Changing of the Guards?

Over two months from the last update. Let’s see it through sports.

I first had a major training slump probably because of first ever overtraining. What I thought over the two to three weeks — when I couldn’t even sleep — was that I’m old. I’m worn out.

Came April, started to run again bit by bit. Had a great couple of runs in California. First a memorable 2.02 effort around Torrey Pines. Then 1.40 okay Black Hill Mnts climb and a pretty good 34.48 10k at Seal Beach. Well, that looked promising.

Back in Finland both work and house remodeling projects hit my free time. Did however a “normal” Länsiväylä in 1.01.57. In 2007 I ran it in 1.01.18, in 2008 1.01.43 and in 2009 1.02.21 so it was pretty much okay. However, I finished with left calf so much worn out it still hasn’t recovered over the last 1.5 weeks. I have run just one time a 5k easy jog after the race. Yes, I’m getting old. Any injury gets more serious the more miles you have.

Talking about reference points I witnessed the major, dramatic achilles injury of the year at the Lakers home game against Warriors. A great game, and great plays. I saw Kobe Bryant, I saw Steve Nash, I saw Pau Gasol. When I went in it was my great idol Nash practicing three pointers. It looked good. But at the end it was just practice on empty court. Then we had the game. It was good, what a rally from behind. But Kobe was down, time and again. Worn out. Still fighting. Coming back and getting the game even. Until it hit the third and last time…



Kobe will come back just like I did. He just won’t be any younger.

Looking back it looks like the changing of guards for Lakers and I feel like I’m in that old point guard category myself as well. Getting age, achilles and other parts broken, being benched more and more often…