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Hi, Rusty!
I confess that I do not really understand how the Athletics "system" works?
Who pays whom for what?
Perhaps I am being a trifle dim here?
Please can you explain what you mean?
I myself am only a third the way through the Times 15 x 15 today - I didn't stop, though, because I couldn't do it, but I ran out of time this morning, and just didn't get back to it!
(Having now remembered about it, I shall take another look!)
I probably wouldn't have been able to help Brunel, even had I been around!
But, like you, I look in on the Forum from time to time........I will answer any queries (or ask for help if needed) whilst I am there...... also I look for any messages for me, and then reply ..........and then go away, and pop in again later on....etc.
That works well for me.
Yes, I appreciate that some people will find the Answerbank suits their various needs/ requirements - - that is why I said "each to his own"!
It just isn't for me!
I've been meaning to ask how Miss ATW is getting on in her flat?

Hello, Elle!
I have just read about the awful incident that Jenny Meadows witnessed yesterday.
I am surprised she ran at all.
Today's race was created to let Laura have a go at a non standard event to attempt breaking the record.
To ensure a fast record breaking pace, Jenny was asked to set the pace.
I would expect she was paid for her efforts.
By whom I do not know.
The Times is a good crossword today, so go back to it.
I agree regarding AB. It has been said on it that they have lost a few regulars on it since revamping.
Miss ATW is doing fine in her flat.
It is pretty much finished, though she had one poor tradesman whose work had to be redone by my son.
And he also left a mess and annoyed the neighbours.
Not good at all!

Hi, Rusty!
You have lost me here!
What awful incident did Jenny witness?

Hello, Elle,
Google "Jenny Meadows" for Friday.

Hi, Rusty!
It took me while to find it........
Goodness , how awful!
How terribly sad that a young girl could be so distressed that she could take her own life like that!
And her poor family - whatever must they be feeling?
The train driver must be fraught - there would have been nothing at all he could do in the time.
And terrible for Jenny and others, witnessing it.
On a lighter note to end the evening....I have very nearly finished the crossword!
I liked 19A!
( I have quite a few remaining unparsed, though)

Hello, Elle!
Yes.
Jenny has said quite a bit about it on her Twitter page.
A dreadful event.
Moving on...
Jenny retired from athletics last Summer, yet she is pacing Laura.
That's odd?
She is a motivational speaker now.
19a is one of the very few "scorers" that I can name one of his works.
"Peter and the Wolf"!
I liked "Flight of the Bumblebee" too, but that was another "scorer"!
I know one or two of Verdi's works, too.
Have a go at your parsing and if you need a wee dig out, just post on here?
I think I have them all.

A very good morning to you, Rusty!
It is a glorious day here - blue sky and sunshine from very early on!
I hope you have the same?
I have been reading up on pacemaking!
The pacemaker is frequently employed by the race organiser to help set the required pace - such as that required if a runner wishes to set/ break a record.
He/ she is paid to do this.
The pacemaker also has to be registered as a race contestant in order to do this but is (now) allowed to "tail off" when the job is completed.
In earlier days, it was always necessary, though, for the pacemaker to complete the race..........but this last is no longer a requirement.
I do remember watching on one occasion way back, when the pacesetter actually won the race!
Apparently, pacemakers are also used in horse racing?
But I expect you knew that?
Right....breakfast.....I haven't had it yet!
What are you up to today....?
Any plans?

Good morning, Elle!
Snap!
My weather matches yours, I'm pleased to say!
You have been busy regarding pacemakers!
I knew someone must pay the pacemakers.
Pacemaking is not allowed in horseracing, but it happens frequently.
For instance Frankel was an exceptionally good horse but always had a pacemaker, Bullet Train, to set the pace.
Anyway, star pacemaker, Jenny Meadows, is at the London Triathlon Show today, and appears to be promoting something called a Back_baller!
No, I've no idea what it is, either!
Our youthfull British Cycing team are doing well at the Track Championships in Cali, Colombia, but as usual there is no interest shown by the press.
I am not long home from the Nature Trail.
Had it mostly to myself except for a few girls on horseback, to whom I gave a wide berth on the trail.

Hi, Rusty!
You were out early today on your bummel?
Is this because you have something special lined up for the rest of the day?
I tried Googling a "back baller" - but apart from discovering that it is a piece of (sports?) equipment specifically designed to self-treat muscles in one's upper & lower back by "foam -rolling" (whatever is that?) - I am not really any wiser!
Whilst looking for this though, I found an article where Jenny is strongly supporting Seb Coe by saying that she is sure that he will bring Athletics back to where it should be - that he is unfairly criticised, but has good, trustworthy, and firm intentions!
She wants to bring good, honest and clean sport to children.
I think Jenny is perhaps the worst hit of our athletes in medal deprivation, by the cheating of the Russians?
I am half way through the Everyman........

Hello, Elle!
Yes, was out early.
My local football team is on TV in the afternoon, so I may watch a bit of it.
The young ones are going to the game.
Jenny comes across as a "very nice lassie" as we say here.
I am not so sure her faith in Lord Coe is well placed.
I can not be doing with him.
Jenny got a raw deal with the cheating Russians.
Up here, our football authorities (no laughing!) have not dope tested a footballer in the past year.
None. Not even one!
Good luck with Everyman!