This is a fitness running and tech podcast by Nick and Jon. This is also a review of the world's biggest movie, Avatar.  The movie stars Channing Tatum as Jake. A guy with no legs. We meet him first in space, where he’s floating about and demonstrating 3D to us all. But then he lands on a planet (no name) where Duke Nukem is driving a mech and getting really angry all the time. Also, there are Sigourney Weaver, a scientist, and Phoebe from Friends’s brother Frank and he loves mining. Thus the stage is set for Avatar, a movie in which a guy wants to mine, a lady wants to science, and Duke Nukem wants to blow shit up. Also on the planet are some blue aliens who have horses that are dragons. They live in a tree. We will be back next week to talk about fitness running and tech. --- You should now listen to our friends Tom and Cat: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/cats-cabinet-of-curiosities-605665 You should also donate to Shelter this Christmas: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runnerpod Good luck and solidarity with our striking nurses, postal workers and railway workers. Strike fund links: Royal College of Nursing: https://action.rcn.org.uk/page/117402/donate/1 Communication Workers Union: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3EVU686A9QKZ6 RMT Strike Fund: https://www.rmt.org.uk/about/national-dispute-fund/

Time marches on. Jon went off book and did an intro to explain the delay on this episode and try to contextualise it, but history keeps happening and it's now the day after the "mini-budget" and things seem to have gotten even worse.¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Here's a chat we had before the heat wave when we innocently thought a 2 grand utility bill was a lot of money.The bed in the intro is I Walk With Ghosts by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au from https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ which is on a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0) | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ The Grange Hill theme was grabbed from this: https://archive.org/details/tvtunes_30923 If you need a quick way to give to Shelter go here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runnerpod (you can still get a sticker, just tweet @jonhickman)Find your union: https://www.tuc.org.uk/joinunion Find or donate to food banks: https://www.trusselltrust.org/ Peace!

You didn't hear us coming, did you? Nick is doing weights and saving the planet, Jon is living in the moment, and both want to be postmen. See you soon!

Attention please, Nick & Jon have asserted their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the inventors of Battleships Monopoly. As ever we appreciate you but even more if you donate to the Refuge Christmas appeal: https://donate.refuge.org.uk/page/91965/donate/

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)