"Pain is temporary, pride is forever. " Perhaps, after much thought and begin this chronicle which to me is an extremely difficult effort, simply by the large number of experiences, emotions and feelings that I want and need to express and translate it, is this phrase that inspires me and summarized as disparate as this group lived in the mountains of Ronda a rainy weekend a month of May 2011. By the way, of course the phrase is not mine.
are so many things to count the times you laughed, the times they are silent, pain, joy, suffering, discouragement, doubt ... I swear that I do not know how to begin.
The truth is that when a few months ago, my friend Rodrigo told me about the possibility of 101 km at a stretch in a test organized the Legion in Round I first reaction was to smile, "but ... you know who is what you're saying it, that I'm dying in half .... The always so cheerful I said "yes, if we can, we're going to go quiet ...". Well, among which I get carried away and my wife tells me that no, there I go and when I come to realize I had already paid the $ 50 registration and had booked the hotel. Take Ya!. Well, you probably will not go, I thought,, someone will notice before the madness before us and end up reconsidering.
the end I saw that none of the 8 crazier than the average 10 and Friday morning we met at the gate of the cemetery at San Juan, had sufficient moderation, temperance and wisdom necessary to deter us at least try.
Well, there were some old acquaintances from so many races, other animated presentations and we were a little nervous, was the evergreen Juanma (the safest, always joking, the joy that accompanied us all the way), I
Sidor (good-natured, friendly guy that just to know it was worth the feat), Carlos (of the most seasoned in these battles and always putting a note of humor along the way), Alberto (Alberto to say, our expert , which encouraged us most at the worst times and I think the more we owe), Gonzalo (from The more prepared, I think the test is made short), Rodrigo (who never doubted that he'd get), my wife Auxi and a server (probably the person most afraid of the thousands of participants who began the test.)
The day before the meeting, as was required was devoted to the typical family shopping, sight-Round (certainly a charming enclave) led by our guide particular, our friend Alberto, a native of this land and expert from their places and corners and, why not?, for beers and tapas (of course, if you go to Ronda, do not miss the Lettuce). Bags were left on the trucks of the Legion one would on Setenil (Km 59) and one in the barracks (Km 77), I would doubt if prepared well, if I have forgotten something important, and especially if it would be able to reach such places as distant output. Here, everyone brought their opinion but it was you who decided you were going to need in each of the posts, for the first, which I thought it would and early evening, prepare warm clothes, light front, a pair shoes and socks (do not know how I get my feet), but Vaseline Autan and do not remember things more ... For only the second poles, said that for the slope of the chapel are going to need, not ... I do not see me there ...
The morning dawned with rain threatening. Although last night we decided to meet about half past seven in the dining room, and at 6 in the morning was light in every window of our rooms, all oriented towards a central courtyard from which we could verify The nerves had become impossible to needed rest. Almost without realizing
and the first drops of rain slipping through our raincoats and see you at the stadium, some photos, regulatory live the Legion, more nerves and the adventure begins. The first km run slowly through the streets of Ronda, in droves, we started walking, enjoying the atmosphere, the people, their cries of mind, his eyes wary. We encouraged, the atmosphere is indescribable, the ideal temperature. It costs us walk together by the large number of participants, but we try to meet at every corner and every street you walk on.
We had read the days before the first 30 - 35 Km were the most favorable in what regards the path. Aid stations every 5 km and minor ups and downs. Much of this stretch we did run, guided at all times for the good advice of our friend Alberto, who knew every inch of travel. Calls to family and friends (I wanted to share these moments with my friend Jose Javier but, sorry, it was impossible, his phone was not available) stops "technical" regular, intermittent rain and, especially, even, good atmosphere.
When they're getting about 35 miles I start to feel sick, you never know if the legs do not go because the mind starts to jugártela or discouragement comes because you are not physically well. The fact is that without wanting to say or prove anything I'll tell my wife: "I can not run anymore ..."," to walk yet, but I have trouble running ...". She tells me that the opposite happens, which is more comfortable running but walking it costs to keep up.
We take that first blistering start to tell us your early appearance and stopped five minutes, eat something, we review and prepare your feet again (in the forums we had read warned that the blisters were, in fact, the biggest problem that we would have to face and one of the leading causes of abandonment). Rodrigo awaits us take the opportunity to call home, and the three resumed the march again.
The arrival of Alcalá del Valle, marked, at least for me, a before and after the race. Since the levels of both
liquids and solids, and brushed the reserve, we believe that a pitcher of cold beer at one of the bars that lined the Alcala street course was not going to do any harm . The friend Isidore told us that beer was richer than had ever taken, not walking lacking reason. I could not describe what is after 50 km of racing, to take off your shoes for 10 minutes and enjoy a good pot of liquid gold. The pleasure is truly indescribable.
For the above, the miles that we had to reach Setenil flew. At this point, I would not forget a really close that, surely, is now an indelible part of our memories when us recall these moments. My teammates know without any doubt to whom I refer, Francisco "safflower oil, a grandfather of 70 and many years we had left behind in the bedding costs and, with his flannel shirt, two distinctive handcrafted canes, a water bottle attached to the backpack and beanie, we turned to give chase. Incredible and enviable strength. I would like to know what kind of training does this man, how many days of series, few long runs ,.... Finally, an example of improvement for all (even encouraged to run with us a while).
In Setenil de las Bodegas, we made our first big stop, we gathered our pack and we put our warm clothes, the night seemed very cold), the headlights with which to combat the darkness, and prepared again to start the route. We Ecuador exceeded, physically and mentally we were superb (although Carlos, who had several tests on his back, we insisted that we run a lot). Our next goal was to Km 77, the headquarters of the Legion, where we expect a good hot meal and the lure of having covered ¾ of the route.
The road to the barracks we do and at night, looking back and forth became spectacular sight of a snake
multicolored red and white lights that rose and then fell on a slope so steep that it was extremely uncomfortable and painful for our already battered knees. At that time, we had left something behind Rodrigo, Isidoro, Auxi and me. Juan, Carlos, and Alberto Gonzalez had decided to lower the costs of headquarters jogging. Then we find already in the barracks of the Legion.
The times we live at this point were a little sad. During the time we spent to provide us with a more than desired hot dinner (consisting of soup, rice, hot dogs, etc) we were seeing a string of weakness that we did, more than one, ask what kind of madness we had engaged. Many were the sudden fading of comrades who fell with trays of food in their hands, others sat and were no longer forces to re-raise, and others with obvious signs of hypothermia. In those moments I think we were aware that to not cover the 101 miles that we had proposed could not claim victory, until the tail is all bull. Although we had only 24, surely would be the hardest.
Yeah, our friend Rodrigo, at the door of the barracks, where most raging cold at night and were willing to continue the march, shivering despite the warm clothes, you two legionnaires commented: "I say, cold I removed it shortly ...". Of how right those words were loaded, we were about to ascend and then descend the slope of the chapel. For me, the hardest, for the 80 km
already weighed in every muscle in my body, the land itself, with a slope that was not itself nor the mountain goats, and not , by the desire to finish, by the increasingly slow discourse of the last mile.
To top it off, when we had gone up and down from the chapel and because in the last 6-7 km, a very intense pain in his knee and will make Auxi almost dragging his steps, he had to finish and beyond We could not leave. Rodrigo had not improved his knees (as I once at home it was found), but we're all together, encouraging, Nobody will, everyone hopes, slowing the pace, Carlos takes off one of his knees and bending them a little they gave to my wife. Even someone dares to carry her (despite the advantage of little) but she refuses: "I'm doing OK ... if not for this damn knee ... just as ...".
climbed as we can, some better than others, I must say, the last slope, which we will put at the foot of Round, the so-called costs of the joke (do not see any reason for that name.) Ronda enter, and despite our weary gait and plaintive, we decided to follow the tradition and make the last mile (from the
bullring) running.
It was unthinkable to assume that the last mile of our careers were to be applauded and cheered by dozens of people (do not forget that was 6 in the morning and was freezing to death). We were not the first, nor intended, we will not be understood by almost anyone, but one thing we have no doubt, and I speak for all, would not change a single moment of it for the world lived.
Lynx had arrived, it was early and was not himself walking up people. Some SMS to share our joy and give a good account of the finale meal we had prepared.
Finally, only one thing, and not least, thank wholeheartedly for their dedication, their courage, for the organization and love us all to the Legion. As Juan says, if we take a little younger, we enlisted.
Another thing that is certain is that I come back next year and this last hope that relatives do not read it and imagine yourself walking something that upset. Thanks also to all those in the small convalescent Auxi been interested in their health, it is ready and has returned to running, the world remains the same, but ... We now CIENTOUNEROS.
or shattered body 
