To see my original post on Johnson Cruz Barrios, see my post on March 9th
Johnson trains during dry season on Isla de Ometepe
After my last post, I really got serious about getting Johnson into races and began to contact several different companies and groups around the country to see if anyone was interested in sponsoring Johnson to train. I also contacted the members of Team Traverse to see if they were willing to pitch in. Team Traverse runners pitched in $450 towards Johnson’s cause and Project Schoolhouse’s sister organization Books Beyond Borders pitched in $200! With this amount I was able to get Johnson set up with a passport, some preliminary running gear and to send him to some races.
Nicaragua does not have much else in the way of ultramarathons, so we picked the PeaceCorps 21k in Jinotega for a practice run and then Q50 Costa Rica 50 mile for the premier event. Robinson Espinoza, our Ometepe Fuego y Agua race manager volunteered his time and efforts to help coach Johnson and to accompany him to the races. The directors of Q50 Costa Rica sponsored Johnson’s entry into the race and it was set! My sister and I put together a training plan for Johnson and he began training in earnest.
Johnson at the Jinotega 21k in northern Nicaragua
On March 20th, Johnson and Robinson traveled to the north of Nicaragua to Jinotega where Johnson ran his second race ever (first race was his winning 2009 Fuego y Agua 50k), the PeaceCorps 21k in 1:36 (4th Place). Until now, Johnson had never traveled further off of the island than the town of Rivas. Although his finishing time was not what he hoped for, Johnson continued to train hard for Q50 Costa Rica.
Johnson at Q50 Costa Rica 2010
On May 30th, Robinson and Johnson headed to Sarapiqui Costa Rica for the Q50 Ultramarathon. Johnson finished in a time of 10:59 for an overall 7th place! He struggled with severe chafing and finished the last two miles in his socks. The temps were up in the 100′s and everyone said the race was one of the hardest and hottest they ever experienced. One of the most beautiful things about their trip was the winner Javier Montero and his girlfriend Vanessa. Javier and Vanessa drove Robinson and Johnson to/from San Jose and took care of their lodging in Sarapiqui. Javier truly has the heart of a winner.
Johnson wrote a summary of his race experience and I have posted it below:
Spanish:
Q50 Costa Rica fue una experiencia
maravillosa e inolvidable primeramente porque fue la primera vez que competia en en Q50 y en una carrera de tan grande distancia para mi es increible que huviera hecho tan
larga distancia todavia lo digo y no lo creo pero con mucho esfuerzo y dedicacion lo logre y tambien gracias a Josue Stephens quien ha sido como un hermano para mi me ha ayudado muchisimo en todos los sentidos de la palabra practicamente yo no hubiera hecho nada sin su apoyo, Q50 Costa Rica es una experiencia fantastica para las personas que les gusta mucho correr y les gusta mucho el turismo de aventura la naturaleza y todas sus cosas lindas que con ella vienen para mi todo eso y mucho mas es Q50 Costa Rica.
English:
Johnson and Robinson with Javier Montero, the Q50 champion
Q50 Costa Rica was a wonderful and unforgettable experience primarily because it was the first time I competed in a race of so great a distance. For me it is incredible that I completed such a long distance. I still say it to myself and do not believe it. This was only possible with much effort and the achievements and dedication of Josue Stephens who has been like a brother to me and has really helped me in every sense of the word. I could not have done anything without everyone’s support. COSTA RICA Q50 is a fantastic experience for people who love running and love the adventure travel, nature and all her pretty things. All that and much more is Q50 COSTA RICA.
Johnson is currently training for the 100k in Fuego y Agua this December and hopes to be ready to take on the competition on his own turf.
Thank you to everyone who supported this effort:
- Alejandra Bazzi and Cesar Torres of Q50 Ultras
- Thomas Barker of Project Schoolhouse and Books Beyond Borders
- Brad Quinn of Traverse Trail Running and all members of Team Traverse
- Elisa Donato and Giantsfoot Surf Camp
- Javier Montero and his girlfriend Vanessa (Javier is the winner of Coastal Challenge 2010, Q50 Costa Rica 2010 and Ultramaraton Fuego y Agua 2009)
