This site is about my experiences running, trail running, rogaining, orienteering, hiking, and exploring in Finland
https://us.humankinetics.com/products/art-of-running-faster-pdf-the I read the hard copy of this book, The Art of Running Faster, by Julian Goater and Don Melvin (2012). Apparently you can buy the ebook or a PDF version online at the website in the image caption above. Actually, I didn't read every chapter, so I feel it would be unethical for me... Continue Reading →
https://www.uphillathlete.com/product/uphill-athlete-athlete-book-ship-in-usa/ Training for the uphill athlete: A manual for mountain runners and ski mountaineers. Publish in 2019 by Patagonia works. Written by Steve House, Scott Johnson, and Kílian Jornet. This is the second training book I am reviewing this year (2021). What can I say? My massive readership of at least three demands my work!... Continue Reading →
This event, the Markkasen Maraton, takes its inspiration from the notoriously difficult Barkley Marathons race in the USA, but it is not trying to copy it exactly. The organizers brainstormed what a Finnish version might look like, and they came up with this as an idea for one loop of the real event, which has... Continue Reading →
Planning before a 24 hr Rogaining with Matti V. My experience is certainly limited, but I have participated in more than 20 Rogaining events of different lengths, ranging from 2 to 24 hours. If you are unfamiliar with Rogaining, please read my previous entry here. This post discusses the physical and mental skills needed in... Continue Reading →
Photo: Jen Ray . That's me with Jouni N. and Esa L. Rogaining is a team sport (2-5 people) involving running and navigation that was invented by some guys in Australia and has now become popular in a few parts of the world. It should be much more popular because it is so fun (and... Continue Reading →
This is what 5,000 meters of vertical gain looks like in Turku, Finland I like to challenge myself in December. In a previous year I did a pushup challenge. This December I signed up for a running challenge organized by Aravaipa Running (Jamil Khoury of the Barkleys Marathons) in Arizona, USA to see who could... Continue Reading →
Image: portent.com Note: Edited a few hours later to include comments on tapering. On July 10, I had my first opportunity to run 160 kilometers (100 miles) in 2020. Unfortunately, I dropped at 90km in a depressed state of self-pity and some physical anguish. My route is available here at Strava. This post discusses what... Continue Reading →
Screen shot (video below) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGpVfw_rgFg&t=1s Video at YouTube After reading John Vonhof's book Fixing Your Feet (6th edition), I began to implement his advice and collect products to help my feet stay as happy as possible during and after long running events. I live in Finland and my sister, in the USA, asked to see... Continue Reading →
Running in the heat and humidity through majestic and challenging terrain with map in hand... Let me tell you about the Markkasen Maraton hosted by the Blister Brothers. Race report below. Photo: Jaakko Lehto On Saturday morning, June 13, 2020 I traveled from Turku to a village called Röykkä in Nurmijärvi, a region north east... Continue Reading →
On March 28, 2020 I hiked up and ran down (tunkkaus) Hirvensalo about 60 times resulting in 3,000 meters of vertical gain and a distance of 30 kilometers. This video is a bit silly, but maybe it will inspire someone else to do some hill repeats? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDLCfNkUTeo
