Updates from Norway
Three races, one victory!
The three previous weekends I have raced three times. Considering that my training haven’t been anywhere near where I would like it to be, the results have been pretty good!
Everything started three weeks ago, at Gothenburg triathlon, where I went down to win the Norwegian cup (which is part of the race) and hopefully the competition overall… But that didn’t happen…
The competition started with me swimming a bit slower than what I wanted, but only about 2min behind out of transition. Then I did like the week before, smashed the start of the bike, caught all the Norwegians and was catching the Swedes. After one lap out of 4 I was 1.30 behind, then my gears started playing up and I ended up having to try to ride on one gear, but not even that worked… the chain was jumping up and down, and I knew something was wrong with it… still I managed to catch more time, and after 2 laps I was 1.10 behind, but then, after 2.5 laps, my chain snapped and my race was over…
Then I just had to forget about it, and think about the next race, which was the weekend after in Germany, the Kraichgau Challenge. This was on the half ironman distance.
I was very skeptical before the start in Germany, as I knew my shape was far off my best, however I felt good the days before.
I had checked all my gear and was ready at the swim start with the likes of Macca, Spencer Smith, Thomas Hellrigel and many other Ironman winners and place getters. The start went and I was in the lead group till about 700m, but at the end and struggling a bit with the pace… since I knew my shape wasn’t the best I chose to slow down to the next group. I lost about 3min on the lead, but I felt fresh coming out on the bike!
My plan was to go out easy and then increase the pace, but already after 500m my cleat under my right shoe, and I lost a lot of power! I tried to ride pretty good until 30km, but then I decided to go easy, as I was losing too much energy.
After cruising through the bike, I was pretty much out of top 10 and so my goal was to run a good half marathon, which I felt I did on 1.22.55 in 30 degree C heat! My final position was 13, and I was pretty happy with that! My times were 4.18.12 (25.24-1.21-2.27.23-1.09-1.22.55).
After that it was back to Norway and a Norwegian cup race in Tonsberg over the sprint distance.
My strategy was to just go as hard as I needed to be in front after the bike, then I knew I would be the best runner. And that’s what I did.
In the swim, I was controlled out of the water within 30sec of the first guys, caught them right after the first transition and controlled the bike from there. I was riding easy in front most of the way, except right after the turnaround, where I broke away and lost 1 out of 3 guys.
I came first out of the second transition, and from there I controlled the run all the way in to an easy victory!
My next race is next weekend in Bergen where it is a new Norwegian cup race.
I would also like to say that all the last races have been great organized. However the Kraichgau Challenge was the best race I have raced! They closed 90km of road for the hilly bike ride, and it was almost a Tour de France atmosphere through the small towns and at the finish line it was a lot of spectators to cheer you all the way in!
Last I would like to thank my family and girlfriend for the support during the race, Oslo Sportslager for supporting me with all my equipment (Polar watch, Everst bikes, Giro helmets, Fast Forward wheels, Orca triathlon suit and wetsuit, x-socks, Oakley sun glasses and Craft clothing), Ostmarka IL, M&M Tomrerservice, Laerdal Trevare and Laerdal Sport og Rekreasjon for financial support, CanWi for coaching and Honey Stinger for support with energy bars, gels and fruit smoothies!

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