Good start

Today I will recover on my favourite topics: running. Autumn is a good time for runners, especially in a city like Barcelona as many of the popular races begin. In summer it is difficult to train with the heat and it is impossible to take part in a race because is too warm. When autumn starts, you see all runners back to the path.

When I started running seriously I used to take part in many races. However, in past years I have reduced my calendar to four main races: the Cursa de la Tardor, the Cros of Sants, the race of Sant Anton and the half marathon of Barcelona. I run them for different reasons: the first one because there are not many people and when you finish they give you a delicious sausage sandwich. The second one because is the race of my neighbourhood and I pass near home and I like the route. The third one because it was the first I ever ran in my life and the fourth one because I still haven’t achieved my aim. 

My calendar started I few days ago with la Cursa de la Tardor. It was my third time and I was hoping to do as good as last year when I ran near 46 minutes. Before I started I met Pablo former Espanyol Academy coach and a cousin of my mother in law. It was nice to see them.

I started back in the bunch but soon I got near the front. I looked my watch and I saw that I was going fast for what I am used to. This is a very hard race, with continuous ups and downs and even though it starts early it can be quit hard. I wondered if I would be able to keep the rhythm until the end. Jéssica and Mercedes, my mother in law cousin, helped a lot during the race with their support. 

I passed the 5 kilometres under 22 minutes and I started to think I would be able to finish under 45', something really nice for me in such a difficult race. I knew the second lap would be hard and I decided to join a pair of athletes that were running a bit slower than me but I thought it will be good to reach the final kilometre with more energy.

In the end all came out as I planned and I was able to finish in 44 minutes 15 second my personal best. Two minutes better than last year and nearly four than the year of my debut. I was really happy, exultant. I knew I was fit but I didn’t expect to do as well. After the 10 kilometres I really enjoyed my butifarra sandwich. I think I deserved it. 

The Cros of Sants is my new race. I don’t want to get obsessed with time but I am thinking that I will try to finish near 44 minutes. I know it is difficult but I have to try to keep these good sensations. Don’t worry, I will let you know.

My first year

Today, 8 of December, my blog celebrates its first year. This was a project that I started because Ben Cardew told us to in an English course I did last year. I remember that when he told me in our previous interview that he was thinking of this activity, I said it would be great.

I have always wanted to write a blog. I like writing. That is one of the things I do for living. However, normally, I always write about the same things and I get a bit tired. As a journalist, I think that there are a lot of subjects, news... to write about and give my point of view.

When Ben told us to start the blog I thought it was great. First, because, as I said, I like writing. And, in second place, and probably more importantly, because it was in English. For some years now, I have been looking for the way to keep practising my English. I try to listen to the news every morning, I watch series in English and I try to read book as well. I know I am able to hold a conversation with anybody that speaks English, but I also know I do some mistakes. That is the reason I try to improve and get better.

After a year, I think I can be happy. First of all, because I have been able to write a few posts (except in summer) and I try to keep updated my blog. Sometimes I have ideas when I am running, but then I forget about them. The good thing about it is that I have plenty of time to improve and it is a new challenge. One of my doubts to get more visits it’s to twitter or facebook my posts... I am sure that I would get more visits as I did when I started, but it is not my aim. What I really want is to keep writing in English and trying to improve every day. I know I don’t have many fans, but don’t worry: I promise I will keep updating my blog and writing about my running thoughts or anything that I consider important.