Qualifying for the Spanish marathon team for the London Olympics 2012 is the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice and training for Lanzarote born Juan Carlos Hernandez. But it’s just the start of more hard work to get the athlete to peak fitness before he travels to the UK capital in August.
Speaking at a press conference held at Sands Beach Resort this week, the 34 year old ‘conejero’, as those born in Lanzarote are known, praised his native island for its ideal sports training conditions â its beaches, terrain, perfect climate and excellent diet â which have helped to take him to the top of his physical performance over the years. It’s those conditions which are contributing to Lanzarote’s position as Europe’s number one sports destination for winter training and Sands Beach Resort’s growing reputation as a sports holiday and training base.
Well aware of the challenges that lie ahead, Jose reckons he’ll be successful if he finishes in the top twenty in London in an event dominated by the Africans. Hoping the London August will be hot and so provide some advantage for the Spanish athletes, Jose will be spending the next two and a half months getting himself into tip top fitness.
Already holder of Canaries records at 10 kilometres, half and full marathon distances, Jose finally got his virtual ticket to London at the Barcelona Marathon in March when he clocked up an Olympian time of 2hrs 11mins 57secs to break the tape in eighth position and set a new personal best time.
Beginning his training at Sands Beach Resort before moving to Valladolid with the Olympic team later this month to begin his final, two months of intensive training, Jose faces rigorous physical and mental discipline and the sacrifice of being away from his family in order to concentrate all his time and energy into his preparations.
Additional notes:
The press conference was held on Thursday 1st June 2012 at Sands Beach Resort and Juan Carlos Hernandez (centre) is joined by Juan Carlos Albuixech, Director of Sands Beach Resort (left) and Juan Montero (right), resident physiotherapist at Sands Beach Resort.
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