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Getting to know Pointer28
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19-03-2015 3:41pm#1Getting to Know.... Pointer28
Thanks for all the questions
Nice to be able to tell some stories without the traditional sigh and "we heard that before"
So now to hard over
1. how many bikes do you have,
2. where did the name come from
3. What's the big target this year and long term.2
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Cheers BennyMul, prepare to be underwhelmed
1. how many bikes do you have,
I have one road bike (Felt Z100) and one hybrid that's about 3 sizes too big for me and weighs the same as a small lorry, lent it to a cousin about 2 years ago and wouldn't be too bothered if it never came back.
2. where did the name come from
When I first got into the whole internet forum thing, training gundogs was my thing and I had a Pointer, I was also 28. Not today, or yesterday either.
3. What's the big target this year and long term.
This year is looking like a bit of a washout TBH, nothing entered yet and not going to enter anything anytime soon either. Moving house in a fortnight so every cent is heading in that direction for now.
Will probably jump into a few small races at short notice during the year like the Rosslare 10k, Blackstairs Adventure Race and the nearest thing to a goal race is Killarney Adventure Race in the autumn. The only thing I've actually committed to for the year is the Ring of Kerry charity cycle that a bunch of non-cycling friends are doing for charity and asked me to join in. I'm the non-official training adviser and bike mechanic for the group, simply because I own a track pump and a pair of bib shorts :rolleyes:
Long term target is Powerman Zofingen and I'd also love to do The Pig Duathlon in Wales, have actually been offered a seat in a car and a shared room through a friend of a friend for this year but can't decide what to do. One side says "be sensible and forget about racing for the year", the other side says "screw it, you only regret what you didn't do".0 -
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Hi Podge,
What's your favourite run route?
The Slieve Bloom way from Clonaslee to Cadamstown, proper off road running, tracks, trails, streams, fallen trees, deer, goats and fantastic views. Love it but don't get to do it too often.
The Raven is lovely and Carrigbyrne Woods too. When I'm in Rosslare though, it's usually just out and backs on the Wexford Road.
What's your favourite Cycle route?
At the moment, while I have regular routes, there's nothing around me that I really love. I don't bring my bike to Wexford that often but when I do I want to cycle the Killurin road to Mount Leinster and parts of Kilkenny look fantastic too. My plan for the next time I'm down for a few days is to throw the bike in the car, get out in Carlow and ride to Rosslare via Graiguenamanagh while the GF drives on without me.
Where do you OW Swim - Usually/ Favourite place?
Can't swim unfortunately! Absolutely zero co-ordination.
Have done about 10 lessons and still can't manage a stroke. I only did the usual group lessons and while it's not all the instructors fault, I never once got the impression they had any interest in what they were doing.
I hope to get a few private lessons sometime and give it a proper stab and if that still doesn't work I'll have to throw my hat at it.
Shoes on the bike or ground in transition?
On the ground (shameful I know) but I'm never in contention for a prize so the extra few seconds doesn't mean anything to me. Plus, depends on the transition area, the last race I did was horrible sharp gravel and would have been torture in just socks.
What do you eat/ drink too much of that you shouldn't?
Everything Biscuits are probably my biggest weakness so working hard to cut down on them. Bread is a bitch, I find that 2 slices a day is more than enough but if I'm home alone and need a handy lunch or on the road it's usually a sandwich that does the job. Coffee too, could make a large cafetiere of black coffee and drink it single handedly in one sitting. Bought a fancy capsule machine to force me to cut back as it's too expensive to drink a lot of it.
What should you eat but you don't?
It's not that I don't eat them but I could do with upping my ratio of healthy things like fruit, vegetables, fish, eggs, porridge etc and lowering the ratio of sugar and carbs.0 -
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Hi Pointer!
So, just how obese were you at your peak?
What inspired you to start the C25K three years ago?
Have you ever done a marathon? If so, which one and what was your time? If not, have you any interest in doing one?
10 swim lessons and can't manage a stroke?? Oh, you definitely need to get private lessons! Do you think you might do that in 2015?
Do your bikes have names?
Most embarrassing moment while training or in a race?
How did you meet your girlfriend?
Have you ever visited the States? If so, where...and how did you find it?
You were such the gentleman at Ballyhoura...which makes me wonder, do you typically open the car door for women/your girlfriend?
How long did it take you to catch up to BTH, catweazle and career move at Ballyhoura after Oryx and I cut you free?
Have you any tattoos? If so, where and of what?
If I hopped in your car right now, what would be playing on the radio?
I gather you live alone? If so, what kind of housekeeper are you?0 -
Hi DD!
So, just how obese were you at your peak?
I'm now 68 kgs with another couple of kgs to lose, at my worst I was 96 kgs. To put that into context, my waist has gone from 36" to 30", my suit size from 44 to 38, and my shirt size from 17.5 to 15 slim. Thankfully my legs haven't got any shorter though.
What inspired you to start the C25K three years ago?
To be completely honest, I can't rightly remember, glad I did it though. Original intention was to do it once and that would be it, kinda like a lot of marathon one and done'rs, but once I hit the 5k mark I just kept going and never looked back.
Have you ever done a marathon? If so, which one and what was your time?
Not yet, entered DCM 2013, but DNS with hamstring issues. Followed a JD training plan and tried to do it based on my target times rather than on my abilities. Half way through I ran a big HM PB straight into a 90k week with no recovery and it all went downhill from there. I did the Athlone 3/4 Mara a couple of weeks later and ended up walking the last 10k.
If not, have you any interest in doing one?
Probably will some time, but the idea just doesn't excite me that much, more of a box ticking exercise truth be told. I'd much prefer something epic like the Zugspitz Ultratrail, even if it's only the short route (35k). Very nearly entered Donadea this year and still can't remember why I didn't, might do next year.
10 swim lessons and can't manage a stroke?? Oh, you definitely need to get private lessons! Do you think you might do that in 2015?
Unlikely in 2015, present home is only a 10 min walk from the pool, new house will be a 30 min drive so it's way down the list of priorities at the moment. I will be right beside the Shannon though.
Do your bikes have names?
Not really, my GF often refers to my bike as the other woman, so it's been christened Felicity as it's a Felt.
Most embarrassing moment while training or in a race?
I can't think of anything really, some of the finish times might be a bit shocking but never pooped myself or anything like that.
Have you ever visited the States? If so, where...and how did you find it?
Was in West Palm Beach, Florida for a week a couple of years ago and hated it. I was working at a large equestrian event and the differences were shocking. On one side you were surrounded by billionaires (household names) and on the other side were the guys doing all the work who hadn't a seat in their pants. Went to Walmart one day and couldn't get over the queue of people wanting to use the invalid carriages, I felt like giving them a kick and saying "you're not an invalid, you're just f'ing lazy". The food was crap too, don't think I laid eyes on a vegetable all week. The whole place was just a really bad example of all the worst American stereotypes.
That doesn't mean that I think it's a fair representation of the entire USA though, I'd love to see small town USA and the mountainous areas. I read a book called "A Walk In The Woods" by Bill Bryson about the Appallachian trail and it sounds amazing.
You were such the gentleman at Ballyhoura...which makes me wonder, do you typically open the car door for women/your girlfriend?
Car door? No, to be honest, but I'd always hold a door open for anyone coming behind me, male or female. Basic manners don't cost anything.
How long did it take you to catch up to BTH, catweazle and career move at Ballyhoura after Oryx and I cut you free?
Not very long as they were waiting at the next junction, but once we got moving again they left me for dust.
Have you any tattoos? If so, where and of what?
Nope, sorry, often thought about it but never went anywhere with it.
If I hopped in your car right now, what would be playing on the radio?
Most likely Pink Floyd, closely followed by Pearl Jam, both far too loud to be healthy.
I gather you live alone? If so, what kind of housekeeper are you?
No, shacked up with aforementioned GF. Dreadful housekeeper, can do the simple jobs like washing up, loading the washing machine, hoovering, mowing the lawn etc etc. but apparently I'm useless at dusting and still don't know what these "cobwebs" are that she's always moaning about.0 -
Hi Pointer
How happy were you when you were asked to do this?
What's your favourite book?
Which character from a book would you like to be?
Which character from a book are you most like?
You're quite famous in the showjumping world as a course builder. What was your favourite course to build?
How did you get in to course building?
Did you like school? What were your favourite and least favourite subjects?
When you were a kid what did you say when people asked "what do you want to be when you grow up"?
Did you go to college? If yes what did you study and did you like it?
If you could go back and relive any part of your life what part would you choose?
Have you ever done jury duty?
If you were on the jury in the trial of OJ Simpson would you have found him innocent or guilty?
If you were the judge in the Oscar Pistorius case what sentence would you give him?
What do you think of men who date women 20 years younger than them?
Would your opinion be different if it was the man who was 20 years younger than the woman?
Which do you prefer and why? Cats or dogs, blondes or brunettes, Dory or Oryx?
What kind of car do you drive?
What kind of car would you like to drive?
How long can you hold a side plank one leg raised for, after reading this?
What's the most annoying thing about boards.ie?
Thanks 0 -
career move wrote: »Hi Pointer
How happy were you when you were asked to do this?
What's your favourite book?
Which character from a book would you like to be?
Which character from a book are you most like?
You're quite famous in the showjumping world as a course builder. What was your favourite course to build?
How did you get in to course building?
Did you like school? What were your favourite and least favourite subjects?
When you were a kid what did you say when people asked "what do you want to be when you grow up"?
Did you go to college? If yes what did you study and did you like it?
If you could go back and relive any part of your life what part would you choose?
Have you ever done jury duty?
If you were on the jury in the trial of OJ Simpson would you have found him innocent or guilty?
If you were the judge in the Oscar Pistorius case what sentence would you give him?
What do you think of men who date women 20 years younger than them?
Would your opinion be different if it was the man who was 20 years younger than the woman?
Which do you prefer and why? Cats or dogs, blondes or brunettes, Dory or Oryx?
What kind of car do you drive?
What kind of car would you like to drive?
How long can you hold a side plank one leg raised for, after reading this?
What's the most annoying thing about boards.ie?
Thanks
I'm glad you didn't ask me any questions!!0 -
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Hi DD!
I'd love to see small town USA and the mountainous areas. I read a book called "A Walk In The Woods" by Bill Bryson about the Appallachian trail and it sounds amazing.
Then you must come see me! I live in a very small town nestled between the Blue Ridge and Massanutten Mountains, and the Appalachian Trail passes right by my back door! (not kidding) And "A Walk in the Woods" is a very good book, as are many others he has written!!career move wrote: »Hi Pointer
How happy were you when you were asked to do this?
What's your favourite book?
Which character from a book would you like to be?
Which character from a book are you most like?
You're quite famous in the showjumping world as a course builder. What was your favourite course to build?
How did you get in to course building?
Did you like school? What were your favourite and least favourite subjects?
When you were a kid what did you say when people asked "what do you want to be when you grow up"?
Did you go to college? If yes what did you study and did you like it?
If you could go back and relive any part of your life what part would you choose?
Have you ever done jury duty?
If you were on the jury in the trial of OJ Simpson would you have found him innocent or guilty?
If you were the judge in the Oscar Pistorius case what sentence would you give him?
What do you think of men who date women 20 years younger than them?
Would your opinion be different if it was the man who was 20 years younger than the woman?
Which do you prefer and why? Cats or dogs, blondes or brunettes, Dory or Oryx?
What kind of car do you drive?
What kind of car would you like to drive?
How long can you hold a side plank one leg raised for, after reading this?
What's the most annoying thing about boards.ie?
Thanks
:eek: Puts me to shame!
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Hi CM!
How happy were you when you were asked to do this?
Happy enough to help out but surprised that so many people have any interest in what I'm doing considering some of the athletes on here and their feats over the years. Must be no-one else left :rolleyes:
What's your favourite book?
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson, I'm a huge fan of all his books.
Which character from a book would you like to be?
Toughest question so far, never really a huge fan of fiction so I don't know what to say. Love reading books about Tom Crean and Shackleton etc so while their real people rather than a character, that's who I'd most like to be.
Which character from a book are you most like?
I say Batman, but SWMBO says Atticus Finch, don't give up until I get what I'm after. Haven't read the book so can't comment.
You're quite famous in the showjumping world as a course builder. What was your favourite course to build?
Not quite sure of the question here, do you mean favourite arena or favourite type of competition? None of the arenas I've built in thus far have blown me away, too many dull and featureless sand arenas in this country because of the climate. If I could choose anywhere that I haven't already been in it would be Aachen or Spruce Meadows. Favourite type of competition has and will always be Grand Prix and Nations Cup but have never done a NC.
How did you get in to course building?
Was asked to help out at a show years ago just picking up poles, got chatting to the course designer and it all got started from there.
Did you like school? What were your favourite and least favourite subjects?
No, hated it, spent however many years ticking off the calendar until it was over. Favourite subject was maths, just came easy to me. Least favourite was PE, because A) I was lazy
I was crap at any sport that required the least bit or co-ordination or skill eg hurling, football, rugby.
When you were a kid what did you say when people asked "what do you want to be when you grow up"?
A farmer, was going to take over my Grandfather's 9 acres next to the castle in Ballagh.
Did you go to college? If yes what did you study and did you like it?
Never went.
If you could go back and relive any part of your life what part would you choose?
Jeez, this could take a while.
Study harder in school, go to college, get a decent career. Don't quit my good job and move half way across the country to chase a silly dream job with horses.
Have you ever done jury duty?
No, was called once but didn't get selected.
If you were on the jury in the trial of OJ Simpson would you have found him innocent or guilty?
I can't remember the details of the case but from what I can recall, probably guilty.
If you were the judge in the Oscar Pistorius case what sentence would you give him?
Life sentence, murder is murder, just because he's disabled doesn't make him any less of a murderer.
What do you think of men who date women 20 years younger than them?
Lucky B*stards. Nah, only kidding, if they're both happy then what about it but it can sometimes smack a bit of desperation. I read something recently that as women age, then their ideal partner also ages, but as men age their ideal partner will always be 19.
Would your opinion be different if it was the man who was 20 years younger than the woman?
As above, if they're both happy then fire away, once no-one is taking advantage of the other.
Which do you prefer and why? Cats or dogs, blondes or brunettes, Dory or Oryx?
Dogs
Brunettes, but have a soft spot for redheads.
Both equally awesome, but Oryx is from Wexford which is where all the best people come from.
What kind of car do you drive?
05 Chevrolet Nubira, I'd have to look out the window if you asked me the reg. Have no interest in cars, buy something cheap, drive it 'til it dies, buy something else cheap. Best car I ever had was a Peugeot Partner van, could fire anything in the back and take off camping or biking or anything else you fancied. Sold it to a guy around the corner from you, probably still on the go, 07 WX reg, winey kind of colour.
What kind of car would you like to drive?
Something understated, would have to be an estate with a towbar, room for bikes etc. Big Volvo or Audi maybe.
How long can you hold a side plank one leg raised for, after reading this?
You're presuming I can do one!
What's the most annoying thing about boards.ie?
Some of the bitching and fighting on other forums is really disappointing, the AR forum used to be fantastic and now it's like a ghost town.0 -
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Very surprised to see you have no concrete plans for any racing, you're training like a dervish with a lot of structure to the sessions!
I'll pick up a few races during the year but they'll probably mostly be last minute entries. I'd really love to do a proper LD duathlon but there are none in Ireland and even something like The Pig in Wales, even though it's only £80 entry, once you add in ferries, B&B, petrol, tolls, boarding kennels for the dogs etc it stills all adds up.
I'm thinking a couple of Multisport AR's will have to scratch my itch for this year so it will probably be Killarney AR as my A race and the Blackstairs AR as a short term goal.
As well as that, I enjoy the training for it's own sake, especially a good solid run session.
Not for the purists but have you tried a swim manual like Total Immersion - that's how I got started
No I haven't but you're the second person that's mentioned that to me. One guy told me he learned to swim entirely through youtube and apparently he wasn't too bad a swimmer either.
Favorite Movie?
The Godfather, have seen it numerous times and every time it comes on the TV I end up watching it again.
Favorite Scene from a movie?
The Godfather, Michael and Fredo are in a Casino in Cuba and Michael realises that Fredo has betrayed him, he says nothing but his eyes say it all.
One race at the Olympics to attend - what would you pick?
Not a race but up until very recently I would have said the Showjumping Finals. Now, I'm not so sure, I think the Marathon is probably the one race that I see as capturing the whole Olympic spirit better than any other event.
3 Sports personalities that you admire and why?
Padraig Harrington, coming back from a horrendous 7 years when everyone thought he was done for was just amazing, lots of others would have thrown in the towel years ago, and apparently a very nice guy too.
Bertram Allen, showjumper from Wexford. I've been watching him riding ponies since he was ten years old and he's just a super talent and a very pleasant young man. He's 19 this year, ranked in the World Top 20 and leading the World Cup rankings, placed highly in last year's European Championships and won numerous competitions at the very highest level. When he was still on ponies (under 16) he won Team and Individual medals on back to back years, and then won medals as a Junior as well (under 18). While he does have some money behind him and could buy some decent horses, he never bought anything ready-made and has had to do all the groundwork himself.
Ronnie O'Sullivan, great snooker player that struggles greatly with his inner chimp. When the man's on fire he's just unbelievable, I watched him in a final last year and he just knocked in a 147 with seemingly no effort and the ref could hardly get the balls out of the pockets quick enough for him. Fragile and fallible but that almost makes me like him more.
Dream Date (besides the girlfriend of course)
Helle Frederiksen, I just listened to an interview with her this morning on my run, and as well as being oh-so-easy on the eye, she's also a smart cookie and a straight talker. And did I mention she's easy on the eye.
Are you a Renua fan?
Not so far, their public appearances have been horrendous and they don't seem to have any idea what they're doing. Maybe that will change with time but I don't think Lucinda Creighton has the experience to lead a successful party, maybe if she had done another few years with FG she would be better placed but I think the competition will run circles around her come election time. But as long as they take some votes away from SF they will serve some purpose.
Do you think Horse Racing gets too much state money?
First of all, showjumping is my sport rather than horse racing but I do have a small knowledge of racing.
When you look at the big names in racing like the Magniers, McManus, O'Leary it's easy to think that they don't need state support, but you have to realise that they are only the very privileged few at the very top and often times didn't make their money from horses. What they do support though is a truly massive industry in rural Ireland. For such a small country we punch way above our weight in terms of Racing (and Showjumping), whether you're talking about trainers, jockeys, breeders whatever, we are unbelievably talented for such a small gene pool.
Put it another way, should the state support a sport like racing that we're good at and provides massive employment or should they support a sport like soccer that we've never been good at and unlikely to be anytime soon and doesn't provide a fraction of the employment.0 -
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Hi pointer! A few more questions, if you don't mind.
What are your pet peeves?
What are some of your annoying habits?
What is your biggest vice?
If you could change one thing about your looks and/or personality, what would it/they be, and why?
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Tea or coffee?
Life of the party or wall flower?
Is there a song or a tv show that you'd go to your grave denying you are familiar with, but in reality you secretly enjoy?
How are you on the dance floor?
Do you sing? Or play a musical instrument?
Dream job, and why?
Besides our little T/D/AR forum, what other boards' forums do you frequent?
How connected to your cell phone are you?
Have you ever had your toenails painted?
What would your perfect weekend look like?0 -
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Nice questions Dory Here's some more from me ...
What's your favourite fruit?
If you were a vegetable what would you be?
What food do you cook most?
What's your favourite film?
How many times have you watched Dirty Dancing?
What's your guilty pleasure?
Tell us something about yourself that no one would guess
How do you go about building a course?
What's the biggest jump you've built?
Who on the AR forum would you like to punch?
Where are you going to do your marathon?
What's your favourite and least favourite run sessions?0 -
Hi CM, definitely a bit of one upmanship between yourself and DD!
What's your favourite fruit?
Pink Lady apples would be my favourite but I would eat more Bananas than anything else, they seem to satisfy a hunger more than any other fruit.
If you were a vegetable what would you be?
An ugli fruit
What food do you cook most?
I'm well able to cook once it's not anything fancy, ie meat and two veg etc. If I'm home alone it would probably just be Pasta with Pesto or something.
What's your favourite film?
The Godfather
How many times have you watched Dirty Dancing?
Never intentionally, the sister seemed to have it on constant repeat when it came out first and I hate the sight or sound of it now.
What's your guilty pleasure?
I do enjoy a good cigar once in a very blue moon, very rarely though, literally can't remember the last time, good ones are hard to come by and expensive and bad ones are horrible, and pointless.
Tell us something about yourself that no one would guess
I had a real phobia of horses up until I was about 23.
How do you go about building a course?
Get a scale drawing of the arena, usually through Google earth.
Transfer the layout of the arena to Microsoft Visio (CAD type program)
On Visio, start with the most important parts of the course like combinations, related distances etc depending on quality of the class, number of competitors, prize fund etc.
Pick a jump off (if necessary)
When I get to the actual arena, I usually start with just poles, lay them where the fences are going, measure all the distances, measure the length of the course and then walk the course as if I were going to ride it on a horse and watch out for external influences eg band stands or something that might spook a horse and effect the competition.
When all this is done, bring in the wings and build the fences.
Stand in the rain and get soaked while the horses jump.
Get fed terrible food that the dog would turn their nose up at.
Collect a ridiculously small cheque and go home.
Lots more finer details, but that's the basics.
What's the biggest jump you've built?
No idea, most wings only go up to 1.65m and I hate anything to do with Puissance. Plus, jumps can ride bigger or smaller than the tape measure tells you depending on a lot of factors such as ground conditions, pole length, colour, fillers, towards or away from the gate, what comes before or after it, the list if endless. You could build two fences beside each other identical on the tape measure which will ride completely differently.
Who on the AR forum would you like to punch?
Nobody, only ever met a few and all very pleasant.
Where are you going to do your marathon?
Haven't thought about it too much. Very nearly entered Frankfurt last year but didn't bother in the end. If I could it would be a trail marathon, maybe Stone Mad or something. Could very easily go through life having never run one.
What's your favourite and least favourite run sessions?
Least favourite - Long Slow Runs, not the time or distance, just the boredom kills me, would rather do a long run with a few intervals just to break the monotony.
Favourite - LT intervals, love that hard but doable effort that really feels like you're going somewhere and getting fitter.0 -
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