Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Please note that the date of the event has now changed to 14th March 2010! More information on the race can be found at : http://www.birkebeiner.no/English/Rennet/HalvBirken/
Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - We raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now.
Update from Oystein 22nd March 10
The first 5 km started out a bit tough, very icy slope, as I started as number 15000-something, so a lot of stopping and prepping the skis in the beginning. Then it got better, and from 5 – 25 km I was really pressing on (for me that is), had great grip but very slow skis, so was almost better to go uphill than downhill:P
But when I approached 30 km (The max I had gone previously) I was really getting tired, and then started the uphill battle to the highest point on the course, and from there on it was simply a matter of will power, so hard hehe. And then the cramps came in both calves, and my back started acing from the rucksack, and it was really a challenge to keep it going forward. But at that point everyone else was struggling to, so we were hurting together hehe.
Finally I crawled to the top, so to speak, and then my left knee somehow gave upso I had to go with a fully extended left leg, and use my arms as much as I could the next 3-4 km till the final downhill part of the course. Haha, I’ve never ever felt so tired and crippled! Amazingly I didn’t fall in the downhill part, part a lot of people did, and you had to maneuver around them not to hit, some actually fell uphill as they were so tired:p Then finally there was only 5 km left of straight and hilly terrain before the stadium, and (using the term loosely) I sprinted the final 2 km not to get over 7 hours, and in to the stadium and pretty much fell over the finish line haha...Match time was 6 hours 47 minutes, not the best exactly, but felt great to finish and to give it everything (not to mention beating Chris Spearing).
But it was great fun though! Would love to do it again next year if there’s enough snow here, I think I could knock off at least an hour! Hopefully more PGi’s can join!
All the best
Øystein
Update from John 11 March 10
The following is a quick update on my latest training. I will try to get you a few pics after our training tomorrow evening.
3rd Attempt on Cross Country Skis
20:30 EST Stockholm Sweden
Just competed a great 10k night ski with Mats. It was a good boost to the confidence as I still feel pretty fresh.
I continue to fall too many time (every down hill corner) but I was more comfortable on the skis. I'm almost looking forward to Sunday. But, let's see how the old legs feel tomorrow morning for my 8am meeting.
Mexico
David and I spent last week in Cabo, Mexico at the Chm's Club. It was a fantastic week for all our sales winners.
We did take advantage of the week and hired a personal trainer, Jen. Now - I must admit Jen was very cute, at first.
We had a two sessions with her each day. A one hour Spin Class and an hour one-on-one training. She had this one session called Beach Boot Camp and while I have never seen David cry. I did see a few drops in one eyes as Drill Master Jen yelled '10 more'. What an ugly......
On reflection she did a good job as I'm now in better shape. My darling wife was a great help as she kindly advised me 'your wasting your time cramming 3 months of training into 4 days'. It does take a loved one to tell you the real truth. Oh well, Sunday will be fun.
Update from Robert 8 March 10
just 6 days left now until the race so felt the need to go skiing this weekend so I had two ski-sessions like Mats this weekend.
Saturday: Did 12 km at 08.00 AM, freezing cold down to – 16 degrees, but I was beautiful since the sun was up and I was the first and only one in the tracks. I even saw big Moose footprints in the track..
Sunday: Did 21 km and felt better, it was dark so the head torch was handy, passed by the funny: ‘ALDRI SUR’ in the snow that means ‘Never grumpy’ if you go skiing.
Felt ok after the trip yesterday, had a sore ankle, and tired shoulders.
Status today: Hungry as a bear when I woke up, and tired in the body, but feel ok.
Pics; attached.
Update from Mats 8 March 10
The picture is from Saturday after 8 kilometres skiing. I am trying to squeeze out some sort of content smile but I believe the pain shines throw. My arms do not just look like spaghetti – the feel like spaghetti. Out again on Sunday and did 5 kilometres yesterday. Status this morning - Legs ok, back ok – arms like rubber bands.
Had another go in the slopes yesterday, once again started at Sognsvann going uphill to Frognerseteren, above Holmenkollen and back. My form is improving, once back to the starting point I had energy for an additional 11 km run, adding up to 31 km in 3h 20min.
Although I had what sports commentators would refer to as a complete meltdown the final 3-4 km, I am almost surprised how well the body are able to adapt to the distances and improve. I am currently in high hopes that I won't be picked up in a helicopter midway.
That being said it a long way to go, and mere days to do it. A couple of resting days then on to the next goal: 40 km! BOO-YAH!!
Have a great day!¨
Update from Oystein sent in 1 March 2010
Went out to the tracks Saturday afternoon, for a 22 km ski trip. It starts off uphill the first 10 k, from Sognsvann up to Ullevållsæter, then to Frognersæteren and back. Was slightly hung-over, and had cookies and cola for breakfast, so it’s safe to say I was very tired when I returned! It seems however that there’s something you simply can’t do in the gym, which is to familiarize the body with the endurance it takes to make it up and down kilometer after kilometer.
Definitely need to get out in the field as much as possible the remaining 20 days!
Goal: To make it over the 54 km finish line on my feet.
Øystein
Update from David sent in 27 Feb 2010
My training, now in Mexico City airport for one night, could now sleep so I just did 5 miles in and around airportJust great to run in the heat again
Regards David
Update from Oystein sent in 25 Feb 2010
I had a nice workout session on Tuesday:3 sets, 20 reps of weighted squats/leg press –trying to beef up my stringy legs before the race.
50 minutes on ski machine, medium to max resistance, high intensity. It got my pulse going for sure!
Today the plan is:
3 sets of medium resistance pull downs, multiple reps – adding some power to my… stick work (that right?)
Rowing machine, haven’t set a goal their yet
Then finally the tread mill, 20 – 30 min
Hopefully tomorrow I’ll even go skiing!
All the best!
Øystein
Update from John - sent in 23 Feb 2010
Training has been a challenge for the past week.
Feb 12: I hurt my lower back on our 1 ski day in Sweden. The mind is great but the body is old!
Feb 13: Could hardly walk on Sat – just did some squats and sit ups.
Feb 14: Back much better – got a 5 mile run in the rain and managed 8 min miles.
Feb 15: Running was a very bad idea – struggling to walk again (I understand how if feels to be 90 years old).
Feb 16: No workout. Got acupuncture on my back to relieve the pain. My Physio is a God!
Feb 17: Back is much better. Tried to do hill sprints in Clon. Ahhh! My calf gave in. The mind is old and the body is finished!
Feb 18 and 19: No workout Hobbling – I feel like Long John Silver with one leg.
Feb 20 and 21: Leg getting better. Got 40 mins hard work out on Ski Machine Sat and Sun. Lots of squats, sit ups and push ups.
Feb 22: Work, kids and too much BB email: no workout
Travelling to Chm’s Club Thursday. I have vacation on Friday and plan to hike Mt Tamalpais north of San Francisco (2,500 ft Mt north of San Francisco). 1:20 hour fast climb to the top (will send photo from top).
See Mt Tam: http://www.virtualparks.org/scenes/ZtUH7Fq2tMYT22A-ObyfVUg.html
From Mt Tam: On a clear day, visitors can see the Farallon Islands 25 miles out to sea, the Marin County hills, San Francisco and the bay, hills and cities of the East Bay, and Mount Diablo.
On rare occasions, the Sierra Nevada's snow-covered mountains can be seen 150 miles away.
Mexico: Gosling and I have hired personal trainer to give us a work out twice a day! Should be a blast :-)
Update from David Sent in 23 Feb 2010
The last 3 weeks have been good for me, between 4 or 5 runs a week about 5 miles each one.
Last week I was in Canada, the 1 morning I went out for my run at 630am, completed about 4 miles and had to stop. It was
-15 and I didn’t have a hat or gloves ( my ears were as red as Kelly Low’s and I could not feel my fingers)
The team in Canada were very supportive and made fun of me all week for running out side in Canada in the winter. On the last day they gave me a gift of a hat that I will now wear on the event (they also gave me a book on how to become a better runner.
Need to up the miles over the next 3 weeks which should be fun as I’m training with the old man of PGi John Stone
Update from Robert - sent in 23 Feb 2010 - new photos attached
I did 35 km on my skies yesterday, used 4 hours so I was so tired I could hardly stand before I reached the car.
I think I looked more like an old desperate man than a ‘superhero’ at the end of the trip..It was between minus 17-13 degrees so it was quite cold.
I had a break after 20 km, and ate: 2 bananas, 2 oranges, one energy bar, two toddy’s, a slice of cake and one hot chocolate before I went back. That gave me some energy J
Update from Robert - sent in 15 Feb 2010
Mr. Winge and Mr. John did 10 km ski training on Friday, they were ‘sore’ the whole weekend and found out they had some muscles they didn’t knew they had.. (according to some unknown sources)
I went skiing for 2 hours on Saturday night with a head torch and it was beautiful outside, became very tired and got the biggest blister ever on my heal, but that one of the fun parts of it! See attached photo for the night views.
Mr. Winge went skiing last night, for 6 km, he felt more stable then and ‘ruled the tracks’ when he went downhill, he is now really looking forward to this event.
I am going to the gym now to train my skinny arms so I can get some ‘superhero arms’ that can make me fly over the mountain, the only thing that grows while I am in front of the computer all day is the stomach…
