Over the Hill - Communion Jam

What no Becks at the Olympics! No not the beer, I mean our David. What the heck was Stuart 'Pyscho' Pearce thinking about leaving him out of the GB team? He's the shining example of what it takes to pull on a national vest and perform for one's country... he's always delivered and I'm not impressed with him being left out!

I wonder if 'Seb' has other 'duties' for Becks? I hope not  as it's the momentum and inspiration that he delivers to his team members that can be the break of winning and us getting a medal of some description or not...

Maybe Becks can be reconsidered - let's hope so for his sake and for the sake of the GB team. I'm sure he's gutted and this isn't about money for him... it's about PRIDE and it's a sad way to leave a career where he's given so much.

More tomorrow...

Survival - Muse

Well there's less then a month left until the start of the Olympics, and I am wondering just how many Sebastian Coes there are? He was shown in the news in three different places yesretrday and he's popping up everywhere right now as we enter the final run into the seven years of preparation for what could be the sporting event of our lifetime.

Hopefully it will run as smoothly as all of the Olympic Spin dcotors are predicting and they will find the 1.5 million school children they need to occupy the empty seats in the stadiums during the events. I just hope it's not going to be a 'Global Flop' as the UK promised so much to get the Games in  the first place.

I will be watching closely and drawing inspiration from my new Coaching Hero, David Brailsford as I am fascinated to see how the cyclists get on... especially Bradley Higgins (also in the Tour de France). 'Bout time we won something...

More later...

Record Breakers - Roy Castle

On a day where we've had a new course record on our UR100, it's quite spooky that I sit outside our finish at Stratford Leisure Centre as this is where I set 6 Guinness World Records back in 1998.

It was literally just a few metres from here that I ran for one day of my life to gain that special accolade that so many chase... I feel really lucky to have been able to do that and make my mark... That kind of thing is important to me and its been good to see that drive in so many people out there on the course today...

Sure it's tough and some have overcome some massive physical barriers to get here to take part today - with a smile even when the going for them has tested their limits of human endurance.

So why do it then? You might ask... Well it's because it's important and they have to - if you understand why, then you are an ultrarunner too and you'll be out there making your mark this weekend just like I did in 1998...

Oh to be 37 again...

www.ULTRArace.co.uk - The Home of ULTRArunning in the UK

Location:Bridgeway,Stratford-upon-Avon,United Kingdom

Tea for Two - Vincent Youmans

Well would you believe it... drinking large amounts of tea could increase the risk of prostate cancer, according to the latest research. Apparently sscientists found that more than seven cups a day raised the chances of men developing the disease by 50%.

Isn't anything good for you nowadays?... I've ditched the fags, booze and coffee, got extremely fit, run marathons AND go to the gym BUT I am now being told that my nice cups of Earl Grey are going to fry my nether regions if I'm not careful... what a nightmare!

Is it time to put the teapot at the back of the cupboard?... Is water bad for you?

Maybe we'll know in another 37 years...

Heart of Glass - Blondie

What sort of person are you? Glass Half Full, Glass Over Flowing or Glass Bone Dry? The one in the picture makes things slightly better I suppose but what's the point living in a permanent drought? Yesterday I asked if YOU went the EXTRA MILE,  and today, I am wondering if YOU struggle in seeing the brighter side of life and situations that you find yourself in good or bad...

Maybe it's all about lowering your expectations and shortening your horizons... or plainly kidding yourself that things can only get better!

Take it from me that running 100 miles takes a huge amount of training, effort and BELIEF as well as the ability to update your thought processes during the race. Without an 'Overflowing Glass' or a clear mental picture of seeing yourself at the finish of the race, there's no point even starting IMO. I am totally surprised that folk undertake this and other monumental running tasks with little more than a wing and a prayer.

You need to be 100% conditioned and prepared... Yes there are always some exceptions but in my experience success is down to planning and having huge mental belief in ones own abilities....

How's your glass right now?

Either you do... Or you don't

It got me thinking today that in life it's far TOO EASY to say 'No' or opt out rather than in on taking a challenge or going that extra mile...

How many times have you said 'Oh bu99er it, I can't be bothered or given just enough to get by... It's just average and it gets me barking mad when people just don't put in as much effort as they need to. Whenever I find myself doing it, I even give myself a good hard kicking... Honestly.

Mediocrity isn't my game... Is it yours and does it drive you mad?

I'd love to know...

www.ULTRArace.co.uk - The Home of ULTRArunning in the UK

An Innocent Man - Billy Joel

Looks like it's time up for Lance Armstrong as the The United States anti-doping agency (USADA) are closing in on him and his three doctors on their 'Alledged' doping activities during his racing career.

Interestingly enough Armstrong has tested negative in ALL off his doping tests and so is well in the clear but has been named by his fellow team-mates that he was on performance enhancing drugs.

It's a bit like being convicted of murder without anyone finding a body with no DNA proof and just being convicted because someone said they saw you do it... I think they will have to do better than that to corner Armstrong as he has a MASSIVE following not only in cycling but also in the wider sporting world.

Whether he has or not been on drugs, we'll never know but it's a real shame that he is constantly under scrutiny and we are not celebrating his achievements without any doubt of his integrity.
There is a doubt there though isn't there. And it's bad that anyone wants to cheat to win and be blineded by adulation and monetary rewards. With the Olympics around the corner it makes you wonder just who is 'straight'... Hmmm

More tomorrow.