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.
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Sunday, 15 April 2012
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!!!
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!!!
Thursday, 29 March 2012
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 :) .
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 :) .
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Cursa de Sant Antoni - 10k
This time I broke 38 minutes!!! 37m50s!!! Next year 37 minutes. Since training for the marathon end of March does not allow for the same speed training and ultra marathon training later on even less.
The race started at 9h30. It was a beautiful day, a bit cold but very sunny and hardly any wind, so great for running. The first week of the 3 week training cycle preparing this race I had a serious cold and I compressed all the training in the last 2 weeks hoping I would recover well enough. Yesterday I woke up with signals of a second cold coming up and I did not feel very well. Early this morning I was most of all very tired, but the cold so far was restricted to the nose cavities and I could breath normally.
The good mark of the last race let me start in the first group and the first kilometer was quicker and less pushing because of that. I passed in 3m38 and maintained the same pace through 2k in 7m20 until the third kilometer in 11m02. I slowed down a little since surely such a fast pace later on would cost me more time than I would gain. The half way mark passed in 18m39 and slowly I started to become tired and it became harder to maintain pace. From km 6 to 7 the road went sligthly up (Av. Parallel) and I surely lost seconds there, eventhough running along with 2 other runners helped to maintain pace. I passed 8k in 30m26, 2 seconds behind schedule, and for a moment I thougth that maybe 38 minutes was not for today. I concentated on my running form and eventhough I felt tired I made it to 9k exactly on schedule in 34m12, so maintaining pace and sprinting at the end should do it. Once again after turning the last corner the finish line looked to be still very far a way, but I sprinted on and when I could see the clock at the finish I knew this time I do would finish under 38 minutes.
The race started at 9h30. It was a beautiful day, a bit cold but very sunny and hardly any wind, so great for running. The first week of the 3 week training cycle preparing this race I had a serious cold and I compressed all the training in the last 2 weeks hoping I would recover well enough. Yesterday I woke up with signals of a second cold coming up and I did not feel very well. Early this morning I was most of all very tired, but the cold so far was restricted to the nose cavities and I could breath normally.
The good mark of the last race let me start in the first group and the first kilometer was quicker and less pushing because of that. I passed in 3m38 and maintained the same pace through 2k in 7m20 until the third kilometer in 11m02. I slowed down a little since surely such a fast pace later on would cost me more time than I would gain. The half way mark passed in 18m39 and slowly I started to become tired and it became harder to maintain pace. From km 6 to 7 the road went sligthly up (Av. Parallel) and I surely lost seconds there, eventhough running along with 2 other runners helped to maintain pace. I passed 8k in 30m26, 2 seconds behind schedule, and for a moment I thougth that maybe 38 minutes was not for today. I concentated on my running form and eventhough I felt tired I made it to 9k exactly on schedule in 34m12, so maintaining pace and sprinting at the end should do it. Once again after turning the last corner the finish line looked to be still very far a way, but I sprinted on and when I could see the clock at the finish I knew this time I do would finish under 38 minutes.
Monday, 2 January 2012
Cursa dels Nassos 2011
With many lessons learned from the last race, the Jean Bouin on 27th of November, which gave me my first oficial PB in 38m40 on the 10k and a good last week of training I was feeling well prepared for "la Cursa dels Nassos". The morning of the 31st of December I woke up with a painfull left calf and I spent the rest of the day worried, keeping the leg cool and trying to massage the muscles hoping it would not bother me running. Around four a clock the whole family left for going to the area at the other end of Barcelona where the race started. The warming up was good news feeling that the pain was not bothering me when running and after a last stop at the toilet and washing down a sportsgel with water I entered my box to wait for the start.
The first hundred meters there was a lot of pushing and tripping and the pace was far from ideal, so getting away with a 3m48 on the first kilometer was not bad at all. The second kilometer there was a bit more space and I made up for the time lost on the first coming through in 7m30. The next kilometers where going easy and relaxed eventhough from time to time maintaining pace was hard because of groups of people forming barriers running at a slower pace. Half way was just passed 19 minutes, so much slower than the 18m45 of the previous race. Kilometer 6 passed without me noticing it while we were more or less stuck on a biking path in a group that was going just a bit too slow. Kilometer 7 I was still only a few seconds behing the 38 minutes schedule and feeling quite ok. I maintained good pace upto the 9th kilometer passing 12 seconds behind schedule. I decided to maintain pace untill turning the last corner and going straight for the finish line. 1 minute and the finish looked to be really far away, but I had breath and energy left for the sprint! Half way I heard my wife Montse shout my name, but I was too tired to find my family in the crowd and sprinted on to stop the clock at 38m02. I guess I should have watched the watch a second time to see I really could finish under 38 minutes, but I also know the next time I have a good chance to do so anyway!!!
The first hundred meters there was a lot of pushing and tripping and the pace was far from ideal, so getting away with a 3m48 on the first kilometer was not bad at all. The second kilometer there was a bit more space and I made up for the time lost on the first coming through in 7m30. The next kilometers where going easy and relaxed eventhough from time to time maintaining pace was hard because of groups of people forming barriers running at a slower pace. Half way was just passed 19 minutes, so much slower than the 18m45 of the previous race. Kilometer 6 passed without me noticing it while we were more or less stuck on a biking path in a group that was going just a bit too slow. Kilometer 7 I was still only a few seconds behing the 38 minutes schedule and feeling quite ok. I maintained good pace upto the 9th kilometer passing 12 seconds behind schedule. I decided to maintain pace untill turning the last corner and going straight for the finish line. 1 minute and the finish looked to be really far away, but I had breath and energy left for the sprint! Half way I heard my wife Montse shout my name, but I was too tired to find my family in the crowd and sprinted on to stop the clock at 38m02. I guess I should have watched the watch a second time to see I really could finish under 38 minutes, but I also know the next time I have a good chance to do so anyway!!!
Friday, 21 October 2011
Ultra Trail Montsant 15/16 October 2011
After probably the worst preparation ever for a running event due to holidays and recovering from achilles tendinitis it was race day again. With the weather much better than normal the long list of obligatory material like a raincoat and gloves most likely would remain deeply buried in my new running backpack.
After an early morning trip to the unknown area of "El Priorat" I arrived nicely just after 7 a.m. in Cornudella de Montsant. After changing clothes and doing some other preparations I set of to pick up my Bib number in the theater of this small town. Everything was very well organized and in no-time I was outside again with the technical shirt and socks (which maybe I should have put on right away) and went back to the car to drink some more water and leave all unnecessary things behind there.
Then it was time to walk to the start area and pass the material control. It was a pleasure to meet Juan Carlos here, fellow runner on the NQB before summer, and this time assisting in the organization of the UTSM. After a wait and a few talks with other runners just after nine the start signal was given by firecrackers and a stadium horn and of we were. After a few minutes of running through the village we entered a small path slightly uphill with from time a time a few meters of steeper climbs.
As always the pace maybe was to high, but I enjoy racing along through the mountains and did not hold back. The first checkpoint was set up very early after less then 15 minutes of running and the second checkpoint also came within the hour. From there we headed for the first more serious climb and soon I was back to walking through the beautiful landscape.
On the top we passed the third checkpoint and soon after we passed this small hermitage. After we continued along a small winding path that first went up and down on top of the mountain range and later on really on the edge passing underneath overhanging rocks and trees which was really nice.
From checkpoint 4 it was down to the first village, Ulldemolins, where we could refill water and eat and drink to prepare for a part where there was nothing at all, no controls and no food or water. On the downhill I slowed down and I felt ok arriving at CP5. After taking out some small stones of my shoes it was on to Margalef through a canyon with Montserrat like rocks all over the place. Even though the path overall goes downhill and some runners considered this a "running part" it was a constant going up and down and in the second part quite a few stairs and bridges allowed for continuing through the irregular landscape.
After an early morning trip to the unknown area of "El Priorat" I arrived nicely just after 7 a.m. in Cornudella de Montsant. After changing clothes and doing some other preparations I set of to pick up my Bib number in the theater of this small town. Everything was very well organized and in no-time I was outside again with the technical shirt and socks (which maybe I should have put on right away) and went back to the car to drink some more water and leave all unnecessary things behind there.
Registrating in the local theater
Then it was time to walk to the start area and pass the material control. It was a pleasure to meet Juan Carlos here, fellow runner on the NQB before summer, and this time assisting in the organization of the UTSM. After a wait and a few talks with other runners just after nine the start signal was given by firecrackers and a stadium horn and of we were. After a few minutes of running through the village we entered a small path slightly uphill with from time a time a few meters of steeper climbs.
The trail just outside Cornudella de Montsant
As always the pace maybe was to high, but I enjoy racing along through the mountains and did not hold back. The first checkpoint was set up very early after less then 15 minutes of running and the second checkpoint also came within the hour. From there we headed for the first more serious climb and soon I was back to walking through the beautiful landscape.
The first climb to Coll del Grau Gran
The typical landscape of Serra de Montsant
On the top we passed the third checkpoint and soon after we passed this small hermitage. After we continued along a small winding path that first went up and down on top of the mountain range and later on really on the edge passing underneath overhanging rocks and trees which was really nice.
Hermitage Mare de Deu de Montsant
Trail underneath the rocks
From checkpoint 4 it was down to the first village, Ulldemolins, where we could refill water and eat and drink to prepare for a part where there was nothing at all, no controls and no food or water. On the downhill I slowed down and I felt ok arriving at CP5. After taking out some small stones of my shoes it was on to Margalef through a canyon with Montserrat like rocks all over the place. Even though the path overall goes downhill and some runners considered this a "running part" it was a constant going up and down and in the second part quite a few stairs and bridges allowed for continuing through the irregular landscape.
Congost de Fraguerau
The rocky ups and downs in this valley
Pantà de Margalef
The biggest of the many bridges we crossed
Halfway the canyon the sun started to come out and also my first dip. From time to time I walked and I was happy to come out of the canyon where some people were climbing the steep rocks in freestyle.
Freestyle Rockclimbers
the last bridge to Margalef
Margalef before entering the village
The road on to Margalef was mostly concrete and asfalt now and after passing the last small bridge I arrived at the CP7 in Margalef after just over 6 hours. After resting for a while and refilling water I continued to walk, but slowly buy slowly I felt better and could start to run again. I follow to other runners here just to maintain good pace and at the next CP I only stop very shortly to drink water and continue to start the next long climb.
The landscape climbing up to CP 9
Going up was going very well and in spite of having to repair a blister on my left heel I feel comfortable and the long downhill I also complete in good shape to arrive at Cabaces where we can eat and drink whatever we want. I was happy to meet Juan Carlos again who was helping out at the checkpoint. He cheered me on since I was already well halfway. For the first time in an Ultra race I dared to eat pasta and I really filled up here for the many kilometers to come. I drink some soup too and take some bread with me since eating the energybars gives me nausea. Just before coming to the next CP I come up from behind to meet Jordi Riba and we soon decide to complete the UTSM together. Soon dusk is setting in and it is time for putting on frontal headlights. At that point we are lucky to have another couple of runners making the same mistake as we did just before us and so the four of us head back in search of the red and white markers that indicated to correct direction. From then on we talk some less and check out more for those markers since going back is not always fun. The trail goes up and down and up and down again passed La Vilella Baixa, a surprise checkpoint and La Vilella Alta onto Escala Dei. Just before arriving there I notice a second blister coming up and inside the huge hall I once again put on a patch of Compeed. The blister is open and painfull, but I don't want to give up for that this far in the race. After eating and refilling at this beautiful place acompanied by very lively music and after making a last phone call home (it was just past 11 p.m.) we continue onwards to the most steep climb. The first kilometer was uncomfortable, but after that I could soon walk normally again and we started climbing. The first part was easy, but then the real rock climbing started with hands and feet and quite some effort and for those who wanted with ropes. At the top a whole group of runners, including us, goes left, but we see no signs at all and after some deliberation we go back to find out there was one more rock to climb up higher! After that we walked for a long time on the highest part of this mountain range, a very irregular path and also windy and after a while misty. Jordi decides to put his jacket on too, I was wearing extra clothing since Escala Dei. The group we started with of some ten runners slowly breaks up and at some time I have to slow down. I guess a combination of lack of fuel and water, since eating the pieces of bread is very hard to do with a dry mouth and my water has a really awful taste. Finally we reach the CP where the steep road down starts. Going down I start feeling better. For my companion this part is harder because of knee problems. It does not take too long to arrive at Morera de Montsant where we drink Coca Cola what makes us both feel a lot better. From here on it is only some 8 kilometers and eventhough the road goes up and down this is nothing compared to the climbing we have done before. We twice cross local roads where the police kindly guards our safety and soon we check at the last checkpoint, which is the same as the first, and the road down to Cornudella de Montsant is easy. We are joined by another runner and the 3 of us walk down the last kilometers while making jokes and having a laugh knowing the job is done. Jordi and I check the finish line at in exactly the same time cheered on by people waiting at the finish line. Every 3 to 5 minutes another runner comes in, and we are all happy to have completed another ultra. 19h23m18s knowing how little I have been able to prepare is something to be happy with. Next year next Ultra and maybe the Ultra Trail du Montblanc
Sunday, 2 October 2011
1/2 Maratò de Collserola
And we are running again!!! After a few weeks of no running due to a tendinitis in the achilles tendon, today it was time to come back to enjoying a good mountain run. After a long warm up at 8:30 we set of for a rather steep uphill, which at some parts I walked. After that a very long downhill that after a while changed a broad path for a very narrow and windy one through the forests of Collserola. After 35 minutes I arrived at the first checkpoint. I decided to slow down a little in order to not compromise to much my tendon. The path continued to be narrow and more rocky going up a small hill and soon down again. At the bottom of the hill we continued on a broad a slightly uphill path upto St. Medir a small hermitage where the 2nd check point was setup, where I arrived at 1h05m. Soon after the long climb to the highest point of the race started and I still felt quite ok. Just before the top we passed checkpoint 3 around 1h27m. The last part up was somewhat steeper and I slowed down considerably there and after passing the top was lacking strength - after some many days without training that did not surprise me - to go downhill fast eventhough the pace was quite ok. Just before the finish someone came up from behind and for fun I sprinted to stay ahead to complete the race in 1h56m24s. Lots of water and a good massage completed the event, happy to feel this is possible again.
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