Sharks

…and following the end of the conference in Struga 🇲🇰, I returned cycling to Tirana. I dropped my bag in the bus (free of charge!), something impossible in 🇪🇺 due to security rules, of course, and started my 5h30’ adventure. North, this time, to Debar, along the wonderful Black Dibar. Once crossing the border and waving a cyclotourist, I experimented the recently built Albanian roads with its new tunnels. A lot of uphills and downhills here.. But before that, it was so amazing to pass through areas where it seemed time stopped! The Western Balkans, such an amazing potential! 🥰

Arrived to Tirana last night to participate today in an OSH event in Struga 🇲🇰. All was ready, thanks to the logistic support of my friends: a cozy hotel bedroom and a road bicycle. Early wake up call, 06:30 I hit the road accompanied by other friends and I start the journey to Struga! A beautiful long hilly ride of 128km and almost 2.000m of positive elevation. The last hill was particularly tough with inclines of 10%. But after crossing the border, and after 5h30’ from when I left Tirana, I reach Struga ready for my interventions on OSH. Such a great commuting!

Summary of a lovely cycling summer break in Italy.
It was hot, and after the IM Frankfurt, I had lost a bit of shape, watts and stamina for cycling.
So, I started with a flat 54km ride in the surrounding countryside.
Then, a very intense 134km ride, through beautiful Slovenia 🇸🇮 (Monfalcone, Komen, Sežana) before heading down to Trieste for sightseeing (losing a beautiful 20km downhill road to recover legs and speed average!) and under heat to Grado, with front wind and weak legs.
The third ride was maybe the best! Climbing the “hors categorie” Zoncolan 🗻 , a pillar of the Giro d’Italia with its 1.200m of positive elevation (starting at 548m and ending at 1.731m above sea level), an average incline of 8% in the first 10km and 14% in the last 3km, with three peaks of 22%, 25% and 27%!
Last but not least, a wonderful 175km ride north to the Italian alps, via Cividale, crossing into Slovenia via Kobarid (meeting a colleague for a coffee) and down along the Soča river to Nova Gorica and Gorizia (capitals of EU culture 2025) before heading back to Grado, this time with some good tail wind (front wind all the way to Slovenia)

Another splendid day and another great training. To continue the series “Saturday is also Sunday”..
Exploring new territories, new climbs under a warm sunshine. A bit chilly in the morning (8C) but then comfortably warm to get rid of the jacket’s sleeves.
First exit with the tt bike. Low profiled wheels just in case.
Once again, passing through the bordering region of Castilla y León and contemplating the superb quietness and nature.
4,5h ride, 118km and 1.730m elevation.
Followed by a 35’ run in z2.
Felt good! 💪🏼 🦈

Representing Sharks Sports Club at the Erasmus+ Info Day in Brussels 🇪🇺

Sala Silverman, a fantastic adventure through 1.930m swimming, 87km biking and 21km running, accompanied by the superb Nicklas who smashed any wind gust and all the uphills. And supported by the fabulous and as well as Anders and Pia, my precious neighbors, who transmitted so much energy that it was impossible to give up racing today!!

This is my story.

The morning was chilly and windy and there was some thinking on what to wear, especially during cycling.. well, 10:31 I enter the water. 19C so pretty comfortable. 2 laps, 3 buoys per lap. At last with a big group of swimmers (cannot recall when was last time..!), which meant of course some kicking in the face (received!) and (politely) fighting at the buoy turns to find the best corridor. A very good time, since I didn’t swim much in the last months: 33’58”, which gives an average pace of 1:45/100m (compared to my usual 2:03/100m in the training).
A very fast transition-1, no need of extra clothes, about 1’45” and off on the bike (which shortly became also off from the bike 💥😅). Bad feelings on my legs and in the lower body parts for most of the 3 laps. Maybe not much training, or just unused to the TT position. And annoying wind on much of the first part of the loops. But after finding my pace, I managed to finish in 2h36’58”, an average somewhere above 33km/h. Each loop end was a struggle, but my supporters transmitted so much energy and enthusiasm that I forgot the pain! 💕
Running, the final part was hard. Especially when you expect a flat run. But after the first hilly begin, the track lead into the woods, where small climbs accompanied the runners for the whole time. It was easier to find a comfortable pace here and at the end of each of the 3 laps (7km x3) again my supporters pushed me forward!
And so, I ended the middle distance triathlon in 5h06’56’. Super happy of that!! I almost never checked the clock, so I thought I was much slower.. so a great surprise at the end!

Huge congrats to super Nicklas for an amazing sub-5h (4h50’). I cannot post his pictures: he looks too relaxed! 😂

Wonderful bike ride in Bilbao!
Artxanda tour, 36km, 500m elevation. 2️⃣0️⃣☀️

Bilbao ☀️. Sponsored by

At last back on the road again.
It has been a “hard” week. Following the long distance indoor training and the following day run, my foot started to hurt (well, apparently I am no young anymore! 😢). I could barely walk..!
Forced rest till yesterday: an easy 40’ session on Zwift (apparently tailored to pregnant women! 😅).
And this morning with my friend Unai a great and easy-pace ride to the seaside (finally no more restrictions and we could leave the municipality) and across the beautiful southern-Bilbao landscape!
All in all 58km, 650m elevation gain and 23km/h average. A perfect day with a warm sun (and 19C at the end of the ride! ☀️) 🦈

Wow, such a beautiful Saturday morning!!!
After a week of heavy rain, eventually the sun was shining!
Chilly in the morning (7C 🥶 - to be in Bilbao) when I started, so jacket and gloves, but shorts of course!
A lot of climbs with incline up to 10% but not too long (max 3-4km). But after a climb there is always a descent!!
Thanks to the Garmin I managed to follow the road I wanted to ride, which passes along the northern coast, with Atlantic Ocean view! When the sun came up on the sky it was just PERFECT!! 🦈
In total 95km with 1.500m elevation gain.
Breakfast time! 😃