A quick first line I will later expand into the full story. Rather warm but still a good race and happy with 3h28m53s. The first 30k I was running quite ok, but the last 10k though I never "hit the wall" were far more slow, but nothing unexpected, since I had never run more than 1 hour since january.
On a warm and sunny sunday morning I went down to Plaça Espanya to join the 18000 runners that would run the marathon of Barcelona today. Once again things had changed in dropping your bag, though this time changing outside was no problem at all because of the high temperatures. After dropping my bag I went to the warming up area to run a few rounds and go to the toilet a few times. This time I did bring a small water bottle so I could drink until just before the start because we would need every ounce of fluid possible today. When I arrived at the start area my box was already very full, so I squeezed my way in and at the notes of We will rock you by Queen and Vertigo by U2 we waited to be shot away around 8h30.
The start was very crowded so I just ran an easy pace and much to my suprise the first kilometer went by in 4m30, just about the pace I wanted to run. Once the group stretched out a bit the 3 hour pacemakers went by, though actually I was going more or less their pace at that moment. We winded through the Sants neighbourhood and I passed the 5k mark in 21m30 running steady and easy with the 3hour pacemakers very slowly pulling away, but with the lack of training I knew I more had to gamble on 3 hours 30 and so far I was feeling ok. Normally I would not drink anything yet here, but this year I drank almost the whole bottle to assure sufficient liquids in the body. We passed the Camp Nou footballstadium and climbed up to the Gran Via, a first slightly more difficult part. Onwards to the 1st 10k the course was flat or going down and I passed the 10k mark in 23m running a very regular pace so far. I took my first sportsgel with 2 bottles of water here, which is not easy drinking a lot and running fast, but becoming dehydrated is worse.
On we went going up Passeig de Gracia and then passed the Sagrada Familia onto the Meridiana where we would turn at the end just about where the 20k mark is. I passed there well under 1h30 and ran the half marathon in 1h32m41s, so 5 minutes faster than a month ago, and holding back ofcourse for the other half still to go. The 10k split was 44m21 over a minute slower than the first 10k but the most important was I the fact I was still running well. I kept drinking a lot of water and cooling my head, neck and arms, since the sun was out in full force though many parts of the course we enjoyed shadow and a little breeze from time to time. On to the 30k mark I was slowing down, but I still felt ok. The 10k split dropped to 49m06, but my head was clear and after swallowing a last sports gel around the 32k mark with only 10 left it was only a matter of holding on and trying to run in good form and with a high turnover. Just about when I passed the 40 mark I phoned my family to inform them of my progress. My 10k split had dropped to 58m56 now but I felt good and this year just wanted to finish and not injure myself. Soon after I had my picture taken by Emma, Jordi jumped onto the course, and with a few quick see-you-soon kisses for Montse the two of us continued to the finish-line with Jordi being able to run much much faster than me at that moment, since I was going at 6m/k pace. But finishing under 3h30 this time was a big success and I am very happy with it. Also afterwards I felt good, tired but not exhausted, and apart from some small aches I was pretty much ok.
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Sunday, 16 February 2014
Barcelona Half Marathon -21k
A month the hamstring injury. No training, just a few slow runs and today just trying out the body and see what half a marathon feels like. I ended in 1h37m27s, for me normally that would be very slow, but under circumstances I think first of all I am happy to have finished without any important aches and secondly I now know that the marathon in 4 weeks needs work and taking it easy during the actual event. Quite a challenge when used to always go for PB.
Sunday, 19 January 2014
Cursa de Sant Antoni - 1 mile
What should have been an attempt to once again break the 37 minute barrier turned out to be another lesson in how delicate it is to keep a balance.
The bottom line is that I am injured, pulled hamstring, and I am really hoping I can get back out there training soon, but also know that I have to have patience in order to not pull it again.
Meanwhile Jordi ran a one miler, with a friend from school and did pretty well. We have no official times yet, but counting on the video we shot they entered in the top 30 and not too far behind the first runners.
Jordi entered 26th in 7:04 (4:24 avg/k) and his friend Dima just behind him in 7:09.
The day started with rain and when we left home it was still raining, but looking at the sky it seemed that soon it would stop at least for a good while so we took the subway that took us close to the race area and walked the last part where we met Jordi's friend Dima and his parents and sister. By then it stopped raining indeed and the last runners of the 10k race were arriving. Jordi and Dima would start in the second group, so first around 11am we watched a group of somewhat younger children start at their 1-mile race. As soon as they left Jordi and Dima did some warmup exercises, but were actually to excited to do it in a concentrated way.
Some ten minutes later it was their turn and they entered the start area and both found positions in the front line. They were shot away and like always blasted through the first hundred meters like they had to do just that, run a 100, but there were still 1500m to go...
Less then 6 minutes later the first runner arrived and soon after Jordi and seconds behind him Dima arrived as well, Jordi with determination on his face pushing hard for the finish line.
For Dima it was the first time he ran this long and he arrived very tired, having run very very fast on the first few hundred meters. Experience will help him improve in the future.
After the finish they recieved a bag full of small presents and soon recovered from the run and ready for the rest of the day. Next up is the half marathon of Barcelona. I hope I recover well from my injury and will be able to run a 21k in good fashion.
For moving images you can go here.
The bottom line is that I am injured, pulled hamstring, and I am really hoping I can get back out there training soon, but also know that I have to have patience in order to not pull it again.
Meanwhile Jordi ran a one miler, with a friend from school and did pretty well. We have no official times yet, but counting on the video we shot they entered in the top 30 and not too far behind the first runners.
Jordi entered 26th in 7:04 (4:24 avg/k) and his friend Dima just behind him in 7:09.
The day started with rain and when we left home it was still raining, but looking at the sky it seemed that soon it would stop at least for a good while so we took the subway that took us close to the race area and walked the last part where we met Jordi's friend Dima and his parents and sister. By then it stopped raining indeed and the last runners of the 10k race were arriving. Jordi and Dima would start in the second group, so first around 11am we watched a group of somewhat younger children start at their 1-mile race. As soon as they left Jordi and Dima did some warmup exercises, but were actually to excited to do it in a concentrated way.
Some ten minutes later it was their turn and they entered the start area and both found positions in the front line. They were shot away and like always blasted through the first hundred meters like they had to do just that, run a 100, but there were still 1500m to go...
Less then 6 minutes later the first runner arrived and soon after Jordi and seconds behind him Dima arrived as well, Jordi with determination on his face pushing hard for the finish line.
For Dima it was the first time he ran this long and he arrived very tired, having run very very fast on the first few hundred meters. Experience will help him improve in the future.
After the finish they recieved a bag full of small presents and soon recovered from the run and ready for the rest of the day. Next up is the half marathon of Barcelona. I hope I recover well from my injury and will be able to run a 21k in good fashion.
For moving images you can go here.
Sunday, 22 December 2013
Cursa de l'Hospitalet - 5k + 1k
Once again a double event this weekend, with Jordi running a 1k first and afterwards my first official 5k for me. Both are fun but tough race including up and downhills that I wanted to know in more detail so I made a track of it in Wikiloc.
Track Cursa de l'Hospitalet 5k
I guess more than 100m up and down for sure, so not ideal for running any personal best, which explains the 18m34. Still knowing how other runners performed I am happy. I ran a very steady race in spite of all the climbs and had enough push to finish strong on the track.
Jordi also ran very well, finishing in 8th position in 4m19, the younger runners also had to go downhill first and come back uphill before entering the athletics track for the three quarter lap to the finish.
Track Cursa de l'Hospitalet 5k
I guess more than 100m up and down for sure, so not ideal for running any personal best, which explains the 18m34. Still knowing how other runners performed I am happy. I ran a very steady race in spite of all the climbs and had enough push to finish strong on the track.
Jordi also ran very well, finishing in 8th position in 4m19, the younger runners also had to go downhill first and come back uphill before entering the athletics track for the three quarter lap to the finish.
Sunday, 15 December 2013
Cursa de La Sagrera - 10k + 750m
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.
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.
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Cursa de Jean Bouin - 10k
After a month of slowly recovering from the Ultra Trail it was time to test the legs again. Training has not quite been as good as I would have liked, so I was not even sure about what pace I should try. The shorter series I felt good, but the during the long runs my muscles tied up and felt tired still and in the end the race went like that. Beginning good and ending, well, let's say not as good. All in all finishing in 39m52 is probably a good indicator of where I am in my general condition now.
It was a cold day, more or less sunny, and I arrived early and started a long warmup, since I had small aches and pains throughout the last weeks and the more slowly I prepared for the run the better. The organization slightly modified the course of the race, compared to last year, avoiding having to go around the magical fountain near the finish, still the long slightly uphill last 3 kilometers will be difficult. At 9am we were shot away and I missed the first k indication to learn at 2k that I was going at 37m pace exactly without too much effort. The next two kilometers I maintained that pace but onto the halfway marker I started to feel tired already and I passed 5k in 18m45 more or less. The next kilometers I just tried to maintain a just below 4 minutes pace, and did not even succeed in that. The last 2k I just held on and finished just below 40 minutes, running the second 5k in 21m07. The next race is in 3 weeks, hopefully my muscles are better recovered by then.
It was a cold day, more or less sunny, and I arrived early and started a long warmup, since I had small aches and pains throughout the last weeks and the more slowly I prepared for the run the better. The organization slightly modified the course of the race, compared to last year, avoiding having to go around the magical fountain near the finish, still the long slightly uphill last 3 kilometers will be difficult. At 9am we were shot away and I missed the first k indication to learn at 2k that I was going at 37m pace exactly without too much effort. The next two kilometers I maintained that pace but onto the halfway marker I started to feel tired already and I passed 5k in 18m45 more or less. The next kilometers I just tried to maintain a just below 4 minutes pace, and did not even succeed in that. The last 2k I just held on and finished just below 40 minutes, running the second 5k in 21m07. The next race is in 3 weeks, hopefully my muscles are better recovered by then.
Sunday, 3 November 2013
Cross de Sants - 3k
Today it was Jordi's time to run and he was on a mission. Last year in the Cross de Sants he had stitches and did not finish, so this year he was very much decided to do finish.
We arrived nicely on time to first see the youngest kids run and then Jordi lined up for his race.
While Jordi was waiting with Montse to be shot away I walked up to the 1k mark to make pictures and run along with him from there onwards.
As you can see in the picture the kids were really flying and Jordi was determined to keep the fast pace, so for the next pictures I really had to do a full out sprint to have time to turn around and push a button on time.
Soon we were in the last kilometer and on the last straight Jordi did have a little internal struggle but his experience from Chamonix had taught him he could fight that and continue, and soon he switched to sprinting away from me and once again I really had to run very hard to make the picture at the finish-line. Montse meanwhile was cheering Jordi on a few meters before the finish and made the next nice picture of Jordi in has last sprint.
The official time is 12m39s , which is really fast for a 3k!!!!
Well done Jordi!!! Mission accomplished!
A little massage and plenty of water and a good piece of cake helps to recover!!!
We arrived nicely on time to first see the youngest kids run and then Jordi lined up for his race.
While Jordi was waiting with Montse to be shot away I walked up to the 1k mark to make pictures and run along with him from there onwards.
As you can see in the picture the kids were really flying and Jordi was determined to keep the fast pace, so for the next pictures I really had to do a full out sprint to have time to turn around and push a button on time.
Soon we were in the last kilometer and on the last straight Jordi did have a little internal struggle but his experience from Chamonix had taught him he could fight that and continue, and soon he switched to sprinting away from me and once again I really had to run very hard to make the picture at the finish-line. Montse meanwhile was cheering Jordi on a few meters before the finish and made the next nice picture of Jordi in has last sprint.
The official time is 12m39s , which is really fast for a 3k!!!!
Well done Jordi!!! Mission accomplished!
A little massage and plenty of water and a good piece of cake helps to recover!!!
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