Jättäri100

The top of the hill is the highest point in Helsinki. Photo: J.Pitkänen httimg.gg/CNFSuuN 

This morning I became the first and only finisher of Jättäri100, a challenge to run the steep trail known as Fasaaninousu ('Pheasant Pass') at Malminkartano Hill 100 times up and down. The total elevation gain is 6,600 meters (100x66m). About ten participants started the challenge at 6pm on Saturday, May 31st. The weather was ideal, cloudy 10-15°C (50-60°F).

As everyone else dropped off one by one, I was ultimately left alone to complete the challenge. This was not a race, so time didn't matter. I progressed patiently, taking snack breaks frequently. I had hauled a huge backpack full of nutrition, gear and various drinks with my bicycle to the trailhead.

The four dark hours between 11pm and 3am were the toughest. It didn't rain but the trail was a bit muddy and slippery. There were plenty of mosquitoes in the forest. My legs were hurting. It was insanely tough, which probably explains why nobody has done this before.

Fortunately I overcame all difficulties and finished around 6am on Sunday morning, June 1st. After cycling back home I checked my GPS data and noticed that I had accidently climbed the hill one extra time, thus ascending 6,666 meters (21,870ft) in 12h12min. The hill is about 200m long, so the distance covered was about 40km. A dream come true for a vert lover!

The trail is not very technical, but it is steep. Photo: J.Pitkänen http://img.gg/CNFSuuN 

5 Questions with Trailplodder

Check out 5 questions avec moi at ultrarunnerpodcast website. Thanks Eric!

Join StravAmbit Club

StravAmbit is a new club for all who sync their Strava activities automatically with a Suunto Ambit GPS watch via Movescount. DC Rainmaker provides a brief overview on how it works. Join us now here: http://www.strava.com/clubs/74478

Suunto Ambit2 Sapphire (photo: http://www.suunto.com)

The Effect of Facial Hair on Endurance Performance

Journal Ultra Hipst Res 2014 May; 15(2):217-45

The Effect of Facial Hair on Endurance Performance

Plodder, T.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of facial hair (FH) on power output (PO), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR), body weight (BW), urine osmolarity (Uosm), and urine electrolyte concentrations ([UNa+], [UK+], [UCl-]) in physically active men (n = 1, the photo and video material used attached) and women (n = 0). The participant was asked to generate his highest possible PO during 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter races under 2 randomized conditions: (a) Munich Olympic Games 1972 (trial 1); and (b) Montreal Olympic Games 1976 (trial 2). BW and urine volume (Vu) were measured before and after the races to determine sweat rate [(SR = deltaBW + Vfluid intake + Vu)/time]. The results indicated that there was a significant increase (p < 0.001) in postexercise Gold Medal accumulation for trials 1 and 2 when compared with the no-FH competitors; however, the effects of mustache and beard were similar. These results suggest that facial hair does enhance performance in physically active men and women who are normally fit.

 

King of Trash Master

Just got crowned the King of Trash Master on Strava. What a cool way to kick off May! :-)

PS. All the data was automatically transferred from my Suunto Ambit to Movescount and Strava - all I needed to do was connect the GPS watch to my iMac after the run. Also the segment analysis was done automatically by Strava. Read more about how the Suunto-Strava integration works in this overview by DC Rainmaker.