Paula... her story so far.

[Jon]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

>Alan Webb the 2nd

>What's wrong with that? She deserves it.



Tafnut's got it. Taking upon the role of Alan Webb on here involves hundreds of posts & topics, a lot of attention and a lot of praise - all of which Paula deserves. However, because of the gazillions of posts, it also involves a lot of negative attention, pissing off non-American posters, and a fair deal of piss-taking - none of which Paula deserves as I'm sure you'll agree! ;-)

[MJD]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

I'm not going to deconstruct what I was trying to say. It was self-evident.

[tafnut]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

>>It was self-evident.

meaning, of course, that it was evident to your'self'
:-)

[Bob Duncan]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

Thanks for the links to the bio, Jon. I definitely wish to order her bio, should it become available in the US. Sadly, I've noticed that there are often many books on the UK Amazon site which are not on the US site.

Watching Paula race on Sunday brought back all of the Athens excitement. I was fearing that she would falter again, but she proved herself to be the champion once again. Sadly, those of us in the US had to endure the rather dreadful television coverage. It's sure not what it used to be back in the 80's.

[al morris]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

to GH. Was that 35 in direct sun or shade or what?? And, if it was that hot... why warm up??

[gh]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

The words "shade" and "Marathon" (as opposed to marathon) cannot be used in the same sentence. Why anybody would be fighting over that barren patch of scrub is beyond me.

[Jon]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

(Quote of tafnut's from another thread):

>Am I alone in thinking this makes no sense whatsoever? She had to drop out of the
>Marathon with an injured quad (which, of course, one can only assume aggravated
>the injury further) and she thinks she can run at an even HARDER pace in the
>10K? All she did was make herself more miserable and second-guessed. People
>could (and did) say, 'so why did you quit the Marathon, if you are fit enough
>to think you can compete in the 10K?'

I'm still a fan, but she did herself
>no favors there.




Today The Times published the bit about why she ran the 10k.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 22,00.html

Some key quotes:

"...It came down to the fact that my next chance to run well at the Olympics was either in five days or four years. I didn't want to watch the race and wonder what I could have done; I wanted to be in there and find out, to give myself every chance that I could and not be always wondering if I had made the right decision. The only way to ensure there would be no regrets was to run... This was about me trying to salvage something..."

"...My stomach was far more settled before the 10,00m than it had been for the marathon. In fact, inside I felt normal, but my body was tired.... As I did strides, I had to acknowledge to myself that my legs were tired. Please, I thought, get through this one race for me..."

"...It did not come off but I can live with it. I did what I felt was right..."

[8ball]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

She's nothing if not positive and relentless.

Further key notes:

Warming up, I jogged the opposite way around the track and my ankle was very sore. I changed direction and it was a lot better. “That’s good,” I thought, “you only have to race this way!”

[Jon]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

My copy arrived today!! (Along with Geb's book).

Going to put Ovett's book on hold (which I've been reading for months) while I get through this one.... :-)

[mojo]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

Thanks for posting those articles Jon!

I look forward to your review of the book though I have a feeling I already know what you will say!

[Jon]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

>I look forward to your review of the book

Only a couple chapters through it so far. However, remember last week I posted that great Radcliffe article written by David Walsh? He's actually the guy who wrote the book with her (hence his great understanding of her). Here's an article where he gives his take on the book itself:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 55,00.html

[8ball]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

Run f.. faster.

I thought she was European Studies not Modern Languages, or is that the same. Book edit French: grand...whatever. grand(e)

Anyways, outward emotional couple...that should be seen as good.

[Jon]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

Crikey, I haven't updated this thread for almost three days now! Anyway, I'm sure you're all dying to read another snippet from Paula's book so here it is:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 09,00.html

I posted this link in another thread on the dope talk section, but the thread got deleted and so some people may not have seen it. This one is definitely worth a read - talks about the 'EPO CHEATS OUT' banner she held up in Edmonton, Yegorova, drug accusations, and her anti-drug stance.

[Jon]

Re: Paula... her story so far.

>I definitely wish to order her bio, should it become available in the US.
>Sadly, I've noticed that there are often many books on the UK Amazon site
>which are not on the US site.




A chance for overseas residents to get a copy of the book (a signed copy, no less!):

http://www.paularadcliffe.com/book/comp.php