Joensuu marathon 2009

Joensuu marathon (9.5.2009)

Preparations

Since Hong Kong marathon I trained the following weekly kilometers: 30, 87, 88, 90, 90, 103, 80, 103, 46, 106, 66, 51, 26. There was a very good 7 weeks training period (weeks 8-14) when I trained 6-7 times per week. Week 11 (90 km) is shown below as an example.

Week 11:		Training:	Time:	Km:	Details:
Mo	9.3.	Technics+VO2max	0:25	5 km	163-66, 3:27-30, 4x1km, Areena
Tu	10.3.	Football	1:42	20 km	146, 1:17 + 5 km run, Areena
We	11.3.	Lactate	1:00	13 km	155, 10km=4:26, -5C
Th	12.3.	Running	0:40	8 km	141, 4:44, -14C
Fr	13.3.	Floorball	0:55	11 km
Sa	14.3.	Long run	2:20	27 km	137, 5:14, -3C
Su	15.3.	Skiing	1:00	6 km	Skiing=8km, Pyhäselkä -1C
			8:02	90 km

The "distances" of football and floorball are estimated from their total duration and intensity of the playing. I sometimes used heart rate measure to see the overall demand level, having the following averages: 137-153 (football) and 134-153 (floorball). Sometimes I included second longer run (22 km) in midweek, and gym instead of skiing. Monday running and Tuesday football were in the Areena (picture above).

There were a short fallback in week 15 due to minor injuries causing 3 days rest period and several water running sessions in this and the following weeks. I was instructed by two different physiotherapists to "take taxi" for my planned 22 km, and "3 days complete rest at minimum" but managed to get away from it with 3 days rest (including one water running) following several water running sessions instead of normal training.

Overall, I had trained as well as in Spring 2008 when making my current record (2:58:55), except in the "tapering" period (last 3 weeks) I reduced the total training slightly more than before as there were now three shorter races included:

21.4. Cross-country 3.6 km (Laulurinne), 15:15 (172)
26.4. Simajuoksu 6 km (Mutala), 22:55 (172)
29.4. Cross-country 6 km (Jakokoski), 23:01 (172)

Race story

As in 2005, I recruited several supporters, who subsequently recruited their own supporters (kind of supporter of the supporter). As a result, there was an entire supporter network:

Althgouh practically all food&drink supply was provided just by one person (Jukka), and another person (Qinpei) taking most of the pictures (wave please!), while the others found the following creative attempts to support:

Push me from behind trying to make me run faster.
Asking whether I fancy a pizza and beer (not having any available though)
Just getting lost.

You know, the supporter role is demanding. Either you must move around predicting when and where the runner will next appear, or just hang around in one place the entire race. It can be like watching paint drying, or nice social event in a sunny Joensuu. So thanks everyone! Although I still consider to run my next marathon in Timbuktu. Smile

Meanwhile, here are some selected pictures from the competition. Enjoy if you will.

First lap (0-11 km)

My race started ok but was lacking the feel of ease of running that I think is essential for good marathon performance. I tried to follow my heart rates but due to my own absent-mindedness I compared it against wrong reference rate (165) that is more suitable for half-marathon for me. According to my past experience, something like 161-162 would have been more appropriate. Now my average rate was 164, but in the early part very often 167-168 when I looked.

The pictures are at the river station (2 km) where Sakari Hukka (2:36:30) was already far ahead of anyone else and went to win the race easily. Aleksei Paavilainen (2:54:16) and Jussi Makkonen (3:07:24) followed. Aleksei eventually took the second place. Then the photographer captured me (3:05:04), Jouko Rannanpää (3:05:39) and Jukka Peltonen who served as my drink&food supplier.

Doing ok at the river side with good pace and tail wing. Lasse Hakulinen (2:58:43) and Jouko Rannanpää follow.

Jussi is about to have his first stomach cramps (at 5 km) that made him walk. He later continued the race, and re-passed me during the 2nd lap almost at the same location.

McDonalds station. Time to drink but neither from the McDonalds nor from the organizers supply. Going for my own secret mixture of water and some blue staff.

Second and third laps (12-31 km)

During the second lap I ran together with Jouko Rannanpää who asked estimation of our pace. I told that 3 hours with the current pace, which he considered being way too fast for him but went on a good 3:05 result anyhow. Jussi Makkonen, on the other hand, had re-passed me somewhere at 15 km. However, since he couldn't pull away with any significant gap I concluded he is having serious problem that ain't going away. I therefore predicted that I will catch him eventually before the end.

At the stadium (which I passed just before half marathon start) the commentator Tomi Pyylampi encouraged via loud-speakers that I was still at the sub 3h pace. Yeah, I was still doing ok although not with ease. Half way and time to refuel with Gel pack for maintaining the pace.

Half marathon & 10,5 k races

Here are some pictures from the start of half marathon including Toivo Penttinen (1:30:46), Pertti Myyry (1:31:16), Reijo Sykkö (1:30:58) and Jouni Kokkonen (1:24:27). Their corresponding rankings were 1/M60, 3/M50, 2/M50, 3/M40. The top three in the general series were Pekka Toivola (1:14:24), Jussi Oinonen (1:17:48) and Juri Shikalov (1:18:06). Jukka Keskisalo won the 10,5 km race without problems and considered it just as a training session.

For complete results of Joensuu marathon see: Joensuu Marathon web pages.

Final lap (32-42 km)

Final lap. Looks like I am passing some half marathoners? Nope. They are passing me. Tomi the commentator made a lousy attempt to encourage me that 3 hours was still reachable, if I only improved my pace little bit. Yeah right. The way my body felt I knew no record breaking coming today. I started to feel that I am already out of energy. Since the route lacks any exact km markers can't be certain but I think I maintained the pace for the first two rounds, lost little bit time in the third, and then several minutes in the last lap.

I was not the only one struggling though. Somewhere around Prisma (36-37 km) I started to close the gap to Jussi who was struggling even more (consider that he is 2:46 runner). Just before reached him, he started to walk (another stomach cramp I suppose). My pace was rather lousy as well but I anyway continued my snail speed to the end, and finally made a 100m "dream sprint". You know, a kind of sprint that happens only in your imagination but not in reality. I basically walked over the finish line, which is not very typical for me.

Summary

Yeap. I made it. I completed the marathon. No sub-3 result, no record breakings, and no trophy either. For awhile I though I was 3rd but due to of my absent-mind I had not noticed that both Hakulinen and Tommi Keronen (2:59:01) had passed me somewhere when I was struggling in the last lap I suppose. So I was 5th overall and 4th in the mens' general series.

After good training all winter, considering the result of my previous marathons, and the wide supporter network being there, I was of course rather disappointed at the end, because of not being able to provide any records breaking or such spectacular result. After all, it was my worst finish time since 1½ years (4 marathons ago). These marathons just don't become any easier no matter how many I have run before. Phew. Anyway, I managed to write down some kind of story here, thanks to the supporters and the numerous photos. Still: next marathon in Timbuktu. ;)

Statistics

Finish time: 3:05:03
Ranking: 5 / 103
Pace: 4:23 min/km
Average heart rate: 164
Weather: +15 C, Sunny