ELAINE..JUST AMAZING!

 Almost there...

Good morning! Bon dia!

Today, I am so happy, as yesterday I did my first ¨couple trail run¨ train with my wife Elaine during 4 hours for 25 Kms...I am amazed,as she was not trained, just some walk-run-walk for 4 days before, but, did awesome...including some nice run on flat and downhill from ¨Sant Andreu de Llavaneres¨ to ¨Santuari del Corredor¨!
Avui, estic molt content, ja que ahir vaig fer el meu primer ¨running de montanya en parella¨ com entrenament amb la meva dona Elaine durant 4 hores per 25 Kms...estic al.lucinant, com sense estar entrenada, només amb alguns camina-corre-camina 4 dies abans, però, ho va fer de conya!...inclòs va còrrer quan era pla o baixada desde ¨Sant Andreu de Llavaneres¨ fins ¨Santuari del Corredor¨

Check the garmin track:

...a la Creu de Rupit! Downhill...

Cheers!
Fins aviat!

Xavi.

MARNATON CHALLENGE...INCREDIBLE!!

 

Before

Friends,

For me the best ever OWS I have done in my life 6.5Kms in 1h49´17´´...position 185 out of 565 finishers! in a wonderful place North of Barcelona (from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués!)!!

I was very happy also as Elaine and our friend Jannethe came with me....meaning they woke up at 5.30 am...a Saturday morning!! That was an extra help and cheering!! 

http://www.marnaton.com/descargas/res_global_2011.pdf

I just got a cramp on my right calf at Km 4...but overall, excellent swim feeling!

Below you can see my Garmin summary for that race... and pictures once finished!

Arriving blue swim cap!

After...

Talk to you very soon for my last and toughest challenge of the year....Cavalls de Vent 85 Kms Trail run in 2 weeks!

¨XTB¨Xavi.

HALF IRONMAN LES ANGLES...LES GARROTXES!

… Aquesta vegada seré breu, en el tema de la crònica de la Half Ironman a les Angles, triatló Les Garrotxes.

Resum:

1. Natació…no vaig provar abans de la sortida les condicions de nedar en un llac a mil i alguns metros d’alçada…greu error…i vaig fer la meva pitjor natació en triatlons! Lliçó apresa.

Posant bé el xip...

 

...nervis pre-sortida... 

 

...sortida!!

 

La meva cara reflecteix...el resultat de nedar

en un llac en altitud i no haver-ho entrenat abans!

 

2. Bici…sense comentaris, 1,800 metros desnivell acumulat…per  un tio com jo de quasi 100 Kgs…inhumà, però, perfecte per meditar una estona llarga…més abaix veureu el perquè.

 

Sortint de la T-1 

3. Running…molt bones sensacions malgrat la meva lesió de fàscia lata…segons el Xavi A. degut a la adrenalina que portava acumulada…ho va fer tot…i  el meu cos va descobrir una nova sensació: fasciculacions!! Brutal, com un parell d’aliens als meus bessons amunt i avall a tota pastilla…quan em faltaven 4 Km per arribar a meta.

 

Sip....encara em faltava 1 volta i anava 

molt bé...fins els darrers 4 Kms. 

1. Arribada…en 6h36´…sí ho podria haver fet millor, però, em quedo amb el plaer de gaudir i compartir amb els fantàstics Dragons i familiars, crec, si no m’equivoco uns 10 participants en les diverses distàncies!  

  

 The End!

El tema que vull comentar i  que suposo  cadascú té la seva opinió, però he arribat a la conclusió que el límit mental és molt superior al límit físic...és a dir, la força mental d’una persona és el límit d’aquesta. Gràcies al empirisme...aquest cap de setmana ho he pogut viure amb el meu propi cos...i en què pensava per superar les barreres de la meva limitació física, sobretot inici segona ascensió i fasciculacions...doncs en la meva mare que ens va deixar fa quatre anys, justament el dia abans de la triatló, però, continua essent una guia i força insuperable per a mi en tot el que faig en aquesta vida...sense ella (i evidentment sense el meu pare) no hagués existit...però la seva forma de viure, encarar i moderar les adversitats va ésser sempre una lliçó magistral: gràcies mami per donar-me forces per cuidar de mi i de la meva família! T’estimo i no t’oblidaré mai!

Per cert, vull agrair al Pau i la Bea per la seva hospitalitat a casa seva durant el dia abans, al Víctor per acompanyar-me tota la primera ascensió i a tota la family Dragons que ens va animar i fotografiar en tot moment, així com, felicitar als participants pel magnífic paper i resultat de tots els Dragons en totes les seves distàncies i, en especial, pel debut del Víctor i  Carlos en Sprint i el Albert en Olímpic.

Aquí abans de la sortida amb Pau, Xavi A., 

Mikel i jo mateix.

Dragons family!

Finalment, això d’estar de Rodríguez més de 5 setmanes, cada vegada em desagrada més i s´em fa molt més difícil...i com sempre dedico aquest repte al Lucas, la Mar i la Elaine, que avui per avui ha estat el més satisfactori de tots els que he fet!

Apa Dragons i Friends! Fins la propera!!

¨XTB¨ Xavi.

(In English)

... This time I will be brief on the issue of my second Half Ironman in Les Angles, The Garrotxes triathlon.

Summary:

1. Swimming ... I did not test before the conditions in a lake to swim in a few thousand meters of altitude ... big mistake ... and I did my worst swim in triathlons! Lesson learned.
2. Bike ... no comments ... 1.800 meters accumulated for a guy like me almost 100 kg just brutal ... but perfect for meditating a long time ... more below you will see why.
3. Running a good feeling ... despite my injury ... as fascia lata Xavi A told me due to the adrenaline that had accumulated ... did everything ... and my body discovered a new sensation: fasciculations! Brutal as a couple of aliens up and down my calfs full speed when I was reaching ... 4 km to the finish line.
4. Arrival at 6h36 ... '... yes it could have done better, but I prefered the pleasure to enjoy and share with Dragons family, I think, overall 10 participants at various triathlon distances during the weekend!

The theme that I remarked that I guess everyone has their opinion, but I have concluded that mental limit is much higher than the physical limit ... that is, the mental strength of a person is the limit of his mind . Thanks to empiricism ... this weekend I could live with my own body ... and when I thought to overcome the barriers of my physical limitations, especially second round up-hill and fasciculations ... then, I started thinking about my mother who passed away four years ago, just the day before the triathlon, however, remains unsurpassed for strength and guidance to me in everything I do in this life ... without it (and obviously without my father) I will not behere sharing that experience with all of you ... but her way of living and moderate face of adversity she always will be a lecture: mom thanks for giving me the strength to take care of my family and myself! I love you and will never forget you!

By the way, I want to thank Pau and Bea for their kind hospitality in her home during the day before, to Victor to ride with  me throughout the first ascent and the entire family Dragons who encouraged us and took those  pictures all the time  and, congratulate the participants in the incredible success and outcome of all the Dragons in all distances and in particular for the debut of Carlos and Victor on Sprint and Albert in Olympic one.

Finally, to be Mr. Rodriguez be more than 5 weeks, I dislike it more and more and it´s much more difficult, year after year ... and as always I  want to offer my success on this last challenge to Lucas, Mar and Elaine, which at present has been hardest and most satisfactory of all I've done!

Dragons and Friends! Talk to you very soon!

¨ XTB¨  Xavi.

HALF CHALLENGE PICTURES STORY!

Friends, this is my first Half Ironman in pictures...Can you vote for the picture you like the most?

Thanks!

¨XTB¨ Xavi.

 1

 Amazing sensation! One of the best in my life!

2

 So tight those wetsuits!!

3

 My Goodness, what a hell with my Garmin 310 XT 

why is so big!!! I can not remove my wetsuit!

 

              4        

        Bike power machine!

  

      5             

More... bike power machine!

 

6

My belly still appearing under my top!

7

Extremely tired after ¨fast bike for me!

8

Where is my family?

 9

One more hour to go...

 10

As the song, ¨This is the end...my friend!!¨ 

Mar with Dragons t-shirt and Lucas with Barca Messi´s one!

I hope you have enjoyed my Half Ironman picture story!!...next one Les Angles July 10th!

SECOND CHALLENGE...ACHIEVED: 5H18´14´´!!

Dear Friends!

Those two pictures summarize all the race...extremely hard but with a very happy ending!!

I will not bored all of you with my chronicle and I can summarize, as it follows, good swim, excellent bike and suffered running (extremely hot!)...overall 5 h 18´14´´, much better than estimated target of 6 hours.

Three funny things that happened during the race...

1. I lost 1´30´´  trying to fix my front bike drinking bottle and at the end I leave it behind me...
2. Leaving my bike during T-2, I left my Garmin 310 XT, attcahed to the bike...
3. After 5 K running, I did remove my socks, as they were too long and killing my right foot...

I want to congratulate other Barcelona Dragons Triathlon Club Team members that thy participated during that race: Sergio (5h15´, awsome swim), Xaxa (7h57',100% Ironman spirit) and Andrei (DNF). http://bcndragons.blogspot.com/

On the other hand, we have collected for CAICO FOUNDATION (NGO Cancer Childhood Organization), 285 Euros...is not too much but any Euro will help to make life easier for sick cancer child. http://www.migranodearena.org/xavigarcia-2

Finally, I want to thank Xavi A., perfect training plan, perfect tips before, during and after the race, Pau, for your excellent tips and comments during all those months of training, all Barcelona Dragons training partners and friends, but, among all of them to my beloved family for their full support during my training season and cheering: Elaine, Mar and Lucas, thank you very much, I love you!


Next triathlond distance target pending...Ironman? Today, I can say not for 2011...who knows in the future...I accept proposals, suggestions and any comment about it!

¨XTB¨Xavi.

P.D: Btw, Congratulations to Barça Soccer and Handball Teams European Champions!! FORÇA BARÇA!

Amigos!


Estas dos fotos resumen mi experiencia Half Ironman...extremadamente dura pero con un final myuy feliz!! No quiero aburriros con mi crónica, en breve, buena natación, excelente bici y media maratón muy sufrida (muchísima calor!)...tiempo total 5h18´14´´, mucho mejor que mi previsión de acabar en 6 horas.

Tres cosas divertidas que me sucedieron durante la competición...
1. Perdí 1´30´´ intentando arreglar la botella frontal de mi bici que saltó por los aires en la T-1, así que, me olvidé de ella y la deje en el suelo...
2. Dejando mi bici durante la T-2, me olvidé de coger mi Garmin 310 XT, que estaba agarrado en la bici ...
3. Después de 5 K corriendo, me tuve que quitar mis calcetines, ya que me iban grandes, y me estaban matando con una ampolla mi pie derecho...

Quiero felicitar desde aquí a otros miembros del Barcelona Dragons Triathlon Club Team que han participado en esta competición: Sergio (5h15´, increible en natación), Xaxa (7h57',100% espíritu Ironman ) and Andrei (DNF). http://bcndragons.blogspot.com/



Por otro lado, hemos podido recaudar para la FUNDACIÓN CAICO (ONG Ayuda al Cáncer Infantil) 285 Euros...no es mucho pero cualquier Euro ayudará a  hacer un poco más fácil la vida de estos niños enfermos de cáncer. http://www.migranodearena.org/xavigarcia-2

Finalmente, quiero agradecer a Xavi A., por el perfecto plan de entrenamiento, consejos recibidos antes, durante y después de la competición, a Pau, por sus excelentes consejos y comentarios durante estos messes de entrenamiento, a todos los miembros de los Barcelona Dragons Triathlon Club, pero por encinma de todos, a mi amada familia por el total apoyo durante estos meses de entrenamiento y el ánimo recibido con gritos de apoyo durante la prueba: Elaine, Mar y Lucas, muchísimas gracias, os quiero!

Siguiente objetivo en triatlón me queda...Ironman? Hoy por hoy, puedo decir que no será para el 2011...quién sabe en un futuro...se aceptan propuestas, comentarios y sugerencias!

¨XTB¨Xavi.

P.D: Por cierto, Muchas Felicidades al Barça de Fútbol y de Handbol por ambas Copas de Europa!! FORÇA BARÇA!

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.