Finally really happy and satisfied with a race, or both races I should say, since Jordi also ran today. For the first time since summer I had good legs untill the end and finished below 38 minutes in 37m49!!!! And Jordi also ran very very well, 2m55 and both starting very good, being upfront from the beginning and ending in the top 10 for sure!!!
Another sunday morning getting up early. It was cold today and after arriving nicely on time I first walked around the park right next to the starting area enjoying a "Rocky" moment with the sunrise and the cold and pre-race thoughts. Just before 9 o'clock I changed into shorts and t-shirt and quickly headed out for a fast toilet-stop and then warming up. Soon the park filled with runners and the parts where the sunlight could reach started to warm up a bit. Just before 9h30 I went to the start area and then we were shot away. The start was quick and clean, only some pushing while we try to avoid the parked cars in the first curves right after the start. Soon after there is a long straight and we can settle for a good pace and the pack stretches out. Once again, like last year, the front runners are not too far away when we cross the first kilometer mark, for me in 3m30 and then we go uphill a bit and start the more windy part just after passing 2k in 7m05. The 3rd kilometer was still going great and then I missed the 4th k marker to find myself doing the first lap in 18m45, but feeling good. On the long stretch of the 6th and partly 7th kilometer I concentrated on my form and breathing and started passing runners while and trying to keep up with runners passing me. I passed 7k in 26m40 and was still feeling good, which was a happy feeling since the race before this season I only felt good for about 4 kilometers. I passed 8k in 30m04 so I knew that I could finish under 38 minutes if I pushed the last 2 kilometers. The cold started to affect my breathing and I guess without that I would have run even better, but without going all out finishing in 37m49 was a great feeling.
Shortly after eleven o'clock Jordi lined up for his 750m race. After reuniting the family we explored the round he had to run and he decided to go alone, since it was short and easy. First the 10 to 15 year olds had to run and then it was Jordi's turn. It was starting to show that this was no longer a new thing for him and when they were fired away he was away with the first runners. He later explained that the whole time he ran along with another boy passing and being passed untill shortly before the last straigth where he arrived alone in sixth or seventh position, but we will never know, in a time of 2m55.
