From surviving to living: Juan Dual's challenge in the Canfranc-Canfranc Marathon
At Lurbel, we believe that endurance isn’t just trained; it’s lived. That’s why few stories inspire us as much as that of Juan Dual, a Valencian athlete who has made overcoming challenges his way of life. Diagnosed with a rare cancer-related disease, Juan has undergone multiple surgeries that have changed his body but not his spirit. Today, as a trail running and ultra-distance enthusiast, he shows that even when life doesn’t treat you kindly, you can keep going… if you learn to let yourself be cared for. This is his story, told in the first person.
If life doesn’t take extra care of you, you’d better have someone else do it!
Because when cancer is busy making you have your stomach, large intestine, and gallbladder removed, daily life isn’t easy, so pampering is necessary.
My name is Juan Dual, I’m 40 years old, and I’m from Valencia. I’ve almost died three times, and thanks to sports, nature, and ultra-distance running, I’ve regained control of an incredibly tough life in which I’ve never had a moment’s peace.
A life of resistance
I’ve had no choice, ever since I was diagnosed with a rare cancer-related disease (familial adenomatous polyposis), but to face whatever comes my way.
Whether it’s through very aggressive surgeries or through the sport of ultra-distance running, which has given me such beautiful things and the physical and emotional endurance to survive the tough moments I face every day.
That’s why (and because Lurbel and I love our “Terreta”) we were destined to meet in the mountains (and on the streets of Valencia) to talk about, and above all demonstrate, the resilience and protective capacity of my skin (and yours) on every outing into nature, with each and every fabric designed and manufactured by Lurbel in my neighbouring town of Ontinyent.
That’s how I let myself be taken care of
For me, the best way to take care of myself is to head out into the mountains for hours and enjoy the most technical and challenging trails I can find. That’s just how it is.
If life has made it very difficult for me with each surgery, but I’ve survived every one, I sincerely believe that the best tribute I can pay to the gift of each day is to give my all at every moment.
Something that happens in trail running races, and even more so in ultra-distance events.
And that’s how I ended up running Canfranc-Canfranc hand in hand with the Lurbel family!
On a wonderful day in the mountains of the Huesca paradise, at a race well-known for its varied terrain and extreme temperature swings due to its high-altitude setting, having the best gear in terms of fabric—well, it was going to make the tough task of spending nearly ten hours on a long Saturday hike a bit easier.
Train strength, intervals, and long runs every week. Prepare your nutrition. All that kind of stuff is in my hands and depends solely on me. It’s my responsibility. A very demanding responsibility, because you have to be well prepared for a race as wild as the 48-kilometer Canfranc-Canfranc Marathon with 3,800 meters of elevation gain.
But hey, having your mind at ease and not worrying about whether you’ll get cold at high altitudes or whether your feet will hold up without sweating, chafing, or blisters—that’s an external aid that takes a huge load off your shoulders and is really appreciated. Believe me.
Because my daily life is already hard enough without having to suffer blisters, chafing, or get cold from not having good sports gear by Lurbel’s.
That way, all you have to worry about is taking one step after another. Just getting from one aid station to the next. From giving hugs to your people. And, of course, of crossing the finish line to embrace your Lurbel team and thank them for making it easier for you to carry out such a difficult task as being on the verge of death and dedicating yourself to running so much to motivate people and remind them that life is a gift to be cherished.
