Sun and Snow
Finally, after 10 days of cloudy sky I saw the sun for the first time here in Finland this morning. Also snow arrived and skiing-conditions are somewhere between very good and perfect, so I'm preparing for doing some work on skis next week.
Training is progressing and I'm satisfied. Today a 12K run (most of it in deep snow) in the morning and in the evening a 1-hour run (16km) on treadmill. Felt much better than last week, when I overestimated myself and went out too fast. Still it's a long road to an acceptable shape.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Birthday workout
consisted of 5x800m (300m recovery) today. Well, it was the first fast track session of 2008 so the times ~2:25 mins felt amazing fast and I had to push hard to keep the pace. Also HR was really high (maximum of 190 for the last run) and I hope I will run the same times with less effort in the upcoming weeks. Nothing comes easy - even if it's your birthday :)
Last week was satisfying in terms of mileage (around 165K) but there were only few medium-fast kilometers included. Sunday also saw the first long run of the new year (2h05). That should be a good base and I can already feel that the legs are getting smoother and more relaxed as I am running 4min/km-pace. I try to increase the pace of the "normal" runs throughout the next weeks so that I'm coming as close as possible to this 4minute pace. That should be possible especially when running on the flat.
The weather turns to winter again now (it seems) and I had a nice, snowy, white birthday.
Thanks everyone who remembered my b'day.
consisted of 5x800m (300m recovery) today. Well, it was the first fast track session of 2008 so the times ~2:25 mins felt amazing fast and I had to push hard to keep the pace. Also HR was really high (maximum of 190 for the last run) and I hope I will run the same times with less effort in the upcoming weeks. Nothing comes easy - even if it's your birthday :)
Last week was satisfying in terms of mileage (around 165K) but there were only few medium-fast kilometers included. Sunday also saw the first long run of the new year (2h05). That should be a good base and I can already feel that the legs are getting smoother and more relaxed as I am running 4min/km-pace. I try to increase the pace of the "normal" runs throughout the next weeks so that I'm coming as close as possible to this 4minute pace. That should be possible especially when running on the flat.
The weather turns to winter again now (it seems) and I had a nice, snowy, white birthday.
Thanks everyone who remembered my b'day.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Searching for the flow.
The first days back here in Finland are history now and I’m feeling really happy to be back. If the weather would be better and if I would be in a better shape it would be perfect.
The road conditions are indeed horrible and last days it was extremely dangerous to run outside because of lot of ice and snow-mud due to high temperature (around freezing point). On Monday and Tuesday I did some medium-fast kilometers, whereas I had to go indoors (treadmill and 200m indoor track) because I was afraid of breaking my legs on the slippery roads. Anyway, I felt horrible during the workouts and legs were feeling extremely tired even though the speed was far slower than at the end of last year. I guess to some degree it’s the flu I had in the beginning of 2008 but it might also be that I took it a bit too easy during christmas holiday :(
Also normal life goes on and there are a lot of news everyday concerning working, studying and university. Yesterday was one of those normal "crazy" days and I only realised that I was on my legs for 12hours when I rode my bike back from school. After getting up at 7.30 I had lecture until 10 and immediately afterwards went for a run and some sprints. Then lunch and at 13.00 Student Union meeting, followed by some lab-work and discussion with profs. Finally at 18.00 the second run with some gym afterwards. Then to Sauna and back home - puuuuh. During the preparation for the new season I'm not planning on having too much of those days, because I know I need a lot of rest to stay injury-free and to maintain a good quality in training.
The first days back here in Finland are history now and I’m feeling really happy to be back. If the weather would be better and if I would be in a better shape it would be perfect.
The road conditions are indeed horrible and last days it was extremely dangerous to run outside because of lot of ice and snow-mud due to high temperature (around freezing point). On Monday and Tuesday I did some medium-fast kilometers, whereas I had to go indoors (treadmill and 200m indoor track) because I was afraid of breaking my legs on the slippery roads. Anyway, I felt horrible during the workouts and legs were feeling extremely tired even though the speed was far slower than at the end of last year. I guess to some degree it’s the flu I had in the beginning of 2008 but it might also be that I took it a bit too easy during christmas holiday :(
Also normal life goes on and there are a lot of news everyday concerning working, studying and university. Yesterday was one of those normal "crazy" days and I only realised that I was on my legs for 12hours when I rode my bike back from school. After getting up at 7.30 I had lecture until 10 and immediately afterwards went for a run and some sprints. Then lunch and at 13.00 Student Union meeting, followed by some lab-work and discussion with profs. Finally at 18.00 the second run with some gym afterwards. Then to Sauna and back home - puuuuh. During the preparation for the new season I'm not planning on having too much of those days, because I know I need a lot of rest to stay injury-free and to maintain a good quality in training.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Back in the forests!
Just a quick note that I finally made it back home to Jyväskylä. With the new (preliminary) passport I had no problems. The air is great (fresh and clean) but the weather is horrible (raining away the snow). The first run (easy 12K) felt great and my flu is almost completely gone. Now I'm indeed motivated for the following weeks and months - in terms of both sports and academic issues.
Just a quick note that I finally made it back home to Jyväskylä. With the new (preliminary) passport I had no problems. The air is great (fresh and clean) but the weather is horrible (raining away the snow). The first run (easy 12K) felt great and my flu is almost completely gone. Now I'm indeed motivated for the following weeks and months - in terms of both sports and academic issues.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Incredible false start into 2008
The olympic year started off horrible: After a bad flu, which caused training loss and cancellation of the first competition I wanted to travel back to Finland today. On the airport the airline staff told me that my identity card is not valid anymore (it was valid until 01.01.08 only).
Now I have to stay in Germany for at least a couple of days more.
Because I'm totally messed up I won't continue to write anything for today.
The olympic year started off horrible: After a bad flu, which caused training loss and cancellation of the first competition I wanted to travel back to Finland today. On the airport the airline staff told me that my identity card is not valid anymore (it was valid until 01.01.08 only).
Now I have to stay in Germany for at least a couple of days more.
Because I'm totally messed up I won't continue to write anything for today.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
2008
The last competition for me in 2007 was the 27.Bietigheimer Silvesterlauf. With it's 3.725 finishers it's one of the biggest silvester-runs in Germany. And the atmosphere is just amazing! Over 20.000 people along the 11,2 km track making a lot of noise and motivating all the runners.
I was satisfied with my race and somehow it was representative for this year: I made a step into the right direction but there is still a lot of work to do until the top is reached.
For the first two kilometres the speed was really calm and I found myself running at the end of the leading group - along with all the German Champions and those guys with international experience. However, the quite hilly course took its toll and at the end I was 2 1/2 minutes behind the winner in 15th place (35:37 min). Still I reached my aim of getting into the TOP 20. It was a great experience to run in front of this crowd and with all the strong opponents.
start of the race: "mass movement" indeed
me (bib. 26) in the chase group - approx. 6km into the race
home stretch: soon the pain will be released
also Kimmo was there and finished in strong 39th place
On new years day: getting the year started with an easy run with my brother and sister-in-law
The last competition for me in 2007 was the 27.Bietigheimer Silvesterlauf. With it's 3.725 finishers it's one of the biggest silvester-runs in Germany. And the atmosphere is just amazing! Over 20.000 people along the 11,2 km track making a lot of noise and motivating all the runners.
I was satisfied with my race and somehow it was representative for this year: I made a step into the right direction but there is still a lot of work to do until the top is reached.
For the first two kilometres the speed was really calm and I found myself running at the end of the leading group - along with all the German Champions and those guys with international experience. However, the quite hilly course took its toll and at the end I was 2 1/2 minutes behind the winner in 15th place (35:37 min). Still I reached my aim of getting into the TOP 20. It was a great experience to run in front of this crowd and with all the strong opponents.
start of the race: "mass movement" indeed
me (bib. 26) in the chase group - approx. 6km into the race
home stretch: soon the pain will be released
also Kimmo was there and finished in strong 39th place
On new years day: getting the year started with an easy run with my brother and sister-in-law
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
