Setubal Race report

I had fun doing this triathlon. I really liked to do the Olympic distance course because it is a mix of sprint and long triathlons, we have to be quick but we suffer alone.

The swimming was not bad according to the conditions of the water and wind. I know I can do it better. And I felt pretty light doing the run.

Cycling is another thing. I have to do lots of base training, hills, hills and more hills to get endurance riding.

Tomorrow Afternoon

I will be in the Setubal Olympic Triathlon (1,5km swim, 40km ride, 10km run).

I've trained a lot for this race so let's see what happens.

Yesterday was car-free day

For those who didn't know, yesterday 22th september was the car free day in some european cities.

Car free day in Lisbon:

Car free day in Vienna:

Boring letter

I won September Letter of the month in a magazine called Triathlon Plus.

This is the letter called The Best of the Best:

As a nineteen year-old boy with no sport background this magazine really changed my whole life. I think triathlon is a way of life and it is a honour to read interviews with the best triathletes around the world.
As this is the first year of triathlon for me, when I was at the first races I was really intimidated by others with quick bikes and all the technology.
But two months ago when I was in a magazine shop here in Lisbon, I was suprised when I founded this practical and full of information magazine, Triathlon Plus. I bought it for curiosity but now I'm always waiting for the next one to come.
The articles about swimming and the race-day sucess really gave me confort to compete in a triathlon and the training schedules improved my time goals. The reviews about racing shoes and upgrading bikes helped me a lot.
This is the magazine I'll tell everyone to buy because it is the one to become the number one.

What a shame!

Recently-crowned Tour of Portugal champion, Nuno Ribeiro, tested positive for the banned blood booster CERA a new evolution of EPO (erythropoietin).

Liberty Seguros, an insurance company, said they have immediately withdrawn their sponsorship of the team.

This news only make cycling weaker and it is a discouragement for all the young cyclists who had him as a symbol.

Del Potro: will he be the next Federer?

He dropped his racket and collapsed on to his back, with legs splayed and his hands covering his face, an X-shaped emblem of triumph.

His body still shaking with emotion, del Potro got back on to his feet as the tears started to flow freely.

Juan Martin Del Potro, 20 years old, Argentinian Tennis Player won the U.S. Open, one of the main tennis competitions against his main idol Roger Federer.

Tough

School began today. Now I feel that sometimes classes can be more painful than training.

I have just two weeks before Setubal Olympic Triathlon (26th September) and I have bought some new sport equipment:

2XU Compression socks - better recovery

Saucony Fastwitch 3 - very light racing shoes

Meet me!

If you want to know me a bit better:

INFO

Chrissie Wellington’s Cannondale Kona Ride

Cannondale has released a photo of the bike that two-time Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington will be riding on October 10th in Kona (Ironman World Championship Final).

Wellington's Cannondale Slice Hi-MOD. Photo provided by Cannondale.

Bike Specs

Frame/Fork/Seatpost - Cannondale Slice Hi-MOD
Crank - Cannondale SI Hollowgram 53-39
Bottom Bracket -BB30 with Cerramic Bearings
Cassette - Dura Ace 11-23
Drivetrain - Shimano Dura Ace 7900
Brakes - Shimano Dura Ace 7900
Wheels- HED Jet 4 front & Jet 6 rear
Bars - HED Black Dog Flat Aerobar
Stem - FSA OS-99 CSI Carbon 90mm
Saddle - Fizik Arione Tri
Tires - Continental Grand Prix 4000 clincher
Frame Cage - XLAB Gorilla Carbon
Saddle Cage- XLAB Carbon Wing
Aero Drink Bottle - Profile designs Aerodrink

Time is flying

Holiday is at its final moments and classes begin in two weeks.

For the next two weeks I'll be in a summer university trying to learn Digital Marketing.

The training report

The Long distance triathlon training was a great moment to know how it feels like an Half ironman distance race. Nutrition, non drafting moments and body tiredness.

To be honest I had the feeling that this training would be very soft and we all be at the same pace: Wrong.

Swimming was normal but cycling was terrible. It looked like we were in the Tour de France, slow ride in the first two kms and then suddenly a group of 20 "lions" escaped. They were riding at an average speed of 40km/h, too much for me.

I did 60 kms in a group of 4 cyclists with an average speed of 34 km/h but legs were feeling tired and I waited for the other group of 4 behind us. Legs continued to feel bad and I had to ride alone for 20 kms. Running was quite calm apart from the 37º C of that day.

Vanessa Pereira and Paulo Sequeira (other two triathletes that fly) gave me motivation for the last 5 kms. Thank you to them.

I finished that training with a smile on my face because I had completed a 4h event and I had met lots of people. Afterwards we had a big lunch to refuel batteries.

Some pics:

Other pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/desporto.com/1De2TriatloCNTejo2009

http://picasaweb.google.com/desporto.com/2De2TriatloCNTejo2009