Uphill to Corcovado

This morning I enjoyed the race uphill to the Corcovado Monument for the first time. It is a grueling race. It took me 1h13’ to go from sea level to 400m (644ft), running on a 12km curly road way up the mountain: average 6’05”/km. It is a 1/30 ramp!

This is where we started: below the Arches of Lapa, build in 1723.

A view from the way up to the mountain.

A postcard photo of the Corcovado Monument. See part of the road to the summit on the mountain’s back.

I wish a very happy 2007 to everyone...!

Merry Christmas

I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas !

2007 Competition Schedule

Here is the first draft. More to be added soon.

January
20th – St. Sebastian Race – 10km
March
11st - São Paulo Half-Marathon
18th – Triathlon Long Distance Rio de Janeiro (1.8km/70km/16km)
April
15th - 1,000 m swim - Itaipu Beach
May
6th - 1,500 m swim - Piratininga Beach
27th – Ironman Brazil
June
3rd - 2,000 m swim - Itaipu Beach
3rd – São Paulo International Marathon (?!)
24th – Rio de Janeiro International Marathon
July
1st - XX Marines race - 10km
August
12nd – Nike Bowerman – 10km
September
2nd - 2,500 m swim - Itaipu Beach
2nd – Rio de Janeiro International Half-Marathon
October
21st - 3,000 m swim - Itaipu Beach
November
25th - 3,800 m swim - Copacabana Beach
25th – Half-Ironman Pirassununga
December
16th – III Pan-American Race – 10km

Internacional: Soccer World Champion!

The team: Clemer, Ceará, Fabiano Eller, Índio, Rubens Cardoso; Edinho, Wellington Monteiro, Alex (Vargas), Fernandão (Adriano); Iarley e Alexandre Pato (Luiz Adriano).

Coach: Abel Braga

MTB...!

Here is my “new” MTB bike. Using a frame kindly provided by IM Antonio, and helped by an extremely fast and professional service from Star Bike (thanks Serginho!) we build this machine.

Smoking….



I am counting on it to significantly increase my weekly mileage, improve my riding skills and pedaling technique. I’ll be a more complete cyclist in 2007 if I can add new quality training and variety for my bike workouts. Thanks Antonio, for all the technical advice during parts selection.

II Pan-American Race

This II Pan-American race was the last of the year for me. St. Sylvester Day Run is at the doorstep, but I think the Aeronautics Sports Commission will not provide a shuttle flight to St. Paulo this year. The bottom line is: I did not perform any (10km < race dist. < 21 km) in '06. Maybe in 2007. Anyway, it was a tough run because of the heat. I made it like a duathlon, performing a 36 km pre-race bike leg at a comfortable pace. The 10k result, which was just 59s slower than my PR, was awesome. I think I’ll blow this record as early as January 20th, at St. Sebastian Day Run (if I can keep my current fitness level).

Many friends from the Rio de Janeiro's City Road Runners (ACORUJA) were at the race.

School is Over; Santa is Coming.

This last week of classes ended the school term for 2006. My daughters did very well and passed without problems (thanks to my wife’s frequent monitoring throughout the year, always “rescuing” the girls from their non-stop play time). The teachers organized a “Santa’s Party” (but the presents were from parents…)

New Shoes, Brought to You by Yourself

This is MY Christmas present. Just put them on for a 10k run this morning. It seems to be lighter and more responsive than my older Nimbus VI.
I hope we get along well, because this fellow will be on my feet during the IM Brazil marathon.

First December Sunny Day

Summer is coming. Portable swimming poll set up. Kids playing. All that stuff. It’s a shame I can’t do some strokes in it!

Fernanda's First Communion in a Mass (Dec 2nd)

This is a moment of great happiness for our family. Fernanda is now conscious of the immense love and compassion Jesus offers to all of us.

Triathlon Long Distance - Photos

Here are some of the photos.I'll edit this post when I get more images.