Christmas is here!

Christmas is here. We went and did our Christmas shopping a couple of days ago and the stalls and people were out in numbers. Good spirit around BCN this time of the year and people seem to be in thier normal Spanish style of taking things easy and I can't see the normal rush, rush , rush of other big cities. I leave for USA tomorrow for the Christmas period with Jen and her family. I wish I could be with the Power Famila, but we should be down there in April-May 2006. Lets hope anyway. Merry Christmas to All!

First XC in Spain

9.2km Granollers International XC - 7th - 28:16
A windy 4 lap course through a local neighbourhood park added to a very strange, but high quality XC race in Granollers. I was pretty much 7th the whole way and pushed through well. My training was not good this week due to being sick after the 1/2 marathon. I recovered by limiting the training and relaxing alot. Chema Martinez won the race and finished about 500 mts in front of me. So I still have some improvements to make if I want to run with those leaders. I am starting to train more now over the Chirstmas period, so I hope to see these improvements in January 2006.

Barcelona Fit back on schedule

Looking good in Red
The Barcelona Fit Team resumed normal Saturday morning training with a tidy 14-19km run in their various groups. The fila clothing game in a couple of weeks ago and now everyone loves wearing it in the brisk 3-4 degree temperatures in Sabadell. DiMitchell, on the left in the white hat, is recovering from his first marathon, 3:45 hours, a couple of weeks ago and is looking forward to the next big race in Barcelona on Dec 31st - the Sant Silvestre

1/2 marathon Mataro

Personal Best 1/2 marathon - 3rd 66:37 (14:57,30:28,49:52(10mile)
I didn't feel great coming into this race as I was little tired after Barcelona Fit activities the day before. I ran solid for the first 11km, but then the windy sections along the beach came and slowed me down. I was by myself the whole way, so didn't really enjoy the race. In the end a good time, but I am hoping for 65 early next year if my achilles and ankles hold out!

Our Favourite Mexican in BCN

This is the kitchen of our favourite Mexican restaurante in Barcelona. It is in the village, Gracia, and is nestled in the winding streets and speciality shops. On our last meal there for a long time, possibily ever, we feasted on all our favourite dishes...with a Coke of course! We will miss you Mexican place! 

First group race for Barcelona Fit

Jean Bouin 9.55km - 13th - 29:51
On a cold and wintery day last Sunday the Barcelona Fit crew competed in their first race of the Barcelona Fit training program. The 10km was around the Montjuic area of Barcelona and proved to be an excellent race for the 2000 people that ran it. Barcelona Fit had many runners under the 50 minute mark, with my friend and a coach of the program, Josep Maria Antentas, taking honors in 38:40. You can see more photos of the day here. I ran the professional race a few hours after watching everyone run and came in 13th with 29:51 for the 9.55km course. It was 3 laps of the undulating area of the Montjuic Castle/Museum. All in all we had a fun day and the Barcelona Fit crew is really starting to reap the benefits of group training. BTW, I am the Director of Barcelona Fit and this is the reason I am in Barcelona through until March 26th when the Barcelona Marathon is run. I am organising a 3day/4 night Marathon Tour here in Barcelona and Paris for each of the city marathons and if you want more information then you can email me.

Thanksgiving 2005

Thanksgiving in the U.S is a huge eating-fest and we did it proud as myself, Jen, and our Ludus Tours buddies had any hours of cooking, joking, and eating at the dinner table. Turkey was the main food of the night and as it was 13kg we had ALOT left over. more pics can be found on my Photo-blog link. 

Torino, Italy

Via Roma
This is the 'expensive' street in Torino. I did buy a scarf just after this photo was taken. So that puts me in the 'snobby-euro' bracket. haha.
Running there was less than normal, but we enjoyed our time and got to see some cool sites, museums, and our friends for the, All American, Thanksgiving meal. I ate alot of Turkey, drank alot of beer and overall had a laugh while I was there. More photos to come. 

Montjuic Museum Day

Montjuic Catalan Museum
Jen and I enjoyed a busy day out. A fun museum that we both enjoyed, but we couldn't take photos..Torino, Italy next week! 

BEHOBIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN

20km - 2nd - 63:11 (32:05/31:06)
Ok, so I went up to San Sebastian (on the northern coast and border with France) with my friend Andreu Ballbe from www.championchip.com sharing a 7-hour car ride. I expected top finish around 5th or 6th. I didn't really mind where I finished to be honest, Iwas just looking for a fast race. After a few easy kilometers between 5-10km, I knew I would be in the hunt for a podium finish. I felt good and the course suited my condition. I am still only running about 80km/week, but am looking to improve that to over 100km in the coming weeks. Still only running once a day. My last 10 was the fastest in the field and shows that I am improving. On the 27th Nov. I have a 10km in Barcelona which will be packed with faster runners, but you never know, I might just sneak a Top 10 position. :-) Stay tuned.... 

SUSIE POWER TRAINING

Susie Power has started her training site. It is a work in progress but shows great promise for the future. If you want more information you can email here. 

Barcelona Fit wobbly bridge

The Wobbly Bridge!
This bridge is one of the first things that each Barcelona Fit runner must get over on his/her way to completing the Barcelona Marathon :-)
Seriously though, this bridge really does bounce and sway when we all (about 20 of us) get on there together and run across it. This week the runners go about 9-10 miles in their training and they need a change of scenery. Next week we meet for training at the Montjuic Fountain just by where the actual marathon will actually start. We are hoping that a few more people will sign up during this week as we have our first race together as a team; the Jean Bouin 10km.

5 milles nocturnes de Cerdanyola

5 miles - 4th 25:05
I felt alot better about this run and felt that I am actually getting fit again! Can you believe that? Anyway, I am working steady by running everyday and just trying to keep fit, although when I race I race to win and so I guess this is my hard running for the week. I go to San Sebastian next week for a 20km race where if I can get top 6 then I would have run a blinder! I'll keep you posted.....whoever would be even reading this blog. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is reading this, because I never get any comments.......

Cursa de la Universidad

This is me with Carlos (centre) and Di (right) of Barcelona Fit. We ran a small University race today just for fun. Both Carlos and Di ran personal bests for the 6km course (22:35 & 21:37 respectively) and were very happy. I came in 2nd in the 3km race with 8:22 on the 2-lap road circuit. I feel the group is becoming a real 'team' now and I look forward to our first 'official' race on Nov.27 at the Jean Bouin 10km in Barcelona. I hope to have our t-shirts and some Fila gear by them also :-)

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.