Viikin Viitonen #22, 08.11.14

I wasn't sure at first whether i would participate in the race , but since it is the last VV for this year and the weather forecast wasn't predicting any rain/snow i decided finally to join. Although in the morning it was colder than i expected (about 1 degree) i decided to cycle to Viiki. Already when arriving to the gathering area, seeing all the people standing and trying to warm up in their winter coats made me feel cooold...

Anyhow, i tired to warm up by running slowly and stretching and felt pretty good. In fact, since this is most likely my last race this year i was really hoping for a PR (my best result so far is about 21:52 which i made on the 20th VV in July). As the race started i felt quite good and strong during the first 3K, despite feeling quite hard to breath due to the cold weather.

In addition, after about 2K, i felt my HR monitor slipping down my waist....but i guess i'm already quite used to it..:)

Unfortunately, similarly to last week, i was struggling way too hard in the last kilometers...not realizing it at that moment, but i was running really slow in the last KM...(4.51 min/km)..

Despite the fact i actually had a good feeling about this run when crossing the finish line (although it tool me longer than usual to breath normally) i was quite disappointed when my Garmin showed a finish time of 22:04. Not sure if this is the cold weather or just me not fully recovered yet or just tired from this hectic racing season..

Yet, i was just happy i could finish this race and could now go and enjoy my ride home via Helsinki. As i was a bout leave, the organizer came to me and told me that since i was the second girl to cross the finish line i deserve a medal. He explained that the girl who came first already got a medal in one of the previous races and they only give medals to the ones who still have not received a medal even if they are not the winners. I was so surprised and happy to receive the consolation medal..although it made me realize that the real prize in any race is not made of metal but the great feeling of achievement when making a new PR.

Oh well...i guess i'll have to wait to the spring of next year to (hopefully )make a new PR:)

In any way, this was my third time racing in this event, and although i don't typically enjoy short distance races very much, this nice event and the super friendly organizers and people and of course the beautiful Viiki countryside make me always want to come back next time..:)

* Photos credit go to VV