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 →
Markkasen Maraton Vol. 2
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 →
Book review: Training Essentials for Ultrarunning
By Jason Koop with Jim Rutberg 2016 CTS https://trainright.com/ultrarunning/ "What does success look like to you?" asks Jason Koop, the author, in his book, nay manual, nay authoritative treatise on ultrarunning published several years ago. My question is "where has this book been all my (running) life?" I only learned of this book in March... Continue Reading →
Rogaining is navigation, speed, and endurance. A point system?
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 →
What is Rogaining? I gotta have more Rogaining, baby!
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 →
Merry Vertmas and 5,000 meters at Hirvensalo
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 →
Big’s Backyard 2020 (Finland satellite race)
Bridget drove me and my loads of stuff to the event in Espoo. Photo: Bridget On October 17, 2020 I participated in Big's Backyard satellite race. This post will provide a bit of background of the event followed by some notes and comments. This is more of a post-mission/operation debriefing than a race report. But... Continue Reading →
16th European 24-hour Rogaining Championships – Latvia
Photo: ERC Writing on August 26, 2020. I participated this past weekend in the 16th European 24-hour Rogaining Championships with Matti V. in Latvia. The competition was moved from June to August because of COVID-19. Interestingly, the Covid statistics in Latvia are actually better (meaning lower) than in Finland. Suzanne's excellent mask handiwork in a... Continue Reading →
Pallas 160km DNF Post-Mortem
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 →
Fixing Your Feet
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 →