Tempo run

This morning was brutal for runners. Even if this trend of "bad" weather has been going on for couple of weeks already, today was something else. Accordingly, I got beaten by the humidity and slow legs. And all of this happened during a 5 mile tempo run (5.49/mile). I can't even imagine what would happen during a 10-miler...

But today's run is done and that is the best. In addition, universialsports.com will ease the pain with a live coverage from Stockholm, Sweden today.

Just...

Today's only run was 6.2 miles (6.50/mile). I felt pretty tired, and to be honest - I'm really glad to back home.

Wet Wednesday

What is wrong with this weather? When you open the door it's like entering a mouth of a cow. Well, I haven't yet been inside one, but I let myself assume that the general feeling would rather similar. After a morning jog of 4+ miles in the middle of this standstill weather I recalled a valuable lesson: NEVER enter a sauna, if it is not yet ready for having a sauna. Under other than optimal conditions (194-212F) the feeling would be quite close to sitting inside cow's mouth. And that is not refreshing at all.

Trust me on this one.

In the evening I'm heading to trails with guys. Mt. Nasty is waiting...

And she is still waiting. We chose to run the CCBC loop. After we came back to the finish (I had a hard run due to gastrointestinal problems) one of us was missing. So I had an opportunity to run a little more. Luckily, he was found before the darkness arrived. Before my stomach started to punish me on behalf of Mt. Nasty I felt pretty good. Today's mileage: 18.

Workout Tuesday

7:00 AM, HCC's track, 6x1000m'400m (3.17-3.13), slightly too humid weather. In general I felt just ok, but more rendo (=relaxed) feeling would have been fine.

In a couple of hours Universalsports.com has a live coverage from Monte Carlo Super-GP, where Finnish Jukka Keskisalo is aiming at the new Finnish NR (~under 8.12,60) in steeples. Hopefully that helps me to get rid of the post-TdF depression...

Edit: Damn it! It was so close. Keskisalo ran 8.12,93 (4th place). In addition, Monte Carlo/Monaco GP provided several good results and PRs for US runners.

More and less

Couple years (21 years actually) between now and the last time when I biked more seriously makes it quite obvious that I have to learn fast. Yesterday's bike ride (with couple of hill sprints) and NO stretching didn't ease my way this morning. Damn! So next time I should not let myself enjoy the easy Sunday evening without stretching at the same time...

Today's culmination of sissyness was an easy 6-miler with 5x100m + stretching. In the evening I won't run so I'll have some time for core workout.

The World Masters Athletics Championships will begin tomorrow in Lahti, Finland. Last Summer I set a goal for running a XC race or marathon there, but after few setbacks I changed the plan. After my xxxx performance in Boston I should withdraw from marathon for good. So I will enjoy this event online from the US. It's better for us all.

Similarly, there is no chance that I'd be able to compete in the Finnish Nationals this year. They are on the next weekend AND I'm not even close to be qualified. Honestly, my chances to race there are pretty low nowadays and they are not increasing. In general, the best thing is that the number of registered/qualified distance runners has increased considerably from previous years. That is brilliant.

Last time I did manage to qualify for the Nationals was in year 2001. I started the 10000m final in a fever (w/ a temperature 102.5 F) and had to drop out at the 3000m mark. I thought that I was going to die right there on the track. As of now, I'm quite sure that starting that race has been my worst decision ever. So my friends and rivals, respect your health! On the other hand, I met my wife after that race, so that isn't so bad day after all. And luckily, there are plenty of other races available...

Another long run

Not too long, but something - a longish run and "cool down" around 15 miles. I ran 7 miles with Seth and Nick. In the afternoon I rode with sweetie an easy bike ride (20+ miles with some hill sprints for no reason).

Weekly total was 63 miles.

"Long" run

Yesterday's soccer game tired me out, even if I was only one spectator among 71.000. So today's long run was only 12.5 miles. Maybe I run another one tomorrow.

Great news from Finland told me that we got a new NR. Steeplechaser Jukka Keskisalo (who I met in Flagstaff in March) ran 2000m in time 5:00.32. Not bad for forthcoming World Champs in Berlin.

Workout Friday

7:00 AM, track, 10x400m'300m (75.0-71.2), humidity, feeling great, mainly rendo. In the evening it is time for AC Milan vs. Chelsea, and tomorrow morning for a long run in B-More.

Easy Thursday

Easy week continues => another easy morning jog 6+ miles. Hamstrings got really sore from yesterday's core workout + trails. Good job. Tomorrow something on track.

Workout Wednesday

No running this morning, because this week is easy. Instead I had an opportunity to concentrate more on Wednesday's trail run just to compensate the lack of tempo run. We had a nice group of 8 runners and the pace was pretty good (~59.00 minutes with Mt. Slayer and Mt. Nasty). Weather wasn't that gentle, and I lost my skull and bones necklace. Damn it!

Oh, and in the morning I did some type of core workout after awhile. I decided to push it through the pain (in the lower abs). As of now I don't regret my decision at all.