the välimäki experience

Pretty good week behind except for the growing pains and problems with legs. First two times PG&E trail in 1.04 and 1.03. Then some more trails in Southern Cal and a 30 mins stint on Santa Monica beach. Back in Finland first a very good rolling half an hour run with two home hill repeats in 50.9 and 49.9. Today was having then pains all over but managed to still do 4.54 in the 1.5K route between Leppävaara and Kilo amidst a 15K total (see some previous times here). The leg problems include achilles, knee and hip — all on the left side. Today also developed increasing pains in the right groin, which got likely hurt in the yesterday’s fast hill repeats. The good news is that I fell overall being in a much better shape than just a week or two ago.

It will be an interesting week ahead. Two major sporting events wait on Saturday. First Helsinki Midnight Run gunning out at 21:15 with my goal at a sub-35 mins run and then Finland — USA in Basketball World Cup at 22:30.

Not much development, kind of trying to defend the fitness level from dropping too much. Back in July drove back to Riihimäki to stop the clock in 4.34 (approx split) as part of a 4 x 1500m relay. Legendary Keskari was under construction. In Lauttasaari the 350m track was already rebuilt. Stopped by on the way to work to clock in a 3.00 in 1000m. One night at home 1K 3.08, 3.12, 3.12 and 3.14 in light rain with long pants. Spirits were high but physically felt just somehow heavy. Late July tried 10K race in Iitti-hölkkä. Started out ok with about 17.20 at 5K point but then faded to 36-something. That one was a hot day. One more night in August tried another 1.500m in 4.40, then a 6x1K set at home route in 3.15 avg and yesterday Siikava test in 12.53 (splits 6.19 and 6.33). Oh, and managed to pull Kauniainen 2.3K path under 8 minutes in 7.57. — I have had all along issues with the left leg including achilles, knee and hip. You name it.

First time in three years. Halves in 6.15 and 6.30. Started surprisingly strong but was then clearly out of gas during return. Not too far from where I was in 2011.

Great produce once again from the promised land of running. Yesterday a strong 18K or so run in Novi, Michigan along trails near Walled Lake and a one mile gravel road stint in 5.15. Today the classic Black Mountain climb clocked in at 1.36 total with a 55.45 ascend.

Today’s set around Mankkaa golf course with Vane in 10.38, 10.31 and 10.14 with 3 mins breaks. It went surprisingly well taking into account I hadn’t been running much during the last few weeks.