It's already three weeks since I started this challenge and it's time for another running update as promised on Day 5! Again, my posting on this challenge has been quite for the last week but I'm going to make a last sprint for the last week or so for the experiment, so more posts should be anticipated.

But into the running:

For the two former runs I've made it with a theme of visiting a place in my home city Kerava and taking pictures of it. And I came to realize this is really smart; When combining running with photography, figuring out a place to take photos gives me extra incentive to get moving. It's way more fun than running around a track just for the sake of running (not saying this wouldn't be enjoyable, some people might prefer it).

For the weekly run of the challenge I went to the Kerava prison and back home. The distance to the prison was little over 4 kilometers so a total distance of over 8 kilometers was covered.

The prison was built in 1891 originally as a home school, and the facility was supplemented with workshops and worker accommodations during its early age. In 1927 it was changed into prison for juvenile criminals.

Today the red main building isn't in use for fire hazards and along with it the closed cells were shut and the prison was changed completely into a open one which provides much more freedom - in certain limits, of course.

In 2016 the average number of prisoners was 85 to whom the prison has many jobs on carpentering, gardening and farming. In Christmas season the flowers grown by prisoners are sold to regular people.

There is also a possibility to study - independently - primary school education and courses from high school. One can also study into a profession of decorator or gardener.

The jail has drug services motivating and committing prisoners getting rid of their drug addictions with peer groups and individual counseling programs - great thing that the prisoners are actually helped to become functional members of society.

~

The running itself felt even better than last time! I've refined my running technique (I might make a post about it sometime) and I'm getting to a point where running feels almost as easy as walking; It just... flows naturally. I'm getting stronger and more long lasting.

So I want to say to others who have been considering running but just haven't quite been able to stick to it: it will get easier eventually if you keep trying; your burning lungs will get more efficient of taking oxygen and your bursting heart will strengthen to keep the blood pumped into your cramping legs that will soon carry you like air.

The running monkey from Bojack Horseman can confirm my message: