10/10/10 A day at the races

Buenos Aires city Marathon 2010, Argentina

Round trip from Palermo Park through down town, La Boca and Buenos Aires port area.

04:00AM at home:

Time to wake-up, I look through the window. There is a peace in the city in those early hours.

Temperature: 15ºC, humidity: 85%

Today will be a beautiful day to run. Sunrise at 6:18am.

My goal for today: to finish the race within the limit time (6 hrs).

07:00AM near to starting line:

More than 6500 eager athletes with their blue T-sheets run around the starting point area.

I decided to just walk in order to save my limited energies.

Final checkup: bib in my chest, chip in the right shoe, my watch in 00:00:00, digital camera into belt bag, cap and sunglasses. All seems to be OK.

07:30AM on a sunny day:

7 minutes/km will be my speed for the first part of this race.

10..9..8 …. 4-3-2-1. START !!!!

I begin to move slowly. Still remaining more than 42kms to finish.

Km10: The street is packed with enthusiastic runners. Already left Palermo Park and now entering to down town.

Km20: I started to feel a bit tired.

Km30: I´m next to return to Palermo Park area. SHINISOOOO ….!!!

I cannot move my legs. I wondering what I´m doing here. Suddenly an internal voice say me

“WHAT ??? Come on !!! Finish is your only fucking option !!!

Okay, Okay, I will continue but I will not win the race this time, I reply laughing.

Km40: Don´t stop me now, Freddy !!!! I cry. I think I'm going crazy.

Km42: at a distance of 195 meters I can read “LLEGADA” (arrival)

It seems that finally the sponsor of this race will be right, “Impossible is nothing”

Finish point: I make sure to step on the arrival carpet. My net time is recorded.

Somebody hang the finisher medal in my neck and say me “felicitaciones !!” (congratulations).

“Gracias” (thank you) I answer with a smile on my face

02:00PM at home again:

After enjoying a refreshing shower, I'm reading the newspaper while cooking my lunch

(steak, potatoes and red wine). Hardly can move my body but as a friend once told me

Pain is temporary, Pride forever

Remark:

The result of this race: Men 1.- Rodrigues (BRA) 2:17:31

2.- Bastos (BRA) 2:17:41

3.- Elias (BRA) 2:18:28

Women 1.- Chacha (ECU) 2:37:16

2.- Pereira (BRA) 2:39:09

3.- Romero (CHI) 2:40:02

My time ?? Well, let me check my watch ……5:30:41 …. a bit far from the winner

Ernesto