You don't look like a runner

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 ...

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) ...