Monday, March 31, 2008
La bella, spaghetti, azzuri!!!!
I'm of to Naples in May, having just booked my tickets.... J was already going on a uni field trip and I am going out to join her for a few days before she starts. Can't honestly say it's somewhere I ever had a particular desire to visit, but now I'm going I'm very excited. We're going to climb up to the crater of Vesuvius, visit Pompeii and hang out in the city for a day as well. My impression of Naples is of a teeming city perched precariously between the bay and the mountains with loads of bustle and shady dealings in the back streets. Can't wait to find out if it's true.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Training: Day One
Today is the first day of my intensive training schedule to get back in shape for the 10K. I thought for ages about going out for a jog this evening when I got home, and it made me feel quite tired afterwards. Over the next few days, I hope to get as far as not having my afternoon cigarette, and perhaps even leaving work early with the express intention of definitely pulling on my trainers.
In fairness, Mother Nature conspired against me this evening. It's properly chucking it down - not in a "frolic in the spring-time dew" sort of way, but in a freezing, penetrating, drenching fashion. This, combined with my need to walk home from the supermarket with a hole in my shoe (and thus a soggy foot), meant I took an executive decision that my baby step for the day should be ensuring I don't come down with a nasty sniffle. I therefore am sat in the warmth of my room with a cup of hot coffee, about to get my exercise through the power of Playstation. My virtual pixellated footballer friends can try out a variety of training techniques without subjecting me to sore muscles or wet hair. It's all sports science at the end of the day.
In fairness, Mother Nature conspired against me this evening. It's properly chucking it down - not in a "frolic in the spring-time dew" sort of way, but in a freezing, penetrating, drenching fashion. This, combined with my need to walk home from the supermarket with a hole in my shoe (and thus a soggy foot), meant I took an executive decision that my baby step for the day should be ensuring I don't come down with a nasty sniffle. I therefore am sat in the warmth of my room with a cup of hot coffee, about to get my exercise through the power of Playstation. My virtual pixellated footballer friends can try out a variety of training techniques without subjecting me to sore muscles or wet hair. It's all sports science at the end of the day.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Ever wondered what 6 months worth of washing machine and dish water looks like?
Notice the inch thick coating of grey sludge. Mmm. Nice.
Friday, March 21, 2008
The British 10K
I've now signed up for the Asics British 10K on 6 July - See! That Tattie Run's again!!!!
Well, obviously not right now - it's a bank holiday weekend and as usual I'm sitting in my pants smoking fags, but soon I'll start back into training. I'm wondering what two years will have done in terms of affecting my time, especially given that I'm now on the wrong side of 30 - which seems to be widely accepted as the age where everythig starts to break down irreparably. I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that, even given the current state of Irish rugby, I might never play for the national side. Obviously I need to get into training again and try to remember the rules - I'm sure what they're lacking is an 11 stone, slow running, tactically inept player who hasn't so much as kicked a ball in anger since 1996.
But that is for next season - at the moment all my focus is on getting into shape for July. I have almost four months so hopefully I will be able to better my first time. Despite the furore that surrounded the original attempt, I didn't really train a huge amount - maybe twice a week, and I was smoking fags and drinking beer up until the day before the race. The whole focus was just getting round, but now I'd quite like to get under 50 minutes (i.e. a whole 1 minute improvement on my last time). The whole thing looks a bit shambolic if the registration process and web site is anything to go by, plus it looks like everyone leaves at the same time - so it'll probably take me 20 minutes to cross the starting line. I don't think they have anything as fancy as the chip in your shoe that Nike had to accurately measure each runners time.
What they do have is an obsession with all things British (well, it is the British 10K I suppose) - from the red, white and blue race shirt that we all receive, to the massive union jacks fluttering around the course, to the bands around the route playing rousing classics such as "Rule Britannia" and, erm, "True Colours".... Not sure I like all this "proud to be British" thing, so I'm gonna pretend to be proper Irish for the day I think.
I'm gonna buy a new phone over the weekend with a camera, so you'll be treated to lots of lovely pics of me looking sweaty - or sitting in the pub lamenting how badly my training is going.
Bring it on.
Well, obviously not right now - it's a bank holiday weekend and as usual I'm sitting in my pants smoking fags, but soon I'll start back into training. I'm wondering what two years will have done in terms of affecting my time, especially given that I'm now on the wrong side of 30 - which seems to be widely accepted as the age where everythig starts to break down irreparably. I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that, even given the current state of Irish rugby, I might never play for the national side. Obviously I need to get into training again and try to remember the rules - I'm sure what they're lacking is an 11 stone, slow running, tactically inept player who hasn't so much as kicked a ball in anger since 1996.
But that is for next season - at the moment all my focus is on getting into shape for July. I have almost four months so hopefully I will be able to better my first time. Despite the furore that surrounded the original attempt, I didn't really train a huge amount - maybe twice a week, and I was smoking fags and drinking beer up until the day before the race. The whole focus was just getting round, but now I'd quite like to get under 50 minutes (i.e. a whole 1 minute improvement on my last time). The whole thing looks a bit shambolic if the registration process and web site is anything to go by, plus it looks like everyone leaves at the same time - so it'll probably take me 20 minutes to cross the starting line. I don't think they have anything as fancy as the chip in your shoe that Nike had to accurately measure each runners time.
What they do have is an obsession with all things British (well, it is the British 10K I suppose) - from the red, white and blue race shirt that we all receive, to the massive union jacks fluttering around the course, to the bands around the route playing rousing classics such as "Rule Britannia" and, erm, "True Colours".... Not sure I like all this "proud to be British" thing, so I'm gonna pretend to be proper Irish for the day I think.
I'm gonna buy a new phone over the weekend with a camera, so you'll be treated to lots of lovely pics of me looking sweaty - or sitting in the pub lamenting how badly my training is going.
Bring it on.
Monday, March 17, 2008
'mon the daylight....
I left work just after 5 this evening, having survived the day on a diet of caffeine and water - J went back to Poland for a visit last night, and - having escorted her to the bus in Brixton at 2.30 - I only got about 4 hours sleep. Not enough for a lazy bastard like me.
Anyway, my point being..... I go the whole way home before it got dark! Woohoo! Bring on the summer.....
Anyway, my point being..... I go the whole way home before it got dark! Woohoo! Bring on the summer.....
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
My new run
awful website, terrible name but get registering and join me!
British 10K London Run 2008
oh, and err, I haven't signed up yet cos I can't til pay day, so don't all go rushing at once or else there'll be no room left for me....
British 10K London Run 2008
oh, and err, I haven't signed up yet cos I can't til pay day, so don't all go rushing at once or else there'll be no room left for me....
I'm in shock
I've just watched an episode of the Simpsons on Channel 4 that I hadn't seen before. Wonders will never cease.
Monday, March 10, 2008
I think the Tattie gutties might be back out again
I seem to have inadvertently signed up for another 10K - about time some might say, given the fact that the run that inspired this little wedge of the web is now 18 months in the past.
J is running/walking in a charity 10K round Hyde Park in the summer as part of her company's team - a noble endeavour and one that I intended to fully support her in. However, my plans to only be a spectator were potentially nobbled by a conversation down the pub where I discovered that my friend Imogen is also doing it, as is my erstwhile non-training partner and fellow Run Londoner, Craig. An ill-advised bit of cheek later, and I find myself at the centre of a bet which will, in all probability, end up stinging me for £50. Whilst suggesting I run in the race alongside Craig again, I took the opportunity to gloat over my 15 minute winning margin last time out. Cue a brief beer- and testosterone-fuelled debate over whether the gap would be more or less this time out, and a wager was formed. I should, of course, know that Craig does not generally enter into pub bets he doesn't have at least a 75% chance of winning.
So, if the gap is less than 15 minutes, I owe Craig a tenner for every minute inside the 15. If it's more than 15 minutes, he owes me a tenner for every minute past the 15.
I managed to save a bit of dignity and cash by setting a £50 limit either way and insisting that the winnings are donated to the charity. Let the tattie mashing commence.
J is running/walking in a charity 10K round Hyde Park in the summer as part of her company's team - a noble endeavour and one that I intended to fully support her in. However, my plans to only be a spectator were potentially nobbled by a conversation down the pub where I discovered that my friend Imogen is also doing it, as is my erstwhile non-training partner and fellow Run Londoner, Craig. An ill-advised bit of cheek later, and I find myself at the centre of a bet which will, in all probability, end up stinging me for £50. Whilst suggesting I run in the race alongside Craig again, I took the opportunity to gloat over my 15 minute winning margin last time out. Cue a brief beer- and testosterone-fuelled debate over whether the gap would be more or less this time out, and a wager was formed. I should, of course, know that Craig does not generally enter into pub bets he doesn't have at least a 75% chance of winning.
So, if the gap is less than 15 minutes, I owe Craig a tenner for every minute inside the 15. If it's more than 15 minutes, he owes me a tenner for every minute past the 15.
I managed to save a bit of dignity and cash by setting a £50 limit either way and insisting that the winnings are donated to the charity. Let the tattie mashing commence.
The world's 50 most powerful blogs
The Observer had a piece in their magazine yesterday on the world's 50 most powerful blogs. I was caught a little by surprise, as I had not been contacted by the editorial team prior to them compiling the article. As you know, whilst I am without doubt blazing a trail for irrelevant, dull, non-story diary blogging, I am very protective of my privacy and take great steps to ensure the secret doesn't get out and thrust me, blinking, into the spotlight of celebrity. I worry I might do a Britney or an Amy once the snowball effect took hold and I found myself unable to cope with being labeled "the future of mundane commentary on nothing whatsoever". Plus, I still get spots at the age of 30, and would hate to see myself lampooned by Heat for not wearing enough concealer of a morning.
So, a couple of phone calls and some hasty editing of the blog later to remove any semblance of wit or wisdom, I avoided catastrophe and ensured that STTR remains in the hands of you, my loyal inner circle of readers.
Don't say I never do anything for you.
If you're interested, the 2nd-51st most powerful blogs in the world can be read about here
So, a couple of phone calls and some hasty editing of the blog later to remove any semblance of wit or wisdom, I avoided catastrophe and ensured that STTR remains in the hands of you, my loyal inner circle of readers.
Don't say I never do anything for you.
If you're interested, the 2nd-51st most powerful blogs in the world can be read about here
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Kwality proof reading
After trying to watch Celtic lose in Barcelona tonight on the STV website (it kept crashing), I had a quick browse at Rangers' section to see if I can watch the game on Thursday in the UEFA Cup. This story caught my eye:
"Kris Boyd says having fellow striker Daniel Cousin at Ibrox at least until the end of the season can give Rangers the impotace to compete for trophies on four fronts."
Impotace?
It's so badly spelled that it took me a while to work out what they meant - it doesn't even look like a word.
Best not to let the work experience kid write your copy, guys..... You're emplieing us Huns are all illiterate idiots.....
"Kris Boyd says having fellow striker Daniel Cousin at Ibrox at least until the end of the season can give Rangers the impotace to compete for trophies on four fronts."
Impotace?
It's so badly spelled that it took me a while to work out what they meant - it doesn't even look like a word.
Best not to let the work experience kid write your copy, guys..... You're emplieing us Huns are all illiterate idiots.....
Monday, March 03, 2008
posting for the sake of it
I'm in a total creative vacuum at the moment. Can think of nothing exciting to say and have no enthusiasm for saying it anyway. Not helped by the fact that I noticed in the Londonpaper today that the nondescript guy who wrote a couple of columns about Soho now has his own, regular column in the paper. There but for the grace of God, eh? Only difference is, he obviously has stuff to write about, whereas I am as dry as a 90 year old granny.
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