Toni Roponen promised to walk from Ruka to Kuusamo if Ruka had someone other than a Russian skier in the top five of the frost race. Roponen fulfilled his promise by walking 26 kilometers behind the scenes of the Sports Studio, and the hip was not the worst grief in the end.
Familiar from ‘s Sports Studio Toni Roponen had to deliver on his promise on the last Sports Studio weekend of the season.
At the beginning of the season, Roponen promised to walk from Ruka to Kuusamo in the Ruka World Cup if someone other than a Russian reached the top five in the men’s 15-kilometer freestyle race.
The race was in the cold. Among others, Norwegians and Iivo Niskanen withdrew from the competition.
Czech Michal Novak however, broke the Russian front and was Fifth. Immediately after the race, Roponen did not have time to deliver on his promise. In December, Roponen agreed at the Sports Studio that he could walk on a treadmill.
On Saturday morning, Roponen left to deliver on his promise behind the scenes of the Sports Studio.
– It’s going well. There is nothing here, Roponen said.
– I don’t know if I’m such a tough man in terms of fitness. I’m just too hard on my mouth if we’re being honest.
In the morning, the plan was to get to the finish line, or virtually the Kuusamo health center in half past six countries.
– When I do biathlon in between, it’s a bit like going to Esson’s bar. The speed is set at 5.5 to 6 kilometers per hour and up six degrees uphill. It is easier to go uphill on behalf of the hip, Roponen says.
The total walk was 26.4 miles. After less than an hour, Roponen admitted that he had suffered from his big mouth. It was 5.5 miles behind.
– I vary my position a bit here. After all, this is insanely boring, but luckily you sometimes cheer up, Roponen described at the Sports Studio. To Petra Manner.
Roponen planned to walk all the way uphill.
– I always like to go more uphill than downhill, but here’s the heart rate point 130. It’s quite a fast pace, Roponen would say.
Before the biathlon competitions, Roponen had almost halfway through his contract: He was 12.5 kilometers behind in 2 hours and 15 minutes.
– It’s going to hurt, but otherwise it’s fine, Roponen said.
Roponen, who worked as an expert in biathlon, cross-country skiing and combined broadcasting this season, said he aims to complete 4 hours and 40 minutes.
– I want to get the same feeling as real walkers, Roponen is in the mood.
Sports Athletics Specialist Tuomas Raja arrived during the break to give tips to Ropone.
Between the alpine skiing races, Ropose had taken a slightly weaker moment behind the scenes.
– At least there’s ground contact. At the very least, it cannot be said that that rule would be broken. The so-called sure thing to do, Raja laughed.
The angle of elevation had changed to seven degrees.
– I can be more up front because of my hip. I think more problems will come at the end when you start to get tired, Roponen said.
Roponen hoped to reach the finish line no later than six o’clock, ie within the broadcast time of the Sports Studio.
After the women’s biathlon competition, Roponen returned to the treadmill behind the scenes at the Sports Studio.
– Surprisingly, my hip didn’t get sore while I went to the clinic, Roponen said.
For the ski coach, the step only seemed to ease when there was only an hour to go to the finish line. At that point, the walk was 21 miles behind and five miles ahead. The clock was a bit short at five at this point.
– I don’t recommend this to everyone who goes for hip surgery, but the left side has started to bleed a little, Roponen said.
However, as with all endurance sports, the last hour is crucial.
In the last meters, Ropose had enough power.
– To be honest, I already go around the health center. Isn’t the Olympics such a round of honor? The expert joked.
Without problems, the goal was still not reached.
– The left thigh cramps so badly that the hip is actually quite a small grief at the moment, Roponen stated.
At the finish, Roponen had one question: Will you still promise such in the future?
– I promise, unfortunately. They know who knows me. After all, a fool does not learn at once, but promises must be redeemed. I couldn’t do it right away, but luckily it was.
Click on the picture to top the peak of Roponen’s walking promise!