Vilanova Half Marathon: -4

Today, back home after the training session, a relaxing 10-kilometres run (I would have said "placid", but it does not seem to be a suitable adjective for a runner!) I could feel quite satisfied. The body had given me quite a positive feedback, leaving me under the impression that I am beginning to reap the benefits of having trained for one month and a half. In a nutshell, after what has probably been the last training session before running my first half-marathon, I have good hope I will be able to cross the finish line.

Quite a strange decision it may seem to train for a half-marathon while living abroad, on such a fantastic experience as a Comenius assistantship. One could wonder if I had better spent my time in another way. I must admit I was quite reluctant too, at the beginning, and was on the verge of giving it up. Upon second thoughts, though, I finally made up my mind and put on my training shoes, accepting the kind invitation of a colleague of mine.

Therefore, a few sessions followed, and in a way or another I managed to come to terms with my little (at least in daylight) free time and got to a decent condition which I hope will be enough for me to have the upper hand on the 21-kilometres track. At the same time, I should pleasantly point out that the hours I spent running have not just be a balm for the body, but also an opportunity to enrich the mind and the spirit. Not only, indeed, I gained a far more practical knowledge of Vilanova's street guide, exploring areas where I had never been before, but I could also get in deeper contact both with the local people and with the environment.

Indeed, while going around at a not too considerable speed, I could catch sight (when I was lucid enough) of some scraps of the daily life of the Vilanovins: couple having their relaxing stroll, teenagers enjoying a break after school, people walking their dog...not to mention the good number of them who were having, as I was, their fair share of training! There were quite a lot of them, indeed, some of whom I finally learnt to recognize after meeting them a couple of times. I may say it has been almost as making new acquaintances, as we ended up nodding to each other as a form of greeting every time we met on the promenade just next to the beach.

By the way...of course the best thing of the time I have spent training has been enjoying all those seaside views which Vilanova has to offer! Having run in almost all kinds of weather, I had opportunity to see the wonderful shades of the sunset, the sulky waves of the windy days, the grim sky reflecting on the sea on the rainy days...and, perhaps the best of them, the magic atmosphere which the dusk can conjure up when you are by the water and the horizon is clear. Anyway, as Sunday is approaching and there are only 4 days left, it is now time to have some rest and get ready...a marathon is a really great accomplishment, but at the moment I would be satisfied with half a marathon!

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