Black ice

I was somewhat stupid to go out riding last night with nothing but a tiny LED light and cross tyres. Turned out it was pitch black. And then I realized, when I saw the road salt car, that the wet pavement may freeze. Had a helmet though.
Nah, did a good 3h, with the last 90 minutes pushing the pedals slightly above aerobic threshold pace. No fear.
No fear today either, when I went running in the stairs in Helsinki's Malminkartano. They were covered with black ice. And I forgot to bring my spiked sneakers. I managed not to slip and did my best time, 1.28, during this fall.
Stairs do me so good. Power, vo2 max, power. Just what I need.
But I don´t need the winter. I hope it won't be like last year, when the temperature hit -20 degree celsius for a couple of weeks – and the snow just wouldn't stop coming.

Concluding the season

I had a pretty succesful season, after all. Ironman Zurich went ok by most standards, notwithstanding the fact my ankle was swollen as if had a golf ball beneath the skin and that my aggravated knee had interferred with my running. I was really pumped up for the Challenge Barcelona-Maresme, but unfortunately I got ill with fever and tonsillitis before the race and had no choice but to cancel.
Some highlights of 2010:
3rd place, Nokia 1/2-ironman. 4:40.01
18th place, Joroinen 1/2-ironman 4:45.15,7
IM Zurich. 102:nd 10:26.18,5. Bike split 5:05.02,02

Considered the ITU World Series Event in Lanzarote 31 oct, but decided it might be just as good to finish the season and start training for 2011.  I'm aiming to especially improve my running, since I think I have the most easy minutes to gain from there.