The Coastal Challenge Day 6 – Swollen

Today was the final and shortest day, at just 23 km with 500 m climb. The first few kilometers were in climbing, first on dirt roads, then on a river bed, then through the jungle, with even a very beautiful waterfall section. I enjoyed these technical parts and, while slow, I was less show than others, so I was actually doing pretty good. But then we finally hit flat dirt Continue…

The Coastal Challenge Day 5 – Pain

Yesterday I pulled a muscle. Didn’t give it importance at the moment. But now I only have one word to describe this day: agony. The English dictionary (or at least the part I master) is not expressive enough to describe the way I felt today. What you understand when you think of agony is the commercial diluted version, the one people are capable of managing. What I had was the Continue…

The Coastal Challenge Day 3 – Rough

Woke up at 3:30. Packed my stuff, ate a little and approached the start line. I was having some stomach cramps, which are not desirable before what we were told was the most difficult day. Later note: those cramps were probably from me taking salt pills too often; felt better after easing up on them. Titled “Feel the coastal acid” (I don’t know what acid is that, maybe lactic), the route Continue…

The Coastal Challenge Day 2 – Blisters

Woke up at 3:45. Packed my stuff, then had breakfast: gallo pinto con huevos (red beans, rice and scrambled eggs). Today’s route (“Taste of the rainforest”) was 38 km long, with 1800 m in climbing. Started the race as soon as it was light enough to run – 5:30 am. We were leaving early because it was the coolest time of the day. Started with a steep jungle ascent, while Continue…