This site is about my experiences running, trail running, rogaining, orienteering, hiking, and exploring in Finland
This page contains a link to my video race report, Manu's video of the event (filmed during the event), several images, and a few final thoughts at the end. Here is a link to the actual GPS tracking during the competition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2C7wvmxa1k My video race report. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuhjzNRmIs4 Manu's race report with footage from the event.... Continue Reading →
Perhaps the most memorable section of this entire race was when I approached the crest of a staggering fell and experienced the stunning beauty of snow-capped mountains in the distance. Photo: Antti Korhola @akorhola Getting there after almost not getting there This past weekend I participated in the Kaldoaivi 57 km Ultra Trail race in... Continue Reading →
Finisher medals In this post I briefly reflect on my participation in the NUTS Karhunkierros 100 miler race from 2016 - 2021. I have included some links to the events and related race reports/ videos. I am grateful that I have been able to travel to this race each year other than in 2020 when... Continue Reading →
Just over a week ago on July 10, 2021 I ran the Beaverhead 100km in Salmon Idaho. Results are here. I did this race once before in 2017 and the 55km version in 2015. This year I beat my 2017 time by 40 minutes although the course is now 2 kilometers shorter. As I posted... Continue Reading →
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 →
