Sérgio Marques Blog

it was a late registration because i have been unsure if it would be a good idea. but i went for it.

It was a kind of a shot in the dark given that my training was totally unsheduled, i did what i wanted each day and then did a more concious “taper”. I really wanted to go back to good results as of course the begining/middle season was veeeery frustrating.

so i arrived to the race site on thursday and just went for it, no course driving no nothing just race and see what happens.

the race it self, and i will write a more decent race report when i get to wisconsin (relax Alex im not racing :P) was just ok, i didnt felt in my best shape, a bit far from it, im sure it could be better with more time to prepare it decently. but i was abble to finish 3rd, my goal was to spend the least energy possible (if that is possible in an IM) so i spent a huge amount of time in 4th it was just when i saw a fading michael gonher that i pushed a bit harder then after passing him i got back to a ….well… slow pace. dont get me wrong i did what i could to fight for the win but it was impossible today.

But im really happy, i really needed this to bost my confidence a bit, i wasnt fast but it was a decent race.

now im really making sure i recover well and prepare for kona, in san diego

i have been doing the usual stuff except yesterday where i went to do a bit of a crazy stuff at serra da estrela with my friend renato that has been doing some workouts with me here and there, the one and only place where i can climb a hill till 1993m of altitude in portugal.

There are now 4 climbs to the top and i had the idea of doing them all, ALL. lets see that is 3 special category climbs and a 1st category.

I had a blast and it was tough!!!!

Numbers

187km
5700m of altitude gain
0km in flat terrain
More hours in the saddle ever by a lot

here is the map

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/portugal/covilha/846636317

the best one was of course the last climb, a 26km one that goes from around 300 to the top. sweet…
to repeat but not so soon there is a profile of the course in the map although its not very accurated

and of course some photos

me and renato early in the morning

almost at the end…of the first climb, Covilha. still with a lot of weith at the back, 2 redbulls

second climb, Manteigas

almost

bikes wait a bit for a coke/water stop at 1993m of altitude

3rd climb…seia

final stop before the last climb for more water/coke it was a very hot day

the last one, Vide. the best and toughest!!

steep

14% steep for large amout of kms

the sweeping road

i was stupid enough to take a shot in the 14% roads

almost at the final top

me and renato, for the final shot in the final climb, just a 20km downhill, that is easy and fun

LOL