II San Silvestre Almería. 27th December 2009

[Antonio247]

On Saturday afternoon I picked up my race number and technical T-shirt at Escuela de Artes where there was a photo show about Almería athletics since it was its 90th anniversary. Manuel decided to enter and take part at this race, San Silvestre 2009, to be held on Sunday 27th December.

On Sunday evening Manuel and I went to pick up our chips at a stall near the Escuela de Artes near the Paseo de Almería, the town´s high street. There, I met Mario, who is a former pupil of mine, Antonio L. with his wife, etc. The day was fine. It had been sunny and the temperature was 19ª celsius. We were given a Father Christmas cap amd went to the start just outside Molly Malone´s . The atmosphere was great with a lot of spectators and many runners wearing the white T-shirt and the Father Christmas cap. Others dressed up with different costumes such as Cruzcampo beer men, gipsy woman, etc.

We had to go along a 3m course three times. We went down the paseo, up la Rambla as far as calle Murcia, down la Rambla as far as Rambla de Obispo Orberá, went along that avenue, got to Puerta de Purchena, Almería´s Piccadilly circus, and down again along Paseo de Almería. There were many people at the Paseo and la Rambla cheering.

Manuel decided to keep me company although he could have gone faster. As he felt hot, he took off his T-shirt and ran without it, wearing the race number in his shorts. Some people said : Come on, Tarzan! or some children told their parents : Look, that man is running naked.

The fact that Manuel came with me made me go a little faster than I would have. Every lap took me 16 minutes and a few seconds. So, it took me 48 minutes 40 seconds. The last hill at La Rambla seemed to me tougher but I managed to sprint in the last downhill at el Paseo where we passed a few runners. It looked strange not to be in the last positions like the last year and even see runners going up la Rambla when I was going down.

I think that if I go on training, especially some speed and longer runs on different days I could achieve an under two hour half marathon this year.

Well, I wish you all a very happy year 2010. Let all your aims be fulfilled !

WWW.aqueatacamos.com/sansilvestreALMERIA2009/subindex.htm

[ladyrunner]

Hi Antonio

This looks like another great race that is held in Almeria. Over here in England you don't usually see races when it is dark, we only have evening races in the Summer time.

I hope you manage your sub 2 hours for HM in 2010. I also hope that we get to see the 19 deg C temperatures when we come over at the end of the month - no rain hopefully.

Julie

[Antonio247]

Hi Antonio

This looks like another great race that is held in Almeria. Over here in England you don't usually see races when it is dark, we only have evening races in the Summer time.

I hope you manage your sub 2 hours for HM in 2010. I also hope that we get to see the 19 deg C temperatures when we come over at the end of the month - no rain hopefully.

Julie

Gracias, Julie.

In Spain it is widespread to have a race on the last day of the year, 31st December, San Silvestre´s festivity, or on the previous days. It´s a good way to celebrate the end of the year.

I wish the day of the half marathon were like today. It is a sunny day, with no wind, a temperature around 20º C. There are many people in the sea front strolling or doing sport and even some people sunbathing.

Best of luck in your first race of the year, Julie.

[Sweder]

Excellent running Antonio - what a lovely feeling, to see runners still struggling up la Rambla as you were flying down the other side! You're right; if you can manage three more weeks on this form 2 hours in the Medio Maratón will be within your grasp this year. Bravo amigo!

[Antonio247]

Excellent running Antonio - what a lovely feeling, to see runners still struggling up la Rambla as you were flying down the other side! You're right; if you can manage three more weeks on this form 2 hours in the Medio Maratón will be within your grasp this year. Bravo amigo!

Gracias, S. If I manage to keep on training and lose a few pounds after Christmas big meals and I´m lucky with injuries, I think I could do it under 2 hours.

Saludos desde Almería

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Well done Antonio. I'm guessing this was 9km rather than 9mi? Either way, a sub-2 hour half looks good. Best of luck!

[Antonio247]

Well done Antonio. I'm guessing this was 9km rather than 9mi? Either way, a sub-2 hour half looks good. Best of luck!

Gracias, MLCM. That´s right, just 9 km. By the way, we have run the same distance in a similar time. What a wonderful coincidence!

Saludos desde Almería

Antonio