Athletics | Great runner Päivi Tikkanen, 64, made an interesting observation about the new SE sensation – a special way attracted attention

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Great runner Päivi Tikkanen, 64, held all Finnish records from the mile to the marathon in his career. The last of them was held on Thursday at Oslo’s Bislett.

Nathalie Blomqvist, 23, broke Tikkanen’s 3,000m SE by more than 9 seconds in the Diamond League. The new record is 8:32,23.

Tikkanen is in a slightly sad mood on Friday at his cabin in Hirvensalmi. He had been in contact with another running star of the 1980s and 90s the night before Tuija Helanderin with.

“Tuija said that we are now former SE women. He was already used to the idea. I said that I now have some things to get used to,” says Tikkanen with a laugh.

Helander, 63, held the 400m hurdles record for decades. Viivi Lehikoinen took it for himself in the summer of 2022.

Tikkanen still actively follows athletics. He does not know Blomqvist personally, who is Tikkanen’s only child for a couple of years Mint younger, but has made this interesting observation about running.

“Blomqvist has a figure skating background, which can be seen in his running. A special use of the hands has remained from skating. When a figure skater prepares for a jump, he throws his arms up. Nathalie still has her hands full,” says Tikkanen.

“The hands go up and they make a circular motion.”

Blomqvist’s wild record impressed Tikkase. He has a really hard time. At the same time, his competitive nature shines through.

Tikkanen ran the 3,000m SE in 8:41.30 at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, when he placed fourth in the global race in a stunning way.

“It was 26 degrees warm and humid. If the weather had been like Nathalie’s in Oslo then, I probably would have run 8:35, Tikkanen says.

“You also have to take into account that spikes and sneakers are pretty amazing these days. They bounce on their own when you tap them a little on the floor. When shoes evolve, everyone wears them, of course. It’s no wonder that the record was broken at some point.”

SE has been partly protected by the fact that 3,000 meters is a rather rare distance on outdoor tracks these days. It was a sort of intermediate stage for the women’s races, before their distance was harmonized with the men’s in the early 1990s, and the more familiar 5,000 meters entered the program today.

Endurance running footwear development has long been a hot topic in athletics. Spikes and sneakers now have a carbon fiber plate, which makes the shoes elastic.

Camilla Richardson uses the new equipment called “bump shoes”, which help progress, especially when tired.

“I think it’s about equipment doping”, Tikkanen commented.

“The intention is not to make the shoes so that they bounce by themselves. Should be a standard base structure. The development should have been stopped immediately with a handshake. It would be best if everyone ran barefoot.”

He says the last sentence with a laugh.

Although Tikkanen has a close attitude towards equipment development, there is one thing he differs from among the Finnish male running legends.

Over the years, the old guard has harshly criticized the current state of domestic endurance running.

Tikkanen, on the other hand, is impressed by the level of women both internationally and in Finland. Women are going through terrible times in the world.

For example Beatrice Chebet the women’s top ten record from this spring is 28:54.14. Last summer, the men’s ten of the Kaleva Games was won with a time of 29:20.97. Even more will stay at the marathon.

“I don’t understand why men are so low in Finland! The women are passionate about great results,” says Tikkanen.

“Finland has a tough woman for every trip. I don’t remember when we’ve had so many high-quality runners.”

Tikkanen is currently spending her husband’s retirement days I mean with. The woman living in Järvenpää had a 10-year period in her sports career, during which she only focused on running. After that, she worked as a nanny.

My favorite life activity, running, has stopped due to knee osteoarthritis. One artificial joint has already been installed. Sunday cycling and water running in the lake are the current forms of exercise.

“It would be nice to be able to run again, but it can only be done uphill. Running is the easiest way for me to move,” says Tikkanen.

“Esa and I have always been really slow walkers. Grandmothers jog by.”

I have two fond memories from my running career. The second was winning the Berlin marathon in October 1989 with a SE time of 2:28:45. It was the city’s last marathon before the fall of the Berlin Wall in November of the same year.

“There were an awful lot of people along the street, and the atmosphere stuck in my mind.”

Another is the fourth place at the World Championships in 3,000 meters in 1991. The achievement has left a bitter aftertaste.

“The winner, the Soviet Union Tatiana Dorovskihpleaded guilty to doping two years later,” says Tikkanen.

“Even a medal could have been pocketed if everyone had been on the same line and with the same fins.”