ARTist in the spotlight - theboyblunder

BeepBeep67

He started off looking to break 3hrs, now 6:50 pace is an easy 20 miler.

Some say he eats hills for breakfast.
Some say he deliberately goes out of his way to ignore ex-Mods.
Some say he puts the Bros in Brother's Pearce.
Others say he's the only male in the very same club that sends a shiver down the spine of the red and yellow Tallafornia crew and has a new singlet on order so he can hand his old one to drquirkey to wear in Buskers on Oct 27th.

Introducing the man who runs on a sliver of rubber on the outside of each shoe, fresh from a fantastic top 10, 2:52 in Connemara, ladies and gentlemen fingers on buzzers, as theboyblunder takes centre stage!

BeepBeep67

Lets get the ball rolling.

What do you regard as the breakthrough moment in the running to date?
Favorite track session.
You train very specifically for a marathon based on the course profile, what will the key session for DCM be?
What was your 1st beer after Conn?
Still enjoying the Kinvaras?
How fast do you think you could the marathon with 6 months ideal training.
Same question for a mile on the track?

theboyblunder

Lets get the ball rolling.

What do you regard as the breakthrough moment in the running to date?


I suppose sub 3 in Barcelona 2011. Not because I ran a great race or anything, but it got the monkey off my back. I thought about the number way too much beforehand. I tend to obsess about marathon training and racing less now and enjoy it more.

Favorite track session.

For me its like asking what your favourite dental treatment is. I suppose I can just about tolerate 5 x 1,200 m. Havent done it in a while. Anything shorter fills me with dread.

You train very specifically for a marathon based on the course profile, what will the key session for DCM be?

Last week I would have said the longest PMP run in P&D (20 with last 14 at PMP). I do this on a slightly rolling 1.08 mile lap near my house. Its tough. Starting tomorrow im getting advice from somone - im going to put myself in their hands, so i'll be interested in the answer to that myself.....

What was your 1st beer after Conn?

Guinness - a characteristically rather poorly paced first rep (whiskey recovery)

Still enjoying the Kinvaras?

No actually. The 3s were great and the 4s feel fine but they are made of tissue paper. Holes after 200 miles. Still, they dont give my porcelain feet stress fractures so i'll have to suck it up until I find a more durable alternative.


How fast do you think you could the marathon with 6 months ideal training.

Tough one. I'd like to think with ideal training that 2:39 wouldnt be impossible.

Same question for a mile on the track?

Im sh*te at shorter distances - maybe 5:05. I think id need 6 months of intense sports psychology before starting my 6 months training just to get me down to the track.

TRR

An entire week of taking the piss out of TBB I'm going to really really enjoy this.

- do you watch athletics on tv?
- do you support a soccer team?
- why bros pearse? Serious question
- do you actually enjoy running hilly routes or did you just hit the hills specifically for con? Would you drop them completely for DCM?
- what are your short term plans in the lead up to DCM training?
- do you think you will ever be able to slow your run/commute down?
- would you run Connemara again? I hear mixed reviews
- will you target an overseas marathon anytime soon?
- favourite whiskey?

Gringo78

Can you ever see yourself averaging 100 mpw for a marathon training cycle?

theboyblunder

An entire week of taking the piss out of TBB I'm going to really really enjoy this.

Yeah by sunday we will prob both be getting warnings

- do you watch athletics on tv?

When I can. Used to be more enthusiastic but Im not sure I trust T&F anymore. Sad for the majority of clean athletes but like many, I cant get into it like I used to

- do you support a soccer team?

Supported man utd ffom 1983-2006

- why bros pearse? Serious question

I never intended to join a club. One of my silly little pleasures used to be passing club runners in races. Pvincent worked on me a little bit, and ray. Its my local club. Really nice bunch of people with infectious enthusiasm, but the clincher was the sexy, up-the-ra singlets.

- do you actually enjoy running hilly routes or did you just hit the hills specifically for con? Would you drop them completely for DCM?

Yeah I do enjoy them. I find hilly runs less monotonous, they pass quicker.. Gives you something to achieve other than distance. Ill be keeping them for the dcm for sure.


- what are your short term plans in the lead up to DCM training?

To get faster over 5-10K. Quirky will run away from me if I dont.

- do you think you will ever be able to slow your run/commute down?

Yes. It was the first thing the coach said, so im going to slow them right down. 7:20-7:30 pace. Started just before conn. I dont like running easy, but ill have to learn....

- would you run Connemara again? I hear mixed reviews

Maybe when I no longer care about running as fast as I can over 26.2. Its a great race to do once, well set up and beautiful surroundings,:but its a tough course and I was alone for literally all of it. Not cheap either.

will you target an overseas marathon anytime soon?

Would love to do london, berlin and new york. I was supposed to do berlin this year (a load of the bros are doing it) but stupidly forgot to claim my place.

- favourite whiskey?

Jameson. Im not a coinnesseur, but friends got me an 18 year old jemmie a while back which was out of this world.

RayCun

theboyblunder wrote: »

- would you run Connemara again? I hear mixed reviews

Maybe when I no longer care about running as fast as I can over 26.2. Its a great race to do once, well set up and beautiful surroundings,:but its a tough course and I was alone for literally all of it.

proof

theboyblunder

Can you ever see yourself averaging 100 mpw for a marathon training cycle?

Would love to be able to do that, but I dont think id find the time. If my little one was older maybe.....

Krusty_Clown

RayCun wrote: »

proof

My question is: how come you have a shadow in the picture?

RayCun

Did you play sport when younger? Did you run?
When and why did you take up running (again?)?
How did you find boards/this forum?
Favourite marathon?
Favourite other race?
Race you'd like to forget, but now I've reminded you of it ?
Any races on the bucket list?
Why isn't the little one a member yet?

drquirky

Great choice


Using fairly non scientific calculations that I'm terming "the Krusty multiplier" I have your Connemarathon run at around a 2:45 on an easier course. Agree or disagree?

Any truth to the rumour that you've joined the Stazza stable?

Scottish/ Irish whisk(e)y or Bourbon?

Any interest in the big boardsie fiesta that will be Boston 2015?

Biggest weakness?

Favourite meal?

Ososlo

Hi theboyblunder. As a fellow vegetarian, I am always interested to see how other vegie runners manage to get their full intake of protein on a daily basis. What kinds of proteins do you eat and have you got any good suggestions for other types? Do you take protein shakes?

I've heard it said that no one ever became vegetarian intentionally to become a better runner. Do you think you'd be an even better runner if you ate meat and fish?

Have you been vegetarian all your life? Do you take any supplements like B12? If not, how do you get this in your diet?

digger2d2

Do you miss any of the running gear myself and CL stole from your clothes line?

Do you always sleep on that side of the bed?

statss

I've enjoyed reading your log lately, great stuff in Conn.

Out of pure nosiness what line of work are you in, something sciency is it?!

Looks like you go for lunchtime runs the odd time, do you always head down to the Sandymount/coast area from the city centre area or do you have other routes you'd recommend that are good to squeeze a run into at lunch?

Remind us, what weekly mileage did you keep up & what plan did you follow when you went sub 3 for the first time?

Does your running cause any hassles at home, juggling work & family life? The commute runs must be a drag?

And most importantly, why did you stop supporting Utd in 2006?!

Krusty_Clown

Given your scientific background and interest in nutrition (for example your input on a recent debate on the merits of low carb. diets), how do you justify the vegetarian diet? Are we not natural carnivores? Is it not just the natural order of things?

Given that it's so fresh in your mind, what were the thoughts going through your head as you crossed the finish line on Sunday?

Any regrets about not targeting a flat marathon? My Krusty multiplier suggests maybe a 5-6 minute marathon improvement on a flat, windless course (given you would have benefited a little over the first half of the course).

What was your half way split?

How much do I owe you for the coffee and why wasn't it all 'Irish'ed up'?

drquirky

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

My Krusty multiplier suggests maybe a 5-6 minute marathon improvement on a flat, windless course (given you would have benefited a little over the first half of the course).

FTR I have you (Krusty)easily in sub 76 shape- hence I am using you as a marker and doubling the gap in your time to reflect TBB's marathon

theboyblunder

Did you play sport when younger? Did you run?

I did. Hurling and footbal for trinity gaels as a kid (no talent). Lots of summers playing world cup and heads n volleys. I ran for a now defunct small club in coolock called kilmore AC for 3-4 years (made a few finals but never won anything).

When and why did you take up running (again?)?

Took it up again in 2007, gave it up and then properly started in 2008.
I started playing football with a few mates on fridays and was appalled with how out of shape I was, so I started jogging and the rest, as they say, is OCD.

How did you find boards/this forum?

Christeb told me about it. Was hooked ftom day one. I take it for granted now and again, but your question has just made me think about what a great resource/social club this forum is.

Favourite marathon?

Dublin for sure of the few ive done so far. Running down nassau st with all that noise - gives you goosebumps.

Favourite other race?

Barcelona marathon was great too. There was a really narrow section where the crowd pushed in like the tdef the year i did it. Vinca vinca vinca! Animo animo. Great stuff. Of the irish ones: dungarvan 10 and dunshaughlin 10k are prob my favourites.

Race you'd like to forget, but now I've reminded you of it ?
DCM 2011. Dnf, very clear memories of sitting on the side of the road in terenure utterly dejected.

Any races on the bucket list?

yeah loads, two categories
1. Youngish and fitish: london, new york, berlin, rotterdam, fukouka (weird I know but I love the idea of the wagon coming to get you. Have to get fitter)
2. Oldish: boston, chicago, athens

Ive recently found out that my wife reads this occassionally, so id just say that theres another race I dream about someday involving southern african socialists

Why isn't the little one a member yet?

Oh shes told me shes joining just this morning. Said she had 'fast powers'.

theboyblunder

Great choice

Using fairly non scientific calculations that I'm terming "the Krusty multiplier" I have your Connemarathon run at around a 2:45 on an easier course. Agree or disagree?

I think that might be a bit generous. I trained more or less specifically for connemara. Im not sure how id get on at a flat marathon on a windless day. Faster obviously, but im light and low on power: connemara 'suits' me. Id have to guess that I would lose less time on that course than a similarly fit but heavier (i.e. normal weight!) runner, so id also guess that the reverse is true on a flat course.

I just put my bohermeen half time into mcmillan, and it gave 2:47. So given the taper etc maybe somewhere between mcmillan and KC is where I am.

Any truth to the rumour that you've joined the Stazza stable?

after the posts ive put up in his log, that would be a very interesting PM :pac:

Scottish/ Irish whisk(e)y or Bourbon?

Cant do scotch. Really dont like it. Iv not had too many bourbons (dont think JD counts!), but remember liking the ones ive had. Maybe we should make that an enjoyable part of our smackdown?

Any interest in the big boardsie fiesta that will be Boston 2015?

Yes and no. Looks like a super race. Tradition, crowd commitment, course, tour of the best boozers from quirky, everything. Problem for me is the roulette game you play with the weather. I do very badly in the heat and humidity. Thats why its on my oldish list. Still, if a load are going I could be tempted - my missus loves the place....

Biggest weakness?

in running: I wimp out a bit in shorter races sometimes - i'm alright with the slow, heavy pain of (half)-marathon running, but being bang out of puff at mile 1 in a 5K race is terrifying for me. It really is - I looked forward to connemara, even when I saw the weather forecast, but ive dreaded every 5K ive run once I experienced the pain of the first one.

in life: my poor wife probably has a comprehensive list which I could consult but if I was judging I would have to say its procrastination - I often put things off that I dont want to do until it becomes an unnecessary problem.

Favourite meal?

Toughest question so far - and thinking about it has made me hungry for them you b*stard

Cant split my top 2

- taglietelle with spinach and gorgonzola sauce
- double egg, peas and chips

theboyblunder

Hi theboyblunder. As a fellow vegetarian, I am always interested to see how other vegie runners manage to get their full intake of protein on a daily basis. What kinds of proteins do you eat and have you got any good suggestions for other types? Do you take protein shakes?

Hi Osolo

Didnt know you were a veggie too. I work in town, so I try to eat a good bit in govindas and cornucopia. Lots of pulses and tofu in there. I eat one egg a day usually too. At home I cook most weekends (but have been lax there recently) and make the same kind of stuff. I eat wholegrain bread and mostly durum wheat pasta. I have a weakness for quorn and those linda mccartney burgers (they are as close to meat as you can get), but they are processed and probably not great. Im not a nutritionist/dietician (some snake oil in all of that stuff sometimes) but I reckon veggies worry about protein too much; if youre including protein sources of some kind in every meal I reckon its fine, and its worth remembering that all living things have some protein in them.

I never take protein shakes. I had a student who was a bodybuilder once and a colleague remarked that they look like bulls semen. Couldnt even think of taking one now!

I've heard it said that no one ever became vegetarian intentionally to become a better runner. Do you think you'd be an even better runner if you ate meat and fish?


Yeah probably. An optimal omnivorous diet has to trump an optimal veggie diet I reckon, otherwise all elite athletes would be vegetarians. When I line up at a race I dont feel disadvantaged though. Most meat eaters dont eat optimal diets (too much meat, fat, salt etc etc etc), neither do veggies (definitely me anyway) eat optimally of course, but we are forced to think about our food more often. Secondly, there are loads of other things which influence performance, which when combined must massively outweigh small dietary factors, so I dont worry about it.

Have you been vegetarian all your life? Do you take any supplements like B12? If not, how do you get this in your diet?

Nope, only been a vegetarian since 2005. I take one multivitamin with food a day, nothing else. I never worry about B12 or anything like that.

theboyblunder

Do you miss any of the running gear myself and CL stole from your clothes line?



Have you any idea how much that traumatic period cost me in 'decoy boxers'? Have you?

Do you always sleep on that side of the bed?

The one furthest from the window? F*ckin sure I do

Stazza

Have you tried quinoa?

theboyblunder

I've enjoyed reading your log lately, great stuff in Conn.

Thanks!

Out of pure nosiness what line of work are you in, something sciency is it?!

I'm an academic. Organic chemistry.

Looks like you go for lunchtime runs the odd time, do you always head down to the Sandymount/coast area from the city centre area or do you have other routes you'd recommend that are good to squeeze a run into at lunch?

Yeah, its the best. just over a mile from the city centre and you are out on to the sea. Its brilliant. I dont know any other routes because I like that one so much. Sean Moore park is there for speedwork if needed and there is a little hilly park near poolbeg for variety. Very few traffic lights (although the merrion gates are a pain sometimes).

Remind us, what weekly mileage did you keep up & what plan did you follow when you went sub 3 for the first time?

Daniels Plan A, max at 70 mpw. That part of my log starts here

Does your running cause any hassles at home, juggling work & family life? The commute runs must be a drag?

It used to a bit: I was selfish at the start (back in 2008 etc) to be honest - thinking that everyone else knew how critically important running is. I learned to balance it - sometimes I need time to run (like sunday mornings), so I make sure that the OH gets time to herself in roughly the same amounts on saturdays. When I get in from my run I shower quickly and make sure that im doing what I should from the rest of the day. Sometimes that means going to the playground, cutting the grass or visiting the mother in law when all you really want to do is sleep, but I try to suck it up and not let it show. Doesnt cause problems now.

Apart from sunday mornings, I usually will either commute, or run when my daughter is either asleep, out with grandparents or eating.

And most importantly, why did you stop supporting Utd in 2006?!

Odd but true one (apologies in advance to stazza). The world cup. England were playing paraguay. Two english friends invited us out to their home to watch the game. Myself and my wife turned up draped in very large paraguay flags I had ordered from the internet for the occasion. My english friends were ok with it, but when the game came on I realised I was booing the same players I watched and cheered week in week out in the premiership.

I instantly felt like an idiot (and a hypocrite) and decided to either support England (Ireland hadnt qualified of course) or stop supporting utd.

I just couldnt bring myself to do it.....not even once every 4 years

Stazza

Odd but true one (apologies in advance to stazza). I support Arsenal . And, contrary to what you've been told, I'm Irish.

PVincent

So you are a true Northsider? Do you really enjoy those 1.08 mile circuits that I used to see you doing so many of . ( I could never bring myself to stop you or try to catch you as you were pounding them out! ) Have you ever had knee issues given your running style.

TRR

I'm interested in the vegetarian side of things. It's something I'm considering at the moment and will probably try for a couple of months at least after the London marathon and see if and how I adapt.

What was it that made you decide to become a vegetarian?
Did you eat a lot of meat up to that point?
Did it take long for you to adapt?
Did you notice any major or severe changes in your body shape tone when you made the switch away from meat?
Have you been completely meat free since 2005 or have you ever had a sneaky burger or steak?

theboyblunder

Given your scientific background and interest in nutrition (for example your input on a recent debate on the merits of low carb. diets), how do you justify the vegetarian diet? Are we not natural carnivores? Is it not just the natural order of things?

In terms of evolution, vegetarianism cant be justified. Its not natural at all. I cant understand vegetarians who argue its 'better', or 'natural'. However, we are unique in that we have evolved enough to escape the direct control of hard wiring by genes. Not completely, but mostly. I suppose all i'd say is that its a choice - contraception is also difficult to justify in an evolutionary context, but most of agree its a good idea in general.

Given that it's so fresh in your mind, what were the thoughts going through your head as you crossed the finish line on Sunday?

'Thank god that metal barrier is there to hang on to'.

Closely followed by...

'I hope Gary didnt see that'

I was happy with the race. Mostly with the fact that I was able to mete out the effort and arrive at the line totally boll*xed but still running. The garmin isnt much good on that course. I actually read one of your race reports before heading out and decided to run by feel. I hadnt dont that properly before, and was a bit concerned because it had been a while since my last marathon. I hoped I hadnt forgotten what the warning lights looked like.

Any regrets about not targeting a flat marathon? My Krusty multiplier suggests maybe a 5-6 minute marathon improvement on a flat, windless course (given you would have benefited a little over the first half of the course).

Yeah a little, mostly planted by the guy im going to get advice off. I picked connemara because I was coming off a nasty achilles injury last summer, and didnt want to compare sessions from before . Wanted to just get fit. Plus, it was an easy sell to the lads who came down with me (far enough to require an overnight and a day off) . Hopefully I can target a PB in Dublin.

What was your half way split?

1:25 I think

How much do I owe you for the coffee and why wasn't it all 'Irish'ed up'?



Nothing for the coffee. Every time you run a PB I believe that I can still get faster. Most on here are probably think the same. Inspirational.

Re: irish coffee: it would have been picture of the year - slurping a messy ad hoc irish coffee with tropical gel sweetner out of the vase

theboyblunder

Odd but true one (apologies in advance to stazza). I support Arsenal . And, contrary to what you've been told, I'm Irish.

I was writing in the stazza style. Apologies, I was aware that you were irish.

PS you have my sympathies regarding the arsenal thing . If you ever want to purchase two nearly mint condition paraguay flags to help disentangle yourself - just let me know

theboyblunder

So you are a true Northsider?

Yip. Donaghmede born and bred. My favourite boyzone band member is keeeeehhhhhh

Do you really enjoy those 1.08 mile circuits that I used to see you doing so many of. ( I could never bring myself to stop you or try to catch you as you were pounding them out! )

The 1.08 mile lap is a special lap. It has almost no redeeming features other than having no lights and only 3 minor road crossings. However, it has just enough rise and fall to keep you thinking, and is close to the house to be forgiving if the stomach is queasy

Have you ever had knee issues given your running style.

Not really, the odd pain now and then but nothing serious. Ive had loads of injuries though, and I would say that my awful gait has a lot to do with them. Also my hitherto refusal to slow down.

theboyblunder

Have you tried quinoa?

I have. OH doesnt like it. So that was the end of that. If you have a way of livening it up - do let me know.

theboyblunder

]I'm interested in the vegetarian side of things. It's something I'm considering at the moment and will probably try for a couple of months at least after the London marathon and see if and how I adapt.

Good stuff.

What was it that made you decide to become a vegetarian?

Ethical reasons.

Did you eat a lot of meat up to that point?

Yip. most meals. When I had dinner, it was meat with other crap to fill up the plate.

Did it take long for you to adapt?

Not really. I decided to go off meat first but retain fish, and then I dropped the fish after a few months. I think that helped not make such a big deal out of it. After 6 months I stopped thinking about it at all.

Did you notice any major or severe changes in your body shape tone when you made the switch away from meat?

No, none at all. But you have to watch the GI of your food I find. Not in an anal suck-the-enjoyment-out-of-it way, just checking that its not all refined, lightning quick carbohydrates. If you dont vegetarianism is a great way to get fat because you horse in the carbs, get a nice insulin response, feel hungry, then eat more carbs etc etc etc

Have you been completely meat free since 2005 or have you ever had a sneaky burger or steak?

Yes and no. Never buy meat for myself, or order it anywhere. I have eaten meat (control yourselves) on occasion. This is usually when the meat is going to be thrown out if I dont eat it. For example - my daughter is not vegetarian (we dont like it, but shes 4 and we are not at home all day, so we cant control her diet enough to be sure she gets everything she needs). If she leaves some meat in her dinner and its going to be binned, i'll eat it rather than see it thrown out. The animal is dead, wasting its body isnt going to help anyone. Im sure ive accidentally eaten loads of meat products in restaurants - you order broccoli soup but you can taste the meat stock off it. I think there was ham in the 'egg' sandwich I had last sunday in connemara actually.

RayCun

favourite book?
movie?
did you know that Trinity College was in Dublin? :eek: