A/R/TIST in the Spotlight- OONegative

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Phew! #offthehook

Thanks also for the dinner invite, that's a table I would very much like to be at :cool:

I didn't realise your dad was from Connemara but it certainly explains a lot #tblromance

TbL is a City Slicker, I’ve more Connemara blood in me than that fella!!!

Glad you’re enjoying it D, thanks for the questions.

In terms of Athletics, who would be you favourite Athlete(past or present) and why?

I really like Meb Keflezighi, I’ve bought, read and enjoyed any books he has released. He’s a man that wasn’t the most talented runner or wasn’t blessed with raw speed of others but he worked damn hard at his profession and was rightly rewarded for his sustained hard work over the years. Something I hugely admire in anyone is hard work.

Favourite genre of music and fav musican?

Dance/Electronic/Rave whatever people like to call it. The song Out of Space started my love, I listened to all genres of it be it house, techno, trance, ambient, hardcore etc. I lived in a nite club called The System in Longford(there was a sister club of the same name in Dublin to) in my teens. I can put hand on heart as I type and say I never needed anything chemical to enjoy the music. If I had to choose a fav band it’s The 4th Dimension, a now defunct group that came from Kerry of all places, there stuff to this day sends chills down my spine.

Have you any phobia or fears like spiders,heights, finding TBL in your bed, etc?

Not a great man for heights, but a genuine phobia I have is bridges, I turn into a bumbling idiot going over them. There’s a long bridge I’ve been over too many times in Rennes in France that has had me close to a breakdown on a few occasions.

Unlimited resources or budget, is there anything you are passionate about that you would like to change in the world? (Bit deep)

I don’t know how much money or resources would help it, but bullying is something I’d love to eradicate from the world. I was bullied a lot growing up, I was big for my age but absolutely useless at standing up for myself, just wasn’t into confrontation. My ears were where it usually started and once the bully got a reaction it progressed.

Once had a lad throw a tennis ball directly at my nose and bust it open and laugh openly in my face after then blame me for bleeding everywhere and getting him in trouble!!

But the name calling hurt the most as it was about my personal appearance, it was hard enough growing up as a teenager without the added trauma of thinking you were some kind of freak because of your facial appearance!!

I see my young lad getting it now and it breaks my heart, he like me is not into confrontation and won’t fight back. I protect and comfort him as best I can and hope he doesn’t get it as bad as his Dad. Bullying has no place in society as far as I am concerned.

My sister went out with the keyboard player from 4D for years. My claim to fame was knowing those lads. Haha. Mossy was a lunatic. Loved their music.

Great reading here. Great thread and really interesting answers...

Itziger wrote: »

I'm with you on the bullying, disgusting behaviour and it would indeed break your heart to see your own going through it.

I have the one question for ya, B.

What marathon (in an ideal/non-covid world) are you thinking of for the sub 3 effort?

Ok, Question 1.1, What training plan would you use? Homemade? Online coach? Hansons? JD's? The two lads with the funny surnames?

I’ve unfinished business with a Spanish marathon D, so Valencia in an ideal world with you breaking the wind for me on a pacing gig then showing me the more salubrious watering holes you know there.

I’d go with another plan by the two lads with the funny names, the P&D stuff suits me and I like the way there plans are laid out. Even a buffoon like me can easily follow them. The plans of JD and Hanson’s require a degree in nautical physics!!!!

1. Would Alan Pardew have saved ADO if the season had finished off last year.

2. Did you play hurling or just football?

3.sports person you most admire and why.

4. You mentioned being bullied in school, what advice would you give your teenage self.

5. Do you listen to podcasts?

Sorry if any of the above have been already asked

OOnegative wrote: »

Hey D, hope all’s good man, thanks for the questions.

1. Would Alan Pardew have saved ADO if the season had finished off last year.

In one word no, they are heading for the Eerste Divisie this season. It’s a club I’ve come to learn that there is a lot of infighting in at the upper levels. The Chinese owners don’t want to invest any kind of decent money on players either.

The turn over players wise is crazy also, something like 18/19 new players brought in with absolutely no cohesion or consistent team taking the field week on week.

It’s a shame as the supporters are 100% loyal & committed to the club, when the young lad & myself were going to all home games it was the same people week on week there cheering them on.

2. Did you play hurling or just football?

No I never hit a sliotar in a competitive way. There is no hurling in the part of Westmeath I’m from, Athlone has the closest club but none of the lads committed to traveling there to play. All the proper hurling in the county is played north of Mullingar towards the Meath border.

3. Sports person you most admire and why.

Huge Michael Jordan fan growing up, so probably him. He is and always will be the greatest to play the game, the thing’s he done on a basketball court at times defied logic.

4. You mentioned being bullied in school, what advice would you give your teenage self.

Very easy to say now but I would have told myself to be more assertive and stand up to those people.

It’s one thing I’m thankful to AGS for, was still a bit timid entering the job but I soon learnt to be more authoritative with people. Look if I didn’t in that roll I was going to be walked all over.

I was a stern but fair copper and loads respected me for it. I only wished I could have done that in my teens.

5. Do you listen to podcasts?

No, I’m not a podcast man. Read a huge amount of sports news though. Not a man who listens to music/podcasts while running either, feel like I’m losing out on what’s going on around me.

Thanks for that. Fair play. One more question if I may.

6. 3 Non- negotiables for you and the people around you.

6. 3 Non- negotiables for you and the people around you.

For me it’s running, a time will come when I’m no longer able to do it I know that but for the moment the benefits it gives me are non-negotiable. It’s good for my physical and mental health and it sets a good example for our children to.

For my wife, social interaction. She’s the people person in the house and I know she needs interaction with people outside the house to keep herself sane!! Thankfully she has a very close friend here to meet up with a few times a week to stop her going demented!!

Our children, Mammy & Daddy and our dog, he’s a six month old cockapoo called Arlo. He’s a pain in the bo!!ix chewing everything at the minute but they love him!!

Thanks for the questions,

1. All-time favourite TV show?

I’m a big fan of 70s/80’s British sit-coms, Allo Allo, Last of the Summer Wine, Dads Army, Are you Being Served etc. But the one that tops them all would be Only Fools and Horses, they don’t make tv like that anymore. Mind you some of the comedy in it would have the modern day PC brigade screaming for blood.

Of modern day stuff The Inbetweeners & Friday Night Dinner, ok not exactly intelligent watching but I mostly like to switch off and not really concentrate when watching tv.

2. If you could go on an all-expenses trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Good question, I’m not really into exotic destinations holidays wise. But one place I do love and hope to bring our children to someday is New York. My wife & myself have visited 4/5 times and absolutely love the place, words can’t do the city justice. So much to see and do that you probably couldn’t see it all.

A couple more from me:

1. List your PBs?
2. Would you try a track meet now that you’ve done a couple of sort of’ track appearances? And what was your best 12 mins (if not listed above)?
3. You mentioned you can do pain more than most. I agree. What’s your secret?
4. Who’ll make the gravy for our dinner party?

Thanks!

Greatest song of all time?

https://youtu.be/m9Y1X2FdEMY

This, it’s dark, hard and you can just lose yourself listening to it, a tune that should never ever be touched as it’s already perfection in my opinion.

Greatest live performance of all time?

I’ll break this down into band & DJ:

https://youtu.be/cxB7TELms2U

The first time I seen them and the best. I was so close to Keith Flint that night I could smell his breath. Pure raw energy they were, still to this day the adrenaline immediately courses through my veins when I see this. Power failure wasn’t even going to stop them doing there thing that night.

DJ: I had the pleasure of seeing Billy Nasty live in The System in Longford in ‘95. He went on after Tommy Stewart warmed the place up and played from 11pm-4am, way past drinking up time in those days. The local AGS came in a few times to shut it down but decided it was better leave it run or face all out carnage from 500 odd people that were packed into the place(way overcrowded). Amazing night!!

Best cover song of all time?

https://youtu.be/o72NpKj0nxw

Not 100% a cover but it samples the scary ass intro to “Twin Peaks” and is a belter of a tune.

Blur or Oasis?

Neither, there music wasn’t my cup of tea growing up so never listened to either. Obviously knew Oasis was the more popular choice.

Orbital or Prodigy?

Prodigy all day, Orbital are a fantastic group and some of the music they have produced is legendary but Prodigy holds a special place in my heart.

*Not one ecstasy tablet was popped while listening to the above.

Unknownability wrote: »

1.Did you watch the intermediate final this year? If so what were your thoughts?

No, didn’t watch the live feed. Followed it on Twitter & had a cousin in England watching live giving me updates also. The sending off changed the game according to anyone I spoke to about it. They have become the Mayo of Westmeath Intermediate football always around the semifinals and final but just can’t make the breakthrough.

Great to see Moate back in the upper echelons of Westmeath club football to, a Tang man helped greatly along the way.

Cheers again D,

1. List your PBs?

5k - 17.57 - Klaverbladloop Nov ‘19
5mile - 31.43 - Fr Murphy’s 5 mile March ‘13(now defunct)
10k - 38.28 South Dublin 10k July ‘19
10mile - 64.09 - Trim 10 miles Feb ‘16
Half Marathon - 1.22.38 Amsterdam Half Oct ‘19
Marathon - 3.15.10 Köln Oct ‘18

2. Would you try a track meet now that you’ve done a couple of sort of’ track appearances? And what was your best 12 mins (if not listed above)?

I might alright if & when races return D, 3,450m was my best effort at the Coopertest.

3. You mentioned you can do pain more than most. I agree. What’s your secret?

Thickness/stubbornness call it what you will, I refuse to let a race get the better of me so I just keep pushing till I finally reach the finish line, when the mind is in the game I can really rinse myself. I have dropped out of races but that was more throwing the towel in rather than wanting to make myself hurt.

4. Who’ll make the gravy for our dinner party?

Me of course, I’m well able to cook and make a mean roast dinner. Just my wife is a better cook at most things, I specialise in certain meals!!

Cheers J,

1. What would you do to save the Leinster football championship?

Can it be saved? Dublin are so far ahead at present it will take years for others to catch up. I read John Connellan’s open letter and while every bit of it makes sense will it be implemented? Meath & Kildare have the footballers to make Leinster competitive again they just don’t have the money or the facilities at the minute to do it.

2. What was the last piece of sporting action that had you jumping around your sitting room in celebration?

Jumping around the pub do? Galway’s victory over Waterford in the 2018 All Ireland hurling final.

3. Who wins....Utd 98/99 or Utd 07/08?

98/99 - the golden age of United. Keane, Scholes, Beckham, Stam etc shade it for me. Cole, Yorke, Sheringham & Solksjaer like what kind of strike force is that, unbelievable!!

4. Who is your second favourite ever Man Utd player? (you are dead to me if Keano ain't your favourite!!)

Giggs first, Keano second. Nobody will again achieve what Ryan Giggs done in English Club football, no player will ever win 13 Premier League titles with one club again.

Proudest athletic achievement(s) to date?

Proudest athletic achievement(s) to date?

My Amsterdam Half performance(yawn ye say at this stage!!). I ran my first half struggling to break 1.45 and I thought then maybe if I get lucky some day I might get close to 90mins. 1.31.43 was my half Pb for way to long and I believed I was never destined to break 90. I come here and through a bit of hard work I broke 90 comfortably at my first CPC.

I ran an 8 mile HMP run two weeks before Amsterdam and killed it, I was running so within myself but still refused to get carried away. Then paranoia kicks in, what if I left my race on that training run!! When I got to mile 9 and opened it up a bit I was so happy as I knew then I was going to achieve a time that I thought was totally outside my capabilities as a runner. Not finished at that though!!

Winning The Sliabh Bawn 10k was special to, my name will forever be written in history as a winner of that race, something to be very proud of also.

Sounds like a question from a disgruntled Laois man!!!

Was Paidi good or bad for Westmeath football? Long term would they have been better off without a celebrity manager?

He led the county to there one and only Leinster crown so he’ll always be held in very high esteem in Westmeath!! He had that canny ability of getting every last bit of ability/determination out of players so I think it was good for the county in my opinion. We weren’t in the spotlight as much before or after because of Paidi. He kind of established a bit of recognition and respect for football within Westmeath.

Did he really take helicopters to training?

I don’t know the honest answer to this, I heard stories to the effect Michael O Leary flew him up and down from Ventry in a helicopter alright but what truth was behind it I don’t know.

Sure he was supposed to frequent the jacuzzi in the Grenville Arms in Mullingar with some expensive bottles of red wine in hand adorned by flaxen haired vixens from the town surrounding him to!!

Kudos for doing this, OOnegative. It’s been an interesting read.

I don’t think this has been asked, and hope you don’t consider it too personal, but why the username? Do you regularly donate blood?

Also kudos for how often and how promptly you give out Kudos on Strava. I think I sometimes get notification that “BM gave you kudos on Morning Run” before notification that said Morning Run had even been uploaded. It’s gotten to the stage, that if I don’t receive kudos form you, I wonder am I just after logging a sh1t run. How do you have time for this? Is giving out kudos an automated feature of your Strava account?
.
As a former member of AGS, how would you feel about Strava being used to check people out exercising are complying with Ireland’s 5k restrictions? à la les Gendarmerie, https://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/french-police-using-strava-to-catch-and-fine-cyclists-for-training-outdoors/

I only ask this final question, because I might be a bit too anal about it myself; do you use the “Preview Post” button on boards before hitting “Submit Reply”?

Oh, And have you ever considered a triathlon?

zico10 wrote: »

Kudos for doing this, OOnegative. It’s been an interesting read.

I don’t think this has been asked, and hope you don’t consider it too personal, but why the username? Do you regularly donate blood?

Also kudos for how often and how promptly you give out Kudos on Strava. I think I sometimes get notification that “BM gave you kudos on Morning Run” before notification that said Morning Run had even been uploaded. It’s gotten to the stage, that if I don’t receive kudos form you, I wonder am I just after logging a sh1t run. How do you have time for this? Is giving out kudos an automated feature of your Strava account?
.
As a former member of AGS, how would you feel about Strava being used to check people out exercising are complying with Ireland’s 5k restrictions? à la les Gendarmerie, https://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/french-police-using-strava-to-catch-and-fine-cyclists-for-training-outdoors/

I only ask this final question, because I might be a bit too anal about it myself; do you use the “Preview Post” button on boards before hitting “Submit Reply”?

Oh, And have you ever considered a triathlon?

Hey A, belting out some serious training lately!

I kinda made reference the user name earlier in the thread, it comes from the movie The Goonies. One of the characters, Data, saw himself as 007 ala James Bond. Mickey(Sean Astin) calls him OOnegative once and that’s the source of my user name!!!

Again regarding the kudos issue, it’s like the answer to my regularity on this forum. I’m either very sad or dedicated to checking the runners I follow on Strava(I like to think it’s the latter myself!!).

Wouldn’t be a fan of AGS using Strava as a tool to track people to see if they are obeying the 5k limits. I know for a fact if it was, there would be an element who would use it for more “shady” purposes let’s say!!!

I only ever use the “Preview Post” feature if I’m using a laptop A, I think every answer on this thread I’ve done using my phone.

As regards a triathlon, I’d never say never. I can swim but it needs some serious work before I’d ever commit to doing one. Some lovely open water lakes here that open early summer that local tri clubs make serious use of.

Well the last four miles should be torture anyway. In your case, medieval torture!