Category: Sports

1000m in 2.59,7

What makes this kinda big deal is I don’t have any records of going sub 3 minutes for over 5 long years! The last one is from April 2014. This time I really built it up. It all started after I tried 1k with no training more than one month ago at Otaniemi track and pulled 3.11. Some training, 5k on track in 17.38, and another trial at Otaniemi 3.02 about a week ago. I felt three mins was clearly under reach. A few repeats and a focused effort brought it home today at Kirkkonummi track. Based on how fast the first 600m went I could shave off still a few secs with some more training. Or alternatively shoot for a sub 4.30 in 1500m?

Riutta x 4

It says 2400 meters and based on TomTom the distance is about right.

Drove up to Riihimäki and the legendary Riutta trail the other day. This is the place where I developed my “light” stride back in the day… Snow is gone and the trail in good shape. Managed to pull four laps in very much the same time frame I was doing already 25 years ago. Roughly 11.20 per lap, plus minus five seconds. The first time I’m there with TomTom to confirm about 2400m distance and 50 meters ascent per round. In four laps that makes 200m total uphill. It does feel a bit tougher though because the uphills, while short, are pretty steep.

15K over Temescal Ridge

Nice sightseeing run over Temescal Ridge and down Palisades this morning. The plan was to run just 1hr to catch up with Zou but it went total over 15K and 500m ascent so a pretty heavy set. Palisades drive felt like going forever. The trails were soft after rain yesterday but views magnificent.

Red Rock Canyon full loop 1.42

That was a pretty good run. Same time as last year and two minutes faster than three years ago. TomTom’s heart rate monitor messed up after just 20-30 mins into the run or so and didn’t give any meaningful numbers. At some point it said my heart rate was 232 while I felt like 150. The reason must be cold weather — maybe gloves would have helped?

The State of Running

This season was shorter than anything for years. I signed up for Kormu Run but didn’t participate because of schedule conflicts. Went to Länsiväylä for fun and clocked in 1.05:12, which is like 4 minutes away from my best years. Nothing in the summer really. Also my TomTom doesn’t have much training notes to speak of.

Finally came September and Midnight Run. After two weeks of improvised training pulled up 36:16 which I was very happy with. I totally maxed out going 17:51 the first half and then slowly burning towards the end. The main goal was to beat Tuxera lawyer-at-the-time Jussi Honkasalo, which I did with +30 secs gap…

Last week I had a plan to get together with Vane for “the run of the year” but we had to postpone for next week and 2019… The Christmas run was 14K and on the second Christmas day made a 15K in Lahti, which may have been one of the longest of the year, at least in the top 5.

I don’t have any major goals in mind for 2019. Except Red Rock Canyon awaits 10 days from now or so and after that, unless there is NFL or skiing, I might do something in the Bay Area.