So lets find it...or another as good as it!

Yesterday night...
we were about to go for dinner with Dom and Linda, in my last "going out" night in Amsterdam... and we should take the tram coz my bike was not there anymore...

I go right now for a wander in the 2 or 3 most known "black bike markets" here...anyway I am in Amsterdam... I am confident on finding good staff for leaving...tomorrow (!!!????)

Ey...sun has always kept on shining...it will do for longer.

(Not really) Running in Amsterdam

I did not manage to do it.
From the sports point of view it was really disappointing: actually my body has not presented so far any sign of having run 42,195 km.
And I did. It took me 3h36min and a few more seconds.
But I did not run. Not in the way I could have run. Not as I wanted to run.

I started confident and quiet, not impressed by the fact of being in the Olympic Stadium or either for facing the first great deal of my journey. I knew that I was very able to do it in less than 3h. I had actually fixed a target time of 2h40 min when inscribing me the last afternoon at the sporthallen.
No hesitation or weird sensation.

Not even when the race started.
Everyone around me set up their chronometers. I bet I was the only one ready to run without a single watch.

The shot was off. 20 seconds later the race was beginning for me.
I instinctively took care of taking a proper path to install my rhythm with no disruption.
It was done after one km.
One 330ml bottle of water mixed with lime juice and honey in the right hand and my first sport gel in the left one.

The goal was not forcing for the first 25 km, keeping a rate of 4min per km, isolating me of others runners’ rhythm and breathing, and taking care of well hydrating me.
Then I would taste the gel and will check my sensations when increasing speed.

The scoreboard displayed 20 min at km 5.
40 min at km 10.
1h at km 15.
I drank the bottle between km 7 and km 13.
I took a glass of isotonic drink at km 15.

I began to feel like going to the toilet at km 17.
I passed km 20 with a few more seconds over 1h21.
I went to the toilet 500 meters farther. Well not exactly toilets… lets say “natural” toilets.

And I began to felt like running faster as I felt much lighter.
But I still prevented myself from speeding up.
I felt fine.

1 km later I sensed a sudden pain in my right tendon as I put my foot on the floor.
I tried to keep my mind awake but saying to me that it came from a wrong step and that it would probably disappear a few steps later as sometimes have already happened to me while training.
So I kept on running attending to recover the good mood.
200 meters later my mind was scarred face the idea of stopping from running as the pain was enhancing.

How could it be possible?
Would I drop out of the first of the clues events of my journey without having given anything out of me?
I had run more even in my last windy up-tempo training -at the same rate of 4 km per minute- one week ago, when I had had worse sensations at the beginning.

I could not quit. Not like that.
I had to try anything.

The target time had become a rear shadow in my thoughts.
I stopped for giving a massage to my foot…It was completely blocked. I could hardly spread it out in any direction.
Anyway, I sought to warm it up before putting the shoe on again.
I attempted to run… I could barely do three steps.
I stopped again. The idea of crying came to my mind.
I tightened the shoelace.
I tried to put the foot on the floor again.
I could not.

I was about to crying.
Would it be the finish not only of the Amsterdam’s marathon but of my journey?

A flash lighted up my mind.
I was suddenly taking both of my shoes off.
I could put the rigid right foot on the floor.
I managed to move in a rude way but faster than walking.
At the beginning the fear kept on my mind as I was about to put the right foot at every step.
500 hundred meters I was “running” on my heels.
1 km later I realized that I could finish the marathon.


No matter how long it would take me.
I had to finish.

I remember having lightly considered the idea of giving up as a reasonable possibility that would assure the continuance of the journey.
I then thought that if the pain did not deepen, the injury would be the same…so I had to try to hold on.
Why?
Because the pursuit of this journey is also about finding and overcoming limits.
I found one, I overcame it and now I am trying to take advantage of it and to act in the proper way to prevent it to appear again.

I did not care anymore for the time. I was ready to spend three, four, or whatever hours would be necessary to reach the finish.

I certainly did not run. That was not running.
Was it worth?

Definitively yes.

What for?
Because of the boost of Mikael and Phuonge when they saw me running with the shoes in my hands at km 25.
For my reaction when I saw Mikael, pulling the chip off the right shoe with my teeth and throwing both of the shoes to him.
For people clapping and encouraging me as they realized I was running in socks.
For the support by runners who passed me over.

For the more than 2 km of non stopping yells by Marie and Phuonge.
For my boosts to the runners that could not stand anymore.

For the almost 20 km that Mikael biked alongside my path. For his socks.

For the smiles in my face every time I thought about the real possibility of having run in 2h40.
For the hidden tears behind my eyes every time I ideated the arrival to the Stadium as well as for the grins following these menacing tears.
For the long yell I shouted at Voendelpark at km 40.

For the 2h16min free traffic, barefoot Sunday morning wander in Amsterdam.
For those last 2 km alongside the Italian runner: our talk, his words when arriving to the stadium:
- It is an honor to finish this marathon with you.
My right hand holding his right hand with 10 meters to go.

For these 3h36 mark: a really bad personal sportive performance but a worth experience to balance myself…as well as to tighten the bottom of my feet.

For this guy who had been overtaking me alternatively for the last 10 km, looking for passing his admiration to my accomplishment.


I did not even stretch after crossing the line. I could not put the foot on the floor anymore after having stopped at the arrival but I had no impression of having covered the distance. Not at all.

I headed straight to the massage hall –well I was carried there by Regis and Mikael on a bike.

I had no more chance of stretching as after having spent two hours at the cross red post -without anybody who dared to touch my foot- the ambulance came to bring me to the hospital.
Neither there anybody considered worth to touch it.
After letting me have a 1 h nap, the doctor told me that nothing was broken –nothing! What a pity! May I come back home running please…?

The thing is that 4 hours after the end of the race I had already recovered a little of mobility on the foot: I was not able of turning it horizontally but I could move it 3 cm up and down.
So I was fine for the specialist.

They let me wash my feet.
Then Fernando, Maria and Andoni arrived to the hospital with my belongings…so I eventually asked for having a shower…and I took it.



I was going out of the hospital at 7 p.m., with the foot almost as tight as 6h before but having taken a long quiet shower without any runner bothering me around.
I was not aware of this special service of Dutch hospitals.

They did not even ask me for any piece of identity or made me sign any form.

Amsterdam by ambulance and some radios for free.
Maybe it was the special award to the winner of the barefoot category. i can not believe that anyone else barefoot arrived before me...Did I really win?

I have begun my own treatment from Monday morning: ice bath and massages.


The foot has been recovering its mobility gradually and even if I still feel a slight pain on the foot I can walk normally and the most important thing, I can bike without any trouble.

Of course I would like to have any specialist advice before coming back to the route for taking the training again in a proper way that ensures my success in Mumbai.

I am waiting for the advice of the organization –Yvonne again…

I have also begun the quest of the right shoes for my feet.
I am sure they are the origin of my pain. I guess that they made me put the foot on the floor in a no natural way that hurt me.
Florian, I feel really sorry but I am afraid that I could not put them on anymore.
But I will keep the soul of your gift with me, as I have done so far:
I will not drop at all.

“Tiembo larg' pas!!!“

Thursday morning; plenty of others things to fix…
The phone subject, the Europe’s forum, plugging all the videos, the post-marathon analyzes –if I can afford them-, as well as the advice of Andrea about my foot…

And a little visit to the Albert Cuyp market for looking for some staff for my bike.

I will leave Amsterdam not later of Saturday morning.
I have to confirm my hosts on the way to Berlin.
Looking for being there on the last week end of October…

Noche de vispera

12 menos cuarto.
Sábado noche.

Le queda un suspiro al primer cuenco del arroz a la pasta regado con salsa soja y pimienta.
Energía.


Al principio ha costado aguantarlo pero el baño de agua helada está empezando a obrar bien en mis pies. El tormento transitorio es el preludio de la perseguida calma.
Relajación.


“Ey Javi,
What time do I have to wake you up?
Sleep well
Greetzz Mareille”

Mareille, mi anfitriona desde ayer noche.
Me recibió con una sabrosa paella –culpa de Manu.
Cuando vuelva de su currelo de fin de semana me preparará el desayuno y me despertará.
Qué buena!
Desayuno consistente: manzana y plátano troceados y servidos con pasas, todo calentito, en una papilla de copos de avena.
Energía.

1536.
Por fin inscrito.
Esta tarde, en el forum montado para la ocasión en las cercanías del estadio Olímpico.

Fue punto de encuentro.
Con Fernando –ese cuerdo Loko!-, y Oscar- su compañero de piso en Luxemburgo.
Y con Maria y Andoni –dos de mis ángeles guardianes dondequiera que estoy-, recién aterrizados de Madrid.

A correr ellos.
A apoyar ella.
A celebrar la “xxxxxtena” de Anduan todos juntos.
Cómo nos lo montamos… qué mejor forma de dar el salto, eh!?
Energía!

Apoyo.
Como el de FiX y Damien.
Phuonge –ma Regine!-, y Mikael –allí y aquí, qué grande eres San Juanero iluminado.

Y Marie y Regis. Dos ángeles más de esos que se me cruzan por ahí desde hace tiempo.
Si! Tesis (casi) acabada. Todos están aquí…hasta el sr. Tradora.

No son los únicos.
Tengo un paquete que no para de desfilar en el departamento "flashes" de mi cabecita, ahora, mientras escribo, aumentado la intensidad de ese sentimiento que, como espuma de olas en noche serena, gana terreno en mi playa interior. Vaivén de olas, que da vida al agua espumosa, que se posa, que se queda, nueva y fresca, y que monta hacia arriba atraída por la luna que, llena de pensamientos y sentimientos, de todo es testigo y directora.

En especial Peter y Fátima. Felicidades. Y más.
Energía!

La carrera empieza a las 10h30…y podré salir entre los primeros! Había que intentarlo.
Antes de inscribirme esta tarde, pregunte por alguno de los responsables de la organización.
Casualidad. O no.
Yvonne Calf.
Fue ella quien había respondido a mi primer e-mail del 1 de Agosto.
Fue también el destinatario del segundo hace una semana. Sin respuesta. Normal.
Hoy se ha acordado de mí en cuanto me he presentado...

Ningún problema.
Toda simpatía.
Inscripción gratuita.

Bien Javi, bien.
“Subidon”.
- Dank u wel Yvonne.
Más energía.

El segundo cuenco esta casi finiquitado.
Este sin soja. Con Ketjap Manis –a saber…

Deben ser algo más de las 12.
Todavía quedan cosillas por ultimar. La ropa, la bebida, el gel…

El agua ya no esta mas fría que mis pies.

Las 6.30 llegaran pronto.
Papilla a las 7.30, tras el ultimo estiramiento.
A las 9.30 encuentro con Andoni & CIA.

Regis y Marie se juntaran con Maria a las 10 al principio del recorrido, fuera del estadio.

10.15, hora limite para formar filas en el interior.

10.30 pistoletazo.
42,195 Km. por delante.

- Encantado de volver a correrte.
- Un placer.
- El placer es mío.

La 1.
Hoy escribo en español. Por primera vez.
Por vosotros.
Después de la carrera, con Andoni, os volveré a llamar.
Gracias por los 20 minutos de esta mañana; después de 2 semanas, mucho tiempo. Lo siento.
A ver si arreglo lo del teléfono…y a ver si vosotros os atrevéis de una vez por todas con el Internet.

Para poder teneros más cerca.
Para haceros llegar a vosotros también todo ésto.

Que me sintáis.
La misma fuerza que yo siento.
La que me hace avanzar, crecer. Y crecer.
Desde que me hicisteis.

Energía, y más…

Having lunch 3 days before the race

Pates with mixed potatoes, rode kool, pepper, basil and soya sauce. Brown bread. Water with ment and lime.

48 minutes of speed workout repetitions at 10 a.m. this morning right after getting up. 40 minutes of active isolate stretching, sit-ups -a few more than 100-, crunches – the same- and push-ups –idem.

It is half past 3 now -15:36.
I am eating while giving my feet a cold water bath. My tendoms seem to go much better.

Wow! The pepper is hot!
No ice left to put inside the bath today.
Wow!-is really hot!.


I am back. One more slide of bread and another glass of water.

The left foot is now getting its cold but relaxing bath.

Sabina’s voice is charming the atmosphere of the living room.
Maaika has a lot of surprising Spanish music. Even a 3CD compilation by...the Chichos!.
And the CD by Sabina that is enfolding my lunch and these words.
It must be his last one, because I had not heard any of these songs before. But they are the same biting lyrics. I like them.

All this music is probably the consequence of one of those enjoyed inter exchanges that makes a holidays worth. I guess that it is what happened this summer in Zarautz.
She loves surfing.
Cadiz, Maaika, Cadiz. Vete pa Tarifa que ademas los gaditanos son majisimos.


I should take a nap, but I could not do it before 17:30.

After lunch I have to come back to the internet center to check the instructions of Francois for reaching him tonight in Amstelveen around 7 p.m.
I will spend the night at his place and I will try to take adventage for the first time this week of the free internet connection and his computer, to refresh the website and download all the photos and videos – the memory cards are full since Sunday.

Sabina has left the stage.

Francois is a good friend of Mikael...who will come to Amsterdam next Friday, yes! With Phuonge.
As Marie and –I really wish it- Regis, who will arrive on Saturday.
One month ago I could still share with both of them meals, coffee, laundry, talks, laughts, hopes and thoughts. A lot of work –Regis acaba esa tesis antes del Sabado!-, lots of fun and good feelings.
Saturday they will be here!
Direct support and joy for me. For all of us.

Eager to having all of them again.

I have also to prepare my belongings to move again. And to wash the dishes...

So if I do fast I could eventualy have a rest between 5.30 and 6 p.m.

We went to bed at 3 a.m. yesterday night. The Maaika’s rowing club party was nice.


Even if I did not dare to dance too much with my flip-flops and only drank 3 beers – for a ,5 bottle of acuarius and 1l of water... even being at a Oktober’s fest remake- I finally met plenty of friendly and interesting people:
Susanne,

Alex,


Nienke...


some of which I hope to see again before leaving–Alex, Nienke?

I will never manage to have this nap.
I have to start to contact people for hosting me in my way to Berlin! Depending on my feelings after the marathon, I wish to leave on Wednesday to try to take advance over the low temperatures in Central Europe.
Anyway I have asked Marie to bring me some a pull and some shocks.

I will bike almost all the time in the next month of travel, running only for the training.
The next official marathon will take place in January at Mumbai...but I will run alone the original one between Marathon and Athens one month before –maybe on December 24th.

The marathon.

My feelings are much better than they were last week.
The speed workout has gone quite fine I think. Tomorrow I will do some strides and drills and Saturday will be day off...excepting for the wandering up and down Amsterdam.

I would like to take some time to detail in which my trainings have consisted of so far. Even if most of people who eventually would read these posts will never run a marathon, I believe that some of these exercises should be useful for them if they eventually go for a running or even if they are looking for a way of feeling physically and menthal healthier and more relaxed.

Hope to talk about it before Sunday.

As for the diet… I have been completly autodidacte so far –and I guess that not really straigh, not because of having eaten wrong food but because I think that I have sometimes overeaten.
I ignore completely whether my way of acting has been appropriate or not. I don’t feel bad at all but maybe I could feel even better.
If I can afford to pay for some more analyzes after the race, Andrea could elaborate a planing more specific to my needs, not only for the training but also for the diet.


16:34, time to check my inbox.
I am still waiting for an answer from the Amsterdam Marathon organisation team to my free inscription request. Last call for inscription is 30 minutes before the race...