The conditions are springlike, moods high and orienteer's waiting for the summer. But what shall do the ancient hero Väinämöinen, an eternal wizard and how is the shape of Joukahainen? And what is thinking Jompainen, often mixed with Joukahainen? One thing is for sure - Ilmarinen (Pais) is making a new sampo here in Pohjola - slowly and carefully - and hopes that this one won't be robbed. Making of a new sampo is a big job, and you wouldn't like to do it every year from the start.
Kalevala is such a powerful mythology that even our club's skiing trainings are named based on Kalevala, and the creator is of course the almighty Väinämöinen (Mr. Kahelin). Principal skiing technique is kalevalainen (classic skiing), but when the guys face difficult conditions or the Lumi-Toukola is nearby, also the väinämöinen -technique (väiski, vapaa=skating) is commonly used. Especially Väinämöinen likes to do skating - and it's no wonder - his first skis for ski-o were sanded and figured in the end of the last ice age. If you can't ski for some reason, you can always build a new sampo. In training language it means a method in which you run or hike on sledge trails and constantly ask from yourself: "Am I insane or what?" Finally, it's clear that the traditional kalevala-technique is the best one - known also by the mythical brothers of Jou and Jammu Kahainen.
There are also some darker moments in the winter, and this year didn't make exception. Ilmarinen's wife was erased from the epic game by the Kullervo (studies show nowadays that his family name is Pellinen), but it's not easy for Kullervo either - he trips in the first o-training and his stomach gots pierced by a wooden stick in the ground. Probably this sharp wooden object was the work of the handsome, but cold-blooded hero called Lemminkäinen (Huhtanen), who likes to do that kind of woodwork in order to train for Jukola's path-running. In fact, they are really good exercises for himself, but for runners outside of Terä they can be really ugly and nasty minefields...
Some real words about the last month. It was indeed "a pearl". Lots of training by skiing and during last weeks also quite a lot of running as well. Totally nearly 80h. I have had some problems with my wrist and tibialis posterior (since Decamber...) and last week wasn't so heavy because of that. And that was only a good thing, because it's the rest time when the shape gets better.
Rest time and training according to my feelings will be in key role from now on, since I will start my 43 day trip to Spain in the evening. I will be concentrating in training of big amounts first and increase the amount of more intensive trainings very carefully. And it's not all about training because my wise guys (even older and wiser than Väinämöinen!) Mr.Palonen and his buddy Mr.Havas have provided me with 10 books essential for the building of a new sampo. One could think that making of sampo - that apparatus which produces grain, salt and gold - is only a physical trial. As a matter of fact, it's mainly a psychological and spiritual process.
Training diary will be online from now on. Check it up!
PS. My father reached 4000km of skiing (all classic, because skating is not real skiing ;-)) Good amount in less than three months! 7000km is the goal, and reachable if the eyes stay open...