The Season so far.....

Well the tri season is well underway with many races already under the belt. Season opener was Austria IM 70.3 where I had some unfinished business. Last years race was cut to a Duathlon due to rather chilly weather so I needed to return to get the full experience completed. Luckily this year the weather gods were smiling on me and a proper tri was had by all. Time was a little below par at 5:15 as I had a few tummy challenges to overcome after a business trip to India the week before where I contracted the infamous Delhi Belly. No doubt due to the food at an Indian wedding of colleague of mine. This created a few unscheduled transitions on the run course where the organizers bathroom facilities were put to the test.

June saw Saaksi Tri (Chilly) and a small outing to the Vantaa Tri (Hot as you can see).

Well organised race but a little crowded, again weather was cooperating (Unusual for Finland) and managed to take 2nd place in the M50 Age group in 2:16. Really I was getting a bit tired of short races and was looking forward to a favorite race of mine, Sastamala Voimarinne Terasmies.......

Such a good venue being within a mornings drivings distance form home on race day and a nice small field so you don't get that crowded feeling of the big races. Swim is a 2 lapper in calm waters followed by an 200m uphill run to T1, good to get the legs working for the bike.....

 Out of T1 in 39 mins and then onto the bike. Funny how Finland for being such a flat place can still manage to surprise you with its sharp little rolling hills. Its not that they are huge, just that they keep coming.  Sastamala has plenty and with a gusty winds made for a battle on the bike.

Back into T2 for a 2:38 bike outing. Judging by the lack of racked bikes in T2 I was confident of still being able to keep a reasonable place, well yes did I mention it was a small field , actually only 115 starters and 9 in the 'Masters' age group , a definite confidence booster. By now the day was warming up and it was pushing 28 degrees on the run course with the gusty wind from the bike course nowhere to be seen. Still you must perservere. I made a small blunder in T2 where I had decided that I didn't need socks since my trustry Tri Noosas are designed to be worn sockless...yeah right. 4km down the track the right foot blister started , by 5km the left foot blister was also making itself known. Lucky the run is 3 x 7 km laps so I had an extra transition, T3 at the end of the first lap to put on the socks..pheeww relief.
(Note to self; Don't shortcut 5 secs in T2 by going sockless)  I Finished up the day with a 1:48 run which was enough to take the 1st Age Group place in 5:08.

Still a busy season ahead with Joroinen next week then only 3 weeks till IM Copenhagen. Season will finish then with a crack at the Kuopio OD and finally IM Mallorca in September. Till next time.......

Oooh what a day! Greetings from Finntriathlon Vierumaki

Today in nice sunny weather it was time to get back on training track after 10 days of family holiday with the camper. Lot's of PK at his best with hikes with kiddies in Pudasjarvi, Karku Kierros and the amazingly beautiful Riisitunturi. So lot's of walking, few tunturijuoksut and three late night bike rides between rendeer...oh I love Lapland! Few days ago we came back south and my training fellow Jame mentoined he would go to Vierumaki tri. Jari (thanks again mate) got me on the list yesterday night 20h before start time so little preparation and ready to rock :)! Well start was not promising at all as my wetsuit was not willing to do "yhteistyo" and cracked over an area of 15cm on hips....oeps...duck tape anybody...? I ran back to car and the great Head stand people taped me up as good as possible 9 min before race start. After that Cooper max run to get back to start line...7min to goooo! I made it to the start in time 3 min before with as result a kind of swim and trousers full of water :). Luckily my black horse Spessu-bike was waiting for me and eager to rock it all with as result 5th best bike split and 30k of riding in front in second group. Thanks to Markus to take over every now and than. Nice steady run after that and crossed finnish in 10th place overall in 2:15. Overall really happy but swimming sucked today.
 Luckily the Head folks were helpful and gave great deal on my new wetsuit which I was able to test in the nice cold lake (15C brrrrr)! After Saaksi this was first hard training and now route to Ironman WC 70.3 Canada goes over Joroinen, Kuopio and HyPy perhetri. Really excited about the following 10 weeks! Jiiihooeeee triathlon is simply great! Especially if all family is very supportive and kids just love to come along daddies races. Kiitos rakaat ooot ihania! This time they stayed home but where 3h in garden biking and running in there own little tri. Kasper 7y would like to join the kids race in Joroinen and the girls are also excited for him and greatest cheerleaders. Looking forward to it already!

Velli-Matti great pic is attached (great sprint with Janne last 100m:), check out kunnonkuvaaja.fi. He has the touch :)