Trainer Talk
On Saturday, I had an awesome meeting with my future, potential trainer: Federico Baron.  We worked together for two weeks in November '09 when my then trainer, Javier Capitaine had gone back to Argentina to see his family.  This time round, we met up to discuss the possibility of training together, with a training plan guided by Capi.  Because of my current work-schedule arrangement with the Academy, I am not attached to any fitness trainers here at S-C, and am left to do fitness by myself.  Federico is a full time trainer, and was also a national runner for Argentina (100m, 200m and 400m).  Like Capi, he actually has experience as a high-performance athlete, and that's always something both rare and refreshing to have.
Obviously, I like Federico--he comes from the same school as Capi, and while obviously not as experienced as the man, he is eager to work with the latter (they have a great relationship), learn from him, and teach me.  I can tell that he's talented and smart.  I can also tell that he likes me and believes in my ability as an athlete--something I indefinitely need.  

Going back to training plans, I told him my plight with sponsors, my situation with very little money, and my need to find a trainer.  "It's difficult doing stuff alone.  I can do it, but I need guidance."  I gave him my timetable, and he's going to work out a couple of options.  Working together everyday, working together a few days in a week, working once a week and continuing with a plan for the rest of the week, etc.  Added to cost, is the fact that we will have to train outside the Academy too--because it will be a private endeavor.  So gym rates factor in too. 

I hope I can afford him.  I really hope I do.  But I think I will have to go back to my dad to ask for money.  Something I don't feel good about, but something I have no choice in either.  Also, I have been thinking of planning for eventually moving out of the Academy in a couple of months, maybe at the end of the year when my Spanish is better.  I doubt I will have energy once I start competing properly to continue with a 12hour night shift job.  I sleep at 2, or 3am in the morning every night now with this job.  Of course I could sleep earlier, but at the expense of not doing my job well.  If I move out to the neighbourhood that Capi works in (Castelldefels, and also the gym that Federico and I would probably be working in), then it'd be much easier commuting.  Needless to say, it would also be with someone I genuinely have faith in working with.

He'll let me know within the week my options.  In the mean time, there's going to be a European athletic championships meet this week in Barcelona and I might be going with him for that.  Damn excited.  My chance to watch an international athletic meet!