I've still got dozens of incomplete projects that I hope to eventually include on the http://www.manxathletics.com/ website.
I have some emails that go back months (or perhaps even years) where I have agreed to do something but never quite had the opportunity.
I stopped work on the database of results from the Northern 10 miles in 2004 and still haven't got back to complete it. I kept copies of some of the results (those that are now part of the Northern AC website) but I still need to research the years that I did not have a personal record of.
On Monday night I worked through the evening until late on a smaller project that has been on my mind for a while. I can at least say that that one will be finished off at the weekend (check out on Saturday morning).
I got back to that one late last night but only after spending an enjoyable three hours or so with Tim Baker. Tim was a top young race walker in the mid 80s (he tried unsuccessfully to make the 1986 Commonwealth Games team) and I stayed with him and his family near Glossop in 2002 when I went to watch the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Tim has been working on the Isle of Man for the past month (but only staying on the Island for three nights a week) and plans to relocate here with his family in April next year. I forgot to take a photo - another unfinished job.
Actually its the jobs that I have not even started that scare me most. In less than three weeks I am due to launch the 2010 http://www.parishwalk.com/ website. Not started that one.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Bragging rights for Robbie Callister?
I was flicking through the Sunday Times a little while ago and was amazed to find an article in the Culture Section headed "Got those Isle of Man blues".
Its all about Davy Knowles of Back Door Slam and how they have been taking blues music from the Isle of Man to its homeland in the USA. It reviews their progress (400gigs in the states) and the launch of their new album tomorrow Coming Up for Air.
I missed their local gig recently but have previously seen the original line up three times. I saw them at the Gaiety on a previous occasion and at the Peel Bay Festival.
The first time I saw them was at a private party hosted by David and Barbara Doyle. Imagine the bragging rights Robbie Callister will have if Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam make it as big as some people are predicting. "Oh, they played at my 50th birthday party and I didn't even have to pay them" he will be able to say with complete honesty!
Its all about Davy Knowles of Back Door Slam and how they have been taking blues music from the Isle of Man to its homeland in the USA. It reviews their progress (400gigs in the states) and the launch of their new album tomorrow Coming Up for Air.
I missed their local gig recently but have previously seen the original line up three times. I saw them at the Gaiety on a previous occasion and at the Peel Bay Festival.
The first time I saw them was at a private party hosted by David and Barbara Doyle. Imagine the bragging rights Robbie Callister will have if Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam make it as big as some people are predicting. "Oh, they played at my 50th birthday party and I didn't even have to pay them" he will be able to say with complete honesty!
PS - he also used their microphone to give a speech!
Thursday, 5 November 2009
We are all more than statistics
I turned my hand back to some statistical analysis earlier tonight. Rather than produce my normal list of fastest times, list by name and year etc (for the Haldane Fisher Syd Quirk Half Marathon) I calculated the number of finishes per athlete and their average time.
I thought my best time for the event (back in 1981) was half decent (as a race walker at the time) but I was put in the shade when I calculated that Steve Kelly's 10 winning times averaged the same as my best! Fantastic.
I have long held the belief that we should recognise people's achievements when they are with us and not wait until they pass away and suddenly realise all the good things they did during their lifetime that was not recognised during it. If something can't be said when they are alive its a bit late when they are gone.
Last night I wrote an obituary that really tested this belief. I can't publish it yet out of respect for the family of the 38 year old woman who was tragically killed in a road accident at Santon at 6 am yesterday morning. The (professional) media have not officially been told the name of the victim and her name won't be realeased until tomorrow.
It really was awful news to know that it was someone, although not in the mainstream, who had achieved an incredible amount in the sport. She will only ever appear very low in the list of rankings, fastest times and number of competitions. But in terms of personality she was near the top. I hope that this showed in my previous references to her but it will make very powerful reading tomorrow.
I thought my best time for the event (back in 1981) was half decent (as a race walker at the time) but I was put in the shade when I calculated that Steve Kelly's 10 winning times averaged the same as my best! Fantastic.
I have long held the belief that we should recognise people's achievements when they are with us and not wait until they pass away and suddenly realise all the good things they did during their lifetime that was not recognised during it. If something can't be said when they are alive its a bit late when they are gone.
Last night I wrote an obituary that really tested this belief. I can't publish it yet out of respect for the family of the 38 year old woman who was tragically killed in a road accident at Santon at 6 am yesterday morning. The (professional) media have not officially been told the name of the victim and her name won't be realeased until tomorrow.
It really was awful news to know that it was someone, although not in the mainstream, who had achieved an incredible amount in the sport. She will only ever appear very low in the list of rankings, fastest times and number of competitions. But in terms of personality she was near the top. I hope that this showed in my previous references to her but it will make very powerful reading tomorrow.
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Marie sent me this one, I think she is telling me something!
Last night, my wife and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her,'I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.'
She got up, unplugged the Computer, and threw out my wine.
She got up, unplugged the Computer, and threw out my wine.
This should make you feel pretty bright!
Except for the first one, which is perhaps understandable, you will not see a better advert for eugenics...
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE (BBC2) Jeremy Paxman: What is another name for 'cherrypickers' and 'cheesemongers'? Contestant: Homosexuals. Paxman: No. They're regiments in the British Army who will be very upset with you.
BEG, BORROW OR STEAL (BBC2) Jamie Theakston: Where do you think Cambridge University is? Contestant: Geography isn't my strong point. Theakston: There's a clue in the title. Contestant: Leicester?
BBC NORFOLK Stewart White: Who had a worldwide hit with What A Wonderful World? Contestant: I don't know. White: I'll give you some clues: what do you call the part between your hand and your elbow? Contestant: Arm. White: Correct. And if you're not weak, you're...? Contestant: Strong. White: Correct - and what was Lord Mountbatten's first name?Contestant: Louis. White: Well, there we are then. So who had a worldwide hit with the song What A Wonderful World? Contestant: Frank Sinatra?
LATE SHOW (BBC MIDLANDS) Alex Trelinski: What is the capital of Italy ? Contestant: France Trelinski: France is another country. Try again. Contestant: Oh, um, Benidorm. Trelinski: Wrong, sorry, let's try another question. In which country is the Parthenon? Contestant: Sorry, I don't know. Trelinski: Just guess a country then. Contestant: Paris?
THE WEAKEST LINK (BBC2) Anne Robinson:- Oscar Wilde, Adolf Hitler and Jeffrey Archer have all written books about their experiences in what:- Prison, or the Conservative Party? Contestant: The Conservative Party?
BEACON RADIO ( WOLVERHAMPTON ) DJ Mark: For 10 Pounds , what is the nationality of the Pope? Ruth from Rowley Regis: I think I know that one.. Is it Jewish?
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE Bamber Gascoigne: What was Gandhi's first name? Contestant: Goosey? GWR FM ( Bristol ) Presenter: What happened in Dallas on November 22, 1963? Contestant: I don't know, I wasn't watching it then.
RTE RADIO 2FM ( IRELAND ) Presenter: What is the name of the long- running TV comedy show about pensioners: Last Of The .? Caller: Mohicans.
PHIL WOOD SHOW (BBC RADIO MANCHESTER ) Phil: What's 11 squared? Contestant: I don't know. Phil: I'll give you a clue. It's two ones with a two in the middle. Contestant: Is it five?
RICHARD AND JUDY ShowQ: Which American actor was married to Nicole Kidman? A: Forrest Gump.
RICHARD AND JUDY Leslie: On which street did Sherlock Holmes live? Contestant: Er . Leslie: He makes bread Contestant: Er . . Leslie: He makes cakes Contestant: Kipling Street ?
LINCS FM PHONE-IN Presenter: Which is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world? Contestant: Barcelona Presenter: I was really after the name of a country. Contestant: I'm sorry, I don't know the names of any countries in Spain ..
NATIONAL LOTTERY (BBC1) Question: What is the world's largest continent? Contestant: The Pacific?
ROCK FM (PRESTON) Presenter: Name a film starring Bob Hoskins that is also the name of a famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. Contestant: Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
THE BIGGEST GAME IN TOWN (ITV) Steve Le Fevre: What was signed, to bring World War I to an end in 1918? Contestant: Magna Carta?
JAMES O'BRIEN SHOW (LBC) O'Brien: How many kings of England have been called Henry? Contestant: Er, well, I know there was a Henry the Eighth ... er.. ... er.... three?
CHRIS SEARLE SHOW (BBC RADIO BRISTOL ) Searle: In which European country is Mount Etna ? Caller: Japan? Searle: I did say which European country, so in case you didn't hear that, I can let you try again. Caller: Er... Mexico ?
PAUL WAPPAT (BBC RADIO NEWCASTLE ) Paul Wappat: How long did the Six-Day War between Egypt and Israel last? Contestant (after long pause): Fourteen days?
DARYL DENHAM'S DRIVETIME (VIRGIN RADIO) Daryl Denham: In which country would you spend shekels? Contestant: Holland ? Denham: Try the next letter of the alphabet. Contestant: Iceland ? Ireland ? Denham (helpfully): It's a bad line. Did you say Israel ? Contestant: No.
PHIL WOOD SHOW (BBC GMR) Wood: What 'K' could be described as the Islamic Bible? Contestant: Er . .. .. Wood: It's got two syllables .. . . Kor .. . .. Contestant: Blimey? Wood: Ha ha ha ha, no. The past participle of run . . Contestant: (Silence) Wood: OK, try it another way. Today I run, yesterday I . .. . Contestant: Walked?
THE VAULT Melanie Sykes: What is the name given to the condition where the sufferer can fall asleep at any time? Contestant: Nostalgia?
LUNCHTIME SHOW (BRMB) Presenter: What religion was Guy Fawkes? Contestant: Jewish. Presenter: That's close enough.
STEVE WRIGHT IN THE AFTERNOON (BBC RADIO 2) Wright: Johnny Weissmuller died on this day. Which jungle-swinging character clad only in a loincloth did he play? Contestant: Jesus.
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE (BBC2) Jeremy Paxman: What is another name for 'cherrypickers' and 'cheesemongers'? Contestant: Homosexuals. Paxman: No. They're regiments in the British Army who will be very upset with you.
BEG, BORROW OR STEAL (BBC2) Jamie Theakston: Where do you think Cambridge University is? Contestant: Geography isn't my strong point. Theakston: There's a clue in the title. Contestant: Leicester?
BBC NORFOLK Stewart White: Who had a worldwide hit with What A Wonderful World? Contestant: I don't know. White: I'll give you some clues: what do you call the part between your hand and your elbow? Contestant: Arm. White: Correct. And if you're not weak, you're...? Contestant: Strong. White: Correct - and what was Lord Mountbatten's first name?Contestant: Louis. White: Well, there we are then. So who had a worldwide hit with the song What A Wonderful World? Contestant: Frank Sinatra?
LATE SHOW (BBC MIDLANDS) Alex Trelinski: What is the capital of Italy ? Contestant: France Trelinski: France is another country. Try again. Contestant: Oh, um, Benidorm. Trelinski: Wrong, sorry, let's try another question. In which country is the Parthenon? Contestant: Sorry, I don't know. Trelinski: Just guess a country then. Contestant: Paris?
THE WEAKEST LINK (BBC2) Anne Robinson:- Oscar Wilde, Adolf Hitler and Jeffrey Archer have all written books about their experiences in what:- Prison, or the Conservative Party? Contestant: The Conservative Party?
BEACON RADIO ( WOLVERHAMPTON ) DJ Mark: For 10 Pounds , what is the nationality of the Pope? Ruth from Rowley Regis: I think I know that one.. Is it Jewish?
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE Bamber Gascoigne: What was Gandhi's first name? Contestant: Goosey? GWR FM ( Bristol ) Presenter: What happened in Dallas on November 22, 1963? Contestant: I don't know, I wasn't watching it then.
RTE RADIO 2FM ( IRELAND ) Presenter: What is the name of the long- running TV comedy show about pensioners: Last Of The .? Caller: Mohicans.
PHIL WOOD SHOW (BBC RADIO MANCHESTER ) Phil: What's 11 squared? Contestant: I don't know. Phil: I'll give you a clue. It's two ones with a two in the middle. Contestant: Is it five?
RICHARD AND JUDY ShowQ: Which American actor was married to Nicole Kidman? A: Forrest Gump.
RICHARD AND JUDY Leslie: On which street did Sherlock Holmes live? Contestant: Er . Leslie: He makes bread Contestant: Er . . Leslie: He makes cakes Contestant: Kipling Street ?
LINCS FM PHONE-IN Presenter: Which is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world? Contestant: Barcelona Presenter: I was really after the name of a country. Contestant: I'm sorry, I don't know the names of any countries in Spain ..
NATIONAL LOTTERY (BBC1) Question: What is the world's largest continent? Contestant: The Pacific?
ROCK FM (PRESTON) Presenter: Name a film starring Bob Hoskins that is also the name of a famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. Contestant: Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
THE BIGGEST GAME IN TOWN (ITV) Steve Le Fevre: What was signed, to bring World War I to an end in 1918? Contestant: Magna Carta?
JAMES O'BRIEN SHOW (LBC) O'Brien: How many kings of England have been called Henry? Contestant: Er, well, I know there was a Henry the Eighth ... er.. ... er.... three?
CHRIS SEARLE SHOW (BBC RADIO BRISTOL ) Searle: In which European country is Mount Etna ? Caller: Japan? Searle: I did say which European country, so in case you didn't hear that, I can let you try again. Caller: Er... Mexico ?
PAUL WAPPAT (BBC RADIO NEWCASTLE ) Paul Wappat: How long did the Six-Day War between Egypt and Israel last? Contestant (after long pause): Fourteen days?
DARYL DENHAM'S DRIVETIME (VIRGIN RADIO) Daryl Denham: In which country would you spend shekels? Contestant: Holland ? Denham: Try the next letter of the alphabet. Contestant: Iceland ? Ireland ? Denham (helpfully): It's a bad line. Did you say Israel ? Contestant: No.
PHIL WOOD SHOW (BBC GMR) Wood: What 'K' could be described as the Islamic Bible? Contestant: Er . .. .. Wood: It's got two syllables .. . . Kor .. . .. Contestant: Blimey? Wood: Ha ha ha ha, no. The past participle of run . . Contestant: (Silence) Wood: OK, try it another way. Today I run, yesterday I . .. . Contestant: Walked?
THE VAULT Melanie Sykes: What is the name given to the condition where the sufferer can fall asleep at any time? Contestant: Nostalgia?
LUNCHTIME SHOW (BRMB) Presenter: What religion was Guy Fawkes? Contestant: Jewish. Presenter: That's close enough.
STEVE WRIGHT IN THE AFTERNOON (BBC RADIO 2) Wright: Johnny Weissmuller died on this day. Which jungle-swinging character clad only in a loincloth did he play? Contestant: Jesus.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Taught a lesson
What miserable conditions yesterday for the Haldane Fisher Syd Quirk Half Marathon.
As I stood waiting for the start feeling the effects of the wind and the rain I wished that I was not there. Not just because of the discomfort (it was much better once we actually started running) but because I would have liked to have filmed Colin Watterson's pre-race briefing.
Colin is second only to Gordie Brew of Western AC as the longest serving club Chairman in the UK (or is it the other way around?) and his role of briefing the competitors of the dangers that they should be aware of is extremely important and serious. But as he listed all the places on the course where there was flooding, wet leaves, wind and rain I felt I had to be flippant and shouted "Haven't you got any good news for us Colin". I would have liked to have recorded the race briefing of the doomiest and gloomiest race briefing that I have ever heard!
I worked out it was the 14th time that I have finished the Syd Quirk which makes me (with Steve Kelly) the second most experienced in the event, even if it is only half the number of finishes clocked up by Alan Pilling. It was a personal worst for me and for the first time I ran more than a minute a mile slower than my best ever time. What is more, it was slower than eithe half of my run in London just a few months ago.
But I certainly wasn't trying any the less and wasn't going to let too much people beat me easily. It was fairly obvious that Lloyd Taggart, Martin Malone and Mike Garrett were going to take the top three places and I settled into a race for fourth tracking half marathon debutant Russell Collister with plenty of runners not too far behind.
I thought we were pulling away until Rob Sellors passed us before end of the first lap and left me for dead. I knew as soon as he passed me that he had me beaten and I would imagine he was one of the few to set a personal best. The primary school head teacher must have been slowed by the weather so he clearly has more improvement to come. The prolific racer had not competed since the Western 10 four weeks earlier. Training hard for endurance events and then lightening the load often has a delayed benefit and I think that Rob may have taught himself a lesson.
Oh and by the way, Colin's answer to my cheeky question was: "There will be better weather next year". 56 runners and 44 walkers who made it to the finish yesterday will be pretty pleased if Colin's long range forecast is as accurate as Adrian Cowin's forecast of the doom and gloom that Colin described at the start of the race was. Whilst I can't speak for all of the larger than normal number of non-starters, I think that some of them might be on the start line if he is right!
As I stood waiting for the start feeling the effects of the wind and the rain I wished that I was not there. Not just because of the discomfort (it was much better once we actually started running) but because I would have liked to have filmed Colin Watterson's pre-race briefing.
Colin is second only to Gordie Brew of Western AC as the longest serving club Chairman in the UK (or is it the other way around?) and his role of briefing the competitors of the dangers that they should be aware of is extremely important and serious. But as he listed all the places on the course where there was flooding, wet leaves, wind and rain I felt I had to be flippant and shouted "Haven't you got any good news for us Colin". I would have liked to have recorded the race briefing of the doomiest and gloomiest race briefing that I have ever heard!
I worked out it was the 14th time that I have finished the Syd Quirk which makes me (with Steve Kelly) the second most experienced in the event, even if it is only half the number of finishes clocked up by Alan Pilling. It was a personal worst for me and for the first time I ran more than a minute a mile slower than my best ever time. What is more, it was slower than eithe half of my run in London just a few months ago.
But I certainly wasn't trying any the less and wasn't going to let too much people beat me easily. It was fairly obvious that Lloyd Taggart, Martin Malone and Mike Garrett were going to take the top three places and I settled into a race for fourth tracking half marathon debutant Russell Collister with plenty of runners not too far behind.
I thought we were pulling away until Rob Sellors passed us before end of the first lap and left me for dead. I knew as soon as he passed me that he had me beaten and I would imagine he was one of the few to set a personal best. The primary school head teacher must have been slowed by the weather so he clearly has more improvement to come. The prolific racer had not competed since the Western 10 four weeks earlier. Training hard for endurance events and then lightening the load often has a delayed benefit and I think that Rob may have taught himself a lesson.
Oh and by the way, Colin's answer to my cheeky question was: "There will be better weather next year". 56 runners and 44 walkers who made it to the finish yesterday will be pretty pleased if Colin's long range forecast is as accurate as Adrian Cowin's forecast of the doom and gloom that Colin described at the start of the race was. Whilst I can't speak for all of the larger than normal number of non-starters, I think that some of them might be on the start line if he is right!
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