Kitman

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

Yeah. Not exactly, but there'd be less expectation. Isn't that the point? Its the same as the fullback position. We needed a player, we sold one, got one in, and still need one more. Only difference with the striker situation is the player we sold was for an absolute fortune and was replaced for nothing. If you believe (as I do) that we're operating on a 'one out one in' principle, then Carroll was replaced by Ba. Which means unless the likes of Lovenkrands, Ranger or (please God) Ameobi get transferred in Jan, there's little prospect of seeing a new striker this season. In the summer Smith, Guthrie and I think Loven's contracts are up which gives more headroom. If we were serious about kicking on we'd recruit a new striker, CB and RB but presumably that would shoot the wage bill/budget to shit so I doubt we'll see anything in Jan, especially if the current rate of progress is maintained. Which is a crying shame. Especially since I assume Ba will be off to play in the Africa Nations Cup, which would leave us very short upfront. Ameobi could play for Nigeria but I see that as improving the squad if he does.

England have been pretty terrible so I don't get the optimism. I'm probably going to England vs Scotland, just sorting out the tickets. Went to ABs v France at the weekend, it was mint. No comparison with the toon crowd on a good day though, not least because the match was over after 15 minutes.

One of my Kiwi mates is a toon fan but apart from I see the occasional toon shirt here and there. Plenty of footy fans at work though (incl West Ham, Brum, Wolves) so get a bit of PL banter. NZ seems to be a Mackem free zone, so no FTM craic.

Yeah. Not exactly, but there'd be less expectation. Isn't that the point? Its the same as the fullback position. We needed a player, we sold one, got one in, and still need one more. Only difference with the striker situation is the player we sold was for an absolute fortune and was replaced for nothing. If you believe (as I do) that we're operating on a 'one out one in' principle, then Carroll was replaced by Ba. Which means unless the likes of Lovenkrands, Ranger or (please God) Ameobi get transferred in Jan, there's little prospect of seeing a new striker this season. In the summer Smith, Guthrie and I think Loven's contracts are up which gives more headroom. If we were serious about kicking on we'd recruit a new striker, CB and RB but presumably that would shoot the wage bill/budget to shit so I doubt we'll see anything in Jan, especially if the current rate of progress is maintained. Which is a crying shame.