MY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE...HALF IRONMAN CHALLENGE!

Friends!

Marathon was done March 6th, 3h41´, now is time for my first 2011 triathlon Half Ironman Barcelona Challenge...after 3 missed tentatives...Singapore (injury), Phillipines (too many beers during pre-training) and Phuket (already left the region) during my stay in Asia...now is the time for my SECOND CHALLENGE...I know, is just Half Ironman, but for a guy like me of 100Kgs, it means a lot...

On the other hand, I am always trying to support Cancer Childhood organization and this time again, I will try to get some donations for NGO FUNDACIÓN CAICO (Spanish Childhood Cancer Organization)!

I attach the link...if you wish to contribute with one Euro or more...is more than welcome!http://www.migranodearena.org/xavigarcia-2

Finally, I am so excited for this Sunday´s race, as it will be my first triathlon race representing BARCELONA DRAGONS TRIATHLON CLUB young brother´s Club of Hong Kong Dragons Triathlon Club, with already over 50 members in 5 months of existence!

If you want to have a look about our activities...check it out: http://www.bcndragons.com/ ...and with one more Ironman (Lanzarote) guy since this Saturday: Xavi Álvarez! Congratulations!

Last but not least...I wish all the luck to my soccer team for Saturday night: FORÇA BARÇA!!! and of course to all participants in the race!

"XTB" Xavi.

Amigos!


Marató de Barcelona hecha Marzo 6, en 3h41´, ahora es tiempo para mi primera triatlón Half Ironman Barcelona Challenge 2011 en Calella ...después de 3 intentos fallidos...Singapore (lesionado), Phillipines (demasiadas cervezas durante el verano) y Phuket (ya me había mudado de la región) durante mi expatriación en Asia...ahora llegoa la hora de mi SEGUNDO DESAFÍO...lo sé, sólo se trata de un Half Ironman, pero para alguién de 100 Kgs como yo, representa mucho...
Por otro lado, siempre intento colaborar con alguna ONG de Ayuda al Cáncer Infantil y esta vez de nuevo, voy a ayudar recaudar algunas donaciones para FUNDACIÓN CAICO  (Organización Española de Ayuda contra el cáncer infantil)!

Adjunto el link de las donaciones...por si queréis contribuir desde 1 Euro o más...cualquier ayuda es bienvenida! http://www.migranodearena.org/xavigarcia-2

Finalmente, tengo muchísimas ganas de la carrera del Domingo, ya que será mi primera triatlón representando al  BARCELONA DRAGONS TRIATHLON CLUB hermano pequeño del Hong Kong Dragons Triathlon Club, y con más de 50 miembros después de 5 meses desde su fundación!

Si queréis echar un vistazo sobre las actividades que realizamos...aquí tenéis el link: http://www.bcndragons.com/  y con un Ironmna  (Lanzarote) más en la lista desde el Sábado: Xavi Álvarez! Felicidades!

Por último pero no menos importante....deseo toda la suerte a mi equipo para la noche del Sábado: FORÇA BARÇA! y a todos los participantes de la carrera!
"XTB" Xavi.

3H41´37´´: 1ST MARATHON FINISHER!

Friends,


3h4137´´ target  not achieved, you can check my videos, especially ending backwards and including huge cramp after ending at http://www.barcelonamarato.es/cgi-bin/buscate.py (bib number: 9858)...it was 3h30´ but it has teken 2 weeks for me to think, if I am going to try to achieve it, which means will be a second marathon in my life, yes or no...OK.

The answer is "YES"...when, no clue! but, I will try to get close to 3h30´ and I would like to do it in NY Marathon...dreaming?...could be!!

About the race, I suggest you to go to Radu website page, http://defumadoratriatleta.com/2011/03/09/mi-primera-maraton-la-marato-de-barcelona-una-experiencia-inolvidable/  as I ran with him 32K of the full marathon, before, my cramp arrived to my isquios and ,then, walk run walk till the end...

Ironmen, Marathon de Sables runners, Ultramen...those guys are REALLY HEROES!!! that is what I thought my last 10K of the marathon, while my legs were getting close to collapse!

Btw, I have started training for my next target  http://www.challenge-barcelona.es/inscripcion.php?act=listinscr  with my first triathlon coach: Xavier Álvarez ...very hard first week! Goal close to 6 hours...if possible!!

Talk to you very soon!

"XTB" Xavi.

3h4137´´ objetivo no conseguido, podéis chequear los videos, especialmente cuando entro marcha atrás y tras mi entrada me coge una rampa muy dolorosa http://www.barcelonamarato.es/cgi-bin/buscate.py (dorsal number: 9858)...my objetvivo era 3h30´pero he tardado dos semanas en pensar, si voy a intentarlo, y que entonces habrá una segunda maratón en mi vida, sí o no...OK.
La respuesta es "SÍ"...cuando?, ni idea! pero quiero llegar cerca a 3h30´ y si puediera ser corriendo la Maratón de NY...soñando? ...quizás sí!!
Acerca la carrera, os sugiero leáis la crónica de Radu, http://defumadoratriatleta.com/2011/03/09/mi-primera-maraton-la-marato-de-barcelona-una-experiencia-inolvidable/ ya que corrí 32 Kms de la maratón con él, hasta que el aviso de rampa me atacó mis isquios y, desde entonces, camina correr camina hasta el final....
Ironmen, Marathon de Sables runners, Ultramen...ellos sí que son REALMENTE HÉROES!! eso es lo que pensó mi cabeza durante los últimos 10 K de mi maratón dónde mis piernas estaban cerca del colapso!
Por cierto, he iniciado mi siguiente objetivo del año http://www.challenge-barcelona.es/inscripcion.php?act=listinscr con mi primer entrenador de triatlón: Xavier Álvarez....muy dura la primera semana!! Objetivo cerca de 6 horas...si se puede!!

Hasta pronto!

"XTB" Xavi.

TEST 2 X 6 K DONE...SUB-3H30' ?@?^%$*#!!!!!!

Friends,

Yesterday, I did this 2 x 6,000 m test proposed by Coke and Pau from our Barcelona Dragons Triathlon Club and the result was:

First 6K Avg. pace = 4'41''
Second 6K Avg. pace = 4'26''
Difference = 15''

...therefore, I should be running slower then, my tentative goal should be: SUB 3H30'

Pace between 4'45'' and 4'56'

Possible finish time = 3h20'26'' but more realistic 3h28'

...at the end both times look to me today VERY AGGRESSIVE!! and not reachable...but I am going to follow some of my team members suggestions and start with  3h30' pace maker and, if I feel great last 5K try to push hard to achieve a good time!

Talk to you very soon and Forza Dragons!!!

"XTB" Xavi.

MITJA BARCELONA 1 H 32´46 ´´ !!!

Friends,

Today, I will write in ¨Català¨, as it deserves in honour of a fantastic race in Barcelona city:



El dia ha sigut espectacular, és a dir, uns 9 a 10 graus de temperatura, una dutxeta a mitja mitja i sense vent...i amb la meva family apoiant-me al Km-8 i el pare i la nòvia d´en Javier a la sortida i als 10 Kms. Merci a tots!!

El objectiu amb el Javier abans de la cursa era anar junts per baixar de 1h40´ però al Km-4 em trobava molt a gust i vaig he decidit anar a 4´25´´(finalment una mitja de 4´24´´ amb 22´ per cada 5 Kms)...així doncs he anat tirant fins als últims metres que he volgut fer un petit sprint a 3´50´´!!

Al final he fet el meu nou record ¨Persona Best¨ en menys de 11 minuts que el anterior...1h32´46´´...però el xip groc no ha funcionat i estant veient què ha succeit perque no surto als resultats...suposo que ho resoldrant...els hi he enviat la gravació del Garmin perque tinguin constància del meu temps!

Ja han pogut resoldre el tema del meu xip i ara apareixo a la classificació general, dorsal 3051, posició: 1346 i 690 de la meva categoria, Déu n´hi do quin nivell que hi ha a Catalunya!!

Xavi Àlvarez, gràcies pels teus consells abans de la prova i pel teu tiempazo 1h27´!!m´han ajudat moltíssim...Javier, gràcies per la teva companyia durant els primers Kms...i ho sento de tot cor que m´he marxat a partir del Km-5, però, avui em trobava bastant fort! Enhorabona pel teu sub 1h40´, crec que has fet 1h38´!!

Finalment, vull agrair la paciència per les hores que els hi he tret durant els meus entrenaments a la meva família: Lucas, Mar i Elaine!

Fins la propera...aquesta vegada doble mitja: MARATÓ DE BARCELONA el 6 de Marc!!

Una abracada i fins aviat, FORCA DRAGONS!!

¨XTB¨Xavi.

TIBIDABO MOUNTAIN TOUR...

Friends,

Long time without news...I know, but, I have been extremely busy with my new position and moving back to Barcelona from Hong Kong since January 1st...BUT, I wanted to share with all of you, especially Barcelona runners, this route that I discovered to run around Tibidabo mountain!! Very interesting in the middle of the forest...


Talk to you very soon, as this coming Sunday I will do my 4th Half Marathon in Barcelona:
http://www.mitjabarcelona.com/

¨XTB¨Xavi.

44´44´´

Friends,

Yes, I was not planning to do it...but after 7 Kms, I was feeling great on today´s training and I pushed a little harder for last 3 Kms...result my PB in 10 K, 44´44´´! out of my 11 Kms training session for today.



My first PB of 2011 year! (and hopefully not the last!!) 

FORÇA DRAGONS!
"XTB" Xavi.
www.bcndragons.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!

I WISH TO ALL OF YOU A VERY HAPPY 2011 WHERE ALL YOUR DREAMS AND GOALS WILL COME TRUE!!

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT DURING 2010!!

¨XTB¨ XAVI.
http://www.bcndragons.com/

PLANNING 2011 REVIEWED

Amigos,

Ya he podido meditar un poco más mi Planning  provisional para el 2011, participando y representando en todas las pruebas al BARCELONA DRAGONS TRIATHLON CLUB (FORÇA DRAGONS!) , así pues, a continuación adjunto como quedaría:


1.Mitja Sitges,09/01/2011, intentaré mejorar mi marca de 1h43´44´´  http://mitjasitges.cat/index.htm

2. Marató Barcelona, 06/03/2011, mi primera maratón, espero poder hacerla por debajo de 4 horas...mmm, bueno, quizás objetivo demasiado ambicioso...pero por pedir que no quede! jaja http://www.barcelonamarato.es/

3. Cursa Nike-Bombers, 17/04/2011, mi cuarta participación en la misma, pero, hace 5 años que no la hago debido a mis expatriaciones! http://www.cursabombersadmin.com/ esta cursa espero me acompañen varios de mis familiares, empezando por Elaine, algunos hermanos, cuñados y sobrinos...así pues, será una competición en plan familiar!
4. Triatlón Banyoles B, 24/04/2011, mi primer triatlón distancia B...http://www.triatlo.org/competicions/
5. Half Challenge Barcelona-Mareseme, 29/05/2011, mi primera 70.3 y segundo desafío de larga distancia en triatlón. http://www.challenge-barcelona.es/index_evento.php?lang=EN
6. Marnatón Cap de Creus, 04/09/2011, travesía a nado de 6.5 Kms...me gusta disfrutar de este tipo de travesías, aunque, será la distancia más larga que he nadado nunca, ya que, la más larga ha sido de 5.2 Kms de Repulse Bay hasta Stanley Bay en Hong Kong. http://www.marnaton.com/2009/
7. Cavalls del Vent, 01&02/10/2011, travesía de montaña de 84.5Kms y desnivel acumulado de 12.2Kms...no estoy convencido que pueda hacerla, pero, dependerá de cómo llegue a la cita...http://www.naturetrails.es/2010/index.html
o
7. Challenge Barcelona-Maresme, 02/10/2011, todavía no lo tengo decidido y ya veremos cómo va la temporada...http://www.challenge-barcelona.es/index_evento.php?lang=EN

En principio, estos son los eventos que me gustaría participar pero dependerá de mi estado de forma y que las lesiones no me perjudiquen la planificación...cómo ha ocurrido durante el 2010!

FORÇA DRAGONS! (nuevo grito de guerra!!)
¨XTB¨Xavi.
http://www.bcndragons.com/

English version:

Friends,


Finally, I have reviewed my provisional planning for 2011 and will participate and represent in all events our BARCELONA DRAGONS TRIATHLON CLUB (GO DRAGONS, GO!) and I describe how it will look like:

1.Half Marathon Sitges,09/01/2011, trying to beat my PB of 1h43´44´´ http://mitjasitges.cat/index.htm

2. Marathon of Barcelona, 06/03/2011, my first one,I hope to finish it under hours...mmm, may be, a liitle but too ambicious...but for asking will not be!hahah  http://www.barcelonamarato.es/
3. Race Nike-Bombers, 17/04/2011, my fourth participation in the same race, but, none since 5 years ago due to my expatriation years! http://www.cursabombersadmin.com/ during this race I hope to run with my relatives, beginning with Elaine, some brothers, brothers-in-law and nephews......then, it will become a family racing event!

4. Triathlon Banyoles distance B, 24/04/2011, my first triathlon B distance ..http://www.triatlo.org/competicions/

5. Half Ironman Challenge Barcelona-Mareseme, 29/05/2011, my first 70.3 and second challenge distance in triathlon  http://www.challenge-barcelona.es/index_evento.php?lang=EN

6. Marnatón Cap de Creus, 04/09/2011, swim race of 6.5 Kms...I like to enjoy with that type of events, but, it will be the longest distance I have ever swum, as my actual longest one, is 5.2 Kms from Repulse Bay to Stanley Bay in Hong Kong. http://www.marnaton.com/2009/

7. Cavalls del Vent, 01&02/10/2011, mountain trail running of 84.5Kms with accumulated heigth of 12.2 Kms...I am not convinced that I am able to finish it, but, will depend on how trained I will arrive to that day...http://www.naturetrails.es/2010/index.html
or
7. Ironman Challenge Barcelona-Maresme, 02/10/2011, I am not yet sure which one of those events and we will decide, as the triathlon season goes on...http://www.challenge-barcelona.es/index_evento.php?lang=EN

Basically, all those events are the ones I would like to participate but will depend on my physical status and how injuries will treat me during my planning...and hopefully will not bother me during 2011!!
GO DRAGONS, GO! (new cheering for our Barcelona Dragons Triathlon Club!!)

¨XTB¨Xavi.
http://www.bcndragons.com/

BARCELONA MARATHON TARGET: UNDER 4 HOURS?

Friends,

I am on my 4th week out of 16 to prepare my first marathon and first 2011 target....target, hopefully below 4 hours...but, after running yesterday 22 Kms...it looks very difficult to achieve it!

I attach below my settings to go thru my 16 weeks training program by (http://www.runnersworld.com/)

TRAINING: SMART COACH
Your current race time is: 0:43:00 for a 10 K
Your distance training goal is: Marathon
You currently train: 33 - 40 km/week
How hard you want to train: Hard
Your long-run day: Sunday
Your training program Starts: Monday, 11/15/2010and Ends: Sunday, 3/6/2011
Length of your training schedule: 16 weeks
Marathon Race Day
Marathon @4:41 Time: 3:18:11

I will not deny, as is going to be a very tough training, but, that is what I am going to try to enjoy at maximum level!

Btw, just to inform you that we are 22 Barcelona Dragons members of our new Triathlon Club created 3 weeks ago...I believe is a good start! Expatriates in Barcelona are more than welcome to join our international club!! (http://www.bcndragons.com/) or contact directly via e-mail: bcndragons@gmail.com

Cheers!

"XTB" Xavi.

HALF MARATHON UNICEF HONG KONG

Friends,

Finally, under 1h45' ...as per my Garmin info, you can check once I will post complete detailed race report...the race organizers offered me 600 more meters to run...which my Half Marathon UNICEf official result will be close to 1h43'45'', 10 minutes faster than my prior PB in half marathon.

I think without considering those extra 600 meters, my result was 1h41'45''...therefore, I am very happy about it!

I attach my Garmin running track...average speed 4'47''/Km!! (I still can not believe it!)



Next target Under 1h40'....just crazy? Nop, I think with more training, I could get there!

Cheers! Detailed report will come during next week!

"XTB" Xavi.