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Had my first experience of Xbox One Party Chat last night - yeah its pretty much broken!!

Also had fun trying to play bothe Battlefield and Fifa which were having great difficulty in connecting to games. Fifa was fine 1v1 but kept crashing going into 2v2. I

I will try Killzone on PS4 later and see if its any better.

I dont know, I find the PS4 to have a flashier version of the PS3 interface and a bit unambitious if Im honest.

On the other hand I see what Microsoft are trying to do, but it just feels a bit broken and they have changed things they didnt need to change so hopefully with some updates they will get it sorted.

I managed to convince the mrs that the recently moved to the bedroom PS3 that was replaced in the lounge by the xbox one should be replaced with a PS4. Then due to my little one not sleeping I was up and about at 3:30am this morning and first managed to get a killzone bundle from John Lewis that I need to pickup tomorrow, but then came across a deal from Amazon where they are selling the mega pack £50 off because the box is dented (dont know how badly, dont care as long as it all works) so picked that up too so hopefully after my xbox issues last week at least one will work and I can offload the other one somewhere. Looking forward to Killzone and Resogun!!

I just returned the warranty, my home insurance does the same thing.

Xbox fitness is very good. I like NFS: Rivals too.

I am a previous early adopter on consoles too. I remember spending shed loads importing an N64 from Japan. These days I don't play so much but still like to mess with new tech. The reason I actually went after the one was all from watching an IGN demo of xbox fitness, it looks fantastic. I saw the insanity workout and I do lots of training for triathlon so was interested in how hard it will actually be.

So far all I have played is Ryse which is pretty but basically a slow Dynasty Warriors. Everything else seems to have a huge patch and my internet isn't particularly fast so left it over night to download.

I have another one so hopefully it will work when I set it up later. Game made me buy the warranty for holding on to the console for a few hours.

I saw that they were planning to take the word "gullible" out of the dictionary next year. Perhaps you could check for me?

Nice. Basically said he wouldn't sell it without.

To be honest after the crap with my broken one and trying in 30 plus shops I couldn't give a shite. Personally I feel it's a bit of a waste but at the same time I believe anybody or drinks or smokes or gambles are the biggest mugs in the world so each to their own I guess :-)

Interesting. I will look into it. If it really covers breakage, ie dropped controllers etc then I may consider keeping as I have a 2 year old but need to see how real it is they would replace. Still 60 quid for a warranty is a bit steep I think.

I have another one so hopefully it will work when I set it up later. Game made me buy the warranty for holding on to the console for a few hours.

Asda gave me a refund.

I got a different response from the guy I spoke too and if he had said I didn't need the funds there I would have done it. My issue though is that it shouldn't need a deposit, they should send a courier to swap at the door like Apple and Sony do.

Mine came dead on arrival. After 2 hours on phone with MS they said they could replace it in 3-5 days if I pay a deposit of 600 pounds. I ended up taking it back to asda and left without an xbox for a few weeks.

I don't think its that hard to get up to shape to be honest. I went from smoking with the occasional 5 a side to running sub 45 min 10k in 6 months. Didn't do anything for another 6 months after baby was born and then 18 months later I've done a couple of half ironmans in reasonably good times (ended up walking the run at ironman Austin 70.3 on Sunday as ongoing hip flexor problem but still average 9 1/2 min miles for a 2:07 half marathon).

In the last week I'm hardly training due to tapering but I'm eating more to ensure I've got enough glycogen for Sunday.

I feel like such a fatty. I'm so tempted to go out every night but I know I can't.

I did a gentle run yesterday and did 4 miles in 27 mins so I'm on the right track, I just don't want to lose my fitness or put weight back on.

I find tapering hard, although injury had sort of forced me to lessen my hours over the last couple of weeks and even had to take a pass on the half marathon I was supposed to do the week before last to make sure Im fit for the 27th.

Now I will have 10 days of just doing short sessions with speed work, swimming lots and trying to eat healthy but also sort of carb load at the same time.

I remember running once in the same race as Julian Goater, Basil Heatley and Dave Moorcroft. 

He doesnt run so much nowadays as had quite a serious achillies injury, but I imagine fit would leave me for dead despite me being 25 years younger than him.

I have regularly been battered a number of times riding up hills and doing TT's with him.

Also I recommend (shameless plug for my coach - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Goater) checking out this book for info on running and stretches etc http://www.amazon.co.uk/Julian-Goater/e/B00613T966

 

My hamstrings are really tight. I know because when doing these abs exercises on YouTube I literally can only just lift my legs off the floor when lying down. How do you know the knee pain is hamstring related? And how do you stretch them?

 

Basically looking at the image below where the hamstring attaches under and behind the knee, I tend to get pain around there - for ages I thought it was ITB and used a roller (which is also a good idea but hurts lots) but was told by oesteo that it was my hammies.

As far as stretches themselves, you can do a seated stretch cold, see below, just reach down on the leg you are stretching

Also if ever your calves get tight you can do stretches off a step - i.e. one foot flat and the other you put half on the step and bend it down to get the stretch - bend the opposite knee to change where in the calf it is stretching.

Argh! 3 weeks before Birmingham and I've started getting side stitch. Also my left knee pain comes and goes and I don't know which way to go with my gait whether to do what I've always done and force my feet straight which has never given me problems, or let my feet fall naturally. Or it may just be to do with the speeds I'm getting to (doing park runs at 6:30 / mile now).

Alot of the knee pain I get tends to be my hamstrings being overly tight - I end up having to stretch them 5 times a day to stop it.

I have a similar issue in that I have a half marathon coming up sunday but currently have issues with hamstrings and hip flexors - hoping a couple of sports massages, ice and no proper training (maybe a swim) will mean I go in fit. I have a more important (tri) race at the end of the month so will leave it if at all risky. Hoping to get near 1:30 but going to be hard I think, Ive recently ran a 19:03 5K but that hurt alot.

 

Any advice from more experienced runners would be welcomed here as I'm due to run the Great North 6 weeks today and its about time I tried to get prepared. I'm not in any way fit and have a target to complete the race within 2 and half hours.

Bit of background. Started training in November things were going ok until February I hit 7 miles and ended up injuring my heel. Thought it was plantar fasciitis but it has since healed although in the meantime caught a dose of cellulitis in the shin which again has now healed. During this time I gave up my place in the GNR to a mate who last week also pulled out. So I've taken my place back.

Started again on Saturday with a 2.5 mile run and this morning did 3 miles, not at any great pace mind you (12.2) but I think I can concentrate on pace later on. There's a bit of soreness in the thighs so will rest up tomorrow then go again on Tuesday, keeping it at 3 miles all next week and upping the distance each week as I progress. Aiming to train 4 times a week up to the race date, all being well.

I know 6 weeks is not a very long time, and 13 miles is a long way but do you have suggestions on how to increase the training distances in a way that I'm not going to injure or kill myself over the next month and a half? Got myself a nice app, RunKeeper, some decent asics shoes to correct my overpronation (the reason for my original heel injury) and a load of motivation, which may or may not dissipate over the next month.

 

Only just spotted this.

 

Unless you already have better advice, I'd not bother training above 10 miles for your first HM.

 

Then you need to get to a point where if you can start slow on a long run, and just keep plodding along at 10 mins / mile. That's the key pace to hit, it means you're about 2 hours 10 mins for a half marathon, and close enough to shave those 10 mins off to get below 2 hours when you pick it up a bit.

 

Training when you're starting off is all about getting the distance on to your legs. Go out slowly every other night doing 4 miles, then do a long run every weekend, early as you can in the morning. 1 week do 6, then 8, then 10, then 4, then 6, then 8, then 10.

 

Get some decent cushioned running trainers, like some Asics Gel Nimbus or something, and some decent more mile socks etc.

 

Finally, eat well. Lots of meat, No crap carbs such as cakes, biscuits, chocolate etc. 

 

Good luck!

 

Just to add a little extra to this.

You mentioned about injuries. Ice, sports massages and maybe something like a roller would help a lot with some of those injuries, especially the ice.

 

 

 

Sharon Garbett I sound like one??? You are one you tosser.......Let me say something until you know the full facts regarding my accident keep your **** comments to yourself. It was a night time incident and to be a lone female surrounded by 4 or 5 blokes screaming and shouting at you when you are in a state of shock is not something I ever hope to encounter again.

 

Well, that escalated quickly!  Shouldn't have a driving licence, that one.

 

I met someone similar this week, I was on my bike and because I didnt want to put my expensive bike in the bike lane that had a pothole in it I was shouted at and when I responded was chased and pushed off my bike. They also stole my iphone out my back pocket and threw it in the main road. Supposidly I "legally" have to use the cycle lane, I think people who dont understand the rules of the road should automatically lose their license......and maybe have their fingers broken.... Anyway I didnt get the license plate properly so cops cant follow it up - very annoying - will get a go pro for my bike to stop that happening again.

Anyway TDF was a bit of a mess, shame as was looking forward to the Lotto and Pharm Quickstep trains up against each other.

Lombard finally showed up in the UFC too and then called out Bisping, who hopefully will beat Belfort and have bigger things to worry about.

Silva is a beast!!

Personally didn't enjoy much of 148 apart from the Silva Sonnen fight.

Saying that nice to see McKenzie getting ko'd.

At least Hardy and Sass are on the card and I hoping McGuire ends up on it at some point.

I would have said Struve is a top contender, or at least a top 10 fighter, in reality he hasnt got a hope against the top top guys, although who outside of Cain, Junior and Overeem is there?

Hopefully should have some money by the end of the week so will see what I can get ticket-wise as would like to take the other half as she has become a bit of a fan over the last year or so.

Anyway we have 2 events this weekend, although not sure 147 is the greatest card (which usually means it will be awesome).

Anyone interested in the Nottingham card?

Cheapest tickets currently £165, I think if I do buy, I will just go whole hog and get as close to ringside as possible.

Don't do ringside unless you are in the first five rows. The view is shit. First rows in the stands are my favourites and not as expensive.

I've been to the last four UK cards and the Swedish one, giving it miss this time I think. Great nights though.

Ive been once to the Bisping v Akiyama card at the o2 and had reasonably good seats.

I think you may be right though, could be better looking down.

Anyone interested in the Nottingham card?

Cheapest tickets currently £165, I think if I do buy, I will just go whole hog and get as close to ringside as possible.

Now I think of it I think I watched a few prelims on the first UFC on fox card on UFC.tv.

I'm tempted as I think The undercard is really good, might then just go to sleep and watch the main card when I wake up.

Great card this weekend, even a couple of the undercards would make most main cards. I know prelims are on facebook, but does anybody know about where the rest of the undercard Hardy, Miller, Barboza etc would be on?