(7.4)

I've decided to write a blog during the training camp, instead of updating my homepage...I just feel it's easier and faster..and I can also do it with my phone...and who knows maybe I'll update it a lot more frequevently ;)

So see you at "Spearchuckers life"

(5.4)

Just a few more days and on thurdsay I'll jump on the plane and maaaany hours later arrive in San Diego :) I'll probably be writing a blog through a different address during the training camp, so that I can easily add pictures and videoclips with my phone...since they have a free wifi at the training center :) I'll add the address and a link on this page once I get started and have everything set up :)

(29.3)

I had a good time in Vancouver and Seattle and has now been "back to business" for the last 3 weeks. Training has been good altough I managed to get a cramp in my hamstring the week I got back from the Olympics. Well, that is alright now and it didn't fortunately prevent me from sticking to my training program :) Throwing has been good and I've already done some indoor throwing with a "normal runup" (which is early for me). This means I should be a bit ahead of where I'm usually at this time of the year.

I was in Arles watching the European Winter Championships on the 20th-21st, which was nice...but I felt like shouting "someone give me a pair of spikes and a javelin I wanna compete" :) but then again, that's all good. Now I'm just couting the days until I leave for a 1 month long training camp in Chula Vista (USA). This will be my third year in a row going there, but I'm far from sick of that place yet ;)

(22.2)

A bit change of scenery for about a week :) I'm in Vancouver at the Winter Olympics right now. Yesterday I watched the FIN-SWE men's hockey game...which ended with some ugly figures and Finland loosing to Sweden :( Today I was up in Whistler and watched the ski jump team competition. Unfortunately Finland ended up in 4th and didn't get a medal, but we're pretty sure the women will get a medal on Thursday when we go back up there for the womens relay :P

(7.1)

Training has been going well altough it's been damn cold here the last 3 weeks. I'm in Kuortane training again and today when I walked back up the the Hotel it was -27C...that is -17F!!! I think I looked like a Michelin man with all my layers of clothes :) Warming up takes a while and it's wise to have dry clothes to change to after the session :) This weekend it's supposed to warm up a bit and I sure hope so! I've done 3 throwing session with the jav so far, but they've all felt ok. I'm not doing any long approach stuff yet, just throwing of cross-overs. We've done some small changes in the training and at least the testing we did at the national team camp at the end of dec was ok. I've added a photo sequence of one of my throws at our training camp. Now I'll jump in the sauna to help my muscles recover :)

 

(18.12)

Training has been good and I've been able to do what I've wanted to. Next week I'll pick up the javelin for the first time, so it'll be interesting to see how that feels :) We have a traditional National Team training camp in Kuortane on the 27th to the 30th, so I won't have too many days off during Christmas time. I actually saw yesterday, that the sport club where I'm doing weights is open on Christmas eve between 10-12, so maybe I'll even do a session in the morning before I start to relax :)

(26.11)

I have almost two months of training behind me now. Training means basic stuff, long sessions, many reps and as tired body after each session...just like it should be this time of the year :) I haven't done any throwing with the javelin yet, just medballs and weighted throwing balls. I'll start throwing the javelin in about a month.

(12.10)

We have together with my coach (Tapio Korjus) decided that I will throw and compete for one more year. I was last weekend in Kuortane at the Javelin Conference, which was very inspiring and interesting, who knows maybe I even learned something new ;) I have now also started my training for next year :)

(11.9)

I had my last meets in Gothenburg ( Finland vs Sweden match) and Elstal (GER). I did win the FIN-SWE competition, but my throwing wasn't very good, I had the same problems as in Berlin. Elstal was a really nice competition and good atmosphere, but my result was nothing to talk about...

It was the last competition in Germany for Steffi Nerius, who is ending her career now, so we had a good crowd :)

(2.9)

Interested in javelin throwing and the secrets for Tero Pitkämäkis and/or Steffi Nerius success?? Come to Kuortane Sport Institute to listen and learn  "everything" about javelin throwing!! Find out more by clicking this link:

http://www.kuortane.com/cgi-bin/webio-f?id=60&saitti=kuortaneenuo

(2.9)

Berlin didn't "give me" what I hoped for :( I had good preparations and warm up etc went just as planned, but for some reason all my competition throws slipped through my fingers with the full approach and I ended up with 57,88m and a very dissapointing 14th place. I had the same problems at the Finland vs Sweden match last weekend, I got a 57m+ in the rain and strong winds with a "saftey throw", but all harder throws slipped right through...Now I have one last comp for this season in Elstal (close to Berlin) this coming weekend.

(13.8)

Time to start packing the bags for Berlin. Tomorrow morning (nice wake-up at 4.30) I'm leaving for Berlin. I'll do a short weight session in the afternoon and then just get psyched up for the qualifying on Sunday. I don't know what the qualif. standard is yet, but it has usually taken something like 59-60m to make it to the Final. The first group is throwing at 10.45 and the second at 12.15, I'll know on Saturday in which group I'm throwing. Auf Wiedersehen :)

(27.7)

Just a few training sessions before our Nationals in Espoo (close to Helsinki) this weekend. I had another meet a cuple of weeks ago in Lapua, where I ended up throwing 59,57m. The result was ok, but I wanted more and felt good...so I got a bit too excited and started thinking about throwing far...and ended up being early with the arm. The last weeks I decided to train instead of competing, altough it was very tempting to try to get in to the London GP, oh well maybe next year ;) After Nationals I'll train a bit harder a week and then get ready for Worlds in Berlin :)

(29.6)

I opened my season yesterday at the Javelin Carnival in Pihtipudas. I'm satisfied with my result 61,03m and the series was ok too. There are still things that I need to work on techniqually to get more meters, and I'm not satisfied with the techniqual side after having looked at the throws. My next meet will be the Finnish Elite Meet in Lapua on the 8th of July.

(13.6)

Training has been going ok these last weeks. The only thing that's been bugging me is that every time I've done a throwing session it's been cold and/or raining. This weeks I finally got to enjoy throwing without  having 5 layers of clothes, it was probably about 20C and sunny. Our javelin headcoach Hannu Kangas was also watching (and filming) my training session. I've added a videoclip in the pictures folder. In two weeks I'll open my season at the Javelin Carnival in Pihtipudas...so hope training goes well until then :)

(22.5)

We had a really good time in Chula Vista (as usual) and I really miss the FOOD :) you get pretty lazy and spoiled with great food and now cooking seems so much more strenious than before the training camp ;)

Coming back to Finland wasn't too much of a shock weather wise, we've actually had some desent weather with 15-18C the last weeks :) I did my first throwing session outside (in Finland) this year on Wednesday in Kuortane. It was the first time I threw with "normal rhythm", in other words a longer runup. My timing at the end stil needs some adjustment, but my legs felt ok :) a few more throwing sessions and I should be able to find the right timing as well...

(the pic is from my last throwing session in Chula Vista a couple of weeks ago)

(12.4)

Finally here :) we've been in Chula Vista for about a week now. We unfortunately also brought some cooler weather, but the forecast for next week looks a lot better. After a few easy days with just som jogging, we've been doing 2 session per day. Tuesday is the first day off since we got here, so maybe it's also time for some shopping :)

(28.3)

I've been doing basic stuff for the past month, pretty much the same kind of training as in the Fall. I've also done some travelling going to European Athletics meetings (not competitions :) "real" meetings :) hehe The first one was during the indoor Europeans in Tornio, where the athletes commission had our meeting. One week later I flew to Tenerife for the Competition Committee meeting. I was really nice to get some warm weather for a weekend :) and I managed to have time to do a easy throwins session in between the meetings...I really felt the urge to compete when seeing all the competitors getting ready for the winter Championships...but I'll wait for the Summer...

Training has been ok, no bigger problems...now I'm just waiting for a 5 week training camp in Chula Vista (USA). I'm really looking forward to that after having spent basically the whole Winter in Finland.

(13.2)

Oops, I've been a bit lazy updating my homepage lately :) Training has bee ok, with no bigger problems...I mean who doesn't get stiff from all the training during the winter ;) We've tried to make sure I have enough recovery and I've had a big difference in training load between easy and heavy weeks. Weighttraining has been good, I'm already ahead on what I did last year in the Spring, last week I got a set for 3 with 825kg in clean. This weak a have a heavy week with 10 sessions, but next week I get to be lazy with only 5 sessions. A nice change for this week has been having a training partner, Mike Hazle (USA) has been training in Vaasa this week, after having trained in Kuortane for 2 weeks. I've been throwing every second week in the Botniahalli with Tapio. I'm still only throwing off short approach and focusing more on technique....but gradually adding more speed to the runup :)

(21.1)

I had a nice relaxing day today. First I went to see my osteopath, who helps me with my overflexible body, he had a lot to fix today :) Later in the afternoon I tried floating for the first time. Floating, what? Well this is what a webpage says about it "Floating Rest (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) is a relaxation technique. You are floating in a very big tank or floatingroom with water at body temperature and 30% Epsom salts, magnesium Sulphate. A sensation of weightlessness is felt as skin, water and air all have the same temperature 34,8° C degrees (about 95 ° F)." So sounds pretty relaxing eh' :) and it was, undescribable feeling to float around in the tank :) so maybe I'll try it again... Tomorrow it's back to reality and I have 2 training sessions waiting :)

(1.1)

Happy New Year!

I has the flu over Christmas, but the worst part of it only lasted 3 days so I got to go to Kuortane for our training camp for a couple of days. I did a throwing session that I was pleased with (I've added a photosequence in the gallery). I was concentrating on my upper body and getting a long pull byt using the chest and the shoulder. I did a good weight training also and was able to get a season best in clean with 3x80kg and 6x72,5kg in bech. I skipped the shot and jump tests to save my back, but will head back to Kuortane next week for some more tests with Tapio. At the end of next week we'll go to Botniahalli and do some throwing.

 

(2.11)

I started training for the nex season a month ago, doing basic stuff and a lot of cardio and circuit training. Last Summer wasn't quite as I expected, everything started well, but after I hit the 61,59m I had some problems with my back cramping. We had a really cold Summer in Finland and my back was bugging me for a month. Not until the pre-camp in Japan (where it was +30C) did it stop bothering my throwing. I was about a meter off the final in Beijing, which I obviously wasn't pleased with. I heard from the Finnish broadcasters that I threw some 3-4m behind the line, so it just wasn't my day. Now everything is set for the World Championships in Berlin next year. It will be my 7th World Championships and probably also my last one. Needless to say I will certinaly try to use all the experience I've gained over the last 15 years to make it a good year. Training has started well and I'm very motivated. I haven't touched the javelin yet, I've only been doing iron ball staning throws. Starting in December I will pick up the jav again and enjoy the great facilities in Vaasa.

(9.6)

Well, I opened my season about 2 weeks ago in Kuortane with 58,43m. My goal for the meet was 58m so it was ok :) it was my first throws from the track with a full runup, so obviously I had some timing problems that I need to fix. My ankle was not too sore at the meet, since my osteopath was able to open up the "locks" I had in it. Anyway, I was pleased with my opener, I know I just needed to work on my timing and get used to a full runup. I did a throwing session last week on Monday, nice and warm 14C ;) and was able to find my timing a bit better, I only threw from grass to save my ankle, but I took a bit more throws than usual this time of the year. I also did a couple of weight  sessions last week that went pretty ok, so I had a good feeling for the meet I had coming up. Yesterday I competed in Lapua at the Finnish GP meet. It was a nice and sunny day in Lapua, about 23C and a tail wind from the right. My first goal for the meet was to improve my result from Kuortane and maybe get a result that starts with a 6. My second goal was to win the meet and take the spot for the Finnish European Cup team. I opened up with a bit over 59m, but the throw was way too low for that wind. On my 4th throw I was able to get the pull more over to the left sector and hit it a bit better...and 61,59m came up on the screen :) It's my best result since I had my shoulder surgery in the Fall of 2004...so it felt pretty darn good :)  I cleared the A standard for Beijing by about a meter, so now I'll have at least one foot on the plane ;) Next meet will be in Sweden (Karlskrona) on the 16th, that is after a week.

(18.5)

Back to reality...that is back to the lovely Spring weather in Finland...I did my first throwing session after getting back, wearing 4 layers of clothes....my car thermometer showed 7C when I drove to Lapua (that's around 45F). I took about 20 throws of grass, and the first ones with a normal rhytm. My ankle felt better, so my throwing was ok, considering my 4 layers of clothes that made me feel like a Michelin man :) After a quick shower, I jumped behind the wheel and drove down to Helsinki...where I'm now sitting in a Hotel writing this. Tomorrow I have a sponsor press conference and I'll also see the Olympic team physio about my ankle....

(10.5)

There's only a few days left here in Chula Vista. We've had a good time and really enjoyed ourselves. Training has been alright,the only small setback is that my ankle has been a bit sore, so I haven't done any throwing from a longer approach. The main thing though is that I've been able to throw a lot more and a lot better than during the last years :) Today I did a weight sesion, and tomorrow is my last throwing session...I'm doing easy throws off gras. Monday is a circut day and the on tuesday morning we're off. Big thanks to Mike and Ty for helping us with arranging the training camp at Chula Vista training center. We'll be back next year ;)

(25.4)

We have now been here in Chula Vista for 11 days. We started off with some easy days, but the last week has been quite tough. Today I did my third throwing session within a week, and my body really wants some rest and massage now. Tapio is leaving tomorrow and my training gets a little bit easier after that :) I've addes some pictures from here, so you can see what the training center looks like :)

(14.4)

My bags are packet( (its 1.03am), but I will try to stay up another 3 hours...so Ill sleep better on the plane. Tomorrow morning Im off to the US Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. Ill be there training for 4weeks.  I will update the new webpage (that will hopefully be opened this week) with some videoclips, photoes and news once we get going in CA :)

(8.4)

I have added a photo sequence and a videoclip from last weeks throwing session.

(3.4)

I have been doing basic training for the past 3 weeks, so my body is a bit tired from the longer series and longer sessions. Our national team training camp started today with a throwing session in Botniahalli (www.botniarenas.com) , and continues here in Kuortane until Sunday. Today I did part of the throws of grass and for the first time this winter, I also did throws from the track. The track in Botniahalli is mondo, and I could really feel it in my tired legs. My hamstrings, knees and achilles were a bit sore afterwards, so I wont be doing any running or bounding for a few days :)

Former shot putter Conny Karlsson is updating my homepage, and as soon as I have filled them with some new stuff I will have him open them. I hope that will be before the month of May. I will be able to put videoclips on the new page, so hopefully I will get it ready so I can add something from our training camp in Chula Vista :)

(3.3)

I did a weight session in Kuortae today, and a season best in bench with 90kg :)

Front Jerk 4x2x55kg-72,5kg + 4x1x75kg

Step up 2x4+4x45kg,50kg + 2x3+3x55kg,60kg

Bench 3x2x70kg-80kg + 3x1x85kg-90kg

(1.3)

I added som pictures from the last throwing session I did in Botniahalli. This past week Ive been in Turku, but will drive up to Vaasa today. Next week Ill train in Vaasa and Kuortane, and throw in Botniahalli on Thursday. Training has been going well, and it has helped my technique a lot that Ive been throwin "normal" throws about every second week in Botniahalli.

(15.2)

We were throwing in Botniahalli again today. My throwing was ok, the throws are pretty sound techniqually ok so it felt pretty good to throw. It helps a lot to be able to throw "normal throws" in the big indoor facility, instead of always throwin into the net. I will go back to Kuortane and train there next week, then come back to Vaasa and throw in Botniahalli again on Friday. I added a photo sequence from todays session under pictures/photo sequences.

(14.2)

Look under pictures to check out what the new adidas javelin spikes will look like this Summer :)