The highlights of last week
were, first of all the african dinner on Wednesday evening, when I ate my first ugali (the famous energy source for kenyan runners) and secondly some heavy discussions about training and coaching philosophy at the weekend. On Sunday I got a small blood-blister after the long run. Probably there was a fold in my sock - I could feel it after 1 1/2 hours but continued for 40mins. At home I discovered the reason for my pain. Taking it easy on monday morning with only 6km easy I hope I won't have any more problems. Apart from that studies are going well and it's not as busy at it was 2 weeks ago. That means: more time for good training and sufficient recovery - Jess.

Winter in Jyväskylä hasn't decided yet if he wants to come or not. Last week it was constantly sub zero with some snowfall and last weekend saw a lot of skiers getting their skis prepared - the conditions were indeed skiable. Now again most of the snow is gone and it's grey and wet.

So, today I was lucky to stay inside and make a tough work-out on the indoor track. From now on, onday will be one of the core days concerning training. Now, that my study is finished and I don't need to go to the gym so often anymore to coach my subjects I can do the fast training when the other guys are also doing their workouts. Today again 3x3K (9:55/9:43/9:40) plus an additional 2K in 6:34 with Mikael.

We (my coach and me) also made plans for the christmas/new years holidays when I will be in Germany. I will run at least 2 races: One high-quality race in Bietigheim (Bietigheimer Silvesterlauf on 31.12) and the traditional "Falkensteiner Neujahrsberglauf" (new-years mountain run) on 05.01, in which I competed each time for the last 15 years or so. It's so good to have a coach again and discuss the planning of the season - Danke Chefe.