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Why participate in the 101 kilometers from Ronda? (25/05/2013)

I once asked one of the best climbers in history, Briton George Mallory climbed mountains why.

He answered: Why are they there?

Obviously in that reply was a much deeper feeling, similar to the one I feel when I participate in the 101 kilometers from Ronda (hereinafter 101 km.).

For those unaware of what this race, saying that ultra-endurance proves that consists in traveling 101 miles through the mountains of Ronda.

Held the second weekend in May and participants can perform in three modes, walking, MTB (mountain biking) and duathlon.

To start there is a maximum of 24 hours to finish, in the duathlon are 18 hours and for MTB, 12 hours.

Output is given at 11 am on Saturday and control closes at 11 am Sunday.

Participate each year about 7,000 people from all parts of Spain, and also from other countries such as Ireland, France, Finland, Germany, Belgium and Portugal.

Also this year, the waiting list has exceeded 13,000, ie 20,000 people attempt the registration for only 7,000 places, hence its fame.

Perhaps what makes this event special, besides its hardness, is the magnificent organization that performs year after year Alessandro Farnese Third Fourth Round of the Legion (and going 16 editions).

In addition, the surrounding villages are turning dramatically.

I do not intend in this article to chronicle the last edition in which I participated, on May 11-12, but try to explain why I have already participated in five editions (that would be six if I had not fallen on the bike training in 2011, five days before the test, luxándome clavicle).

Participating in an event like the 101 km.

has nothing to do with being competitive.

Well, that's not entirely true.

Those who participated in these tests are very, very competitive.

But we do not compete against other participants, but against ourselves.

In my first edition, in 2006, I decided to sign with my brother Santi encouraged by other friends to see what the experience.

We did mountain and we fancied trying "other things".

We both retired in the village of Setenil, who was at mile 57 of the course.

We arrived at 10pm after 11 hours walking cold, tired and dejected especially mentally.

The next two years I finished walking, both entering the goal with more than 22 hours in the body, experiencing my limits.

I decided to change modes.

Last year I decided to do it in MTB, but an untimely injury knocked me to the first change, at kilometer 10.

This year, oblivious to fainting, I'm back and I finished in MTB in just under seven hours.

Many believe that we do this type of activity are crazy (a little yes, I must say).

Others think that it is very well physically, there is no problem finishing it.

Nothing to do with reality.

I have seen retiring at kilometer 20 athletes with impressive physical.

Instead, I have seen people get some very close to the 24-hour control, which in no way anyone would have imagined doing sport, let alone participating in an event as extreme as this, for example the famous Super Paco, already has 75 years, and all editions in just under 20 hours walking.

This test is an experience of "mental strength".

Only the bravest participate, but only those who really are just mentally strong, at least in the form of walking.

After five editions in which I abandoned twice, I would say that where I have learned has been the years I have left, especially in my first edition of walking, back in 2006.

That year gave up from exhaustion, but mostly because it was mentally prepared.

From kilometer 40 I began to doubt, thinking that he did not have halfway and I was very wrong.

In the end I gave up and retired exhausted.

During the 12 months I was psyched that I could get, I'd go and not to surrender, that my limit I was, and had no limits.

But a month before the test, I produced an overload training in both twins.

The physio, a few days before told me not occur to me to test.

That was not fit and it was crazy.

I contradict my common sense and I went to do it, with many doubts about my fitness, but with an iron conviction, which I had missed the previous year.

He was very clear that I would retire if I only lesionaba and it was impossible to follow.

By tiredness and never would.

In Setenil, mile 57, we made a long stop to eat, because my parents and my wife Julia were there.

They had come to Ronda Setenil encourage and then to bring us food and isotonic drinks typical for these cases, ie broth with balls, sausages, cheese, beer, wine, etc..

After eating and Julia typical heal us, heavy and painful blisters, we started running.

From there it was hard.

At mile 77, to leave the headquarters of the legion to climb the famous hill of Hermitage, I had to tell my brother Joseph to continue his own, that I would withdraw.

It was impossible to keep up.

Her legs ached and he was "like a shot" (although they had insisted on retiring in Setenil).

And I said that because if I had told him to come down the pace, he could have harmed.

Therefore, starting to climb the hill of Hermitage at three in the morning, I was alone.

With very cold, about 10 ° about (during the day had been 30 degrees), I became aware that I still had 24 miles to do it in eight hours.

I went down the pace, head faked, following the trail of light in my front and I pointed the way Mentalic me step by step.

Very slowly went by the miles (and hours).

Suddenly dawned while walking through the beautiful landscape of the river Guadiaro you about Ronda, once past Montejaque and Beanoján.

It's amazing how after 20 hours walking and pain throughout the body yet one is able to admire the beauty of that environment.

I got closer to Ronda, overlooking the Tagus.

And finally, before me, the famous "slope joke".

After a hard effort to climb up once on top, one last surprise, my mother was waiting for me the last 500 meters leading to the finish line, located in Alameda.

Such was the excitement, rage from the previous year, doubts the injury a month before I began to mourn as he had never done.

I could barely walk the last mile, each step was like I nailed a punch in the soles of the pain I had.

But my family was there to help me walk the last steps to glory.

The excitement and satisfaction of having proved that know what my limit, and that this was much higher than I would have imagined, taught me a lot.

I learned to know myself, to overcome my limitations, my fears and my doubts.

I realized that everything in life is a matter of attitude and are able to withstand much more than we imagine.

I decided not to make it walk, at least in the following years.

But my brother Santi had not finished and left something undone.

The following year, in 2008, following the ritual, and again accompanied by family, went back to do it.

And luckily the just, again over 22 hours.

I could say that was less harsh than the previous year, which as you had made, was adapted to it.

That it was not as exciting as 2007.

But lie.

It was as hard and emotive than 12 months earlier.

Saltárseme tears again when Simon Hernandez, Ginés, Santi and I went into the goal on Sunday just after nine o'clock.

It's hard to describe the feelings that are experienced in this test if you have not participated in it and have lived "in situ".

View the legionaries cheering like you're the first seed is very exciting and moral burden you.

Just as when you go through a village and a boy of no more than eight years is an outstanding open water hose if you want to drink or cool off the body, with an illusion that it appears that the participant is him.

It's exciting.

Hard to tell with words.

There are participants who sacrifice a year preparing for selflessly helping an injured teammate, or cramps, or a cyclist who has had a mechanical problem.

They do it to a stranger, risking even get out of control.

Solidarity here is something special.

This year, the testing experience in MTB has been equally successful.

Maybe not as hard as you can enjoy the walking, because on the bike all goes very quickly, not have time to recreate at the aid stations, talking with other participants or with the legionnaires.

When you come to realize you're at the goal.

But the experience is just as nice.

The hardness of the climbs almost 3,000 vertical meters of ascent, the heat and the "candy" final "joke slope" have caused emotion across the goal has been to all great.

And the fact regret not fall or bounce around our "team" has also been important.

It was a weekend of fellowship around the team we've gone and we've seen there: chavi, Tropi, Ernesto Bellon, Ernesto Cayuela, Manolin, Juanra, Peter, Loren, Jose, Pichi, Lidia, Polish, Super and coach spaces.

When you do an activity with people with this "good vibes", the experience is doubly rewarding.

Thanks mates, who have come and others that I have left with the desire to come.

Another year will be.

And thanks to my family for enduring the sacrifices and absences involving training.

The final effort worthwhile.

Finally, to say that the only thing I tried with this article was to convey to those people who do not understand why this type of testing practice so hard, that my experience over the years has led me to participate and experience it promote values so important in any person as companionship, determination, perseverance, work, sacrifice, self-confidence, humility and a desire to excel.

These values ​​are extrapolated to any facet of life, whether in personal or professional.

So thank Ronda, because you taught me that "pain is temporary, but pride is forever."

Ramón Pérez Merlos

Source: Ramón Pérez Merlos

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