Finally it was time to pack for Lidingöloppet. I was hoping for 20oC (68F), sun and some breeze but it coulld also be colder so I needed to pack for both. Since the weather has been unsteadily this week I also brought rainwear. Black garbage bag is good to bring just in case it might be colder and have it over my running clothes when I am waiting in my starting group.

The last two years I have been taking the ”Löpartåget” (= Running train) to Lidingöloppet, it leaves early Saturday morning and then outside of Stockholm central station busses have been waiting and brought us out to Lidingövallen. On the train I have been getting my bib. But too few people have been interested to go with this train and this year they decided not to have any more Löpartåget going from the south. So I looked at different alternatives and this year I took the night train from Lund 22.49 Friday night up to Stockholm. Chose the middle alternative where I slept in a compartment with 2 other girls. Tomas and Åke from Coach K Runners also went with this train. I woke up with cramp in my right calf. So Saturday did not have a good start.

Tomas and I had breakfast at Scandic Grand Central not far from the train station. I have heard that pan cakes are good to eat before a race so for the first time I had that for breakfast.

At 8.45 Tomas and I met Åke at the train station and we went to the ”tunnelbanan” (=shuttle) and also met Marina and took the train to Ropsten where they have free buses that take us to Lidingövallen. First time this year that I have taken a free bus from Ropsten but it was not too crowded. Got to Lidingövallen and first we got our bibs and cover bags.

Then we put our number stickers on our cover bags, our other bags and I decided to put on a long sleeve shirt under my t-shirt because it was going to be windy. Temperature around 15oC (59F). I took this picture and published it on FB and Peter also showed up. He had seen the picture on FB and could see where we were 🙂

Then it was time for the mandatory group Picture.

The Coach K Runners who were starting in group 1-4 left and Marina and I who started in group 6 and 8 could get ready a bit later. I put liniment on my left M. gluteus maximus and right knee. We went to the hockey rink and left our bags there so they would be transported to the finish line. It is worth paying 40 SEK for that service.

Finally Marina and I walked to the start which is a couple of k’s from Lidingövallen. When we got there it was 12.58 and I realized that I wouldn’t have time to warm up with some jogging and I have totally forgotten to stretch too. Time to get in to my starting group. Get rid of my cover bag, did some fast streching and got ready for ”Friskis och Svettis” warm up. I was a bit worried that my right calf might get me into trouble during the race. My goal was to get a new PB, was aiming at 3.18 h.

So then my starting group started the race at 13.20.

The first k was very slow as expected. But then I started to get a good pace.

At 6K I was 1 minute behind schedule which was just fine.

At 9K I was 2 minutes behind schedule and I was not worried.

My time at 10K was 1.04 h and I felt hopeful but it still were some tough hills to conquer.

During this race you have to run smart, it is a lot of people running and narrow paths. Johan, from Coach K Runners, had taught us how to run downhill this summer which I have exercised since then and when I could I was running with small steps downhill.

At the fuel stations I was in the beginning drinking every other water, every other sports drink and when they served bananas I grabbed a half.

At 12K I was 3 minutes behind schedule.

At 15K I was 4 minutes behind schedule. The countdown started. Had been running half the race now.

At 18K I was 5 minutes behind Schedule.

At the fuel station around 20K they serve lukewarm blueberry soup which is so good to drink.

At 21K I was 7 minutes behind schedule

at 24K was 8 minutes behind schedule but I felt hopeful that it could be a new PB.

At 25K the famous Abborebacken (Abborre hill) is coming, I always walk up this hill fast and then you have Karins backe (Karin’s hill). My time here was 2.42.20 h

I was getting tired in my calves.

I had told Marina that she would pass me at some point and she didn’t believe me, she started 20 minutes after me. And then I heard her say hi when she passed me. It was after Aborrebacken somewhere.

When I had been running 27K my time was 2.52h and no cramp and then I just contined running and was hoping that I wouldn’t get into any issues. I was still having energy and had a pace under 6 min/k. The 28K sign came and then the 29K sign came and then I saw the finish line and my pulse watch showed 3.13.

Once in a while I am stunned by myself. I never thought that I would run under 3.15 h during this cross country race. I am very proud of myself and have now set the bar high.

Total time: 3.13.48 h, average speed: 6.22 min/k using Garmin Forerunner 310XT

When I was standing in the bus line I felt very tired in my calves.

When I woke up Sunday morning I was sore in my right calf, very little muscle soreness in my front thighs.

Today it was time to run my last run before Lidingöloppet and the final test with the Garmin GPS watch that I have borrowed to use at Lidingöloppet.

Nice temperature today, 18oC (64F), a bit windy but I could be without any hat and gloves. Was having a nice speed too.

What I have learned about the Garmin GPS is to put the power on when I get outside so it can find the satellite signals.

Now I also could see the real distance, have always suspected that this run is a bit longer than 5K and that was true.

Total time: 31.52.40 min, average speed: 6.15 min/k, distance: 5.09K using Garmin Forerunner 310XT

Lidingöloppet, be ready, I am coming tomorrow and am aiming at breaking my PB 🙂

Tonite it was time to run a ”Glädjepass” (= Fun run) with Coach K Runners.

Fun run is a run that focus on the pleasurable to run and less on the watch

Yes I had both hat and gloves on even if the temperature was around 15oC (59F) but I do not want to get sick now when Lidingöloppet is on Saturday.

Since I have had problems with my pulse watch I will borrow Roger’s Garmin pulse watch with GPS.

So it was good to test this watch on this run. This is my first time I use a pulse watch with GPS.

The run went round the fields out in the country. I and Roger told the other Coach K Runners about our experience with The Color Run.

The hat stayed on the whole run but I took off the gloves a few times during the run  🙂

I realized that now it is time to start wearing my reflective vest, we started the run at 19.00 (7 pm) and it was dark when we got back.

Karin asked me questions about Lidingöloppet since it is her first time this weekend.

Even if it was windy it felt much milder tonite.

I was a bit too fast out the door so the pulse Watch haden’t aquired the sateliite signals fully but I have a couple of Days to learn this watch before the race. I have found a manual on the internet.

This watch seems to be more simpler than my Polar with foot sensor. My next pulse watch will definately be a GPS pulse Watch.

Total time: 54.03 min and distance: 8.5K using Garmin Forerunner 310XT

Early this evening it was time to get out and run 5K

It seems to me that Fall has arrived. A bit chillier today. I had cold hands in the beginning but like always they got warm.

There were not a lot of runners out in this chilly Monday. The cold bit into my cheeks.

This week it will be 5K runs, Saturday I will run the 30K cross country race Lidingöloppet så I have to rest my legs this week, so no hilly running like last week

When I was almost home I felt the upwind, why did you have to show up 🙂
I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed this run a alot, well it did not rain but it was chilly.

Total time today: 31.41.7 min. Temperature: 12oC (54F). This is not the temperature I want on Saturday. It has been 11oC (52F) the last couple of years, I want 20oC (68F) and it looks like it will be 16oC (61F) which I will be satisfied with. I just have to decide if I am going to wear t-shirt or long sleeve shirt