What’s pleasing to the eye
In the delusion of my sight
Is not what I find when I reach into the light
I have lost my mind
I’m walking through time
Deluded as the next guy
Pretending and hoping to find
That distant peace of mind 

Beastie Boys – I Don’t Know

I’ve told myself so many times before
But this time I think I mean it for sure
We have reached a full stop
Nothing’s going to save us from the big drop
Depeche Mode – Leave In Silence

I’m getting emotional – my last race in South-America. Wow, this one-year trip is finished quick. Too quick!

To bash my goodbye the “O Rei da Montanha” (The King of the Mountain) was the best possible farewell party.

A bunch of friends from Sao Paulo and my good friend (…and collector) from home, Anja, trekked down to Mogi das Cruzes 2 hours outside of Sao Paulo.

Gui, Paulo and I attacked the 3 x 7 kilometer relay race. The goal was well defined. We wanted the win. And we got it. Boooom – Best possible leaving present!

Recovery started with some heavyweight Caipirinhas in the sun beside the local bar. Some more beverages in Sao Paulo were to follow later on – great day.

I’m leaving this continent with so many positive feelings. I had an exceptionally time and couldn’t have asked for more. The thoughts are deep and I’m feeling more linked to the people and the countries I have stayed than I ever imagined I would be. I met so many unique people along the way that this would fill another posting pretty easily.

I’m deeply thankful for the time I spend here. Thank you South-America!

This is goodbye…

SPANISH VERSION
PORTUGUESE VERSION

A cooked me with 3rd leg speedster Senior Chaves.

After-race beverage for the crew.

“Bonjour maman! Non, je ne suis pas ivre!”

Sébastien Loeb anyone?

Paula re-hydrating.

First!

ARTICLE: The passionate Oscar Galindez
PICTURES: A day with Oscar Galindez

Matthew Forichon from Lyon is an illustrator and runner himself.

His blog “des bosses et des bulles” (Bumps and bubbles) is one of my favorite’s around. His comic styles are incredible, refreshing and very entertaining.

Make sure you check by his blog. Absolutely worth it!

I dashed into the megalopolis termed “São Paulo” just a few days before the race. Spend a great time with my buddy Guillaume and enjoyed one of the most active towns I have ever visited. Nevertheless a great place. Way better than the image.

We reached the race venue Serra da Bocaina, midway between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, on Friday. Certain communication disputes had it that we located the house of a friend just after midnight. After a couple of hours sleep it was game time.

After the Cruce de los Andes earlier this year this was my second team and stage race. The course profile looked exciting, racing with Guillaume and spending time with all the other Brazilians I met during the Cruce sounded cool.

The first day began with the main ascending part on the initial 10k. Unnecessary to say we got lost pretty early in the race. It wasn’t too cruel but until we reached back on the correct path the trail started to get jam-packed. We headed on and overtook nicely until we moved to the first decent which was one of the loveliest trail footing my Brooks ever heartened.

We trailed along, chatted, laughed and reached the 20k point. I was not aware that the last 20k was an out-and-back passage. Due to the hotness and possibly over-pacing earlier on, we lost some places in the second half.

Sundown saw huge barbeque with the crew and good chats. That is one thing I love at this races. It seems more as a social event then an actual race.

After a rough nighttime in a tent that was remarkably short for the two of us I woke up feeling pretty saturated. I forgot my mattress in São Paulo (…Rookie mistake). Sleeping on the floor is not the most relaxing thing.

The second day began as spectacular as the first. Beautiful running with some serious hiking grade in the first part of the course. At the 20k checkpoint I was pretty roasted and tried to refill as good as possible. After some kilometers of severe climbing the roughest part of the race was on the cards. A sweet 15k downhill in the lunchtime sun.

Useless to say this was a Suffer fest for “Fralemao”. We wrestled through and reached the finish in fifth place for the day. Total we ended in 7th place, which is nice, but 28 seconds variance to the 6th place is not much.

An amazing weekend found it’s end with a beautiful sundown drive back to São Paulo.

Spanish Version
Portugues Version

Pictures
Course Profile