Getting ready
Only few days are left until the first highlight of the season: the German Nationals in Halfmarathon road running. The tension is growing with every run and I'm getting really excited to toe the line with all the other "race horses". I should be in better shape than last year, when I took 19th place in 1:09:30 in the same competition. On Wednesday I did a long tempo run on treadmill and hit 17km in one hour for the first time this year - yeah. The legs were in great shape, let's hope it will be like that for the next days.
About weather in Finland: I'm a bit dissapointed about that, because in less than 10 days I am going to race on the road - and not on snow or ice. Furthermore, I might not be adapted to run in the heat: I'm expecting at least 10°C in Germany, but the last weeks have been consistently freezing temperatures in Central Finland. Well, I guess at the end it will be about the shape I have - and the shape is not too bad ;)
Friday, March 28, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Running like an easter bunny
This week was again characterised by high mileage (just like last week). I put in a fast session on monday and ended up running 2x3000m + 1x2000m in halfmarathon race pace (~3:12min/km). Actually
I planned to do a bit more (3-4x3000m) but decided that it was not a good idea to destroy the whole week by going above the maximum on monday. I think it was a good decision, because on Tuesday I was really tired and actually had only one running session in the evening (morning session was replaced by skiing). Wednesday was just ok and Thursday I made a nice, long (~25km) crescendo on the flat. I went out in 4:20min/km and ended up running the last 4km in 3:35min/km. Since the streets are mostly ice-free it's a lot easier to run close to halfmarathon/marathon-pace also outside. On the other hand the temperatures are still freezing. Last days, the temperatures during night fell to -20°C and during the lovely, sunny days it was still around -5°C. That's what you can call beautiful winter weather; cold, sunny, no wind. Let's hope the easter bunny won't freeze and can deliver all the easter eggs ;)
Happy Easter / Frohe Ostern / Hyvää pääsiäistä
This week was again characterised by high mileage (just like last week). I put in a fast session on monday and ended up running 2x3000m + 1x2000m in halfmarathon race pace (~3:12min/km). Actually
I planned to do a bit more (3-4x3000m) but decided that it was not a good idea to destroy the whole week by going above the maximum on monday. I think it was a good decision, because on Tuesday I was really tired and actually had only one running session in the evening (morning session was replaced by skiing). Wednesday was just ok and Thursday I made a nice, long (~25km) crescendo on the flat. I went out in 4:20min/km and ended up running the last 4km in 3:35min/km. Since the streets are mostly ice-free it's a lot easier to run close to halfmarathon/marathon-pace also outside. On the other hand the temperatures are still freezing. Last days, the temperatures during night fell to -20°C and during the lovely, sunny days it was still around -5°C. That's what you can call beautiful winter weather; cold, sunny, no wind. Let's hope the easter bunny won't freeze and can deliver all the easter eggs ;)Happy Easter / Frohe Ostern / Hyvää pääsiäistä
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Volume week
This week was packed with kilometers. I did between 25 and 30K every day and the weekly saldo might dip just over 200km. At the same time I left out the fast or medium-fast runs to make sure I stay injury-free. I need the mileage more than the injuries ;)
It's only three weeks until the German Halfmarathon Nationals and the tension is already growing.
With the increased training volume also the recovery side takes more time, but I still can write my assignments for University (actually I am doing some online-courses so I can organise my time according to the training).
Here are 2 of my favourite youtube-videos:
This one is a funny one and it perfectly reflects the feeling after the marathon.
The second one is rather scary and if you are an athlete I might warn you: you might get some nightmares after watching it. No, seriously: it shows how far you can push yourself in a marathon (this one is at the end of the Ironman marathon '97 in the battle about 4th place). Definitely: I don't want to finish my marathon like this!!
This week was packed with kilometers. I did between 25 and 30K every day and the weekly saldo might dip just over 200km. At the same time I left out the fast or medium-fast runs to make sure I stay injury-free. I need the mileage more than the injuries ;)
It's only three weeks until the German Halfmarathon Nationals and the tension is already growing.
With the increased training volume also the recovery side takes more time, but I still can write my assignments for University (actually I am doing some online-courses so I can organise my time according to the training).
Here are 2 of my favourite youtube-videos:
This one is a funny one and it perfectly reflects the feeling after the marathon.
The second one is rather scary and if you are an athlete I might warn you: you might get some nightmares after watching it. No, seriously: it shows how far you can push yourself in a marathon (this one is at the end of the Ironman marathon '97 in the battle about 4th place). Definitely: I don't want to finish my marathon like this!!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Winter in Finland
Now it's for sure: This winter has been the warmest in Finland since the weather recordings. I can't complain about that even if it sometimes was a bit tricky because the plus-degrees let the snow melt and mad some streets really icy. But still it's better than -25 or -30°C, because if you have those temperatures, you have to go inside and make most of your training on treadmill or indoor track unless you want to feel the ice in your lungs ;) Anyway, winter made some kind of a comeback in March (March is not officially seen as a "winter month" but rather goes as spring) with temperatures around -10°C or even colder. Still those temperatures are not too cold and you can get used to it.
Training continues and there is progress both in mileage and quality kilometers. On monday I did a fast sessions with the JKU-guys, which consisted of 4x3.000m in 9:45min. Tuesday was required as recovery, but on todays evening run the legs felt fresh again and went really well.
The normal weekdays have also been a bit more busier again in recent times. Some courses, the statistical analysis of my thesis results and especially a lot of Student Union activities and meetings. But nothing compared to last year, when I had 10 to 12 hours days.
Now it's for sure: This winter has been the warmest in Finland since the weather recordings. I can't complain about that even if it sometimes was a bit tricky because the plus-degrees let the snow melt and mad some streets really icy. But still it's better than -25 or -30°C, because if you have those temperatures, you have to go inside and make most of your training on treadmill or indoor track unless you want to feel the ice in your lungs ;) Anyway, winter made some kind of a comeback in March (March is not officially seen as a "winter month" but rather goes as spring) with temperatures around -10°C or even colder. Still those temperatures are not too cold and you can get used to it.
Training continues and there is progress both in mileage and quality kilometers. On monday I did a fast sessions with the JKU-guys, which consisted of 4x3.000m in 9:45min. Tuesday was required as recovery, but on todays evening run the legs felt fresh again and went really well.
The normal weekdays have also been a bit more busier again in recent times. Some courses, the statistical analysis of my thesis results and especially a lot of Student Union activities and meetings. But nothing compared to last year, when I had 10 to 12 hours days.
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