jon feels physically sick at the sound of the word "nubbin", and we make plans for the future which will never be mentioned again. * [Moko sports belt](https://amzn.to/361L0Yl) * [The Vegetarian Athlete’s Cookbook](https://amzn.to/2NTQFtB) * [Sports Jelly Beans](https://amzn.to/2G4DaCI) * [Cambridge Audio Melomania Bluetooth headphones](https://amzn.to/367UVMe) * The Spring [Rutland Half](https://www.therutlandmarathon.co.uk/rutland-spring-half-marathon) is on Mania Half weekend * [Apple AirPod Pro](https://amzn.to/2R5SENj) * [Teckin smart plugs](https://amzn.to/2ug0SsY) * [Meross smart plugs](https://amzn.to/2G3dczz) * [Google Home Mini](https://store.google.com/gb/product/google_home_mini) * [Google Home Max](https://store.google.com/gb/product/google_home_max) * [Google Home Speaker groups](https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/digital-home/google-homegroup-3665671/) * [Symfonsik: the Ikea Sonos](https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/news/symfonisk-collection-pubaafe6500) * [Amazon Echo Dot](https://amzn.to/2NDDdty) * [Smart speakers in kids' rooms](https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/are-smart-speakers-really-safe-for-children) Don't worry, we don't just do this in January so we will be back next week.

OK juicer, it's time for some fitness, running and tech chat. This week it's actually about ethics in bluetooth headphone journalism. Nick's on the cans, Jon just wants to eat his dinner, and we try out some edgy current affairs jokes that are already out of date. As well as comparing notes on our latest runs, we get into some heavy follow up about ethics and consumption in consumer electronics, put together our Runner Starter Pack and explore the curious world of boozed up running. * [Cheese and wine marathon](https://secretldn.com/marathon-du-medoc-cheese-wine/) * [The Hovding Airbag cycle helmet—scroll down for the video](https://hovding.com/hovding3/) * [This fucking hat though lads](https://twitter.com/runnerpod/status/1198389536532901889) * Tell us about your [#runningstarterpack](https://twitter.com/hashtag/runningstarterpack?src=hashtag_click) on [popular hell site twitter dot com](https://twitter.com/runnerpod) * Send us shitty content and SEO proposals to [anything]@runnerpod.com * Join us on [Strava](https://www.strava.com/clubs/you-don-t-look-like-a-runner-445740) * Stickers still available if you [donate to Shelter](https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runnerpod)

Jon explains how to get everyone's attention during the Great North Run. Nick alleges he wears glasses. We are rather foolhardy in mentioning the date on tape. * [Find us on Strava](https://www.strava.com/clubs/you-don-t-look-like-a-runner-445740) * [Tell us things on Twitter](https://twitter.com/runnerpod) * [You can't pay for this content, but you can donate to Shelter](https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runnerpod)

Welcome to Season 2! What awaits you inside? Will there be a controversial new younger character who changes the dynamic of the show? Will Jon remember how to read the outro? Has the Audio Veteran delivered? You can probably guess the answers to all of these questions but it's about the journey so grab your stickers, pour a juice and settle in. --- Oh a quick plug. We briefly mention in the show that Jon is running the Great North Run for charity (mate). It's a charity that's really important to Jon's family. We didn't really get into it and that race will be run by the time we tape the next show, so if you'd like to know more here are some links: * [The charity is the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund ](https://rohcharity.org/). * [This is the Just Giving page complete with a tl;dr backstory](https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/corrina-hickman) * [This is the full story about why he chose this charity if you want to know more. It's a bit emotional, sorry](https://www.facebook.com/899120505/posts/10162262870665506?sfns=mo) *Remember: only the good ones read the show notes*