Still a bit uncomfortable, but we are back to running after a month of injuries and other health problems.Today the "classical" popular run, la Cursa del Corte Inglés, a free run, what means many people, over 60.000, and a run for everyone, all ages and abilities and also a caos but for this run that is ok!!
Once again both Emma and Jordi signed up and our goal pace was according to being able to finish in 1 hour, which is a challenge on the quite hilly course just short of 11km.
This time we ended up running the 3 together. We entered our box just on time and since it looked to be a warm day just before being shot away Emma also changed into lighter clothing quickly and I put her jacket into my Salomon backpack... doing Ultras and the gear needed has it's benefits. Some two minutes after the start signal we started to move ahead as well and soon crossed the start line and were off for a nice run through the city. The first two kilometers we had to go zig-zag through the crowd but in spite of that went very fast in only 9 minutes and slowed down a bit to pass the 3km mark in 14 minutes. We passed Plaça de Espanya and headed for the first climb. Both Jordi and Emma struggled a bit there and we slowed down to not burn out. At the top we pass the first aid station and we take many bottles, once again making good use of by backpack and then recover on the long sloping downhill that leads us to the 5k mark. Soon after a shorter but steeper climb starts that will take us to the entrance of the Olympic Stadium. Once again both struggle but don't stop running and I cheer them on reminding them that this is the last climb. We pass the 6k mark in just over 33 minutes, on schedule, but with Emma and Jordi in need of going at easy pace. Inside the stadium I run ahead to make pictures...
Once outside we pass the second aid station and drink more water. Emma says she is feeling strong and recovered enough to try and go for the 1 hour mark, and me and Jordi take the long and winding downhill of Montjuic a bit more easy, eventhough from time to time Jordi picks up pace too. We pass the 10k mark in
56m45 (Emma in 55m58) and I call Montse to tell Emma is ahead of us, time to get the camera ready...
Soon we turn up the last street but Jordi is really toughing it out and sprinting is not to be. We finish in 1 hour and 38 seconds, tired but very happy nonetheless. Emma finished only 7 seconds outside the hour. Next year we will try again for sure!!!
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