Manresa 10km - 5th 31:20

Ok, not a great time, but I have improved 1:30mins since I started racing about 6 weeks ago. I am still only doing 60kms a week, but if Jen and I find another apartment close to a forest (which we are looking for every day!) I will definately start t train a little more seriously. I would like to get the 65 barrier for 1/2 marathon as I love running on the roads. The track doesn't have the enthusiasm as the races on the road cicuit. Anyway, loving my running (again) and loving my time in Spain. Jen and I have to get out of the apartment more to see this beautiful city. We are planning a visit to the Picasso Museum tomorrow (monday), but it is a holiday on tuesday here in Barcelona so everything may be closed on monday aswell. Stay cool people.

Barcelona Fit cruises through its 5th week. We are going along smoothly with some exciting seminars coming up on Nutrition & The Psychology of the Marathon. People are used the meeting place, groups, and speed now. As the times changed today, we may have to start meeting earlier in the morning and meeting sometimes in Barcelona...maybe on the beach?

Diagonal Avenue in Barcelona is where i do most of my runs now. This area is about 15 minutes from mi casa and it was taken on a Sunday morning, hence the lack of people around. On any other day you can expect many cars, people, and cyclists. At around 6:30 every evening (except maybe Fridays) you will also come across many runners. 

Barcelona Fit is off and running

 Ok, so this is the Barcelona Fit training group. Not a bad turn out for a new marathon training program here in Barcelona. We have learnt alot since we arrived and if this thing continues we will do many things different next year. I would like to see it spark an interest back into marathon running, but changing the mindset of people is often difficult. We are working on it. We have 19 signups for Barcelona Fit. Madrid Fit is yet to start, but we are looking better this week for it starting in December 2005 for the April '06 Madrid Marathon. 

My first half Marathon

Ok, so I got third and the course may have been a tad short, but I still ran well considering I am only running about 60-70kms/week. I ran solid the first half, which I probably paid for in the final 4kms when the other two moved away. I am running a race most weekends, so I feel I am getting in shape quickly. The 10-21km per week get my strength up well and I can hold a solid 3:10-3:20/km pace.

La Pedrera

Jen and I invested in two 17euro 'Artickets' and so we decided to go to the La Pedrera on the Passeig De Gracia. We have walked by it so many times and wondered what people were so interested in, so we took a peek. Gaudi sure knew what he was on about. The designs in this building, now more of an office building I think, was just amazing. Go to my Photo Blog for the pics.
Barcelona Fit is still moving along and we have our 3rd week this Saturday. Should be good if a few new runners turn up to crack that 20 people barrier.
My running is clicking along, but I still only run about 80kms per week.

Now we get ready for Madrid Fit 2006

Ok, so now Barcelona Fit has started,
see pics here http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikegregpower/ it is clearly time to change our minds and think of Madrid. It is a good flight away (45-60 mins I think)so getting down there when we have things to do and people to meet is the key. I really hope we get to do it as we had a great time doing Barcelona Fit.
Keep you posted amigos.