Although I'm not the best cross-country runner and enjoy much more to run on flat roads, I took part in a 9K-cross country race last weekend. The race - which was held in Pajulahti - was at the same time the qualification for the Nordic Championships (international contest between FIN, NOR, SWE, DEN and Iceland). So I was lining up with a selection of the best runners in Finland. Considering this fact I'm satisfied with my 9th place.
I took it somewhat easier this week with only one medium fast session on Wednesday; thus my legs were feeling much fresher than last week and I could push harder for the last third of the race. Still I lost the final sprint against two other guys - 5 seconds faster would have been 7th place. Anyway, now I know where I am and have some more motivation. The national team is only one minute away and my best training mate Miika got the last spot on the Finnish team, finishing 4th - Congratulations. Funny thing is that last year he was running the same time like I did this year (on the same course of course). It will be his first time in the dress of the national team and that's why he changed his plans and doesn't run Frankfurt marathon next weekend because the Nordic Champs are just one week after that - crazy guy. Also the two other guys of JKU (the local athletics club from Jyväskylä) finished well with Juha taking 3rd and Henri taking 5th place. I'm looking forward to having some good workouts together with them this winter.
In the University we had the International Degree Students Come Together, which I was organising together with some other guys from the Student Union board. It was a nice evening and once again a good opportunity to make some contacts.
Here are also a some (quite old) pictures, taken at the Finlandia (half) marathon and the German Nationals in halfmarathon.
yes, the weather was really horrible, the muscles were cold and I was lucky to cross the finish line (though it might not look like that)
2 lucky guys: Miika & me after a hard 21,1 km in German Nationals
4 comments:
Erik..fantastic for you. Well done Champ. It's great that you managed to do well even if it was BLOODY cold. I wanted to com and watch the race but I had my girlfriends B'day party at 1pm. Now I can start running and walking again so i think laajavuori invites us there!
Once again Congratulations placing top 10!!!! Keep up the good work!
I think you must have just biked to Roninmäki...I heard a squeaky bike a short distance away from my window.
@Ritva:
If you saw a white contrail: Yes, it was probably me :)
@Minnie mii:
Kiitos, Kiitos,
mä saan niin paljon innoitusta sinulta!
Herzlischliche Glückwünsch!!!
Hienoja juoksuja! Jatka samaa mallia, niin ensi kesänä tulee radallakin (taas) kovia tuloksia.
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