Almería half marathon. 30th January 2006

[Antonio247]

Vera is just 93 kms from Almería. http://www.sol.com/en/modulo.asp?IdProvi...tenido=886

It is near Mojácar. Vera has large beaches, some of which naturist. From there you can go to many different places in the province of Almería or Murcía.

If you need any help for accommodation or anything else, just tell me.

As far as the race is concerned, I´m open to whatever you all decide on the strategy.

Regards

Antonio

[El Gordo]

Maybe.... maybe we should have a race.....?

[Seafront Plodder]

and I'll be happy just to go with the flow.

p.s. I get a head start because of my dodgy toe.

[Sweder]

A race . . . maybe that makes the weekend a little too serious?
Could be fun, but I can see myself pinging a hamstring up the 3K climb to the finish. I looked at the circuit layout the other day and I have to say it looks pretty tough (as opposed, say, to my local half in Brighton where the first 12 K is completely flat). Staring to get a little excited now, and intend to take it easy tomorrow on my 12 mile off-roader to avoid last minute injury

[suzieq]

I'm thinking you guys are used to running non-stop the whole time...I'm rather used to doing the run/walk thing. I run for 10 min., then walk one minute. A very nice way to do a race. And I usually finish around the 2:08 or 2:10 mark. But I'm willing to start off with the group and see how it goes...Andy, your pace sounds good!

I'm getting very excited and looking forward to meeting you all!

Suzie

[Antonio247]

Have a safe journey, Suzie. I was worried since I saw on TV that the weather in the States is terrible and there are problems at the airport. I hope it is OK in Canada and you can go to London and here without any difficulty.

I also like doing walking breaks, especially at the drink stations. I´ve found that by taking one minute walk, you feel much better and with new energy to go on.

I´m also looking forward to meeting you all on Saturday.

Saludos desde Almería Greetings from Almería

Antonio

[Antonio247]

This morning I did a part of the half marathon course. I started at Sierra de Alhamilla road, just opposite the block of flats where I live at km 2.5. It was a sunny day. The temperature indicators showed 11º Celsius at the shade and 14º at the sunshine. I followed the course along this road to cross carretera de Ronda and get to the Rambla. Here it is a little uphill as far as where we have to turn back. There, I met two fellow runners, Felipe and Mario, who were going down the Rambla after having reached the end- a further half a kilometre – which is not a part of the course. I went down this avenue with them. We talked about the half marathon next Sunday, which they are also going to take part in it. Felipe is also a teacher of English at a secondary school and Mario is a serviceman in a camp near Almería where there is a base of legionnaires. Actually, a lot of military people usually take part in this race.

We took the sea front which is parallel to avenida Cabo de Gata because there´s no traffic and the view is much better. We saw some people running but fewer than usual. There were many people strolling and others sitting at the cafés. We got to avenida del Mediterráneo. Here it is where the last three kilometres uphill starts but it isn´t really hard. They´re nearly flat. However, they may look tougher after 18 kms. In the half marathon, we have to go back to the Rambla uphill and downhill to get there again in order to get to the finish. So, we went along that avenue and took another avenue instead of taking carretera de Sierra Alhamilla since it has very little traffic. Then, we got to Camino de la Goleta to get to the stadium. I couldn´t keep their pace the last kilometre. When I got to the stadium about one minute later, they were stretching. I also stretched a little. Then, Felipe asked the man at the gate how we would get to the track at the half marathon. He was very friendly. He spoke with an Argentinian or Uruguayan accent. He told us that he used to train two or three years ago but he had an injury in the abductor muscle because he had done a big effort when he was taking part at a race.

Then, we went on along the first kilometre of the half marathon. I decided to go along the original course while they went back to the sea front. I got to my starting point- km. 2.5 in 78´. Then, I completed 80 minutes and stretched again outside my block of flats. I guess I did in all around 12 kilometres. I did it better than I expected since I haven´t managed to train much lately due to illness or injury.

[El Gordo]

Suzie - I emailed you yesterday with my contact details. Let me know if you don't get the mail.

Antonio - I'm going to hire a car. Have booked to collect one at the airport. It will make the journey to Almeria with all the bags more comfortable, and gives us more options for the rest of the week. We can decide on details at the weekend. Can you remind me - am I booked into the hotel for Monday night as well?

Cheers

Andy

[Antonio247]

Andy, I booked the hotel for all of you Saturday and Sunday night. If you want me to book a room for another night, just tell me. However, the price on Monday night would be more expensive, 4 vouchers, that is, 100 euros instead of fifty at Hotel Torreluz **** but that day would include the car park. Anyway, there are other possiblities for that night. For instance at Hotel Torreluz ***, it would be 75 euros including breakfast for two people. It is opposite Hotel Torreluz ****. It is a little bit less comfortable.

Regards

Antonio

[Antonio247]

We´ll have the great honour of being overtaken by Haile Gebreselassie next Sunday.

http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/iframes/news/main.htm



Although it isn´t mentioned the place where he is going to have the fitness test, it will be here in Almería as you can see in this piece of news.

http://www.marca.es/edicion/noticia/0,24...79,00.html

[El Gordo]

Overtaken? No need to be so negative Antonio. With a couple of good sessions before the weekend, I might just be ready to take the fellow on at last. He'll know he's been in a race - that's for sure.....

[Sweder]

If he overtakes me I'll be gutted . . . presuming he starts up front that means we're being lapped, and that's just not cricket . . .

[Seafront Plodder]

and that's just not cricket . . .

Well thank god for that then.

[El Gordo]

Hey Antonio, what's this I hear about it snowing in Spain at the moment?

[Sweder]

Yeah, minus 15 in central Spain . . . que passa Amigo?

[Sweder]

I've wafted my seaweed out of the window (and accessed the BBC Weather website). Almeira shows Sunshine through Saturday with a little cloud on Friday. I'll un-pack my ski suit then . . .

[Antonio247]

Don´t worry, amigos. There´s a polar cold wave in Spain but mainly in centrl Spain and in the range of mountains. Here it is a bit cold, around 12º Celsius but it is sunny today. According to the weather forecast, the weather will improve on Friday. Apparently, next weekend will be sunny. I can tell you that I´ve never seen snow falling down in Almería. Anyway, you should bring a coat or jacket and a sweater but you might also feel like having a swim in the Mediterranean sea if you´re lucky with the weather.

http://www.weather.com/activities/travel...d=SPXX0009

Hasta pronto See you soon


Antonio

[Riazor Blue]

I hope the RC team has a great time in Almería. Enjoy it.

Regards... Bitter and Twisted (La Coruña)

(mutter, mutter..grumble, grumble)



PS... Ryanair Start Stanstead to Santiago in April, Sleazyjet are supposed to start Luton to Coruña in March.

Perhaps we can organize one up north next year.

[Sweder]

I think its just as well you're not joining us in Almeira
Judging by your recent performance you would need several books to read waiting for the rest of us to finish . . .

I for one would love to run in the North.
I have been to La Coruna (I worked in Vigo for one month - great seafood!) and would really like to go back again.

[Antonio247]

It´s very cold today, maximum 10º Celsius. I even saw sleet here in Almería. It is really unusual. I was in class at about 2.30 pm and the students noticed the sleet. So, we all went to have a look at it out of the window. It was surprising because it was sunny. So, when we all left school at 2.45 pm, everybody was smiling since we aren´t used to it. it looked like fluff falling down. Anyway, the weather forecast for the weekend seems to be much better, sunny and warmer than today.