The Old Mans Blog

Weekly conversations on club night! An occasional blog, all characters are fictional and any resemblance to members, living or dead, is purely coincidental! With Thanks to Sheffield Runners Site for the idea!

Standing at Huis Park at 6:20pm on a Tuesday...

Old Man 'I Love this running lark young man, been running for a many years

Young Member 'Been running myself for ages, at least 18 months, got my Garmin, logging runs on Map my Run, check all my results on line...

Old Man , Garmin, we just got out and ran, no bloody idea how far it was, just ran until knackered, then went home..

YM - I do a fartlek, then a bit of a tempo, and do my long run on Sundays..make sure my kit is wicking, record the distance then use 'take me home' on the garmin...

OM - Just like me, I get upset sometimes and lose my Tempo, wicking? my kit is cotton, oh and I often fartlek, sometimes all round the run, must look at what I eat before I go out! If I get stuck I give the missus a call to come and take me 'ome.

YM Got my results from the 10km last week, looked it up on the net, was pleased with 48 minutes...

OM Net? was that the goal net on the rec, or some other net? I used to stick a SAE in a box and the results came through a few weeks later, or wait for Athletics Weekly. internet, all rubbish.. I'm told I did 50 mins last week. Now every Tom, Dick and Harry knows what crap you ran on Sunday, no chance of bullshit or making up excuses, you are hit with it at the Tuesday club run!

YM But the categories give you a chance..

OM Categories? they even show your age these days, tells everyone what an Old Git you are, slowed down so much these days, I am in decline, but still like to jog round, mind you that Matt Driver flew past me, and as for that blond Angel, well, I saw her at the start but she was at home having Sunday lunch time I finished!

YM Maybe if you took a scientific approach to your training and nutrition you could halt your decline!

OM  Halt my decline? Bloody disintegration more like! I need a full body transplant!

YM Why not try Nutritional Supplements..

OM Huh, the Missues said about them last week, SIS Gels, shotblocs, torq bars, powerade, garmins, zipvit, what the hell is that all about? might as well be written in, bloody swahili! I ran a 30 minute 10km and a 65 minute half on bread and jam and a strong cup of tea, followed by the odd glass of stout, done me no 'arm!

YM Apart from looking like an old shrivelled prune, you are out of touch old man, you need to update, get a coach, some up to date advice, talk to that EA coach

OM Coach? I remember when he did not know the difference between a glass of squash and lactic acid, and if I wanted to hear all that crap about listening to your body I would cut it out of Runners World. If I listened to my body I would have quit years ago, and as for twitter, I'm not a bloody bird and facebook, whats that all about? Social Network, its about the most unsocial garbage I have ever heard about!

YM You must have been young, keen and enthusiastic once?

OM Probably, but the Missus says I must have been born like this.. We are off, I will try and keep up with you..

OM goes away and spends all his spare time on FB, Twitter, trawling results and being up to date about everything that is going at other clubs from their web sites. Most of these are full of facts and figures, we have a warmth and a welcome that attracts our new members, we have the personal touch, this is clearly attractive to those searching for a new club or a first club to join. Despite the presence of the old man, the club is on the rise, members and results are improving and growing.

I think we are showing that its possible to have serious intent but to maintain our friendship, humour and informality. May it always continue!

I think the Old Man is mellowing, I am sure he will be back to his old self by the time the next blog is here..