For the people who are interested in the situation of my country: Portuguese economy
2011 will not bring better days...not for Portugal not even for Europe or for the whole World.
Happy New Year? Happy 2011? It's a change in a number, it's just a mark in our calendar.
At least one thing I ask for 2011 is for the people not to be pessimists (only talk about recession, wars, etc.) but "real optimists"!
At least let tomorrow be a Happy Day!
Friday 31 December 2010
Wednesday 29 December 2010
Concerns or maybe not?
One more year...time is flying
Now people say that I have a mature age...
Now people say that I have a mature age...
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Tuesday 28 December 2010
Friday 24 December 2010
life here
Its been one week since have arrived in lisbon.
I had a week full of dinners and parties with family and friends and it's been great to review everyone.
Today and tomorrow I'll spend my Christmas in my grandma's house with all the family - that means lots of tasty food including the desserts (my grandma spends like 2 days making them).
On sunday I'll race in portuguese land in a 10k road run.
For now I wish all a Merry Christmas!
I had a week full of dinners and parties with family and friends and it's been great to review everyone.
Today and tomorrow I'll spend my Christmas in my grandma's house with all the family - that means lots of tasty food including the desserts (my grandma spends like 2 days making them).
On sunday I'll race in portuguese land in a 10k road run.
For now I wish all a Merry Christmas!
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Thursday 23 December 2010
Monday 20 December 2010
Saturday 18 December 2010
It's always good
..To be back!
As you already know I have already lived outside Portugal before and I like to know more and more places and meet different and new people.
And we can say loads of bad things about our country but it's still our country where we grew up, where our family and friends are - our roots!
...Home sweet Home...
As you already know I have already lived outside Portugal before and I like to know more and more places and meet different and new people.
And we can say loads of bad things about our country but it's still our country where we grew up, where our family and friends are - our roots!
...Home sweet Home...
Thursday 16 December 2010
Sometimes...
People just continue to do things that they know are not right for them. And they do it over and over again. Why do they just learn with their mistakes?
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Wednesday 15 December 2010
I deserved it
After nearly 3 months of work I have now 1 month of holiday - to see my family and my friends back in Portugal!
Monday 13 December 2010
Sunday 12 December 2010
For the future
Today was the day of the Portuguese Triathlon Awards. I was invited to receive an award but unfortunately I couldn't go because...you know it...
I don't like to show results or times in my website. Sometimes they are important but most of all I have fun doing what I do.
This was a different year. I wanted to go for other challenges so I started in long-distance triathlon and that's where I feel better so where I want to continue in the future.
It's hard to believe but I was the Portuguese Sub-23 Long-Distance Champion.
Saturday 11 December 2010
Thursday 9 December 2010
Wednesday 8 December 2010
For the english
Do I look like Spanish?
(noone asks me if i come from Portugal...)
(noone asks me if i come from Portugal...)
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Sunday 5 December 2010
Saturday 4 December 2010
I am pure, are you?
So for now on I will have the help of 2pure. It is the distributor in the UK of brands like Clif Bar or Crank Brothers.
Thank you guys!
Thank you guys!
Friday 3 December 2010
Note
Sometimes we look for answer that are too complicated but then their just in front of our eyes.
Eureka!
Eureka!
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Thursday 2 December 2010
2011
While the snow, ice and cold weather as come to stay - some pics of my university here: UEA with Snow and I will post some pics of my house and the sorroundings soon - and the homeworks are being done, I have been preparing my season for 2011.
According to my plans I will have exams during May and June and my final dissertation will have to be handed by 31st of August however I hope to train and race during that time (I can do both things if I will be organized)
And here are some of the races I will be doing next year (first of the first drafts, I'm still planning a lot of things including travels to Portugal):
Windsor Winter Series Duathlon - Sprint - 27 February
Lisbon International Triathlon - Half-Ironman Distance - 30 April - ?
TriGrandPrix UK - Half-Ironman Distance -22 May - Already Registered!
Fritton Triathlon - Olympic - 12 June
Big Cow Man - Half-Ironman Distance - 3 July
Antwerp 70.3 - Half-Ironman Distance - 24 July - ?
The biggest goals for next season are to improve my bike skills and to manage to bring all the effort from training to race-day!
According to my plans I will have exams during May and June and my final dissertation will have to be handed by 31st of August however I hope to train and race during that time (I can do both things if I will be organized)
And here are some of the races I will be doing next year (first of the first drafts, I'm still planning a lot of things including travels to Portugal):
Windsor Winter Series Duathlon - Sprint - 27 February
Lisbon International Triathlon - Half-Ironman Distance - 30 April - ?
TriGrandPrix UK - Half-Ironman Distance -22 May - Already Registered!
Fritton Triathlon - Olympic - 12 June
Big Cow Man - Half-Ironman Distance - 3 July
Antwerp 70.3 - Half-Ironman Distance - 24 July - ?
The biggest goals for next season are to improve my bike skills and to manage to bring all the effort from training to race-day!
Sunday 28 November 2010
Thought
In a time where all the people are feeling the consequences of the crisis I wonder what is better: buying in a supermarket where we are giving money to a big business where 1 euro less is not a problem or buying in a local shop, local butcher or in the markets where people only live for that...?
(of course supermarket have cheaper prices but 50cents or 1euro would make the difference for the local people, don't you think?)
(of course supermarket have cheaper prices but 50cents or 1euro would make the difference for the local people, don't you think?)
Wednesday 24 November 2010
More motivation
Jordan Rapp a professional triathlete was hit by a car. The driver ran away...Jordan just stayed there almost almost on the other side of life.
(As Jordan said on Facebook: "I was involved in a hit-and-run. I was hit. And now *I'm* the one running! :D"
8 months later - last sunday - he got a 4th place in Ironman Arizona!
(As Jordan said on Facebook: "I was involved in a hit-and-run. I was hit. And now *I'm* the one running! :D"
This story just makes me happy...
Tuesday 23 November 2010
My Last Weekend
On saturday at lunch time I met up with my friends from the University Triathlon Club. Bikes packed in a van and we were off to Chippenham. 4 hours trip with a stop half-way and dinner when we arrived.We were in the our rooms at 8.30pm and everyone came to our room to watch the X-Factor (music show - this is so popular here!). Then time to go to sleep.
On Sunday we had brunch and at 11am we were already at the race spot. It was raining and it was so cold (2ยบC). At 2.15pm our race started. My friend Lee from Gibraltar came 2nd! And one thing different from the Portuguese Triathlons is that all the races are non-drafting so all the people have incredible triathlon bikes!
My race wasn't great but I wasn't expecting anything else. I was freezing throughout the whole race because I never raced with this temperature. I was very cautious in the bike part because the track was wet and slippery.
After the race shower and 4 more hours back!
I have been doing lots of base training and I'm feeling slow but it is normal for this time of the year (pre-season). As a friend of mine says: if I was racing fast now in my key races I would be struggling.
But most of all I had a good weekend. I had fun with friends and discovered a new place!
Monday 22 November 2010
Saturday 20 November 2010
17 Hours---The Trailer
Can't wait to watch the full movie!
I'm in Chppenham! I have arrived 2 hours ago and now it is time to go to bed :D
Friday 19 November 2010
BUCS
 |
| Castle Combe Village |
 |
| Race Circuit |
I'm going with the University triathlon club but this is to test my shape now. At this time of the pre-season I'm not expecting a good time or a super race. I will just go there to have some fun and meet some people. It will be my first race here in the UK!
Thursday 18 November 2010
Wednesday 17 November 2010
Impressive
I think this will be the week of videos, so many good ones...
It's amazing what he does with his bike!
It's amazing what he does with his bike!
Tuesday 16 November 2010
Monday 15 November 2010
Sunday 14 November 2010
Weekend
This was an unexpected weekend for me. I normally ride with the guys from Tri-Anglia (Triathlon club in Norwich) on Saturdays and with the University triathlon club on Sundays but this weekend was different.
I went out with the guys from VCNorwich (Cycling club based in Norwich). On Saturday we did 3h - 80km. Sunday 4h - 100km with a stop for 2 minutes silence (Remembrance Sunday) and a stop for a tea, cake or scone. The routes are amazing: calm, one or two cars passing us and in the middle of the countryside.
Plus the weather was not bad at all just a bit cold for me. 
Suprisingly on Saturday I met David Gomes portuguese and former triathlete and pro-cyclist - it was funny and it is also good to speak in Portuguese here.Now I understand this phrase: "Swim with swimmers, ride with riders and run with runners".
(The pics are from Saturday and Sunday)
Saturday 13 November 2010
Wednesday 10 November 2010
English and food
After being sick again now with food poisoning symptoms nothing better than to write about what is good or bad in english eating habits.
Maybe every Portuguese have a bad idea of english food or the way english people eat. When I was living in Portugal I was no exception. And now that I'm living here for more than a month I can have my opinion: these guys eat bad! Plus don't like to cook.
First, the english people really love take-aways! And for them is just a way to have food in front of them in no time. Adverts from thai, chinese or indian food, to pizzas, kebabs or burguers arrive at my door like mushrooms and all I can see in them is: "order now, just wait 30 minutes for your ready meal to arrive!".
Second, in every shop or supermarket I go what I can see is the take away queue and many people around the ready cook meals. All I can see in people's bags are chips, cokes...
Third, it's impressive the amount of cooking programmes on the TV and some others to teach people how to eat. In 5 channels 3 have cooking programmes at 8pm!
Now I understand all the books and shows telling people to eat lots of fruits and veggies and not to eat processed foods. For me those shows were made for these guys not for Portugal or the Mediterranean countries where some of us can still have a decent diet.
And what it's most incredible is the opportunities and the quality of the food they have here. The amount of fruits and veggies here is huge: i can find many types of potatoes (even with blue skin), the berries are much cheaper than in Portugal, different tomatoes like tiger ones, parsnips (delicious)...they even sell Quinoa in every supermarket!
I can still have the same diet I had back in Portugal with lots of fruits and veggies, nuts, cereals, meat, fish...and my olive oil with bread!
(Apart from the eating habits these guys really have a problem with alcohol. Beer is the main drink but I never knew they like vodka so much!)
Maybe every Portuguese have a bad idea of english food or the way english people eat. When I was living in Portugal I was no exception. And now that I'm living here for more than a month I can have my opinion: these guys eat bad! Plus don't like to cook.
First, the english people really love take-aways! And for them is just a way to have food in front of them in no time. Adverts from thai, chinese or indian food, to pizzas, kebabs or burguers arrive at my door like mushrooms and all I can see in them is: "order now, just wait 30 minutes for your ready meal to arrive!". Second, in every shop or supermarket I go what I can see is the take away queue and many people around the ready cook meals. All I can see in people's bags are chips, cokes...
Third, it's impressive the amount of cooking programmes on the TV and some others to teach people how to eat. In 5 channels 3 have cooking programmes at 8pm!
Now I understand all the books and shows telling people to eat lots of fruits and veggies and not to eat processed foods. For me those shows were made for these guys not for Portugal or the Mediterranean countries where some of us can still have a decent diet.
And what it's most incredible is the opportunities and the quality of the food they have here. The amount of fruits and veggies here is huge: i can find many types of potatoes (even with blue skin), the berries are much cheaper than in Portugal, different tomatoes like tiger ones, parsnips (delicious)...they even sell Quinoa in every supermarket!
I can still have the same diet I had back in Portugal with lots of fruits and veggies, nuts, cereals, meat, fish...and my olive oil with bread!
(Apart from the eating habits these guys really have a problem with alcohol. Beer is the main drink but I never knew they like vodka so much!)
Monday 1 November 2010
Now: cold and dark
I have been very busy with lots of work to do for my master. I had a presentation today and I will have two tests on wednesday.
Days here are getting darker - the sunset is at 16! - and it's getting colder.
Regarding training: As you can see in the right column of my blog I have made a few changes. I have now a new coach. She is Dr. Auriel Forrester, triathlon and cycling coach and she is the director of scientific coaching services. She will help me planning my next season.
But my only focus now and during the winter months will be my bike. I will treat her like never before: ride, wash, ride, ride...I cannot improve all the three sports at the same time.
'Summer is where the results are achieved, but winter is where the results are made’
In the next week I will have some news about my goals and my 2011 season so keep an eye in the blog.
Days here are getting darker - the sunset is at 16! - and it's getting colder.
Regarding training: As you can see in the right column of my blog I have made a few changes. I have now a new coach. She is Dr. Auriel Forrester, triathlon and cycling coach and she is the director of scientific coaching services. She will help me planning my next season.
But my only focus now and during the winter months will be my bike. I will treat her like never before: ride, wash, ride, ride...I cannot improve all the three sports at the same time.
'Summer is where the results are achieved, but winter is where the results are made’
In the next week I will have some news about my goals and my 2011 season so keep an eye in the blog.
Next post: eating habits in the UK
Sunday 24 October 2010
I needed
After a couple of days sick with a sore throat and a strong earache because of this sudden change in weather - from sunny days and 20ยบC to a 4ยบ or 5ยบC..
I was lacking some motivation to train and today's ride - sunny, wet, windy and freezing - was the perfect way to recover my mood and my motivation!
I was lacking some motivation to train and today's ride - sunny, wet, windy and freezing - was the perfect way to recover my mood and my motivation!
Friday 15 October 2010
One week
I'm getting more homeworks to do and it's getting a bit cold here (5ยบC).
To complicate things a bit I have a cold.
I found this to motivate me:
Thursday 14 October 2010
Monday 11 October 2010
It was like this
Nice ride on saturday morning with the Tri-Anglia guys. 80km done to Reedham 
Then I have watched the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii from 5pm on saturday until 3 am on sunday (i have only watched the pros) and then from 7 am until 9 am to watch the some of the most amazing men and women age-groupers arriving before the cut-off (before 17 hours).
In the pro-field the aussies dominated the race with two of my references winning - Chris Mccormack and Mirinda Carfrae:
Some more photos:
2010 IM Hawaii race gallery - part 1
2010 IM Hawaii race gallery - part 2
On sunday at 10am off for another long ride this time with the guys from the University Triathlon Club. 60km towards the Whitlingham lake (a lake with about 4km long - the place where between May and September it is possible to swim).
Then I have watched the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii from 5pm on saturday until 3 am on sunday (i have only watched the pros) and then from 7 am until 9 am to watch the some of the most amazing men and women age-groupers arriving before the cut-off (before 17 hours).
In the pro-field the aussies dominated the race with two of my references winning - Chris Mccormack and Mirinda Carfrae:
Some more photos:
2010 IM Hawaii race gallery - part 1
2010 IM Hawaii race gallery - part 2
On sunday at 10am off for another long ride this time with the guys from the University Triathlon Club. 60km towards the Whitlingham lake (a lake with about 4km long - the place where between May and September it is possible to swim).
Friday 8 October 2010
Ironman World Championship
Tomorrow will be a great day. I will try to follow every second of it...
One day...
Thursday 7 October 2010
Monday 4 October 2010
Pics Promised
Here they are - some of the best moments till now:
The University
The Track
The postman
The squirrels
The green in the parks
Hmm...the smoothies
The city centre
The pubs
British lunch :D
Colman's famous mustard - the so called English Mustard
Nice - Duck Eggs
3D football
Football even in the toilet
Spongebob
The university with the students
Look what I've bought
Ride stop in a distillery
The University
Saturday 2 October 2010
I'm still here
Hi everyone!
Before I will say anything else I just want you to know that now I'm going to write here in blog regularly - every friday to show you how my life is going in these days (apart from posting interesting things here).
It has been three weeks of establishment here in the house, in the University and in the UK.
I'm living in a house near the University (10 mins walk) with three other guys that I've met when I arrived here. They are all english and all studying in the same Uni as me. One is doing a Phd in Chemistry, one a MSc in Games Development and the other is finishing his undergraduate degree in Spanish (but he don't understands portuguese). I have some local shops near my house (1 min walk) where I can find two which I prefer: the bakery with fresh bread and the grocery where I can find lots of fresh fruits and vegetables everyday. In the local shops I can also find a Fish and Chips shop, a mini market and a butcher. For the rest of shopping I have to go to the city centre (15 mins by bus).
In the University I had a pre-sessional course where I did a revision of maths from my undergraduate degree and I had to do a course test (easy!). Last monday I have begun my lectures and the semester will only finish in the 16th of December (no holiday nor bank holiday in the middle). I will have some course work to do and the exams for these semester courses will be in May (only in May?!).
Regarding Triathlon, I am now a member of Tri-Anglia www.tri-anglia.co.uk and also a member of my University triathlon club http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5360184581. I have lots of space to run in the parks and to ride in roads with no cars. I also have a 50m swimming pool, a gym and a track close to the University.
I have been training alone for the last 2 weeks but last week I ran with some friends (one did 2 Ironman's, an Ultra-Marathon racer (did Mont-Blanc this year) and a duathlete from Gibraltar who is going to the CommonWealth Games next week) and today I did 80km with some of the members of Tri-Anglia (so good to ride in peaceful roads in a sunny day!).
The weather here is always changing - some days raining and some sunny days. It's getting cold (7ยบ C last night).
I am really enjoying the life here. The peaceful life, all green (with squirrels and rabbits everywhere), the friendly people (they are always ready to help and never horn when I am riding my bike).
I will keep you updated!
Before I will say anything else I just want you to know that now I'm going to write here in blog regularly - every friday to show you how my life is going in these days (apart from posting interesting things here).
It has been three weeks of establishment here in the house, in the University and in the UK.
I'm living in a house near the University (10 mins walk) with three other guys that I've met when I arrived here. They are all english and all studying in the same Uni as me. One is doing a Phd in Chemistry, one a MSc in Games Development and the other is finishing his undergraduate degree in Spanish (but he don't understands portuguese). I have some local shops near my house (1 min walk) where I can find two which I prefer: the bakery with fresh bread and the grocery where I can find lots of fresh fruits and vegetables everyday. In the local shops I can also find a Fish and Chips shop, a mini market and a butcher. For the rest of shopping I have to go to the city centre (15 mins by bus).
In the University I had a pre-sessional course where I did a revision of maths from my undergraduate degree and I had to do a course test (easy!). Last monday I have begun my lectures and the semester will only finish in the 16th of December (no holiday nor bank holiday in the middle). I will have some course work to do and the exams for these semester courses will be in May (only in May?!).
Regarding Triathlon, I am now a member of Tri-Anglia www.tri-anglia.co.uk and also a member of my University triathlon club http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5360184581. I have lots of space to run in the parks and to ride in roads with no cars. I also have a 50m swimming pool, a gym and a track close to the University.
I have been training alone for the last 2 weeks but last week I ran with some friends (one did 2 Ironman's, an Ultra-Marathon racer (did Mont-Blanc this year) and a duathlete from Gibraltar who is going to the CommonWealth Games next week) and today I did 80km with some of the members of Tri-Anglia (so good to ride in peaceful roads in a sunny day!).
The weather here is always changing - some days raining and some sunny days. It's getting cold (7ยบ C last night).
I am really enjoying the life here. The peaceful life, all green (with squirrels and rabbits everywhere), the friendly people (they are always ready to help and never horn when I am riding my bike).
I will keep you updated!
P.S. Pics are coming...
Monday 6 September 2010
Suprising?
Hey,
Remember my last post where I said that I was going to have a new coach and new triathlon mates?
For those of you that don't know yet, my life will change in the next days. And yes it was my decision - a big decision which I don't know yet what I was thinking about...
I'm going to move north. I will live 1 year away from home. I'm going to do my postgraduate degree in Norwich, UK in the University of East Anglia. I'm going to study Experimental Economics.
The travel begins on the 11th of September with a full day of plane trip to London and train to Norwich.
Now I have a mixture of feelings: I'm anxious but worried, I can't wait for the new environment but I'll miss my family, friends, the places I like to go and, of course, the portuguese weather (It's raining in Norwich today :S)
I leave you with a map and some photos of my new university and the campus (University of East Anglia)
Remember my last post where I said that I was going to have a new coach and new triathlon mates?
For those of you that don't know yet, my life will change in the next days. And yes it was my decision - a big decision which I don't know yet what I was thinking about...
I'm going to move north. I will live 1 year away from home. I'm going to do my postgraduate degree in Norwich, UK in the University of East Anglia. I'm going to study Experimental Economics.
The travel begins on the 11th of September with a full day of plane trip to London and train to Norwich.
Now I have a mixture of feelings: I'm anxious but worried, I can't wait for the new environment but I'll miss my family, friends, the places I like to go and, of course, the portuguese weather (It's raining in Norwich today :S)
I leave you with a map and some photos of my new university and the campus (University of East Anglia)
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