Can I have a take away home delivery please?

Here I'm again with this big question. To cook or not to cook – however you want to put it. I really like cooking and chefing, but as if I don't have the energy to do it properly – it might just be better off ordering something delivered to my door. As said I like to cook, I really do and lately I've been even more into cooking than earlier. The thing is, that more or less home made sauces always beat Barillas or whatever. Although I sometime use Barillas or whatever, they just don't taste as good as home made. If I screw totally up with the spices I may turn to some quick options, but for my luck – I prefer spicy tastes, so it just isn't that big deal whether there is bit too much of pepper or even cayenne pepper. Spicier foods even enhance metabolism in body and they're even used in weight loss products, so what's not to like?

Another thing, if I put the fact of better taste aside, is that as I do everything myself, I know exactly what's in there. Alright, I don't grow my potatoes or broccolis on my yard, but still. And as I know exactly what's in it I can eat more, because of the more suitable ingredient content. That I really prefer! In cycling maintaining high power to weight ratio is essential, for that the keys are maintaining weight, training hard and eating correctly. To be able train a lot – one needs energy a lot, but the answers for eating a lot,energy and maintaining weight lays within the ingredients. At times it is too complicated for me, and I ask for a big double whopper mac or whatever.

To answer the header. Now I'm unsure if I have the energy to prepare food properly or prepare at all, so I'm just about to pick my phone up and make call. After that call it would take some odd 20 minutes and I would have a warm meal on my door. Whether I'll make that call today, I dunno. And where should I call? Chinese, Indian, pizza, fish n' chips or burger place? Lets be honest, the latter three are ruled out anyway, and I think you know why. Chinese or Indian, or maybe I just rest for a while and then prepare my own food? Or maybe I don't rest at all and do some yoga? No yoga for me, definetly.

Well, behind this non ending chitchat is another good week of training and tiredness due to that. It has all gone according to plan, and that makes me happy. First, there is a plan and a system to follow. Secondly, it seems to be working. Tomorrow I have another gym session and then the week is over and on Monday a new one starts all over again – riding my bike, going to gym, resting and wondering what to eat. There is plenty more than that, but still to say – that is pretty much what I do in addition to uni work. At the end, I think, it is worth mention how amazing does Coke taste in glass bottle!

'Though the bamboo forest is dense, water flows through it freely'

- Basho

P.S. Apparently resting and streching helped. Time to be a chef.

About training, puncturing and photography

Today is a rest day and I woke up at 5.45am, but for a good reason. Wales beat Ireland in Rugby World Cup semifinal at 6am this morning. Now I'm almost two weeks into a new season and training has started well. During these two weeks I've completed roughly 30 hours of training so far and I'm feeling good about it – the progression is there. I've been to road rides and gym, but tomorrow we'll have friendly match in floorball.

I'm feeling good on my bike and even better in the gym, that might due to the fact that progression is obvius when at gym, but on the road it ain't so simply as heart rates, speeds and everything varies due to the winds and so on. Although I gotta admit that the performances don't matter really at the moment, as the most important thing is preparation for the coming months. I very much like training at the gym, as it is very practical and it seems to really work for me!

Just to say that everything ain't so well and good – I've had an amazing streak of punctures. Altogether five during last week. Yesterday I ran out of spare tubes, Co2 cartridges and patches. Today I've shopping then. I've filled the stores and I'm ready take on the challenges provided by the Welsh roads again tomorrow morning. Next week I'll get set of new tyres as well, and hope that they'll reduce the puncture rate, ehh?

Photography then. I've been trying to learn to use my camera properly and I think I can just manage the basics now. I've found photography such nice way to get my head off training, it happens almost automatically. Just walk around watching and trying to find something interesting is very relaxing. Here's something that i've managed to make through the lens:

'One falling leaf is not just one leaf; it means the whole autumn.'

Shunryu Suzuki

Training towards 2012

Blog silence is now broken. I had a bit of break in updating, but to be honest there hasn't been much to report. I've been resting and taking it easy mainly. Now I've moved back to the island and the academic year has started together with new training season.

Off season is now gone and I'm on the prep phase going towards a new season. I had my appendix operated during the offseason and it all went as planned – so those problems should now be well fixed. When I come to think of the next year, I can see so many things to look forward. Clearly the biggest thing for is gonna be in next April, when I'm to hand in my Dissertation. That means graduation from Uni, which is big. Secondly, I can see myself riding my best season so far, as if I can stay healthy for the season during past couple years. The major plan has been created, I know what I'm going towards and I'm prepared to go for it. It's all about the execution now.

At the end I want quote an American speaker and author, Denis Watley, who has counselled and mentored Olympic winners and Super Bowl champions. I completely believe these words of wisdom:

'The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don't define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.'

A very special place.

During the off-season, or transition phase, I have time do things I don't usually have time for. I spent last couple days with my old friends in my old home town – Nilsiä. I lived there for four amazing years and it is always so good to go back. The town has changed a fair bit during last years. This time I slept on Tomppa's and Krisu's sofa and trained with Tahko Alpine Ski Team. Thanks, I'm aching big time! I rode mtb, did athletics, went to gym and played with bmx. I also hooked up with some buddies from school and even visited one birthday party.

Good times and big thanks!

'The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.'

Dagen

Tahko

Tomppa at the top of Kinahmi