Year 2009 went just as well as I hoped. It was all about enjoying decathlon for the last time. Maybe I could have trained somewhat more during the Autumn 2008, but on the other hand, that likely spared some needed energy for the Spring. Nevertheless, both the indoor season as well as the summer went really well. The only thing that I missed in 2009 was the 7000 mark in decathlon; however, that now seems like a minor detail.
In addition to the compulsory competitions, I did not compete in too many extra competitions in 2009. First indoor heptathlon for 2009 served mainly as a good training and 7,60 s on 60 m did not promise too much for the rest of the indoor season. So, silver on the 4×400 m, and especially my individual time 51,3 s, in the Finnish indoor champs was somewhat unexpected. The Finnish indoor champs in heptathlon ended the indoor season. I was extremely satisfied to score once more over 5000 points. Seventh with 5084 points was the result of stable techniques combined with okay physical condition.
Although we got to train outdoors here in Helsinki in a nice weather already in April, I was not yet in that good shape when the outdoor season started. Training camp in Evian went well and I expected to do better than in 2008 in the first decathlon of the season. Consequently, 6373 points in Bourgoin-Jallieu with no real highlights was dissapointing. Possibly I trained too much early in the summer as I did not do too well in training nor in the competitions.
Finnish relays champs have always been one of the main competitions for me. Despite of, or maybe thanks to, the challenging weather, we did better than ever. The day one already offered us fourth place in the 4×100 m and the day two went even better. Finally, we were rewarded with something else than bronze medals on the 4×400 m. Silver will now be the minimum target for the following years.
After the relays, I still had problems with fatigue. I knew that I had always found the best condition by resting for two weeks or so before the main competition; therefore, I was still confident. Area champs in Parainen showed that rest should do the trick this time as well. My career’s ninth and last decathlon in the Kalevan Kisat was getting close and all the training had been already done, that was for sure.
I got into a really good shape for the Kalevan Kisat, but the competition itself turned out to be a true challenge. I had had some problems with the right Achilles tendon all along the summer, but luckily that one did not cause any problems. However, I injured the left one in the first competition jump in the high jump. Most likely the injury was caused by the tape I had in the left ankle. I always tape my left ankle for high jump but this time it must have somehow put excess pressure on the Achilles tendon. I do not know how high I would have jumped that day, since even with the injured Achilles tendon I cleared 190 cm with a jump that, in my opinion, failed badly in the take off. You can judge the jump yourself on YouTube. After 190 cm, I had to withdraw since I could hardly walk. I owe a lot to my physiotherapist coach Hannu, for being able to finish the decathlon. Before, after and many times also during, the events he gave treatment so that I was able to continue. I did not sleep well after the day one and even walking hurt a lot in the morning because of the Achilles tendon. I was able to run one good rehearsal run for the hurdles; after that the Achilles hurt too much. I usually do not use pain killers at all, but after the pole vault I had to take one in order to throw javelin. That was the right choice, since I threw my PB and did not feel a thing. As the whole decathlon has been a challenge, I only realised before the 1500 m that it was my last decathlon in Finland and I was doing it in front of my home crowd. Placing eight with 6913 points was an extremely good result taking into account all the work we did to even finish the decathlon. Going around the stadium after the 1500 m was simply a moment to remember.
After the Kalevan Kisat, I was hesistant whether I should skip the Woerden decathlon or not. We went to see the WC in Berlin and every time I tried running the Achilles tendon hurt too much to consider running 100 % not to even mention doing a full decathlon. Luckily I chose to participate and surprisingly the Achilles tendon did not cause any trouble in Woerden. That felt like the perfect last decathlon. In each of the events, I tried to do simply what I had learned during the years - nothing more. They were special two days. I could not have thought of any other way or place to end my decathlon career. I am really thankful to Tom, who organises the games in Woerden, for insisting on having me there instead of the problems I had with the Achilles. A perfect ending for my decathlons as well as for the year 2009.
In 2010, I expect to enjoy athletics. I have kept on training, but only when and what I like. I am not yet sure whether I will compete in some individual events; but I will certainly keep on coming to competitions - at least as a coach.
I will add some photos once I will get them from my laptop’s corrupted hard drive.