...about to lose my temper!

Once again the Finnish Athletics Federation is in a middle of taking a hit in seeing the future. Our national distance star, steeplechaser Jukka Keskisalo and his coach will not continue their co-operation partly because FAF's offer is not enough to support to keep them on top. Not only Keskisalo improved the NR (8.10,67), but he also managed to be 5th in the IAAF's World Tour this summer. Many know that there is a certain history between his coach and the FAF, but I sincerely hope that those issues are not the case here anymore. In addition, there may be several other, non-monetary related reasons involved here as well, and they are handled among the designated parties here.

But IF it is a question about money... I've realized that the reality of top-level distance runners in the US is not only dancing on the roses what comes to the money. The latest news let us know that it isn't even the case in Barhain or Qatar (former Kenians haven't received their money as promised...). But at least here in the US you have several runners at or close to the top-level (=world class), of which at least some will have enough support to test their limits. We have only one (1), and now there is no money to take care of this part of his future. Of course he will be able to do the coaching by himself, but when your level is at the highest top, you surely need someone to consult with. He is capable in the media, and therefore one could expect that input of one euro would produce at least 1.5 euros as a return (in form of increased ticket sales or number of new athlete passes). Luckily, his personal future as a runner will be secured, but in all the whole picture is now.... Oh and did I mention that there might be other issues than money involved here. Oh man, in any case this sucks! Unfortunately, I'm not Uncle Scrooge either so only what I have to offer is my whining.

[edit:] Ok. Now I heard an tv interview related to this case. I was partly wrong. It seems that it is not only a question about FAF's willingness to get financially involved in their co-operation, and the question is now more about several other issues related to life situation and such factors. Still this was not so good news. But bad news are part of life, right?

Then something else: Edward Norton is going to run the NYC marathon.

And my easy days continue as the Philly Distance Run is getting closer...

Easy on a Sunday morning

Both hamstring are now pretty tense. They just went through 5k race with tiny up- and downhills. But they really deserved it. I ran Police Pace 5k, and really had to race with Peter K. and Mike C. Peter caught me around 2.5k mark, but I was able to respond to his surge at 4k mark. While both hamstrings were whinning like me, I was still able to keep my pace to the finish (16.15). It wasn't any PR race, but I'm still pretty happy with the effort and the outcome. At least it was under 17 minutes...

Undecided

After two easy days legs are mysteriously heavy. This is partly expected and partly new experience. I vaguely remember that easy days did make your legs feel light, not heavy. Too many easy days made them heavy, yes, but not only this fast. Aging is learning???

I originally planned to race the RM Invitational 5000m in Baltimore today, but after all I wasn't ready to face my demons on track. I'm such a wuss. Sorry Ryan! Anyway I need some faster effort to wake up, and I noticed Police Pace 5k which takes place tomorrow. Maybe I gotta try that one. At least the paths are now enough slippery so I can hurt my body even more.

In the middle of the week

Yesterday included two moments of running. In the morning I ran an easy shake out with sweetie, and in the evening I had again an opportunity to run trails with HCS's group. To be honest, that's one of those things and moments that I'm going to miss very much after we return back to Finland. But that's then, not now. Yesterday we ran at moderate pace, but there was a moment where pace was slightly faster (~5.40s).

Today I'll take it easy - a shake out and core workout. Philly Distance Run is almost here.

Workout Tuesday

I see the future by repeating the same routines every week.

So: 6:30 AM, HCC's track, cruising 6x1000m'300m (3.12-3.08), feeling rendo, pretty nice weather. Yesterday I felt rather heavy partly because of Sunday's rather long bike ride. Today was better, but hamstrings were tense.

Sportish weekend

Yesteday I ran only 16 miles during the Bagel Run. "Only" comes from the fact that others (Seth, Mark, Paul etc.) spent 20 miles on the road. Today we sneaked out for a bike ride which eventually was 47 miles long. Then we found ourselves in the Patapsco Park. Running easy.

Workout Friday

6:45 AM, 5M tempo run (27.30, 5.31/mile), pretty nice weather, feeling rendo (=relaxed). I knew already during the warm up that today's tempo run will be dictated by me, and not by the weather. What a joy that is.

Matt Tegenkamp just ran 12.58,56 at the Van Damme Memorial in Belgium. US distance running is strong! And a lonely Finn, Jukka Keskisalo continues with his summer ever.

Not so bad Thursday

I did a morning run with Carlos and Kent(!!!! Oh yes, he's coming back). I was clearly slowing them down, but it's just all right for them to keep it easy sometimes. Hah. Then in the afternoon (like two hours ago) I finished the current research proposal and decided to celebrate that with an easy run and some strides. Life seems the be divided into good, bad, and even worse days. Today is a good day. I have almost forgot how badly Sunday sucked.

Thanks to Seth I familiarized myself with a race which has the coolest logo ever.

"Workout" Wednesday

The usual: morning shakeout and evening trail run. In the evening I ran easy pace run with guys and increased the pace slightly during the last 10 minutes. Nothing fast, but something. Legs are hurting.

Temptation

I couldn't resist the temptation of being on the road. Felt good, but legs were feeling like after a marathon. Easy 7.5 miles (one mile with Izzy).