Training Log Archive: Joshosh

Helsinki -> Copenhagen -> Dublin -> OSi

race report and photos etc should go up this evening. But for now, I survived it and enjoyed it in a weird sadistic way! I now know why its one of the best known and widely accepted to be the most difficult trail race in Finland....

Event: Leinster League, Three Rock Wood
 

Koli -> Joensuu -> Parikkala -> Lappeenranta -> Pasila -> Ilmala

Bit stiff and sore knees today but not too bad I suppose all considered

Event: Vaarojen Maraton 65km
 

Vaarojen Maraton “The Marathon of Dangers” – 65km

Alarm set for 0510 to be nicely prepared. Had gone through my list last night and everything was sorted, packed and left by the door. Just needed to check the weather on the morning to decide on layers etc. Riina drove me to the start line for 0700 and was able to drop me pretty much at it before heading back to the cabin, her race didn’t start till a much more civilised 1000. Decided to carry my trimtex leggings in my backpack in case the weather changed (in hindsight I didn’t need them) and started in my light jacket, it was chilly standing around. I was pretty nervous on the start line with no real knowledge of what to expect from the course other than it was going to be tough and how my body would cope. Kolme, Kaksi, Yksi and away we went. I took a tumble in the first few km and whacked my knee after getting caught by someone’s hiking poles. It was pretty sore and a bit of blood but I was able to get rolling along with the poles to take some of the pressure off of it.

Nice start on a wide trail in comparison to some of the later ones, you could fit 2 people running side by side on it. We had a few bumps to get over before the first climb of the day up Makra in the fog. Stopped on the climb to take off my jacket and stash it in my pack. Was on the back of a group heading through this section. Heading along Herajarven Kierros I was in a group of 3 and we passed a 130km runner who was getting some sleep in his space blanket at the side of the mucky trail. Looked like it was a rough night. I took the lead in this group after the guy in front took a tumble on some wet rocks. The trails were far more technical, narrow and rough than I had ever imagined…..We descended to a low section of the course at Lakkala by Herajarvi. Made sure after this section to take the correct branch in the track for the 130/65km course and not the 43km. Tough climb up to Vesivaara and down towards Rykiniemi I got away from my group and on to another one going a bit faster. Here we crossed the river using the ropes which was pretty cool, and a bit chilly. This was the first area you could fill up water bottles but I was doing ok on my supply and the group were a small bit ahead so I decided I needed to go with them for the next section instead of being alone.

The next 10km section was ridiculously narrow, technical, rough and slippy. In some sections I wouldn’t even call it “trail” it was just less foresty forest or bare rock. The course was marked by small blue dots on trees and rocks along the way which were tricky to spot during the day so I can’t imagine what it was like last night. There were 4 of us strung out but together and then myself and another guy over took the pair and went ahead. He had spent some time in Ireland before which was evident by him saying “I need to stop and take a leak, I’ll catch up”. Rough section again through the rest of that lower 1/3 as far as Kiviniemi. It was here I took extra water into my bottles and moved my food around a bit to make it more accessible for the next section which I was told wasn’t any easier. We linked back in with the 43km group here and the trail started to get busy which became annoying as you couldn’t get past and had no choice but to walk or fight through the forest which was worse. Long climb section up to Rylays and then a decent down to Peoponpetto where the next and last of 3 water stations was. Went through a bad patch before this, from 40-45km, finding it tough. Filled one bottle with water and electrolytes and the other with a can of coke I had been carrying and it really perked me up.

Caught 2 more 65km guys on the climb out of the water station back towards Pieni makra and we crossed over a part of the course we had run earlier in the first 5km. Along a nice forest road section and got chatting to a German lad after gapping the other 2. He pulled away from me on the climb up Pieni Koli and I suffered on the sections of stairs here, my quads were giving out big time, took on some chocolate to perk me up. Down to the lake at Kolin Alamaja before the last push. It’s a cruel finish with the last 2km or so all being uphill at a 10% average gradient to the finish with little to no let up. Passed the German guy just a few hundred metres before the line as I double poled and Nordic walked by way up.
Felt so good to cross the finish line and I’ve never been so happy to get a barbequed sausage and ketchup before. Got some photos and put on some layers before getting in another can of coke. Nice to have Riina, Anni, Antero and his girlfriend all waiting at the finish line and cheering me in. Got a hug from random German guy and from one of the lads I had run a section with earlier in the course, nice to know we all suffered together. We had to take a ski lift down to the car which took maybe 7-8mins and I struggled to get out at the end as things started to seize up, view was awesome though. Back to the cottage and I had a reindeer and mash microwave meal before dinner. Then Dadosh and zacosh set up a facetime so I could track the Leinster v Munster game. No sauna tonight as felt rough enough without being in the heat. Big news though is just 1 blood blister and all 10 toe nails remained intact. In fairness to Icebug they have a shoe that can do Sprint-O to Baby Ultra, and this was for sure a baby one.

Finished 29th overall, 24th male and 3rd non-Finn. A tough but fantastic experience, the good parts and the bad. Miscalculated my paces but had no idea how difficult it was going to be so I am still happy with how it went. Good fun……long day out and a serious buzz when I made it to the line. Riina had the right idea doing the short course, although they didn’t get as many technical trails as we did. Longest run I’ve ever done, fastest time over 50km by ~1hr and it made Stone Cross to Lug Solo a few years ago look like an absolute walk in the park. For next year I will know better as regards the course, the terrain and how to fuel for races like this. Looking back I think I have to be proud of how I performed, it was a big step into the unknown and I got through it in one piece……….Did someone say Art O’Neill Challenge (51km) in January?

Results

C • Proper Race 7

>4hr train journey to Joensuu then shopping and drive to Koli this afternoon to the cottage. Keeping an eye on the weather but looks certain to be cold and wet.....it’s going to be a challenge.

Snow has arrived in Joensuu and in Koli

Ilmala -> Pasilla -> Joensuu -> Koli

Gentle jog in the park and then sorting out my pack for Saturday. Traveling to Joensuu tomorrow on the train and then on to Koli for the evening

Traveling day. Delayed leaving Dublin and then delayed in Stockholm too...Spent about the same amount of time delayed as I did actually in the air

In with a big bag to take home some stuff I need for the trip/weekend that wouldnt fit in my race pack.

Flights booked for Raatojuoksu in Sipoo in early November

16*300m (300m) on a slippy and busy track. Same as the previous track session, almost knocked a kid over as he didn’t look and wandered across lane 1-2.....not the brightest thing to do.

Fun workout and good craic with the lads, they’re gearing up for County Novice XC on Sunday.....if you can wear flats for it, then it ain’t XC.....the Phoenix Park is a long way from a farmers field out in Carrignavar

Off to Finland in the morning. Final prep being put into place