#keepskateistanrolling

Tonight our friends @cheapobrand is showing "Four wheels and a board in Kabul" at Bio Rio in Hornstull. All ticket sales goes 100% to Skateistan and their work. Film start at 20:30 #skateistan #keepskateistanrolling #cheapobrand #sweden #stockholm

After the quick morning bike check, words of wisdom and hugs I was already half body in the water waiting for the scream of the starting gun. My heart was pounding, my mind was clearer than ever. I focused on the moment, smiled at the landscape of bodies in wetsuits, water colours and breeze, I felt the sun on my face and took my jump into the water. THE SWIM was a real human battle as I was constantly slapped and kicked and pushed by the bodies around me… I supposed I was doing the same to them as well, so no hard feelings were there. Although I lost some time orienting in the whole situation, I finished energised and ready for the rest of the race. THE BIKE was the part everyone was afraid of. And the segment I was feeling less prepared for - although almost an year of training (with some months of alcohol disruption and bad food in between) I had trained on a static bike only (needed to save cash) and have known my race bike for 6 days only. My “monkey shoes” (vibrate 5 fingers) as Mark called them seemed to do the job well. Although long and really exhausting uphills I was feeling just fine. Just on the highest point of the route I saw a friend of mine I briefly had met in Kalufa - Fumyia waiting for me! It was an amazing power boost, thank you, 私の友人! The rest of the bike race was just a patient fight with my own body and mind that in my humble opinion I could say I won. THE RUN was just enjoyable - I was feeling great and had started to really sense the magnitude of the whole IronMan race. People were cheering (thank you immensely, Anisha and Angie for being on the finish line), I saw Tom which (for me) was a mood booster (thanks, mate, for the “less talk, short steps” advice which kinda saved me :)) and hearing Mark´s “you are doing great!” meant the whole world for me in that moment. FINISHING was amazing, I was happy, complete, zen and…hungry… Returning my race chip the lady on the counter congratulated me for my position (18 in my age group) which made me feel kinda emotional - ok, I was alone for a moment so I let myself cry a bit :) I barely remember anything tangible from this day but I sure remember all the feelings and emotional cocktail I had became - I (hope) I will never forget that and to be sure - I will continue racing.

So out of the sudden - I had it all :) I was prepared for the Big Day :)

Lanzarote is beautiful. Right from the airport I was able to already see and feel the ocean. The landscape I expected was boring and nature but the island surprised me with its amazing views, mixture between colours, textures and sounds (ok, just check out the photos I posted :)) I took my bike for the race from BH ProAction (http://www.proactionbh.com) as well as some nutrition (primarily gels and iso-powder). The service was friendly and super-correct - they couldn’t find the aluminum bike I have reserved so instead they gave me a true carbon beauty for the same price. This was my first contact after the plane and I need to say - if you want to rent a bike - this is your place - a part of the “hello-make-yourself-home” feeling they have absolutely everything you’ll need. I’ll probably go back the day after tomorrow for more nutrition and also to check the beach there. After a quick lunch (fruits and hummus) I headed to Kalufa Surf Camp&School (http://www.kalufasurfschool.com) - my shelter for the next week. I’ll write about my experience here in a couple of days but for now I was blasted with good feelings. It was a ride across the island (check the map I published) and - oh my, it was amazing. Hard up hills and a lot of wind, 80% humidity and the sun (and my backpack) made the 23km tough. Now - I need to chill, find some food and organize my week.

I woke up at 03:30am after a 4h sleep in a good shape but still with some leftovers of fever and the flue that was making me company during the last couple of days. After a cup of tea I did my usual 35min Yoga, meditated for around 15min and headed to the airport. During my flight I enjoyed “180 South” - Conquerors of the Useless follows Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia. Along the way he gets shipwrecked off Easter Island, surfs the longest wave of his life - and prepares himself for a rare ascent of Cerro Corcovado. Jeff’s life turns when he meets up in a rainy hut with Chouinard and Tompkins who, once driven purely by a love of climbing and surfing, now value above all the experience of raw nature - and have come to Patagonia to spend their fortunes to protect it. I’ll keep it short but it is a huge recommendation m. Also - be good and get involved with their Patagonia Conservation project - www.sinrepresas.com; www.conservacionpatagonia.org

Barajas airport. IronMan 70.3, surf and playa, here I come!

It's Keep Skateistan Rolling time! I had the pleasure to work with Madina when I was volunteering with Skateistan back in 2011. Check out the organization, absolutely incredible!