Speed skating with PC.Nicky´s
The first time that I met all the members of the club PC Nicky´s was at the marathon that was held in Tarragona.
In the middle are my three training mates from Terrassa Roger, Jaure and Nestor. The others came from other areas of Spain and one came from France. At that moment I did not have the official tenue of the club. The length of a marathon is 42.195 km. For an ice skater this is not a long distance. In The Netherlands all ice skaters like to skate the Elfstedentocht when it is possible and that race has a length of 200km. So one would think that a marathon is an easy matter for a Dutch speed skater. However this was not at all the case. The story below will show why this is so. . |
Participating in my first marathon on inline skates
Because the space for the marathon was limited. We had to skate 9 times the same round. In this marathon we had 9 times to skate up a hill over a distance of 2 kilometers..For me this was a new experience. Skating up a high bridge once in a tour in The Netherland was no problem but 9 times to skate 2 km uphill was really another matter. At the top there were people who provided us with water. That was very nice but I have to admit that the ninth time I was wondering whether I would reach the top of the hill. Fortunately, I made it and finished my first marathon in Spain.
|
Participation in my first short distance race in Spain
The next step in my speed skating career in Spain was the participation in the Championship on shorter distances in Villadecans. There the track was similar to the one close to my house. Jaure had organized that the Speed skating Union created a special category for skaters like me, skaters above 50. Now I could also skate for the prize of the best skater of Cataluña in my age category. Given that I was the only one I was also automatically the winner. Given this situation I also dressed in the tenue of the PC Nicky´s. I am in the 6th position in the `photo at the right side.
It was nice to participate in these championships and to participate as good as I could. It was a lot of fun because first there were many races for children which were nice to see. After that the races for seniors took place where I also participated. Of course I became the best of my age group. But I left before the prices were prpvided. Laure was quite annoyed about that because he spend a lot of effort to convince the offcials that such a new age categorey and therefore also a price was necessary..
It was nice to participate in these championships and to participate as good as I could. It was a lot of fun because first there were many races for children which were nice to see. After that the races for seniors took place where I also participated. Of course I became the best of my age group. But I left before the prices were prpvided. Laure was quite annoyed about that because he spend a lot of effort to convince the offcials that such a new age categorey and therefore also a price was necessary..
Participation in the Marathon of Valencia
The next year I participated with the members of PC Nicky´s in the marathon of Valencia. This marathon took place in the harbor of the town and the circuit was completely flat. Therefore, I thought that I could make a much better time on this marathon thent at the one of Tarragona. However, at the start I fell because I did not see that there was a rope on the road. When I had recovered, I tried to skate as fast as possible to connect with the faster skaters. That cost me a lot of energy. When I started to be tired a new member of PC Nicky´s, Olivier, passed by and together we continued with a group of good skaters. Going behind them we could relax. In the end we could even make a sprint to the finish. It turned out that we skated the marathon in 1 hour and 50 minutes which is not so bad for senior speed skaters and much better than my result in the marathon of Tarragona.
After this event I had the time and energy to look at the incredible building which the architect Calatrava had created in Valencia.
After this event I had the time and energy to look at the incredible building which the architect Calatrava had created in Valencia.
In 2013 when I was 70 years old I skated in January in Davos on ice and also in Barcelona . Of both events I have a video recording detected. It is interesting to compare the way of skating. My movement remains the same as you can see below but I move faster on inline skates because of the less smooth surface.
go home
|
go to Roller Speed
|