BACK ON FEET

I ran in the Riga orienteering championships yesterday. It was great feeling to run through a fresh spring forest in the warm and sun. The colours were wonderful and for a change the course was challenging both for my brain and body. OK - truthfully I made loads of silly mistakes. Most of these were because it is really 2 and a half years since I was in the forest last, in Estonia. My mistakes were mainly drills and lack of practice but lack of self confidence also played a part.

Anyway I go to Finland in June for another go and I must do some more training before then. Lets hope my body stays whole and I can train properly and well.

BACK RUNNING

At last, am back running properly again. I was wary of writing anything until I had handled a couple of days of steady work over 40 mins. This calf tear has taken 2 months to cure. the problem was simply that the right calf was so strong that I could not reach the deep muscle to stretch it. When i worked on it with my thumb and ice i could break up the tissue but then the next day I could not keep it stretched so it reformed. very frustrating.

I found the best way was to stretch on the up escalator because the metal edges were able to hold the sole of my shoe tight without slipping. But I could not go up and down all day. I had to make special vists to centre shop and go to the top floor just to dig at the calf.

Anyway today I ran a bit faster and it all seemed OK. I would like to run the Riga half next week but that may be risky. We shall see. I have Jukola Orienteeering in Finland in 4 weeks as well. I missed last year with fever so I dont want to miss another year.