Missing the “torment Friday”

Hi everyone, for a long time!

So the summer is once again gone, and it went by fast. It feels like we just came back here and now we’re again on the way to California. The summer was allaround excellent, and especially July was fastastic – weather wise and all. Could there be better thing than Finnish summer? (uh… yes, yes there can) At least for me, no. Seeing family and friends, golf, boating, training, controlled partying and summer events – great for loading batteries for a long season.

In many ways this summer has differed from the previous ones. The uncertainty over the continuing of my career for reasons not dependent on myself and the different kind of training were the biggest differencies. Before I pondered if I still want to play, but now the question was if I can play anymore?

I’ve had to answer to the question “How’s your knee, will you continue your career?” to boredom. I’m sure many others were equally bored of having to deal with it again and again and again. Sorry, but what can one do about it.

My left knee has indeed see some hard times. It’s so badly worn that 2/3 of the cartilage surface (not sure if correct term) is gone, and that’s why I had to completely change my summer training. My doctor banned me for running and tennis. That was tough because those were the 2 important ways of training for me.

With envy I watched when people jogged, played tennis and beachball. When I was healthy, I didn’t even realize how much I enjoyed those sports and I how much I would miss them. Despite that the summer training went well. Although training without “torment Friday” felt useless. Torment Friday is the last training of the week, developped by myself, which contains of 10km run. First you run 5km as fast as you can and then you take 3 minutes of pause by walking. After this 10 × 43 second high-speed runs, with 1.10 recovery-walk in-between.

So running of about one long hockey stint, during whcih your pulse will rise to near to maxim. It’s a tough training, after which you’re completely worn out. Though, it’s a good feeling to start the weekend after it.

The gym trainings I was able to do normally, but I ride the gymbike to boredom. Effective, but so boring – without TV i probably would’ve lost it. Exceptionally I started skating already in July. At first I took it quite easily, mostly just rehabbing the knee, but little by little I was able to go pretty fast again. The best part was when I got my sons and couple of friends as training company to Matinkylä.

In August I started “real icetraining” In Myyrmäki (just to mess your head with the lovely names) arena with other NHL-guys. For 19 years I’ve prepared for the new season in Myyrmäki. “Myrtsi” has been special place for me during my career. I have lots of great memories from there and during the years I’ve practiced with at least hundred different player. Though last year I thought I won’t be coming back this year, but there I was, once again. I wonder if anyone believes me anymore, if I say, that next year I won’t be there – at least not as an professional.

Following 3 weeks will show my future as hockey player. The training camp starts on September 16th, and that’s the final deadline for the decision. Thusfar the knee has been pretty good and I believe we can make it better.

When the season starts in October in Finland against Jokerit and Buffalo, I sincerely hope, like many of you readers, that among Saku and Lyde there would be #8 in the Ducks for one more time.

like always, things in italics are mine