Almería Half Marathon, 28 Jan 2007

[Antonio247]

Congratulations, Paul! You seem to be very motivated. That´s great.

Good luck at Stockport!

Saludos desde Almería

[PaulK]

Antonio Muchos Gracias

The weather in England is horrrible at the moment, everybody is stuck indoors, can't wait to get to the milder climate of Almeria.
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Stockport is a very demanding course with three significant climbs, I'll let you know how I get on.

Paul

[Antonio247]

I´m looking forward to your report on Stockport, Paul. Best of luck, again.

The weather here is OK. Around 20º Celsius and sunny but in the north of Spain it´s raining a lot and it is windy.


Regarding the accomodation in Almería on the half marathon weekend, I telephoned these hotels this morning and I was given this information:

Hotel NH Ciudad de Almería **** ( next to the new railway and coach station ). It is only 500 metres from the Rambla. It is a new hotel.

Double room for one or two people 65 € + 7% VAT on Saturday and Sunday and 103 € on Monday + 7% VAT. Breakfast is not included.
http://www.nh-hotels.com/portal/page?_pa...0060000000

Gran Hotel Almería **** ( next to the Rambla and port ). In the city centre.

Special offer. Each night 60 €. VAT included. Breakfast is not included.

http://www.sercotelhoteles.com/hoteles-a...rellas.htm


Regards

Antonio

[Sweder]

Cape Town weather report - hot, hot, hot.

[PaulK]

Hi Guys

Weather in the UK is good at the moment, cool and sunny, just been for a run through our local woods it was fantastic.

Antonio what temperatures are we looking at on the morning of the race?

Paul

[El Gordo]

Don't know the temperature but this year it was cold and windy, and the rain bucketed down all through the race. Among the worst race conditions I've experienced. Last year it was dry but windy, and pretty cool. It's pot luck really. For several days AFTER the race last year, it was sunny and even warmish.

[Antonio247]

As Andy says these two last years, the weather on the race day was not

good. Actually, it was colder than usual. The average temperatures at the

end of January are usually quite mild. In fact, this year on one week before

the half marathon I went for a swim after a long run because it was a

wonderful sunny day. The temperature was around 18º-20º Celsius but the

water was very cold. Lte´s hope this year the race day is sunny and warm

for a change.

Here today it is not cold. It was 16º Celsius this evening when I went for a

run along the avenida del Mediterráneo although it was a little windy.


Regards

Antonio

[PaulK]

Cheers Guys

Got Stockport 10 in the morning and the weather is forecast is bleak, once you get going it won't make a lot of difference.

Paul

[Antonio247]

Hola, Paul

How did Stockport go? Did you have a good time?

Saludos desde Almería

Antonio

[PaulK]

Hola Antonio
As predicted weather was wet and windy, which made the going a bit tough, I was pleased with my time 1.07.41. There are three significant hills on the course the last one at 9 miles. I hit the 9 mile marker around 59.40 , the last hill did it's damage so it was a slow jog in on the last mile. Legs a little sore today, so it is a day of rest then back training tomorrow.

take care

Paul

[PaulK]

Guys

Another running pal is asking is there a good website for events in spain, he like me wants to get involved in other races around the region. He is gutted about Almeria he comes out the day after.

Paul

Antonio I don't know if you have a site

[Antonio247]

Hola, Paul

Congratulations on your excellent race. Have a well deserved rest now!

In Spain, the best running website is http://WWW.carreraspopulares.com
In it you can get a lot of information on different events and a very good forum. Another one is http://WWW.todofondo.com with information on many events mainly in this area.

Regards

Antonio

PS. Anyway, if any of you need some information on races in this area, I´d be glad to advise you. Is he coming to Almería half too? If he is, he is also welcome.

[PaulK]

Antonio

Muchos Gracias

Paul

[Antonio247]

I´ve just seen some new information on the official accommodation for the half marathon.

http://www.mediomaratonalmeria.com/

Click " Información general " and then "alojamiento", which means accommodation. I´ll try to fix it here.

Alojamiento

AGENCIA DE VIAJES OFICIAL:

HALCÓN VIAJES
General Tamayo, 12. 1º
04004 Almería

TELÉFONO: 950 261642
FAX: 950 269050
WEB: halconviajes.com


PERSONA DE CONTACTO PARA RESERVAS: Marco Checa
E-mail: marcocheca@halcon-viajes.es

A continuación se detalla la oferta HOTEL RECOMENDADO POR LA ORGANIZACIÓN:



HOTEL TRYP INDALO ****






- Precios por habitación y noche, IVA incluido.
- La Media Pensión incluye cena buffet, con agua y vino.

FORMA DE PAGO:

1.- Transferencia a la entidad CAJAMAR al nº de cuenta: 3058 0000 47 2720053403
2.- Indicándonos un nº de tarjeta, titular y fecha de caducidad, autorizándonos por escrito a hacer el cargo de la cantidad correspondiente.





It is the same hotel some of you stayed in this year. Hotel Tryp Indalo.




Greetings from Almería

[Antonio247]

As a Christmas gift, the English version of Almería half marathon has appeared.

I´d like to thank Nigel a lot for his help with the correction of my poor translation so that it looks real English. I´d also like to thank Andy RC, who in spite of not speaking Spanish, helped me with some expressions.


http:// http://www.mediomaratonalmeria.com

FELIZ AÑO NUEVO HAPPY NEW YEAR


Antonio

[El Gordo]

After a bit of prompting from Ash, I've booked in at the.....


[INDENT]TRYP INDALO ALMERIA[/INDENT][INDENT]
AVDA MEDITERRANEO 310
ALMERIA ES 04001
Phone: 34 950 183400

Check in: Saturday, January 27, 2007
Check out: Tuesday, January 30, 2007

3 Night(s)
1 Room(s); STANDARD ROOM. 1 PERSON. BREAKFAST INCLUDED - OUTSIDE ROOM, VERY SPACIOUS AND WITH HI-SPEED

Rate per Room per Night: €58.50
[/INDENT]

--------

This rate includes breakfast. It's 53 euros without breakfast, which is slightly more than it says on the official half marathon website, but it seemed like a simpler way of entering than faxing confirmation and all that malarkey.

If you Google Tryp Indalo Almeria you'll find various ways of booking a room. I used this one:

http://www.spain-hoteles.com/almeria/alm...lmeria.htm

-----------

This is the hotel we stayed in in 2006. It's further out than the place we had the first year, but it's modern and slick, and it's where the race VIPs stay, so we should be there......

Bad news that SP won't be there this year. His legendary film-making skills will be sorely missed.

Andy

[Sweder]

Thanks for the easy link Andy.
I'm booked in and eagerly anticipating a rendezvous with the delightful Ms Laroupe. Perhaps we can warm up in the lobby again

Speaking of lobbies, I'm reminded of a (slightly late and fairly poor) seasonal bon mot with links to the chess playing community. With apologies to all:

A number of keen chess-players gathered in the lobby of a large hotel. They talked long and loud about past victories when the manager appeared and bid them leave the hotel.

'But why?' asked one taken aback player.
'Because I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer.'

Sorry :o

[El Gordo]

Chess? A sore point. At least peteward turned up for a game.

Miserable buggers.......

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Chess? A sore point. At least peteward turned up for a game.

Miserable buggers.......

Tried twice to register with that chess thing and neither time could get a password. I think they're on to me

[Sweder]

I'll 'fess up and say I didn't try.
I had hoped to sneak in a bit of basic training first but that went the way of all flesh in the avalanche of Christmas madness. Sounds like there's been a few technical hitches so perhaps just as well :o

BTW anyone had a go at the album cover quiz on the Planet Rock website yet?
Its murder. I got 39 so far and 'hunches' on a couple more . . .