Kitman

I once got upgraded from a Fiat Punto to a C class Mercedes at Knock airport. God bless the Irish.

Where's 'here' for you, Zathras? And are you still bored and a bit down?

Noone has written him off. And if he had a good run with us prior to the injury, it would have been different. Messi has afterall shown a decent form prior to any injury he might suffer.. Fair enough

On the basis of that logic SW, Messi is "shit" whenever he comes back from injury. The question is whether you write someone off as shit. Gosling could be brilliant or shit, we don't know. He's been out for ages and needs a run of games to get back into playing. A run in the reserves and some bench appearances is probably the way to do it. To write him off as "shit" seems a bit premature to me, if that's what anyone's doing here.

No problem, just let me know whenever if you want it. The longest distance is 34 kms, which I'm doing a week Sunday. After that you taper down the distances to build up energy for the race. So I'll only run the full distance on the day! That's good advice re building up your training. I'd say the important thing is to not to rush things, you don't have to increase distance every week. Doing too much at once is a big mistake, as is wearing the wrong clothes or, worst of all, the wrong trainers.....over longer distances poor kit leads to stupid but painful injuries (like blisters or sore nipples) and wearing the wrong shoes for your running profile will give you leg/back muscle and toe injuries. The other thing is to make sure you hydrate properly and do some decent stretching after running, and to eat something straightaway to put energy back into your muscles. Most of it is common sense though!

I'd absolutely agree with this. I had it in my head that because when I was younger I was always a sprinter rather than doing any sort of distance, that I couldn't physically run anything long and the hardest part was getting over that mental block that would kick in when I've done a few miles. Lost count of the number of times a while ago that I set out to run 7-10 miles and ended up stopping after 3-4 and thinking I couldn't do any more, when in fact I was quite capable. Obviously that's a little different to marathon distances like. When I was in my 20s I used to think 10k was a massive distance. But then I mainly spent my time sitting on my arse drinking and smoking weed. It's just what you're used to, and I had to build up to where I am now. But I've never run more than 30k, and the marathon is about 42k If I listened to the defeatist wimp in my head I wouldn't bother turning up on the day

Don't know anything about Ruiz but presumably he wasn't the only striker available. Of course not but 100% guaranteed, no one would have been complaining about the summer or the Carroll money if we had spent 10m+ on him. Ridiculous but true. As I said I don't know anything about him, or most of the other strikers we were linked with. However I'd hope with at least 7 months to play with, they'd have found somebody decent that ticked all their boxes. As it was we couldn't get our targets 'over the line', so it's all academic.

He looks about as interested as having waited 5 minutes for a butterfly chicken breast at Nandos though, so I dont really pity him for finding himself in the back of the queue yet again. Do you have Nandos in Bungholen or wherever it was you're from in Norway?

I'm enjoying the Norwich match now, when I should be going to bed.

I'm enjoying the Norwich match now, when I should be going to bed.

Don't know anything about Ruiz but presumably he wasn't the only striker available.

Auckland Marathon on 31 Oct. One of the cool things about it is you get to run over the harbour bridge (without getting run over) Nice one. Are you working off a proper training programme and that, or are you an old hand at this sort of thing? I'm genuinely considering applying for the GNR next year, but I don't think I've got a marathon in me. Yes, I did a fair bit of research on-line and started off with a generic programme (from marathontraining.com). Then I signed up with a personal trainer who refined it for me (reckoned I was over training and not doing enough speed and hill work). The guy's nails, is a specialist long distance runner (his top race distance is 100 miles or just under 4 marathons!) so was a lot of help. I've also done some gym work with him designed for helping with running. Happy to share his running programme if you're interested - it's just for the 10 weeks or so leading up the race though iirc. The funny thing is I've found a lot of distance running is in the head. There's some basics like nutrition, stretching and recovery, as well as keeping fuelled and hydrated, but a lot of it is just persevering regardless of weather or how you're feeling or thinking. The satisfaction comes from beating the part of you that just wants to jack it in or sit in a comfy chair when it's pissing down. I run because I love it and having a race to look forward to (like the GNR) is a great motivator....but for me the marathon is a bucket list sort of thing. I'll get through it then think seriously about whether to do it again as the time commitment is a bit of a drag (for instance you do a long run on Sundays which typically varies between 2-3 hours). You sound like you look after yourself, are pretty fit and you should have a long stride (you jammy bastard). I'd be amazed if you couldn't nail the GNR especially with a good lead time to build up to it. The question is whether you can be arsed to do the training or you allow yourself to talk yourself out of it.

Auckland Marathon on 31 Oct. One of the cool things about it is you get to run over the harbour bridge (without getting run over)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Geordie-...249004358464383 from the beginning of the blackburn game The bloke on the far right can't be pleased with that pic. Looks a bit special needs.

If my prediction for the season was a CL finish then you'd have a point. 'It's only 6 games' is precisely right, and exactly what I've said. If you've noticed evidence of me getting carried away with myself and claiming that beating average sides means we'll beat the very top sides then feel free to post it. Doubt you will though tbf. I think cause Chez made a huge post that is covertly pro-ashley, the weaker minded amonst us are considering boarding a train without knowing the destination. Time will tell if it's wishful thinking or not. I'm not sure that anyone really knows what Ashley is up to.....at the same time you can't argue with results.....the question is whether it's a renaissance or a false dawn. I'm still strongly anti-Ashley but at the same time you have to give credit where it's due and enjoy the run we're on.

I've no idea what this debate is about.

Good OP. I agree the current trajectory is positive. Worries remain the lack of depth in the squad to cover injuries and suspensions and I still believe we need a better cutting edge upfront. However the current regime especially Pardew deserves credit for delivering the goods so far. I think having a negative stance towards things like the sacking of Hughton or some of the transfer decisions was reasonable at the time i.e. things are panning out with hindsight. I still think not buying a striker in the summer was a mistake. However if we continue to improve, dodge bullets re injuries and suspensions and amass points then you have to say they got it right. I hope they don't use this as an excuse not to spend in Jan though.

I think Bruce is doing a great job. Crisis what crisis?

The landlord at the Diamond better wait up.....

* snigger *

Take him, eh? Fnaar, fnaar

I knew a couple of lads from Aberdeen, brothers, they were as crazy as fuck, always on the piss and into heavy drugs. Both dead now. They claimed they were typical Aberdonians.

17k run tonight. Another 62k to do this week. 5 weeks out from the race, can't wait.

He'd need to be wearing flippers by the sound of it

Why you would leave all of that for Sydney is beyond me