Lotta Harala has already improved her 100-meter hurdles record three times this summer. The paddler, who wrestled with a shin injury, was forced to understand the balance between disciplined training and recovery.
A fencer Lotta Harala set a personal best in the 100-meter hurdles on Monday at the International Games in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The time of 12.85 ran in Switzerland was already the third time this summer that the Tampere rower has improved his personal record. At the beginning of June, in the GP race in Jyväskylä, the clock stopped in 13.03, and in the middle of the same month, in the Paavo Nurmi race in Turku, he broke 13 seconds with a time of 12.99.
When starting the season, Harala’s record was 13.07, which he clocked in August 2020. The 2021 and 2022 competition seasons were canceled due to a shin injury.
The most important factor for breaking records can be found in the paddler’s health.
– The main reason is that I am relatively intact and healthy at the moment.
On the other hand, the keys to good results have been found in the understanding to listen to one’s body following injuries.
– In any name, however, it is not about one factor, but about a whole, where it is good and enjoyable to play sports. I have grown a lot mentally as an athlete and as a person.
However, a leg injury is not a life left behind, which has placed restrictions on Harala’s training and preparation for the Games. For now, less stress is directed to the leg in training.
– Since the competition season is a big burden on the lower leg, we have had to discuss with the doctor and physiotherapist how to proceed. However, we have found ways to train with my leg.
Concrete changes can be seen in the training that takes place between the games, where strength training and running have been replaced by, for example, water exercises, cycling and functional training. The leg cannot withstand the usual stress, which a rower would normally do between races.
– The training to prepare for the Games is different, because currently, in the days before the Games, the leg is not hit.
At the moment, Harala is doing more maintenance measures between the games than before, so that the shin recovers from the load caused by the games. The changed preparation has brought confidence and certainty to the fencer: Now it has become clear that you don’t need to do fencing training at least with self-confidence in mind.
– At the moment, there is no fear of resting, because it clearly does not affect the results.
The World Championships in Budapest are in sight
In July-August, Harala’s goal is to run one race per week.
– I can’t compete more closely than that. I hope to be able to run July-August intact and of course it would be great to make it to the World Championships in Budapest.
Budapest’s qualifying limit is 12.78, which must be broken by July 30. It is also possible to enter the competitions through the ranking.
According to Harala, the time of 12.85 in Switzerland was not a complete success, so the limit for the World Championships can be lowered.
– If I can run in ideal conditions, I have a successful preparation and a good day, and there is no pain in my lower leg, the run will be successful. But the fact that all these things would come true depends on many factors. However, I don’t see it being possible.
The next time Harala will aim for the World Championship limit is this coming weekend at the GP races in Oulu, after which they will be in Lappeenranta on July 19. organized GP races.