Training the week of, February 11-17

How can you prepare for Norseman. Just the course is enough to scare a fit athlete, so for an age grouper it can be intimidating. Well the best answer is believe in the training you do and race smart. But no matter what, this profile should help me staying motivsted.

 

This week was a good one. Even though I had to go to San Francisco one day to get my new Norwegian passport. Overall, 4 hours of running, 1 hour swimming and 7 hours of biking, 12 hours all together. Ok for six days of training.

Norseman 2013 – here I come

It is now official, I have been offered a spot at Norseman 2013 as “someone special” and I have of course accepted. Getting a spot as “someone special” is actually special; it feels good that my little hobby of promoting Norwegian triathlons here in the US has been recognized. But with getting this spot I also feel responsibility for being a good ambassador for Norseman and to take good care of this unique opportunity.

 

After being high on the news, reality came crushing down on me. And I start questioning my fitness level, I felt fat, slow and out of shape. I think this is typical for all age groupers with a demanding job and a family; we can never be as prepared as we want for a race like Norseman, but we still can race with OK preparations. It is all about being honest, adjusting ambition levels to reality and enjoy the journey. In the end, even Norseman is just a race.

 

But for now I love being a man in the early forties with too much self-esteem and too little self knowledge. Norseman here I come.

Don’t stop believing

I did not get a spot at Norseman through the lottery. That was not a fun message to get. But I am not giving up. I know I have been nominated by several friends for the category “someone special”.

If I get a spot as “someone special” it will be a huge clap on the shoulder for the work I have done to promote Norwegian triathlon here in the USA. For some people Kona is what is driving them, I am not one of them. The only long distance competition that speaks to me is Norseman so I say to myself; Don’t stop believing.

I have signed up for Norseman 2013

Talk is cheap, now I have taken the first step. I have signed up for Norseman 2013. Hopefully I will be on the ferry August next year. Well signing up is not guaranteeing a spot in the race. With only 250 participants each year I need some luck also. So triathlon Gods, I have been a good boy and have not pushed anyone down during the swim, drafted on the bike or cut the course during the run. Can I please get a spot........

 



Norseman is my "Kona". I just need to qualify first.

Is Kurt my friend?

It is fall and almost all my bike rides will be inside going forward. Using a trainer is a great way to get bike fitness in a safe and effective manner. No downhills, no drafting, just good training. It is only on problem, I am spending all mine time in my garage.

 

This could be a bad thing and I it could make all my bike workouts extremely boring. But I am actually having no problem spending time on the trainer. How? First of all it is a safe way to train, much safer than being on the road. Second it is a good workout. Today's trainers are really good. Third, it is the fastest and best way to get all the biking in while balance work, family and training. Fourth, I am getting updated on all kind of old sports thanks to Internet. I have even watched the season opening in cross country skiing from Beitostoelen in 1987 (yes I am a nerd..)

So I guess Kurt is actually my friend.......

You can do it!

Now it is real. The Norseman registration is starting October 27. The talk is over, now it is action. Of course it is not easy to get a spot, but I am hopeful I will be lucky.

I have to applaud the Norseman organization for the lottery rules. They are trying to keep the event as a world event, not just by Norwegians for Norwegians.

After I have submitted the application. You can read about the process here, I still have to wait to hear the final decision. Maybe this time the triathlon God is on my side.

In the meantime I have to tell myself I can do it. Or I can get help from this guy....



 

Almost time to sign up time for Norseman 2013

It is fall and this fall will be different. I am constantly checking the website to the Norseman race. Why? Because Norseman 2013 is my goal. But of course nothing is easy when it comes to Norseman. The race is hard by itself, but it is equally hard to get a spot so you can race. This is from the website.

Norseman 2012 is fully booked. Enrollment for 2013 will open in early October.

To enter the lottery we will have a full week open for registration, so this is not first come first serve.

• There will be an elite quota where a jury will select athletes based on merits.


• A lottery of the majority of the slots.


• By invitation by the Race Director.

To enter the race we will have a full week open for registration, so this is not first come first serve.

The lottery will have quotas for for Norwegians vs Foreigners and Male vs Female.

http://www.nxtri.com/news/norseman_2013

As you can see, I need some luck to get in. So this October I will fill in an application and then start pleasing the triathlon God by training hard.