Today i took part in the " Race of the Atlantic", i should confess i had big expectations about it. Wanted to run under 40min... that didnt happen =D
Woke up with sound of a strong wind and a cloudy day...those werent good signs, still i kepted myself motivated. Even do, i knew the race would be in Costa da Caparica, next to the atlantic and the wind there should be stronger.
Had my normal breakfast and head up to Costa with Miguel, on the way (5min by car from home) the rain started and seemed that would hang around for a while...and it was like that. We parked and tried to warm up but the cold, wind and rain arent helping and with the lack of time, we just had a 5min run and after just found a shelter to not get totally wet.
The race started, a big confusion and the 1st km was just passing people(wasnt in the right place when i heard the horn)...started with a pace of 3'50 and until the 3rd km was like this...rain was giving it best and i was feeling good. After this decided to put more speed on my strides and at 6km point i had 23'04 min, everything was going perfect for my goal. Until now we were running inside of the city, only...but after of the 6km point we started to run next to the Ocean...And there...the party begun. Strong wind, rain and the sand of the beach looked like needles perforating my body...My face and legs experienced something painful and my body wasnt responding... my pace got slower and i just couldnt go faster!! were 3 endless km!!Until the end was only suffering.
Was, for sure, one of the most hard 10k race i ever did!!
Finished with 41'25, but due to the weather conditions was really happy with it!
Official time was 41'43 and i have classified in 122 place between 1319 runners who finished the race.
Next week will have another chance to improve my time =D
; )
