14.12.2005
TRAINING SEASON ON ITS WAY


At the moment I'm a bit sick for the first time since April. Too much enthusiasm I think, at least on weekend in Pajulahti. Otherwise, I'm in good shape and it's nice to start training properly after weeks of maintaining my fitness. It's been quite tough autumn with my last year of studies, but I've managed well. Maybe the spring is not as hard as I expected. That'll I see soon.
I've had couple of good training weeks, already. So it's easy to go on. After analyzing season 2005, I want to concentrate more on long runs, strength by running hills and small paths and even more harder trainings than last season. But I try not push myself over the limits, because I have to do my studies. Now, hard training feels good and in Christmas it's possible to train hard, luckily.

Last weekend in Pajulahti we started the season with the renewed Finnish National Team. Salmi wants us better runners. That is, of course not, the thing that counts in summer, though the results. Still one need good physical capacity to be able to fight for top places in Denmark, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Hungary etc. We had to run 5000m test in Vierumäki hall (200m track), but when it was the time I was the only one on the line of men's team. In the middle of tough training I managed 15'13", which pleases me. It's easier to start training, when you are in shape.
One thing I've learned this year is that, if I wanted to run faster than this year, I should train much more simple running on road, track or threadmill. It's possible to become a little better as a runner all the time, but my goals are in orienteering not in running. That's why the training is different. If you want to become better orienteer, you shouldn't test yourself on road or track. They are only trainings that make you tough, not test you for succeeding in your o-training. It's really nice to push your limits on road or track sometimes.

This sure is a legendary test course...the way an orienteer should test his/her physical capacity and development.


-jani-