Trip to Finland, Day 5

Today we decided to take a rest day and just go to the beach in Sääksjärvi. Here is the course we did by bike from Kyläjoentie to there:

photo of the view at the beach

Trip to Finland, Day 4

Today we all felt very tired so we decided to rest on the morning and just "train" on the afternoon.
We went again to map Alhonniittu but this time to the uper part. I think it was a great choice since this side of the map was the most interesting and fun map that I've ever been since I am here in Finland.
In these maps I'll always try to go straight even if it is VERY SLOW and stupid just to get a full experience of what these forests can give you.

Enjoy :)

Trip to Finland, Day 3

In the morning me and Miguel went by bike to a new map near Nurmijarvi. Near 8Km.

In the afternoon, we went to the other side of the map near Anna's house and after the "training" me and Miguel went to the lake.

Here are some photos of the day:

Me and Miguel in the morning

Me on the bike ahah

Me all sweet resting near the lake in the afternoon

Trip to Finland, Day2

In the morning, I asked Miguel for some help since at the day before I couldn't understand some features of the map and terrain. This was the course that we did together:

In the afternoon, we grabed the bikes and went to a map a little bit further. The terrain was very different from the above but a lot more fun!

After the "training" we went to a lake to take a bath (up corner right of the map) and on the way there, we decided to have some mud fight on the swamps! Ahah!

Mud Fight!

How to walk on "uncrossable" swamps!

Blueberries - Election food on any forest in Finland :b

Trip to Finland, Day 1

1st day in Finland was at 25th July, where me, Luis and Miguel arrived at Anna's house.

We are going to stay here untill 1 august or so.

To begin to know the terrains, in the morning we went to a map near Anna's house where we just ran and then, at the afternoon, I tried to do a course but couldn't make it well (not having the controls in the terrain doesn't help, but oh well)

Course day 1 - Vaaksinjarvi

EYOC2012 Conclusions: We are all made of STARDUST

Before going to EYOC I was complaining about not having too much speed on track since recently I did 2'17 on a 800m race. I was afraid my training was over-specializing me on Orienteering and, since I am only 16yo, I was beggining to get afraid that in the future I couldn't run fast when I felt like it.
 However, after EYOC I changed this thoughts. I don't need track nor speed if I want to be a great orienteer. My training didn't make me a good runner nor a good orienteer. If I want to be good in something I need to dig deep and focus on that thing and on what I need to do to achieve my goals.

My goal for next year is just the JWOC2013 that will take place in Czech Republic. I don't want just to go there just to say that I went there. I want to go there to make history. To make history I have to become a true orienteer. Forget about the speed and remember about the strength when I need to climb steep hills or need to break going downhill.

Making history... It's possible, even for a portuguese, just look at João "Mega" Figueiredo that achieved 7th place just yesterday in JWOC sprint. Or today Thor Norskov, first year Junior, achieved a 6th place on the long distance, IMPRESSIVE!

These great examples remind me that we are all capable to achieve the top, since we are all made of the same stuff: STARDUST

EYOC 2012 Journal, 1st July: RELAY - THE FACE OF DISAPPOINTMENT

7a.m. time to wake up, eat some things and go.

8.30 a.m. Portuguese team was the first to arriver to the parking lot.

10 a.m. There goes Luis, I hope he can reach with the leading group! Better start warming-up, he doesn't take more then 40minutes!

10.23 a.m. there's Luis! He's running well! Better finish my warm-up and go wait for him!
...
...
...
10.45 a.m. where's Luis? Almost everyone is here... Shit...

10.47 a.m. Is he coming?? Yes, it's him... Well, it's all lost, might aswell do my race...

Entered the woods: oh my god it was all so beautifull. I'm loving this forest! 1, 2, 3, 4 controlled without much problems. Going to control no 5, uops not mine... not my control again... ah now this is mine... Going to 6th and I'm can't find it. Oh wait... I'm in the green area, there's the control. Then, running like a mad man down-hill across the yellows... But... I didn't need to go here... Focus!
Control no7 ok. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 all okay. Spectator area and now I'm entering the more technical area. Control 15 is fine. Lost too much time looking for 16 and don't know why. Going to 17 and I catch many teams! Bulgaria, Spain, Ucrania... were there! Yes! 18, 19, 20 okay! Going to 22! Full speed!!! Wait........ Wasn't there a 21? GO BACK! 21. Now I'm tired. Must give another kick to finish. 22, 23 and going to the finish! There's Miguel waiting for me but I cannot sprint more! Go Miguel!!
Finished!
What's this on my splits paper? "pm"? Shit, Luis did m.p....
We waisted all our chances.
EYOC just for experience yeah, sure but I wanted a medal and we could do it.