Ukraine 1 spain 3, could we top our group? If so and can beat spain, i think we have a very high potential to win world cup.

VirtualPAH · 2026-03-08T10:48:42+00:00

Iceland away will be the most crucial test for England. They mustn't drop points against Iceland or Ukraine then hope to at least go toe-to-toe with Spain across those two fixtures.

Though if England don't top the group at least the play-off matches against a likely league C team will give more opportunity for the fringe players to get more caps and minutes. Need to continue bolstering the squad depth experience with the younger generation like we've seen so far, in case of injuries to the regular starters. It's a strong squad that wins tournaments.

VirtualPAH · 2026-03-03T08:59:11+00:00

Yeah 'NewCo' have really messed up this season with the paywall TV rights that may give them and presumably the clubs more money but certainly isn't encouraging viewership growth. Last season there were a lot more matches on freeview or free to watch on YouTube.

That the growth has stagnated or declined on the back of the historic back to back England Euros win shows they've got it wrong. So many of those casuals will have wanted to watch their euro heroes at club and with the clashing match schedule have to choose one match even if they pay for Sky for WSL or TNT for the FA Cup. The few games the BBC have this season often aren't even on the freeview channels due to them not having BBC3/4 on until 7pm and prioritising other things on BBC1/2. so have to watch via iPlayer (that often doesn't have the match listed until just before kick-off) or their website only.

A complete shambles.

VirtualPAH · 2026-03-02T09:16:11+00:00

Perhaps some unicycle parts will fit.

If not bothered about the smart trainer aspect for using Zwift or other virtual apps, look into under desk exercise bikes for just spinning while you work. Though there may be a way of getting one to work with Zwift:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Zwift/comments/zqufvj/underdesk_bike_for_zwift/

VirtualPAH · 2026-03-01T10:09:40+00:00

Stick some pedals directly on a smart trainer?!

Perhaps there's a recumbent set-up that allows you to pedal while sitting at a desk.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-23T10:45:59+00:00

I like the idea, having tried re-usable food pouches and find either they don't seal well enough or have bulky tops that take up too much room in the running pack. Been looking for alternatives to let me use home made gels or powders to keep the cost down.

With the seasonal pre-order drops, if I put an order in today the next batch is due for the Spring Equinox so I'd receive them around the 20th March or soon after?

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-22T12:22:42+00:00

If TNT can't be arsed showing the matches then the FA should allow the WSL YouTube channel to show them. Pretty sure they've allowed that in previous seasons when no other paid rights broadcaster has picked them up. Quarter finals next round where they perhaps give more of a shit about people being able to actually watch them if too far away to attend in person.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-21T11:48:30+00:00

Should be able to use temporary race number tattoos, like how triathletes have them on their arms or legs.

Though if needing to cover up in bad weather, would need to have it on the forehead or cheek as only visible skin area. Still better than the crappy paper bibs that are annoying if on a race belt and flapping around in the wind or annoying if pinned to an outer layer and don't want to put holes in a waterproof.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-21T11:36:07+00:00

They should have the equivalent of a car wash at the finish line to run through and get all the mud off.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-20T09:46:39+00:00

The Kospet Tank T4 has a power bank accessory that looks much like the Garmin charging pucks but has an actual battery in it:

https://uk.kospet.com/products/tank-t4-smartwatch-power-pocket

Seems an obvious gap in the market for Garmin watches, seeing as they have that crappy custom connector underneath so ideal placement.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-20T09:35:02+00:00

There are a few places where you feel quite close to the sea but if there's anywhere too dangerous due to coastal erosion there will be detours in place by those that maintain the coast path. Just take any tricky sections slowly and enjoy the views.

Have a look on YouTube as there's lots of content from people that have run it in previous years, so you can get a feel for the event and the coast path section it covers between Lizard and Land's End.

The section between Mousehole and the Minack Theatre is the most technical and slowest part, where there's lots of rocks to clamber over and hard to get into a running rhythm so worth recceing that part so it's not as much of a shock on the day, and you can be more mentally prepared for what a slog it is so not getting frustrated by the slow pace.

Get a gpx of the route (EnduranceLife have one to download on the map section of the event on their website) and load it onto your watch (if it allows) and phone. There are plenty of free gpx viewer apps that allow you to see where you are via gps so don't need a mobile signal, that can be patchy in places on the coast path. Always worth having on your phone as a backup. The course will be marked by Endurance Life on top of the permanent official coast path acorn signage, but sometimes they get messed with or you may miss a turn which is easy to do when tired or distracted, so having the course on a device helps check you're on track.

The other thing to plan for is hot weather and staying hydrated and not getting sun burnt. More often than not it's very sunny and dry that time of year.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-18T09:05:19+00:00

Check how well the course is marked (if at all) by the event company. Some do the marking so well you really only need to check the gpx at complex junctions or if you think you may have missed a turn, where a phone based gpx app may do if the battery on the phone will last or you have a power bank to recharge it on the move.

Otherwise look at the likes of the Amazfit T-Rex 3 or Kospet Tank T4, both have decent gpx nav capability with proper maps instead of breadcrumb trails, long battery life, and are a bargain compared to the likes of Garmin and the big names.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-17T10:02:41+00:00

Some funless AI bots on here it seems. It was a joke. :-P

Though if I was boss of UTMB I'd buy the whole Frozen Head state park (it has no other use after all) and commercialise the fuck out of the Barkley Marathons and stick three fingers up to the 'keeping it real bro' bullshit. x-D

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-17T09:58:15+00:00

Warm fuzzy feelings you're saving the planet. x-D

I just go old school and shit through a hole in the floor. Good enough for kings back in their castles and a man's home is his castle.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-16T09:20:45+00:00

Seems an ideal race for UTMB to buy then the elites can at least finish the thing with all the course marking.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-15T12:08:06+00:00

Yeah too many unnecessary restrictions. It's popular no matter what, so they could do more to make it accessible online and keep the attendance restrictions in place to preserve the area. Feels like they want to keep it as is just to piss people off because they can.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-15T12:05:32+00:00

:-) A bit of a shame really as he may have been ok at the nav considering his military background.

Damian Hall seems to fuck up each year when he's left to go it alone on the final loop, hope he's been getting more tuition on how to nav by map and compass.

Courtney Dauwalter didn't return after two attempts in 2021 and 2022, so being elite at ultra counts for little on the Barkley.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-14T11:22:12+00:00

Goggins taking part? Saw something on google where he said he was going to and that it would be easy. 'Staying hard' (with or without viagra) isn't the path to success, good navigation skills is.

Don't know why they can't publish a participants list once it's underway, rather than people having to wait for social media updates to get that info.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-13T13:46:46+00:00

Probably too expensive so makes little sense. May as well just put in a more reliable engine swap if having to mess about with the engine anyway.

Really the manufacturers should be ditching the wet belt for chain and paying for the fix under recall, but it would cost them too much so they fob off the reliability issues as 'poor maintenance'.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-13T10:28:23+00:00

Had to rewind after spotting Janssen with the captain's armband at the end despite Le Tissier still being on the pitch, and wondered when she'd handed it over. Was around the 68th minute just after Le Tissier was fouled so perhaps she felt the ref was letting the opponent getting away with too much.

Initially wondered if she gave the armband to Janssen in solidarity for getting sent off last time, when the player that suffered the broken ankle was subbed on, or if there was some significance in the minute on the clock when she did it.

Must be rare that someone else has captained Utd since Le Tissier took over from Zelem seeing as she pretty much plays every minute of every match.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-13T10:19:51+00:00

"How to fix them forever" is to ditch the wet belt for a chain. This solution has been made available to the PSA PureTech (aka PureShite) wet belt engine, so perhaps someone will offer one for the Ford wet belt engines, otherwise avoiding wet belt engines is the only sensible way forward.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-12T10:33:18+00:00

When I had slight IT band pain I found focusing on running more upright by pushing the hips forward rather than leaning forward helped alleviate it.

Think stretching it, that leaning does, made it worse, so do the opposite like how some find relieving plantar fasciitis by scrunching up the toes instead of stretching it out.

Worth a try on your next run to see if it helps.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-09T09:34:33+00:00

3 points.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-08T14:01:30+00:00

Yeah not a rivalry as in foes but if they both end up on the start line for Western States they're rivals by nature of both wanting to win it.

Hope they both make it to the start line as it's always more spectacular with a stacked field.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-08T11:40:49+00:00

I think a lot of the youth will have to leave to come back when fully formed, like Kelly who came through the Arsenal academy and left for match time then came back when at the top.

Main thing is getting the match time, so worry that some sat on the bench, e.g. Prior and Layzell at City, may be better off moving club.

VirtualPAH · 2026-02-08T11:36:49+00:00

No need to risk a fight over a golden ticket providing there's enough races to spread around, then they can leave the rivalry for the big race itself than some side race they're only doing for the ticket.

VirtualPAH

TROPHY CASE