From couch potato to Norseman

Interviewed by Dag Oliver

Translated to English your book is named ”Hard and long: From couch potato to Ironman”.

This is my story. But it is not unique. There are several of us. We are forty years old, we are the MAMILs – middle-aged men in lycra. And we choose to triathlon. Most of all because of the fun and variety, but it is also because of the challenge.

You're not taking yourself very seriously  in this book?

Too many training books are too serous about the subject. I admit that I am a middle-aged guy that will never win any thing, no prizes, and no medals. I’m not even talented. The only thing I get is a lousy t-shirt, decorated with logos so that I look like a walking commercial. And it even costs me a fortune.

Your book is about triathlon in general, with several race reports from different Ironman competitions around the world. But there is also a larger part about Norseman here?

In Norway Norseman is triathlon! So it was quite obvious. After two times ironman World Champion Tim de Boom won Norseman last year, he said that Norseman was the toughest race he’d ever done. I believe him. For me, Norseman is the biggest and baddest there is.

De Boom is not Norwegian. Do you think that mattered in any way?

Even to me as a born Norwegian, Norseman is extreme and exotic. The challenge in the fjord, biking Hardangervidda, climbing the mountains, everything is epic. From this competition there is written chapters in my life book that I´ll never forget.

You have done it even twice. Why?

When I finished the first time, I said never again. But I guess you can compare it with giving birth, even though it was hard as hell, after a while you forget the pain and you only remember the good parts. That’s what my wife tells me anyway.

You have done several Ironman competitions. And by conquering ”the biggest and baddest” twice; does that make you a tough guy?

Norseman is not about survival, as many people seem to believe. It all comes to training and preparation. You´re stupid if cross the start line without being prepared. But if you prepare well, I believe that most people could manage Norseman.

You are a former couch potato according to yourself. What do you mean by that?

I was more of a workaholic. And after work I spent time watching sport at the television. But after a while I realized that sport is like sex. It is more fun participating than watching.

What  happened?

I kind of bumped into Rune Skinnerlien. He is a Norwegian triathlete. He has been to Hawaii seven times. The first thought that slipped my mind was that he was a nut case. But he is a funny guy and after while he pushed me and I thought, well, let´s give it a try.

And how was it?

It was terrific. And it was terrible. I was scared for six months. But fear is a good motivation. And it pushed me forward. Now I´m not scared anymore, it is more a matter of respect.

Without the fear, do you still train a lot?

I guess I train about 500-600 hours a year. That is not rare at all. Many long distance triathletes do that. But according to many ”civilians” I train too much.  To them, it is madness. But it’s far worse being passive than active. Believe me, I know.

Will you come back for more Norseman?

This year I will support a friend of mine. That is also fun. But of course, it is not as fun as participating.