No.8™ - Member of the Month October 2008
Fetch says: It's been a very long time coming, but I don't think there has ever been a more worthwhile winner of this award, for his incredible journey from fat boy to fast boy. And bliddy fast too. And I'd also like to say a personal thanks to him, for being one of the first people who gave me belief in what's been happening here over the last four years. Thanks dude, love ya. And of course, I wouldn't be doin' ma job if I didn't take off a running mitt, slap you about the face with it, and challenge you to go visit our wonderful sponsor , who will give No.8™ £100 of goodies for winning.
Maclennane asks: Isn't he a bit short to play No8?
No.8™ says: Hey, it ain't what you've got, its what you do with it
Su2 asks: I know full well that interval sessions have improved my speed so much over the past 3 months... what would be the ultimate No8 Interval session and why? Well done sexy legs :-)
No.8™ says: Mmmm, so many to chose from. Summer, 24 x 400m on the track is the best one. 400's are just great and I get into a rhythm knocking out one after the other. The track is just great for this session and by the end the endorphins are racing. In Winter its got to be 8 x 1 mile reps, round the cycle paths in the dark and frost.
Max71 asks: How did the transformation from Pie Eater to Interval Rocking God happen?
No.8™ says: How? I was always "big boned" and from 15 onwards enjoyed life to the full - food, drink and cigarettes. This progressed through most of my adult life and as middle age approached I began to tell on my overall health and well being. The light bulb moment was after the birth of my son and before the birth of my daughter (who was on her way), having struggled up the stairs, puffiing and blowing in my early 30's thought "how the hell am I going to play with my kids, in fact how long will they have a Dad for?". I started dieting and lost some weight, but needed exercise. Having recently watched the London Marathon (2004) and read somewhere that running was the highest calorie burner, joined the gym at work, jumped on the treadmill and lasted 28 secs. Never looked back since then.
NZC asks: My question is similar to Su2 - I see you've increased your mileage in the past two years, but looks like you are heavily into speedwork. What do you think has helped you the most to your present PBs - the mileage, the speedwork? Or is it just that you've lost so much weight by running the mileage, that you can just run faster? Or is it the combination of the 3?
No.8™ says: A combination of the 3 has helped get the PB's. The mileage and the weight loss contribute, however I believe the specific speed training has contributed the most to the improvements.
DeeGee asks: I own a football shirt with the number 5 on the back. This is because Gary Chivers wore 5 in the best Brighton team of the 1990s, and Steve Palmer wore 5 in one of my favourite Watford teams ever. If I had to choose another number, I'd be 7 (Pele and Dalglish), 9 (all strikers) or 10 (Platini). Why 8?
No.8™ says: Troy Aikman (former Dallas Cowboys QB) and Steven Gerrard are the sporting links to No. 8. Its always been my "lucky" number for me and also signifies "inner strength".
royalgreen asks: No 8, What do you think is your biggest achievement in terms of PB's?
No.8™ says: It has to be Abingdon Marathon, purely for the time and effort involved. A marathon was planned from over 18 months out and specifically for Abingdon I started about 11 months out, fortunately on the day everything worked out, lady luck was on my side and the hard work paid off.
james1982a asks: Congratulations No 8. Intervals, The Fonz or Dick Van Dyke?
No.8™ says: Intervals - They ROCK
Max71 asks: Do you roll too?
No.8™ says: Max, I'd roll with you anyday ;0)
santababy asks: hurrah :) not only did i nominate you every month for like, forever, i even got out my bed to see the results after getting woke up by a txt from Jenj (yeah cheers jen) now i cant think of a question! hmmmm ok, why running? you are amazingly good, were you good at it at school and just let it slip or was it a huge surprise to find you were super speedy? What does your family think of it? oh and well done :):):)
No.8™ says: Santa, thanks for your support and messages, they mean a lot. Running - because when I started trying to lose weight I read that running was the best. I never played any sport in my life, barring 2 years around 15 - 16 years old and I played football, in goal (when you're a big lad you fill much more of the goal). Yes it was and still is a huge surprise that I am fairly quick. My family think I am barking mad, slightly obsessive and wonder what the hell has happened. I think it only sunk in for my parents when they came and watched me at Abingdon and realised the enormity of it all.
Last of the Time Lords asks: Many congratulations and well deserved! You come across as well read and it's clear that you've studied hard (and trained hard!) to achieve the amazing progress you've made. What have you been reading and / or where are you obtaining all your knowledge?
No.8™ says: I read everything and anything on running (mainly on the web, not so much books) I love reading studies, reports and all types of articles. Forums offer so many opinions and views on training and places like Fetch have a massive cross section of people with some really experienced athletes. I could talk hours to guys that have "been there and done that". I get a lot of knowledge off my coach, we look and talk about at lots of aspects of training, the same with guys at both of the clubs I train with.
Gobi asks: ABOUT BLOODY TIME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Compression socks, are you sure ? Lighter is faster or weight is strength = POWER ?? 2.30 marathon, are you up to the challenge? We have been chasing each others times since we both joined fetch and long may it continue so keep it going mate. Intervals rock !!!!!!!!
No.8™ says: Yeah, the socks are good, my calves definitely feel less battered after a long run or race. Lighter is faster? Ask me that 6 months ago and I would have said yes definitely ..... Now, I'm not so sure. I actually put on 2kgs through my marathon training as my recovery was suffering and I didn't feel strong - that definitely helped. But this Winter I do want to try trimming more weight off - 75kg is a lot to get moving fast. You bet I'm up for a 2:30 marathon although it will be 2010, not next year. Since I joined Fetch I have been chasing your PB's and still am, although there's less of a gap between them nowadays - not bad for 2 guys that use totally contrasting training methods.
Kev Scone asks: Well done No.8. :) If you could offer one piece of advice to someone trying to achieve a goal what would it be?
No.8™ says: Believe. You can achieve anything you want if you believe in yourself and have the desire, hunger and passion to reach that goal. Particularly when things aren't going to plan.
Too Much Water asks: congratulations to one of the nicest people on FE. richly deserved. first, how many times did people think you were Fetcheveryone when you had it on the back of your Biggleswade vest? which race performance is your favourite? (not necessarily your best, but the one that gave you the most satisfaction at the time).
No.8™ says: LOL - loads of time, they used to come up and shake my hand saying "brilliant website Fetch", of course I 'fessed up .......... eventually. The greatest satisfaction was my first race - Buntingford 10m. It was in December 2004, 7 months after I had first started running and crossing the line was the beginning of everything here today. I proved to myself there was no going back and that distant goals were achievable if you are prepared to put in the hard graft.
mic asks: Rockin No.8, well done :-) What was the hardest lesson you learnt during your training , that you can share with us please? Who would you love to run with if you could?? *I know its two questions*
No.8™ says: I've learnt so many hard lessons - the hardest for me is patience. I want everything tomorrow, I want faster and better overnight and in reality it is a long old slog. Chances are if you do rush things, take shortcuts or do too much, it falls down around you and you end up further back than when you started. I suppose the one person I wish I could run with is my Coach, Graham "Buff" Bufton (aka SluggyB on Fetch), he's worn the t-shirt and in is younger days was a top class runner. It would have been great if we could run together, but as it is I have to make do with him bending my ear from his bike or shouting from the trackside. (I am however going to beat him into retirement and better his PB marathon of 2:28, when he says he will give up coaching for ever)
Hamsterboy asks: Congratulations on the win, on all the times that you had so many nominations, and so many votes, was there ever a time where you thought to yourself why haven't you won?
No.8™ says: No, not at all. After all what I do is all about me, I run for me, to make me better and beat my PB's. I don't do it for anyone else, I just do what many others do and run. The people that do things for others, organise Fecthpoints (RuthB2), Fetch Mile races and the MickNPhil Half Marathon for example are the ones that deserve the nominations. Also people like Mick, Oldbiddy and Buzzard's Sis who really are amazing and inspirational people in what they achieve amongst everything else in life.
RuthB2 asks: Huge congratulations!! For you what is the absolute best, and absolute worst things about running? Can you pinpoint one event or day or run when you realised you were going to be a fast runner?
No.8™ says: The best thing about running is everything about running, I absolutely love it. The worst and there aren't many just has to be cross country. No, I can't pinpoint a time and event, I still get beat by lots of people and still want much faster times, so I don't consider myself a fast runner.
Boab asks: Congrats fella, :) Long term goals/targets: what are they and how are you going to achieve them?
No.8™ says: Long term goals are sub 2:30 marathon in 2010, most probably London. I'm just starting on speed and strength training which will go through this winter. Towards March / April I'll be specifically training for 5k and 10ks to get some decent leg speed and get those race times down, which will then allow me to build endurance towards the back end of the Summer into Autumn for some half marathons. Assuming I'm hitting the times that I need to be 32 min 10k and 70 / 71 min half, this time next year I will be in the first phase of marathon training, leading into the proper schedule straight after Xmas. Abingdon was done predominantly on intensity rather than volume, the strength training is aimed at allowing my body to cope with both volume and intensity for the next marathon schedule. By gaining the speed early it will stand me in good stead to build the endurance on top. (oh and I want an England vest)
IanM asks: Well done mister. :-) Do you run naturally in an efficient way or do you constantly try to improve your running form to eke that bit more speed?
No.8™ says: I don't really pay any attention to my efficiency and don't think that I am particularly efficient, I just put one foot in front of the other as fast as I can. I know that I have improved efficiency as I have progressed and have gradually transitioned to a midfoot strike. We do drills on the track, more so in the Summer but other than that I don't do anything else as far as efficiency is concerned.
GordonG asks: congrats. if you could magically change one part of your body what would it be and why?
No.8™ says: Nothing. I've got what I've got and make do with it!
zosie asks: What happened to No.7?
No.8™ says: Never fancied being a 7, always an 8
Zoom asks: Well done no8. :) I can't seem to see any races in your portfolio in Wales, have you done any, and are there any you fancy doing (Snowdonia maybe?!)
No.8™ says: As you now know, I used to live in Chepstow, which at the time was in Wales (I think it is classed as England now). That was in my "before I discovered running" days so I have never raced in Wales and to be honest, I don't fancy it either. I get knackered just reading John Bach's blogs about the hills he climbs and I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to hill work.
MarkC asks: Cake or death?
No.8™ says: Death's inevitable so looks like I'm stuck with that
Mrs BooBoo LaBoy asks: When things start to get mentally tough in a race - what do you think about?? :-)
No.8™ says: All of my best races are when I am "in the zone". I usually manage to shut down and focus solely on running and pace throughout a race and as a result of that any discomfort or pain doesn't really register. Sometimes though I lose concentration and if thats the case I usually apply the policy that I apply to life in general - focus on the good. "Focus on the positive and it blooms, forget about the negatives and they will wilt and die".
Racin' Snail asks: congratulations...the best man definitely won:-) Whats the best piece of advice you ever had?
No.8™ says: I've had so much good advice (as well as some naff advice too). Probably the best has been the old favourite "build things up slowly" which I haven't heeded in the early days and paid for.
frangale asks: Why did you start running? Was it to help lose weight?
No.8™ says: Oh yes, most definitely, solely to lose weight, everything else that has happened is a bonus.
cabletow asks: Getting faster - How?
No.8™ says: Train harder and faster
Maclennane asks: Why did Hendo make tha assumption without reading the thread, is he a...... ... busy person?
No.8™ says: Probably!
Jen J asks: Aaaaargh! This is why I usually try and get in forst - all my questions have been asked. Describe yourself, including why you have won this month, in less than 30 words.
No.8™ says: (As far as running goes) I'm quite loud, outgoing, gregarious and extrovert. I believe in myself, have massive amounts of determination and dedication. Not sure why I won, just that lots of people nominated me! (30 words not including the ones in brackets)
BigChiefRunningBore asks: What do you hate most about running (apart from me on Fetch)? (a bugbear free for all question)
No.8™ says: Cross country or anything similar - fell, trail and those Grim / Hellrunner things
Rach E asks: Well done No. 8. I've voted for you far too many times over far too many months. You've made some really quite staggering improvements over recent years and are a real believer in "hard training". Do you think you actually reached the point of overtraining around a year ago? How did you get over it if you think you did "suffer" from it and has it changed the way you train? (You're obviously completely over it now after a stunning performance at Abingdon!)
No.8™ says: Yes hard training is what it is about, however in October 2007 I did come off the rails due to overtraining. Training hard all of the time is a very fine line and last year the "I cannot miss a session" philosophy made me reach burn out. I was piling in the hard sessions and not recovering or listening to my body. Nowadays I do not focus so much on mileage and more on quality. When I feel that I need a day off I'll take one and won't beat myself up for missing a run. In this year's marathon schedule I came close again, but recognised the signs, backed off and took a couple of easy weeks and was soon back on track again.
Breezy asks: Congratulations No.8, well deserved What's the best thing about Fetch?
No.8™ says: He's got a nice arse
Woodley asks: So we know Intervals rock but what Food rocks, what do you eat pre-race as your go faster meal?? And Congrats - mucho deserved :)
No.8™ says: Porridge with honey - made with skimmed milk and extra seeds and sultanas. I have porridge 5 or 6 mornings a week and had to transport the microwave to the Travelodge to make sure I got my pre-race porridge at Abingdon. I'm also a sucker for coffee and pre-race I caffeine load quite substantially.
Pammie asks: Congrats No. 8 well deserved and an inspiration When setting targets for yourself or others. Do you set big goals (with smaller ones along the way of course) even if you don't get there at least you've tried. Or do you set smaller achievable targets (with the possibility of never reaching your full potential)
No.8™ says: Always big targets and usually long term, say 18 months to 2 years. Targets need to be stretching and challenging and verging on almost impossible.
holburnmum asks: well done No.8. What would be the one piece of advice you would give to a newish runner?
No.8™ says: Consistency. That is the key word, build a base with consistent training, as it is a long, long journey and by building things up gradually with a good solid base you will ensure steady improvement.
360° asks: Excellent Mr 8, about fepping time. How do you keep so positive? Have you worked out what your favourite/best distance is? When are you going to do some proper hilly off road races rather than all this nancy boy road running?
No.8™ says: As I talked about earlier, the human race naturally focuses on the negatives or looks for someone to blame. I always try to look for the positives and try and find some good. My best distance according to my WAVA % is the 10k (marginally - although I don't really like 10ks), however my favourite is 10 miles. Long enough to test the endurance but short enough to give it a good blast, the perfect combination. I do proper, officially measured road races that require grit, guile and determination and will never, ever do these random, off-road, fun run things that you like ;-)
charity asks: Well done No 8 found your story very inspirational. Once you had become reasonably fit and what stage did you realise you could run such great times and what did you training wise to achieve this ?
No.8™ says: I don't believe I am running great times yet, I still have a lot to learn and need to work much harder. Training wise its just a case of laying the foundations and keep building on them. Find out what works for you and what gives you results and keep working. When things go tits up keep the faith and work to get back on track, learning from any mistakes made.
CanaryYellow asks: Yay No8 !! I know i wasn't the only fetchy you cheered on DURING the Abingdon Marathon. How on earth did you find the energy at what must have been mile 20-21 (as you lapped me) to shout so many words of encouragement when it would have been far easier just to gimme a simple "well done" or say nothing at all given you were running so quickly and so well?
No.8™ says: Not sure, it wasn't premeditated, it just happened. I saw you, checked the tattoo to make sure it was you and just offered encouragement. I can't really remember what I said! At the end of the day, you're a runner and I'm a runner and we both love running. I know the great feeling a cheer gives me and I will always try and do it for others.
Nightjar asks: Well done No 8. How should I go about getting a club silver award next year? (Beyond the obvious cop out answer of run 4 distances at 65% WAVA that is!)
No.8™ says: I would forget the "marathon a month" thing or whatever you are doing at the moment for sure! Go back to basics and spend this Winter base training, plenty of consistent runs a weekly long run. Plan your race calendar and pick some target races where you are going to go for your required time. Make sure that the races are spread through the year and preferably shortest distance first to the longest later in the year. As we approach Spring build in more speedwork and tempo runs and then train from 6 - 8 weeks out specifically for each target race. Short intervals / leg speed for the 5k and 10k and then long intervals, tempo and long runs for the longer distances. You know you can do it.
GettingThere asks: Well done No8, and thanks for your advice during the year. Question - Why do you not like safety pins?
No.8™ says: Faff. I really can't do faffing and pinning a race number on your vest with 4 safety pins is pure faff. Anyways a number on your chest doesn't keep your nuts sheltered from a cold wind like it does hung from a number belt.
HappyG(rrr) asks: Congrats No.8. For you, is running an individual, solitary sport, or a team, community, social type thang? if you see what I mean? Well done again. :-)
No.8™ says: Bit of both. My morning runs are for me. As well as physically being a recovery run, they allow me to plan, think or just chill mentally. I can think "work things" through, think about my training and forthcoming races or just think about nothing and chill out. Evening runs are more a social / team thing, I train with a couple of clubs and am coached in a very small group of people and we are all quite close. I work quite closely with my training partner Steve and we try and do our weekly long run together and then go for breakfast afterwards. The group usually does stuff together as well, round each others houses for parties and stuff, it is a good laugh amongst the hard graft - work hard and play hard.
John 66 asks: Any tips for a lazy bugger with dodgy knees who can't quite 'get going' on this running lark? Also, how do you balance running with life?
No.8™ says: Ask yourself one question "How much do you want it?" As for balancing things, its tough but I just manage to fit it all in. I get up at 5am as I have a 45min drive to work, park and do my morning run there. Fortunately there are shower and changing rooms in the office so I shower and then eat my porridge at my desk, surf fetch and start work at 7:30am. I don't usually get out until 5 - 5:30pm and 2 nights a week head straight to training and other nights get home, catch up with the kids and then run from home. I don't have time to watch any TV in the week as by the time I have done family, food, shower, packed my gear for the next day and logged my training its time for bed! Weekends I run first thing while the family is still getting up and only usually do one run a day Saturday and Sunday.
Hills of Death (HOD) asks: YEYYYY top man NO8 Well done (no prizes for guessing who I voted ;) ) When you look back at your fat pics what emotions does it evoke ?
No.8™ says: I'm not sure, I went and looked at it again to write this answer and its sort of surreal. Almost as though its not me..... although I know it was me - in another carnation perhaps?
Hills of Death (HOD) asks: Also what's your top tip to staying motivated ?
No.8™ says: Improvement - I want better times, more PB's, more trophies and I won't do that sat on the couch watching TV.
Jock Itch asks: Very well done Sir :) Congrats on all your hard work. I know it takes drive and determination to get to where you have now. I bet there are no CBA with you right ? Anyway mate, how many rest days do you have and is high mileage the key to quick times ?
No.8™ says: I do get CBA moments, they are quite rare and fairly brief, but sometimes I do think I can't be arsed to go out. My schedule is changing now and we have revisited it for the next campaign so rest days have changed. I used to take Sundays off as I do long runs on a Saturday. Through the peak of my mara schedule I pretty much ran every day until the taper, only taking an odd day off. Going forward the plan is to run everyday, with Friday being an easy day (just one morning run) and only take a rest day when I need one. This will allow me to use Sunday as another hard session to fit 3 into a week - Tues, Thurs, Sunday and long run Saturday. High mileage isn't necessarily the key to quick times. If you take my 16 week marathon schedule for Abingdon, my average weekly mileage was 67 miles, which for a marathon schedule I don't rate as *high* mileage. I never broke 100 miles in any week. My average pace for those 16 weeks was 6:37 m/m pace, which was 30 secs slower than my marathon pace. My long runs, up to 23.5 miles were done at between 7s and 20s slower then marathon pace. I think fast training = fast times.
danny wilde asks: He's won at last :-) My question is "slow running makes slow runners" - yes or no ?
No.8™ says: Ooooh thats a tough question. I can't answer with just a yes or no. Initially no, slow running builds endurance and leads to faster times. But after a point I do believe continually running "slowly" will lead to a plateau in race times and little improvement.
A bet MADE me asks: Great! Well done!!! So my question relates to FOOOOOOOD No expense spared What would be the best meal you could have and where?
No.8™ says: Italian food is the best. So a Mediterranean meal of fresh pasta, fish, bread, olives, cheese somewhere in Southern Italy would be paradise
GettingThere asks: Another question, how much faster can you get, and at what distances?
No.8™ says: I don't really know. Realistically I only have 3 - 4 years left of improvement and I am out to achieve as much as possible in that time. I will only ever focus on distances up to the marathon and will probably only run one possibly two more marathons. I know what times I want and need to run, its just a case of doing it!
micknphil asks: No 8 Ok, I've actually thought of a question - but you have to be honest about this now - NO porkies mind :) DO you ever fart whil'st running - or do you manage to hold your cheeks together if so, I'd like to know, where, why and how !! You can ask the audience, ask a friend, or have 50 - 50 :)
No.8™ says: Mick, farting is nothing. Considering that I am the guy who has perfected the art of the "in-flight pee". I can pee without dropping under 6 m/m pace in a race, so I don't lose precious seconds. Letting a fart go is not an issue.
Deenzy asks: Congrats No.8 you are a deserved winner and an inspiration to us other former fat barstewards :) 2 questions: how come there was such a big gap between Dublin & Abingdon? And you never seem to be crocked but have an eye watering monthly mileage total with loads of quality work to boot, whats your top tip for staying injury free?
No.8™ says: There was such a huge gap between Dublin and Abingdon marathons as they were for two different reasons. Dublin was a "I've just started running and have therefore got to run a marathon" moment. For new runners it tends to be the done thing, go out and do a marathon. I spent the next couple of years learning and gradually improving and then wanted to run a marathon to my best ability. I waited until I was ready for this and put in the work to improve basic speed, which took about 3 years. In the spring of 2007 I knew I would be ready for a marathon in 2008 and went for Abingdon about 11 months out, when all of my training was done with this in mind. Top tip for staying injury free is build the foundations - I've been running for just over four and a half years now and gradually I have got stronger and less susceptible to injury. I have always done speedwork and my body has adapted over time, so that it can take a reasonable battering without falling apart.
Princess Purple Bubbles asks: Hi No.8 you triumph is well deserved, and given I am still trying to lose weight my question link to your successful shrinkage? how did you cope with the huge rollercoaster ride that is weight loss, HOW DID YOU DO IT!? Did you ever doubt your sanity in this journey? sorry I am at that stage after over 2years of trying to lose it and could use a good motivational kick up the behind to shift my last 2stone...
No.8™ says: I'm not sure whether I do cope with the rollercoaster of losing weight. It is tough and I still obsess about what I eat and still want to lose more. I've never, ever doubted my Insanity, mad is best, it makes it easier. All I would say running and losing weight are so similar. They both take a long, long time; it is far easier to undo the good work than it is to make huge improvements; there are no shortcuts; plateaus in progress are common and it takes a really strong mind to do either of them. Above all, keep the faith and ask yourself the question "How bad do you want it?"
alan1976 asks: OK then mate. Top effort on winning this thing at last. Here are a few. Have you thought about going back to Tri-training? How much are we going to take that RNR Stage record by? Do I stand a chance of beating your world record of 'Most Gay Supporting Cyclist?' Will you ever manage a proper sprint finish? Can you ever gut a pig too hard? See you down the club. A.
No.8™ says: You tell me, your the maths expert I just do what I am told - you did a great job on the bike earlier this year. Yes definitely, I think you are closet gay supporting cyclist you just need some better cycle wear. No, I will never manage a proper sprint finish, CANE MODE MAX is Latin for "Didn't put enough effort into the race itself" - I give it everything from the beginning :0/ "Gutting the pig" - yeah, if you're mentally strong enough you can gut it too hard, if you can over ride the bodies early warning system and the signals to slow down I reckon you could end up collapsing unconscious from too harder gutting!
Peacey asks: Well deserved :-) Do you use a coach? Your times are great so i assume you do, i love to know your prep and what plans you prefer for marathons. Well done again. Classy winner.
No.8™ says: Yes, I've worked with Buff for 2 years now and for 12 months before him worked with another coach. Prep wise, In have my long term goal and we have an aim for say the year. I pick out target races and train specifically for them. My marathon plan wasn't anyone's specific schedule is was a lot of what I normally do tweaked to ensure the endurance was covered without compromising on the speed work.
Hills of Death (HOD) asks: Well done again NO.8 Could Bedford Harriers take over the world one day ?
No.8™ says: No, I don't think so. They are a big club with 470 members and have some great runners, but they will never compete with the real big boys of road and track. The best thing is the structure of the club with a great awards scheme, club championship and so many strands to its coaching groups and sessions.
John Bach asks: Just caught up on this news - excellent :-) - must think of a question - will wait till I've sobered up, though I'd like to ask No8 about his current alcohol consumption - when was the last time you got psihed and when was the last time you had a kebab?
No.8™ says: Alcohol consumption is zero, I've been tee-total since my early running days, predominantly from the weight loss point of view, but also because of the fact I am very much an "all or nothing" person and I don't do "moderation" very well. Can't remember the last time I had one of those nasty Doner Kebabs, that would've been over 4 years ago as well, I will have a Chicken Shish Kebab every now and again though.
Dangerous kev asks: You jammy so in so, yet more cash to spend on running stuff, more trainers I guess! Well done and thanks for being such a great support. Here are the questions. 1. Coffee/ caffeine has been outlawed will your times suffer and have you ever stopped to work out how much caffeine you consume a day. 2. What is your greatest regret? 3. So you wanted to lose weight but why take up running there are other sports, what else would you have a go at? Keep up the good work
No.8™ says: Dangerous Kev - my sensible head. He is the one that advises and listens and generally calms me down when I lose the plot or absorbs all of the crap I talk. I worked out my daily caffeine consumption it would scare me, if I stopped consuming it yes I would struggle as it does give me a huge mental stimulus as well as any physiological advantages. Regrets - I don't have any, I have done what I have done in the past and can't alter anything at all. I can influence the future however, so will devote my time and thoughts to that. Running because I saw it as the quickest way to lose weight, what else would I have a go at ........... i don't think anything. At the moment running is everything and I don't have the time or inclination to try anything else.
John Bach asks: Ah yes, I seem to recall that post!! Any reason why you stopped blogging? (it was always interesting reading about your training) Do you know of anyone not from the Milton Keynes area who has NOT got lost there and completely confused re all the roundabouts?
No.8™ says: Mainly it was time! blogging everyday took up too much time, especially in the evening when I have had a hard session and need sleep. Everyone gets lost in Milton Keynes the first few times, but when you get used to the grid system it is one of the easiest places to navigate around. It is one of the best places for running, miles and miles of traffic free cycle routes, well lit and good surfaces.
Jigs asks: Well done No.8, and not before time :) At what point did you realise that you were hopelessly lost in the world of running/training/racing?
No.8™ says: I'm not really sure, when I started doing double days I think that was when training got serious. The Sandy 10 2007 was probably the defining moment in racing as I got 3rd place in the club championship and then it was a case of realising I was in with a shout against other club members and that I would have to train even harder to get there.
LorraineS asks: Why is League better than Union ? (;))
No.8™ says: I don't know, why is league better then Union?
John Bach asks: What does your wife think about your running/racing?
No.8™ says: Mixed emotions. She knows what it means to me and has seen what it has done for me, health wise. She likes to see me doing well, improving and challenging for awards and trophies, however sometimes it can get a bit too much and there are days where it is "all you bloody think about is running". When I don't run or am injured she is adamant that I am "moody", although I feel that she assumes and almost expects me to be moody, when in fact I'm not.
Max71 asks: I cant be arsed to read through them all.... Do you remember when it was all fields here? Do you remember Pie Napper? Carnegie Lass? What keeps you awake at night? What do you do for a living? What impact (positive or not so positive) does running have on your home life? Are you ever stratified with your performance? When you are not running, what do you do? Who is your favourite author? What is your favourite book of all time? How many siblings do you have? Are you a middle child? What have you done to impress another individual? How did you propose? Money is no object, which car, motorbike and plane do you choose to own? Stuck on a desert island, which 3 people do you want to be stuck with (apart from family if you want them there)? Angelina Jolie - hot or mental as a bag of spanners? Who are your Nemisiseses...Nemi....on Fetch? Who have you beaten (PB wise) and thought bloody nora? What is the challenge that you keep changing your mind about? When you ran (hurtled at a million miles an hour) past me at Abingdon and shouted your lovely message I got all emotional, I then went on to glow in your proxy glory to the other people I was running with...they were impressed that someone in our at the back crap group would know someone from the super fast group. You also showed that the super fast people are fecking lovely too. For that, I thank you.
No.8™ says: OK - Deep breath. Yes I remember the early days when this place was little more than a training log - not even a forum. Wonder where that tattoo'd freak Pie Napper is nowadays? I get kept awake at night if I've run really hard late in the evening, otherwise nothing stops me sleeping. I work for Homebase in their Head Office, in the bit that does new stores and refits. Running - positive - I'm alive and not dead from a heart attack or suffering ill health. Not positive - nothing, it is part of family life. Ever satisfied - with running no never, I want more, faster, sooner and better. When not running I am working, sleeping, eating or doing "family" there is no time for anything else. Author? None I don't get time to read. Fave book - Lore of Running (saddo eh?). Sibling - a younger sis, so "no" to a middle child. Impress an individual - erm, when I was young I used to take a massive gulp of milk and it would run out of my nostrils - that used to impress the girls. How did you propose - "if you want to marry me can we get married at Anfield please?" - she said yes and we did. I don't, money is an object so I'll make do with my Rover. Desert island - Kelly Brook, Kirsty Gallacher and Denise van Outen, keep the cross training up at least! Jolie - haven't a clue, probably a bit harry n billy. My Nemesis's are .....mainly Jocky, Boab and Magoo, marathon distance FlyingFinn, TippTop and SBA. Beaten PB wise, I've always looked at Gobi and Boabs PBs as targets and this year I am finally getting there or there abouts. There are guys in local races that I often dreamt about catching and recently have been, which is an amazing feeling. Ultimately there have always been two target people and they both happen to be two of the most inspirational on here DrBob and FlyingFinn's times from when they were at their peak. The day I get there I may well be satisfied .. for a while. I don't think there is a challenge I change my mind about. As far as Abingdon goes, there wasn't "a crap back group" there were just loads of people out there giving it everything, I shouted to you and you shouted back to me and it was great, I got a real buzz too, sort of a nice warm feeling.
Siouxsie asks: Which PB are you most proud of, and why ? Never mind the running and racing, does your wife think you look damn sexy in long socks ? If not, is she blind or what? Well Done btw :-)
No.8™ says: PB has to go to Abingdon because of the time taken in preparing for it. Long socks are purely to aid recovery! you should see me at the end of a race, with sweat, snot and having peed myself - damn sexy that is.
Fetch says: And that's full time - one of my most favouritest of all the MOTM interviews - nice one everyone :-) TTFN!