Nostr notes by fak

I can confirm that it is faster to complete #parkrun when not ...

2026-07-25T10:14:11Z

I can confirm that it is faster to complete #parkrun when not dressed as if riding an inflatable dragon. Nicely progressive (the second half being downhill after going up helps) and somehow bagged first lady too. Did the first timer's welcome and had some nice comments about that. #running #RunnersOfMastodon

A rescheduled threshold session from Friday, out on the trusty ...

2026-07-12T09:53:00Z

A rescheduled threshold session from Friday, out on the trusty railway path. 5 reps of 5 minutes at threshold/10k pace with watch set to 'effort pace' (which adjusts for elevation changes) aiming for 4'10"/km and hit 4'10"(4'11" effort), 4'11" (4'11"), 4'17" (4'04" uphill), 4'13" (4'12"), 4'10" (4'09"). 11 miles in total. #running #RunnersOfMastodon

My 499th #parkrun ticked off in hot weather, still a bit ...

2026-07-11T09:59:44Z

My 499th #parkrun ticked off in hot weather, still a bit dehydrated from marshalling a race last night. Body wanted to go fast though and I didn't have the energy to rein it in. Also did the first timer's welcome. The big 500 next week! #running #RunnersOfMastodon

It has to be a good reason for me to miss a #parkrun of a ...

2026-07-04T13:31:46Z

It has to be a good reason for me to miss a #parkrun of a Saturday, but the #CotswoldWayRelay is a good one. My leg was 10.2 miles from Crickley Hill to Painswick, taking in Cooper's Hill (the cheese rolling one) along the way. I was the only participant to use poles, and paced myself on the various uphills to leave enough in the tank to close out in a 4'14" km. Extra bonuses: a couple of the knee high fields had been mown; and there were no cows! Only two stages for me to complete. #running

Still a bit wrecked, physically and emotionally, after the last ...

2026-06-20T11:38:10Z

Still a bit wrecked, physically and emotionally, after the last couple of days, but got on my bike and headed over to Ashton Court #parkrun Took it steady in muggy conditions, eventually working my way up to the 2nd placed lady. I suggest we chased down 1st, which she managed but I didn't. Only a minute slower than last week, which is a win, and had a lovely time chatting and sorting the finish tokens afterwards. #running #RunnersOfMastodon

A good day of #running today, starting with an early (for me) ...

2026-06-19T21:59:36Z

A good day of #running today, starting with an early (for me) drive into the Cotswolds to recce the last 9km of my relay leg before it got ridiculously hot. Up and down the cheese-rolling hill again, mostly out of direct sun but humid in the trees. Paused briefly to try and book gig tickets, failed (but snagged one later in the day, one more to get). Then volunteering at my club's local 10k race in the evening. Just what I needed after a sad day at a funeral yesterday #RunnersOfMastodon

Final 2 mile race of the series, and my fastest time this year ...

2026-06-16T19:56:31Z

Final 2 mile race of the series, and my fastest time this year (official time 12:48). My nemesis is in Croatia on family holiday, so I was able to bag myself 1st lady spot, in fact every woman in the race got a medal for one category or another, and my club locked out the women's podium (and got places 5, 6 & 7), which was nice. Just the 1 mile ice cream relay left, where everyone gets an ice cream. I need to find myself a team #running #RunnersOfMastodon

So. Tale of the tape, aka why road fitness does not equal trail ...

2026-06-05T17:15:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…l4mp
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So. Tale of the tape, aka why road fitness does not equal trail fitness. Along with the going the wrong way and having to double back, there was the wading through knee-length grass (calf sleeves next time), navigating cows, and the hills. So many hills. Grateful that I took my poles with me, they were useful on the ups and downs. The cheese rolling hill (Cooper's) is just terrifying, you can't capture it in a picture, but the path that snakes around the side is 24% at one point. #running

This failed to post at the time, now made it back to the car. ...

2026-06-05T14:27:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…grvd
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This failed to post at the time, now made it back to the car. 36.75km in 4:20:45 ice cream time #running #RunnersOfMastodon

Made it to Painswick. 17.65km in 2:01:44. Time to find an ice ...

2026-06-05T14:25:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…uwf2
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Made it to Painswick. 17.65km in 2:01:44. Time to find an ice cream/slice of cake, then make the return journey #running

About 4 miles into the recce of my leg on the Cotswold Way and ...

2026-06-05T09:53:23Z

About 4 miles into the recce of my leg on the Cotswold Way and about 4 miles in after 50 minutes. Gone wrong at least 6 times and haven't even got to the cheese rolling hill yet. #running #RunnersOfMastodon

Ah, the runners I follow on youtube have gone back to all ...

2026-04-12T19:39:40Z

Ah, the runners I follow on youtube have gone back to all releasing their videos on Sunday evening. Things are going to get squeaky as I double-speed some of them.

as someone who has a blue badge, maybe you could comment as to ...

2026-04-06T06:40:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…6gwv
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as someone who has a blue badge, maybe you could comment as to whether you have been unable to access an accessible space because they are all full. Because that would seem to me to be the biggest issue for holders of the badge. The money element (congestion charges & parking fees) is a side issue to people who need those spaces being able to access them, and I don't much care about the money aspect (though obviously councils would).

Another speedwork session out on the railway path. 8 reps of ...

2026-03-31T12:09:15Z

Another speedwork session out on the railway path. 8 reps of 600m, ranging from 2:18 to 2:21 per rep. Nice and consistent, 10 miles total. #RunnersOfMastodon

Ugh, god-botherers door-knocking on the street again. Will they ...

2026-03-22T13:11:50Z

Ugh, god-botherers door-knocking on the street again. Will they respect my sign asking them not to interrupt my day?

it also physically weakens women. The level of extreme starvation ...

2025-12-28T18:31:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…4jdp
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it also physically weakens women. The level of extreme starvation required by people not genetically thin in order to achieve the look damages their bones as well as their internal organs.

Add in the mental toll, and not only does your brain run on carbs, but eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses.

so the general population of the UK is just under 70 million, of ...

2025-12-12T18:34:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…dj3x
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so the general population of the UK is just under 70 million, of which just under 1 million are members of a political party.

As much as I hate The Mirror, they even ran a story about it when ...

2025-09-12T08:04:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…4lqw
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As much as I hate The Mirror, they even ran a story about it when Mandy was announced as US Ambassador https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/jeffrey-epstein-abuse-victims-fury-34352597

I knew I'd heard of the Mandelson-Epstein connection a while ...

2025-09-12T08:02:10Z

I knew I'd heard of the Mandelson-Epstein connection a while ago. A news story from 2019. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/peter-mandelson-jeffrey-epstein-photo-picture-prince-andrew-death-latest-a9086361.html It's not plausible for Labour not to have known.

I don't need to know if you are trans or cis. I need to know ...

2025-04-16T10:43:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…f8cm
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I don't need to know if you are trans or cis. I need to know how you want to be referred to (name and pronouns) and that's it.

It's not that hard, let people live their lives being true to themselves. If someone oversteps into harassment, assault, discrimination - then that is what you address, the behaviour.

Not that long ago I thought the world was moving forwards, but bigots keep trying to drag us backwards. They are wrong and they are not going to win long-term.

against misogynistic discrimination just the same as cis women. ...

2025-04-16T10:34:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…62mu
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against misogynistic discrimination just the same as cis women. If you are being discriminated against because you are being perceived as female (or vice versa), the law shouldn't care whether or not the medical profession present at your birth put you in box A or box B. The Equality Act used to be explicit about that. Following this ruling I am not so sure it will be. This allows people to discriminate because they want to, it fixes no existing problems and only causes more.

Discrimination is always based on perceived gender - people ...

2025-04-16T10:31:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…tpjp
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Discrimination is always based on perceived gender - people don't know what was put on your first birth certificate when they decide to discriminate based on gender. It's always been perceived gender (including being outside a gender binary). Trans people also get additional discrimination for being trans (just as with race), but it all starts with gender (which is socially constructed, just like race) and that should be reflected in the law. Not this bullshit. Trans women should be protected

It's completely unenforceable. This ruling has decided that ...

2025-04-16T10:27:28Z

In reply to nevent1q…tksg
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It's completely unenforceable. This ruling has decided that sex = biological sex = sex assigned at birth = what is on your birth certificate. Except birth certificates can be changed, so what sort of proof will be accepted if you want to claim discrimination as a result of your sex? What sort of proof will be accepted to access spaces? There is none. They might try and prevent birth certificates from being changed (too late, btw) and then everyone has to carry one? Screw sex, stick to gender.

"There is going to be an ongoing fight," she says. ...

2025-04-16T10:08:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…v64y
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"There is going to be an ongoing fight," she says.

"Now we have a really concrete basis for going forward."

Time to change the law to explicitly include trans women, trans men, intersex and non binary people so that nobody can be discriminated against, and everyone gets access to getting their needs met (healthcare, housing, employment, etc.)

#TransRightsAreHumanRights

This is what every woman, intersex and non-binary person was ...

2025-04-16T10:06:11Z

This is what every woman, intersex and non-binary person was worried about with this case. While the judgment might attempt to restrict this 'woman = AFAB' definition to the reading of the Equality Act (which is bad enough) hate groups such as Women For Scotland and Sex Matters are going to use this ruling to try and push such a restrictive and exclusionary definition across all forms of legislation https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cvgq9ejql39t?post=asset%3A20bf2e47-c0fa-4878-bf66-2534245e475c#post all because of their transphobia towards trans women being on boards.

I am going to be able to delete so many emails from my inbox in a ...

2025-02-14T20:53:50Z

I am going to be able to delete so many emails from my inbox in a few weeks' time, but the latest one to arrive is the big one: confirmation of how to claim my six-star medal if/when I complete Tokyo marathon in just over 15 days. I didn't get their invite to the special breakfast (I wouldn't have gone anyway) so it's a relief to know I am definitely properly on their list. The mantra remains: don't get injured, don't get ill. #running #sixstar #worldmarathonmajors #tokyomarathon2025

criminal damage doesn't require intent in the UK, ...

2024-11-26T13:57:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…ah32
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criminal damage doesn't require intent in the UK, recklessness is sufficient. If that tractor had red diesel in it (which attracts a lower level of fuel duty) there's a good chance that's another offence as it cannot be used by vehicles on public roads except in very limited circumstances.

I'd argue that at the household level 'no magic money ...

2024-11-23T13:28:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…trz9
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I'd argue that at the household level 'no magic money tree' is still accurate, and age appropriate for kids to learn about budgeting. Learning about government-level finances and how they differ to household level would be more appropriate for GCSE economics courses. At that age kids might be looking for part-time employment and would be advised to have a good foundation in personal budgeting already.

children can be taught what a budget is and that there is no ...

2024-11-23T12:14:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…xmd0
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children can be taught what a budget is and that there is no magic money tree and bottomless pit that parents can draw from, without necessarily causing them worry over household finances. As they get older then can learn about financing, how to evaluate a 'good' deal, APRs and all that. But the basics are very simple: you have £2 to spend in a charity shop/ you get £1 a week pocket money/ you received £10 in book tokens/vouchers, what can you buy?

as soon as a child gets pocket money, they are introduced to ...

2024-11-23T12:10:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…dngf
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as soon as a child gets pocket money, they are introduced to budgeting. How many sweets/toys can you buy with it? How many weeks would you need to save in order to buy Y thing? I think I had a bank account from the age of 4. I don't recall any particular loss of innocence as a result. As always, any topic needs to be taught in an age appropriate manner. A budget can be set on shopping trips for example without losing innocence, I think. Cont...

your car's MOT includes a mileage report. Super easy to ...

2024-10-10T17:38:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…ql4k
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your car's MOT includes a mileage report. Super easy to monitor, and the cost can be charged right then and there (before your MOT certificate can be released and recorded in the system). It's something anyone can check at any time, so no surprises. Obviously something would need to be in place when selling/buying second hand, but it would be a massively low admin way of charging per mile for any car that is of MOT age.

I can guarantee that businesses are being harder hit by ...

2024-09-29T13:01:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…zfh9
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I can guarantee that businesses are being harder hit by increasing energy prices, than they are by statutory maternity pay.

employers can reclaim 92% of statutory maternity pay from the ...

2024-09-29T12:47:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…sqh6
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employers can reclaim 92% of statutory maternity pay from the government. In some cases they can reclaim 103%. If a business can't afford 8% of statutory maternity pay, they've got bigger problems. The amount based on 90% of salary only last for 6 weeks, after that it's the lower of 90% and £184.03 a week. Your business can't afford £14.72 a week?

I worked with non-doms. They don't come to the UK for the tax ...

2024-09-26T17:15:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…gaz0
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I worked with non-doms. They don't come to the UK for the tax status, and they don't stay or leave for the tax status. It might factor into their decisions to come in the first place, but there's a reason not everyone lives in places like Dubai. Remuneration packages might be renegotiated to account for it, there are plenty of other (currently) legal options (such as tax treaties and trusts) to minimise effects.

my GCSE French isn't up to trawling through French tax sites ...

2024-08-03T01:26:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…c3pq
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my GCSE French isn't up to trawling through French tax sites and news reports though. The tax guide would seem to indicate that something has been put in place for athletes to be able to claim a rebate for any monies caught covering 2023-2025 that isn't exempted under existing tax treaties https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/information/tax-guide

I remembered that there was something about athletes choosing not ...

2024-08-03T01:17:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…elj2
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I remembered that there was something about athletes choosing not to play at Queen's because of the tax bill and found https://www.saffery.com/insights/articles/overseas-athletes-and-uk-income-tax/ which would suggest that the IOC does seek to make an exemption from tax for the athletes a condition of the bidding process for the Olympics. Certainly exemptions were put in place for 2012 (and have been repeated for other events) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11981604

I never worked for any during an Olympic cycle, but I ...

2024-08-02T17:27:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…7f3d
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I never worked for any during an Olympic cycle, but I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't something done. It must be something that comes up for various competitions such as the Diamond League's, so would expect sponsorship deals to be structured to be tax efficient (at least for/by the top earners).

will it matter that they are under strict blackout rules whilst ...

2024-08-02T16:56:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…g62e
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will it matter that they are under strict blackout rules whilst at the Olympics, not able to post about their own sponsors (though their sponsors can post about them)? The Olympics strictly regulates which sponsors are allowed to get airtime, even on individual participants' social media.