Barcelona Fit 32km training

This morning was the last big training run for the Barcelona Fit crew. I ran for the longest I have ever run before, at 2:20hr, and my legs are pretty much SHOT! I am going to work on getting my legs stronger to cover more miles, but after only running twice in the preceeding 2 weeks, I suppose I better get back on the horse and do my midweek runs. The team went well with the biggest turnout of runners in the whole 5 months of the program. We ran at "Carretera de las Aiguas", which overlooks the city of Barcelona and in english means "Road of the Waters". It is basically a flat 8km length of road that is prefect for those long runs. A good surface and marked kilometers (up to 5km) helps is keeping your pace. This week we have meetings about the future of the program.

More Barcelona Fit Videos

Heading home to Barcelona

Jen and I are on our last day here in Torino. We had a great day yesterday at the OrangeFestival in Ivrea (just north of Torino) and are all a little sore today....actually our legs are the sorest part of the body, not sure why but maybe because we were getting low to launch those oranges at the other people. I guess training will get back to normal once we hit Barcelona soil again. We have had a blast in Torino with the Ludus crew and also checking out sports which we might not get to see again for a long time.

Ivrea

Orange Festival in Ivrea
The Ludus crew enjoyed a fun and busy day dodging and throwing our fair share of oranges. The little town of Ivrea is about 1 hour north of Torino in the northern part of Italy. The idea of the orange festival is that there are about 9 teams (about 3500 people) in about 6 squares (piazze) around the town all throwing oranges at the guys in horse-drawn carts. The guys in the carts pay 400euros to be in there, and the guys in the teams pay 150 odd euros. The festival takes place over 4 days. It was a fantastic day and I was happy not to dislocate my shoulder while throwing so many oranges.

Torino winding down

The Torino 2006 Winter Games is officially in 'winddown' mode. You can feel it in the streets, in the number of people around town and the general atmosphere of Torino. Ludus has one more full day of their tours and then they shut everything down with a big Ludus Party ready to go off on the 28th. I hope to post some pictures on here. Running has been put on the backburner since Gava 1/2 marathon as I have not run a step since the race. My left ankle has been too sore in the morning (when I usually get my run 'out the way') and I decided to soak up some of the Olympic spirit while still in town.

Gava 1/2 marathon 2nd 1:06.23
So I flew back to Barcelona, from Torino, for this important Barcelona Fit race. A good team turnout added to 2000 odd runners. A few personal bests were recorded, but with the wind and rain that pretty much covered the course along the waters-edge, the times were not really relavent. The effort, race and team environment was the name of the game today. For full results of other Barcelona Fit runners please go to the official results page.

The Tour

We are still rolling on well here in Torino. We went to our first competition last night, the pairs figure skating shortprogram, and it was fantastic. I have never seen that kind of sport live and it was a good night overall. Jen and I went with about 6 other Ludus(ites) and so the night was filled with some laughs during the performances. The Russians pretty much dominated, with the Chinese up there fighting for the minor medals. Los Americanos are about 6th or so. More soon.

Winter Olympics TORINO 2006

Ok, so I am flat chat here working for Ludus Tours here in Torino for the XX Winter Olympic Games. Today is the first day for Tour clients, so you could imagine the mayhem around town for the Ludusites. I will keep everyone informed on what is happening throughout the weeks here. I am in Torino until March 2nd, but head back for a 1/2 marathon in Barcelona on the 18/19 Feb. My training is going fine but I need to get my daily training done before all the work starts each day: this means hitting the streets about 7:30am. I know that is not early for some people who read this, but it is generally too early for me! Anyone want some gifts? 

San Sebastian XC

10km - 8th
A really nice setting in San Sebastian was the return of a true XC race for me. I have not run a XC race for over 18 months and this was a fantastic opportunity that I couldn't miss. Jen and I traveled up to the north of Spain with about 4 other people (3 of which were racing also- as part of the Fila Team). We got a nice 4-star hotel room to ourselves and enjoyed the great food and on-the-river location. I ran strong for the most part of the 4-lapped course, but was still about 1:45 from the winner, Tedasse from Eritria. We leave for Torino today and so the last few days have been very busy. I will have some internet connection, but with all the work I suppose it will be very little time spent on my trusted laptop. A short video soon of the weekend. 

A little sick

After my good run on Sunday I am feeling a little drained. I have run 3 half marathons since I have been here in Barcelona and after each one I get sick. This time is just a head cold and feels to be nothing serious. I suppose that I am on a fine line of healthy and sick, and the effort of completing a 1/2 marathon tips me over onto the sick side. I have another race this Sunday in the northern part of Spain, San Sebastian. It is an International XC and I am looking to get top 15.
Work is going well and getting ready to travel to Torino for the Winter Olympics. It should be fun!

1/2 Marathon Video

Enjoy this video I made up. My girlfriend, Jennifer Haaser, did all the video work. I did the editing.

My first 1/2 marathon win.

1st 67:23 1/2 marathon de Terrassa
I started the 2006 year well with my first win over the 1/2 marathon distance. The course was pretty hilly, but I felt very strong and could have went alot faster. It seems as though my training is working well. We passed the 10km in about 32 minutes and the 16km at just under 52, then I thought it was time for me to pick the pace up. I won by 20-odd seconds and you can find the full result here. A funny story: At the 12km marker the 2nd place finisher decided that he needed to take a leak and asked if I would wait for him. So, of course, being as I was taking it easy & there was no dinero for the win, I thought "Why not be nice and wait for this bloke? we have run together for 12km". So i jogged for about 2 minutes and waiting until he finished off and was able to catch up. During this point, the 3rd runner, Benito, had caught up aswell. It seems as though the 2nd bloke, a good friend of Benito, was aiming to run with him instead of pushing it through with me. So anyway...I ran with these two stooges for another 4km and thought "stuff it, I am going to win this thing and get it over with".
I am hoping to run under 65mins when I race this distance next. My next race brings me to the city of San Sebastian again, but this time for XC. Now this one should be interesting.....
MORE PICTURES IN MY FLICKR PAGES

Runner's World Spain Edition

I have a nice article in the Spanish Runners World this month. You can see a scanned image by clicking here
The picture was taken when I can the San Sebastian 20km road race in November 2005. Results here.
I have a 1/2 marathon this coming Sunday in Terrassa which I am hoping to run under the 66minute mark. Should be good competition and a challenging course. Espero que el tiempo es bueno tambien. Adios amigos.

In BCN again

After about 20 hours of traveling, Jen and I arrived safely in Barcelona airport. We were glad to get back here and with the 'no-smoking rule' kicked in on Jan 1st, 2006 we are breathing better too! Barcelona Fit will start back it's training and we are getting the Marathon Destination Tours finalized over the next few weeks. I also have a few road races over the next couple of weekends. After training went decent, except for the days that the asthma got the better of me, in Arkansas I should be sitting where I left off in 2005.

About to head back to BCN

After a great time here in the States, we are about to head back to Barcelona. It should be good to see the Barcelona Fit Team again and get back into the groove of training after the holiday period. Personally I have a few races in January and one half marathon in February. We head to Torino, Italy, for the Winter Olympics the month of February to work on tours with Ludus. Should be fun and I should have a good collection of photos.