Maximus Decimus

I'm an Evertonian and boy was that a shocking penalty decision. Football needed to bring in some form of technology but should've limited it. I remember saying at the time that RL should be used as a warning for how it can end up being worse than no video technology.

Thanks for this. I think I was demoralised mostly because I felt like I was out for such a short period of time. It's probably only the thought that in a couple of months I'd be back to square one completely that stopped me from quitting. My last couple of runs have felt a bit more normal mentally, albeit still slower. I think I am missing that focus of a big run to aim for and also the stopping of things like Parkrun and my school running club. I will plough on and try and book something big for early next year.

I've been carrying on the running steady for about a year now, and at around mid-July finally set a new PB for 10k (49:10) which I was pleased with and meant I could start to focus on a half marathon. However, at the end of July I was ill with a stomach bug and had to stop the running. I didn't run for about 16 days in all. I was ill for about a week and still didn't feel up to it for another week. I've been on about 9 runs since and can't believe how much I've lost for not running for just over 2 weeks. My average km speed for July until I got ill was 5:06 per km, it has been 5:26 per km since. That doesn't sound much but it's pretty much all I've gained over the last year. Must say, it's been pretty demoralising to the point where I've considered jacking it in.

I fluctuated between two bets, Whyte to win by KO and Povetkin to win. I thought Whyte would win but the odds weren't appealing. Whyte to win by KO was decent enough odds but then only AJ has actually knocked Povetkin out. I went for Povetkin to win because I felt that even though he is older, he was a much better boxer than anyone Whyte had faced; 4-1 seemed decent odds. As good a record as Whyte has, his chin is relatively suspect (he was saved by the bell against Parker) and his power has got him out of some situations where he was struggling - most notably Chisora 2. At the end of round 4 I was proper kicking myself: Povetkin looked old and like he was missing by a mile and Whyte was in total control looking like he was on the verge of stopping him . Ended up being my first ever boxing win!

I had money on Povetkin. Dillian was bossing it so much (he'd knocked him down twice in round 4) that Paddy Power weren't offering me any money to cash out. Totally out of the blue and gutted for him. At least he has a rematch clause.

Week 3 Day 2 14, 19, 14, 14, 21 I thought it'd be getting easier! I'm a bit concerned also that I'm starting to cut corners as I'm getting tired.

I'm did Week 3 Day 1 on Tuesday and decided to do it straight after a 7k run. Big mistake, I naively thought because it was different muscles it wouldn't make a difference. I really really struggled to get through the expected number.

Whilst I was self-isolating I was thinking of a way that I could keep up my running; I've been running steady for a year now and don't want to lose anything over what was going to be potentially 2 weeks. I decided to give the bleep test a go in the garden as it is just over 20m from my driveway to the garage. I started off and went flying, my leg just kind of gave out. So after brushing myself off and stopping the bleeding, I managed to get up to 8.3. I wasn't particularly pleased with it, the temptation to quit was too high as soon as it got remotely tough. I gave it another two goes once I'd caught my breath and did similar. Well worth a go though.

Can't say I have so far. They don't feel massively easier really, I just seem to be able to go on for a fair bit longer! Each time I've done the daily one, I've struggled with the last set and only been able to do 1 or 2 more than the recommended.

First exhaustion test following 2 weeks of the 100 press-up challenge. Went from 11 to 26, won't scoff at that!

Ross Barkley's coming in for some stick for faking a 5k time by running fast, stopping and pausing his Strava before starting again. Some people on Twitter have set a challenge by April 30th called 'The Ross Barkley Challenge' where you try and do the same. Great way to hit a new PB!

You've all inspired me. My test was 11, but I've decided to start at 6-10. 11-20 seemed way too hard. Week 1 Day 1: 6, 6, 4, 4, 7

And I managed 50:20, so a minute off the PB. Still remarkable consistency over 10k, 4 within 10 seconds of each other! I knew pretty early on it wasn't going to happen, just some days it feels good and easy and some it doesn't. It was a bit windy at times which didn't help but I'll dust off and go again another time.

I've actually managed to hit my 5k personal best during lockdown (23:46), a few years after last beating it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not particularly fit and to many it isn't impressive, but it was a strange feeling knowing that that day was the fastest I've ever been able to run a 5k, a distance I've ran for a couple of decades and one where I've recorded my time for around the last 8/9 years. I'm not 100% sure what has been the contributing factor. I've been running steadily for over a year but just a couple of weeks ago (about two weeks into isolation) I felt like I was really plateauing and complaining to my running group about how my running was really lethargic. The past couple of weeks, I've started doing a bit of fartlek running (which I've been meaning to for years) and also Joe Wicks steadily with the kids. His workouts aren't particularly taxing but it does mean I'm doing leg strengthening exercises everyday so there is a chance it has helped. Other than that, conditions were perfect and I just felt good getting up, some days it works some days it doesn't. I'm planning on trying for my 10k PB tomorrow but it is probably less likely than the 5k was. Incredibly, the last 3 10ks I've attempted in a proper setting (a race or a park), I've managed 50:12, 50:12 and 50:10. The last one was just 2/3 weeks ago and at the same place I'll be trying tomorrow. My PB is 49:21 so it'll be a big ask especially as social isolation and healthy eating are much more difficult to control. I saw somebody tweet about a week back saying that lockdown is making them simultaneously fitter and fatter. That's exactly how I feel.

I've never taken gym type fitness seriously in my life, but have always been able to do 20-30 the odd time I've tried. Or so I thought.... turns out I can do about 3/4 at the moment! Nothing really has changed, I'm not heavier and I'm actually fitter cardio wise than I've probably ever been. I've always lacked upper body strength but no more so than ever before. Think I might just give this a go, although I always find press-ups so uncomfortable.

He seems like one of the more genuine boxers I must say. With all the drama that has followed the Tyson Fury story, there has been talk of turning it into a hollywood film and there is certainly a great story there. Massive underdog dethrones the 12 year champion only to go off the rails, put on 10 stone, almost commit suicide before coming back and doing it all again. It makes Rocky sound realistic! The only problem (and it is a huge problem) is who would play him? You not only have the problem of his size and boxing ability to try and replicate you also have his big personality and the fact that he's a northern-English traveller. I genuinely can't see how they could find an actor who would do him properly and not come across like a caricature. Whereas the Andy Ruiz story would be easy. In fact, if this isolation goes on for too much longer I might be able to put my hat in the ring.

Did the Chester 10k today and rather unbelievably I got the exact same time to the second as my last one (50:12). Disappointed as I wanted to get under 50 but it had some serious hills that slowed me I reckon. Onto my first half in May...

I suppose it depends how big DAZN become outside of boxing. If they can nab a few different rights packages alongside the boxing then they could start to become a big player in the market. As someone who currently has no subscription to any sports package, I don't mind PPV as it allows me to watch big fights. However, the US model is horrendous and the frequency of PPVs over here is only driving people to illegal streaming. Personally, I wouldnt mind paying 5-10 quid a month to get a guaranteed picture and not have to get up at 5am to watch it!

Neither should be PPV to be honest and I'll probably go looking for streams. There's been a positive development IMO with the news that DAZN are moving into the UK. It's a sport subscription service that's trying to be the Netflix of sports: it's quite big in other areas. It's starting out at 4.99 a month and will have a lot of the American content to start with where they have a big deal with Eddie Hearn. It's going to start with Canelo-BJS but next year the Matchroom-Sky contract is up and my money is on DAZN to get the Hearn fights.

I wouldn't say he's using him as a pawn, he just realises that AJ is by far his bigger cash cow. Whyte should have had a shot at the WBC by now but he has been treated horrendously by them. When Hearn couldn't get the Wilder fight, he was quite desperate for an opponent at one point and Whyte was looking to be the favourite but he didn't like the offer he was given. In hindsight, that was a poor move: Andy Ruiz could have been Whyte. The fear of promoter monopoly is one of the main reasons I bet Wilder wants an instant rematch. Once he's out the loop, people will be reluctant to give him a shot purely because of his right hand and may I add because he played so many games when he was champ.

Any sympathy I had for Deontay Wilder has quickly diminished. The guy has no class. So much for his no excuses, he's blamed his 18kg outfit that he walked out in for his loss. He's also claimed Fury's punches didn't hurt and that he shouldn't have been pulled out, repeating his statements about wanting a body in the ring and being willing to give up his body if necessary. Compare that to Anthony Joshua's comments after the Ruiz fight and how he's still not revealed what went wrong.

In hindsight, he should have taken the second AJ fight. He's been treated appallingly by Wilder and the WBC, but like you say there isn't going to be much chance now for a long time. His best bet would probably be Fury beating AJ and then retiring. The breakup of the belts would give him a shot. The problem is that he'll have to keep on winning to get his shot and that's far from guaranteed.

Speculation has already begun around what the next fight will be. Everybody obviously wants AJ-Fury for undisputed but I suspect Wilder will go for the rematch. He might not want to but might feel it's his only option for the same reason AJ rematched Ruiz straight away. Let's face it, people aren't going to be falling over themselves to gift Wilder a title shot. He might be clumsy but he's still very dangerous.

This you?

If this is modern forum posting you can keep it.