Dr. Lluís Fernández, a specialist in Dentistry and Stomatology in Barcelona and medical director of the Clínica d’Especialitats Dentals Sant Lluís, has been a lover of his profession and his hobby for six years: running marathons.
His love for running arose to alleviate back injuries derived from his profession.
Dr. Fernández has run 20 marathons at the age of 63. But he became fond of running when he started hiking to alleviate back problems caused by stress and the incorrect postures adopted in the dentistry office.
“I set myself goals, for example, to walk more kilometers or climb higher peaks in order to gradually become more physically fit. First I started to descend as fast as I could some peaks and, later, I was encouraged to run trail races of a few kilometers. When I saw that my legs and physique allowed me to do so and that they responded, I began to combine them with asphalt races, from 5.10, 15, 15, 21 and 30 kilometers to, finally, the 42.195km of the Marathon,” explains the doctor.
But Dr. Fernandez continued to challenge himself, and dared to run longer distances and routes, to the point of completing ultra races of 100km, the Camino de Santiago (running 800km in 14 days) or the return to Menorca.
Although when he was young he had always been attracted to sports and practiced handball, gymnastics, decathlon, soccer or mountaineering, when he started studying he also had to start working to pay for his dentistry studies, which limited his sporting activity, which was limited to some amateur games or mountaineering on weekends. In 2015, however, he was encouraged to run long-distance races.
The goal is not to make records but to maintain good health.
Dr. Fernandez explains that he does not run to compete or make marks, but basically for health, to keep fit and, above all, to enjoy the sport. “It is also a way to travel, learn and meet other people and places. For me, finishing any competition is already a success, regardless of the time, distance or difficulties. That for me is a plus of satisfaction: overcoming your physical and mental limits depending on your age and facing difficulties better,” she adds.
Taking care of your diet is also essential to stay in shape and perform well, both personally and in sports. “Without a perfect dietary balance, performance would not be adequate. In my case, I have never smoked and I only drink alcoholic beverages sporadically, especially a glass of wine, but never when I have a race. You should always look for the most natural foods, nothing processed, as well as eliminating or greatly limiting sugar, and planning between vitamins, amino acids, proteins, vegetables and carbohydrates,” explains Dr. Fernandez.
Being a dentist and a marathon runner, perfectly compatible
Dr. Fernández perfectly combines his profession as a dentist with being a marathon runner, and he firmly believes that there is time for everything, if you want to: “It’s a question of organization and perseverance. It’s like two computer screens, when I’m at work I’m focused on the patient, then I close that screen and open the other one, which is sports training and my personal life. It’s not easy and it takes consistency, but it’s really the lifestyle or way of life you choose, discarding other things, and you focus more on what brings you personal satisfaction and good health.”
Getting some of his patients to become runners is a source of satisfaction.
Dr. Fernandez has the support of his patients. Many of them are familiar with his facet as a marathon runner and are amazed by his tenacity and mental control in competitions. The doctor explains that at first they are taken by surprise that, at his age, he is encouraged to take part in these sporting competitions, but later they are usually very interested in what the tests are like and how to get to the finish line.
On the other hand, many athletes also come to his office to improve their stomatognathic system, or to consult about training and sports nutrition. However, one of the greatest satisfactions for Dr. Fernandez, as a runner and as a stomatologist, is that patients have become interested in the goals, methods and ways to start doing sports, and that some have ended up becoming runners as well.
As for his personal goals for the near future, if he finally manages to control the Covid-19, is to finish the World Marathon Majors, which includes the six most famous marathons in the world (the doctor already has Berlin and New York), continue running the main marathons in Spain that he has not yet done and finish the GR9 route of the Pyrenees.