RIO 2016 - Olympic Records Discussion

ARE YOU WATCHING THE OLYMPICS?!

More than 50 World Records have been broken so far and there are still 7 days left!

What records will be broken this year?

Michael Phelps has already 27 medals and Usain Bolt still has to run the 100mts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_and_Olympic_records_set_at_the_2016_Summer_Olympics#Olympic_and_World_records_set_by_sport

 Have a look at the times now. Swimming races are usually defined by just some tenths or hundredths of a second. That's why they are so fun to watch. I have many swimming friends in my college Delta State University, MS and they tell me how hard it is to improve your time just a second

Ok. 

Dear Katie Ledecky:

Congrats for your win yesterday in the 800m final in Rio. Were you even nervous? You are already a five-time Olympic gold medalist, 9 time World Champion, and current World-record holder in the women's 400, 800, and 1500m freestyle. Don't you think it is time to swim against the man? 

Please tell me where are you from. I won't tell anybody. 

I know... from US... Superman also is "from US"

PD: Please tell me what do you have for breakfast

Guille

This is happening not only in swimming. Thanks to the Olympics we can see how athletes are running and swimming faster, jumping higher and getting stronger every year.

Every year, records in all sports are getting broken. There is a undeniable progression every year. A few years ago I don't think people thought that a man could run 100m under 9.6 seconds (Usain Bolt run in 9.58) or that a single man could win 27 medals (Phelps - 27 - today... 08/13/2016)

If we keep going like this, how many records will be broken in the next 5 or 10 years?

Where is the human limit?

What record are YOU more excited about to see being broken?

Who are YOU most excited about this Olympics?

I am personally super excited to see Rafa Nadal winning the GOLD medal in singles (he won the gold in doubles yesterday)

Thanks for reading! Please leave your OPINION AND COMMENT 

See you in the next post!

#VAMOSRAFA

5 RUNS YOU HAVE TO DO IF YOU COME TO MADRID

5 RUNS YOU HAVE TO DO IF YOU COME TO MADRID

1

- RETIRO PARK - 

Before your run you need to know...

The full loop is around 5km
The lake loop is perfect to cool down
Ideal place to run in the city: lots of trees, shadow for the sunny days, fountains...


+ El Retiro is very close to the Puerta de Alcalá and to the Prado Museum
+ The major walkways are ideal for families, bikers,and roadbladers 
+ The Park also features an annual Book Fair

*SECRET :
Done running? 
YOU CAN RENT A BOAT in the Retiro Park Lake an have a romantic date with your "chica" / " chico" :)


Want more info? 

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buen_Retiro_Park
• http://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/estanque-grande-de-el-retiro

THIS IS THE ALTITTUDE OF THE 5KM LOOP

DIFFICULTY: EASY

Check my activity in STRAVA:
https://www.strava.com/activities/669821746

2

- CASA DE CAMPO -

I run here a couple of days ago. I highly reccomend to GET LOST

Go explore the trails and have fun!

Check my activity in STRAVA

https://www.strava.com/activities/671041145

DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM

Before your run you need to know...
The full loop is 17 km

+ Perfect for place for road and BTT bikers too! 
+ You can rent a canoe and a boat! 
+ Inside are the Madrid's ZOO and the FUN PARK
+ Around the lake there are tennis courts,a jogging track, a municipal swimming pool, and a cycling track

Want more info or learn more about the CASA DE CAMPO?

• https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_de_Campo

Look at ALL the trails you can discover!

*SECRETS:

+ There are nice restaurants to eat tapas around the lake

+ From the teleferic there is a nice view of the city (specially THE ROYAL PALACE AND THE CATHEDRAL "LA ALMUDENA")

+ There is a triathlon every year and all the pros come!

 3 

- MADRID RIO - 

Check my activity in STRAVA: 

https://www.strava.com/activities/464127557

DIFFICULTY: EASY

Want to see some reviews and photos? :)

JUST GO TO THIS LINKS 

• Madrid Río in Madrid: 57 reviews and 234 photos - Minubehttp://www.minube.net/place/madrid-rio--a352411

• Madrid Río - 22 Reviews & 97 Photos - Parks - Arganzuela - Madrid ...https://www.yelp.com/biz/madrid-r%C3%ADo-madrid-2

ARE YOU A ATLETICO DE MADRID FAN?

DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY ATLETICO'S STADIUM, VICENTE CALDERON!

4

- Park Juan Carlos I -

Check my activity in STRAVA: 

https://www.strava.com/activities/663620905

DIFFICULTY: EASY

I've run so many times here... The park is just a mile away from my house and it is super nice for running

*SECRET

-THE HILL -

(with the trees at the top)

From this place you can take pictures of amazing sunsets

You get THE BEST view of the park and you can see Madrid in the horizon

...and it is my favorite place to go for some uphill sprints!

Now..
are you looking for the best place in Madrid for a LONG RUN?

5

"Carril bici"

- Madrid's Bike trail-Green loop-

RUNNING

https://www.strava.com/activities/661837150

DIFFICULTY: LONG!:)

BIKING

https://www.strava.com/activities/452701381

SUPER TIPS: 

+ IF IT IS YOUR FIRST TIME AND YOU PLAN TO DO THE FULL BIKE TRAIL... BRING SOMEONE WHO HAS DONE IT ALREADY. 

TRUST ME, IF YOU ALONE... 

YOU WILL GET LOST

+ YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE ORANGE POSTS

+ THERE ARE MANY OPEN SPACES AND PLACES WITH LITTLE SHADOW. IF IT IS SUNNY DON'T FORGET TO YOUR CAP 

+AND BRING WATER (THERE ARE NOT MANY FOUNTAINS)

Well, that's all for today! If you found this post helpful SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below

ENJOY MADRID AMIGOS!

4 guys you should definitely follow if you like running

4 ATHLETES YOU SHOULD KNOW AND FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

You like running and spending time in the mountains. You have a couple of dream races / ultras that you would like to run & be part of one day.
You may also have imagine yourself meeting, taking a picture or even having a short talk with your favorite runner.

I am just 21 and you don't have much to learn from me but I, just like you, want to have my adventure going. If you are ready to meet some amazing people and get involved in the trail running community...LET'S GET STARTED!

If we have to learn... let's learn from the best! La crème de la crème...
Here are my personal TOP 4 athletes I FOLLOW and ADMIRE the most and helped me start running and motivated me to keep chasing my dreams

Are you feeling low and need to cheer up a bit? Emely will make you smile :) She shares her love for running and the mountains almost every day. Her blog is worth checking out and you can get super inspired because she shares every day great pics of her awesome running adventures in Chamonix

Have you injured yourself recently? Well, if so, many blessings and I wish you a fast recovery. A few months ago Emelie broke her cruciate ligament. You can check Emely's story and recovery process since her surgery. It's Super inspiring!

http://www.emelieforsberg.com/its-always-darkest-before-the-dawn/

This guy... You can describe Chema in 2 words: A big smile and pair of running shoes. 

He LOVES running more than anything. And I mean it. Just check his Instagram account!

https://www.instagram.com/chemitamartinez/?hl=es

He shares his adventures and his love for running EVERY DAY.

Chema is a real athlete and he loves sharing the values of the sport and the hapiness of running. He is full energy, positivism, and the will for self-improvement and sacrifice.

Chema is a former EUROPEAN CHAMPION (10.000mts - Munich 2002) and he is considered one of the greatests spanish long distance athletes.

However, he has always been running and he has slowly changed the road for the trails... and HE IS GOOD! He has run and WON a couple of ultras... in the dessert! He finished 4rd this year in the Marathon de Sables this year. No comments...

He has a couple of books worth reading and has written great running posts. He even participates in a famous spanish radio potcast! Here are some links if you want (but be warned... everything is in Spanish)

He has been able to get me out to go for a run many times and I am sure that he will help / motivate you as well!

Let's do what he always says: Don't think, RUN

Great athlete and greater person. 
Trails or roads, it doesn't matter. Sage masters both. There is plenty of things to learn about him and from his personal experience. He has a few credentials as you can see right here!

Besides being a professional runner he loves making videos and sharing his trainings, thoughts, running advices... I personally think that his youtube channel is one of the best out there. It has a lot of super useful content vídeo blogs, running technique, race recaps, training talks... It is called VO2Max Productions 

(https://www.youtube.com/user/Vo2maxProductions) 

and it is one of the must entertaining, well-known and recognized youtube channels in the trail running community. 

Definitely check it out!

Sage is very active in Strava and I personally love to check his runs every now and then 

https://www.strava.com/pros/1595767

And he lives in my favorite town (hopefully my home soon!) BOULDER, Colorado. Probably the best and most beautiful places in the world for trail running and home of some the world's best triathletes.

He qualified and recently FINISHED his 1st 100 MILER, the Western States 100!
Besides making videos he also have a blog. Check it out!
http://sagecanaday.com/western-states-100-mile-race-report-2016/

SAGE IF YOU ARE READING THIS, CONGRATS BUDDY! :)

Ethan Newberry / The Ginger Runner

Super fun - Super inspiring - Just awesome. Ethan is not a Pro athlete but he loves running (also a 100 miler finisher) and he is THE BEST at sharing running content. He is a video designer and he makes awesome running movies, interviews, gear reviews... Definitely check TheGingerRunner in Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGingerRunner

Thanks to Ethan I discovered the american running brand HOKA ONE ONE and after trying 2 pairs of shoes, guys... I know they look peculiar, but I am in love. I have tried so far the Hoka Clifton and the Challenger ATR and they are AWESOME! Here is Ethan reviewing the shoes :)

HOKA ONE ONE CHALLENGER ATR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jggo9W21Oi8

HOKA ONE ONE CLIFTON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShBwr6u1w6M

Every Monday he and his wife Kim have a weekly live show in Youtube where you can hear some amazing inspiring stories from some of the greatest pro runners. During the show there is a live chat, where you can ask questions and chat with other viewers. Sometimes they even give away things! I highly recommended it ;)

He is actually making a movie of Sage Canaday and his Western States 100 adventure which is coming up soon! I can't wait to see it!

Ethan... if you somehow read this: thank you for what you are doing, YOU ARE AWESOME

Hope you liked this post!
I AM SURE YOU KNOW SOME OTHER GREAT GUYS! WHO DO YOU ADMIRE OR WHO DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD FOLLOW? Please leave me your comment :)

Hope you running is going well. YOU CAN FOLLOW ME IN STRAVA

https://www.strava.com/athletes/6759650

See you in the next post! ✌

Running 100 miles in Ecuador!

It all started here... Climbing "El Naranjo de Bulnes" (2519 mts) in Picos de Europa in Spain

I have always loved to be in the mountains. This summer I was invited to spend some time with my family in Quito, Ecuador. If you have the chance to go there... do it! It is amazing

  This last month (July 2016) I have been able to spend a lot of time out there in the trails and I have run faster and longer than ever before. Quito is the highest capital in the world (3000 mts / 9842 feet over see level) and it is full of great trails and parks for running

Before my first run my family told me is how the altitude was probably going to affect me and they recommend me to take it easy AT LEAST the first 2 or 3 weeks until my body adapted to the altittude and started producing more red blood cells. 

From my personal experience I can say that when you are SO HIGH in the mountains you
DO FEEL THE ALTITUDE! 

• The first thing I noticed was that my hearbeat was way too fast. It didn't matter how fast I was going, my heart was always going beating faster than it would normally do at the same pace at a lower altitude. And trust me, when you go for a short run it is not a big deal... but on the long runs... wow, you get tired faster!

• After spend 3 & 1/2 years running and training in the Delta, Mississippi where you go for a long run and after 90 min you don't climb a single meter (I still can't believe it) I was not used to the slopes of Quito. Wanna see the difference? Those are some of the summits in Quito... =)

"Mirador de Guapulo" / Guapulo's viewpoint (31kms / 19.2 miles)

https://www.strava.com/activities/625939625

Trail Running in "Parque Metropolitano" (15kms / 9.3 miles)

https://www.strava.com/activities/651057176

Guapulo - Panecillo - Parque de la Carolina (22kms / 13.6 miles)

https://www.strava.com/activities/638859134

This July I have been increasing my mileage and vertical gain week by week. My initial plan was to run four +100 kms / +62 miles weeks and keep increasing my vertical gain slowly. I completed the first 3 weeks feeling great so I thought that I was time to do something special. On the start of the 4th week I saw a video in YouTube where a journalist of IRunFar, a youtube channel about trail running and ultras (follow it, is great) was interviewing Kilian Jornet and Anna Frost asking them some questions about the Hardrock. The Hardrock 100 endurance race is one of the toughest ultra running races of the world where the runners have to run 100 miles in 48 hours. I had never run more than 30 miles in one day and honestly... ultras are crazy, I was not ready/willing to run an ultra by myself . However, 100 miles in one week... seemed feasible! I think that when you set your mind to do something and you are confident that you can do it, there is no chance you can fail.

So that 4th week I managed to complete my first 100 mile week. During the last run, my mind was thinking about all those runs during the last weeks and I felt quite surprised of how far I had gone. I guess that the lesson that I will remember from that week is that the key is to have a plan and vision of yourself reaching a goal. 

Your vision is the one that will keep you moving, your vision will give you the motivation and the energy, even when you don't feel like running, studying, or working towards whatever goal that you may have. 

Nowadays it is so easy to get inspired by people...

There are so many amazing stories out there waiting you and me to read them

I hope you liked this 1º post! Have you ever completed a 100 mile running week? 100 MILE RACE? 

Share your story down below and let's keep running and inspiring others!

IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW ME IN STRAVA MY NAME IS: GUILLE CERRATO