Nuria Queralt-Berga 2012 - 92k

A great race today and yesterday!!! Not only finishing, but improving more than an hour and a half on last years time, in spite of the heat and finishing in 19h27m55s.

Saturday morning at 5h30 Andrés picked me up in Barcelona and we arrived just before seven o' clock in Berga. We changed into our running gear and lined up for the bus that would bring us to Queralbs. The first part of the ride had a lot of curves and made me slightly car sick, but once on the mountain-train up to Vall de Nuria that soon withered away and up in the valley we started to prepare for our run. We had plenty of time for a warm drink and chatting with other runners before we entered the start area. Andrés and I wished eachother good luck and at 11 am the bells of the monastery signalled the start of the race.

The first part of the race is rather flat and I maintained good pace to avoid the congestion on the narrow trail. Soon there was plenty of room to run at your own pace and enjoy the magnificent landscape.

After about an hour of running the first Control could be seen way down below.

and shortly after Olga Manko and a group of runners pass me in the steep downhill that takes us there.

I quickly check and pick up some watermelon and continue to the first serious uphill to "el Coll dels Lladres".

The way up in the beginning follows a creek and is rather wet, but beautiful.

This time I had more strength in the uphill and one hour later I was already at the highest point. The slightly downhill part onto the next Control went by quickly.

At many places alongside the trail we encountered horses and cows.

The downhill to La Molina didn't go as smooth as last year and when arriving at the trainstation of this little town where the next Control was set up I took my time to eat some pasta and fruit and drink "gazpacho".I also felt a blister coming up under my left big toe so I put a patch of compeed in place to stop it from becoming worse.

Eventhough I did not run the flatter part of the uphill to Coll de Pal, once again the climbing was going very well and soon the sunlight reflected by the cars parked on top indicated the end of the second long uphill.

From there to the next Control was a more easy part and I ran most of it. In the middle a suprise control was set up and after running through meadows with many cows I arrived at the fourth Control that was put up at Refugi El Rebost. Here it was time to cool my head and fill up my camelback and water bottles.

Some minutes after leaving this control I was no longer sure to really have checked so I went back to do so and continue the race without any doubts, since not checking disqualifies you right away. After a short uphill the downhill to Baga started. This part is very technical and once again I did not feel at ease going down. In the end I tried to swallow an energy gel, but it came right back out again, so after passing the second surprise control I walked down to Baga knowing that once again I needed a good rest and I decided to try Coca Cola, since earlier race experiences teached me that could help. After that I lined up for having my feet checked by the people of Podopie. The compeed patch covered the blistered well and after a quick massage I put my running shoes back on again and left for Gisclareny.

The first part is very steep and last year I had a very low moment here, but not this time, it is probably the part I walked and ran best.

After the first uphill a flatter part leads up to this house. Next we go into to a dense forest and there
I start passing many runners. I prepared this part mentally very well, and knew that once out of the dense part a much easier trail would follow, where the only thing to keep in mind was that it is a long time of slightly up and down.

Soon I see the famous mountain "Pedraforca" towering above the other mountains.

I arrive at the Control in Gisclareny in pretty good shape, much better than last year. The only thing was that once again eating was a problem. I tried a ham-sandwich, but it came right out again, and here there was no bar to go for a Coca Cola so I had to hope for having enough energy left in my system to make it to Saldes. After refilling the camelback and waterbottles and preparing for sunset taking out the red backlight and my headlamp I set of.

The Pedraforca more and more dominated the landscape and with the sun going down gave us some beautiful moments in nature.

Soon after I run into a group of runners that is preparing for the night putting on headlamps and meanwhile taking care of sore legs with Reflex. They kindly share with everyone so I spray my ankles and knees, eventhough all is holding out pretty well so far. Very soon it becomes dark and I can enjoy my new and much more potent headlamp to find my way on the complicated downhill along a narrow stony trail. My goal initially was to make it this far before sunset, also because of the bottom part of this stretch where we run through a creek, but for that I have to become better in running downhills. Still, at night, in spite of being a hard part, it is enjoyable to run along and through the creek. One of the fellow runners even takes a break and makes good use of the cold water.

The rest of the group went on while I took pictures and waited for him. Together we ran the flat part of the valley and started the climb uphill to Saldes. The climbing itself went quite ok, but once on top I feel very tired and the flat part that leads to Saldes I take it very easy.

In the bar near the checkpoint I take another Coca Cola and buy a can extra since during the rest of the race we no longer really enter any populated areas. When leaving for the last big climb and very tough downhill another runner, Miquel, leaves as well and as we go at the same pace we team up. The first part up to the next control in Parc de Palomera he leads most of the way. The people at this checkpoint are very cheerfull and another runner who already knows them asks for the "skull" and yes, they made it this year as well. Also they had Coca Cola so I saved my can for later on.

And on we went to finish the last uphill, this time I lead the way up. Once we where climbing above tree level the wind picked up and with the wind moving the signs that indicated the trail it was very hard to see them. It was more easy to hear them when a wind gust made them move more vigorously. At the highest point I put on my jacket and on we go in search of the point where the downhill begins. We expect another surprise control but see no one. It takes longer than expected to get to the point where the downhill starts and eventhough I like it more than the way we took last year it still is a very very hard part and every step down is draining energy and from time to time it is hard to stay on my feet. From time to time we see the lights of the next checkpoint coming closer and getting there is great since from here on things will be easier.

So after a refill of Coca Cola we continue and after five minutes of walking we start running again. We pass a tunnel and then walk a long and winding trail up through the forest where the ground is covered with dead leaves. This must be a very beautiful trail by daylight. When we finally leave the woods we pass a field with cows whos eyes blink in the light of our headlamps. We come along another runner and continue the three of us, with Miquel always slightly ahead. We pass another open field where some noisy teenagers that enjoy a night out in the wild camping. Soon we arrive at Espinalbet and some minutes later we hear the bell for the last Control.

Since in the last kilometers Miquel was running away from me and another runner I proposed him to do the last part at his own pace. The other runner, Mohamed, explained that only ten months ago he started training from scratch for this Ultra, so hats of for completing his first one within 20 hours!!! Soon after him we left too, and in the climb we picked up another runner. At the top they said they felt it was better I continued at my own pace too, and since I felt good I picked up speed and ran almost all of the trail that leads to the Queralt monastery. At some point I can see Berga underneath us.

When I arrive at the stairs down to Berga from the Queralt Monastery there is enough light already to switch of the headlamp. The first part which is more regular I am going down quickly but the more I approach Berga the more irregular and difficult it becomes to maintain pace, when I am down finally I first sit down to take out a bunch of little stones from my running shoes. Then I jog down the streets to the finish being very happy with how the race had gone.

Meanwhile Andrés was running his race and still had some kilometers ahead. While waiting it was a pleasure to see many people arrive whom I had shared some part of the race with. And almost by surprise all of sudden Andrés comes down the last stairs and finishes in 22h22m and happy with his performance too!

Thanks too all, organization, volunteers and fellow runners, for taking care of the different aspects of this adventure that make it fun and possible to do.

Cursa de la Maquinista - 10k

After winning my first cup ever in my life last weekend competing against other dads of the school of my son on a short run around the block for 1180 meters, this week the last run in the Barcelona Challenge Cup was on. Luckily today was slightly cooler and more windy than the days before. At 8h30 we arrived at the start and finish line with the whole family and I started my warm-up.

 After a last drink and some explanations about when I would pass where I found myself a place between the front runners and shortly after the wheel- and handchair athletes we sprinted away for two rounds of 5k. The start this time was very smooth, the pack stretched out immediately and the first kilometer went by surprisingly fast in 3m30! The second kilometer I held back a little and I passed in 7m20 which was still fast but already a better pace.

After passing the start and finish area and giving my family a thumbs up while they made pictures there was an uphill up to the 3rd kilometer mark where I slowed down to pick up pace right afterwards. The 4th kilometer passed smoothly and soon we were back where we started to pass 5k in 18m30, still very very fast. I grabbed a water bottle and emptied it over my head to cool down and gulped down some water. It was getting warm and I slowed down and the climb up to the 8th kilometer mark was tough, but then only 2k where left and since I passed in 30m08 if I maintained pace I could maybe finish close to 38 minutes. The 9th kilometer mark I felt good and passing in 34m06 made finishing under 38 minutes very possible so the last kilometer I pushed hard without really sprinting and zigzagged in between the slower runners still on their first round to finish in a surprising new Personal Best of 37m48! The heavy mountain training of the last weeks somehow does not really influence my 10k running speed.

Cursa Nou Barris - 10k

After a rainy night and morning the streets were still wet when I arrived at the sports centre Can Dragò where I left my backpack after taking off the extra clothes. During the warmup I still noticed the race of yesterday ofcourse, but not as much as I feared. This race has no grouping by time, but the atmosphere was very relaxed and I could walk up to just behind the fasted runners and have a good start position.

The start was more relaxed too, maybe 50 meters of some pushing, but then there was already room enough to run a regular pace. I did not see the 1st nor the 2nd kilometer sign so the first pace indication was at 3k in 11m30, which was faster than I imagined. Up to the 5k mark there was quite a lot of uphill to run and passing just within 20 minutes was quite ok. From there on we went slowly downhill and I passed the 7k mark in 27m35. Slowly the race of yesterday is noticable and maintaining pace is not easy and the last kilometer contrary to earlier races I have no push left except for the very last meters when we enter an athetic track field and I sprint as fast as I can to finish in 39m22, which considering the race of yesterday and the hilly course of today I am very happy with.

Pujada al Tibidabo - 9k

Great running weekend with 2 runs and my son running as well tomorrow. Today a good heart and lung tester running up to the top of the Tibidabo. This time a 5k for junior runners was added, so after warming up and doing the typical preparations first some 50 boy and girls huddled up for there almost straight climb to the Tibidado. About 5 minutes later it was our turn. I had a good start, but the very steep climb to "la Carretera de les Aigües" was as always demanding and luckily about 1k of running flat afterwards was good to recover and prepare for the long climb that follows. I had some less strength uphill than last year, but I maintained a steady pace and soon we passed the first younger runners. At the end of the first uphill I rapidly changed pace for some 100m slightly downhill and then we enter a very narrow path that climbs very slowly, last year I struggled here, but not this time. About half way a long downhill starts and I go down fast and comfortably eventhough at the end 3 runners pass me able to go downhill even faster! The uphill to the finish is a constant change of rhythm, going up at different slopes. Once out of Parc de Collserola we approach the lower part of the "Parc d'atraccions del Tibidabo" and at the end a last few steep curves up to the last straight to the finish line, where I only have breath to sprint the very last meters to complete in 46m45, 5 seconds faster than last year, which regarding the injuries of this year I am very happy with!

Cursa dels Bombers - 10k

One week after la Cursa del Corte Ingles and with little training since the marathon four weeks ago, la Cursa dels Bombers was a good test to check how I am physically. This run is always "full" in a few days and seeing how it is organized with a nice show just before the start I now understand why.

The first kilometer was very crowded, luckily it is more or less straight and it goes by in 3m44. The second kilometer I tried to find a good pace, but it is still to crowded and you constantly had to pass people, still the time was ok, 7m33. I pass the 2,5k time point and up to the 5k in 19m07 things go well eventhough I know 38m is totally impossible today. As always untill 8k I struggle to maintain pace, and then pick up again to have a strong finish.

Just coming into the last straight to the finish-line my left hamstring has a tiny muscle-tear but it does not bother me running so I can cross the finish in a very reasonable time of 38m44. In a month more running for now recovering and starting with mountain training.

Cursa del Corte Ingles - 10k - with my son!!!

Today a different experience to tell about! Months ago my seven year old son Jordi told me he wanted to come and run with me in one of the popular 10k races. And so, today, we left home a quarter to nine heading for Plaça Catalunya to run the best race for running together, la Cursa del Corte Ingles.

We found a nice spot in the front pack of the runners without chip and at 9h30 we slowly started moving and went from walking to cautiously running since a start with over 60.000 people tends to be a bit chaotic, eventhough I was happy to see everyone was friendly and patiently trying to avoid the other runners.

Turning onto C/ Aragò from Psg. de Gràcia we found a good rhythm and after 7m00 we passed the first kilometer mark. Jordi picked up the "onto the next kilometer mark" idea perfectly and after just over 14m we passed the second kilometer mark. On we went in a steady pace to Plaça Espanya and since we had more space to run our pace was even a bit below 7m/k now, and I told Jordi to relax and enjoy.

On Av. Maria Cristina I made some pictures and at the end the first climb started in the shadow of the trees at both sides of the road there what helped since it was a bit warm. At the top of the first climb we missed the first water bottles, but a kind runner handed us his spare second bottle and Jordi had his first drinking-while-running experience on the downhill before we started the climb to the Olympic Stadium. We passed the 5k mark in and incredible 34m30 and even on the steep climb to the Olympic Stadium Jordi only wanted to walk a minute or so and soon we entered the stadium where I made more pictures.

Jordi tells me he still feels great and at some moment where I sprint ahead to make a picture of him he actually sprints along, not showing signs of fatigue at all. Outside the stadium we pick up two more water bottles and climb easily up to the 7k mark and then start the long downhill back from Montjuic to the city center.
Jordi still enjoys looking for the next kilometer mark and soon we pass the 10k marker in 1h09m30s and only have some 700m to go to the finish line. At the beginning of Carrer Pelai we call Montse and Emma to make sure we don't miss eachother for a photo just before the finishline.

The last 50 meters we have to stop moving all together and go onto to the finish-line very slowly but some 5 minutes later we are finally there in an oficial time of 1h21m26 and very very happy and proud, and also very surprised of how seamingly easy Jordi completed his first 10k!!!

Maraton de Barcelona 2012

It is said that one needs to run at least 5 marathons for establishing the fastest Personal Best on this distance. After running my fifth in 3h20m43s and certainly not running my best marathon I still do feel there is a lot of truth in that. This time running 42km was not that long anymore and maybe with better weather and smoother refueling it could have been my fastest.

This time I managed to start at a slower pace than the past years. Until the 15k mark I ran at a steady 4m10 pace and from that point the warm weather started to  take its toll. The half marathon was just inside 1h30m, and running under 3h was impossible for sure. So, apart from a few "low" moments, I just enjoyed running through Barcelona amidst so many people and others on the sidewalks cheering them on. Up to the 40k mark at the beginning of Avinguda Parallel I felt fine, and only those last 2 kilometers uphill to the finish I kind of dragged myself along. My family was waiting for me just before the last turn and my son wanted to cross the finish line with me, so we ran hand in hand the last 200m. I am happy to have completed yet another race, without provoking injuries, just being very very tired :) .