Midnight Run

One month working from this desert island was too much for my running routines. I was missing a lot the feeling of running outdoors and my workouts at the gym did not satisfied me enough. Last night, I decided to give it a try and had a short run around the area I am staying. The idea was to check if my body could cope with the high temperatures here (even at night) and how I would react in general. I left my hotel room at midnight and came back having one of the most beautiful experiences I had during my time here.

It was only 6.5km and found very interesting places around the area. What is more important, the heat wasn't that painful and I would have stay longer if I would have taken some water with me! I enjoyed so much (only you runners know what I am talking about) that I already decided to run a new route tonight.

I will take the car after work and go to try what it is recommended in the map. It looks like big fun. Here I am, running in this warm island!

http://www.walkjogrun.net/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=C04F9FF6-96AC-1178-A9E8C4EF5876C863

I will be back in Helsinki during the weekend!

La soledad del corredor (en el gym también)

Unfortunately, I have to extend for 2 more weeks my stay in Bahrain. It is actually very good for my job; not for my running. I work long hours and I don't even think about going for a walk outdoor; it's just too hot in here.

I decided to change some routines and visit the gym as much as I can. Today I spent one hour and used the treadmill. It felt as usually: I hate it! Here are the numbers:

When I arrived to my workplace I found out that we have a new desk at the Zain Football Zone. They have a body composition analyzer for free! The guy promoting this service does not have much idea about it so I didn't care much of his recommendation. Nonetheless, I would appreciate your comments. Here we go:

Body Type: Standard
Gender: Male
Age: 27
Height: 167cm
Weight: 68.3kg
BMI: 25
BMR: 7390 kJ // 1786 kcal
Fat % 11.8
Fat Mass 8.2kg
FFM 61.4kg
TBW 44.8kg
Visceral fat rating 2


IMPEDANCE
Whole Body 492
Right Leg 215
Left Leg 222
Right Arm 249
Left Arm 253

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

Right Leg
  Fat % 11.7
  Fat Mass 1.4kg
  FFM 10.8kg
  Predicted Muscle Mass 10.3kg

Left Leg
  Fat % 13.1
  Fat Mass 1.6kg
  FFM 10.3kg
  Predicted Muscle Mass 9.8kg

Right Arm
  Fat % 12.9
  Fat Mass 0.6kg
  FFM 3.7kg
  Predicted Muscle Mass 3.5kg
Left Arm
  Fat % 13.3
  Fat Mass 0.6kg
  FFM 3.7kg
  Predicted Muscle Mass 3.5kg

Trunk
  Fat %11.8
  Fat Mass 4.4kg
  FFM 32.9kg
  Predicted Muscle Mass 31.6kg

DESIRABLE RANGE
FAT% 8-20
FAT MASS 5.4-15.4kg

I think it looks pretty good. Considering that 2 years ago, when I started running, I was 78.5kg :-)
Any comments?

From Bahrain with love

It has been over a month since I last posted on this blog. There are always good excuses, but I could have also sat down and write what was going on. After the great experience at the Helsinki City Run I spent two weeks in Spain. The first week in Madrid I went for a run three times, in three different places. The meeting with other bloggers was a fantastic experience that I hope you have again. Thank you guys, I loved it!

The following week I visited the family in Algeciras. I also run three days and realize how much pollution is in the area. It was very hard to breath properly and didn't enjoy the running as I usually do. One day, I visited the outdoor track and trained with my cousin who has been running since... always! He helped me with my technique and gave me very good tips.

Back in Helsinki I only had 4 days before going to deliver a service to Manama (Bahrain) where I am right now. I loved running again in Helsinki, perfect temperature and clean air. Here in Bahrain, I try to go to the gym as much as I can, but I work around 12 hours everyday and is not really possible. Running outside is not really gonna happen: the temperature here is around 40 to 45 ° C even at night time. Who would dare?

I will have more time to train for longer and better in Helsinki. Also for the planing for the races I want to join for the autumn.

Thaks for reading, habibis!

Helsinki City Run 2010: A journey to a new Personal Best

The last long run I logged before the HCR was on the 2nd of May. A 12km beautiful route with Nicole and Javi.

I didn't feel very well during the workout but managed to finish the run at a pace I would be happy to do on the Race Day! On the week of the race, I was thinking I won't manage to do a PB (Personal Best) considering my performance the days before but I was hoping to go under 2 hours. At least, better than last year for the same race.

All these feelings changed on the race day. I was really excited @ the Starting Line with Nicole and Javi, and became really ambitious. I started the race very fast, at a pace under 5'/km leaving Javi behind after 3km and Nicole a little bit later: I had to continue alone the rest of the race. After an hour I realized that I have done 12km and, if I continue this way, I would have a new PB. But the problems came after km14 when my pace was around 5'30''/km and didn't feel strong enough to continue as fast as at the beginning. Nonetheless, I knew that if I would keep this way, I would still do a good job. The pain and headache didn't go away but I was an "experience" runner who has logged more than 2000km and won't give up: At km18 I found some more energy (I don't know where it came from) and my pace came back to around and under 5'/km arriving at the Finishing Line better than I ever expected!

the Official results as follow:

Place: 1888
Race Number: 4039
Runner Name: Jose M. Sánchez
Club: Spain
Class: Miehet yleinen (Place on my class: 1136)
Official Time: 1h49'21''
Chip Time: 1h48'58''
Out of 14 000 runners!

This was my third half marathon, and we can compare the results with the previous one:

Helsinki City Run (HCR): May, 2009:  2h 03' 13' 

Stockholm Half Marathon (SHM): September, 2009: 1h 53' 02'

Helsinki City Run (HCR): May, 2010:  1h49'21'

When I did my first Half Marathon I thought I won't be a very fast runner and my times would be around 2 hours. For some reason, I thought it was not possible to improve your time much more. After these results, I feel I can reach whichever place I want to take my body to. As I read in your blogs: No soy un hombe, soy una puta máquina.

And in 2 days, to Madrid. ¿Sigue adelante la quedada?

This picture was taken from my home. The race pictures by Tero Tikkanen. The first picture by me.

8.4.2010

¡Me cago en la lluvia, en la nieve y en to' lo que se menea!

Four days to the Helsinki City Run and this is the weather in Helsinki:

This picture was taken 30 minutes ago from my kitchen window. Who can think of a PB (personal best) next Saturday when most-probably is going to be raining?

My training have been pretty OK with a major problem: I was ill for 3 days with 38.5° fever. I am also working a lot nowadays so I am constantly tired. I will try my best, I know I can arrive to the finish line but not confident enough for a PB.

Just glad that I will be in Spain soon, where no snow or rain will prevent me from having a beer in a terrace!