Always run application within ASP.NET and external web hosting
<p>I'm creating a ASP.NET .NET 4.0 website and part of this site requires that there is an "always running" application. Normally I would create a Windows Service for this, but the site will be hosted within a shared hosting environment, and unless I get a virtual server, then this isn't a possibility.</p>

<p>My first thought was to have a thread running in the background that would do this and it would be created on Application_Start and destroyed on Application_End. I've looked around and this seems like it could be an option, but I would of course have to hit the site in order to cause the Application_Start to be called and if the associated AppPool is recylced, then this process would have to be repeated (so I believe?!?).</p>

<p>Within a normal ASP.NET website does these seem possible?</p>
