long runs so I had to leave the rest of the group about halfways, but got a nice progressive climb up to Sogsvann again instead. Getting a good stride up there, to right on the top where I live. Have to be abit careful though, I know I should rest alot post altitude, so gotta be disciplined 😉
The rest of the group up in Dullstrom (of Norwegians, Karl Johan and Bjørnar) left today, heading back to western-Norway. It seemed like they had a successful stay down there, as they were building shape week after week. Both with very good training intelligence that will be extremely helpful as they put their system back finetuned again while doing the season buildup. Going injured for a period, altitude training brings you right up there in much shorter time than at sea level providing that you do not go too hard too early after starting up again, so a smart move especially this time a year when you can have snow and ice in Norway.
Heading into a week of steady increase of workload, with the first test on Wednesday. On the treadmill of course. Not only for the standarization of the test, but also to get a sharp toe off in the running stride after spending time at altitude (where I did lots of mileage, at good intensity) I believe that this is one of the keys to the Africans, their ability to get an extremely short time on the group, almost bouncing forward. Alot of that has to do with the way they are built (look at their calf muscles) but also with years on walking barefoot, running barefoot as children. And ; when they get older they have this extreme strength in their legs. For those that disagree, see the link below – some mzungos take it to the extreme 🙂
Well, time for some rest now!
Marius