Almeria 2010

[Antonio247]

Damn -- still two hauls up La Rambla. Small beer to the Sussexites (and not often you hear that phrase...); a bit more taxing for the Berkshire flat-earthers. Another difference between the two camps is the sight of the sea, which remains a rare treat for me. I always enjoy the glimpses of the Mediterranean in the race, on that stretch beneath the palm trees -- even if it is January.

I did look at the possibility of switching hotels to the new race one. It looks quite a nice place, and not expensive (about the same as the Tryp), but it's a bit further from the sea, and from the stadium, so probably nothing much gained. It's exactly 1 km from the Tryp. Suggest we have a reccie when we pick up the numbers and consider a move next year. It might be nearer the bright lights. (I still find it difficult to work out where things are in Almeria, despite having run and staggered drunkenly round its streets for a total of about a fortnight).

It's disappointing about the early start on Tuesday, but at least the main constituents are still in place, and as Sweder pointed out, it will give our families the pleasure of seeing us sooner than hoped, erm, expected.

All I need to do now is make myself feel like running my first half marathon distance since April....

A question Anlu -- is the pre-race meal in the Vincci as well?

Thanks for the link to the race course, S. I think that this course is better than last year. I also found the last hill along avenida del Mediterráneo and carretera de Sierra Alhamilla very dull and tiring.

The new hotel is quite near the Tryp hotel. It must be just 400 or 500 metres away. Both of them are very similar. If you prefer this one, you can change. I can cancel the prebooking. Actually, the hotel fare is a bit cheaper and the expo is in the same place.

As to the pre-race evening meal, there is no information so far. I´ve heard that due to the crisis, there may be no pasta meal, which would be great to have a better dinner in an Italian restaurant or to go and have some tapas in a few bars on Saturday evening.

As to the post race meal restaurant, I think that "El mesón de Sierra Morena", the one with the goat´s heads and pistols, is better situated, in case it is a windy or rainy day. Anyway, we may find a better one, perhaps nearer your hotel.

Antonio