Finally!!!! 10k under 40 minutes, only a few seconds, but very slowly 10k running form seems to come back now.
Technically I am half way the 4th week of my marathon training schedule, though I missed out of the first two weeks of training because I was very ill. Just before that I was already starting to run better and the restart is going quite well and hopefully I will have no more unexpected breaks until mid March. In marathon training terms running a 10k can be seen as a tempo-run. Also, since in the earlier races this year I struggled to maintain pace, this time I decided to go out slow and go with the 40 minutes pacer as long as I could.
The Cursa dels Nassos is different from most 10k since it is run in the afternoon. For being a winterday it was warm and I could easily go down to the beach and take of extra clothes right away before doing my warm up. I felt quite ok, a bit sore of the last training still, but nothing to worry about and with strength and endurance in the warmup sprints. The fastest box in this race is reserved for "under 37 minutes" and since it has been years now since I did so I had to start in the box just behind, but with the "go out easy" plans that was not a problem. The first 2 kilometers were very chaotic with people tripping and a lot of pushing but I was running comfortably some 20 meters behind the pacer. Going at a steady 4m/k pace. Upto the 5k marker I closed the gap to the pacer and just after that at the aidstation I passed the group, since I did not need water and did not see them anymore afterwards. I maintained pace though between the 5k and 8k markers the course is going up and down and I struggled with my breathing in the uphills. Once passed the 8k the road is flat or even slightly downhill and though I was running at my limit then I was still going at 4m/k pace and the last few hundred meters is downhill and I accelerated a little to make sure to finish under 40 minutes. Later at home my confirmed time was 39m51s. Now back to my training schedule and trying to stay healthy in 2016. Happy Newyear!!!!
Thursday 31 December 2015
Sunday 22 November 2015
Sunday 4 October 2015
Correbarri - 10k
40m25s.
... many days later...
That was not all there was to say about Correbarri, but between work, injury and other events I never completed the story untill now, three weeks later.
Early morning I jogged down to the beach where this race started. That is some 45 minutes.. so maybe a bit long for a warmup, but since I was not going for time I was ok with that. After the regular preparations we were shot away around 9am. It was good running weather, not too warm not to cold but I was somehow not a 100% comfortable eventhough running just below 4 minutes/k pace, a slow start. Until the half way mark I continued like that and then slowed down a little bit, though not as much as a few weeks ago and the last kilometer I had strength and breath left to sprint to the finish line.
In the days after my left hamstring played up and only last week I did 2 training sessions without the pain coming back. So from here we pick up the schedule again to see what we can do in the next 10k.
... many days later...
That was not all there was to say about Correbarri, but between work, injury and other events I never completed the story untill now, three weeks later.
Early morning I jogged down to the beach where this race started. That is some 45 minutes.. so maybe a bit long for a warmup, but since I was not going for time I was ok with that. After the regular preparations we were shot away around 9am. It was good running weather, not too warm not to cold but I was somehow not a 100% comfortable eventhough running just below 4 minutes/k pace, a slow start. Until the half way mark I continued like that and then slowed down a little bit, though not as much as a few weeks ago and the last kilometer I had strength and breath left to sprint to the finish line.
In the days after my left hamstring played up and only last week I did 2 training sessions without the pain coming back. So from here we pick up the schedule again to see what we can do in the next 10k.
Sunday 13 September 2015
Cursa de la Mercè - 10k
A relaxed 10k to kick of the road season. Not completely recovered yet from the UTMB, but it was good to get out and run today. The first 5k went quite ok in a steady just below 4 minute per kilometer pace, but then I slowly had to go back to 4m15/k to finish in exactly 41m00. I am not sure about which one will be the next race, but I did decide to take it easy and do only 10k for the coming months.
Wednesday 2 September 2015
UTMB - 2015 - 168k
The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, 2015 edition for me started soon after stopping after only 30 kilometers two years ago at the Contamines checkpoint. This race is different from others in that you need qualifying points in order to be able to enter in the draw for one of the 2300 bib-numbers. In 2014 I did not get in but for this year I did, struggling to get the points since they raised them from 7 to 8 and I did not finish the Emmona last year.
The plan was to start serious mountain training shortly after the marathon of Barcelona in March. I was in good shape at that moment, finishing under 3 hours again after a few years of not doing so. Soon after though I started to have problems with my soleus muscle in the right leg and in the end I had to stop training all together for about 2 weeks and then pick up training slowly again to not injure myself again. I started more serious training end of May and did my first mountain run mid June. From then on training went well untill two weeks before the race. At home I bumped my pinky toe of the right foot and seriously bruised it. After a few days of not even being able to walk well I went to the gym to do high intensity training without any impact on an Elliptical trainer and a Spinning bike. I did not run at all until the race started.
With the muscle cramp experience of 2 years ago in mind, the first goal was to hydrate well and get to Contamines in good shape. The race started friday 28th of august at 18h00 in the afternoon. It weather was very warm and would be so throughout the race. I waited in the shadow untill about 15 minutes before the start and then found a spot in the crowd and chatted a bit with other runners.
When we were counted down and shot away we slowly shuffled to the starting arch and would not start running until several hundred meters after that. My family had found a spot a bit more down the central street of Chamonix and cheered me on and then headed off to St. Gervais by bus. I tried to control my pace in these first easy and flat kilometers and even walked the short uphills in this part up to les Houches where the first climb starts. I drink plenty of water and start the climb this time not pushing to hard and keeping my heart rate easy and breathing not to fast. I get to the checkpoint Delevret near the top just within 2 hours and soon after start the steep descent, once again trying to go not too fast, which is hard there, since at some parts the safest way to go down is to just roll with the steep incline of the mountain. I can feel my quads complaining a bit when we finally enter St. Gervais, but by the time we get to the city centre I am feeling ok. Thanks to Jordi waving the dutch flag it was easy to spot them in the crowd and after a quick hug with the 3 of them I passed the check point here in 2h50 and then took my time to eat and drink and fill up my backpack. I took out my headlamp and after a quick talk and more hugs with my family I was on my way again, now facing the part where 2 years ago I ran into serious trouble with heavy cramps in just about all my legs muscles. This time I was able to keep a good sustained pace on the runnable parts and walking the climbs without any problems and the 10 kilometers between St. Gervais and Contamines went by in 1h40 and I entered the checkpoint with a scream of relief. My family had just arrived and I ate some soup and fruit and then joined them. After a short while I went to fill my water reserves for the long climb and long downhill to come. After passing through the checkpoint area I talked a bit more and then after hugs and good night wishes I continued. I expected Notre Dame de la Gorge to be a checkpoint, so when we passed through Contamines-le Joie, without any checks only good music and a nice ambience I still was waiting for that village to come. After climbing way to long I guessed that maybe I was on my way to la Balme already and indeed, almost two hours later I passed this checkpoint, filled up some water and quickly continued. Next was Col de la Bonhomme (2441m) one of the 4 high passes in the race. The path up is quite ok, many short parts of rocks with stony paths in between, all going up steep. Without any problems I arrived at the top. The first "marathon" I did in about 8 hours, 1 hour faster than I expected without too much effort.
After walking some 10 minutes of the downhill I started to run wherever I could. From time to time I bumped into stones what was very painful for my still sensitive pinky toe on the right foot, but it seemed like it was holding out quite well. The last part to les Chapieux is a really nice wide downhill path with soft grass and with the moonlight overhead this was one of those unique moments that makes ultras very much worthwhile to do. I arrived at this checkpoint after about 9 hours and after more soup and fruit and drinking Coca Cola I filled up my waterbag as much as I could since the next part was going to take a long time.
Col de la Seigne. The approach is easy on a slowly climbing asphalt road where I walk along with a french runner Hervé. And then we take a right up to a mountain path and start the steep climb towards the second of the high passes. Here I start to feel the first signs of fatigue and after about 3 quarters of the climb in stead of leading the climb of a group I start trailing and once at the top Hervé quickly changes into the downhill run while I take a while to recover from the climb and preparing for the next climb that will come up shortly.
The next pass is called Col des Piramides Calcaires and the first part is very wet and muddy. About half way the terrain changes into rocks, just rocks, hardly any path to see, and for my the pinky toe on my right foot this was no fun. Here it was also considerably colder than before and I put on gloves and pull a buff over my head to stay warm.
The way down is pretty much the same and I can hardly run here in order to not hurt my toe. Slowly but surely the sun is making its appearance, not yet visible but there is light enough to switch of the headlamp and then we get a first glimpse of the Lac Combal valley, which is really beautiful. The last kilometer down the checkpoint is easy arriving after 13h36 and I tried to make it a short stop, since here we are only one climb and long and at the end steep downhil away from Courmayeur the next big aid station where I will meet my family again. Away go the gloves and buff again and out comes the hat preparing for the sun to come out.
Though we have some 2 kilometers of really flat road here I take it easy and walk most of the time expecting the climb up to be steep and indeed the first part is very steep before turning into a more easy to climb path winding through a grassy mountain slope with cows here and there. At this point a helicopter is flying over from time to time to make pictures of one of the trademark parts of the race, checkpoint "Arrete du Mont-Favre". At the highest point you are just in front of the italian face of the Mont Blanc, really different from the Chamonix part. A volunteer kindly takes pictures of any runner that wants so.
The next part has many creek-crossings but apart from that is rather easy to walk and run. I try to save energy but I feel like I am progressing much more slowly than I hoped for. About 45 minutes after the last check point I arrive at Col Chécrouit, where I stop very briefly and then start the steep run down to Courmayeur. It is one of those path where you have to run, since it is to steep to walk in most parts. Very tricky with many turns, stones and roots make the path very irregular and creating many jump downs of 50 centimeters and also stairs made with wooden beams. Finally down we soon enter Courmayeur and all of a sudden I run into my wife Montse who wandered around to take pictures. Together we continue to the sportscenter where I pass the checkpoint, pick up my runners bag and enter the big hall to have my breakfast/lunch break. My family is not allowed to enter all together so they alternate coming in and spending some time with me. Courmayeur is almost half way, it is 11h15 when I enter here and I am 17h15 into the race now, and I wanted to have more margin with respect to the cut-off time here, 13h00. After about 30 minutes I put on my backpack again and after hugs and kisses to my family I head of to the climb to Refugio Bertone. The sun is out in full force now and the steep climb is a very hot one too. From time to time I slow down or stop here to keep my heart rate and temperature within reasonable limits and actually this climb goes very well arriving at the checkpoint at 13h00 and 19h00 into the race. This is more or less half way, so the second marathon I did in 11h.
No time to rest here, so soon I am on my way again to Refugio Bonatti along what is supposed to be a runnable path. But partly because I am tired and partly because the path goes up and down all the time and is not quite as runnable as I thought I walk most of the time. It takes a long time apparently to get to that next checkpoint and I finally do so after almost 2 hours, with the sun beating down and feeling tired. The downhill to Arnuva first goes up and down and up some more and down and up even more before we really start the descent to this little town. Here I run, since it is rather steep and like before, running is more comfortable than walking here. Just passed 16h00 I arrive at this checkpoint and I am tired and know that next up is a long climb to the highest point of the race, Col du Ferret. Going up I have to stop quite a few times to put on or take off my windstopper. It is still very warm but from time to time the wind picks up giving me cold chills. After a first part of wide zig-zags going up we go left and after a while we can see the checkpoint that is set up at the highest point. Tired, but happy that this one is done I arrive here at 18h00.
The downhill is runnable, but I feel more and more tired and walk a lot. After passing through la Peule the path becomes technical and sometimes slippery. Once again on the race profile this part looks like a downhill but it goes up and down quite a bit. Already near la Fouly the path becomes more runnable and I have regained some energy to actually do so. The final approach to la Fouly is flat, slightly downhill, here I run and walk until we finally get to the aid station around 20h. I sit down and I am starting to feel sore and really tired now. I send a message to my family and after the eating and drinking prepare to leave again. Soon it is dark again and I struggle to find any rhythm. Supposedly this part is runnable, and indeed quite a few other runners do so, but I can only walk. After what feels like a long time we arrive at the next village, Praz de Fort and soon after Issert. We can see the lights of Champex-Lac, high up in the mountains, far away and then the uphill starts again. A steep narrow path with once again very irregular footing and what looks like very steep walls down just right of the path. Soon my legs start to hurt, most of all my left leg and I have stop and take a breather quite often. Somewhere here I start to feel that I might not finish today. The closer to the top the slower I go and the last part I am more or less limping to the aid station where my family is waiting for me. It is 0h20. The third marathon passed in 11h20. My feet hurt and most of all my left abductor is almost cramping with every step. I tell my family that I don't feel very well, but first just would rest and try to get a massage to see if that helps. The massage is extremely painfull and does not bring any relief. I eat and drink and hope I will start to feel better, but every time I stand up to try and walk a bit my body is complaining big time and after maybe an hour and with the closing time, 2h30, coming more and more near I decide to really end the race there and then.
When we get on the bus around 2h00 I actually started to feel better and for days I wonder if maybe I should have tried to continue and finish, but that is only talking. I learned important lessons and hopefully if there will be a next time I can arrange for a more solid preparation. I feel I came close, but just did not have it in me this time.
The plan was to start serious mountain training shortly after the marathon of Barcelona in March. I was in good shape at that moment, finishing under 3 hours again after a few years of not doing so. Soon after though I started to have problems with my soleus muscle in the right leg and in the end I had to stop training all together for about 2 weeks and then pick up training slowly again to not injure myself again. I started more serious training end of May and did my first mountain run mid June. From then on training went well untill two weeks before the race. At home I bumped my pinky toe of the right foot and seriously bruised it. After a few days of not even being able to walk well I went to the gym to do high intensity training without any impact on an Elliptical trainer and a Spinning bike. I did not run at all until the race started.
With the muscle cramp experience of 2 years ago in mind, the first goal was to hydrate well and get to Contamines in good shape. The race started friday 28th of august at 18h00 in the afternoon. It weather was very warm and would be so throughout the race. I waited in the shadow untill about 15 minutes before the start and then found a spot in the crowd and chatted a bit with other runners.
When we were counted down and shot away we slowly shuffled to the starting arch and would not start running until several hundred meters after that. My family had found a spot a bit more down the central street of Chamonix and cheered me on and then headed off to St. Gervais by bus. I tried to control my pace in these first easy and flat kilometers and even walked the short uphills in this part up to les Houches where the first climb starts. I drink plenty of water and start the climb this time not pushing to hard and keeping my heart rate easy and breathing not to fast. I get to the checkpoint Delevret near the top just within 2 hours and soon after start the steep descent, once again trying to go not too fast, which is hard there, since at some parts the safest way to go down is to just roll with the steep incline of the mountain. I can feel my quads complaining a bit when we finally enter St. Gervais, but by the time we get to the city centre I am feeling ok. Thanks to Jordi waving the dutch flag it was easy to spot them in the crowd and after a quick hug with the 3 of them I passed the check point here in 2h50 and then took my time to eat and drink and fill up my backpack. I took out my headlamp and after a quick talk and more hugs with my family I was on my way again, now facing the part where 2 years ago I ran into serious trouble with heavy cramps in just about all my legs muscles. This time I was able to keep a good sustained pace on the runnable parts and walking the climbs without any problems and the 10 kilometers between St. Gervais and Contamines went by in 1h40 and I entered the checkpoint with a scream of relief. My family had just arrived and I ate some soup and fruit and then joined them. After a short while I went to fill my water reserves for the long climb and long downhill to come. After passing through the checkpoint area I talked a bit more and then after hugs and good night wishes I continued. I expected Notre Dame de la Gorge to be a checkpoint, so when we passed through Contamines-le Joie, without any checks only good music and a nice ambience I still was waiting for that village to come. After climbing way to long I guessed that maybe I was on my way to la Balme already and indeed, almost two hours later I passed this checkpoint, filled up some water and quickly continued. Next was Col de la Bonhomme (2441m) one of the 4 high passes in the race. The path up is quite ok, many short parts of rocks with stony paths in between, all going up steep. Without any problems I arrived at the top. The first "marathon" I did in about 8 hours, 1 hour faster than I expected without too much effort.
After walking some 10 minutes of the downhill I started to run wherever I could. From time to time I bumped into stones what was very painful for my still sensitive pinky toe on the right foot, but it seemed like it was holding out quite well. The last part to les Chapieux is a really nice wide downhill path with soft grass and with the moonlight overhead this was one of those unique moments that makes ultras very much worthwhile to do. I arrived at this checkpoint after about 9 hours and after more soup and fruit and drinking Coca Cola I filled up my waterbag as much as I could since the next part was going to take a long time.
Col de la Seigne. The approach is easy on a slowly climbing asphalt road where I walk along with a french runner Hervé. And then we take a right up to a mountain path and start the steep climb towards the second of the high passes. Here I start to feel the first signs of fatigue and after about 3 quarters of the climb in stead of leading the climb of a group I start trailing and once at the top Hervé quickly changes into the downhill run while I take a while to recover from the climb and preparing for the next climb that will come up shortly.
The next pass is called Col des Piramides Calcaires and the first part is very wet and muddy. About half way the terrain changes into rocks, just rocks, hardly any path to see, and for my the pinky toe on my right foot this was no fun. Here it was also considerably colder than before and I put on gloves and pull a buff over my head to stay warm.
The way down is pretty much the same and I can hardly run here in order to not hurt my toe. Slowly but surely the sun is making its appearance, not yet visible but there is light enough to switch of the headlamp and then we get a first glimpse of the Lac Combal valley, which is really beautiful. The last kilometer down the checkpoint is easy arriving after 13h36 and I tried to make it a short stop, since here we are only one climb and long and at the end steep downhil away from Courmayeur the next big aid station where I will meet my family again. Away go the gloves and buff again and out comes the hat preparing for the sun to come out.
Though we have some 2 kilometers of really flat road here I take it easy and walk most of the time expecting the climb up to be steep and indeed the first part is very steep before turning into a more easy to climb path winding through a grassy mountain slope with cows here and there. At this point a helicopter is flying over from time to time to make pictures of one of the trademark parts of the race, checkpoint "Arrete du Mont-Favre". At the highest point you are just in front of the italian face of the Mont Blanc, really different from the Chamonix part. A volunteer kindly takes pictures of any runner that wants so.
The next part has many creek-crossings but apart from that is rather easy to walk and run. I try to save energy but I feel like I am progressing much more slowly than I hoped for. About 45 minutes after the last check point I arrive at Col Chécrouit, where I stop very briefly and then start the steep run down to Courmayeur. It is one of those path where you have to run, since it is to steep to walk in most parts. Very tricky with many turns, stones and roots make the path very irregular and creating many jump downs of 50 centimeters and also stairs made with wooden beams. Finally down we soon enter Courmayeur and all of a sudden I run into my wife Montse who wandered around to take pictures. Together we continue to the sportscenter where I pass the checkpoint, pick up my runners bag and enter the big hall to have my breakfast/lunch break. My family is not allowed to enter all together so they alternate coming in and spending some time with me. Courmayeur is almost half way, it is 11h15 when I enter here and I am 17h15 into the race now, and I wanted to have more margin with respect to the cut-off time here, 13h00. After about 30 minutes I put on my backpack again and after hugs and kisses to my family I head of to the climb to Refugio Bertone. The sun is out in full force now and the steep climb is a very hot one too. From time to time I slow down or stop here to keep my heart rate and temperature within reasonable limits and actually this climb goes very well arriving at the checkpoint at 13h00 and 19h00 into the race. This is more or less half way, so the second marathon I did in 11h.
No time to rest here, so soon I am on my way again to Refugio Bonatti along what is supposed to be a runnable path. But partly because I am tired and partly because the path goes up and down all the time and is not quite as runnable as I thought I walk most of the time. It takes a long time apparently to get to that next checkpoint and I finally do so after almost 2 hours, with the sun beating down and feeling tired. The downhill to Arnuva first goes up and down and up some more and down and up even more before we really start the descent to this little town. Here I run, since it is rather steep and like before, running is more comfortable than walking here. Just passed 16h00 I arrive at this checkpoint and I am tired and know that next up is a long climb to the highest point of the race, Col du Ferret. Going up I have to stop quite a few times to put on or take off my windstopper. It is still very warm but from time to time the wind picks up giving me cold chills. After a first part of wide zig-zags going up we go left and after a while we can see the checkpoint that is set up at the highest point. Tired, but happy that this one is done I arrive here at 18h00.
The downhill is runnable, but I feel more and more tired and walk a lot. After passing through la Peule the path becomes technical and sometimes slippery. Once again on the race profile this part looks like a downhill but it goes up and down quite a bit. Already near la Fouly the path becomes more runnable and I have regained some energy to actually do so. The final approach to la Fouly is flat, slightly downhill, here I run and walk until we finally get to the aid station around 20h. I sit down and I am starting to feel sore and really tired now. I send a message to my family and after the eating and drinking prepare to leave again. Soon it is dark again and I struggle to find any rhythm. Supposedly this part is runnable, and indeed quite a few other runners do so, but I can only walk. After what feels like a long time we arrive at the next village, Praz de Fort and soon after Issert. We can see the lights of Champex-Lac, high up in the mountains, far away and then the uphill starts again. A steep narrow path with once again very irregular footing and what looks like very steep walls down just right of the path. Soon my legs start to hurt, most of all my left leg and I have stop and take a breather quite often. Somewhere here I start to feel that I might not finish today. The closer to the top the slower I go and the last part I am more or less limping to the aid station where my family is waiting for me. It is 0h20. The third marathon passed in 11h20. My feet hurt and most of all my left abductor is almost cramping with every step. I tell my family that I don't feel very well, but first just would rest and try to get a massage to see if that helps. The massage is extremely painfull and does not bring any relief. I eat and drink and hope I will start to feel better, but every time I stand up to try and walk a bit my body is complaining big time and after maybe an hour and with the closing time, 2h30, coming more and more near I decide to really end the race there and then.
When we get on the bus around 2h00 I actually started to feel better and for days I wonder if maybe I should have tried to continue and finish, but that is only talking. I learned important lessons and hopefully if there will be a next time I can arrange for a more solid preparation. I feel I came close, but just did not have it in me this time.
Friday 10 July 2015
Montserrat - Collbató to St. Jeroni
Another day in the mountains!! This time alone. Since the previous visits to the Collbató area helped me to find my way today I can share the track.
http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=10166888
I started to run around 6 o'clock in the afternoon. It was still warm and I took 2,5 litres of liquids with me to make sure hidration was not going to be a problem.
After a short while I reached the part where the path started to go up very steeply and where running is impossible since most of the time you scramble up using both hands and feet.
After 20 minutes I reach the path I will later follow down on the way back and from now on most of the way up is runnable. Soon I have a first peek the St. Joan hermitage which is the first clear landmark way uphill.
Some 10 minutes later I pass the sign post that shows the way up.
Soon after the St. Joan hermitage is very near already.
This time I don't go al the way up there and continue on to the station of the funicular where I meet a desperate tourist who came late for the last train down. Luckily I have my map with me and I show her the way down. The fact that the last funicular went down also means that there are very very few people up here, what makes being here even nicer. It is quiet, a fresh wind makes running very pleasant and the remaining part up to St. Jeroni is rather flat and easy to run while enjoying amazing views!!!
Shortly after the funicular station you have a good view of the Montserrat monastery down below.
The last meters up to St. Jeroni are amazing. It is a long stairs going up and up untill the view point on the top.
I spend a few minutes up there, eating and drinking and making pictures and just enjoying!!
The next picture shows why they made the stairs and viewpoint construction. Without that, this area is very steep and hard to access.
On the downhill I go fast and soon I am back at the point near Collbató at the end of the first steep uphill. For going down I take a path that goes more to the right and is not so steep and great to run. Many parts are like on the next picture, flat rock of the red stone type that is typical for this area.
After 2 and a half hours I am back at the starting point. Evening is falling on Collbató and I head back to Barcelona.
http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=10166888
I started to run around 6 o'clock in the afternoon. It was still warm and I took 2,5 litres of liquids with me to make sure hidration was not going to be a problem.
After a short while I reached the part where the path started to go up very steeply and where running is impossible since most of the time you scramble up using both hands and feet.
After 20 minutes I reach the path I will later follow down on the way back and from now on most of the way up is runnable. Soon I have a first peek the St. Joan hermitage which is the first clear landmark way uphill.
Some 10 minutes later I pass the sign post that shows the way up.
Soon after the St. Joan hermitage is very near already.
This time I don't go al the way up there and continue on to the station of the funicular where I meet a desperate tourist who came late for the last train down. Luckily I have my map with me and I show her the way down. The fact that the last funicular went down also means that there are very very few people up here, what makes being here even nicer. It is quiet, a fresh wind makes running very pleasant and the remaining part up to St. Jeroni is rather flat and easy to run while enjoying amazing views!!!
Shortly after the funicular station you have a good view of the Montserrat monastery down below.
The last meters up to St. Jeroni are amazing. It is a long stairs going up and up untill the view point on the top.
I spend a few minutes up there, eating and drinking and making pictures and just enjoying!!
The next picture shows why they made the stairs and viewpoint construction. Without that, this area is very steep and hard to access.
On the downhill I go fast and soon I am back at the point near Collbató at the end of the first steep uphill. For going down I take a path that goes more to the right and is not so steep and great to run. Many parts are like on the next picture, flat rock of the red stone type that is typical for this area.
After 2 and a half hours I am back at the starting point. Evening is falling on Collbató and I head back to Barcelona.
Sunday 28 June 2015
Cursa la Maquinista - 10k
This was the last 10k in the 10k.cat series of this season. I ran today just for points. Doing well enough hopefully for once again entering in the first 250 male runners of this competition.
It was very warm today and after the 2 mountain training sessions earlier this week I was mainly running to complete 10k in good fashion, but certainly had no hopes for a spectacular time.
This year we started inside the shopping mall that organizes this race. Very crowded and very narrow, though on the other hand it emphasizes the popular run spirit. I start easy and soon know that under 4 minutes pace today would be to fast. The course is going up and down a lot and between that and the heat I passed 5k well above 20 minutes, and a negative split was not in my mind. I just kept running as fast as I could without going really deep and finished in 41m41, what considering everything I am happy with.
It was very warm today and after the 2 mountain training sessions earlier this week I was mainly running to complete 10k in good fashion, but certainly had no hopes for a spectacular time.
This year we started inside the shopping mall that organizes this race. Very crowded and very narrow, though on the other hand it emphasizes the popular run spirit. I start easy and soon know that under 4 minutes pace today would be to fast. The course is going up and down a lot and between that and the heat I passed 5k well above 20 minutes, and a negative split was not in my mind. I just kept running as fast as I could without going really deep and finished in 41m41, what considering everything I am happy with.
Saturday 27 June 2015
Montserrat - training
Last week I visited Montserrat - a beautiful mountainous area near Barcelona - twice with my family to continue my training for longer mountain runs. Both started from the parking area near the hermitage "La Salut" in Collbató.
The first day we went walking, my wife Montse, Jordi and me, first along the edge of the mountains and then going up. I loaded my backpack with extra water and carried some 8kg extra weight to add a training component to the walk.
The second day I went with Emma running and scrambling. After initially not finding the right path we went up very steep and then I made a mistake taking the wrong path what cost us half an hour. Once back on the track we maintained good pace and soon the hermitage of St. Joan was close enough for a good picture.
After the hermitage St. Joan the road is easier. First we run down to the place where the funicular ends that goes up from the Montserrat monastery. And there we take the path to the highest mountain in the area, St. Jeroni. In the end I miss the indication that indicates the last climb to this top and we end up on the top just next to it, but for today reaching summit at 1200 high and doing more than 1000m climbing is enough and we leave that St. Jeroni summit for another day.
Going back down, now knowing the way went quickly though it was very very warm and we arrived at the village Collbató rather tired, but very happy with the experience.
The first day we went walking, my wife Montse, Jordi and me, first along the edge of the mountains and then going up. I loaded my backpack with extra water and carried some 8kg extra weight to add a training component to the walk.
Jordi balancing on a big flat rock
Time for "bocata" and drinking water
Going up
Here we are!!! And in the picture above as well ...
High enough to see most of Catalunya
Almost back in the village Collbató
The second day I went with Emma running and scrambling. After initially not finding the right path we went up very steep and then I made a mistake taking the wrong path what cost us half an hour. Once back on the track we maintained good pace and soon the hermitage of St. Joan was close enough for a good picture.
St. Joan
Emma in front of St. Joan
After the hermitage St. Joan the road is easier. First we run down to the place where the funicular ends that goes up from the Montserrat monastery. And there we take the path to the highest mountain in the area, St. Jeroni. In the end I miss the indication that indicates the last climb to this top and we end up on the top just next to it, but for today reaching summit at 1200 high and doing more than 1000m climbing is enough and we leave that St. Jeroni summit for another day.
Emma at the summit, behind her on the left the mountains near St. Joan
Amazing views up here
Going back down, now knowing the way went quickly though it was very very warm and we arrived at the village Collbató rather tired, but very happy with the experience.
Collbató
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