Bret

You handsome devil - you're a brute of a man. Great picture. I like that Big Ben reads 12:55.

You are too kind Mr. Bam.

Impressed with your attention to the detail on the clock. Indeed it shows 2:55 mins from the start - less than 5 mins to the finish. Only someone of your keen sense of observation would detect that.

I'm confused: '2:55 mins from the start'? Is it not Big Ben? Have I got the wrong race?

He means he needs to be at the finish line at 12:59, 2 hours and 59 minutes from the start, I believe. I'm probably missing your weird Irish humor :) Also, Bam, your eyes are good!

Any running goals/plans upcoming, Bret?

I get it now - thanks Jason; I honestly didn't understand. I know what you mean about the cultural differences when it comes to humour and spelling:) We tend to use irony a lot more and I suppose that comes across as bragging etc when we normally mean the opposite. I'm sure most people on the blog don't get me but then most people over here don't get me either.

The thing that I find strange about you folk across there is how positive you all seem: "Yeah dude, you're the man." And: "Yo bro, way to to do it." And that's just if somebody has tied their laces properly:) If you said that to somebody over here, there'd get the wrong idea and think you were being sarcastic and give you a right old puck up the face (that's a punch on the nose).

Over here, most people are begrudgers (except for me and mine - I will not tolerate begrudgery). But then, if somebody does something well, like Bret for example when he broke 3hrs (hi Bret) we'd mock him, saying that it's about time etc and yet, that means the same as, 'Way to go bro.' Except, in certain quarters there would be a tinge of bugrudgery in it. But amongst friends, you'd still mock them if they'd run well etc.

About my eyes: the ladies love my eyes:) I have long eyelashes. Unfortunately, my eyesight is poor but then my specs help me see.

Bret's looking at going 1 second faster than you go in your next marathon:)

*Forgot to mention, did you hear the big news, Bret? Fergie's going at the end of the season. Great news for The Gooners!

Heh - I thought Bam was indeed joking the whole time. I got a chuckle at least, even if it was unintentional on your part, sir.

Jason is out of my league now - I expect he will cruise through the back roads of Maine eclipsing my time by 10 minutes or more. "It is about time you did that" - is what I will tell him afterwards, unbegrudgingly of course.

I had not heard that news about United - very interesting. The Gooners just need to spend a few more of their excess quid on top flight talent now.

I'm glad you're on this blog Bam. I feel more worldly after reading your comments.