HONG KONG ITU TRIATHLON-PREMIUM ASIAN CUP - TriathlonOlympic

Very slow last 3K

Keep technical training and reinforce my running traning.

Good.


Run.


Friends!

First, to thank you all, because without your support, help and solidarity none of this was possible to achieve. I would like to briefly recount my first experience in an Olympic Triathlon ... as real beginner in this modality.

Saturday morning, I went to recognize the circuit and step transitions and see how the professionals (competing 1 day before) were doing it ... I was impressed at the speed that they get off the bike ... if I try to copy it, I found in the soil with a few scratches. The sea was completely flat (and I thought, well, hopefully, will repeat tomorrow!) and the transition from swim to bike 1.5Km was not like last year ... this year just 400 meters.


Therefore after analyzed the area I returned home to begin to focus on everything that I had been advised by four friend and they deserve at least half of my result: Richard, Manuel , Fergus and Bikeman. The latter, for his advice and guidance when buying a bicycle ... it really works very well, although I can not compare with others, because, this is my first road bike, I ever had in my life.Also, I remember that he explained me that I should begin full hydration the day before, so neither short nor lazy, I took about 5 or 6 bottles of isotonic water.... anyway, I hydrated myself more than an elephant!

Manuel explained the theory of the 3 C's .... (in Spanish, of course) and that in the end were perfect in my beginner strategy � �: swim CALM, bike FOCUS (CABEZA in Spanish) and run with C... (sorry for children who can read it, but literally was his advice and applied it to 100%, I can not translated to English but you might understand). Richard has been my bicycle training partner, mentor and advisor during the progression of my training, as well as introducer of several Dragon members of the group. Fergus has accomplished to collect donations for more than 20 Kms last days with his friends and has been following my preparation and running with me in some races, as VTP and Above Challenge.

So the night before D-day, quiet walk with my children, then rest at home, preparing all the equipment, as well as magic bottles filled with isotonic liquid, gel and 3 bananas. I can not forget to comment about perfect massage received to the injured lower leg (periostitis) from my particular physical therapist ... Elaine and sleep very early (luckily, I was awake again at 6:00a.m.) and by 10.00pm I was sleeping until 4:30, when, I woke up totally refreshed.
Upon reaching the area of transitions, nothing special, marking number on my left arm, socks (2XU) compression to help with my injury and I was highly focus, greeting several Dragon members, Fergus and finally, Richard, who ask me the following question: � Is something wrong?� I respond : � No, why? �, because you're too serious! haha, then, I answered ... that's a good sign: � I'm 200% focus!!!� and suddenly came a flash of my past time on races in Optimist class, and that was the question that everyone told me before going to water for sailing ... and even a couple of hours after, I was recovering my happy smile!
So after eating 2 bananas, a chocolate and mint gel (mmm) and not stopping drinking isotonic drinks, I head for the exit of swimming ... wow, very bad waves!
Well, I will be brief and stayed CALM, the waves were a little lateral but helping us for the first km but then came face entirely ... so, I thought, let�s reserve forces for the final 500 meters ... the result: 7th in my class in 27 ' 47''for 1.5Km.

Upon leaving, I hear timidly, as Elaine yells � Well Xavi, really well! � and the second scream, a little more daring: � Go Xavi, Go!!!!!� ... Their support charged my batteries to 200%!
So I advance a couple during the transition, but I think they were from the previous age group (40-44) ...
First transition, I wear the helmet, sunglasses, bike shoes and I hydrated from my reseerved bottle ... and start to run far to let you ride your bike! Once uploaded to the same ... I was feeling with lots of energy and strength, so I decide not to drop below an average of 34 to 35Km / h ... and I did until I reach the open area in Tung Chung, I realize that it was very windy ... but nothing shot forward, doing drafting, until finally I put myself behind two that are extremely fast but my happiness was at most for 5 minutes .... until I hooked another faster than me, too, in this one my joy lasts less, perhaps 2 minutes and, behold, drafting is allowed to do anything ... but the rest I spent my time concentrating on my pace, take a gel halfway through and consider the advice of Manuel, FOCUS ... result: 20 th in my group in 1h08'18''for 40kms ... ... my personal record!
Arrival at the second transition and dismount the bike cost me a little, although, being the first time, everything went pretty well and fast! Finally, my �Achilles heel � stage, but again I remembered the little word de Manuel, C ..., however, I knew I had to keep my pace despite seeing as other competitors were flying by my side ... and my path should be no more than 5 '/ km for no burn and no less than 6' / Km for not crawling ... Luckily, I had Family Cardinaal, Erik and his daughter Emma, encouraging me and sending positive energy with every lap, so, ... result: of the slowest in the group .. 53'26''better than expected!

The Finish line was coming to an explosion of emotions for various reasons which I summarize a couple of lines down, Elaine Mar, Lucas, Erik and Emma, were waiting in the same finish line to give me the final push! Thank you very much, I was very happy to have near me to share that moment of extreme happiness!

This happiness has to do with the question we are asked and we also ask to ourselves, too. Why?

First, those who know me I am a person to achieve and overcome challenges: both achieved, the solidarity and the sportive!

Second, fight and work for a very good cause of helping in the fight against childhood cancer and those who know me know that the kids are always my weak point. Thanks Luisa, for giving me the opportunity to contribute �our grain of sand � solidarity worth of 2,480 Euros.

Third, to achieve my goal of losing weight and be under 100Kgs, now I'm in 104Kgs, 11kgs less than three months.

Fourth, for the great support from my friends, colleagues and family during the months of training, but especially my children Mar and Lucas, for the time stolen and, above all, Elaine, for believing in my ability to give me moral support and also endure my days of silence ... rare and how tired I was by the concerns of work to which I added to the training, although this time served as precious time to reflect and think about the decision the following day in the many projects of my daily work.

Fifth and last, but for me the most important, this result, this effort and this installment, I have done, to remember those who gave me life: my parents, especially my beloved mother, who left us tragically and suddenly 2 years ago, 3 months and 13 days, while vacationing in Florence with my father ... and I am convinced that noticed incredible strength throughout the race on Sunday was sent by her and �I did fly like angels � !

Dad, all Elaine Mar, Lucas, we love you and always will take care of you ... so we are delighted with the news that you're going to spend Christmas with us in Hong Kong!

I must not conclude this �brief � narrative without prior announcing my next challenge which, I will start training from next Monday ... Half Ironman Singapore March 21st, 2010!
Last point, is that when I was 15 years old I won the Optimist World Championship and I was very happy, but, I can tell that my happiness after finishing my first triathlon with that result is not comparable at all!
Thank you very much for your support and I will never feel tired of repeating it without you none of this had been possible!

Thank you!
�XTB� Xavi.