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Link: canonical * Home * Subscribe The Back Half Awake My Soul by Matthew on August 10, 2011 The Final Ascent Norseman's Final 5k Thanks to Mumford & Sons for the title of this one. It's appropriate in context of the below and worth a listen to hear many of the lyrics applicable to my experiences the last week. I touched down from Norway late last night having spent 8 days in various locations across that wonderful country. One of my good friends whose other role in my life is as one of my athletes, Drew Marlar, had asked me to accompany him and his partner, Bryan, to Norway to serve as crew for the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon. I had heard of and read about Norseman in the last several years from various triathlon media outlets. It was always touted as the world's hardest Iron-distance race, and I had a heightened sense of curiosity about the event. After a couple of discussion with Elizabeth, some good timing and help from my mother with Elle, I thankfully committed to Bryan and Drew to be part of the team for the trip. The website is completely understated on how difficult this race is. The pictures and video don't provide the scale necessary to capture the difficulty of the course. It's not an athletic race in that it requires much speed or speed endurance for that matter. For most of us, Ironman is like that, too, but this race is definitely several notches more exaggerated in the endurance category. Whereas Ironman is a lot about managing the rate of deterioration of speed on the run to put up the fastest time possible, this race is more about managing output on the bike so you can finish the race. That said, it is the truest test of aerobic and muscular endurance I've seen that can still be called a race. The swim starts with a ferry ride out of into the middle of one of the many fjords that encompass Norway. It's a awe-inspiring view, like so much of this race. Imagine a river that is about 3 miles across with 5,000 foot mountain cliffs straddling the banks. Now hop onto a ferry at 2'30am to take you to a place that looks just like that, but it's actually an ocean and it's still dark. That's how Drew started out his morning. Bryan and I dropped Drew off at the ferry at 2'30 and drove down to T1 to set up his bike for the beginning of the day. In the half-light of the morning dusk a horn blew in the distance from the ferry a little after 5am and the race was on. When Drew exited the water, he hadn't seen the transition area - nor had any other athlete for that matter. I was waiting for him out of the exit and shepherded him to his bike. Wetsuit off. Race belt on. Socks, wind vest, arm warmers, helment. A nice shove up the steep hill that greets the beginning of your 200km ride, and Drew was rolling. Eidfjord View from the Original T1 in the Afternoon The bike course is probably like doing 6-gap and then 3-gap, but over the most beautiful course you could possibly imagine. The bike was like I would envision a queen stage in the Tour de France - a 125 mile test of will and strength over 5 mountain passes with bookend long (7 mile+) climbs. The course takes you from the fjord area at Eidfjord in the western part of Norway moving east and south towards a small ski resort where the final test awaits. You ride from the ocean climbing lush, evergreen areas to the moonscape above tree line where the road stretches for miles on end and you see just as far. It is breathtaking even above tree line. The last climb includes some 10+% grades and as I said earlier, it's long. If you have pushed too much by the time you reach there, the cadence slows to a standstill and it looks like you're riding backwards. The ride finishes with an 18 mile descent, yes, 18 miles. We were tailing Drew at one point going a bit over 42 mph on this descent. You have to have both serious descending skills, and nerves to boot, across all the descents, particularly in wet conditions, as Drew had several times throughout the day. Drew managed the bike extremely well. He smiled at all times and marveled to us about the scenery and the terrain. He climbed fully and efficiently and descended with the appropriate level of aggressiveness to maintain a speedy, yet safe, ride. He came in a shade over 7 hours on the bike, which over a 200k day that abuts a looming, sadistic marathon, is exceptional. Out of Eidfjord Drew hitting the first climb of the day out of Eidfjord The Bike The Bike The run is 15 miles of small, slightly rolling terrain along a beautiful, evergreen-studded lake in a valley floor. At the 9 mile mark you can see the radio tower at the finish up on the Gaustatoppen, a mountain that serves as a national park and also the finish line for this diabolical race. I was floored when it first came into site through the windshield of our car. Again, context of pictures and the web just doesn't give the scale of what lies ahead justice. I uttered several WTFs to Bryan throughout the run, as I could not believe the profile of the course nor the mind game the radio tower serves as it looms over you in the distance like an omnipresent dark tower. You always know it's there and the worst is yet to come. So now imagine having run a bit over a half marathon and then doing the Hogpen Hill Climb. This is what 25k-32k serves up as you literally go from the valley floor and climb the main road that serves a ski resort. It's constant 10% grades over switchbacks that seem to go on and on and on. If you can muster up enough strength to run for 100-200 yards at a pop, you are doing well. Most folks exclusively walk this section. At 32.5k, it flattens out a bit - to 3-7% grades as you keep climbing towards the final 5k, all above tree line in the moon scape of the Norwegian highlands. Again, if you can squeeze in some running, you have managed your day well up to that point. The final salvo on your remaining strength is the 5k hike on unstable terrain when you are beyond exhausted and just want it to end. It took us 90 minutes to get through the final 5k alone, and we were not walking slowly. 16k View from 9 miles in towards the finish - yes, the finish is up there! [IMG] The first 25k of the run Drew reeled in 4-5 athletes over that distance. He was methodical and patient and kept a consistent turnover and stride. If my calcs are right, he was sub-1'50 through the first 13 miles which is remarkable. After 25k he continued steadfast up to the first checkpoint at 32.5k, running small stretches when he could and walking a deliberate, consistent effort otherwise. At certain points during this section, I would run down to him to give him fluids and calories and we would walk with one another (after 25k you can have support pace you by foot or bike) for a 25-50m. He was completely cogent and still upbeat. At no point did he seem on the edge of defeat, even up the final ascent on "Zombie Mountain". Once on the hike up to the Gaustatoppen, Drew led the way, again deliberate and focused. He finished at the summit, completely and utterly spent. It was truly awe-inspiring. As support it was phenomenal to spectate. You're allowed to drive in your car everywhere on the course, save the last 5k of the run. You cannot provide support from the car at any point while the vehicle is moving, so we would pull over what shoulder was available throughout the race to perform our support duties. Bryan and I made for a compatible and, well dare I say, a formidable crew. Having the necessary skills to drive a manual transmission, I was behind the wheel all day, as Bryan would fill bottles or gather food in between our stops so we could pass things on to Drew as efficiently as possible. Bryan's presence, for me, was as enjoyable as the race itself. You can crew this thing solo if you have to, but I imagine it would make for a stressful day. The tandem approach is just right, in my opinion, and we worked well together for Drew and for each other. On the bike we stopped every 10k to check on Drew and provide fluids/calories as needed. This made the bike go by quickly for us. Because it's an open course it felt like what the Tour must feel like for team cars - speeding ahead past athletes, pulling next to Drew to determine what he needed at the next stop, preparing food and drink while driving. We did our best to stop in places where Drew's speed was in check so it provided us enough time to accomodate his needs. Often on both the bike and run, I would run a bit further down towards Drew with what I though he might need or want. If Drew needed something else, I would yell up to Bryan and he would have it ready for Drew as he passed. On the run, we timed our stops every 8 minutes to make sure we could give him calories and fluids on a timely basis. Again, this made the time pass quickly. For the final 5k I hiked behind Drew more as a safety measure, if anything. You are required support for this section though Drew could have finished on his own without me, but it was a precaution that I (not necessarily he) wanted to take. Aid Station A little cola treat before the apex of the final climb The race is as grassroots as a triathlon can be, let alone an Iron-distance race. The transition areas are sparse. There's no announcer or music playing in the background. The crowd support is family and friends and passers-by at random points along the course. No aid stations and minimal race marshalls. The athletes here have self-selected and cheating is not something that probably crosses anybody's mind as it diminishes the experience of the challenge. I think about the type-A triathletes we have at WTC events and the needs for catering and pampering we expect or take for granted. If there were a change in the courses or timelines the day before the race, it would send 99% of the athletes into a tail spin - complaints to the RD, cursing out volunteers, drop outs, etc. We had both announced at 3'30pm the day before the race. 1am wake-up call on race day - no problem. Down at the ferry at 2'30am to be ready for the swim start - done. Nobody complains or utters a word of displeasure at the pre-race meeting (yes, one pre-race meeting you actually must attend because these changes do happen). This race is not for everyone. Santa is a fan Even Santa loves Norseman Most of the athletes are Norwegian or from Scandanvian countries. The weather and terrain in this area of the world is rugged and intense. It breeds athletes of a similar mental and physical composition. We are well aware of Drew's proclivity for the most extreme of physical challenges, and this race was in his wheelhouse as such. If a race can be a reflection or embodiment of your inner passion, the fuel that feeds your soul and provides your life force sustenance, this race is that for Drew. He drew strength from the natural environment and the other athletes who shared the same appreciation and passion for the challenges in front of them. To witness this firsthand was worth every second away from Elizabeth and my kids, as seeing true, pure joy is rare and sacred. Bryan and I saw it throughout the entire day in Drew's eyes. I would be remiss if I didn't share the tipping point as to how Elizabeth and I agreed to come to Norway after Drew and Bryan generously asked to bring me here. At Hilton Kort's funeral back in May, his best friend provided an inspiring eulogy. He spoke about Hilton's uncanny ability to say yes to all requests. In doing so, his friend posited, Hilton lived life to the fullest, or as Emerson would say, sucked the marrow out of life. As Elizabeth and I discussed my attending the trip back in May, we remembered these words. On the final ascent up to the radio tower at the top of the Gaustatoppen, I thought of Hilton several times and thought of Elizabeth. Drew's participation, let alone performance, in Norseman was one of the greatest personifications of the "say yes" to life. He made me proud and I know he made Hilton proud. And I know Elizabeth, several thousands of miles away, was proud to have me there in support and proud to have Drew expressing his life's passion in the remote, sublime Norwegian countryside. Where you invest your love / you invest your life Share/Save/Bookmark Tagged as: Hilton Kort, Ironman, Norseman { 8 comments... read them below or add one } Gilly August 11, 2011 at 7:45 am I read this post, thinking to myself the whole time: there is nothing sane about this endeavor. But then I reached the end and read the touching words spoken at Hilton Kort's funeral, read about how he and those words have inspired your life. Suddenly, pursuing a challenge of this sort seemed a whole lot less crazy. I am amazed at Drew's ability to discipline his mind to make his body do what was necessay to complete that race. I tried to think of a sufficient accolade and I'm pretty sure the only one that lives up to his accomplishment in Norway is that he's a true iron man. And you, Bryan and Elizabeth are rockstars for standing by him and helping him make it happen each in your own way. Wow. [IMG] Andree August 11, 2011 at 4:06 pm That was beautiful!! I so enjoyed tracking Drew through the day. he is very lucky to have you as a friend, coach and support. I am sure you will carry these memories forever CJ Ong, Jr. August 18, 2011 at 7:22 am A very nice race report. Well done. Diederik August 25, 2011 at 12:12 pm Great achievement and fantastic story to read. Training hard for moving to ironman distances at the moment and this is definately in the top 3 of my motivational list. Thanks for publishing! [IMG] Jill September 12, 2011 at 10:21 pm Thank you for sharing your perspective on the day. What an amazing experience! I am in love with the idea of this race; it is, to me, the true spirit of triathlon. The indomitable spirit of human will and enjoyment of nature. Beautifully written race report! [IMG] Matthew October 6, 2011 at 11:32 pm Thanks, JP. It's a special race that attracts athletes with the purest athletic souls. Right in your wheel house... [IMG] Matthew October 6, 2011 at 11:37 pm Thank you, Gilly, for the kind words. It's a blessing to have wonderful human beings as friends, and both Elizabeth and I are incredibly fortunate and thankful. [IMG] Mike B November 11, 2011 at 9:17 pm Epic. Truly epic. What an amazing race/experience this must have been. Leave a Comment _____________________ Name * _____________________ E-mail * _____________________ Website _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ [ Submit ] { 1 trackback } * Rift - The Back Half Previous post: Hilton Kort Next post: What I've Read - Week of 8/15/11 * Get The Back Half In Your Inbox! 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