Racing and Training 2022

 I did a Pilates session. Chris was standing in for Michelle (who was unavailable)

 I ran with the SLOGs. They did a pyramid session. I just cruised everything. I was a bit stiff and sore.

 I did Body Conditioning and Abs Blast. In the afternoon I did a 5K over at Caerleon with Dave & Ann Westley

 tested negative. I did a 6 miles LSR from the NISV at 8am with John Hill and Dave Prouse plus Karim and ? 

 very faintly positive

 tested faintly positive

 Still testing positive for COVID. No need for paracetemol, ibuprofen or strepsils now though.

 Still testing positive for COVID

 First day of self-isolation

  I picked Maisie up and I met Emmie out of school. However, I wasn’t very well at this point. When I got home, I did an LFT and tested positive. I reported the result and ordered some (free) Lateral Flow Tests.

  My train leaves Tampere at 09:00. I monitored the public transport network and set off in plenty of time. I still managed to just miss a tram and had to wait five minutes or more. I was on an Inter City train (IC150) which was far more comfortable than the old rolling stock that I had to endure on my inbound journey. I used the lifts at Tikkurila, I wanted to protect my back from straining to carry the suitcase. I used the loo and then had a hot dog and a beer as soon as I arrived at the airport. I went through security and had a couple of hours to kill. I had two more beers plus coffees, a hot dog and a cheese and tomato baguette.   On the plane I had a chicken wrap which I had pre-ordered. I also had some complementary Blueberry Juice and water. On the plane, I started coughing. By tomorrow I would test positive for COVID. At Heathrow T3, the luggage situation is still a bit dire and hence a bit worrying. It took one hour from the plane landing to our luggage arriving at t...

  I checked in for my return Finnair flight and stored the boarding pass in my Apple Wallet. I needed to pack today and to tidy the flat. I decided to do my lap around the lake as a recovery run. I set a workout to incorporate (3 * 700 + 3 * 300). That workout fitted nicely. `In the afternoon, after the run I went to the Kultainen Apina (Golden Monkey) for a final pint during happy hour. It started to rain quite heavily. I ended up having three pints.

This was half marathon day. The race started at 10:00. I got a tram into town at 07:45 or thereabouts. I went to the end of Tram Line 3 at Pyynikitori in order to get the best chance of a seat on the number 8 bus. The ploy worked. As for the race, it was basically 3 * 6 and a bit kilometre lap followed by one lap round the car park. I was not last! I got the number 8 back to Keskustori and had a chicken pita wrap (gyro) with a beer in the beer garden. Then I got the tram home. I was very tired during the afternoon so I had a lazy day.   By the way. If I had been fit I would have wone a team medal as third Brit.

  This was Tampere parkrun day. This was also a very enjoyable morning. Parkrun went well. After the run I had a massage of the BMMS team. I then crossed the footbridge and had some black pudding sausage with lingonberry jam. Back in Hervanta, I had a pint in Ale Pub Potti before returning to my apartment for some food (pork steak fries, salad with ham and cheese). I booked my train ticket for Tuesday at 09:00am.   I had some cider and a long snooze. Tomorrow is half marathon day.

  This was the day of the 10K road race. My race was due to start at 16:30. It was quite a warm afternoon. The course was a 6km lap plus two laps round a kilometre long car park. One lap at the start and one lap at the end. It was a tough race but I did it OK. Afterwards I went to the beer garden at Keskustori. There was a big TV screen with Spain v Finland women’s football on live. I had some blueberry cider and a sausage platter.

  Again today, I have no water in my flat this morning, this time I was more prepared and it was no problem. I went into Tampere to watch the 1500 metres finals. In the evening I went to an Italian restaurant with Neil and Juliet Sidney.

I had no water in my flat this morning. Luckily the kettle was full and there was some coffee in the pot from last night. So, I was able to have some tea and coffee. I had a relaxing day today. The water came back on again in the early afternoon. Later in the afternoon I went for a run round the lake. It was really enjoyable.

  Tuesday 05 July (day 9 in Tampere) This is 1500 metres heats day. There are 29 confirmed entries for this event so there will be two heats. The first heat will be at 12:50. Call room time is -30 minutes. I woke up very early so had plenty of time to prepare. I had bacon and eggs and tomato for breakfast. The plan was to get a tram at 10:30. I left a bit earlier than that and got a tram just after 10:00. I sat with Kevin Dillon, Iris Hill and Anne Martin. There were some hurdles races on. I started my warm up routine at around 11:30. I was in the first heat. There was a Finn, Klaus Sjöblom, who was likely to be the closest to me. I didn't see him for two laps, he was behind me. He then went past and finished in a time of 6.37,20. My time was 6:45.99. I probably went off a bit too quick and could have paced it better, however, this time is 10 seconds faster than my time in Derby.   There were some slower runners in heat two. That heat might have provided better competiti...

  Monday 04 July (day 8 in Tampere) This is an athletes’ rest day.   I visited a nearby shopping centre and checked out the Zarillo Hervanta (at Pietilänkatu 2, 33720 Tampere, inside the Kauppakeskus Duo shopping centre). https://www.zarillo.fi/menu   The restaurant (Zarillo) closes at 9:00pm. Tuesday is Burger Tuesday – so no reservations. If this is not suitable there is the nearby speakeasy which closes at 10pm. After my stroll, I bought some provisions at my local supermarket and went back to the apartment and spent a lazy day. I feel very lethargic. Is it the heat and humidity I wonder? Or is it long covid or loneliness?

  Sunday 03 July (day 7 in Tampere) I went to the Hervanta track to watch the older women’s 5000 metres. I then went to the main stadium. I spoke to Nicky to arrange a massage (my second) after lunch. I had a chat to Roger & Mel Gale, Iris Hill and Anne Martin. I learned about Angela Copson’s husband being taken ill. I had two sausages from the Grill and a coffee and a pulla. I saw Neil and Juliet and arranged to meet them in Hervanta after the 1500 metres. Meanwhile, my varifocal glasses broke today, so after my massage I walked around a shopping mall at Ratina and found an optician who fixed them for free. I had a couple of beers in a nearby bar while I was waiting. On the way home I called in at the Wanha Seppi bar.

Saturday 02 July (day 6 in Tampere) I had a 10-minute walk to the track at Hervanta. The race started at 10:00am. I didn’t have any breakfast, just tea and coffee. I could feel the cross country in my quads and calves. I did a good warm up though. I met Mikel Karlsson. He lapped me today! The 5000 metres comprised two seeded races. Slower runners went in the first race. This time, they got the seeding right!. In the fast race, the winner Alastair Walker (GBR) ran a time of 16:43.44 the second fastest time in history for 5000m for M65+. Derek Turnbull holds the world record (16:38). a record which has lasted for 30 years!

  Friday 01 July (day 5 in Tampere) I spent the morning at my apartment. I did some online exercises, Chris’s yoga plus a stretching session that I found. I was tired after yesterday’s cross country maybe? So I had a snooze and after lunch of crisps, olives and cheese, I headed for Hervanta Stadium. I checked out the lie of the land. There are showers here, which is a good thing as it is still very warm. I met Siwan Eleri Jones and her partner Huw, and a had a couple of beers with him at Ale Pub Potti. Back at the apartment I had another snooze and then went to the shop to return some empties and buy some more food. I have bought some ice cream as a treat! I am having an early night – it is the 5000 metres tomorrow morning at 10am.

  Thursday 30 June (day 4 in Tampere) This was cross country race day. I woke up quite early today. I made my tea and coffee and I pottered about for a while. It does seem to be a bit cooler in the early morning. I can open window and door and get a breeze into the apartment. This morning I was more successful at doing my stretches. It would appear that the medical team have worked their magic. I packed my gear and left the apartment at 09:30. I got a tram almost straight away. I then had to wait at the Rautatieasema bus stop for about 15 minutes. I got chatting to an Irish guy called Eugene Moyni (he came 5 th in my race by the way). There was a bit of hanging around in a large exhibition hall before I went off to do a warm up. I met an inspirational 80-year-old Aussie at the corner of the field. I started at the back but soon left Kevin Dillon and Alan Dolton behind. I had Andrew Murray in my sights for two of the four laps. At the end of the second lap he started to Jog/w...

  Wednesday 29 June (day 3 in Tampere) I woke up quite early today. I made my tea and coffee and I pottered about for a while. It seemed a bit cooler this morning but later on it warmed up again. I did about 15 minutes of Chris’s Yoga lesson number two but my glutes, hips and back were stiff and sore. My plans for today were to check the cross-country course and to get some help from the Medical Team. I did both of those things. I saw Archie & Lynne plus Alan & Pauline Rich at the TESC. I also saw Brett Davis at Ratina Stadium after my massage (by Fiona). I stopped again at the local supermarket for more cider and lager. I also bought some cherries. I had three cans of cider (they are small cans) with some crisps and olives and then a couple of beefburgers with salad and cheese. I also had some cherries.

  Tuesday 28 June (day 2 in Tampere) I woke up at around 7:30 (again). I made tea and coffee and I pottered about for a while. It is already very hot here again. I am doing things like Wordle & Duolingo in addition to my housekeeping. My back is killing me so I made a point of doing 35 minutes of Yoga (by Chris on demand). NB. I suspect the back pain may be due to me transporting my large suitcase which weighs 20Kg. I had to carry it up and down some steps at stations where the lifts were not working. I had bacon, egg and mushrooms for breakfast and sent a message to Kay. I stayed in the apartment during the morning. The ID cards were not available until late afternoon. I had some ham and cheese with salad for lunch. So, late afternoon I headed for the stadium and collected my Athlete ID card. On the way back I called in at the supermarket, I bought two cans of cider, some Pepsi Max, some bacon, some spring onions, and a big bag of crisps. I had an early night.

  Monday 27 June (first full day at destination) I woke up at around 7:30. I pottered about for a while. It is already very hot here. My summary of the trip so far (for Mandy) was thus:   For the first time ever, at Pen-y-Lan kennels, Maisie was upset to see me go! Anyway, I arrived at my destination safely (eventually). The train journey at this end was a bit of a nightmare with late trains, and replacement buses causing delays and confusion.   It is very hot and very sunny here. I wish I had air conditioning in my "apartment" which is basically just a large room on the 7th floor of a tower block. It has everything I need though (except air conditioning) 😀 . First job today is to go shopping and get some healthy food. Then I go to the stadium to collect my race pack.   I went shopping and spend just under £50 on provisions. I came back and had bacon and eggs for breakfast with tea and coffee (milk in my tea). I travelled to the stadium by bus because the ...