Mike Ashley, you are one serious c***.

I think we'll see at a lot of teams playing their best stuff against us when we play away from home. For whatever reason player and fans are really up for it. I thought we'd done the hard part yesterday, and just fell a minute short at the nd of the first half. I think the Smith booking 2 mins in was a pretty big deal too.

Remain unconvinced about Harewoods ability and commitment. Something missing from our team at the moment.

Nope, when it comes to being in a position to pay 50k a week to new signings right now they are miles more likely than us.

New York - rockafella sky deck is probably just as good as empire state, if not better for views and less queues. There is a pretty cool street of bars out in brooklyn towards queens - I remember a bar with sand on the floor and another that looked a bit like mission in Leeds, in terms of railway arch type thing. 
Chiicago - sears tower (now called willis tower!) skydeck is good - has some glass box things tat have just opened which let you stand on glass, hanging 103 floors above the street. If I thought I could have done that part without being sick I would have. Good views again. Soldier field looked pretty impressive from the outside, if they do tours that would be worth a look. If you like chinese food there is a massive china town (tbf it might not be massive, it just felt like it because I was running through it). It's pretty cold so a load of the water sports on the lake will probably be a no go. Ride the loop train thing, just like being in some Chicago based movie. I didn't have any chance to drink so can't help on that side.

I thought it looked like more forgotten words, or arrangement, than miming at the time. You could here the backing track of her voice and she was just repeating one line over the top randomly that sounded live. Might have to watch again though, she looked pretty hot.

Just watched the utube clip, sure it didn't look like that on tv.

Sol Campbell flew from London to Newcastle on Saturday morning. I'd guess that talks with Sunderland would be most likely. I think he still has something to offer, definately at championship level if it was us. Comes with loads of baggage though.

Stood on the start line I still didn't really have a plan. I lined up in the 10min mile pace, but went out at 9.5's (mile 3 was the slowest on the whole thing at a touch over 10). I decided in the first few miles that if I ran 9.5's I'd give myself some slack so I could maybe walk a mile and still beat 4.30. The more miles covered the more the target got reduced. 4.15 was the target with 5 to go (but I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to run all of that), when it got down to 2.5 I realised 4.10 was on so I went for that. There were a few times towards the end where I wanted to just walk it home and not keep pushing, but I managed to see sense and bring it home. Apparently I came 13,441st, room for improvement there! My first half was 1.5mins quicker than the second, so I'm pretty happy with the way I dug in. I had three coin bags of haribo on me. I had one after 7.5 miles, one after 14 miles, a gel thing they handed out at 19 and the last haribo at 22. There were two 'hills' on the whole course, and the crowd noise came in all the right places. Highly recommended event. They didn't want to believe that the largest mass participation running event takes place in a nice northern English city. The biggest would surely be one of the American ones... No. 

Sub 4 hours will be the aim for April, then I'm quiting anything more than 13.1 miles....  Then again.....

4h9m44s. Couldn't have asked for anymore, pretty much the dream result given my long run in training was the great north run. Kept a steady pace the whole way and just grinded it out, last couple of miles were pretty tough but non stop running for 's probably should be! The crowds were unbelieveable, give Americans their due, they were 'awesome' - thou I never want
to hear that word again! Brillaint set up in terms of drinks etc, top class.

Now, food then airport. Bed is only 14hrs away!

Thanks all. I'm up ridiculously early so just going to have a steady prep. Still feel very nervous - this is why I needed an assuring long run before today!

Absolutely bricking it for tomorrow. Chicago is a lot colder than I expected. When the race starts it is bearing going to be above freezing! Last year it was 25c! I have no experience of running in the cold. I have tops that I don't mind throwing away but only have shorts to run in. Could be interesting. I'd definately prefer it cold to hot, but a pulled muscle in the first mile could make it a lot tricker than it already will be!

Can I have some of your confidence please.

Good luck

Okay going t'mow any last minute suggestions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Already checked in to Club World(blatant brag imo)

You going via LAX? Enjoy!

Lopndon marathon website has a page of charities that offer places.  Be prepared to commit to raising best part of 2k if not more though.

http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com/marathon-centre/enter-2010-virgin-london-marathon/charity-entries/

I got my London marathon mag today! I didn't make it in the first ballot but got one in the bequest draw. I'm hoping to get some serious winter training in for that one and attempt to break 4 hrs.

I'm still doing Chicago, fly out next Friday. Combination of looking forward to, and absolutely shitting myself. It's going to hurt so much!