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Talking
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As an English language training professional, I am often asked if I find it frustrating not knowing any Finnish? To be honest the answer is yes, but as a former English national standard (junior/under 20) athlete (running) I find it far more frustrating when pensioners, young children and women breeze past me when I am (trying) to ski!
My first experience of skiing was in 2000, when a customer invited me on a short trip to Ruka. I explained (several times) that coming from London, I had seen snow a maximum of three times in my entire life. “Don’t worry,” he assured me, “If you can walk, you can ski.”
I was barely able to remain upright even before we came to the first downhill. My customer quickly vanished round a corner, but I was not so lucky. Instead of going round the corner, I continued in a straight line, into the forest. Miraculously, I managed to avoid hitting a tree so only my pride was injured. But worse was to come. The next downhill was easier - there was no corner! However, the tracks ended half way down and unable to control my skis, they crossed, bringing me to a sudden and dramatic halt as I landed heavily on my face. Slightly concussed and swearing profusely (very unusual for me) I promised that it was the end of my skiing career for ever.
The following year, surely the only person in Finland to be inspired by the Lahti World Championships on television, I decided it was time to give skiing another chance. Starting from Tapanila ski hut, I skied a circular 10 km route (Messilä, tunnel). Taking my skis off and walking down every hill it took more than 2.5 hours and I was exhausted. The following winter I began to learn the basic technique and skied the same route in one hour and four seconds. More significantly, instead of measuring my improvement by the number of times I ‘crashed’, I was now measuring it by an improvement in time and recording my PBs (personal bests). My current personal best is 33 minutes and 33 seconds, although I still lose a lot of time on the down hills!
In 2003, Lahti Junior Chamber of Commerce entered a team in the Finlandia Ski Marathon 32 km race. When I was asked to participate, I jumped at the chance. Setting myself the ambitious target of getting round (a) without killing myself and (b) in under three hours, I crossed the finish line in 2 hours 59 minutes and 17 seconds falling only eight times. I have now skied the Finlandia 32 km race six times improving each year. Every year that is until, this year.
On race day, despite the lack of snow fall, the organisers had worked miracles providing the skiers with excellent and very fast tracks; they are to be congratulated for this.
I was fitter, stronger and faster than last year. I was not even worried about my technique. For the first time, I was expecting to complete the race without any falls. My skis had super fast wax professionally applied by ‘Papa’ from Start. I was eagerly anticipating smashing my personal best. Alas, it was not to be. Everything was going to plan until about 12 km when I inexplicably fell half way down an easy hill. Unfortunately, the skier behind had no time to stop and crashed into me at full speed, striking the back of my neck with such force that my teeth bit my lower lip drawing blood. After that everything became a bit of a blur. I believe the skier who hit me needed medical attention. For my part I was able to continue but at greatly reduced speed and falling more times than I could even count. I eventually staggered over the finish line in 2 hours 31 minutes.
By the time I got home, I had double vision and could not even walk from the car to my apartment without falling (luckily I did not drive). I went immediately to bed, and remember dreaming of how as 12 year old, I had asked my parents to take me to the gym so that I could learn how to box. They refused and took me to the local athletics track instead. Thirty years later, I finally learnt what it must feel like to get a good beating from Mike Tyson!
Finally, in 2009 (28th July- 8th August) the 18th World Masters Athletics Championships will be held in Lahti. With over 9,000 competitors expected, surely this will be the largest ever international sports event to be staged in Finland? I have checked with my mother and find I still have two pairs of running spikes in her loft. Perhaps, I should give up skiing and start running again. Even I would find it difficult to fall over on the flat, unless I enter the steeplechase!
Mike Bangle is the owner of Talking English language consultancy and can be contacted at mike.bangle(at)phnet.fi
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