Sport hypocrisy?

[Guest]

It was the insinuation that just because we don't train like professional athletes, we either haven't trained enough, or don't deserve to have a crack. If you knew the hours of running the likes of me, Andy, and Reynard have put in for this event, you might be just a teeny-weeny bit impressed? It's also why it took us all nearly twice as long to complete the course!

My point was that professional athletes train a lot more and have professional help and they have medical checks. Non-professionals don't so they don't really understand the risk they are taking.

I do understand that you will have put in a lot of time training. I've done it myself many many years ago which is why I know how dangerous it is. Do you know how much damage you have done to your knees (and not just your knees) pounding the hours of training on a hard road surface? It took you twice as long because you are not as physically prepared as the pros and taking twice as long doesn't make it less dangerous it makes it more dangerous. I have experienced the pain of a marathon and also the adrenaline rush and addiction to running that can follow as you improve.

I think I've managed to combine about 6 different themes throughout the one thread.

btw - I see that you raised money for Asthma UK. I have donated to them in the past (not through sponsorship though) as my son suffers from asthma.

[I am Rod Hull]

I`m indifferent towards horses and joggists, so I don`t let it bother me.

[Bellend Sebastian]

do you really think people just run the marathon without preparation??

Jedward did apparently. And Jade Goody, and it didn't do her any harm

[Parafox]

FIF is a WUM and a TROLL

Full marks to anybody who is prepared to take on a challenge in order to raise money for a decent cause.

If Birch had dropped dead at the KP would you be calling him an "untrained fool" because, whilst undoubtedly in reasonable fitness for his age, he's hardly at the peak of condition, in much the same way as Claire Squires probably isn't. I'm pretty sure that anyone close to her (and her friend was a keen runner who also took part in the marathon) that felt she was foolhardy and irresponsible would surely have warned her off taking part.

Besides, you can't just turn and run 26 miles you have to be registered. I admit, I don't know if registration includes any questions on fitness levels.

[Webbo]

FIF is a WUM and a TROLL

Full marks to anybody who is prepared to take on a challenge in order to raise money for a decent cause.

If Birch had dropped dead at the KP would you be calling him an "untrained fool" because, whilst undoubtedly in reasonable fitness for his age, he's hardly at the peak of condition,

I'd have took him out and shot him to spare his suffering like they do in horse racing.

[Guest]

I can't stand Birchenall. Disliked him as a player and he only ever bugged me to death when I used to be their every week listening to a non-leicester supporting hanger-oner who was getting paid for something many would have done for nothing. He's yearly laps of the stadium was boring and that was when he was much younger. If he died running around the ground I may start to believe in a caring God.

I'd have took him out and shot him to spare his suffering like they do in horse racing.

I would have donated to charity to watch that.

[m00nie]

Jedward did apparently. And Jade Goody, and it didn't do her any harm

jedward twins were already runners and jade goody collapsed attemting it with LITTLE training

[Bellend Sebastian]

jedward twins were already runners and jade goody collapsed attemting it with LITTLE training

You can say what you like, but those of us in the know that it was super fantastic sparkly twin magic that propelled those boys over the line.

I assume that Jade Goody's training regime made up for in quality what it lacked in quantity.

What were we arguing about again?

[Jon the Hat]

Horse racing is great and the National should continue, but comparing to the risks of sports involving people is complete utter nonsense, and if you cannot see that then you are not mentally fit to engage in discussion with intelligent adults and should be banned from General chat and banished to the LCFC forum immediately.

[Rincewind]

I have never been a mega fit person. Even at school I used to walk the cross country getting in up to 30 min after the rest. I would not attempt a marathon without training first but then again I would never attempt the training. TBH I would be scared to exert myself to a position where I am panting for breath and putting a strain on my vital organs which to get fit enough you may have to. I know some older people do it but having never ran for more than a hundred yards at a time I don't think it would be a good idea. Maybe the older people that do do it have always put aside some time for a little jog. To go straight into a marathon would be foolish and I believe competitors are advised how to prepare and aren't there doctors there at the start to check? If somebody is puffing and panting at the start they may not be fit enough to carry on.

I would think running puts a strain on your heart if not done right and even the best can suffer from it.

[Guest]

My point was that professional athletes train a lot more and have professional help and they have medical checks. Non-professionals don't so they don't really understand the risk they are taking.

I do understand that you will have put in a lot of time training. I've done it myself many many years ago which is why I know how dangerous it is. Do you know how much damage you have done to your knees (and not just your knees) pounding the hours of training on a hard road surface? It took you twice as long because you are not as physically prepared as the pros and taking twice as long doesn't make it less dangerous it makes it more dangerous. I have experienced the pain of a marathon and also the adrenaline rush and addiction to running that can follow as you improve.

I think I've managed to combine about 6 different themes throughout the one thread.

btw - I see that you raised money for Asthma UK. I have donated to them in the past (not through sponsorship though) as my son suffers from asthma.

I've been running for years. I can't afford the time to train like a professional, and I wouldn't expect to get anywhere near their times! There are also other factors that go into it, such as the fact many of these trained athletes have ran, or at the least played competitive sport at a high level, for years. I have asthma, which wasn't diagnosed until I was 17, so I never had the base fitness to ever amount to anything more than a hobby runner. Nell McAndrew, on the other hand, is now more famous for her running than whatever it was she did before. It's taken her years to break the 3hr marathon, but she's never hidden the fact she was a competitive distance runner when she was at school, which will have no doubt helped her progress. I'm realistic about my own ability, or lack of. I think most people are.

I'm well aware of the damage that running can do to joints, but I'm also aware of the benefits to my lungs, for example. Despite being asthmatic, I have a bigger lung capacity than most people, which only helps my condition. Running actually strengthens my joints, which are affected by Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome. As far as I am concerned, the benefits of running outweigh the risks, which I have taken the time to consider. The risks are only higher for non-runners because of underlying pre-existing conditions or diseases, but as we've seen, even professional sportsmen and women are susceptible. These conditions could present whilst training for a marathon, a 5k race, or by not running at all.

Anyone who takes up running, and gets their advice from a magazine, or the internet, will see that beginners are advised to consult their doctor before starting any programme. The same advice applies to any increase in activity, whether it's running, Zumba, or power-walking. I've inspired mates to try running, and I will tell them they should get checked out first. It's common sense.

I hope your son's asthma is controlled, and Asthma UK can find a cure; it's one of the most frustrating conditions I know!

[Daggers]

I'm lost - is someone seriously saying Jade Goody (RIP gawd bless her Princess of Hearts) should be entered into the National?

I wouldn't have entered her while she was still alive.

[Bellend Sebastian]

I'm lost - is someone seriously saying Jade Goody (RIP gawd bless her Princess of Hearts) should be entered into the National?

I wouldn't have entered her while she was still alive.

They sure as hell are. And to think, they call this progress

[_Fatboyslow_]

Ok for what it's worth, regarding horse racing we have to decide as a society do we feel that the gains from racing, employment, human pleasure and wealth creation out weigh the harm done to the horses. It's not about how they are kept, making the course safer, if they enjoy competing

it is simply do the benefits out weigh the down

side. I used to love NH racing but I now take little intrest now, because no one will stand up

and say the benefits win, we land up with a miss

mash which avoids the question and creates a

guilt trip.

Could not the money spent on these wonderful animals be used to better effect and make no

mistake about if was then that would be the end

of these animals. And talking of guilt trips why

do you need a death to support a charity or a

Wirst band. And why the fcik do poeple respond to the garbage the media dishes out?

Boy do I feel better

[FoxyPV]

I thought it was clear, unless you are from the bookworld.

(If you haven't read Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series that probably makes no sense).

Love those books.

[ADK]

I don't think its wrong or hypocritical to look at the ethics of any sport.

[Captain...]

Love those books.

Me too, yay, never known anyone else who has read them.

[Rincewind]

I have no interest in horse racing but it is big business and hard work for those involved. There are a lot of employment in the sport. From stable lads up to trainers. For the owners/breeders buying a horse just for one race can be a gamble. The horse can be bred just for one race then see it all go disastrously wrong when tragedy hits like last Saturday. But these are very rare. A horse can go lame during training or just out for a trot across fields.

As for human sports, I'm not a fan of boxing but laws have made it a lot safer. It is no longer a case of two blokes hammering six bells of shit out of each other until one gives in. It is more technical and there is an element of skill in the sport. Motor racing deaths have been reduced drastically over the years. The cars are made better and safer.

If some one had a heart attack during the World Tidily-Wink Championship there would be people campaigning for it to be banned because of it.

[danny.]

I'm well aware of the damage that running can do to joints, but I'm also aware of the benefits to my lungs, for example. Despite being asthmatic, I have a bigger lung capacity than most people, which only helps my condition. Running actually strengthens my joints, which are affected by Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome.

With the right technique, running does no damage to joints/knees. Humans evolved as distance runners.

[Nationwider]

The 'foolishness' of running a marathon pales into teeny-weeny insignificance when set against the potential health risks in pastimes such as drinking, smoking, riding a motorbike and crossing a road.

I'm not a fan of horses. But I'm not a fan of them dying on racecourses either. I always thought that making them jump over bushes was a bit arbitrary. Why don't they just run over the flat all year? No-one likes to see a good bush go to waste.

On a different note, do they still run the 3000m steeplechase in Olympics and athletics and suchlike? That was random; run 400 metres, jump over a Dukes of Hazard-esque roadblock into a paddling pool, run 400 metres etc etc. Who the hell made that up? It would have been better if the paddling pool was 390 metres long.

[FoxesAreBlue]

I think they still do steeplechase in the Olympics, it was definately at the world championships in Deagu last autumn.

[Nationwider]

I think they still do steeplechase in the Olympics, it was definately at the world championships in Deagu last autumn.

I'm no track and field buff, but I don't remember the name of any steeplechaser ever. Pretty much all other events you can stick at least one name to instantly (100m Bolt, 400m Johnson, 800m Cram/Ovett, pole vault Bubka etc). It's like the mum's and dad's race at school sports day, mixed doubles at Wimbledon or that thing that FIFA like to hold that Man Utd entered one year instead of the FA Cup - i.e. not a real competition.

[Zingari]

No-one gives a fook about Speckled Jim then ?

[FoxesAreBlue]

I'm no track and field buff, but I don't remember the name of any steeplechaser ever. Pretty much all other events you can stick at least one name to instantly (100m Bolt, 400m Johnson, 800m Cram/Ovett, pole vault Bubka etc). It's like the mum's and dad's race at school sports day, mixed doubles at Wimbledon or that thing that FIFA like to hold that Man Utd entered one year instead of the FA Cup - i.e. not a real competition.

Totally agree, the only reason I remember it from the world champs is because I saw them jumping into the 'pool' in the background when the cameras were focusing on something else and I was thinking pretty much the same thing!

[Guest]

You probably don't remember 3000m steeplechase champions because the Brits have always been crap at it. If you were a Kenyan you'd know all about it (or a swede or a Frog).

Henry Rono, Ben Jipcho, Anders Garderud, Peter Koech, Moses Kiptanui, Kosgei, Barmasai, Boulami, Shaheen, kemboi, Bennabad.

Do they mean anything to you?

I think GB record is about 15 seconds outside the WR and was recorded in the 80's and the women are probably over half a minute outside.