XX Medio maratón de Almería 20th Almería half marathon

[Antonio247]

I've been told by the organisers today that Almería next half marathon will be held on Sunday 5th February. As it is its 20th anniversary they want to add some new surprises.

I hope the date will suit you all. 

Looking forward to meeting all of you interested in coming.


Saludos desde Almería

[Sweder]

I missed this, Antonio, thank you!
I'll spread the word.

[Antonio247]

Thanks a lot, S. It's hard to train here with the heat but I must start soon and lose some kilos.

[El Gordo]

Hurrah!!

I still plan to be there, though I've not mentioned it to the boss yet. (The domestic one.)

[Charliecat5]

I think this will work for me... just need to do a little negotiation at home (and start running again)

[Antonio247]

I hope that you both are successful with the negotations at home and can come to Almería next year.

[suzieq]

I still plan on coming; so sure hope the rest of you will be there! Thanks for the date info Antonio. Looking forward to a fun time in Almeria and seeing old friends.

[Antonio247]

Looking forward to meeting you in Almería and trying to be able to keep your pace and do a sub 2 hour half together, Suzie.

[El Gordo]

By my calculations, Almeria is 23 weeks from today. Crikey.

I'm starting to creak into something akin to action. If I actually manage to run in Almeria it will be a miracle. I look to Leicester City for inspiration.

Yesterday I got the rower out again and struggled to complete the standard 2000 metres row, I later added it to the online logbook for this season (starts 1 May, I think) and noted that yesterday's effort placed me (for my age group) at number 255 out of 256 worldwide. The fact that I wasn't last was a great encouragement. Things can only get better, to coin a phrase.

Losing about 35 pounds / 16 kg would be handy.

[marathondan]

This is very exciting, EG. How much do you need to improve to take down no. 254?

[El Gordo]

Hi Dan. Well, first the bad news -- my appearance must have spooked the world of grey-haired rowing as there are a few more entries now -- 263. But the good news is that one of the new entries is even worse than me, and has bumped me up to 261 out of 263. Looks like a spreadsheet job coming up to calculate percentage to track progress. Only 15 seconds to catch up the next few. My more usual average last season was about 08:50 if I remember correctly.

That said, I'm trying to avoid the speed trap -- it's not what I need at the moment. It's endurance I need to build. Did about 25 mins yesterday, and will aim to build up the stamina. About 30 mins a day would be a good target. maybe I'll do the 2000m once a week. It's a lot like running, with most training plans being a mixture of steady longer sessions and the occasional short, sharp speed sessions. You can adjust the resistance of course, so I guess that could be the equivalent of hills. But for the moment, it's trying to build some fitness.

Re the 2000m, if you're bored enough to want to check yourself you can go to: http://log.concept2.com/rankings/2017/rower/2000?age=50-59&weight=H&gender=M&status=verified

The URL explains the filters but they are:
2017 / 2000m / Indoor Rower / Weight: H | Gender: M | Ages: 50-59 | Country: All | Verified Results | Adaptive: No

---------------------------------
PS - sorry, I shouldn't hijack the Almeria thread with this stuff.

[Charliecat5]

Hi Dan. Well, first the bad news -- my appearance must have spooked the world of grey-haired rowing as there are a few more entries now -- 263. But the good news is that one of the new entries is even worse than me, and has bumped me up to 261 out of 263. Looks like a spreadsheet job coming up to calculate percentage to track progress. Only 15 seconds to catch up the next few. My more usual average last season was about 08:50 if I remember correctly.

That said, I'm trying to avoid the speed trap -- it's not what I need at the moment. It's endurance I need to build. Did about 25 mins yesterday, and will aim to build up the stamina. About 30 mins a day would be a good target. maybe I'll do the 2000m once a week. It's a lot like running, with most training plans being a mixture of steady longer sessions and the occasional short, sharp speed sessions. You can adjust the resistance of course, so I guess that could be the equivalent of hills. But for the moment, it's trying to build some fitness.

Re the 2000m, if you're bored enough to want to check yourself you can go to: http://log.concept2.com/rankings/2017/rower/2000?age=50-59&weight=H&gender=M&status=verified

The URL explains the filters but they are:
2017 / 2000m / Indoor Rower / Weight: H | Gender: M | Ages: 50-59 | Country: All | Verified Results | Adaptive: No

---------------------------------
PS - sorry, I shouldn't hijack the Almeria thread with this stuff.

Not wishing to burst a very impressive bubble... but isn't the Almeria a running race rather than a rowing one... or do I need to find some water and adjust my training schedule? 

   

[El Gordo]

Eh? Darn it. I felt there was something not quite right with my preparation, but couldn't put my finger on it.

Breaking news -- 248th out of 250 in the 30 minute row. That'll put the cat among the geriatric pigeons.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Eh? Well, doubtless there'll be sculling again at Almeria.

[Charliecat5]

Eh? Well, doubtless there'll be sculling again at Almeria.

Will you be coming to Almeria?

[El Gordo]

Eh? Well, doubtless there'll be sculling again at Almeria.

There will certainly be some out-of-skulling going on in Almeria...

[marathondan]

Well, either way, this is very exciting. A training plan, and it's being followed. Whether it's for the right sport or not is a minor technicality.

Running has spluttered to a halt for me. Mind and soul are elsewhere for now. It will return - there is a season for everything.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Eh? Well, doubtless there'll be sculling again at Almeria.

Will you be coming to Almeria?

I wasn't going to announce it quite yet as there's still a (very) slim chance of it happening, but as you've asked, no, I think it's extremely unlikely. We need several lights to be green and currently they are all red or at least amber.

Circumstances beyond our control, and all that. 

[Antonio247]

I'm very glad you're so motivated to run in Almería, EG. I'm sure that rowing will be very useful to strengthen your belly and arms, which will be helpful when you go for a run.

I started training last week. I'm going very slow but I'm feeling better.

looking forward to meeting here all you can come.

Saludos desde Almería

[El Gordo]

Hi Antonio. I'm not sure if "motivated" is the word. More like curiosity at the possibility of getting on my hind legs again. I've not really run for... phew -- 4 or 5 years? And I struggled then.

It's a rather negative attitude but I'm presuming that injury will get me long before February. But I'll see if I can make progress on the rower, and take it from there. I'm very fat at the moment. Crikey, this must be how SP feels all the time. If I can shed a few kilos and actually start to feel fitter, then who knows? I still plan to get to Almeria, even if I can't take part -- but I'll give it a go. It will be good to have another reunion.

Well done on getting back into action, pounding those Almerian pavements again.