Steve Monaghan musings

  In the UK, a microcosm of humans on planet Earth, right wing fascism is allowed to parade its colours, etc. Not for the first time. Previous unfettered outbreaks have resulted in an unsuccessful democratic result. In the guise of Reform, not UKIP, a brand more acceptable some would say. However, the underbelly is easy to see Farage and his mouthy sidekicks are racists. How do racists have freedom of speech when we have laws against racial discrimination EASY not all laws have to be enacted. It's like VAR not all decisions are acted on. So as we stride towards another general election they will need a substantial increase in their recent votes. However, when the narrative is already pushing the idea of victory some already believe it's true. So what would a racist ruling Party do. Pretty much Nazi Germany. Offended by that? You cannot be bothered with these political people. I wish they would go away but secretly I think they have a point about immigrants. Let's have a ...

 I wonder if there is an appetite to deport these people on horses for breaking the law. Seems they are all white but still could be immigrants.  When the history books are compiled by AI will they recall the day Hunting was banned. 2004. A so-called typically British pastime, of the Rich, but still illegal.  So in our glorious country Please remember if you want to fight crime start at the top. If you are a wannabe top of the tree kinda person then just ignore this and vote Reform. Viva la fascisme. You know it's true. But then again allegedly Britain won a war, all on its own, to beat fascism. So I look forward to pitched battles with the likes of Farage and Anderson, no friends of the people, unless they are Rich, and even some of them don't want them. Anderson and Farage the Blunderbuss of politics. Talking nonsense like Trump. They are like a Harry Enfield character with no self awareness of their crass, blunt, incoherent drivel whilst parading as credible, bona-fide...

 As someone who lives in Derbyshire, one of the few places Reform UK have taken control, I can safely inform people that the use of public funds to erect flags to income National Pride is not unusual. In my 63 years I have witnessed QE Silver Jubilee, Street Parties,  Trooping the Colour, Royal Weddings, etc. None of these events have persuaded me to be Nationalistic or have Pride in the nation I was born in and resided in all my life. The current wave, pun intended, of flag celebration persuaded me even less due to the following: Central to this flag flying is Reform UK - a Party led by a man - opposed to the nation being part of the EU and taking their salary - now takes a salary from UK government who he opposes - who does not need a salary due to his wealth - who hides his racism under the guise of immigration policy change - who does not acknowledge the integral part many people have played in creating this nation Hence many people mistakenly think National Pride equates ...

 Back in September 2024 I decided to embark on a year of training for my first backyard ultra. My plan, self-coached, is based on 40 years of being a mainly running club member, input from coaches both in person and online, the developing world of ultras and my experience which includes every distance from 100m to 40 miles. So I decided to use shorter events as practice towards a backyard format. I participated in seven 6 hour events and one 4 hour event. Each event was an opportunity to practice and test backyard/ultra techniques including fast/slow laps, eating/drinking on the move or at the end of lap, different products, equipment. Eventually I did the backyard ultra in September 2025. Completed 13 laps(hours), 52 miles (a new PB) and created a crew. Thanks to Mark g The Test Run, YouTuber, who created a film of my attempt.  What did I learn?  The Backyard format means most laps have an enforced rest unlike typical ultras which may have food/drink checkpoints but at y...

 So my 12 month journey to my first Backyard Ultra, at age 62, is over. Saturday 13th September. 10 am set off on first lap of Rasselbock BYU Hardwick. Having assembled a crew of friends and practised avidly the event was now real.  I had adopted and practised a mindset that does not set a limit but also takes account of where you are at so as to be aware of realistic personal aims. I did not make this known. All I said was minimum 8 laps (hours).  My actual ultra distance achievement before was 40 miles in 2023. My approach of 3 mins walk, 3 min jog acted as my basic approach in the absence of chatting to other participants, singing to myself, saying hello to marshals and passers by. Having clarity about how to distract yourself from the monotony and repetitiveness I think is important. Having achieved 7 laps in 6 hours at two training Rasselbock events I was assured of 7 laps hence minimum 8. As time ticked by and 47 minutes per lap became 51 and eventually 54 and not m...

 The working class, the poor, even the middle class will never rule the capitalist system. The capitalist system is the system of the ruling class, the rich, the wealthy. Capturing the state with nice capitalism, state communism, socialism All Cul de Sacs. They will not relinquish their system without a fight. Why is Starmer criminalizing protestors. Why did Kneecap and Bob Vylan get banned/investigated because they said what many think but won't say, now you won't.  It's not violent rhetoric for the sake of it. It's the Truth. Within the oppressed of history are those who feel the hate of our rulers, know from history their use of armed forces to quell dissent and deduce it is a Class War. Anything else is wasteful with no concrete evidence. Gandhi and Luther King are modern leaders of peaceful movements. Their belief led to people joining them and claims of justice and rights. However, a State that has anti-discrimination laws does not have to practice them. The step ...

 As our government assists the Israeli government in unnecessary deaths of Palestinians it seems irony is lost on many of them. Some of you will think this is 'bad taste'. What should leave a bad taste is our government's actions. If this is what democracy brings then that's a reason not to vote. I do not accept that not voting is tantamount to voting Tory or worse. I have consciously not voted for 44 years. We have invaded Iraq, Afghanistan and The Falklands. We have assisted many government war machines to 'defend' their 'disputed' territory. The senseless human acquisition and protection of land, property and other assets is not natural it is a conscious decision to kill other human beings and not for survival. Although if you were a Palestinian right now you would be killing for survival whereas Israeli forces are not. This is not anti-Israeli (semitic). It is anti- killing for an unjust reason which any of us could choose to do. As did the UK in Ira...