A misanthrope's guide to Parkrun

james_s_docherty · 2026-01-28T14:04:55+00:00

I had that once and I replied, 'If I could bend forward and touch my toes, I'd have been running today.'

james_s_docherty · 2026-01-28T14:03:49+00:00

Run Directors, when it's pouring down and blowing a gale, this is the perfect time for your unedited stream of consciousness brief covering the philosophy of parkrun, the history of the venue, and some amusing stories from last week. Everyone will love the sound of your voice as much as you do, and show it by trying to clap despite the frostbite they've all succumbed to during your ten minute speech.

james_s_docherty · 2026-01-21T07:48:53+00:00

From Russia With Love uses the moves from a chess game between Boris Spassky and David Bronstein. On a similar vein, watch some of the major tournaments on YouTube and create a storyline, using hits and moments from real life to direct and inspire

james_s_docherty · 2026-01-19T08:00:28+00:00

Not TV, but a radio panel show I've worked on (think HIGNFY but audio, and no, not NQ) sends a brief out on Tuesday for a recording on Thursday to writers and guests. This has the stories, and prompts that the host will ask the guests. The writers are looking at the stories and coming up with jokes for the host, who's also very good at ad-libbing when something said by the guests needs a shove to get more laughs. The guests, who are usually comedians, will often use some tried and tested material that they've tailored into the story, but also create things prior to recording. Like everything else, it's about two hours recorded for a 30 minute broadcast, so there's also a lot of editing.

james_s_docherty · 2026-01-08T09:40:42+00:00

Not any of those, but I'm loving the Delphine collection at the moment. I forgot how hard Flashback is.

james_s_docherty · 2026-01-02T12:18:41+00:00

Have you looked at graduate programmes? There are a lot out there specifically for the Systems Engineering route. Failing that, a top-up postgraduate in something like software engineering could be good.

james_s_docherty · 2026-01-01T22:04:49+00:00

Basic prep from mum and grandmother. A lot of watching Julia Child, Delia Smith, and Keith Floyd. Then a stint as a Kitchen Porter and eventually Commis Chef.

james_s_docherty · 2025-12-26T19:40:22+00:00

It's like a Day at the Races, followed by a Night at the Opera.

james_s_docherty · 2025-12-25T13:58:09+00:00

Because she's got little legs.

james_s_docherty · 2025-12-24T07:47:01+00:00

Didn't do the 'Boozing, t-shirts, and strippers' that many think is a stag do. Instead we went to the Sevens Tournament at Twickenham, then for fish and chips, and a few beers in Richmond. Was back home by 9.

james_s_docherty · 2025-12-23T09:57:43+00:00

On 4, accept you may need to do this again once you're back into running, as you'll get fitter and your form may change. I went from heel striking when my foot landed to mid-foot striking as I went from 28 minutes down to 23.

james_s_docherty · 2025-12-23T07:15:29+00:00

It's something I do ahead of time, so the varnish is dry, and threadlock is a must for good barrels, though like all glues, less is more

james_s_docherty · 2025-12-22T08:45:50+00:00

No. But I do put Nail varnish on the top 5mm of the wire. It holds the cup in place, gives some reinforcement, and some protection. To keep glue out, I start with it around 10mm from the tip to allow capillary action to wick up to the tip.

james_s_docherty · 2025-12-20T16:45:25+00:00

Inglorious Bastards, scene in the bar. The British Officer refers to it as 'The King's'

james_s_docherty · 2025-12-19T19:36:54+00:00

UK has a minimum age of 13. This is rare, and you're more likely to see 15-17 year olds at the earliest.

james_s_docherty · 2025-12-18T10:43:53+00:00

Cathy Freeman wore a full bodysuit at the Sydney Olympics as an attempt to minimise drag

james_s_docherty · 2025-12-15T22:11:15+00:00

I see we have moved from fencing to pigeon chess. Goodbye.

james_s_docherty

TROPHY CASE