Week 1. Madrid marathon.

[Antonio247]

Week 1. 19th-25th April 2004. This is the last week. The last training days are very soft. In all, just 9 miles before the marathon on Sunday. My weight remains the same, 81 kg.

Tuesday. I left at 7.15 am. The sun was rising. It was a nice morning. I decided to go along the sea front very slowly enjoying plodding along. It took me 17´55´´ to get to the end of the promenade. The way back 18´. I just looked at my stop watch on both occasions so that I didn´t get obsessed with time. In all, it took me 35´55´´. Then, I continued for three more minutes to do 39 minutes, a little more than five kilometres. Afterwards, I did some stretching.

[Antonio247]

Wednesday. I left at 6.20 am. I started from Almadrabillas park. I decided to go up Rambla Federico García Lorca since I had to do 4 miles today. The morning was nice. The temperature indicator showed 15º Celsius. It took me 24´10´´ to get up there. Then, I took a one-minute walk break and went down the Rambla taking another one-minute walk break in minute 37. I got back in 46´. Then, I continued for five more minutes doing in all fifty-one minutes and around seven kilometres. I did some stretching.

[Riazor Blue]

Come on the Antonio, how are you feeling? Nervous? Are you able to concentrate in the classroom?

Good luck and I'll see you on Saturday.

[Antonio247]

Hello, Brian

I´m a bit nervous but I´m looking forward to being there.

It´s a pity you won´t be able to run on Sunday but it must be the most sensible thing. Anyway, you´ll be able to run another marathon in a few weeks´ time doing a PB.

I´ll phone you in Madrid at about 10 am to meet at the expo. OK?

Have a safe journey!

Antonio

[Antonio247]

Thursday. I started at 7.10 am from Almadrabillas park. It was a little cloudy. I went towards the lighthouse going past the port where there were few people this morning. Then, I went on as far as km 2 where there is a roundabout that I ran around and came back along the same way. It took me 28´30´´ completing until 30 minutes and doing around four kilometres. After that, I did some stretching. At 9.30, I went to my physiotherapist, Paco, to have a discharge massage. He´s a good triathlete and encouraged me to finish the marathon the best I could. Then, I went to have a cup of chocolate and “churros” at a café nearby. By the way, I´m eating a lot of pasta and other carbohydrates these last days.

Well, this has been my last day of training for Madrid marathon. After eighteen weeks I´ve run 67 days doing 673 kms in 4741 minutes, which is 79 hours and one minute. I started at Christmas and it will finish two weeks after Easter. I´ve experienced running from early in the morning to late at night. The weather has usually been quite mild although I´ve also run in the rain and with the wind against. I´ve taken part at El Ejido San Silvestre and at Almería and Murcia half marathons. I´ve usually run on my own but I´ve also been with other runners such as Riccardo from Italy, Antonio H., Felipe. I´ve also done some cross-training activities: hiking with Atanasio, riding on bicycle with a group of cyclists from several countries organised by Alan from CTC, alone or with my brother, Jose . On Sunday in Madrid I´ll see if this sacrifice has been worth while. I think that whatever happens on 25th April, it will have been useful since it has helped me to feel better and be in better shape. I´d like to thank Andy for allowing me to put my training diary on his website and to all of you who have read my boring reports and have supported and encouraged me to go on training and have also taught me a lot or advised me what to do. I´d also like to wish good luck to Suzie, who will be running at the same time at William Shakespeare´s birthplace, in Stratford-upon-Avon. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AMIGOS Y AMIGAS.

[El Gordo]

Antonio, we'll all be supporting you this weekend.

Your training reports have been great, and your English is almost faultless. I think we've all been charmed by your personality and your courtesy.

Your training seems to have gone well, and you've shown more dedication than me, so you deserve to have a great race. Who knows? You may yet squeeze into the Spanish marathon team for the Olympics in Athens.

I won't say more at this stage, other than to wish you luck, and hope that you have a great day. We look forward to reading your report.

(TIP: Don't feel obliged to write anything immediately after the race. Sometimes it takes a few days to get your thoughts straight after a marathon.)

Cheers

Andy

[Seafront Plodder]

I had had no doubt that your training would be thorough. You have been dedicated in your approach (unlike certain administrators) :p and deserve to do well.

Good luck.

Andy SP

[Antonio247]

Thanks a lot for your support and encouragement, amigos.

I´m leaving with my brother tonight by coach at 12am to get to Madrid at 7am. Then, we´re coming back by train on Sunday at 4.45pm to get to Almería at 11.30 pm. I expect to finish with time to get to the hotel, have a shower and go to the railway station. The marathon starts at 9.30 am on Sunday. I´ll have to run fast if I don´t want to miss the train.

Well, have a good time, my friends.

Greetings from Almería.

Antonio