mjmooney

The first person in the UK to make a phone call on a mobile was Ernie Wise.

I feel your pain. Amazingly, I'm still in the groove. I expected to be hospitalised after yesterday.

Just got back from my Boxing Day race (mudbath) and had a few large Glenmorangies. Not really my malt of choice but the missus bought it me as it was ten quid off in Morrisons. Fair enough. Later? Dunno. Got a house full of booze, could be virtually anything. Certainly some decent wine with dinnr and lots of beer during the match. After that, could be anything really.

I voted Petrov. I never thought Barry was captain material in the first place.

I think you will find it's the 'G word' Bicks. They get very offended if you don't capitalise it. Well I suppose Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy are capitalised, so why not.

Well as a hardcore atheist, I always feel totally creeped out in churches, BUT.... for nostalgic reasons I do love singing Xmas carols. There is usually a carol concert (as opposed to service) in Leeds Town Hall, and I do go to that most years. This year they had it in Leeds Parish Church (effectively the Anglican "cathedral") and I did reluctantly go, but it was a slightly uncomfortable experience I must admit. As others have said, I like the architecture and the history, but all the superstitious ritual and mumbo jumbo seems just weird to me. The only church services as such I have been to in recent years have been the usual weddings and funerals. Even then I lurk at the back and keep my head down!

It's a great experience, believe me. What, walking round in 8 hours? As to that I wouldn't know. I managed it in 3h 39m (a l-o-o-o-n-g time ago!)

It's a great experience, believe me.

Well, four plus, obviously. European footie requires a bigger squad. Which ones though, that's the question.

Well yes, but TBH only when you start getting much over ten miles or so. I was alluding to hydration in a broader sense; before (not too much in one go) and after. Obviously with seasonal variations. I would suggest that if it wasn’t the pain of carrying liquid that virtually any run over say 20 minutes and you can start to think about liquid. Having run/swim/cycled at an ok/good level in swimming and cycling I would take on fluid at a fairly regular rate; small amounts, but enough. Obviously in these its easy; liquid at the end of the pool, liquid on the bike. Its well known that by the time you want to start taking on liquid its already too late [cue aload of sport research]. Certainly training the body to take on liquid/fuel in any activity is good. Yeah, that's fair enough. You shouldn't start any activity if your fluid levels aren't topped up. Some people worry that they'll be busting for a piss on their run, but I find the urge goes away very quickly once you get going. But I get a bit exasperated with people who think there should be drink stations on a 10K race - there is really no need. If you think there is, carry a bottle; peoples' metabolisms vary I guess, but I still say it's more psychological than anything. Up in the half-marathon and upwards distances though, rehydration DOES become essential. As Nick says, camelbacks (water bag backpacks with a drinking tube) are good, but I just carry a bottle in a "holster" arrangement.

Well yes, but TBH only when you start getting much over ten miles or so.

Depends on the race. The big charity-driven events that attract thousands of entrants (London Marathon, Great North Run, etc.) tend to be pricey - up to fifty quid (or more). These big ones (what a mate of mine calls "tarts' races") tend be oversubscribed and hard to get into anyway. But local races (often 10Ks or similar) can be a tenner or less. Some of them have chip-timing (where you get a widget to tie onto your shoe and which measures your time as you cross the start and finish line), most will give you a (probably naff) souvenir for finishing, usually a T-shirt, sometimes a mug, etc. (we have given away bottles of beer at our club races!), and results tend to be up on a website somewhere within 24 hours. Discount for UKAA members is usually about 15-20%. Club membership costs can vary wildly, but should work out cheaper than gym membership (ours is only 15 quid a year). Oh I see. I'm gonna get some trainers and a watch get training upto a steady mile or two, and look into a club then I think, I'm some way before 'novice' still at the minute haha. Sounds sensible. I'd contact your local club and ask them if they have any minimum ability required for entry. They probably vary; ours just asks that you be capable of running nonstop for half an hour - regardless of pace.

That's basically right. I'm on the race comittee for our club, which stages two 10Ks each year. Overheads can include stuff like hire of changing facilities (we use a local school), possible fees for policing (and roads may need to be temporarily closed), St. John's Ambulance, advertising, signage, souvenirs, refreshments, postage, etc., etc. We also give a percentage to local charities, and what little is left goes toward club funds.

Depends on the race. The big charity-driven events that attract thousands of entrants (London Marathon, Great North Run, etc.) tend to be pricey - up to fifty quid (or more). These big ones (what a mate of mine calls "tarts' races") tend be oversubscribed and hard to get into anyway. But local races (often 10Ks or similar) can be a tenner or less. Some of them have chip-timing (where you get a widget to tie onto your shoe and which measures your time as you cross the start and finish line), most will give you a (probably naff) souvenir for finishing, usually a T-shirt, sometimes a mug, etc. (we have given away bottles of beer at our club races!), and results tend to be up on a website somewhere within 24 hours. Discount for UKAA members is usually about 15-20%. Club membership costs can vary wildly, but should work out cheaper than gym membership (ours is only 15 quid a year).

Really, I thought it was one of the worse books I have ever read. The man is an arse. Well, yeah. I didn't say I thought he was a nice bloke. But like most sportsmen at the very top of their game, he is clearly completely driven and obsessive - an attitude which I'm sure helped him overcome cancer. I just found the story fascinating. And I'm not a cyclist of any description.

Oh and I forgot to mention - if you're a member of a UKAA affiliated running club, you get a discount on most race entry fees.

Can't see it, but good luck to him. I read "It's Not About The Bike" and was impressed, but I guess the jury's still out on the doping question. I'll keep an open mind. But I'll certainly be watching with interest.

It'll come. It's just a matter of building up stamina - but it's also a mental thing. Keep up the training regime and look back in six months or a year and you'll be staggered at the rate of improvement. And as I keep saying - try and find a local running club (as opposed to a gym). Having like-minded mates to run with can make all the difference. Most clubs welcome even absolute beginners, so don't worry about not being good enough. And if the others are anything like mine, the membership will probably include loads of fit (in every sense) women!

Gait is the way your feet and legs move. Watch people running and you'll be amazed at how differently everybody does it. Long strides, short strides, straight knees, bent knees, heel hits first, toes hit first, and so on. But the main thing appears to be what they call pronation, i.e. whether your foot rolls inward or outward as it hits the ground. Different shoes are structured to deal with this - using the wrong sort can cause or exacerbate injuries. Have a look at the Runners' World guide to choosing shoes for an explanation. EDIT: As for cost, how long's a piece of string? More expensive does not necessarily mean better, provided you find ones that suit. Prices typically range between 40 and 100 quid, but some stores (e.g. Sports Shoes Unlimited - although it's in Bradford!) do sizable discounts on "last year's" models.

I think with running shoes - whatever the gait analysis dudes in the shop tell you - you just have to try different ones until you find some that work for you. I've settled on Asics, but not everybody likes them.

Garmin Shop around for prices. Amazon, etc. all do them.

Never used a HRM myself, but one or two of my clubmates swear by them. If you're thinking of getting a stopwatch you may as well get a GPS one. The prices have come down a lot and they're great for telling you how far you went, how long it took, and (therefore) at what speed. The fancier ones can download data into your computer and do all sorts of training analysis. Garmin seems to be the most popular brand.

Yes - perfect, I'd say. There are various "pre-planned" 10K training programmes on the web, and Runners World magazine usually has something of the sort. But ultimately everybody finds a different schedule.

University, 2,000 or so employees (not a "company" as such).

You RANG, Sir? Trim morphs into Captain Spearmint, I'm impressed. I'm also massively impressed with Corleone's times, I can't compete with that. I do about 20-25 miles a week in training, plus races about every 4-6 weeks (5K, 10K, half-marathons, etc. plus local cross-country league stuff). My 10K PB is a fairly mediocre 43m 22s, but bear in mind I didn't (re-)start running until I turned fifty. But yeah, the advice here is all good - get decent shoes, don't overdo the buildup - you should increase your speed OR your distance (no more than 10% per week), but not both at the same time. Nick has a point about off-road, but latest research suggests a bit of hard surface impact is actually good for your joints. Get a copy of Bob Glover's book "The Competitive Runner's Handbook", check out the Runners World UK website. And enter some races. And the advice I always give in these threads - join your local running club. Good advice, competitive incentive and (if you're lucky) a good social craic.