Season memories – Chapter III

Coming back to Finland and having practically only road miles in my legs and starting the serious study on my dissertation, I simply couldn't prioritize the track champs at all. Admittedly, I had not been in time trial position for ages either. So I did what I could, and rode. Anyway, the weekend was highlighted with a solid team pursuit performance with the guys. Sincere, but late, thanks to Hiski, Janne and Juhana. Well good team! We did a good ride and won the event.

TP start.

Then it was just a matter of slotting in some training whenever I was not studying. In the mean time, I managed a weekend off everything normal at Levi. There I was with my road bike and friends from my skiing times. One seriously good weekend! We rode a bit of hills on the first day and then chunked in a solid 140+km ride from Levi, to Pallas, to Ylläs and back. After that, it was all back to studying – with some exceptions as in races.

Thursday next week, I did the lengthiest effort so far covering 260km and averaging 35kph. It perhaps wasn't the optimal prep for the 10k time trial and road race in Lieto on the weekend, but there a purpose for it, I promise. In Lieto, I enjoyed a solid time with a sub par performance, which I expected after Thursdays effort. However, a solid time was a reason for happiness as it signalled, that the aerotesting and position tweaks were working and effective.

Warm-up close-up.

On Sunday, I took a sort Devil may care attitude for the race as the course was flat and a sprint finish was expected in the cards. That was because of my sincere lack of sprinting ability just as well. The flat course was challenged on the day by wind though. I jumped to the first break with one other rider. We ever got to 70s at max and were eventually brought back at early stages. I sat on the back and tried to get some energy in. On the feed zone, at the mid point, a large breakaway went and I thoght the race was over. For my surprise (I'd guess not only my), the break never went far and was brought back 20k from the finish. Moments earlier I had decided to give a full go if and once the break is back. It worked and I was away, but struggling, with one guy. We managed to stay away, my companion was signigicantly stronger and I was second - and still struggling. During the race I had problems with nutrient ingestion (read: I tried, but couldn't eat) and hence, the struggle. Such a good weekend overall.

Starting in Lieto.

There was once race left then. A 20k time trial in Säkylä on such a beautiful course right next to lake scenery. I was going well and in control. I had a plan in working. Simple, but effective: Negative splits. In essence, I was spreading my effort by starting smoothly and planning to dig deep after turn. The heavy rain came at 3km in to the race and I punctured (or rather my tub exploded) at 9,8 or so in quite a speed and staying up and control wasn't quite there for a moment. Again, in retrospect, I figured, that I should have skipped any race held in Säkylä. Once my race was ended due a thunderstorm, once I just had the most awful day and now a puncture. Never going there again, just kidding! The season started with a puncture and ended with one – loop closed.

Settling to race pace in Säkylä.

End of Chapter III and the competitive season 2014.

Season memories – Chapter II

There we go then and again. It was mid June, when we loaded my trustworthy red devil, which is also known Citroen Berlingo. To clarify my overstatement; it's red at least, if not devil – but arguably the best vehicle for easy bike gear transportation in my opinion. The destination was I southwest Poland in Lower-Silesia. The race, that I really was aiming my top form for was the university world championships held in Jelenia Gora in July. The reason behind going there so early was very much two folded: at the same time it was a summer holiday for my parents. And for me, it served as a solid preparation, which was evidently necessary considering the course.

Cobbles in Krivoklat!

The plan was to get familiar with the course that was used for the time trial and road race. It was basically a 14km lap with an uphill over 5,5km, respective downhill and slight transition. To get any results out, it was beneficial to learn the course with all the hairpins and bends. So that was one factor, another factor was to get some racing in there before and perhaps after, which was I also managed. Before the WUC 2014 actually took place I rode three events in Czech Republic. From which, I managed a fourth, tenth (second in combiresults) and then in Chrudim, I got my first road race win to my surprise. I was strong in each event powerwise and the events were superb with cobbles, hills and all. See some photos!

Slatinany-Monaco.

Last bit of reflection before start.

The WUC time trial was the main event for me. From the start I felt that no matter what, it won't be too bad. Totally different from Mustio. Total of 23 (or so) kilos and the hill in the middle. I rode it well up and pretty felt terrible when I started the descent. My climb was at par, but I'm tempted to think my descending was better despite the rain that showed up. I did my best descent by far and at times found my both wheels drifting a bit. I got the feeling that I used to get at times when I still raced on skis. The feeling, that comes from taking a bend faster than you think you could take and afterwards you realize that ”whoa, that was pretty fast!”. The flat part at the end was very much a fight, but I'd guess it was the very same for everyone.

Ready, set, go...

I finished 11^th with a solid ride and at that time I hadn't found out that the level of competition was pretty decent. In front of me, I had eight professionals from various levels. A detail to get a grasp: the winner rides for OPQS and couple weeks later won a stage in a breakaway and took the leaders jersey for days in Poland. Happy enough, I was. I wasn't in medal pace, but my pacing worked well (so say the splits also) and my ride was on par.

The road race next day was a good for me in terms of my performance level. I managed a solid power throughout the race, but it wasn't enough. I made a mistake in the first ascent, or maybe not a mistake as such, but anyway. I tried to get an early breakaway before the first climb, but it never realized. Thus, I was a bit on the red zone going to the climb and when the strong guys kick in and get rid of some of the crop – it is not good. The mistake; being on 'the red' made me control my pace for sake of not blowing up and it got me eventually dropped. Retrospectively, the smart (yet riskier approach) would have been to hang on and get to the red properly. And then, if I could have hung on, could have managed to the top, could have recovered on the descent and the race could have been far different. Coulda, shoulda, woulda – don't we all love to be smart afterwards. I didn't and I couldn't and that as far as it goes. The race was made interesting by the weather. It was similar as during the training – see the photo.

Bit of rain just makes things more interesting.

The rest of the trip consisted from one start in Kalas Cup (the main thing in Czech Republic), which was hard enough. I didn't get a result, but nontheless, it was good experience. Then couple days of holiday in Szczecin (yes, that is correct spelling, at least almost) during which I managed to get over my fear and persistence of not drive karts. That is another story worth telling, but not in this context.

Kalas Cup in Nove Mesto - Not the freshest one for me.

Then, I made a decision to ride in Malmö, Sweden, which was (in retrospect again!) not a productive one. I simply couldn't breathe, and took early DNF's in both of the races as consequence to rather severe asthma symptoms. I don't think there is a good description for what I sounded like, but yet I managed to tell everyone that everything is fine and under control. It certainly did not sound like that.

Now the trip was over and we travelled back to Finland. The wholeness of it was brilliant. Good races, met bunch of new people and special greetings to Lubomir, if you happen to read this one. Also met Simon, a long time friend, greetings just as well. Mainly good results and lots of miles climbed.

End of Chapter II.

Season memories – Chapter I

At the moment of writing this up, I am sitting at 10k of altitude, on the seat of row 19 on my way Arlanda and quick run through the airport for another flight back to Helsinki. As some of my friends already know, I'm just trying to grasp the moment, as only this morning I handed in the hard copy of my Master's thesis. The piece of work that has eventually taken over of pretty much going on.

So that is has been the purpose since the last blog really. And now it is time to get to new challenges – in terms of riding and professional development. It all looks good and motivating at this point. Before going to detail on those things (which are still to be confirmed, admittedly), I thought that I'll go through a bit of racing over the spring and summer, which I regrettably have to split into two or even three bits of babble as I realize my lazyness and at times, conscious decision not to write anything. Any way here we go....

So, the last races for my period in UK were the BUCS track, which I honestly were a series of comical incident more or less. Although, it is only pretty recently that I've been able really see it that way. I admit being pretty frustrated with all that, hence no photos. In short, three start and three unlucky incident that could and should have been avoided. The most irritating was that I had no control over any of those.

Moments before misery.

Then I came to Finland, and was desperate to score some good results and did an awful time trial in Mustio, which also happened to be the longest in Finland. So be my guest and, double the misery. Then I carried on to a stage race, which was even more hideous from my part. Catastrophic prologue, technical mishap and a missed split during next days stage. Not the easiest of spring, and it goes without saying that I really was not really happy at that point. However, as far as it went, I decided to well, rest for a day and train more with a minute change to the regime. A minute, maybe not quite. I just left the intense stuff for a while and did some steady rides, which made miracles – at least sort of.

Bianchi Cup / Kuusijärvi

During a stage at Hikiä.

The main classic of Finnish summer is Porvoon ajot. A lengthy race on an undulating course. Nevertheless, it was a kind of turning point to my season. I felt strong and rode actively all race long and despite not getting a result, I was all too happy to bounce back only with 23^rd place. Most importantly, though, I gained a fair bit of confidence back four weeks before the main event of my summer. It was a trip, which really, really deserves its own chapter.

End of Chapter I.

Quick note!

It has been a long, long break yet again. Now though, I am preparing a series of texts to make up my misconduct. The lack of texts has been at first due to my bad riding and hence – bad mood. And then, things got better and now I am in the my seasons main event.

So, series of texts to follow to fill in the blanks!

From Alkmaar to Edinburgh...

...and finally to Finland.

The time flew by in Alkmaar and last Friday we packed my beloved Berlingo yet again to travel back to Edinburgh. This time for a week before driving down to Manchester for BUCS Track Champs. And then the next destination for me on 15^th will be Espoo Finland. I can't really say how much I'm waiting for that.

Still, there is loads to do before that, but first lets go back to Netherlands. The intention of the training camp was to find some revs and track legs, which went okay – I think. We had good and productive sessions one after another. Now, after a bit of rest, it is all about waiting for some taper magic to happen. Then, I'll hit the track for the weekend and make a quick transition back to the longer stuff again. All good, and I feel pretty fresh.

After the weekend I have two busy days at the university. One day to relax in Edinburgh and then I'm off to Finland. In Finland it is all about doing my dissertation and riding my bike in no particular order.

Spring in pictures.

Just as promised - photos from here and there.

It is not all train in rain stuff - sometimes sun and fun.

The season start ended in two miles with a puncture.

Only MSc dissertation left.

A place that I will truly miss.

Warming up in Cumnor.

Sluggish - but slippery!

Less sluggish now!

Effort, rollers, effort, rollers, effort, rollers...

Heading for lunch.

Enjoying my Michelin starred lunch (porridge with raisins) in the track center.

Learn, reflect and progress. Yet again!

Oh well, yet another week of racing is now packed. I went hard in the beginning of week (just as planned) and finished the hard efforts with another midweek time trial. This time over ten miles and in Freuchie. The performance followed the set plan and the weather gods seemed to be on the side of the cyclists as the first drops leading to overcast came at time the time of results. The performance of Freuchie was, more or less, a tune up for the weekend's main race – the university 25miler in Oxford.

The two days leading up for the 25 is where we, quite honestly, believe that I actually lost the form as I made a decision to take rest. The reason behind that decision was due to insufficient recovery. So, on the day of the race I felt good, but as it soon became apparent – it isn't about how you feel, it is how you perform. It wasn't my strongest characteristic that day. However, despite the lack of performing, I managed to look good on my bike; but I shall go into that in a minute. My power output was way down and I never really got into the zone, if I may say. Anyway, on the positive note, as I said, I looked good on my bike. That is to say, my average speed was respectable in contrast to the below standard power output. Overall – sluggish, but slippery. At the end, I was fourth and so much about that.

That race was then the end of BUCS time trials and from there we travelled, in moderate silence, to Dover and took a ferry over to Dunkerque the very next morning. Now, I am writing this bit of babble in Bergen aan Zee. A holiday village located Alkmaar and right next to sea. We are here to spend five days of quality track training in Sportpaleis Alkmaar in preparation for BUCS Track Champs or evolution training, as we like to call this for a good reason. Today, we had two sessions and oh body, did I enjoy it. It was brilliant and I certainly hope it will remain like that.

Tomorrow, in addition to the two track sessions, it is a good day for photo update! Stay tuned.

Tough times.

Ok, time to get back on with the blog. No excuses, no nothing. After all the busyness in the university and some racing miles – it is just time to type something up.

University work is something that did cause stress and distractions for a while. However, the while is now over and everything bit of course work is submitted. Happy days in a sense, although there is the thesis to get on with.

Riding has been ok in training, but the start of the racing season that I so much looked forward to has been tough (some other adjectives would be suitable as well...). A week ago, it was the university champs in 3up time trialling in Oxford. After traveling through the country I ended up stranded with a puncture after two miles or so. Bad luck, I thought then – which it honestly was. As the opening test went to the bin, we carried on training and on Wednesday night I found myself from Cleish, Fife, riding a midweek time trial over five miles. It all went to plan and I really was looking forward to the universities 10 miler, held on today in near Cambridge.

Total disaster, and yes, I'm a fair bit freaked out. I don't want to go to much into providing different or long explanations. Saying that, one word is enough: asthma. It was quite apparent when I reflected my feeling to what was apparent in the powerfile – interesting stuff non the least. Putting things to context; it has been said that 'love is important in life, but you know, oxygen is even more important'. That is very much applicable to time trialling as well. Considering the performance itself and the eventual outcome, 6^th place, it may not sound all that bad. But it is, by definition. The disappoinment shed some tears even, I gotta admit that. I prepared to give my all and I rode to fight for win. Yet I did not.

There are certain ideas to go with from here regarding the breathing problems, thanks to Sami for some consultancy. Each one them is luckily sound and valid. Just gotta do some testing, I guess.

Now it feels that I am digging deep. The character is tested when you are up against it, said Dick Vermeil, a famous NFL coach. Now it is up to me to prove my character to myself: learn, reflect, and progress.

Professional blog in Finnish.

This is not a real update as such, more an informative message.

I started a professional blog regarding to my studies in performance psychology. If you are, and I hope so, interested (and Finnish speaking), please follow the link!

http://suorituspsykologia.blogspot.com

Cheers,

Anton

About running.

As I last time mentioned, I've taken up a bit of running. The very first revelation was that I didn't hate as I was used to. Then, in fact, I've started to like more and more. Some seem to think, that running is harmful for cyclist, but this far I've not seen any effect.

Then again, there are some gains from running – at least so I think. It keeps the ligaments etc. in shape, as cycling where there is not ballistic stress whatsoever tends to leave them weakening as time goes by. Secondly, running is time effective. Thirdly, time effectiveness is good in unfavoring weather. Fourth, it brings variation to the ordinary regime. Fifth, I've read that some sort of an idol for me has been doing some running – therefore, it can't be that bad. Sixth, it actually is enjoyable.

Though, I've created a rational(ish) for my enjoyment when it comes to running. Admittedly, I am complete novice of a runner and thus, not sharing my pace – eh. Saying that, the enjoyment comes partly from the pace. Doing something I've not done at all has brought me feelings of development in something more than baby steps. I mean, my running pace has improved time after time after time during the couple of runs I've done. And as I am a numbercruncher by nature, the quick gains have brought good feelings and enjoyment as in cycling major those steps require more and more work to be taken. Hopefully, the curve in running remains upwards for some time to come.

I guess, what I'm trying to say is that trying something new has been highly motivating, fun and brought so much already into my training, even though it may not have had direct effect to my riding. By this I'd recommend anyone to take up new things, if not for direct gains on the performance, but for overall physical or mental gains or sheer for sheer fun.

As last mention; the actual training on bike is also going well. And so is things at university. All good!

Back in Edinburgh.

Holiday times are more or less over now. This blog, is written from my cosy sofa next to Easter road stadium. Edinburgh seemed the same as I left it. Gym at CSE was still there. And I managed my way around Sainsburys – despite the magazine shelf had moved.

The camp in Spain carried on a very positive note until the very last couple days. One day I bonked – quite totally and after that I never recovered. The overall load was high as expected, but resulted in temporary overload (or overreach) as became rather clear when I got to Finland. As a concluding remark, the camp was good; riding, riding and riding until I couldn't do it anymore. The end just came two day too early.

Our flight to Finland was on 23^rd – not a single day too late. Over Christmas I just tried to relax and rest the overload away (and acknowledgedly, eat it away). Either way, after Christmas I slowly got back to training, which went okay from the beginning. To my great surprise, I found myself running and what made the surprise even greater was the fact that I didn't hate it. And after two miserably slow runs, I actually found that I liked running – only to some extent, though. To be clear, there are no plans whatsoever of changing sport, definitely not.

Then came the new year, which ended up being the most memorable. I spent with some good friends to begin with. We had quality time with the guys – training first, then having a good dinner, and having good time. That night I met someone very special, who turned my life around quite a bit – if not totally.

Training is starting to get proper again after taking a careful couple of weeks with the temporary overload. The weather here is fairly unpredictable and with all the uniwork, we decided to do some more intense stuff to wake up the power a bit, which we haven't really done for ages. In fact, it all started today with at test. It is unbelieveable how nervous can one be about couple of minutes on turbo trainer – I was comic more than anything. A grown-up bloke staring at the bike almost shaking – way to go, eh? Anyway, the test was eventually done and done okay. Nothing was really in our expectations, but just to clarify a baseline for the coming weeks' workouts. Now we have it, and I'm relieved the test is done. I mean, it seems just a personal issue I have with tests. The tests just stress and thus, annoy the heck out of me – without a rational reason.

But hey, it was a solid start after what was a little worrying time with my physical recovery. We are taking steps to the right direction again - leading towards the racing season and graduating with a MSc degree. Busy months to look forward to.