I’ve been running in the rain, pushing through slippery roads with my road running shoes. Some might say it’s foolish, but I see it as preparation—if I can run well in the worst conditions, then nothing can stop me when the conditions are ideal. The rain is just another challenge, another factor to conquer.

Not everything has been smooth, though. One unexpected obstacle? Stray dogs. More than once, I had to stop my running a few times to calmly pass them. It’s an added element of unpredictability, but in a way, it only reinforces my mindset: always be ready for anything.

I ended my most recent training session at a chapel that holds deep significance for both Canedo and my family. Perched at the top of a hill, it stands as a quiet but powerful symbol of endurance and tradition. After a grueling run, reaching that final destination felt like a victory—not just over the physical terrain, but over every internal doubt and limitation.

This is what running is for me. It’s not just about speed or endurance; it’s about overcoming, adapting, and proving to myself that no matter the conditions, I will keep going. Canedo is testing me, but I welcome the challenge. Every run here makes me stronger. And I’m just getting started.

My training sessions have been far from conventional. Knowing that the marathon route will be mostly flat, I chose to train on slopes to push myself harder. Running up and down these inclines has been a test of both endurance and mental strength, but it’s also given me confidence that I’ll be ready for anything on race day. I even took my training to the beach, running by the sea and challenging myself with the sand. While I didn’t run much in the sand, the added difficulty made me appreciate how different surfaces can impact performance.

To ensure I’m prepared for all scenarios, I’ve varied my training times. Morning, afternoon, or evening—I’ve experienced it all to adapt to different conditions. On some days, I even combined running with other activities, like padel training. I would literally run to the padel court, train there, and then make my way back home. These sessions were exhausting but incredibly rewarding.

I also experimented with different types of clothing during my runs. I alternated between sleeveless shirts and long sleeves to understand how each impacted my performance. While I’ve discovered that I feel more comfortable running sleeveless, colder weather might force me to adapt—a problem I’m still figuring out how to solve, but it’s all part of the process!

Being selected as the company’s half-marathon ambassador has been both an honor and a personal growth experience that I’m embracing with full determination. From the very beginning, the team at Golazo in Belgium welcomed me warmly and professionally. I felt immediately at home working with people genuinely passionate about running and physical preparation. Their professionals taught me essential running strategies, fueling my enthusiasm for each stage of training.

In all honesty, I was never much of a runner, and this half-marathon is a new challenge. By adopting Golazo’s techniques and methods, I’ve been experiencing progress I never imagined possible. Incorporating strategies like interval training, breathing techniques, and pace monitoring has helped me build stamina and confidence. Every training session is an opportunity to exceed my own expectations, which has been key in my preparation.

I can feel myself improving not only as a runner but in my overall physical fitness. Pushing my limits and going beyond personal barriers has allowed me to discover a new sense of resilience in both body and mind. Testing my limits and realizing that I’m capable of going further than I thought possible has been incredibly rewarding.